Coffee with a friend: Richmond Beach Coffee Company

Vicki Michels is a woman on a mission - and that mission is to find every coffee shop in the area where you can get a good cup of coffee and sit down to enjoy it with a friend. She has consumed many mocha mint non-fat sugar-free lattes and raspberry muffins in search of information to share with our readers.

The Richmond Beach Coffee Company
Photo by Vicki Michels

Richmond Beach Coffee Company

1442 Northwest Richmond Beach Road

Shoreline, WA 98177

205-542-05511

Website

By Vicki Michels

I'm looking for any excuse to come back here! This shop is in a delightfully converted garage (as are many coffee shops, I discover. I believe this used to be Earl's Auto Repair.) The shop has been a neighborhood fave for over eight years. (They are at the northeast corner of the intersection, off the street behind an airy fence.)

To me, the primary draw here is the best panini I've ever had. It was 11 a.m., and I bypassed the baked goods and tried a grilled ham with cheese luncheon sandwich. With a cup of homemade split pea soup… Heaven!

Front counter. Photo by Vicki Michels.

There is a great variety of food and drinks. (I don’t know if you can read the board, from my fuzzy photography.)

Newspapers, toys, and games are available, and it appears to be a community gathering place; many customers are greeted on a first-name basis. The coffee shop takes pride in welcoming folks from the local Veterans' Center.

Customers chat while waiting in line.
Photo by Vicki Michels

During the warm summer, the old "garage" door is lifted to provide open-air ambiance, and people can dine outside. Apparently there is also drive-thru service.

On perhaps two weekends per month, during the summer, there are Music Nights. Check the website for performance artists and dates. If you yourself are interested in performing, please call the number listed above for information.

Performance area. Photo by Vicki Michels

HOURS:

Open – Mon-Fri 6 a.m.; Sat-Sun 7 a.m.

Close - Mon-Thu, Sun. 6 p.m.; Fri, Sat 7 p.m.

But on music nights, will stay open until 10 p.m.

FOOD:

Sandwiches, both hot and cold; panini; muffins, chips, cookies, cakes; crepes! Drinks are everything you might want, from latte, coffee, tea, bubble tea, and espresso, to soft drinks, juices, beer and wine.

PARKING:

There are at least 12 spaces, and more can be found in neighboring areas.

A cozy seating area. Photo by Vicki Michels

SEATING:

Virtually everything is available for your comfort. Perhaps six inside tables have chairs or benches, and in various places there are sofas, loveseats, overstuffed chairs and settees for lounging, reading, and conversation. A counter with around eight stools runs along inside the "garage" doors, which will be opened up in the summer for fresh air. Outside there are a few tables and chairs for use in good weather.

Work counter by windows
Photo by Vicki Michels

COMPUTER/INTERNET:

Wi-Fi is free, and each stool/station on the counter has an outlet. There is one computer available, free for customers to use.

When I asked her, the manager expressed some apprehension about the Point Wells project. She hopes it will bring in business, but fears that it might instead destroy the chummy neighborhood.