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5 new Tacoma coffee shops for iced lattes and tiramisu while you work from ‘home’

Can there be too many coffee shops? Some might argue yes, but as Tacoma grows, the answer seems to lean toward, “More please!”

A few new coffee shops have filled particular voids in the cafe scene. That’s not to knock any of the existing outfits, especially Tacoma’s favorite roasters according to TNT readers. But sometimes you need to hunker down with your computer for a couple solid hours, or have a work meeting in a corner out of earshot of other guests, or indulge in tiramisu simultaneously. One has already become a must-stop for any coffee nerd living in or passing through the Pacific Northwest — and, yes, I’m including Seattle and Portland in that circle.

These newcomers offer ample seating, tons of natural light, lots of nooks and, of course, coffee. They feel primed for accidentally getting lost in whatever task or conversation you need to have today.

This coffee roaster is hands-down the best in Pierce County, readers say

Common Ground Coffee is an airy, spacious cafe near downtown Tacoma with a creative menu of hot and cold espresso drinks served in cocktail-ware, like this refreshing “Honey Kiss” shakerato.
Common Ground Coffee is an airy, spacious cafe near downtown Tacoma with a creative menu of hot and cold espresso drinks served in cocktail-ware, like this refreshing “Honey Kiss” shakerato.

COMMON GROUND COFFEE

2313 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-224-9418, instagram.com/commongroundtacoma

Thursday-Tuesday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)

The exterior deceives the warmth and sunlight that radiate through Common Ground, which opened in April across the street from Sig Brewing. Despite being surrounded by not much, the interior feels lived-in, and the chairs seem to always be full of locals happily sipping lattes or one of the many house specialties. Spring drinks have included iced concoctions like the orange-rosemary “sprosoda” (sparkling water over two shots of espresso) and the Honey Kiss, a shakerato of sorts with a double-shot and cream — shaken, obviously, and served in a coupe. It’s like a cocktail, but respectful of the afternoon. Owner Tina Sidorko has stocked the food menu with great pastries from Macrina Bakery, fresh egg sandwiches from Memoranda Kitchen heated to melty goodness in a TurboChef oven, and vegan Dude’s Donuts from Port Orchard. Beans, also available in retail bags, are from Spokane roaster Indaba Coffee. Find a seat at the light-filled counters on other side of the entrance, at tables along the wall or at lounge chairs in the back.

Located in the historic Bostwick building on Antique Row in downtown Tacoma, Cremello Cafe serves a full coffee menu with pastries, sandwiches and homemade tiramisu.
Located in the historic Bostwick building on Antique Row in downtown Tacoma, Cremello Cafe serves a full coffee menu with pastries, sandwiches and homemade tiramisu.

CREMELLO COFFEE (formerly Bostwick Cafe)

764 Broadway, Tacoma, instagram.com/cremellocafe

Daily 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

The cafe at the corner of the Bostwick building in downtown Tacoma changed hands again this year, but this time the name is different, too. Welcome to Cremello Cafe, so named after horses with a cream-colored coat. The interior has been painted a sage-green hue, with area rugs, draping white curtains, plenty of seating and classic French bistro music bringing warmth to this light-filled historic space. Co-owner Rebecca Fintak sources as many organic ingredients as she can, notably Smith Brothers milk and syrups, from caramel to hazelnut. Add a floral note to your drink in the form of rose, lavender and violet. The menu also offers frappuccinos in flavors like white chocolate, Nutella and Biscoff cookie, and the pastry case is one of the best-stocked in town, with sweet and savory cornettos (Italian croissants) from Macrina Bakery. Made on-site, don’t skip the not-too-sweet tiramisu, dusted with rich cocoa powder, strawberry panna cotta or baguette sandwiches — as in the Cremello Club with Black Forest ham, Jaeger sausage, garlic bologna and havarti.

Stadium Cafe replaced Pint & Pie under Odin Brewing and next to Doyle’s Public House.
Stadium Cafe replaced Pint & Pie under Odin Brewing and next to Doyle’s Public House.

Once a funeral home, this old Pierce County house now a coffee shop with global mission

STADIUM CAFE

204 St. Helens Ave. (under Odin Brewing), Tacoma, instagram.com/stadiumcafe253

Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Under Odin Brewing, with an entrance on St. Helens next to Doyle’s, this low-key cafe opened this spring, replacing Pint & Pie, which moved down the hill to the edge of downtown on Pacific Avenue. Run by a local couple, Stadium Cafe offers affordable Endicott Roasters coffee (starting at $2.50 for a 12-ounce drip) and espresso (starting around $3 for an Americano), with a few house specialties, including a lavender latte, and Lotus energy drinks. Nosh on a cookie, danish or heated-up breakfast burrito. The new owners added bench seating along the big windows, which make for a fine study session; you can also take advantage of the stools along the bartop (but no beer served here — head upstairs to Odin!) or head outside to the gravel patio and picnic tables. Look here next time you need a quiet space to linger without feeling like you’ve overstayed your welcome.

Tacoma Java Co. brings a casual sit-down cafe with lattes, energy drinks and breakfast sandwiches to the heart of Sixth Avenue. Bonus: the owners play some great music.
Tacoma Java Co. brings a casual sit-down cafe with lattes, energy drinks and breakfast sandwiches to the heart of Sixth Avenue. Bonus: the owners play some great music.

TACOMA JAVA CO.

2703 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-292-9194, facebook.com/TacomaJavaCo

Tacoma Java Co. moved to the heart of Sixth Avenue this spring. The new sit-down cafe features the same eclectic menu of lattes and blended drinks in an array of flavors, from ube coconut milk and salted caramel coconut, toasted “toffeenut” to lavender nirvana. Lotus energy drinks and a host of baked goods, including pastries from 8 Arms Bakery in Olympia to breakfast sandwiches from Bruchelle’s Bagel Bistro in Covington, round out the menu. Settle into one of two lounge areas up front, at tables in the middle or duck into the back corner, where a long counter and stools will keep you away from the fray — this shop is smaller on space than the others on this list but leans into a bustling energy, if that helps keeps you grounded.

Kyle Willingham is using technology-based roasting and brewing at his Naomi Joe Coffee shop, located at 7 Seas Brewing in Tacoma. You have access to the entire taproom as a customer.
Kyle Willingham is using technology-based roasting and brewing at his Naomi Joe Coffee shop, located at 7 Seas Brewing in Tacoma. You have access to the entire taproom as a customer.

NAOMI JOE COFFEE

2101 Jefferson Ave. (inside 7 Seas Brewing), Tacoma, naomijoecoffee.com

Tuesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (taproom open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily)

Naomi Joe might be a nano-roaster, but its cafe seating adjoins 7 Seas expansive taproom. After ordering one of the best cups of coffee in Tacoma, you can relax on couches near garage-door windows rolled up on warm days, high-tops all around the bar and long, communal picnic-style tables. When it feels right, order a beer (or a local, nonalcoholic glass of Komadre Kombucha) and a burger from Canteen by Camp Colvos. Solo owner and roaster Kyle Willingham brews on a Decent Espresso machine, a high-tech approach to caffeine that you won’t find anywhere else. Try an iced sparkler with fresh espresso and tonic or soda and bitters, and do your future mornings at home a favor: Bring a bag of Naomi Joe home, too.