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    Common Ground

    4.7 (142 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Common Ground Photos

    Business Info

    COMMON GROUND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for working
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Common Ground

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    Reviews With Photos

    Earl Grey Cold Brew and Hot Latte
    Chloe S.

    This is the best cold brew I have ever had! It was deliciously rich, smooth and balanced so well with the cold foam. The espresso was also fantastic and rich with a great toasty flavor. Baristas were very kind and helpful.

    Strawberry matcha!
    Riley B.

    Very cute coffee shop! This is good for working in or catching up with a friend. I ordered a strawberry matcha and I really enjoyed it! You could taste the strawberries without it being too overpowering. Will be back to try a food item and coffee next time!

    Outside
    Stephanie C.

    I'm convinced that this is the best coffee shop in Tacoma. It has an excellent vibe, plenty of seating by the window and tables for working. The coffee is strong and the special menu is even better. Plenty of pastries to choose from. For an old space, it is transformed beautifully with a nice view looking out to the Port of Tacoma.

    Jessica D.

    I'm glad I chose this shop! Popped by Tacoma for a day trip and decided to check out Common Ground. The shop itself is clean, quaint, with plenty of foot traffic, whether it be a quick grab & go to people reading books, working on laptops or chatting away. The baristas taking orders were so kind, and quick to compliment. Now the coffee... delicious. I asked for a cappuccino with a splash of vanilla and they exceeded expectations on a solid cup of coffee. Also grabbed the GF marionberry biscuit out of curiosity. Tasted like a dream. As we prepared for a flight back home the following day, instead of trying out a different coffee shop, I knew I wanted to come back. Highly recommend stopping by - I believe it's worth it!

    thai tea + chai
    Arielle G.

    WOW, what a hidden gem. I found this place while trying to find a cafe around the area that was open early. I am happy to have stumbled upon this place! The environment inside is urban, minimal, and cozy, which are all important factors when I am finding a solid study and work spot. They also have an outdoor seating area, which I ended up taking, and my car was also parked nearby, which was very convenient! I will definitely consider coming back to this place when in the Tacoma area for a work session or catch-up spot. :)

    Interior
    Jenny A.

    A cozy coffeehouse in a rather small strip of shops. Parking is rough, they only have a couple spots in front of the entrance and then there's street parking. I noticed the majority of customers arrived on foot during my visit there. However, once you get inside the ambiance is lovely. They have a sofa and lounge chairs, bar seats, and tables. Staff are friendly and were quick to make my latte. The handwritten note on top was a nice touch! Flavor was well balanced and not too sweet. I also got the nutella brioche, warmed, which had a melty dollop of nutella in the center, yum! I only wish that prices should be clearly printed on their signature drinks, rotating menu, food menu, and bakery items.

    Helen M.

    Stopped by and got a vegan wrap and a lavender coffee. The wrap was fresh and flavorful, and the coffee was very good. I would have loved a little more lavender flavor, but it was still enjoyable. The customer service was excellent and everyone was friendly and welcoming. Great experience overall, and I'll definitely be back!

    Cardigan latte
    C J.

    Parking: limited parking lot; may need to park in the street Experience: I was visiting the area and stopped in to pass time while i waited to meet a friend for dinner. Surprisingly cute venue and the service was impeccable! 5/5 Cardigan Latte, so delicious! I'll be sure to stop in the next time I'm in the area!

    Midnight Crush shaken espresso w/ strawberry biscuit
    Clarissa H.

    Cute little coffee shop in a small mall-strip. Aesthetically, it's very cute - and was packed when I came in today at 2:00. They were out of most of their recommended pastries, but I opted for a strawberry biscuit. This was good, I love the strawberry jam - seems homemade and the biscuit was great warmed up, not too dry. I love their shaken espresso options! I'm a big fan of latte's and shaken espressos. I ended up getting an oat-milk, blackberry shaken espresso and it was good. This is tied with Curran Coffee as far as my 'favorite Tacoma coffee spots'. I've been looking for the 'best coffee' shop in Tacoma. I'll still be looking, but this place is great. Their merch is also really cute, they have a lavender hoodie ($60), if it was a pull-over I'd probably buy it. :) Check out my Yelp for other Tacoma-based coffee shops.

    Inside the shop. Super cute and vibrant inside
    Morgan-Emilee A.

    I was staying downtown on a work trip and this coffee shop was as right up the hill. I got a cortado and an iced americano. Both were amazing. Their espresso beans are top notch. I even bought a bag to take home. I am going to order more of this coffee online. I got a gluten free bacon and egg sandwich to go. It was delightful. The barista was friendly and drinks came out in a timely manner: This shop would be where I'd go to study or come for a relaxing morning coffee. They put sweet quotes on their coffee lids which was a great reminder I matter. I'm not sure how to explain this shop besides it has great vibes and energy. Couldn't recommend this shop enough. If you're local or just passing through and need a coffee recommendation, this is your shop!

