Seattle’s coffee culture is, without a doubt, one of the richest in the United States. While you can find excellent coffee throughout the Emerald City and most of Western Washington, there is an especially high concentration of quality coffee in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
If you want a cup of Joe worth writing home about, here are some of our favorite Capitol Hill coffee dives.
Analog Coffee
Tucked away in a quiet, residential stretch of Summit Street, Analog Coffee is the sort of place you could easily miss if you weren’t looking for it. That this hasn’t stopped the indie coffee shop from turning a bustling business is a testament to the quality it churns out. Open from 7 AM to 6 PM every day, Analog Coffee is less than a mile from South Lake Union.
Arabica Lounge
Intricately decorated and filled with natural light on sunny days, Arabica Lounge epitomizes Seattle’s coffee culture by offering something for everyone. They serve delicious Stumptown coffee and meals, have awesome beer and wine, and book lots of great live, local gigs. Arabica Lounge, located on East Olive Way, is just a half-mile from our South Lake Union apartments, AMLI South Lake Union and AMLI 535.
Bauhaus Coffee and Books
Long beloved by Capitol Hill cafe goers, Bauhaus Coffee and Books moved into a new location at Crawford and Pine in 2013. Less than a mile from AMLI 535 and AMLI South Lake Union, Bauhaus is as iconic as ever. It’s a great place to read a book over a bold cup of coffee.
Broadcast Coffee
Carefully selected and skillfully roasted beans are the keys to Broadcast Coffee’s specialty caffeinated beverages. Friendly baristas and a beautifully designed interior add to the appeal of this Capitol Hill coffee shop.
Cafe Pettiroso
If you frequent the intersection of Pike and Broadway and have any degree of caffeine dependency, you’ve probably put in your time downing shots of espresso at Cafe Pettiroso. This cute Capitol Hill cafe is known for its coffee and delectable pastries, but has an impressive lunch menu as well.
Caffe Vita
This storied, independent Seattle coffee shop has deep roots in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Caffe Vita’s large, airy atmosphere makes it a great place to whittle away time writing, drawing, or catching up with a friend over first-rate, farm-direct coffee or espresso beans.
Espresso Vivace
A pioneer of the Seattle latte art scene, Espresso Vivace has been helping people start their days off Italian-style for three decades. In addition to its flagship Capitol Hill location and popular sidewalk bar, Espresso Vivace has a South Lake Union location just a five-minute walk from AMLI 535 and AMLI South Lake Union.
Kaladi Brothers
Kaladi Brothers’ Alaska-roasted beans are pretty popular in Seattle, and the company’s community-minded presence is very welcome in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Find more about Kaladi Brothers’ commitment to civic engagement on your next visit to this eclectic cafe.
Oddfellows Cafe
Part cafe, part bar, Oddfellows is a good place to be any time of day or night. The coffee is great, and so is the adult beverage selection. The menu is heavily influenced by local, seasonal offerings, and weekend brunch starts early and runs late.
Slate
Since opening a coffee bar in the neighborhood in 2013, Ballard has felt like Slate Coffee’s home. Located on 6th Avenue, just over a mile from AMLI Mark24, the skilled coffee roaster has its roots in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where you can expect to see the Slate airstream trailer open for business after renovations are complete.
Victrola
Another longstanding favorite on the Capitol Hill cafe scene, Victrola Coffee Roasters supports farmers in Latin America, East Africa, and Indonesia. The coffee is great, and the 1920s auto row building that houses the operation is a pretty cool space. Victrola hosts free public samplings on Wednesdays at 11 AM.
The Wandering Goose
This cozy, cheerful Capitol Hill cafe is much more than a coffee shop. Known for down-home, southern favorites like buttermilk biscuits, collard greens, and pimiento mac ‘n’ cheese, it’s almost a shame to visit The Wandering Goose and get just a coffee. Good luck finding a space to sit, and good luck visiting just once.
We’ve done our best to present a good list of Capitol Hill coffee dives, but the neighborhood has dozens of other cafes worth checking out. If you’re a true coffee addict, the good news is you should be able to try them all. Hopefully one of them has the perfect atmosphere for you and can give you just the fix you need to start your day after leaving your Seattle apartment.
What’s your favorite Capitol Hill coffee shop? How about your favorite cafe in your Seattle neighborhood?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst