I am the kind of girl who only drinks Starbucks because I know that I will receive a quality drink. I have had my fair share of ideal and also inferior coffee spots, and Starbucks has always met my expectations. However, I recently wanted to expand my taste palate. After my revelation, I decided to make it my mission to find the best places to get coffee in Ellensburg.
1. D&M Coffee
The first place I went to was the downtown D&M Coffee shop. I had heard a lot about it, so I decided to check it out, The first thing I noticed was how pleasant the atmosphere was. It was homey, small and
gave off a sense of relaxation. I would note that it isn't the biggest place and it can be hard to find a table to do your homework. Every time I have been there, it has been pretty busy, so if you're looking for a quiet place to study it might not be the best place for you. I decided to get the signature latte with almond milk because that is my go-to. I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet it was. I usually prefer a richer coffee taste over the sweetness of added flavors: however, it was a nice a change.
2. Winegar's Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee
I noticed that every time I drove by or from word of mouth, a lot of people went to Winegar's, and it piqued my curiosity. The environment is not as homey as D&M Coffee, but it is a great place to go if you want to study somewhere with more light or to hang out with your friends. Winegar's is an excellent place to go if you want a variety of alternative options alongside coffee. They have many different flavors of Red Bull/Monster energy drinks, ice cream, desserts, along with other beverages and food on the menu. I, of course, settled on choosing an iced, caramel latte. I have to say it was one of the best lattes I had in a long time. The sweetness and coffee flavor blended perfectly with one another for the perfect combination. One of the perks of going to Winegar's is that they have a drive through, so if you are in a hurry, this is the place for you!
3. Koletty's Koffee
Koletty's is probably the most convenient coffee place to go. It is a small coffee shop that only has a drive through and is located near the entrance to the highway. (Conveniently next to 1201 Bagels, Koletty's Bagels Bakery)! It is the perfect place to go if you're looking to get a quick drink for the road! The coffee was on the sweeter side, but it didn't overpower the drink. This coffee shop also has a variety of other specialty beverages, so if you're someone who likes to try new things I would check it out!
4. Jenikka's Coffee House Inc
This was by far my favorite place that I went to. It had a cozy atmosphere and dim lights. They even have books on the tables you can read while drinking your coffee. It is a bit farther from campus, so if you want to get away from all the commotion and have some time alone to relax, this is your spot The coffee I got was up to par with the rest on my list being on the sweeter side. They also offer a wide variety of food and beverages such as smoothies, salads, paninis, breakfast food, and other items.
5. Utopia Frozen Yogurt and Coffee Hose
This place is right across the street from campus, so if you live in the dorms, but want to get some coffee then I recommend going here! This coffeehouse has a cute setup and is the perfect place to hangout with friends. While the coffee here wasn't my favorite because of the aftertaste, there are a variety of other drinks and food choices to choose from. One thing this coffeehouse offers over the other ones is frozen yogurt!
Going around to all these coffeehouses made me realize that Starbucks isn't the only place that sells quality coffee. Also, unlike Starbucks, many of the places I visited had a larger food menu and a cozier atmosphere. I think it is important to go out and try new places because more often than not, you will be pleasantly surprised and wished you'd done it sooner!
