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Cafe Review: Neptune Coffee in Seattle

May 23, 2014 By Michael 2 Comments

Neptune Coffee

Our ideal cafe consists of a simple but elegant space. It’s the kind of shop where you can pop in for a quick espresso, or read a book while you nurse a mug of autodrip. It should be easily accessible by bicycle or foot and staffed by hospitable baristas who don’t mind a little friendly banter. Of course, we would want coffee that is nothing short of exceptional. In other words, our ideal cafe looks a lot like Neptune Coffee in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood.

Neptune Coffee

Neptune’s smart interior is more reminiscent of a Parisian bistro than the grungy Seattle cafes of the 90s. Repurposed pews line the wall opposite a smattering of pipe shelving. The stark white and wood grain color scheme is well complemented by a beautiful Synesso espresso machine, which, of course, are made locally. Fittingly, Neptune serves coffee from two of Seattle’s best roasters, Kuma Coffee and Velton’s Coffee.

Neptune Coffee

When I visited Neptune they had two single origin espresso options:  Guji Araga, Ethiopia from Kuma and Bolivia Caranava from Velton’s. The Guji had a lovely floral and citrus quality while the Bolivia had a sparkling acidity and a rich sweetness. Both shots were doubled weighed and brewed with care. We can only imagine these two roasters are proud to have their coffee so well represented.

On our second visit I settled down with a mug of Velton’s Mexico Nayarita, batch brewed with a Fetco autodrip. The naturally processed coffee smelled and tasted like chocolate covered strawberries. As it approached room temperature it was, as we like to say in the industry, chuggable. Although I’m a firm believer in the benefits of manual brew methods (and Neptune has plenty), some mornings it’s nice to skip the theatrics of the brew bar and enjoy some instant gratification. Whether you take your coffee with or without dramatics, you won’t be disappointed at Neptune.

Neptune Coffee

Neptune Coffee

Seattle is a city with a rich coffee legacy, but Neptune reveals that Seattle can be just as contemporary as Portland, or Los Angeles. If we ever find ourselves looking for real estate in Seattle, we can guarantee it will be biking distance from Neptune Coffee.

Neptune Coffee

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Filed Under: Coffee Shop Reviews Tagged With: Kuma Coffee, Neptune Coffee, Seattle, Velton's Coffee

About Michael

Michael Butterworth is a coffee educator, consultant, and writer. He cofounded the Coffee Compass mostly as an excuse to visit more coffee shops. For consulting enquiries please visit butterworth.coffee.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James Tooill says

    June 8, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    The pictures of the cafe are nice… but, for my money, Jesse Myers beautiful hair steals the show here.

    Reply
    • Michael says

      June 8, 2014 at 10:42 pm

      No kidding. Completely agree

      Reply

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