As the birthplace of Starbucks, of course Seattle is known for its incredible coffee. Whether you're looking for a new neighborhood haunt or want to experience the best possible java while you're in town, these five coffee shops are worth checking out.

1. Milstead & Co., 770 North 34th Street

If you're serious about coffee, you'll love the brews at this Seattle institution that recently reopened in its original location. Milstead & Co. celebrates the city's tradition of coffee bean roasting with offerings from a rotating cast of guest roasters like Stumptown, Intelligentsia, and Coava. Yelp reviewers praise the excellent coffee, warm atmosphere, and welcoming baristas who are happy to answer customers' coffee-related questions.

2. Elm Coffee Roasters, 240 2nd Avenue South

Thrillist named this Pioneer Square cafe as one of the best craft coffee shops in Seattle, praising its fair-trade-sourced green coffee beans from small farms and in-house artisan roasting process. This spacious, light-filled location offers expertly pulled espresso shots along with pastries from nearby London Plane. It sources in-season beans from around the world, so you know you're getting the freshest possible cup every time. The staff strives to share their love of coffee with guests, so if you love to chat about the process, this is the place to visit.

3. Bedlam, 2231 2nd Avenue

The Stranger says that Bedlam provides a taste of old Seattle in a pretention-free, downtown space with worn couches and a straightforward menu. Here, it's all about the rich, complex espresso; if you're in the mood for baked goods, you can choose between toast or homemade pie. This iconic coffee shop supports many community institutions and also has a meeting room that can be reserved for free, making it an ideal place to study or have a book club meeting.

4. Lighthouse Roasters, 400 N 43rd Street

This Fremont location provides medium to dark roast coffees by a single roaster in the back room, making it a true small-batch operation. Lighthouse has been around since 1993. As one of the city's original roaster cafes, it has a loyal following of Seattle residents who are passionate about their coffee. With a wide selection of carefully sourced blends and a rotating display of local art, those who love the coffeehouse scene will feel right at home here.

5. La Marzocco, 472 1st Avenue North

La Marzocco isn't your average coffee shop — it's actually a coffee museum in Seattle Center and interactive tasting center by the iconic Italian brand. Visitors can taste brews by a rotating selection of roasters in residence, including guest roasters from around the world. If it's education about coffee you're looking for, check out the events calendar to learn about monthly installations and lectures about coffee history, home brewing, and technology. Once you get that perfect cup of coffee, stop by Toyota of Seattle to see what we have in stock and arrange a test drive. From the all-electric Prius to the rugged RAV4 to the elegant Camry, we have vehicles that fit with your lifestyle. Image by Christoph, used under CCO 1.0