Uptown Espresso - Belltown — Restaurant in Seattle

Decaf coffee in NYC is almost always a watery mess. One thing I look forward to every year when I come to Seattle for Thanksgiving is the chance to get excellent decaf coffee and mocha. When I tell you that the decaf mocha at Uptown Espresso's Belltown location (centrally located near the Space Needle, the pop culture museum, etc) is probably the best I've ever had, I'm not exaggerating. The coffee flavor is strong, even when I added chocolate.

And the foam. THE FOAM! I don't know what kind of witchcraft they practice here, but I've never had anything like it: thick, luscious, and depending on who pours it there are times when it stands up in all almost whipped cream-like peaks.

Seriously, this decaf mocha was so delicious that I just ignored all dietary sense and drank my dessert every morning I've been here, buying one and sometimes two 20-ounce mochas every day.

That would be more than enough reason to come here, but the baristas (Chris, Jess, Megan, and one other guys whose name i don't remember) are so friendly, so helpful -- and, in keeping with the witchcraft theme -- they all seem to have memories like international spies! By the second or third day I was coming they already all knew my order and treated me like a regular before. I even could tell them what I wanted.

Over the 10 years that I've been coming here for Thanksgiving, I never knew this place existed before 2024. Each trip before that, I hunted for great decaf in what felt like a bazillion different coffee shops, some with excellent reputations, some just drive-thru coffee sheds... the cups ranged from excellent (one random shed in Renton called Sorrento's), to OK (Victrola in Ballard -- great sometimes, mediocre others; very barista-dependent), to utterly mediocre (many others). They also seem to do this with everybody who came in regularly. They knew people's names, they joked around with them, they just fostered a really comfortable and welcoming environment.

Also, I cannot express enough how much I appreciate that they have three outdoor tables and chairs even in the winter. I am still practicing covid precautions and I can't do any indoor dining because I have a couple of pre-existing health conditions that would make Covid pretty dangerous for me -- so many other places have taken away their outdoor dining in this 40-45degree weather, But they still make it possible for me to sit outside and drink my coffee in a relaxed way. They even didn't mind when I would get takeout from nearby tilicum Place Cafe and eat my breakfast or lunch at their table because Tillicum doesn't have outdoor space. It may be cold, but it's an incredibly helpful accommodation for people who have health disabilities. And the benefit is that when you sit here, you get to make friends with all sorts of neighborhood dogs that are being walked nearby!

Honestly, I'm kicking myself that I only found this place this year. I've been staying at The Maxwell hotel every Thanksgiving for nearly a decade and they didn't put it on the "food/coffee nearbt" lists, and so I was constantly hunting for the experience I've had here. I wasted so many $5/$6/$7 on meh decaf over they years.

It may be weird to say, but one of the highlights of my visit this year was being able to start each day off with delicious mocha, and such cheerful and friendly mini conversations with Chris and Jess. It set each day off on a positive tip, even when I was sleep deprived.

Thanks, Uptown Espresso! I'll definitely be back next year.

PS: The inside of the coffee shop is spacious, with plenty of comfortable armchairs, tables, and I think outlets, too. I didn't eat inside, but anyone who wants to will be comfortable.

I also saw the baristas be compassionate to an unhoused person who came in, which I was grateful to see at a time when too much cruelty is spreading against...

I start every single morning with coffee, and over the last year I have lived in Seattle, I’ve explored 50-60 different coffee shops across the Puget Sound area. Despite all that, Uptown Espresso in Belltown remains my absolute favorite, and honestly, nothing else even comes close.

The atmosphere is incredible, warm, inviting, and exactly what you want from a local coffee shop. But what truly sets Uptown apart is the people. In the morning, Jess, Megan, and Sean are, hands down, my favorite baristas. They have this way of making you feel welcomed, valued, and like you're part of something more than just a quick coffee transaction. The Seattle Freeze? Feels completely made up when you walk into Uptown Espresso because these baristas bring such a genuine, friendly energy that you don’t find anywhere else.

And then there’s the coffee. I order the iced white chocolate generra quad every single time, and I swear, it is the best coffee drink ever created. Smooth, rich, and perfectly made every single time, no other cafe has even come close to matching it.

Unlike so many other coffee shops in Seattle, where it feels like the workers are just kind of “meh” about being there, here you can tell that they actually care. It makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for the best coffee, the best atmosphere, and the best people in...

Uptown Espresso - Belltown is pretty much everything you're looking for in a cafe - the coffee (though matcha is my drink of choice at the moment), the cozy and clean space, the incredible baristas (Chris, both Megans, Baisden, and Jess to name a few), the free wifi, and its location is right in downtown Seattle.

This cafe also does the small things right, such as decorating the store with a tree and other decor. I love the holiday vibes!

What's also fun to experience while waiting for my drink or sitting inside as I start my day are the cool interactions between baristas and customers. Because cruises take off close by and the proximity to tourist activities and business downtown, lots of travelers frequent this cafe. I also met a local guy who is originally from the east coast like me, which was a fun conversation. And lastly, customers sometimes bring their friendly pets which is a nice treat to experience along with my morning drink.

Overall, can't give enough positives compliments about this cafe and its people! Yall are doing an amazing job!...