Are you looking for an authentic, one-of-a-kind coffee experience in Seattle? If you can look beyond the myriad of independent (and awesome!) local coffee shops in the home of Starbucks, I highly recommend a stop at Slate Coffee Roasters in Ballard. This cozy, friendly cafe has the vibe of the bar from Cheers! – a warm, inviting place where everyone knows your name after a few repeat visits. Slate’s laid back demeanor begs for at least 2-3 hours of your time to chill out and chat with the baristas, or pull up a stool with a good book and lounge the afternoon away. Be prepared to load up on caffeine during your stay, especially if you order the coffee tasting flight (which I highly recommend!). This flight gives you a sampling of all of the coffees that Slate currently has in stock, and they come in a variety of presentations, from a straight up espresso shot to a foamy latte. If you’re in a hurry, no worries–you can still order coffee by the cup to go. But the real selling point of Slate is to sit for a couple hours and soak up the complete experience.

Slate is located in Ballard, off of the main drag near the new Brimmer and Heeltap bistro pub.