    The cutest bathroom
    Clohey H.

    Absolutely LOVE this coffee shop. The staff is always so kind and they make amazing drinks. Coffee quality is 10/10. Not to mention that the vibe of this place is top tier truly. Very open and bright and full of plants. So happy we discovered this spot. We have gone back many times.

    Yuliya

    Such a warm and peaceful spot! The baristas are incredibly kind and friendly, and the whole place feels calm and welcoming. Perfect for quiet mornings, good coffee, and a little pastry happiness.

    Front desk area
    Rob H.

    I think this was my second time here but definitely still impressed. Their seasonal drinks are crazy good. I got the Cardigan latte which has cardamom and black salt. Has a very interesting but tasty flavor profile. Snagged a morning roll which is like a flaky croissant wrapped in a circle and mixed with sticky sugar. Pairs really well. Decor is awesome and super welcoming. Currently it's dressed up for the holidays. When I showed up there was only one person behind the counter and the place was about 3/4 full. Super nice and attentive and was banging out drinks like she had been doing it for decades. I have been, currently am, and will continue to be a fan of Common Ground coffee.

    Inside

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    New go-to Café to study! Staff is very friendly and the overall atmosphere is very chill! :)

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    This is a great place to work, just the right amount of noise, wonderful coffee. Parking was tight.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great customer service! Nice music and ambience. The vegan burrito is small but really good. $9 +tax .

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    2 years ago

    Great coffee, and the everyone is super friendly, the shop is also super clean and has some nice style to it, definitely would recommend

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    2 years ago

    Cute little coffee area, filled with greenery. Good spot to do some hw and have a nice iced drink. Plenty of lounge space.

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    2 years ago

    Best coffee shop in Tacoma!!!! Amazing menu, amazing baristas, amazing aesthetic. LOVE me some Common Ground

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best latte I've ever had! Everything about their drinks is perfect. Highly recommend this place.

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    3 years ago

    It was alright. The staff were super friendly and the drinks were tasty. The setup is casual, but they need a little bit more seating.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Stopped by while the kids were doing an escape room a few doors down. Great service and atmosphere. Drinks were good too!

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    3 years ago

    Cute shop with a vibey aesthetic and charming employees! Great coffee/pastries, will definitely be back when in the area

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    Page 4 of 4

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    Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - Americano.

    Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

    4.3(24 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Didn't eat, so I can't say anything about the food. The cold brew, though, was legit--one of the…read morebetter ones I've had. Staff was friendly, service was solid, and nobody was hovering over you. Free street parking, which is always a plus. Nice spot to post up with a book or get some work done. Upscale without feeling fake or pretentious. I'd definitely come back

    For the most part the coffee tastes good, and I really enjoy their canned nitro cold brew to go. I…read morealso really like that they switched the bakery distributor from Macrina Bakery (nothing wrong with them, just tired of seeing their stuff at every other local coffeeshops) to Tacoma owned Three Hearts Bakery. Recco's: Pour over, Nitro cold brew if they have that on tap, and baked goods by Three Hearts Bakery Cons: Service is a hit or miss at this new location. Being on STW (that is short for South Tacoma Way), I think this location has huge potential for attracting non-locals compared to their 6th Ave location (already established local reputation with regulars), hopefully they staff up to create more flexibility because a lot of times they're backed up on orders especially early mornings due to several crowd rolling in from Howdy Bagel across the street, they're also a bit stoic when it comes to simple greetings. Cortado is one of my favorite coffee drinks but I will not order from this location, today I ordered it with almond milk (which, for cortado of less than 4oz, the portion of milk is not very much but I paid a kidney for it, its my fault) it was $6.07. The barista did provide a tip for next time if I'm looking for a more fuller 8oz drink, I can go for a Flat White. I visit both of their locations fairly regularly and do appreciate this STW location that is closer to me. Parking is on street and has never given any problem finding a spot nearby. Great offerings of seasonal coffee drinks, and I enjoy coming here very early before the crowd hits.

    Photos
    Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - Americano & Raspberry Oat Scone~

    Americano & Raspberry Oat Scone~

    Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - Marvin! They have names for each of the plants in the cafe : )

    Marvin! They have names for each of the plants in the cafe : )

    Bluebeard Coffee Roasters - Americano. $3.5

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    Americano. $3.5

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Stairway to heaven coffee flight

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee

    4.5(109 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee is a cafe located in Downtown Tacoma. There are three locations; Lacey,…read moreTacoma, and Federal Way. This was our first time visiting one of their cafes. They have a monthly rotating menu of four limited drinks for their drink flights. For the month of February the four drinks were: - Lots of Love Lotus -- pink lotus with rose and lavender syrup, topped with lavender cold foam. - Eternal Flame Latte -- espresso with sweet heat syrup and brown sugar cinnamon, finished with a honey and red sugar rim. - Sweetheart Sip Matcha -- iced matcha with cherry and almond syrup, topped with a maraschino cherry. - Perfect Pair Latte -- espresso with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and strawberry, topped with whipped cream and strawberry drizzle. The drinks were all great. In addition to the drink flight, we ordered a chocolate vegan muffin and a Danish to snack on. The space is wonderful. It is a fairly large space that could be used to study, work, or even socialize in. The service is also excellent. The staff are friendly and delivered our drink flight right to us!

