Try drinks that aren't on the regular menu and grab some cute merch. It's Disneyland for Starbucks lovers.
I love my local shops, but there's nothing quite like the home of the green mermaid. A major part of the Starbucks appeal in my opinion is the consistency; no matter which location you visit, your drink will taste exactly how you expect. But one amazing place in the Northwest proves that even when Starbucks mixes it up, they still nail it.
I recently took a trip to Seattle, which as you can imagine, was a pretty exciting spot for me given my particular interests. (I must state that I did not just go on a trip to go to a slightly bigger Starbucks, but even if this was my only reason for the travel, I would 100% not be ashamed.)
The main tourist spot that comes to mind for coffee-loving travelers is always the Pike Place Market Starbucks, and with good reason: It was the very first Starbucks. People travel from all over the world to visit the "Original Starbucks," and the line snakes down the sidewalk outside pretty much constantly. (When I went, there was even a "bouncer" type of barista standing at the door to usher you in, keeping the tiny space from getting too crowded.) More on this hot spot later, but first I want to spotlight the true gem of Seattle for Starbucks lovers: the Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room.
There are several Starbucks Reserve Roasteries around the world (including a location in New York City that opened last December and a Chicago one coming soon), and the reserve coffees are offered at many "regular" Starbucks locations. The Seattle location is located on Pike Street, basically on the way to Pike Place Market, so I knew I had to make a stop.
The roastery has a main bar and an experience bar to get your coffee fix, plus an extensive cafe area with savory goods like pizza (!), a bar section serving alcoholic beverages for coffee lovers who want even more pep in their step, a "scoop bar" to purchase beans to go, and table after table of merchandise with all the chic Starbucks goodies you can imagine.
I hit up the main bar, psyched to get a coffee fix in a decidedly more glamorous atmosphere. Here's where a huge draw of the roastery comes from: The menu has tons of drink options that aren't a part of the regular Starbucks menu. I ordered the hazelnut bianco latte (iced), which sounded like something I would enjoy as a latte lover, while also being different enough from my regular Starbucks order that I felt I was dipping my toe into new, sophisticated waters.
It's also worth noting that it truly is set up like a bar, with fancy menus and baristas working their magic in the round. It's this unique Starbucks experience, plus the different drinks, that make this a must-visit spot for any Starbucks lover. Seriously, the roastery alone is justification enough for making a pilgrimage to Seattle (or New York, or Shanghai, or any other spots with a Starbucks Reserve Roastery). It was truly magical. My partner described it as "Disneyland for Starbucks lovers" and frankly, I couldn't have said it better myself.
The iced hazelnut bianco latte was nutty, smooth and rich while still being refreshing. I was blown away. My partner got an iced chai latte, which was also delicious. Plus they come in these hard plastic cups that you can keep. Totes cute! (I had seen these cups in Youtube videos and obviously made sure our drinks would be in them.) And they give you sparkling water. I felt like a princess, you guys. (Or I suppose a queen, a caffeine queen...)
There's so much to do and see. Maybe it was all the gold and brass, or the coffee-churning machinery, but the roastery gave me major Harry Potter, glamorous train station vibes. (I know nothing about Harry Potter, but when I said that's what the aesthetic reminded me of, my more HP-knowledgeable partner confirmed that yes, it had major Harry Potter vibes.)
I knew I wanted to hit up as many coffee shops as possible while in Seattle, but the roastery was just so good I went back there the next day. That's right, folks. I've always wanted to try affogato, which is vanilla ice cream or gelato with hot espresso. This dish has always been on my food bucketlist, but I've never known the best time to order it. I'm not going to get it as my coffee order, because who wants ice cream in the morning? (Well, I guess, me, but I'll stick to my regular latte.) And eating affogato at night (the best time for ice cream, according to 9 out of 10 doctors... who are all named Libby) is a recipe for disaster, unless you want to be up all night with the jitters. Lo and behold, the vacation gods were smiling down up on me, as the afternoon rolled around, and we were craving some dessert after a yummy lunch.
The perfect time for affogato was upon me.
And what better place to try it than at the most magical coffee establishment on earth? Thank goodness affogato lived up to my high expectations because I can honestly say it was one of the best things I have ever tasted in my 23 years of life. The way the rich and sizzling espresso slowly melts into the ice cream to create the perfectly creamy and caffeinated chilled treat? [chef's kiss] ~Perfection~
After having a spiritual experience at the roastery, I knew I needed some merchandise to remember it because I'm a caffeinated and also capitalistic gal, I suppose. I got the glass tumbler and "ESPRESSO VIBES" magnet. I'm not really sure what "ESPRESSO VIBES" means, but good God, I feel it, you know?
Stay tuned for another post on the other coffee shops I visited in Seattle, including the Pike Place Market Starbucks and some adorable local spots.
Address:
1124 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Hours:
7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. every day
(Source)
Perks:
Ummm, freaking everything!!!
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