Diva Espresso

This is a small espresso shop on the 3rd floor of the UWMC just before the Cascade Elevators. They…read morehave various coffee drinks and standard basic food items for sale including sandwiches, yogurt, bagels, oatmeal, pastries/cookies, and some canned/bottled drinks. This place is simple and mainly serves to provide convenience so that you don't have to venture to the cafeteria on the 1st floor... or worse yet, the vending machines. This place also stays open much much later (4:00 am, every day) than the the cafeteria and the gift shop (which also sells some snacks and coffee)--- see the pic I posted for the updated hours since what was originally reported was way off. Due to that convenience, it also tends to have a line during the morning and early afternoon hours, and every time I've walked by. There is no seating area since it's a small shop but the UWMC has tables and chairs outside; just past the Cascade elevators. Today I stopped by at around 5:00 pm and luckily there was only one person in front of me. I bought a Smokey Chicken Bacon Melt (pre-packaged). It was very tasty and probably would've been even better if I toasted it, or at least heated it up. But I was too lazy. Although it was delicious, the size was certainly not worth about $7.50 (includes tax). Probably would only stop by here again if I actually want a coffee or don't have the time to go to the cafeteria for food.

Understaffed. Not open Sunday and Monday evenings. The hours listed are incorrect. No place open…read morefor the night staff. The vending machines are horrible. If we order from Door Dash, the fees are extreme and you are paying 50% more than necessary. Stop being so cheap and pay someone overtime to work nights.

Oatmeal, ramen, bagels, etc.

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Chips, snack bars, etc.

Fuel Coffee & Books

4.0(136 reviews)

2.4 mi•Montlake

Walkable, but no dogs inside (understandable!). Great reliable drink options and books for sale…read moreinside. Great local spot near the university district.

I stumbled into Fuel Coffee & Books on a morning when the whole neighborhood was still buzzing from…read morea 5K race, so the place was packed. Like, "good luck finding a quiet corner" packed. But honestly? The energy worked. The staff was moving with that calm, unbothered flow only seasoned baristas have. Friendly, attentive, and somehow keeping the line moving without making anyone feel rushed. Respect. Light was flooding every corner; that soft Seattle glow that makes you want to pull out your journal and pretend you live inside a cozy indie film. Ventilation was perfect. Temperature was perfect. Seating options? Abundant. And not the awkward wobbly kind either. This spot is built for lingering. I grabbed a latte, sat down, and immediately fell into an art journaling trance. There's something about being surrounded by curated shelves of books and cute little treasures that just unlocks your brain. It's the kind of place where you look up after ten minutes and somehow an hour passed. This was my first visit, but it's already on my list of "places I'll actually come back to and get work done." A rare category, honestly. If you're looking for a café that feels like a creative reset button; this is a great one.

1.9 mi•University District

Atmosphere + kyotobot on the right

Lounge in the front

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Tea Room Service League

3.0(1 review)

Located on the 3rd floor UW Surgery Center, convenient location, small selection of good quality…read moretea, and gift shop

1.3 mi•University District

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Chayan

4.1(39 reviews)

Very quick to get boba and located on the side of the Ave closer to my class…read more Ordering was done on the tablet and got my drink quick. Tasted good but I wish there was regular boba.

place is quite spacious with great ambiance. you order from kiosk and they will call your name…read morelater. the drinks: mango tea: ok but will be better if you can give fresh mango cuts instead of dried ones. suggest: having a larger cup if possible for fruit tea... peach oolong milk tea: ok...

1.9 mi•University District

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Panache

3.5(2 reviews)

Good coffee, quick service, right price…read more I enjoy supporting small local coffee shops and you should too. This isn't so much a boutique to sit down at as it is a grab and go location sitting on the bottom floor of a UW medical center building. Kind of crazy that they staff three people for such a small location but hey, it made my coffee orders be ready for me by the time I finished paying. Nice. Cashier was friendly, he's clearly running the joint. Give him a raise!

