Caffé Vita Coffee Roasting Company
About
What It Is
Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Company is an independent, Seattle-based coffee roasting company and cafe operator founded in 1995 in the Queen Anne neighborhood by Mike McConnell [2]. It is considered part of the third-wave coffee movement and has been cited among the ten best coffee destinations in the United States [2]. The company's flagship location at 1005 East Pike Street combines a cafe, roastery, and company offices, with seven additional cafes operating across Seattle [2]. Ownership passed to local restaurateur Deming Maclise on January 1, 2020 [2].
Activities & Experiences
Visitors can order espresso drinks, cold brew, and the company's ready-to-drink Vita Cold Shot cold espresso extraction at cafe locations [1]. The company offers espresso and latte training classes as well as free monthly cuppings open to the public [1]. Guests can also browse and purchase a range of roasted coffees, including blends, single-origin offerings, and organic options, as well as branded merchandise such as apparel, drinkware, and accessories [1].
Practical Access
The flagship cafe and roastery is located at 1005 East Pike Street in Seattle [2]. Coffee and merchandise can also be ordered online for shipping or arranged for pickup at a local cafe location [1]. No specific hours, fees, or reservation requirements are noted in the sources for cafe visits.
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
Caffe Vita is recognized as a pioneer of the Farm Direct movement, building long-term sourcing relationships with growers in more than eleven countries and bypassing conventional fair-trade structures [2]. The company has a documented history of community investment, including barista training programs for homeless youth, annual holiday fundraising drives with dollar-for-dollar matching, and a Coffees for a Cause product line that donates two dollars per bag to local nonprofits [2]. Notable partnerships include supplying all Washington State Ferries since 2017 and producing barrel-aged coffees in collaboration with Batch 206 Distillery [2]. Thirty years after founding, the company remains independently and locally owned while operating roasteries in Seattle, Brooklyn, and Phoenix [1].
Sources
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 1h
- Hours: 07:00-19:00
Access & fees
- free cafe entry
Things to do
- coffee and merchandise purchase
- espresso and latte training
- free monthly cuppings
- online ordering for pickup or shipping
Before you go
- 10% discount available via email signup
- sign up required for training classes
Amenities
- branded merchandise available
- cafe with espresso drinks
- coffee subscription service
- cold brew and cold espresso
- wholesale supply to cafes and hotels
Events & seasons
- capitol hill block party sponsorship
Features
- 10 locations nationwide
- barrel-aged coffee offerings
- coffees for a cause product line
- easy street records partnership
- farm direct sourcing pioneer
- flagship cafe and roastery
- founded 1995, queen anne
- holiday fundraising drive, dollar-for-dollar match
- independently and locally owned
- official coffee of washington state ferries
- organic, rainforest alliance certified coffees
- third-wave coffee roaster
- youth barista training partnership
Nearby
- capitol hill neighborhood, seattle
Good to know
- current owner since jan 2020
- free shipping on orders usd 75+
Photos
