Seattle is known for many things – rainy weather, tech companies like Amazon, grunge music, loud football fans and of course coffee! Seattle’s iconic Starbucks location near Pike Place Market stands out, but there are also numerous smaller independent cafes that take coffee seriously.

Some beans are certified organic, which means they are grown and harvested without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, while others are fair trade, giving farmers a premium on top of what they receive from selling their beans, while meeting climate, labor, and sustainability standards. And then there are micro roasters who create blends or single-origin beans from beans they roast themselves – giving each bean unique characteristics!

BlackFin Coffee Company in Seattle takes its mission seriously by working with local nonprofits to protect resident orca whales in the Pacific Northwest, paying all employees equally (including owner). Their Tanzanian Light Roast ($18) features hazelnut notes with marshmallow notes for an extended finish. Tully’s Coffee in Seattle takes its mission equally seriously with light overall roasts available across over 100 varieties – you can find their coffee at many Starbucks locations throughout Seattle as well as online.

Kicking Horse is a widely recognized dark roast brand, sourcing their beans from Africa, South America, Central America and Indonesia. Their Roastmaster Jeff Koenig hails from Iowa’s farmlands and holds a Master’s in Agriculture; therefore he knows exactly how to craft wonderful dark roasts. Try their Colombian Gigante ($23) which features smooth chocolatey flavors!

This family-run microroastery was founded by two former software professionals who fell so in love with coffee they crowdfunded enough money for them to open a cafe in Ballard. You can order their beans either directly from their cafe, or purchase bags of it at local grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Costco – our Queen Anne Blend ($17) is particularly delicious and offers both light tea-like tones and an intense fruitiness for a truly delightful cup!

Only blocks from Pike Place Starbucks lies this charming little shop which only sells coffee from small-scale farmers in the Pacific Northwest and around the world, as well as offering an extensive tea program and selection of locally made pastries and sweet treats to go along with your beverage of choice.

This tiny micro-roastery boasts a big heart, providing free coffee tasting events to teach people more about roasting. Established in their garage, its name “Kuma” comes from their beloved shaggy dog named when they returned from Japan – their founders named the business after it and later brought back with them when they relocated back home to America from Japan. If you can’t visit, try Kuma Brew ($20), their sweet and citrusy drink from their micro-roastery instead!