The Seattle Traveler

When you morning wake up call involves coffee and a doughnut, you can’t go wrong at Top Pot.  With three locations (Downtown, Capitol Hill, and Wedgwood), you aren’t too far away from some of the best doughnuts in town.

Top Pot looks like a cross between a cool house and an old fashioned library, with its huge windows, terrazzo floors, steel furniture, floor-to-ceiling book-lined walls (with sliding ladder), and staircase to an upstairs loft.  Outdoor seating is available in nice weather.

It’s frequently crowded because people come to hang out — not just grab and run — to read, visit with friends, and take advantage of the FREE wi-fi.  Kudos to the person who thought out this interior plan, and put plug-ins near almost every table! 

Patrons at the Capitol Hill and Wedgwood locations tend to be from the neighborhood, and it wouldn’t be that unusual to see someone wearing what you’d swear were their pajamas.  The Downtown location has a balance between locals and travelers staying at neighboring hotels.

Doughnuts are presented on plate towers or silver trays, sort of like what I used to see in bakeries from my childhood, and are so deliciously arranged, that I always have trouble making a decision.

Depending on my mood, and level of sugar fix required, my usual choices are the crullers, the glazed old-fashioned (oh my gosh - it’s a wonderful combination of crunchy and creamy), and the maple bars.  But wait — the Bavarian Cream is good, as is the chocolate chocolate (chocolate frosting on chocolate cake), and so is the basic glazed! 

These are good-sized doughnuts, and although some claim that one is big enough to share with a friend, I say order your own.  The only sharing I’d recommend is when you try bites of someone else’s so that you know what to order for your second one.

Doughnuts vary in prices, but average around $1.50.

Coffee is roasted and ground at the Downtown store, and there are enough choices to satisfy most palates.  Top Pot also serves cupcakes and other pastries, When you add in the cupcake choices, and the lunch sandwich choices, it’s easy to see why some people make Top Pot their office and hang out all day.

Locations & Hours: 

Downtown at 2124 5th Avenue (map it), Monday - Friday 6 am - 7 pm, Weekends 7 am - 7 pm.

Capitol Hill at 609 Summit Avenue East (map it), Monday - Friday 6 am - 9 pm, Weekends 7 am - 9 pm.

Wedgwood at 6855 35th Avenue NE (map it), Monday - Friday 6 am - 7 pm, Weekends 7 am - 6 pm.

Photo credit: flickr, exterior, doughnut display

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