Coffee is a little on the weak side compared to Starbucks...went here twice during my husbands…read morehospital stay the second cup I made sure to order an extra shot to satisfy my taste. I'm pretty simple I usually get an americano with sweet n low and cream. They didn't have sweet n low which is ok I guess. Their service wasn't very friendly either time I went there. They do not keep enough sandwiches on hand I went back there at dinner time and had one left to choose from when they still had 2 1/2 hours left till they closed

When at the Dr's sugar up

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Armistice Coffee Roaster

4.3(96 reviews)

1.8 mi•Eastlake

Dog friendly cafe with lots of great seating. The coffee quality was great and there were lots of…read morepeople working from here so the WiFi must be good. Baristas were super friendly too!

Very cozy coffee shop for a nice study day or for a nice coffee date! Their coffee was delicious…read moreand their croissants were so buttery! There also seems to be a night menu with some fun drinks available, very cute for an Eastlake drink!

1.3 mi•University District

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Leon Coffee House

4.4(220 reviews)

Leon Coffee House has become one of my favorite places to stop whenever I'm in Seattle visiting the…read moreUniversity of Washington. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the coffee is excellent, and the place has so much character. If you're visiting UW or just in the University District, I definitely recommend stopping by Leon Coffee House. It's one of those places I look forward to coming back to whenever I'm in Seattle.

Very cute cafe with a colorful, pink, lively ambiance and adorable latte art. I ordered a 12 oz…read morelatte with a slice of double chocolate cake. I was surprised that the cake was so cheap around $4 but after the first bite, it tasted like it was from a Safeway bakery, which made me feel a bit scammed. The latte was a very light roast, so the coffee flavor was barely noticeable and it felt more like drinking hot milk. On the positive side, the servers were sweet and friendly. It took about 5-7 minutes to get our drinks, and the place was packed around 1:30 pm on a Saturday.

2.0 mi•University District

Cool Mysterious doors - perhaps for a slender villain!

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Mexican mocha

Zoka Coffee Company / University

3.9(357 reviews)

Locally owned & operated

30 years in business

Awesome neighborhood coffee shop! Met up with friends here and loved the whole vibe. The lattes…read morewere expertly crafted and super smooth, and the baristas were really friendly. Great seating and a super chill environment to hang out in. Highly recommend!

Good neighborhood option with a large lobby perfect for groups, studying, laptop work, and sitting…read morefor a while. Service is friendly and efficient. The almond pinwheel was super tasty but the wildberry coffee cake was dry and couldn't detect any coffee. The lavender mocha was okay however I'm not a fan of whatever espresso roast they use as it's more on the bitter side. WiFi available and merch for sale. I love the beautiful art they have on the walls for sale.

1.4 mi•University District

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8oz mocha

Cafe Solstice

3.7(448 reviews)

A goto staple in the U District. Consistently good and quick. Drip coffee reasonably priced as it…read moreshould be. I hope I don't jink it with this review and find it more expensive next time...

Drinks were nice and strong, and the space is really homey. This would be a great spot to have…read moremeetings or to do some reading.

Ambience

Hot Chocolate

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Front entrance (street parking only, limited)

Santo Coffee

4.7(227 reviews)

1.6 mi•Roosevelt

It was delicious. I was a bit apprehensive at first about the prices and my eyes popped a bit when…read morethe tablet suggested a 30% tip but the guy behind the counter was very knowledgeable about the pour over options and man that sandwich was da bomb I want to eat it again I went with the $9 coffee instead of the $22 gesha option. Visiting from out of town so not sure when I'll be able to go back but would like to someday. Found parking easily (might've been lucky) and enjoyed the ambiance. They were vibing Khruangbin, one of my faves. Classy and clean flooring and counters. Just barely got the last seat on a Monday at 11am. Definitely the type of place where folks come to park themselves for hours rather than WFH from their dreary studio apt. All good. Recommend!

