Cafe entertainment in North America
-
A
Caffé Vita
The laptop fiend, the date, the radical student, the homeless hobo, the philosopher, the business guy on his way to work: watch the whole neighborhood pass through this Capitol Hill institution (one of four in Seattle) with its own on-site roasting room visible through a glass partition.
reviewed
-
B
Sentient Bean
This green coffeehouse cares about coffee and community. It has vegan treats, organic cafe fare and live music or performance art on its stage.
reviewed
-
C
Jumpin' Java
Alterna-dorks hunch over MacBooks and trade passing glances at the Castro's quietest cafe, nicknamed 'Laptop Library.' Nobody talks. Bring a computer or be bored. Packed weekends. Fun fact: this chapter was penned here.
reviewed
-
D
Bauhaus
Drink coffee, browse books, nibble pastries, stay awake…until 1am! Bauhaus positively encourages lingering with its mezzanine bookshelves, Space Needle view and lazy people-watching opps. One senses that the next great American novel could be getting drafted here.
reviewed
-
E
Aztec Cafe
Our pick for best local coffeehouse, the Aztec welcomes all kinds to its low-key indoor art space and outdoor patio.
reviewed
-
F
Café Pamplona
Located in a cozy cellar on a backstreet, this no-frills European cafe is the choice among old-time Cantabridgians. In addition to tea and coffee drinks, Pamplona has light snacks such as gazpacho, sandwiches and biscotti. The tiny outdoor terrace is a delight in summer.
reviewed
-
G
Satellite Coffee
Albuquerque's answer to Starbucks lies in these hip coffee shops – look for plenty of locations around town, including in the UNM and Nob Hill areas – luring lots of laptop-toting regulars. Owned by the same brilliant folks who started the Flying Star.
reviewed
-
H
Samovar Tea Lounge
Styled in soothing Zen-chic, Samovar's sunny Castro location specializes in organic, fair-trade teas and provides a cozy alternative to the neighborhood's ubiquitous bars. Sandwiches and cheese plates, designed to pair with tea, provide reason to linger.
reviewed
-
I
Victoria's Espresso & Wine Bar
It has baked goods and wine, full breakfasts (those ricotta pancakes look delish) and espresso, but the must-try here is the vanilla latte. Made with housemade syrup crafted from real vanilla bark, it isn't too overly sweet – just immediately and completely addictive.
reviewed
-
J
Red Room
The Red Room rules. Part pub, part diner, part funky lounge – this arty Kensington Market room is the place to drag your hungover bones for a recuperative pint of microbrew, an all-day breakfast and an earful of Brit pop. Sink into a booth and forget your misdemeanors.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Espresso Roma
The shaded patio, strung with paper lanterns, is our favorite place to hang with studying students. The bulletin board here is a great place to check for offbeat local events. The menu? Well-done coffee shop standards, with a veggie bent. The yummy smoothies are a highlight.
reviewed
-
L
B&O Espresso
Full of understated swank, this piece of the Capitol Hill furniture (open since 1976) is the place to go for Turkish coffee – if you can get past the pastry case up front.
reviewed
-
M
Boheme
Bewitching Boheme is part wine bar, part coffee shop and 100% bohemian. The frozen mojitos reign among our favorite drinks in town.
reviewed
-
N
Laughing Goat
Sure, the ambiance might diminished a bit by the glow of two dozen laptops, but the coffee is good enough (served in pint glasses too!) and locally roasted. The scene revolves around eyeballing college co-eds and tapping away at the term papers – at least until the singer songwriters start up.
reviewed
-
O
Tea House
If you're feeling ambivalent, prepare for a dilemma when confronted with the list of 150 types of tea. They have coffee, too, and breakfast and lunch. A perfect stop when you're done with the galleries on Canyon Rd.
reviewed
-
P
Algiers Coffee House
Although the pace of service can be glacial, the palatial Middle Eastern decor makes this an inviting rest spot. The one good thing about the relaxed service is that you won't be rushed to finish your pot of Arabic coffee or mint tea. Bonus: roof-deck seating.
reviewed
-
Q
Little Branch Cafe
A good fortifier after the Museum Campus, Little Branch is probably more known for its food than its drinks, but it does indeed have a bar. And that bar stirs hot toddies, Irish coffees, gin-filled Corpse Revivers and serves a small roster of wines and beers. The café hides in a residential complex.
reviewed
-
R
La Burdick
This boutique chocolatier doubles as a cafe, usually packed full of happy patrons drinking hot cocoa. Whether you choose dark or milk, it’s sure to be some of the best chocolate you’ll drink in your lifetime. There are only a handful of tables, so it’s hard to score a seat when temperatures are chilly.
reviewed
-
S
Lulu's Chocolate Bar
More a place to sink yourself into a sugar coma than catch a buzz, Lulu's is an adorable yet chic neighborhood martini and dessert bar. The heavenly signature Lulutini here is pure chocolate decadence.
reviewed
-
T
Momi Toby's Revolution Café
For once, a cafe that's not an internet port. Dig the boho scene, with artists on both sides of the counter, swilling coffee and wine. Bask in the sun at outdoor tables, or snag a window seat inside and mingle with locals over leisurely happy hours (4pm to 7pm daily). There's another location in the Mission that hosts Classical Revolution concerts on Sundays.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Trouble Coffee
Coconuts are unlikely near blustery Ocean Beach, but here comes trouble with the 'Build Your Own Damn House' $8 breakfast special: coffee, thick-cut cinnamon-laced toast and an entire young coconut. The hewn-wood bench out front is permanently damp from surfers' rears, but house-roasted 'The Hammer' espresso at the reclaimed wood counter indoors breaks through any morning fog.
reviewed
-
V
Cup
This groovy loftlike space opens onto Pearl St, pouring forth a tempting whiff of damn good coffee and handpicked organic loose-leaf teas. They also do fresh quiche, wonderful cakes in cups, burly sandwiches and swift wi-fi. No wonder it's always packed with the comely, the studious and the industrious. Monday is open mic night.
reviewed
-
W
Delany's
A laid-back, wood-lined neighborhood coffee bar that's popular with the West End's gay community, Delany's is a good perch from which to catch the annual Pride Parade, although you'll have to get here early if you want a front-row seat. The usual array of cookies and muffins will keep you fortified while you wait.
reviewed
-
X
Zumes Coffee House
This is slightly off the beaten path (aka the Freedom Trail), but locals love it for the comfy leather chairs, big cups of coffee and decadent doughnuts; other bakery items get rather mixed reviews. Also on the menu: soup, sandwiches and lunchy items. Paintings and photographs by local artists adorn the walls; books and games keep the kiddies busy.
reviewed
-
Y
Crema Coffee House
Noah Price, a clothing-designer-turned-coffee impresario, takes his job seriously, selecting, brewing and pouring Denver’s absolute best coffee. The espresso and french pressed are complete perfection, but it’s the oatmeal latte, delicately infused ice teas, and toast bar – with a mess of jams and toppings – that puts this place over the top.
reviewed