If there’s one major trickle over effect from Seattle into its Eastside suburbs, it’s the local population’s love of Seattle’s signature beverage – the perfect cup of coffee. Lucky for us Eastsiders, you’ll find a coffee shop for every mood and preference worthy of a visit on this list. Our “best of” list currently includes our top 20 favorite coffee shops in Issaquah, Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland. As we keep exploring, we’ll continue to expand our list to include our other favorite Eastside cities as well!
Our round up list of the best coffee shops on Seattle’s Eastside focuses on:
- Independently owned shops and small local chains (sorry Starbucks!)
- Shops whose primary focus is it’s coffee (versus cafes that also just happen to serve coffee)
- Shops with a store front (there are lots of great drive through options! But you won’t find them on this list)
To jump right down to your favorite Eastside city just use the quick links below in our table of contents, or scroll on to discover all of the best coffee shops on Seattle’s Eastside.
Table of Contents:
- The Best Coffee Shops in Bellevue
- The Best Coffee Shops in Kirkland
- The Best Coffee Shops in Issaquah
- The Best Coffee Shops in Redmond
The Best Coffee Shops in Bellevue
If you’re looking for the best coffee in Bellevue, you won’t have to look far! With ten spots that made our favorites list, practically everywhere you turn you’ll find a brew worthy of boasting about. Most of the shops center around Bellevue’s Downtown hub, making for perfect people watching, park dates, and more.
Third Culture Coffee
Located just across the street from Bellevue’s Downtown Park, Third Culture Coffee features ethically sourced single origin coffee from around the world, roasted in Seattle, and brewed with precision. Complimenting their prestigious coffee lineup are quality teas, wine and coffee cocktails.
Location: 80 102nd Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Website: https://thirdculturecoffee.com/
Queen B Cafe
Tucked away in Bellevue’s Clyde Hill neighborhood, you’ll find Queen B Cafe along the beautiful shoreline drive through Bellevue’s Lake Washington border. Their impeccable coffee is sourced from the world’s top 2% of coffee growers, and is complemented by a delicious lineup of creative sweet and savory crumpet combinations that have drawn the attention of local press. Beyond “bee-ing” one of the best kept secrets of Bellevue, at Queen B you get coffee for a cause – 100% of proceeds each year are donated to local charities.
Location: 8805 Points Dr NE, Clyde Hill, WA, 98004
Website: https://www.queenbeecafe.com/
Cypress Coffee
With locations in both the Eastgate area of Bellevue and Redmond Ridge, Cypress is an independently owned coffee shop that offers the best of the basics, as well as unique gourmet latte specials. During the winter season, check out their Browned Butter Latte, or Rosemary Vanilla Latte, for flavorful but not overdone favorites.
Location: 3080 148th Ave SE #113, Bellevue, WA, 98007
Website: https://www.cypresscoffeecompany.com/
Copper Kettle Coffee Bar
No trip to Bellevue’s gorgeous Botanical Garden is complete without a quick pick-me-up from the Copper Kettle Coffee Bar. Located within the garden’s grounds, Copper Kettle Coffee wins our vote for best coffee shop to meet a friend for an outdoor date. They serve up organic free-trade coffee roasted by Sleepy Monk Coffee in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and delicious pastries from local Macrina bakery. They offer free Wi-Fi and outdoor seating with a view that’s hard to beat.
Location: 12400 Main St, Bellevue, WA, 98005
Website: https://bellevuebotanical.org/garden-cafe/
Woods Coffee
An iconic PNW coffee chain, Woods Coffee features outdoorsy vibes and coffee classics. Your caffeine-free accompaniments will appreciate their caramel apple cider and house-made baked goods, made fresh in their Lynden, WA bakery and shipped to stores daily.
Location: 2002 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Website: https://woodscoffee.com/
Fonte Coffee Roasters
Located Downtown Bellevue, Fonte is a must-visit for those with an adventurous palate. In addition to standard favorites and quality drip-coffee, they offer unique globally inspired favorites including a Turkish Latte with cardamom and vanilla, and the Aztec Latte with cocoa, cayenne, black pepper and cinnamon.
Location: 10500 NE 8th St, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Website: https://www.fontecafe.com/
Cafe Cesura
Coming up on their decade anniversary in Bellevue, Cafe Cesura serves up some of the best coffee in Bellevue. Their high ceilings and minimalist decor make for an excellent backdrop to rotating art and a remote work haven. Cafe Cesura takes dairy-free to a whole new level with house-made almond milk, and is home to one of Greater Seattle’s best breakfast sandwiches.
Location: 1015 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA, 98004
Website: https://www.cafecesura.com/
The Best Coffee Shops in Kirkland
Competition for the best coffee in Kirkland is stiff, with an abundance of coffee shops old and new that have made themselves at home in this waterfront town.
Zoka
If you’ve never been to Zoka, it is a must visit on the Eastside. They are definitely a the triple threat of our list: they have a gorgeous shop right off the Kirkland waterfront, amazing coffee, and a Magic Bar – their heavenly, house-made mashup of coconut, oats, chocolate, and other worldly goodness that cannot not be mentioned when discussing a visit to Zoka – you’ll thank us later.
Location: 129 Central Way, Kirkland, WA, 98033
Website: https://www.zokacoffee.com/
Cafe Ladro
With locations all throughout Seattle and the Eastside, Cafe Ladro has secured themselves as a staple in the competitive Seattle coffee scene. With an intentionally friendly atmosphere, superb coffee, and drool worthy baked goods, Cafe Ladro is a must visit on any coffee connoisseur’s bucket list. Their Kirkland location brings laid-back beachy vibes to Kirkland’s Lake Washington waterfront downtown.
Location: 104 Central Way, Kirkland, WA, 98033
Website: https://www.caffeladro.com/
Urban Coffee Lounge
With two locations in Kirkland, Urban Coffee Lounge is a self-proclaimed coffee shop first and foremost, but their flagship location in Juanita Village serves up beer and wine in addition to their gourmet coffee and delicious food. We recommend pairing a visit with a trip to Juanita Bay Park.
Location: 9744 NE 119th Way, Kirkland, WA, 98034
Website: http://uclkirkland.squarespace.com/
203′ Coffee
Located at Kirkland’s renovated Totem Lake area shopping center – The Village at Totem Lake, 203′ Coffee serves us a minimalist menu that they strive to serve to perfection. Try out their house-made lavender syrup in your beverage of choice, or pairing your perfect cup with one of their buttermilk strawberry biscuits.
Location: 12601 120th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA, 98034
Website: https://203degreesfahrenheit.coffee/
Kitanda Espresso & Acai
What began as a small Brazilian store in Seattle in 2004, has since expanded to become a small chain of family owned coffee houses around Seattle and two locations on the Eastside – Kirkland and Redmond. Their menu features the robust flavors of Brazilian coffee sourced from farms in Brazil, and roasted locally in Seattle, and a house favorite the Brazilian Latte – a gourmet espresso and condensed milk beverage. Don’t skip on sampling their other traditional Brazilian favorites as well – hot house-made Brazilian cheese bread that’s naturally gluten-free, and fresh blended Acai bowls.
Location: 12700 NE 124th St #2, Kirkland, WA, 98034
Website: https://www.kitanda.com/
The Best Coffee Shops in Issaquah
When caffeine is calling your name, head to one of these Issaquah coffee shops for a quick pick-me-up. This small but mighty list features three of the best places to grab a coffee in the lovely mountainside town of Issaquah, WA.
Issaquah Coffee Company
For over 10 years, Issaquah Coffee Company owner Mike has been brewing up coffee and community at this quaint coffee house in historic Gilman Village. In addition to their fabulous coffee and tea-based beverages they offer a large selection of pastries and other treats, breakfast wraps, ciabatta melts and more, from local partners such as North Bend Bakery and Homegrown sandwich shop. For the health conscience crowd they serve up plant-based breakfast items from Plant Life Meals, smoothies, and a variety of other vegan and vegetarian options.
