In our Dining Reports, we share a firsthand perspective of a recent restaurant visit, covering everything from the vibe to must-get dishes. See more in the Eater app.
URL Coffee Is More Than Just the Coolest Coffee Shop on Broadway
Fun drinks and terrific food make it a great remote-work spot, if you can get a seat
Harry Cheadle
Harry Cheadle covers Seattle and Portland for Eater. A Seattle native, he’s been a journalist for 15 years.
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If you’ve ever hung out with anyone who is actually cool you’ll notice they aren’t trying to be cool. So it is with URL Coffee, a small First Hill cafe. The ceramics, wall art, and shelves of thumbed-through design magazines don’t feel curated — it’s more like, when you have taste, all your stuff is awesome and looks good together. It’s a must-visit for a quality cup of coffee and a snack.
What to order
- The big drink here is the “Walk to Work,” an iced latte topped with sweet cream foam. It sounds simple, but the topping — less thick and sweet than the cheese foam that’s all the rage these days — is a wonderful mellow counterpoint to the coffee. Bonus points for this being a specialty drink where you can still taste the coffee.
- If you can get a seat (not a guarantee), order food. The ricotta and tomato toast is a welcome change-up from its avocado brethren. The cheese is creamy, there’s a kiss of sweetness from the honey, and the bread from Seawolf is sturdy enough to withstand all the moisture.
- For something small and on-the-go-y, try the egg and Beecher’s sandwich, which is pretty basic but livened up with a slightly spicy garlic mayo and a pickled onion.
The vibe
Walking into URL Coffee is like visiting an architecture grad student whose band is just about to break through. It’s informal, lived-in, and full of little touches — even the monochromatic mugs feel distinctive. There are a few small tables scattered about, but most of the seating is around a big communal table at the center of the cafe, which adds to the homespun, communal feel.
Insider tip
It’s normally pretty crowded here, but your chances for a seat improve when nearby Seattle University is out of session.
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