Tour the birthplace of Seattle coffee and the popular cafes loved by locals

A long-established cafe that supports downtown businessmen

Monorail Espresso

Seattle cafes open early in the morning, with most opening at 6 a.m. Monorail Espresso, which has been in business since 1980, is no exception.

Monorail Espresso is a take-out cafe located in the middle of the downtown business district. It was originally named after the fact that it opened as a mobile espresso shop under the monorail station. It is a popular shop that often has a line of people buying coffee on their way to work in the morning.

The menu at Monorail Espresso is mainly espresso drinks such as lattes and mochas. They also have many drinks that are not often seen in Japan, such as white mochas, almond milk lattes, and even lavender lattes.

A recommended sightseeing route is to get a takeaway drink here and then head to Pike Place Market, the oldest existing market in the United States, located about a nine-minute walk away.

Pike Place Market, founded in 1907, is packed with fresh fish, vegetables, and fruits, and energetic vendors are always trying to attract customers. In addition to food, there are also retail stores selling accessories, antique goods, bags, and other items, so you can also purchase souvenirs. The first Starbucks store, which opened in 1971, is also here.

In 2017, a building called "Market Front" was completed on the ocean side of the market, housing breweries, art shops, and more. You can see both the good old Seattle and the new Seattle here.

Enjoy a walk in the park and enjoy this organic drink that will please your body.

Volunteer Park Cafe

It is no exaggeration to say that the Capitol Hill district, adjacent to the east side of downtown Seattle, is the birthplace of culture in Seattle.

Since the 1960s, the city has produced many musicians and artists, including Jimi Hendrix, and it was here that the music genre "grunge rock," which took the world by storm in 1990, was born. Seattle is a city where people from various backgrounds who are attracted to music and art gather together and live together, recognizing and respecting each other's individuality.

Here you will find Volunteer Park, a place of relaxation for local residents. Within the park you will find a beautiful reservoir, a greenhouse displaying tropical plants and cacti, and Lake View Cemetery, where the grave of Bruce Lee, who lived in Seattle during his student days, is located.

If you're taking a walk around Volunteer Park, you might want to stop by Volunteer Park Cafe, located in a quiet residential area to the east of the park. This cafe doesn't have a sign, so it's only known to those in the know.

The coffee menu only offers espresso-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. The ingredients are all locally grown and organic, and the vegetables, herbs, and eggs in particular are grown and harvested in the cafe's own backyard.

Seattle's population continues to grow due to the expansion of Amazon, which is headquartered there, and the establishment of branches of other global companies such as Google and Facebook. As a result, food culture has developed and individuals' awareness of food safety has increased, so shops like Volunteer Park Cafe, which serves food grown in their own backyards, are particularly popular among Seattle residents.

My favorite is the combination of "Today's Quiche" and latte. The quiche is made with plenty of eggs and is very filling, and it is also nice that it is served with plenty of fresh vegetables. The ingredients used in the quiche are different every time, so that is also one of the fun things about coming here.

A homely atmosphere that will have you staying for a long time. A cafe where you can spend some time just for yourself.

Zoka Coffee Roasters & Tea Company

There are many parks in Seattle that are great places for locals to relax. Green Lake Park, located about 15 minutes north of downtown, is one of them. Locals enjoy cycling and jogging on the road that runs around the lake, Green Lake, for about 4.5 km.

From there, about a 15-minute walk south into a residential area is Zoka Coffee Roasters & Tea Company.

In fact, this cafe was founded in 1997 by a bean roasting specialist who was in charge of Starbucks' roasting department from 1979 for 15 years, and his friend.

Zoka was opened with the belief that "rather than prioritizing business, we should return to the origins of specialty coffee, which is to provide delicious coffee to customers," and is also known for putting a lot of effort into training its staff. Coffee is brewed by skilled staff, including baristas who have won the World Barista Championship.

In addition to espresso drinks, drip coffee, and tea, they also offer unusual drinks such as matcha lattes and pumpkin spice lattes. With a wide variety of menu items that you'll want to try, and friendly staff, you're sure to find yourself staying for a while.