Santo is easily one of my top favorite coffee shops in Seattle! The coffee quality is exceptional…read moreand the baristas are always genuinely welcoming. Their signature Panela Latte is an absolute must-try and my go too but you can't go wrong with a classic latte from here. Their drinks are always consistent and not overly sweet. I love open space and the natural lighting that comes. The cafe does however tend to get crowded so most of the time I've had to take my drink to go. If you are able to get a seat I think it's a great place to get your work done as the cafe has a very relaxed environment.

Cortado

Chai latte

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Panela latte

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Josephine C.

8 years ago

This is bar far my favorite coffee spot in the hood! They make this amazing mocha with orange zest that has become my favorite addiction! The staff is always so friendly and helpful. Definitely has a neighborhood feel in a cute cozy atmosphere. read more

Brian R.

17 years ago

Staffed by short-changed artists, and overrun with indigent, inbred Wallingfordites. What's not to love?

first l.

17 years ago

Try their mocha with the orange zest in it!

Brad R.

16 years ago

Love it. Convenient and friendly.

Diva Espresso - coffee - Updated August 2026

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Zoka Coffee Company / Greenlake

3.8

(444 reviews)

We frequent this cafe weekly as it is in our neighborhood. I can't say enough about their service…read more They won't hesitate to remake an order if it isn't to your satisfaction, and they always remember a regular. It's a cozy spot that serves almost anything you can drink, as well as several baked treats. Kids and adults love it!

The Tangletown Zoka's on 56th is my go-to when visiting family in Green Lake…read more It's ambiance is all I could ask for in a casual, work friendly coffee shop - wood flooring and walls, large windows providing natural light, friendly staff, and of course fantastic espresso drinks. Our faves remain the standard mocha and its lavender mocha cousin. (And this Gen Xer loves the eclectic music of their curated playlists) Pro tip: Pick up a donut at the next door branch of Mighty O's before heading inside and you will feast on the classic Green Lake pairing. Or reverse the order if you have a four legged friend. (Mighty O's is dog friendly while Zoka's is not.) Enjoy! (Would be five stars but it's a local favorite and finding a table is tough at times. Deservedly so ...)

Preserve and Gather

4.3

(203 reviews)

Love this place! I try to go whenever I'm in the area. The service is friendly and the food and…read morecoffee drinks are stellar, and I love how the pastries are made in house and different from the standard fare a lot of other shops will sell. So far I've tried a couple of things: ricotta matcha cake, pecan coffee cake, biscuit sandwich ham and jam, biscuit sandwich veggie , fig bar, and many others. What stood out to me most was the coffee cake , although the biscuits can be pretty good if you get them warm (they don't heat them up, which I feel is a big miss). They prepare their own jams and there have a couple of other bakery items to go. Coffee drinks wise, I love their seasonal specials. One of the best lattes I've ever had was their current rose latte. I like to order the drinks half sweet since they're a bit too much for me, and it's a perfect balance. Definitely give this a try if you're in the area.

Been here a couple of times because it's walking distance from me. Really awful customer service…read more First time I was there, there was one customer seated waiting for coffee, and one employee was working on that. The other employee was cleaning or something. Did not speak to me. I waited at least 3 minutes. I chose a bottled drink and she scanned it without speaking to me or thanking me and walked away while I paid. I went again only because it was a convenient place for a work meeting. Service was marginally better, but still bad. Acting like customers are a bother rather than the reason you have a job.

Herkimer Coffee

4.0

(231 reviews)

Walked into Herkimer there was a decent line of people waiting to get their coffee, but that just…read moreshows how popular they really are. Lots of people on their laptop laptops getting some remote work done while enjoying their coffee. Pastry case was impressive. I purchased a dill cheddar scone. It was delicious and savory. I purchased an almond croissant to have later and it was also tasty. The coffee bean is not my favorite. It doesn't have quite the bite that I was looking for specifically, but it also wasn't terrible. I just have a very particular taste for a specific kind of coffee. Overall, I would come back again I loved the vibe of the neighborhood and the people in it.

