Renton, Washington

It’s hard to compete with the coffee capital of Seattle, but Renton, Washington has been stepping up its game to provide coffee favorites for its 97,000 residents. Whether you are a local or just visiting, a city-guide for coffee is always necessary. Ranked based on coffee quality, accessibility, and creativity, below are the top three choices for your daily java fix.

#1 Liberty Cafe: From the outside, this small cafe in Old Downtown Renton doesn’t look like much. Papyrus font gold lettering, a liberty bell decal, and a couple of metal chairs. But step inside and the taste of a creamy chai latte on a gray Seattle morning will quickly transport you to your happy place. Liberty Cafe, on Main and South Third Street, is known for it’s open mic nights, fast wi-fi, and fun drink creations. In addition to the vocal artists that come through the door, Liberty also invites the expressions of photographers and other visual artists to display their creations. The artists don’t only come through the door as guests, they work behind the counter too. With holiday drinks like an eggnog chai tea latte, there’s no question that the creative juices are always flowing.

#2 Black Bear Coffee Company: Let’s face it. Most days we are in a rush. We presssnooze one (or two or three) times more than we should, just to avoid stepping out of our warm beds and onto the never-ending to-do lists we’ve created. Coffee is a necessity, but once we move from the warm bed into a (finally) warm car, we aren’t always ready to get out. Thankfully, there’s a delicious coffee drive thru that won’t disappoint. Black Bear Coffee Company offers just what you need to get your morning fix. The well-known experience of a Cafe D’Arte espresso, flavored with Torani syrup, and a milk of your choice is what you can expect to find. For the mornings where you just need coffee to be predictable, Black Bear will deliver every time. Feeling a little adventurous? Try their Grizzly Mocha that includes a “top secret” ingredient that will keep you guessing. Espresso not your thing? Try one of their many Red Bull drinks, guaranteed to wake you right up and spice up the flavor of an ordinary can.

#3 Vince’s Coffee: For the students out there, Vince’s Coffee is a welcoming place for getting cozy and studying the day away. No need to read in a stiff metal chair, at Vince’s you are invited to stretch out your legs in their comfy leather arm chairs or plush couches. You’ll feel like you are in your own living room with a walk up coffee counter. Where many coffee shops lack in the food department, here you’ll find breakfast and lunch panini’s that will help soak up some of the caffeine to keep away those afternoon jitters. Is your day off to a rough start? The friendly staff will help turn that around by not only providing you with your morning fix, but with customer
service that is on point. Another advantage? It’s not overly crowded. You’ll most likely always find a spot to curl up with your book and cup of joe, without being too disturbed. Bring a set of headphones to play your favorite tunes while drinking a delicious cup of coffee, and rest in the comfort of a place that can quickly become your second home.

So whether you are looking for the creativity of Liberty Cafe, the convenience of Black Bear
Coffee Company, or the comfort of Vince’s Coffee, these shops are sure to quench those coffee
cravings and keep you coming back for more.

Sammamish, Washington

The beautiful city of Sammamish is tucked between the trees to the East and Lake Sammamish. It’s proximity to Issaquah and Downtown Seattle makes it an incredible place to call home. Here are the top three places to enjoy the bold flavors of rich espresso and sweet vibrant syrups used to enhance the coffee in this charming town.

Sammamish Cafe

Pull right up to Sammamish Cafe and enjoy a gritty American feast with the locals. This cute diner was modeled after a 1940’s fishing lodge and has a bar counter tables and booths inviting you to sit and stay awhile. There are seven cafes throughout Washington that are linked to this one, including Saw Mill Cafe and Issaquah Cafe all serving hearty American meals. Each location carries a special blend of Village Cafe Coffee roasted on Camano Island. If you show up on a Sunday morning expect to wait a while but don’t be disappointed–they will offer you free coffee Bringing your kiddos along. They will fall in love. The cafe offers an M&M hot cocoa that is insanely delicious. Whether you are meeting a friend for coffee and a slice of pie in the evening or bringing your family in for brunch on the weekend this local spot can’t be beat.

Mercury Coffee Co

Enjoy an Eastside favorite when you walk into to get your latte at Mercury Coffee Co. Their standard brewed coffee is a combination of bold rich chocolaty flavors with a fruity finish. Nothing is more satisfying for the days when you’ve decided it’s time to “treat yourself” try ordering a Hawaiian Silk Latte. This special treat contains white chocolate, macadamia nut, coconut, espresso, and milk that feels like velvet. If you’re feeling a little spicy, they also offer a Mexican Mocha with spiced chocolate and espresso. Mercury Coffee Co first opened in 1998 in Woodinville and has been expanding over the last several years. They’ve won awards for their coffee since 2012 naming them “best” on several occasions. Their Sammamish store is scheduled to open in late 2016 early 2017 and you won’t want to miss it. Until then their nearby Redmond store is ready for you to dive in and start becoming familiar with their drinks that will soon become your favorite.

Starbucks

Only 20 miles from the flagship store, there is no doubt that Starbucks holds its own in any neighboring Seattle town. There are two Starbucks locations in Sammamish one drive-thru and one walk-in storefront. If you’re looking for a space to spread out and work the drive-thru location a tad bit closer to Eastlake High School might be your best bet. If you are a teacher or a parent of students at Eastlake High¨ the convenience of having two Starbucks locations so close is unmatched. Whether you are

craving one of their signature holiday drinks such as the Fall-favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte or a grab-and-go warm bacon gouda sandwich it is hard to compete with the predictability of stepping into a Starbucks. If you find yourself in Sammamish it is highly likely that you enjoy spending time outdoors. Take any coffee to go and enjoy it on a beautifully-paved Lake Sammamish trail or with a pastry as you sit alongside the lake. Invite your friends and family to join you for breakfast at the Sammamish Cafe become a regular at the new Sammamish branch of Mercury Cafe or celebrate the holidays with a Starbucks classic drink as you curl up next to the fireplace.

No matter how you enjoy your coffee, enjoy it in Washington.