The holidays are finally here, but sadly finals season had to come along with it. Studying can be long and boring, especially if you are stuck in your dorm or your study lounge. Instead of staring at the same blank walls, here are some suggestions of my personal favorite cafés scattered in Seattle’s University District that offer great coffee, food, and study spaces to get you through finals week!
- Café Allegro
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Starting off our list is what’s commonly dated as the oldest espresso bar in all of Seattle (an impressive distinction for a city known as the coffee capital of the world), Café Allegro. This place has been around for more than 40 years and offers a great space to grab a bite to eat, relax, or study. Tucked away in an alleyway near Magus Books, it still manages to attract a lot of coffee admirers due to its history, so check out the upstairs area if you want a quieter space filled with natural lighting. Despite its age, Café Allegro is still a charming place that offers up a great cup of joe.
- Portage Bay Café
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Portage Bay Café is a popular breakfast location on the outskirts of Seattle’s University District. It prides itself on serving local, organic, and sustainable food sourced from PNW distributors. And to top it all off, it’s pretty darn amazing. Portage is decently priced for us broke college students, and it offers a nice variety of organic breakfast options, ranging from tofu scrambles to Swedish pancakes (which are SO GOOD). All in all, if you’re looking for a special place to go to breakfast or are craving some quality French toast, look no further: this café has got you covered.
- Café on the Ave
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Probably the most well-known place on the Ave to UW students, Café on the Ave has got it all: good food, quality coffee, and lots of space to study all day. It’s the perfect place to be, whether you are meeting up with people to get some projects done or to just work alone. The friendly staff loves serving the many customers that come through its doors on the daily, as well as making amazing latte art. With a large selection of food and long open hours, Café on the Ave just keeps bringing University of Washington students back for more.
- Tea Republik
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Maybe you’re reading this list and thinking that coffee isn’t really your style. That’s quite alright, let me direct your attention to: Tea Republik. Despite being in such a bustling area, the vibe of this café is subdued and peaceful, with the kindest staff and chill music always playing. The drinks are all fantastic, and they have anything your heart could desire from fruit teas, milk teas, flavored teas, and so much more. And if you are overwhelmed by the options, the staff are always happy to answer your questions. Overall, this place is a quiet haven for whoever needs it.
- Mr. West Café Bar
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A common go-to for brunch, Mr. West has a hip and classy atmosphere that makes it an enjoyable place to spend time in, even if it’s just for a quick cup of coffee. The drinks are clean and well-made, featuring creative seasonal items like a cereal milk cappuccino, or just a classic americano. The food menu is also delicious (but leaning a bit on the pricey side if you are trying to save money), with customer favorites being the avocado toast and autumn burrata. Featuring many plants and an open layout, the cute décor checks all the boxes for aesthetic Instagram photos, making Mr. West a great place to meet up to study or just hang out with friends on the weekend.
- Café Solstice
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If you’re like me and tend to study at cafés, this can be the perfect place to get on the grind. Inside Café Solstice, there are spacious tables with hipster artwork decorating the walls, and if it happens to be a sunny day, it also has a great patio to work at. Also, the service here is excellent, making it a great stop if you want to chat while you wait for your steaming drink. With their wonderful selection of Lighthouse Coffee and in house-baked goods, what more could you want? I take that back, Café Solstice also has an adorable buffalo as its logo, so this place is a 10/10 in my book.
- Slate Coffee Roasters
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Home to the famous deconstructed latte, Slate Coffee Roasters know their coffee and truly care about the craft behind all of their products. Even if you aren’t a coffee expert yourself, the employees are willing to explain anything about their drinks, from the flavor profiles to the presentation itself. Although the shop is pretty small and may not accommodate large groups of people, it definitely remains a great spot to meet up with a friend or two. So if you feel like pretending to be a high-end coffee snob for a day or just want to try something different, Slate Coffee Roasters offers a unique vibe and experience that you shouldn’t pass up!
- Ugly Mug Café
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Last but certainly not least on this list, the charming Ugly Mug Café is a winner. This delightful coffee shop presents consistently great drinks and quirky vibes, giving it a cozy feeling while you study away. At first glance, it may seem as an unsuspecting building squeezed between some construction sites, but the menu has multiple specials as well as unique desserts that are absolutely delicious and heart-warming. With a quaint space, accommodating baristas, and friendly staff, the Ugly Mug Café is the perfect place to feel right at home and pick up on its positive vibes.
I hope that one of these may have piqued your interest, and you find a new coffee shop to fall in love with! Good luck to everyone during finals week, and wherever or however you end up studying, you got this!