4 cozy, cool coffee and tea shops in Tacoma to keep you going in the new year
It’s been a great year for coffee and tea in Tacoma.
While the city had several talented coffee roasters and even more cozy cafes, these four new havens each bring a little extra something to the scene.
From finely roasted coffee to unique espresso drinks, matcha you won’t find anywhere else and beloved tea blends, here are some ideas to keep you going through the new year.
NAOMI JOE COFFEE
▪ 2101 Jefferson Ave. (inside 7 Seas Brewing), Tacoma, 253-237-3403, naomijoecoffee.com
Owner Kyle Willingham takes a particularly scientific approach to roasting that somehow manages also to be quite whimsical. He fermented a late-summer roast with grapes! At the shop inside 7 Seas’ Tacoma taproom, dive into a pristine espresso brewed to meticulous standards on a modern Decent brand machine. Have a beer while you’re at it — you can even get the caffeine poured into a Heidelberg. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve).
COMMON GROUND COFFEE
▪ 2313 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, instagram.com/commongroundtacoma
On a stretch of Tacoma Avenue (not far from Sig Brewing Co.), Common Ground has been attracting crowds since it opened last spring. In addition to the standards, try the lovely house specialties and seasonal concoctions — currently including an eggnog latte and cranberry-infused spritzer (on ice). Also cold but oh-so-fun is the Honey Kiss, a shakerato of espresso and cream served in a very fancy coupe. With table, counter and lounge seating, the shop serves Macrina pastries and sandwiches by Memoranda Kitchen. Open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (closing early Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
JIN JIN MATCHA
▪ 1019 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, jinjinmatcha.com
Sarah and Ryan McGowan introduced Jin Jin in February on the ground floor of The Astor apartment building. If you don’t already know and love matcha, let this shop show you how! Using carefully sourced, ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan and Korea, drinks showcase the powdered leaves as is — with water — or in delightful lattes blended with sesame milk, chai, turmeric and more. The shop, a sibling to nearby Sunny’s General Store, sells teaware and other culinary goodies like high-quality olive oil. Open weekdays 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
MAD HAT TEA CO.
▪ 301 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma, 253-441-2111, madhattea.com
Mad Hat is almost 15 years old, but owners Tobin Ropes and Maurren McHugh had to vacate their longtime home on Commerce Street last year. Luckily they found a replacement space in the Dome District. Fans of the shop’s many custom tea blends will find all that here and more to enjoy brewed on site or in retail bags to take home or give as gifts. Accompany an in-house experience with Balloon Roof sourdough toast, butter and jam. Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m.
This story was originally published December 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM.