Coffee, the daily mood-lifter, friend of many, foe of few. Millions of Americans start their day off with a cup of coffee and Skagit County residents are no different. But there’s a huge distinction between starting your day off with a cup of coffee brewed at home as opposed to an artisanal pour from a local coffee shop. Skagit County has plenty of coffee shops worthy of becoming the go-to stop for your morning beverage. And keep in mind, coffee isn’t just good in the morning, visiting your favorite coffee shop can become a routine at any point in the day. Here are six coffee shops in Skagit County you need to try if you haven’t yet.
Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar
416 S 1st St, Mount Verno
There are many pleasant adjectives that can describe Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar in Mount Vernon. The first few that come to mind are, cozy, relaxing, outstanding, delicious and incredible. How could you pass on a place that has descriptors such as those?
Located in Downtown Historic Mount Vernon, Ristretto is kid-friendly and proudly serves coffee from Victrola Coffee Roasters, it’s the perfect place to grab a cup of joe, or even tea, that is if coffee isn’t so much your thing.
Note from the Ristretto Staff: Ristretto Coffee Lounge & Wine Bar builds relationships.
Thank you Skagit County community for voting Ristretto the BEST coffee shop for the 3rd year in a row!
North Cove Coffee
1130 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington
North Cove Coffee is an essential Burlington coffee shop. The space always has a great atmosphere and the customer service is impeccable.
At North Cove, coffee is roasted daily and you can tell they really care about their coffee. The customer is definitely put first at North Cove as they aim for every cup to be the perfect pour. Whether you want espresso or a cold brew, there’s going to be something for you on the menu, plus there are sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
And, North Cove runs drink specials frequently, so make sure to check their Facebook page for more information.
Penguin Coffee LLC
2119 Commercial Ave, Anacortes
Locally owned and operated since 2002, Penguin Coffee LLC is one of the most popular coffee shops in Anacortes. The warm and inviting atmosphere is perfect for either relaxing on the weekend with a cup of coffee, or going on a weekday to get some work done. There’s a great balance, it’s the perfect coffee shop for the serious telecommuter and the travel enthusiast.
Penguin Coffee serves Caffe D’arte coffee, which is roasted in Seattle, also, they have freshly baked goods made daily by Jalillah’s Cookies, so you’re definitely going to want to grab something to go with your latte, espresso or drip coffee.
Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe & Bakery
720 S. 1st Street, La Conner
In 1981, The first Calico Cupboard Cafe and Bakery opened. Now you can find the cafe and bakery in Anacortes, La Conner and Mount Vernon. We’ve chose to highlight the original location in La Conner, because not only do they serve delicious food, baked goods and coffee, but we love the beautiful town it’s located in.
If you haven’t been, La Conner is a great place for a “staycation”, there’s much to do in this little town nestled along the Swinomish Channel. And your first stop would be to start your morning at the Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe & Bakery.
All baked goods are made-from-scratch and both the sweet and savory breakfast menus have a plethora of tantalizing options to go with your morning coffee.
Third Street Cafe
309 South Third Street, Mt. Vernon
Third Street Cafe is an establishment that grew out of association with the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op, which is located in historic downtown Mount Vernon. There are many things to like about Third Street Cafe, from the fresh eats to the house-roasted coffee it has a bit of everything. Plus, the cafe isn’t just a one-stop breakfast shop, Third Street Cafe has brunch, lunch and dinner menus, and is a great spot to sit down and enjoy a meal in addition to your cup of coffee.
The varied food is what stands out at this cafe. Third Street makes it their priority to use ingredients native to the Pacific Northwest, and the Skagit Valley in particular. If you are looking for a delicious meal crafted with Northwest ingredients, look no further, Third Street Cafe is where you want to be.
Johnny Picasso’s
501 Commercial, Anacortes
Johnny Picasso’s is a staple of the Anacortes food and beverage scene. The cafe and restaurant are known for their coffee, tea, espresso and assortment of small plates and pastries. But there’s more, Johnny Picasso’s is also known for their ties to the local community, as a fully-functioning art studio and educational facility. At Johnny Picasso’s, you can enroll in both ceramic and fused glass art classes.
What are you waiting for? Sign up for a class, grab a cup of coffee, some painting supplies and a piece of pottery (Johnny Picasso’s provides all materials), and get to work!
Note from the Owner: My shop is considered “a gathering place” for the community. At any one time we can have several activities going on at once. A group meeting, people having coffee or tea, eating lunch, doing art, playing the house guitar inside or house piano outside all at the same time. Johnny Picasso’s is a place where the community can feel like it’s their own. Everyone is welcome and invited to be part of our family.
Tweets Cafe
5800 Cains Court, Edison
Although Tweets Cafe is cash or check only, and is only open on the weekends, this is a spot you must go to. Tweets Cafe proudly serves delicious organic coffee, but is perhaps better known for their rotating menu of delicious farm-to-table fare.
The coffee at Tweets is great, and the food is absolutely fantastic. If you are looking for a nice weekend brunch spot head down to Tweets, but be prepared to wait a little depending on your arrival time, it’s a popular dining spot for locals and travelers alike.
