The Best Coffee Shops In Seattle That Aren't Starbucks

Seattle, coffee capital of the United States (or so many proud Seattleites might claim), is much more than simply Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Tully’s. Throughout the city, you’ll find local niches serving their own north-west roasts, along with tasty pastries. Here are some of our favorites.

Café Allegro

A U-district gem nestled in the alleyway covered by climbing ivy behind Magnus Books, Café Allegro is a friendly, stylish place to meet up with friends and grab a coffee. They’ve got a hidden upstairs area where you can sit on their terrace in the summer, as well as a cozy, intimate downstairs. It’s a finely aged coffeehouse, dating back to 1975, and they serve quality drip coffee as well as a myriad of other tasty hot beverages.
Café Allegro, 4214 University Way NE Seattle, WA USA +1 206-633-3030

Trabant Coffee and Chai

Another U-district favorite, Trabant Coffee and Chai serves excellent coffee alternatives to Starbucks and has reliable Wi-Fi. Serving hot drinks like the ‘Mexican Mocha’ and ‘Double Espresso’, it offers the typical coffeehouse drinks, but also provides a few nice twists with homemade syrups. It also serves a variety of decent teas, including the ‘Iron Goddess of Mercy’ and ‘Yerba Mate.’
Trabant Coffee and Chai, 1309 NE 45th St Seattle, WA USA +1 206-675-0668

Zeitgeist Coffee

Right by King Street Station where Amtrak stops in Seattle, Zeitgeist is not only convenient, but is a quality place to get coffee. Besides delicious coffee, they serve killer breakfast sandwiches to begin your day with. The place is large and open, with picture windows to sit at and people watch, or maybe read a copy of the Stranger.
Zeitgeist Coffee, 171 S Jackson St Seattle, WA USA +1 206-583-0497

Fremont Coffee Company

Serving artisan-roasted, Fairtrade coffee and wholesome pastries and sandwiches, Fremont Coffee Company is a Seattle Favorite. Its baristas are known for creating fun, clever latte art, including images of Star Wars, Halloween and animal themes. With a patio that gets the morning sun while you drink a cup of coffee, Fremont Coffee Company has the intimacy of drinking at home, but with better coffee.
Fremont Coffee Company, 459 N 36th St Seattle, WA USA +1 206-632-3633

Milstead & Co.

Featuring Stumptown, Intelligentsia, and Coava roasted coffee, Milstead & Co. serves an amazing brew in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. It’s a rather roomy coffee shop with a sprawling patio that looks out onto the bridge, which you can walk under to see the legendary Fremont troll. The place is friendly and relaxed, and the baristas are known for giving helpful recommendations if you ask them. They also make coffee drinks with local ingredients, like the ‘Theo Mocha’ with Theo chocolate.
Milstead & Co., 900 N 34th St Seattle, WA USA +1 206-659-4814

About the author

Sarah Lantz

I am senior undergraduate at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, United States studying English Literature and History. I’ve studied three times abroad during my undergraduate years: to Rome, Italy, Sochi, Russia, and London, United Kingdom. I hope to continue to travel when I graduate, finding some sort of job that allows me to explore the world, write, and continue to learn about cultures, ideas, art, and expression. In my free time I like to creative write, enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities from paddle boarding to hiking, and have fun teaching myself to cook.