A Nice Cuppa

Is it fair to say a cafe is hidden if it’s on the main strip of one of the main suburbs in Seattle? Probably not. But, if you don’t know about Kahili Coffee and you are a Seattle area east-sider or a west-sider killing a few hours, say waiting to pick your daughter up from school, you should. It’s one of the few spots in the Kirkland, Bellevue and Redmond area that serves up artisanal coffee, and does it in one of the more comfortable and friendly locations out there. Suede-y cushy couches and chairs invite you to get cozy and settle in for a good stay. Wireless access is free (if you ask for the code when you make a purchase) and strong. Seating is more than plentiful, with power easily and freely accessible throughout the cafe. And people of all ages stop in to meet with friends, or just grab a drink to go. There’s even a fire for those particularly wet and chilly days. Of course, atmosphere is only part of the equation. The coffee has to be good too. And Kahili offers up a fine cup from their Zoka roasted Kona beans. They foam milk beautifully, and the couple of lattes I’ve had so far have been perfectly pulled. At night, Kahili also serves liquor, making it a nice after dinner spot for a glass of wine or some booze in your coffee.

Seattle offers all kinds of other great little coffee bars tucked away into neighborhoods that are worth a visit. If you don’t mind doing a bit of exploring, try these spots:

Lighthouse Cafe, about a half mile from the Seattle Zoo. Lighthouse is a fantastic micro-roaster that supplies beans to many coffee shops in the Seattle area. Their own cafe is a treat to visit.
Cafe Besalu, downtown Ballard a few blocks off the main drag. Besalu serves great Lighthouse coffee, but it’s the pastries that make this place special.
All City Coffee in Georgetown. There is also an All City tucked away between Pioneer Square and the ID, but this one has a certain industrial area cool.