We were here to pickup super fresh roasted beans for our espresso hobby. Beans have been roasted…read moreyesterday. I got a decaf cappuccino as well and it was very tasty. Some fruity notes to it. Very nice. Nice atmosphere. Typical Seattle vibe. We'll be back!

OG Coffee

4.4

(12 reviews)

It's a typical Seattle morning; gray, cloudy, cold... you know the rest. Like any other local, the…read moreweather gave me a good excuse to do a quick search for a cup a Joe. I realized there's a small cafe on Holman Road. Next to a gas station and some other local businesses; just across the street from Dick's! I just so happen to drive on that road most days twice a day... how did I not realize this place was here? Anyway... The café itself is quite small. It's clean and sleek with great music! There's just enough space for about 4 or 5 people without it feeling too crammed. Their OG cafecito caught my eye as I've had many in Mexico City, so I had to try it! It's their take on café de olla which is a Mexican drink, made traditionally in a clay pot ("olla") with spices e.g. cinnamon, piloncillo, etc. The person working there --which I've seen from other reviews is the owner-- was efficient, prompt and friendly. Really no complaints or issues when it comes to service. Unfortunately I found the coffee to not live up to its $7.90 (inc. tip) price tag. I could definitely taste the cinnamon and chocolate notes but the coffee itself wasn't great. I felt like the espresso shot was burnt or something as it had a bitter aftertaste. I don't think I'll be ordering that again. However there were many other items on the menu that looked tasty that I might wanna try some other time. TLDR; small coffee shop, friendly staff member, OG Cafecito meh. Review not sponsored.

I saw OG Coffee earlier in the year usually driving along Holman or while dining at Dick's Drive…read moreIn-Crown Hill across the street. It was briefly open with super early business hours, then closed. I decided to stop by to check it out midday (6/1/24) after noticing the updated hours on Yelp. Really tight and full shared parking lot with Tacos & Beer and the nearby gas station. Tiny pocket cafe. There's only a window counter with limited seating available. So this is not the place to hang out en masse or to camp out with your laptop. However, I love the concept of indie cafes, big or small. Clearly the owner of OG Coffee is living the dream of crafting coffee beverages and selling wholesale also as a micro-roaster. He partners with Maiz and their four Seattle locations at the moment. He hopes to have baked goods available onsite and mentioned featuring Macrina pastries. I enjoyed my chat with Aldo, a very personable proprietor and very proud of his business. I learned also that he was a painter and world traveler. Pretty cool. Anyways, OG Coffee was opened briefly earlier this year, but had to deal with various logistics hence the shut down period. I timed my visit well as this is OG Coffee's soft opening part 2. The grand opening is scheduled for June 15th, two Saturdays from today. I ended up savoring my mocha later while visiting Carkeek Park. On point, balanced 16oz mocha! Another place to add to my indie cafe rotation. Stop by, enjoy well crafted beverages, and say hello to Aldo!

Fresh Flours

4.3

(254 reviews)

For my beverage, I had an iced matcha made with lemonade and topped with vanilla coconut milk cold…read morefoam. I was extremely refreshing. It was a perfect treat and was light in my stomach. The foam was so deliciously creamy. I loved the lemon flavor, and it worked well with the matcha. I think they could have done a little more lemon, but I always think that. They have lots of beautiful looking pastries to try. The croissants were especially beautiful to admire. There is ample amounts of seating, so you can choose to take your goodies or eating them inside. I went in the early afternoon, so there wasn't any line, but I am sure if you went at brunch time, it would be a whole different story. It is close-ish to Greenlake, so if you are willing to brave the hill, then it is a great post walk/ post workout spot.

Fresh Flours was such a pleasant surprise!…read more I tried the lavender matcha and it was sooo good--perfectly balanced with just the right hint of floral without being overpowering. Definitely one of the more unique and memorable drinks I've had in a while. I also got the oat and coconut cookie, which was absolutely divine. It was incredibly soft and had a great texture, with the coconut adding a really nice flavor. Honestly one of those cookies you wish you had grabbed two of. The service was also super friendly, which made the experience even better. Everyone was welcoming and helpful, and the overall vibe felt warm and inviting. On top of that, the prices were very reasonable, which is always a nice bonus. Great drinks, amazing baked goods, and kind service--would definitely come back.