Location: 317 NW Gilman #47, Issaquah, WA, 98027
Website: https://www.issaquahcoffee.com/
Cafe Ladro
With locations all throughout Seattle and the Eastside, Cafe Ladro has secured themselves as a staple in the competitive Seattle coffee scene. With an intentionally friendly atmosphere, superb coffee, and drool worthy baked goods, Cafe Ladro is a must visit on any coffee connoisseur’s bucket list. Their Issaquah location pairs perfectly with the stunning views found in Issaquah’s Highlands neighborhood.
Location: 1200 10th Ave NE, Issaquah, WA, 98029
Website: https://www.caffeladro.com/
Q Cafe
Hidden away in the hillside of Issaquah’s Talus neighborhood, Q Cafe is one of the newest additions to the Eastside. This slightly mysterious “interactive cafe” was a concept developed by local escape room owners, who dreamed of a slightly different coffee shop experience. In addition to the perfect cup of coffee, and a bit of interactive mystery, they offer all-day breakfast, and fresh made pastries that are true works of art.
Location: 188 NW Shy Bear Way, Suite B, Issaquah, WA, 98027
Website: https://www.qcafeseattle.com/
The Best Coffee Shops in Redmond
With several of the best coffee shops in Redmond conveniently located off the Sammamish River Trail, this small outdoorsy tech-town makes the perfect spot to get a fresh brew along with some fresh air.
Victor’s Coffee Co.
A longtime staple in Redmond, Victor’s Celtic coffeehouse opened in 1989, and sticking true to their roots of using coffee as community building, offers no in-house wifi. Leave your laptop at home, bring a friend, and savor a quality cup of joe and conversation.
Location: 7993 Gilman Street, Redmond, WA, 98052
Website: http://www.victorscelticcoffee.com/
SoulFood Coffee House
SoulFood Coffee House takes the cake for funky vibes and the most eclectic culture on our list. From live music, to a rotating fair-trade emporium of goods like stones, incense and more, we recommend you come for the coffee, and stay for the soul. Located just off the Sammamish River Trail, SoulFoods makes a fantastic spot to relax after a walk by the river.
Location: 15748 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA, 98052
Website: https://soulfoodcoffeehouse.com/
River Trail Roaster
Also just a stones throw from the Sammamish River Trail in downtown Redmond, you’ll find River Trail Roasters serving up the best organic, fair trade coffee. You can take home a bag of their small batch roasted beans, or a local made quiche, pastry or lunch to accompany your perfect cup of joe. River Trail is our favorite stop for a mid-walk or ride refuel during adventures on the regional trail.
Location: 8397 158th Ave NE, Redmond, WA, 98052
Website: https://www.rivertrailroastersredmond.com/
Kitanda Espresso & Acai
What began as a small Brazilian store in Seattle in 2004, has since expanded to become a small chain of family owned coffee houses around Seattle and two locations on the Eastside – Kirkland and Redmond. Their menu features the robust flavors of Brazilian coffee sourced from farms in Brazil, and roasted locally in Seattle, and a house favorite the Brazilian Latte – a gourmet espresso and condensed milk beverage. Don’t skip on sampling their other traditional Brazilian favorites as well – hot house-made Brazilian cheese bread that’s naturally gluten-free, and fresh blended Acai bowls.
Location: 16349 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA,
Website: https://www.kitanda.com/
Cypress Coffee
With locations in both the Eastgate area of Bellevue and Redmond Ridge, Cypress is an independently owned coffee shop that offers the best of the basics, as well as unique gourmet latte specials. During the winter season, check out their Browned Butter Latte, or Rosemary Vanilla Latte, for flavorful but not overdone favorites. Pair your trip to the Redmond Ridge location with a walk through the nearby trails of the Redmond Watershed Preserve.
Location: 22310 NE Marketplace Drive #102, Redmond, WA, 98053
Website: https://www.cypresscoffeecompany.com/
Discover the Eastside 