It’s impossible to not think of Seattle when talking coffee, but where do the locals really go to get a cup of joe? As the home of Starbucks, you may assume they’re all lined up for a nonfat grande soy latte, but the local charm easily takes over in support of more independent options in the best neighborhoods in Seattle for coffee lovers.
5. Lower Queen Anne
Source: Facebook/caffezingaro
A mix of quiet, residential streets and the hustle and bustle of Seattle Center, Lower Queen Anne is one of Seattle’s most unique neighborhoods. Full of restaurants and activities, one of the most iconic things to do in this area is to check out the view from the top of the Space Needle.
Once you come back down to Earth, pick up a cup of coffee or a fancy latte at Caffe Zingaro. While you’re there, check out the work of local artists around the restaurant. Apartments in this area average $2,559 per month in rent. Worth the cost with so much to do right around the corner.
Apartments for rent in Lower Queen Anne
4. Squire Park
Source: Facebook/pelotonseattle
One of the most established neighborhoods in the city, Squire Park is actually a piece of Seattle’s Central Area, which is known for its hip bars and cafes. Seattle University straddles this community, with a portion of the campus in Squire Park, including the Admissions Office and a few of the dorms.
A mix of commercial buildings and leafy, tree-lined streets, the area has a dynamic population, but you don’t have to go far for a good cup of coffee. You can even get your bike repaired while you sip on a chai latte at the Peloton Cafe.
Apartments for rent in Squire Park
3. Pioneer Square
Source: Facebook/convoycoffee
With no shortage of art galleries, coffee shops and enticing bars, Pioneer Square is also a big destination for history buffs. Go underground on a tour of subterranean streets or step into the days of the gold rush. Stop for a quick bite at any of the local food trucks in the area and don’t miss a beat.
Coffee shops are so close you could do a coffee crawl through the community. Make sure to swing into Convoy Coffee, which not only has a brick and mortar location but sells around town using bicycle coffee carts. Expect to pay around $2,761 per month for rent in this fun part of town for a one-bedroom apartment.
Apartments for rent in Pioneer Square
2. First Hill
Source: Facebook/divaespresso
Named for the hill in which the neighborhood sits upon, First Hill is a jumble of high-rises and historic mansions. The hill got its name because it’s the first hill you see when you head east from downtown. Its other, unofficial name, Pill Hill is due to the high volume of hospitals in the area.
Between the medical professionals and local residents, just about everyone is happy to get a caffeinated boost during the day. What better indulgence than coffee? At Diva Espresso you can enjoy your favorite coffee blend and then order beans online for home delivery. Living here will cost you around $2,820 per month in rent for a one-bedroom apartment.
Apartments for rent in First Hill
1. Belltown
Source: Facebook/streetbeancoffeeBelltown
Its reputation as a hip locale with indie boutiques and iconic rock venues contribute to the fact that Belltown is Seattle’s most densely populated neighborhood. Also ideal for nature lovers, Sculpture Park has some of the best views of Puget Sound, not to mention access to the beach.
Located close to downtown, this artsy neighborhood caters to all different palettes with a variety of eateries. Street Bean Coffee Roasters helps provide training and employment for young people in Seattle and works with green coffee importers to ensure the beans are coming from ethical sources. Renting in this trendy part of Seattle will cost you $2,914 per month, on average, for a one-bedroom apartment.
Apartments for rent in Belltown
Experience Seattle coffee like a local
Coffee shops in Seattle differ from many others in that they typically also sell their own beans. If you find a cup that you love, you may have the ability to enjoy it at home no matter how far away you live.
Still, it’s important to not discount the caffeinated efforts of other places in the U.S. Check out these other cities getting coffee right, even if you can only enjoy it on site.
Methodology
To determine the best neighborhoods for coffee in Seattle, we scored every neighborhood on Apartment Guide by business density (coffee shops divided by land area) and coffee shops per capita (coffee shops divided by population). Each score was weighted at 50 percent and combined to come up with an overall coffee score for each neighborhood. The neighborhoods with the highest combined score were determined to be the best neighborhoods for coffee in our quantitative study.
Neighborhoods with fewer than five coffee shops and 500 residents were excluded.
Coffee shop totals come from commercially licensed business listings and my not reflect recent openings or closures. Population and area come from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.com’s multifamily rental property inventory from June 2019 to June 2020. We use a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
