Brick buildings and tree-lined squares make a fine backdrop for a coffee walk through Seattle's oldest neighborhood. Begin with Elm Coffee in Pioneer Square, at 240 2nd Ave S, where beans are roasted on site and lean toward lighter, nuanced profiles. Zeitgeist Coffee, Caffe Umbria and Caffe Vita at Smith Tower sit just a few blocks away, rounding out an easy loop close to the area's parks and landmark buildings.
Why Start at Elm Coffee
Pioneer Square fits a lot of coffee into a small grid of brick buildings and leafy squares, so you can cover several cafes on foot in one outing. Make Elm your first stop, since the roasting happens right there and every cup reflects choices made in the same room. From its door, the other cafes are an easy stroll from Occidental Square and the historic core.
Cafes to Plan Your Walk Around
Elm Coffee Roasters
Elm sources coffees from individual producers and roasts them light enough to keep their character intact. Look for a rotating lineup that has included seasonal blends, a seasonal decaf and single-origin lots from places like Ethiopia and Guatemala. If you prefer fruity, floral or tea-like notes over dark, smoky roasts, this is your cup. You can also take Elm home with you, since beans ship nationwide, with online orders roasted on Mondays and Thursdays and subscriptions roasted on Mondays.
