Vivace: A Much-Needed Gem in the City of Coffee

There is a coffee shop nestled in the downtown district of South Lake Union in Seattle that is unlike any other. Boasting freshly ground coffee,

tea and specialty drinks, Vivace is about more than just coffee; it's about the experience. Regardless of life circumstances, you will feel comfortable in this perky little establishment by the lake. As you approach the corridor on Yale Avenue North, the smell of fresh cinnamon and ground chocolate wafts through the air. Instantly, your thoughts of having a tall drip coffee fly out the window leaving in its place a mouth-watering vision of a cinnamon mocha latte. If caramel is more your thing, there is a café caramel on the menu that is sure to beat any other you've previously tried. Fresh ingredients and fine craftsmanship make these delicacies the best in the city.

The official Vivace motto is "una bella taza di caffe", which means "a beautiful cup of coffee" when translated from Italian. This is meant to be taken literally as each and every cup of coffee served is marked with beautiful designs made from the pour. Get your cup to go or sit and chit-chat with your neighbors at this welcoming hot spot.

While many Seattleites complain that Starbucks has a burnt quality, Vivace's wholesome brewing procedure offers something much different. The coffee-making process at Vivace is based on over fifteen years of research on espresso roasting and preparedness. The coffee and specialty drinks instill a sweet flavor unlike many others found in Seattle (or anywhere else for that matter).

If you walk in hungry, you have done yourself a treat. Take a moment to try the fresh madelines in the do-it-yourself pastry bar. If croissants and muffins are more your thing, ask the server to pull one from the pastry case for you. These items are fresh and deliciously prepared for your enjoyment. No Costco purchases here. This North Italian Rotisserie only offers the best for its customers.

There are only three Vivace locations in all of Seattle. If you were to ask the owners, they would tell you that this is how they like it. Their craft is learned slowly and steadily. The goal is not to succeed in quantity, but in quality. Each location has a standard to uphold and this is taken very seriously. At the Broadway location, you will find the very first shop ever opened by this company. Seating is limited, but the experience is magical and the coffee is enough to help you forget about standing in the cold. If you'd prefer an inside setting, try the Vivace just a few blocks up on East Denny Way. Or, if you're shopping at REI and want to calm that mocha craving you've had all morning, jump on over to the South Lake Union location where you can sit with your laptop and socialize with the other urbanites doing the same thing. Prefer to play some games with your java? Pick one up near the window and invite your friends to join.

So the next time you have a craving for some gourmet-tasting coffee with a hint of flair and zest, try Vivace! You will no doubt be blown over by what you find. Gift certificates are available at each location, but cannot be ordered online. Please see below for locations and hours of operation.

Vivace Hours & Locations:

227 Yale Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Open daily 6am - 11pm

901 East Denny Way. Seattle, WA 98122
Open daily 6am - 11pm

321 Broadway Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102
Open daily 6am - 11pm