Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Bellevue

"As the iconic tower that defines Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle (*400 Broad St; spaceneedle.com) is a go-to for world-class views—all the more so since a stunning renovation in summer 2018. Experience the sensation of floating above the city on the open-air observation deck, and dare to look down through the rotating glass floor on the lower deck. Steel your nerve for altitude adjustment at Atmos, the Space Needle’s glass-floor wine bar in the sky."

"Experience one of the top Seattle family attractions by taking an elevator up 605 feet to enjoy the incredible view. Hot of an extensive renovation, visitors can also now experience the world’s first rotating glass floor!. On a recent visit with 5 children (not all mine), we found that the kids all especially enjoyed the interactive touch screen activities."

"Another view in Seattle that’s hard to top is the one from Sky City—the rotating restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. Sure, it’s got a slightly touristy twinge to it, but where else are you going to get a complete 360-degree view of the city, lakes and Puget Sound?"

"website | directions | neighborhoods: 4 locations in Ballard, Roosevelt, U-District, & SLU | best for: brunch with vegetarian options. Portage Bay is loud and often has a wait. You’d think that be enough to deter me, but rather they’ve ended up on my best brunch in Seattle list."

"One of Seattle’s most famous counter-service spots since 2004 with a wide range of vegan fare, Wayward Vegan Café divvies out all-day breakfast and lunch in typical “greasy spoon” fashion in Roosevelt’s neck of the woods. Nosh on large servings of “Tofuevos Rancheros” and “Tots-In-A-Blanket” burritos. Oh, and don't forget the bottomless coffee."

"This place is known for its massive ethical menu and will leave you in a highly desirable food coma. Tempeh Tantrum with cheesy stuffed hash browns and savory tofu scramble ??"

"Back in the day (aka the aughts) Besalu was Seattle’s top spot for superb French pastries, and the line regularly stretched out the door of the tiny Ballard cafe. It’s a credit to the place that, despite stiff competition and new ownership, it still deserves that line. Croissants remain top-notch, but the tender, buttery ginger biscuit, with its golden exterior and a sprinkle of coarse-grained sugar, is the prize."

"The telltale sign of any good bakery is a line out the door, so get to Cafe Besalu early if you want to beat the crowds. Seating inside is minimal, but curbside parking is usually available in front of their shop and you can take your order to go. When going to a bakery, we appreciate a balance between sweet and savory selections, and Cafe Besalu absolutely delivers, but the savory croissants here are a must-try."

"This Ballard cafe’s plain croissant is the benchmark by which all others are measured. It is exactly as buttery and flakey as it must be, and often draws long lines. Available for takeout with online preordering."

"What was originally a full-service restaurant has since pivoted to cafe-style dining because of the pandemic. The cafe and marketplace is still a stop you should make on your way around Ballard, as their coffee and baked goods will take you to heavenly places. Location: 5307 Ballard Avenue NW, SeattlePhone: 206-432-9986Facebook | Instagram"

"The cafe and marketplace offers a beautiful covered seating area, perfect for a cup of coffee and lunch. Location: 5307 Ballard Avenue NW, SeattlePhone: 206-432-9986Facebook | Instagram"

"Pastries fill the antique case up by the register—towering layer cakes, triple chocolate chip cookies, biscuits filled with raspberry freezer jam—and yes, they taste as good as they look. Owner-baker Heather Earnhardt channeled her Southern heritage into this breakfast and lunch spot on 15th, where biscuits are a fluffy and buttery vehicle for soft egg and cheese and Benton’s bacon, or chunks of expert fried chicken, sharpened with aged cheddar and flooded over with fiery sausage gravy. The room’s not quite as comfort-driven as the food, but these are plates worth squeezing into the old church pews repurposed as close-quartered banquettes."

"Begin the day at one of the neighborhood’s many indulgent breakfast spots, like The Wandering Goose, where the biscuits are so good they’ve inspired a children’s storybook. Then it’s time to visit Volunteer Park, one of the city’s prettiest green spaces. Climb to the top of the brick water tower for a workout with a view, or gaze at the Space Needle through the middle of the circular Black Sun sculpture. Venture inside the Seattle Asian Art Museum, guarded by twin camel statues, or enter an urban botanical jungle inside the glassy walls of the conservatory."

"The shabby-chic cafe is the passion project of noted baker and biscuit maven Heather Earnhardt, whose North Carolina roots show in her execution of pimento mac ‘n’ cheese, fried oysters, collard greens and everything in the beautiful bakery case. The narrow Capitol Hill shop opens at 7 a.m. — meaning you can brunch as early or as late as you want on essentials like buttery biscuits with flavor-packed sausage gravy and poached eggs."

"Many Seattleites likely have their own preferred banh mi destination, but it’s hard to beat this South Seattle spot for its perfectly flaky baguettes and expertly prepared grilled pork (though insiders may want to go for the fried catfish version). No sit-down service here — Tony’s is a small deli and market, but many of the other prepared foods (like steamed hum bao) are worth a look for a takeout feast, washed down with any of the excellent boba tea options. A post shared by Tony's Bakery & Deli (@tonysbakeryanddeli)"

"A post shared by Daily Dozen Doughnut Co (@dailydozendoughnut). We’ll cap this list with a Pike Place Market favorite, Daily Dozen. You can enjoy mini donuts straight out of the fryer and covered in cinnamon sugar."

"They use Toast as an ordering system so wait times vary drastically. The chicken Caesar is probably the best thing on the m..."

"Premier Meat Pies is a relative newcomer to the Seattle waterfront. It has quickly gained a following for its flaky meat pies. The recipes at this Pier 54 chophouse are tried and true."

"The self-taught Japanese master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota (1879-1973) was a horticultural trailblazer, using time-honoured Japanese techniques while embracing plants and trees native to the Pacific Northwest. Running a successful gardening business in South Seattle, Kubota developed this exquisite show garden, creating hills, valleys, streams, waterfalls, ponds and rocky outcrops in 20 acres. The Kubota Garden was a labour of love spanning five decades and purchased by the City of Seattle in 1987."

"With its neat, symmetrical lines and delicate stones and water wheels, the Kubota Garden will let you travel to Japan without stepping foot out of Washington. It’s one of the most gorgeous places to see in all of Seattle. Part of its beauty comes from the fact that it was a labor of love."

"This semi-secret garden in south Seattle emulates a traditional Japanese garden using the plants of the Pacific Northwest. See All 114 Things to Do in Seattle"