If there is one thing we are always on the lookout for while we travel it’s great coffee in a local coffeehouse that has free WiFi. While there were plenty of Starbucks locations to be found in Seattle which would of course give us both coffee and WiFi, it’s way more fun and often relaxing to support the local coffeehouses that offer a bit more in terms of local flair and atmosphere, fun food choices and in my opinion, much better coffee.
There are many, many more small, local coffeehouses all over the city but these were the ones that we spent a few hours at and wanted to highlight for those of you looking for fresh, local coffee with a free, WiFi enabled work-space.
There are many, many more small, local coffeehouses all over the city but these were the ones that we spent a few hours at and wanted to highlight for those of you looking for fresh, local coffee with a free, WiFi enabled work-space.
Ballard Bauhaus
Part of a small local chain, this one had great coffee and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating space even though it was pretty busy when we got there. Typically they have free WiFi but unfortunately it wasn’t working for the entire neighborhood the morning we stopped in so we couldn’t stay long.
Part of a small local chain, this one had great coffee and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating space even though it was pretty busy when we got there. Typically they have free WiFi but unfortunately it wasn’t working for the entire neighborhood the morning we stopped in so we couldn’t stay long.
They also had tons of comfortable seating and interesting books available for patrons. We were most fascinated by the “Douglas Fir Use Book” we found and naively assumed would be full of pictures of furniture or something. But it was a few hundred pages full of statistics and mathematical formulas and calculations.
This was also where I found one of my favorite breakfast items on this trip. We split two different fagotinnos which were kind of like a breakfast croissant sandwich. One was filled with egg, cheese and bacon and the other I believe was egg, cheese, red pepper and spinach. Unfortunately it wasn’t completely warmed up when it was served to us but it still had good flavor and was a tasty, filling breakfast.
El Diablo Coffee Co
The most intriguing coffeehouse we visited and I think I’d call it my favorite even though it was quite busy and when it started raining, it seemed to turn into more of a daycare than a relaxing work-space. Could use a few more places to plug in but the inside seating area has plenty of fun, devilish, Mexican decor and one of the two outside seating areas was actually covered so even in the rain, you could still be outside to enjoy the fresh air.
The most intriguing coffeehouse we visited and I think I’d call it my favorite even though it was quite busy and when it started raining, it seemed to turn into more of a daycare than a relaxing work-space. Could use a few more places to plug in but the inside seating area has plenty of fun, devilish, Mexican decor and one of the two outside seating areas was actually covered so even in the rain, you could still be outside to enjoy the fresh air.
We had to try some fun drinks on the menu here so Mark ordered the cubano and I got the Mexican mocha. The cubano was much smaller than we were expecting (served in an espresso shot glass) but it packed a punch. Great flavor though for such a strong drink. My Mexican mocha was probably the best one I had while in Seattle. It did not have any chili spice or anything spicy that I was anticipating and was made Mexican chocolate pieces melted in the bottom. They seemed to enhance the “sugary-ness” of the drink without making it to sweet or heavy.
After sitting at El Diablo for a few hours, we couldn’t resist getting a couple of their homemade empanadas since the aroma coming from the kitchen was making us both super hungry! Sorry, no photo…we ate them too fast!
Fremont Coffee Company
A super cute, quiet, relaxing coffeehouse that is located right along N 36th Street and is an old house, converted into a coffeehouse. Definitely a popular spot as it had a decent line the entire time we were there but probably the best one on this list for anyone looking for coffee and a quiet place to concentrate.
A super cute, quiet, relaxing coffeehouse that is located right along N 36th Street and is an old house, converted into a coffeehouse. Definitely a popular spot as it had a decent line the entire time we were there but probably the best one on this list for anyone looking for coffee and a quiet place to concentrate.
They also have lots of outdoor seating with plants, vines, wicker chairs and wooden benches that really make it feel like you are hanging out on someone’s patio.
Now these next few don’t necessarily meet the criteria of those above but are ones that we found throughout our travels and really are worth a stop if you are in their area.
Ghost Alley Espresso
We happened upon this place by accident while walking down under Pike Place to check out the gum wall. Tucked in the corner under the stairs, this place only had a couple small tables but offers some unique coffee drinks like the London Smog – a latte made with Earl Grey Tea and the Salted Nut Caramel Hazelnut latte.
We happened upon this place by accident while walking down under Pike Place to check out the gum wall. Tucked in the corner under the stairs, this place only had a couple small tables but offers some unique coffee drinks like the London Smog – a latte made with Earl Grey Tea and the Salted Nut Caramel Hazelnut latte.
Cosmonaut Coffee in Tacoma
A tiny little coffee shop run by a few crazy hipsters :) They told us to say that, really! You have to look for it or you’ll miss it. It’s a super small coffeehouse next to Wright Park with free WiFi and only about 7 places to sit on the inside.
A tiny little coffee shop run by a few crazy hipsters :) They told us to say that, really! You have to look for it or you’ll miss it. It’s a super small coffeehouse next to Wright Park with free WiFi and only about 7 places to sit on the inside.
Over-decorated in fun, space-related decor, this place offers really great, basic coffee options along with plenty of entertainment and free WiFi. Clearly we were out of the norm in terms of their clientele since every other person that walked in the door was a friend of one of the baristas and fit the hipster vibe much better than we did but they were very fun and welcoming. I also tried something here that I had never had before – a mocha made with hemp milk. It was super good! If I had to try to explain the flavor, it’s close to what you’d expect when you order almond milk.
The Commonwealth
Now this one is a good distance outside Seattle up in Snoqualmie Pass but has great coffee drinks and also my favorite breakfast! Very new to the scene, it has some really unique backwoods decor and serves up a good-sized, delicious breakfast burrito for just $4.
Now this one is a good distance outside Seattle up in Snoqualmie Pass but has great coffee drinks and also my favorite breakfast! Very new to the scene, it has some really unique backwoods decor and serves up a good-sized, delicious breakfast burrito for just $4.
We were the only ones there when we arrived around 8am on a Sunday but I could tell this must be a hot spot during their ski season. Lots of seating and a large kitchen. Great coffee, great food that is very reasonably priced and an amazing view.
If you can recommend another local Seattle/Tacoma coffee shop with great coffee and reliable, free WiFi, tell us in the comments.
