Best Cafes Between Portland and Seattle

Ember Goods in Olympia, Washington, is part café, part boutique. | Seiji Nanbu

Portland and Seattle are well known coffee destinations, but the cities in between shouldn’t be overlooked. Tacoma and Olympia actually have a fair amount of coffee history with several reputable roasters based in the city. Meanwhile, suburbs like Vancouver have seen a surge in specialty cafes and the list continues to grow every year. Here’s a guide that covers the I-5 corridor, from micro-roasters to motorcycle garage cafes, for great caffeinated options on the street, listed from north to south.

The latest CDC guidelines for guests vaccinated during the COVID-19 outbreak are here; Eating in restaurants still poses risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules and check individual restaurant websites for additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination center here. Studies suggest that there is less risk of exposure outdoors, but the risk of eating on the patio depends on restaurants adhering to strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.