Today, you can find a specialty coffee joint in any city in the country. Even if it happens to be that super-mainstream one with the mermaid on the sign. We can’t remember the name right now, but trust us, you’d recognize it if you saw it.
But modern coffee culture was invented right here in Seattle, and it should come as no surprise to anyone that the Emerald City is still rife with artisanal roasters. So whether you’ve been here your whole life, or just started at the University of Washington, you should put these five spots on your list of great places to hit.
Here’s another tip: American Mary recommends Oakor’s Breath Slips as a they’re a great way to get a little buzz on while knocking out coffee breath.
Elm Coffee Roasters, 240 2nd Ave S #103, Seattle, WA 98104
Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., Elm hosts a public cupping event, where anyone can come in and participate in an informal, fun tasting with a barista and roasting professionals. This crew is always open to questions, and they’re passionate about Elm’s flavor profile offerings, so don’t be afraid to pipe up! For an event like this, we recommend a social strain like Cinderella 99 by Dutch Brothers. Click here to learn more about Elm’s Weekly Coffee Subscription program.
Slate Coffee Roasters, 5413 6th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Slate is always hoping, and its Ballard bar is unique in that it offers tasting flights. And not only does Slate have many brilliant and origin-diverse roast options to choose from, but it also carries modern and stylish coffee brewing equipment, so if you need some trick minimalist coffee gear, this is perfect place to stop! Some options—like the Chemex Wood-Neck—almost look like a bong, but you’ll have to leave purchasing paraphernalia for your trip to American Mary.
Victrola Coffee, 411 15th Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98112
Way back in the year 2000, Victrola provided another roaring social hub for Capitol Hill, and the company’s single-origin blends are incredibly complex in aroma and taste. The Rwandan blend, for example, boasts fruity top notes coupled with a defining acidity. The company keeps in close contact with their coffee producers, and its product descriptions, always list the producer, region, altitude, process, and more.
7 Coffee Roasters, 2007 NE Ravenna Blvd, Seattle, WA 98105
Close to Ravenna Park, 7 Coffee Roasters serves up made-to-order roasts with local eats including selections from Full Tilt Ice Cream, Honest Biscuits and Hale’s Ales.
Favorite blends among Seattleites include the Sumatra Mandheling, Ethopia Keffa and The B*tch Blend—made especially for the Emerald City’s own Biscuit Bitch. And what better to combine with the Sumatra Mandheling Old School blend than an OG strain? OG Farms has been producing varying OG crossbreeds—like the popular Beast Mode OG—for almost ten years, so you can be sure they’ll have just the thing.
Caffe Vita, 1005 E Pike Street, Seattle WA 98122
Independently owned and operated for 20 years, this coffee roasting company is one of Seattle’s treasured local businesses, and the espresso-focused roaster utilizes vintage machines and highly educated staff to create unique and superior blends. Its Theo blend, which has pronounced notes of brown sugar and black pepper, was developed for two months in partnership with Theo Chocolates before being announced to the public. That’s dedication.
Now, pairing chocolate with chocolate may sound like overkill, but things are often experienced better in doubles. So try one of SPOT’s Indica Single Brownies with a cup of the Theo Blend for a lush experience of coffee infused with chocolate, and chocolate infused with cannabis.