Coffee.
It’s funny how one little word can evoke so many feel-good moments for much of the population.
It’s that heavenly first sip. Sweet familiarity. A morning ritual. A pick-me-up. The common ground between lovers, friends, or co-workers. Someplace to escape to. Something to come home to. Relief after a long day. Perfection.
If you love coffee (you know you do!) and are visiting the state of Washington, you will be delighted to know they are at the top of the game for coffee roasting and coffee supply chain management. It’s no wonder why they have many coffee shops about.
Which one do you choose from? Well, to be honest, every single one of them probably has an excellent quality about them. Seriously- coffee can do no wrong. But, in this post, we’ve listed 5 places for you to get started with.
Starbucks (Seattle)
These days, you can find a Starbucks store on just about every single corner in the United States. So naturally, you can’t have a post about the best coffee in Washington without a shoutout to the very first Starbucks.
It’s located at Pike Place Market on 1st and Pike, though technically, this is its second location. The original opening address back in 1971 was “2000 Western Avenue.” Around 1976, the store moved to where you can find it now. Back in the day, you would only go there to get fresh coffee beans, not drinks. But over the years, they have added many things to their menu.
Customer favorites:
To drink- The Sweet Cream Vanilla Cold Brew, Caramel Frappucino, or “Pink Drink.”
To eat-The Bacon Gouda breakfast sandwich, Tomato and Mozzarella lunch panini and Banana Nut loaf pastry.
Milstead & Co. (Seattle)
If you want your coffee with a side of chill vibes and a pretty lake view, head to Milstead and Co. It’s an especially lovely stop if you’re out for a ride on your bicycle since it’s located right next to a bike path.
Customer favorites:
Their House Blend Coffee, Chai Latte or Vanilla Bean Latte.
Compass Coffee (Vancouver)
Compass Coffee believes in only the best of the best, with knowledgeable baristas and all ethically and sustainably sourced coffee beans and pastries.
If you plan to visit during the weekend, there is free parking on Sunday. Also, it’s nearby the Vancouver Farmer’s Market. So, you could make a whole day out of it, if you wanted.
Customer Favorites:
The Lavender Latte and Muscavado Latte (for milk alternatives, ask for oat milk or hemp milk!) or the Iced Ginseng Tea.
North Town Coffee (Yakima)
North Town Coffee shop is a unique, vibrant place to grab a drink. It’s built inside of an old, preserved train station. On Sunday nights, they host an open mic night where you can listen to locals play music on their instruments and sing.
If you’re traveling with kids, they have a room set up just for them- with little people chairs and tables and even some toys.
Customer Favorites:
To drink- The Mocha Latte. To eat- Any of their Gelato flavors (but especially the chocolate or coconut.)
J5 Coffee (Leavenworth)
J5 brews in frequent, small-batch brewings to ensure the freshest, most flavorful coffee to their customers. Being a family-owned shop themselves, they show a little love for other local businesses by selling some local-made items inside.
Customer Favorites:
A “Pour-Over,” Maple Bourbon Latte, or Pumpkin Spice Latte.
