Independent Coffee Shops in Seattle

Seattle is well known for a large number of coffee shops, many of which are part of a chain. However, Seattle also has a large number of independent coffee shops with only a single location. If you're looking for coffee in Seattle and want to avoid the chain coffee shops, here are a few great independent coffee shops to check out.

Wayward Coffeehouse, 8570 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
The Wayward Coffeehouse is located in the Greenwood area of Seattle, amidst a variety of shops and eateries. This independent coffee shop has several claims to fame, as a Browncoat (fans of the show "Firefly") haven, as purveyors of organic, fair trade drink options, and for their vegetarian and vegan menu offerings.

All of the food served at the Wayward Coffeehouse is either vegetarian or vegan, and consists mainly of open faced sandwiches and soups. They also have a selection of pastries and other sweet treats, though they do tend to run out of these treats by evening. The Wayward Coffeehouse's drink menu is wide and varied, and they serve 100% organic, fair trade, shade grown espresso. They also offer hormone free and organic milk options, including soy milk, rice milk, and hemp milk. Prices for drinks are comparable to most Seattle coffee shops, and lunch or dinner for two runs around $15, with coffees.

The seating at the Wayward Coffeehouse is mainly at tables, some of which can seat up to 6-8 people comfortably. The Wayward is a popular location for groups that want to hold meetings, and it is possible to reserve a table for large groups that meet regularly. The Wayward Coffeehouse also has a selection of books and games, including children's books. The coffee shop plays host to live music on Friday and Saturday nights, except on the first Friday of each month, when they show a sci-fi or fantasy movie instead.

The Wayward Coffeehouse is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Parking at the Wayward is limited.

Cloud City Coffee, 8801 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Cloud City Coffee, located in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle, is a smaller independent coffee shop that often draws a large crowd. They offer a wide food selection and plenty of varieties of coffee as well.

Cloud City Coffee has a variety of quiche options for breakfast, along with pastries and breakfast burritos. For lunch or dinner, the coffee shop offers sandwiches and soups. In addition to their other coffee drinks, Cloud City Coffee has a Dollar Coffee Honor Bar, at which you can get any size drip coffee (with one refill) for $1. This system allows those who just want to get their coffee and go to do so without having to wait in a line. Other drinks are priced comparable to most Seattle coffee shops, but breakfast for two at Cloud City (with coffees) runs around $20.

Seating at Cloud City is fairly minimal, with two couches and a number of small tables pushed together to make long tables. When this independent coffee shop is crowded, this often means that you will be sharing a table with other people. Cloud City also offers a selection of books and games, with a play area for kids with toys and books.

Cloud City Coffee is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and stays open until 7 p.m. during the summer. Cloud City Coffee has a small parking lot in front, and street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.

Fuel Coffee, 1705 N 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103
While Fuel Coffee has three locations in the Seattle area (the other two are on Capitol Hill and in Montlake), this independent coffee shop chain still retains its independence by being exclusive to Seattle. The Wallingford location is tucked in amidst shops and restaurants, and shares its entryway with an insurance agent's office.

Fuel Coffee has a fairly Spartan drink menu, and their food selection is limited to sweets. Still, they offer soy milk as an option for the drinks, and their blueberry muffins are particularly good. Prices for coffee drinks do not diverge much from the typical cost of such drinks in Seattle, and their snacks are fairly inexpensive. Although you won't really have a full meal with the food selections at Fuel Coffee, two can have coffees and a snack for around $12.

Seating at the front of the Wallingford location of Fuel is fairly limited, but the back of the coffee shop opens up into a larger room with more tables. Fuel also has a limited selection of books and games. One great feature of Fuel is that in addition to good lighting throughout the shop, there are desk lamps on many of the tables, providing additional light for those who want to work or read at this coffee shop.

Fuel Coffee in Wallingford is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. all week long. Parking at Fuel Coffee is located behind the building, or on the street in front if any is available.

Cowgirls Espresso, 14309 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Cowgirls Espresso is not your typical coffee shop, as it has no seating and is essentially just a small shack or shed at the side of the road. There are more than 10 Cowgirls Espresso locations throughout the Seattle area, though this is a strictly local independent coffee shop chain. But Cowgirls Espresso serves up coffee with an interesting twist--all of the baristas are scantily clad while they go about their work.

Jeremy, an avowed fan of Cowgirls Espresso, admits that he doesn't go there for good coffee. He speculates that the popularity of "half-naked" coffee in the Seattle area is related to the fact that Seattle does not offer a lot of bikini weather, thus it is unusual to see women in Seattle wearing so little clothing. The baristas at Cowgirls Espresso work in minimal clothing regardless of the weather, making this independent coffee shop something of a novelty.

Cowgirls Espresso is a great place to stop and get coffee en route to other errands, rather than taking your time to sit and have a cup of coffee in the morning. Unlike some of the other chains of coffee shops in this vein, which are prevalent in the Seattle area, the baristas at Cowgirls Espresso tailor their outfits around theme days during the week: Monday is Military Monday, Tuesday is Cowgirls Tuesday, Wednesday is Bikini Wednesday, Thursday is School Girl Thursday, and Friday is Fantasy Friday. Weekends are not themed.

Cowgirls Espresso on Greenwood is open from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There is no parking at Cowgirls Espresso, though you do have the option of a walk-up window if you aren't using the drive-thru.