Seattle is known for two things: its coffee and its scenic bodies of water, from Puget Sound to multiple lakes and bays. Whether you’re sipping an espresso inside a luxury waterfront hotel, watching ferries cross Elliott Bay near Pike Place Market, relaxing in a park by the shoreline, discovering bold Vietnamese coffee near a hidden pocket beach, unwinding after a stroll along Alki Beach, or lingering over coffee and pastries with views of Portage Bay near the University of Washington, each stop offers a unique Seattle experience. Here are six waterfront coffee shops where the scenery is just as satisfying as the coffee.
Cafe Hagen Waterfront
Cafe Hagen is a Scandinavian cafe that just opened its newest location along Elliott Bay Trail on the Seattle waterfront. They’re open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy coffee, pastries, and sandwiches along with spectacular views of Elliott Bay; you’ll feel like you just took a mini trip to Copenhagen.
The Brim Coffee Shop at Edgewater Hotel
The Brim is Seattle’s only over-water coffee shop and is a total hidden gem. It’s located inside the iconic Edgewater Hotel on Pier 67, overlooking Elliott Bay. The coffee shop is open daily to the public (no need to book a hotel room) from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Aroom Coffee Waterfront
Aroom’s original Fremont location is popular for its creative Vietnamese coffee and tea drinks. Now they’ve opened a second location in a prime waterfront space—about a 10 minute walk from Pike Place Market and right across the street from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. It’s technically across the street from the waterfront, so our recommendation is to grab your drink and take it on a five minute walk over to Habitat Beach: a charming, quiet pocket beach that feels like an oasis on the edge of the city. Aroom Waterfront is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Boon Boona Overlook Walk
You can now enjoy one of Seattle’s most scenic viewpoints while sipping on your coffee. Boon Boona recently opened their waterfront location on the Overlook Walk behind Pike Place Market, where you can enjoy views of Elliott Bay in front of you and the Seattle skyline behind you. They’re all about “thoughtfully sourced African coffees and [a] strong sense of community.” Their hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Ampersand Cafe on Alki
If you’re looking for a waterfront cafe in West Seattle, you can’t go wrong with Ampersand Cafe on Alki. As the name suggests, they’re right on top of Alki Beach so you can enjoy the view from their outdoor seating or take your coffee for a stroll on the beach. They’re open daily; the hours are Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saint Bread
Finally, here’s something a little different. Saint Bread is a beloved bakery that overlooks Portage Bay near the University of Washington. You can enjoy a coffee and treat with a partial view of the water from their covered outdoor seating area. They’re open daily; current hours are Monday and Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