    With monthly coffee flights, this is such a fun place to meet the girls and try new drinks. It is…read morekinda spendy though at $18 per flight. The Tacoma location is so pretty! With high vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows with offerings of wine too as well as a view of the mountain. The Federal Way location is pretty small with minimal seating. The Lacey location has a tight knit barista fam with a great sense of community and used to host markets in the HUB.

    Photos
    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Interior

    Interior

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - The expansive bar and coffee bar!

    The expansive bar and coffee bar!

    Ebony and Ivory Coffee - Coffee Flight x2

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    Coffee Flight x2

    Beware Coffee

    Beware Coffee

    4.9(101 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    This is my "go to choice" whenever someone wants to go out for coffee, I know that their drinks…read morewill be superb. They make their syrups inhouse, and you can tell, even a basic caramel latte tasted like the most delicate, handcrafted drink. They have fun seasonals, they're a hit or miss obviously based on your preferences, but I love them all so far. My go to drink pairing is a cardamon and ginger latte. The inside is SO HOMEY. It's rare to find coffee shops that haven't succumbed to the hospital white aesthetic, so this is so refreshing on the head. It is the ideal shop to study in. The cups and plates are my favorite thing about this place. The cups are handmade and just so stinking cute. The baristas are so welcoming every single time I come in, they look like they just love their job and love to chat with the customers. The outside of the shop is a mint green which really throws me off because the inside is so cute. The parking situation is a little limited as well, there's a few parking spots near the shop and the rest is street parking. They have a large selection of pastries and some food but know that if you come in the afternoon there probably won't be much left, they go pretty quick. Amazing shop, it's a different aesthetic than what most shops are but it feeds that "homey" craving that I have when I want to study at a coffee shop.

    Every cup of coffee that has been sipped from Beware has been a delight. I like to view myself as…read moresome sort of coffee connoisseur and I can 100% say that this place takes pride in what they do. The wait is a little long and I feel that is because they take their time with each cup they make. Seating is scarce so if you plan to enjoy your cup inside, do come in when they open because it fills up really quick. My only recommendation if they look into the reviews is to remove the center table and put 2 more 2 seater tables if it still allows within capacity. Never change. Your coffee is great.

    Photos
    Beware Coffee - Inside

    Inside

    Beware Coffee - Seating area

    Seating area

    Beware Coffee - Cappuccino

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    Cappuccino

    Cafe La Vie - Pork Bahn Mi ;)

    Cafe La Vie

    4.5(99 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Cafe La Vie has easily become my go to spot. Ever since my wife put me on, it's basically turned…read moreinto a weekly ritual. They never miss every visit is consistent, fresh, and hits every time. Opening at 6am makes it clutch for early mornings too. Pork and shrimp noodle soup is my go to here . Service is amazing, the owners are great, and the ambiance really feels like a true Vietnamese café hangout spot. It's the kind of place you can just sit, eat, and vibe.

    This place has been a Vietnamese staple in Tacoma for years. You'll often see a bunch of men…read moregathering here having coffee with their friends before they go about their business everyday. This place is consistently busy. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The building is a small house and has enough space for about 20-30 people inside. Probably another 20-30 if outdoor seating is available. You seat yourself or order from the front if hou are ordering takeout. Tables get cleaned immediately as soon as people leave. Service is quick and the workers are friendly. Their bánh mì đặc biệt (deluxe sandwich) and the cà phê sửa đá (iced condensed milk coffee) are my typical go-tos. The sandwich has layers of meat and portioned appropriately. The pâté adds a rich umami flavor and the Vietnamese bơ (mayo) gives it a buttery flavor. The veggies are always healthy and seem fresh. Also their jalapeños actually have a kick unlike most places I've been to. I recommend this staple to anyone looking for a solid Vietnamese sandwich in Tacoma. Great place to chill and have coffee to start your day. They have other foods like noodle soups, stews, and a rice plate. I haven't tried any of them, but it might be something I might look into in the future

    Photos
    Cafe La Vie
    Cafe La Vie - Special Vietnamese French Sandwich (Deluxe)

    Special Vietnamese French Sandwich (Deluxe)

    Cafe La Vie - Hello!!!!

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    Hello!!!!

    Common Ground - coffee - Updated September 2026

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