Best independent coffee shops in Seattle, Washington

Top Pot Doughnuts

The irony of this guide is that I am sitting in a Starbuck's in San Antonio writing it but it has made me nostalgic for the ambiance of the great independent coffee shops of my hometown! Top Pot is a perfect place to start because not only do they roast their own coffees but they have hands down the best donuts I have ever tasted. They have a few locations around Seattle but my favorite is the one on Capitol Hill. Tucked on a leafy side street, this is the perfect place to feel like a true Seattleite as you sip a cup of coffee, munch on the perfect doughnut and read the New York Times.

Bauhaus Books & Coffee

You feel hip and smart just walking into Bauhaus, also on Capitol Hill. You can bring your favorite book or your laptop and log into their free Wi-fi and while away the day here. They have huge windows that let in lots of light even on the rainiest Seattle day so come here to study, write, read or just soak in the hipster atmosphere.

Cafe Allegro Expresso Bar

Cafe Allegro, located in the University District, is your typical college coffee shop. Come here and you'll be surrounded by students, studying, chatting and hanging out, flyers for upcoming shows, yoga studios and the like. It is super laid-back and one of my favorite places to study or read when I was a student at the University of Washington.

Zeitgeist Kunst and Kaffee

I don't know why Seattle coffee shops feel the need to choose German names to sound hip but this Pioneer Square coffee shop really is cool. This is one of the few independent coffee shops downtown (although you will find hundreds of Starbucks, Tully's and Seattle's Best). Zeitgeist is focused not only on coffee but also on art. They participate in the First Thursday art walks, displaying the works of local artists in their gallery.

Louisa's Cafe and Bakery

Anybody who's anybody in Seattle knows that Louisa's has always been the best place in the city to get a huge, sticky cinnamon roll. This is a little farther off the beaten track in Seattle than the other places on this list, but it is well worth it to hop the 70 Eastlake bus and get off at this neighborhood institution. Louisa's now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (to rave reviews) but most people still know it as a favorite neighborhood coffee shop to sip coffee and dive into a delicious pastry.