Artemis Coffee

4.1

(7 reviews)

I finally had the opportunity to check out Artemis Coffee after its sale and rebranding from the…read moreformer business, Assembly (5/8/26). I lucked out and snagged a nearby two hour zoned parking spot. Glad to see that the cafe remains popular as I waited in line. This gave me an opportunity to look around and ponder the pastry case choices. Looks like a score since I recognized the selection from another local indie, Maddy's Bakeshop. Artemis Coffee also carries Smith teas, periodicals, coffee related merch, as well as, featuring a variety of coffee roasts from several companies. Nice interior decor, local art work, and ample sidewalk and indoor seating. I liked the music played and overall vibe. Pleasant, welcoming counter team. Clearly a well loved neighborhood anchor with all the regulars chatting about each other's well being and day to day. Some laptop users were observed, some folks were reading or there for convo meetups. My 16oz mocha was on point and I enjoyed my delicious savory grilled cheese croissant with cornichon from Maddy's Bakeshop. It was a pleasant near two hour visit onsite just chilling. One of many indie cafes in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, definitely that I plan to visit again in the future.

New-ish coffee shop. Love the vibe. Sounds weird, but it feels more organically put together vs…read moresome of the clinical white clean coffee shop vibes. Pretty small in the front and there's an extra room in the back. Great brews and snacks and the baristas have a good vibe going.

Victrola Coffee Roasters

4.0

(323 reviews)

Not happy with my visit. Perhaps, I'm not familiar with the coffee types here, but we were visiting…read moreSeattle and wanting some coffee to start our day. We walked by Victrola Coffee Roasters, and were quite excited for their unique theme. The interior was quite interesting as expected. There were patrons sitting all over the cafe and we assumed it would be a great experience. I ordered their honey lavender latte in their smallest iced size and an oatmeal cookie. The baristas made my drink and had forgotten my cookie, so we had to ask for it. The rating comes from the drink itself. I think I revived about 70% milk and ice. I couldn't taste the coffee at all. When I asked my partner, he said it didn't taste like coffee either. I could also barely taste the honey lavender in it. Generally, my coffee is always strong or too sugary. It's been a while since I've had a drink like this. The cookie was also odd. I was very disappointed. Overall, everything about it was not the best. Just okay.

A household name in the coffee scene for nearly two decades, Victrola Coffee Roasters has made its…read moremark in the Seattle coffee scene through its various locations around the city. This location in Ballard has been a steady hub for locals, serving as a destination for a quick coffee run, an ideal coffee date destination, and a productive remote working spot. As much as I appreciate little cafes, I have an affinity toward places that boast a spacious interior as much as this one. With numerous tables and seating options, it's an ideal spot for groups. On excellent weather days, I think the outdoor seats are perfect for people watching along Market St. The plentiful outlets, fast Wi-Fi, clean bathrooms, and dedicated community room (#1) certainly don't hurt either. There is a lot to appreciate on the coffee front. heir cold brew was potent and refreshing during a summer afternoon. The latte art is on point. There is even a whole rack of non-coffee oriented drinks and ready-to-go food options like being at the airport. (#2) Food wise, there are a number of baked goods on display that include cookies, pastries, muffins, scones, biscuits, and a beautiful of range of carby options. While I think the lemon citrus bread and banana bread are tasty, it feels a little pricey at over $4 a slice. Since they've been acquired by Seattle Coffee Works as of a couple of years ago, I suspect all the locations will be a bit heavier with the branding and likely more consistent across the board with tangible product sales such as merch, coffee beans, and coffee making products. The service has been good overall and I appreciate their stance on coffee education. __________ (#1) Which can be reserved for various functions. (#2) Airport pricing too. Sheesh.

Santo Coffee

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4.3

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