ROOT

"A coffee shop that also sells ceramics, continuing the legacy of high-quality beans and seasonal drinks." - Harry Cheadle

"Taking over the former Root location in Ballard is a coffee pop-up setting down more permanent roots. It’s open seven days a week, and offers some ceramics for sale in addition to the usual caffeinated subjects. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Gabe Guarente

"This Ballard plant shop does exceptional stuff with espresso — Root is coffee for the proud coffee snobs. They use beans from well-regarded but far-flung roasters like Sey (in Brooklyn) and Manhattan (in the Netherlands, confusingly), and though they do excellent seasonal flavored drinks, the flavors you get from the unadulterated espresso are powerful enough — often floral and fruity, a glimpse of what the cutting edge of coffee tastes like." - Mark DeJoy, Eater Staff

"To be clear, Root is not quite a coffee shop. This corner spot is first and foremost a plant store (with suspiciously few plants) but they have a secret espresso counter in the back. We can’t vouch for the vitality of their monstera, but the coffee is some of the best in Ballard. Root’s menu is short and seasonal, which means you’ll find things like honey lavender lattes or orange vanilla bean shaken espressos in the summer, and warming rosemary syrup in the winter. Sitting at a minimalist-chic black table among the cacti and ferns here should increase your serotonin levels, while the expertly pulled coffee should…also increase your serotonin levels." - aimee rizzo, gabe guarente

"If you get bored with a plain pour over, but you’re not exactly thrilled by the idea of loading it up with cream and sugary syrup, there’s Root. It’s a plant shop in Ballard that casually has a sleek espresso counter in the back, past the abundance of ferns and cacti. Their iced concoctions tend to lean savory, with things like herby rosemary lattes, cold short rose-cardamom espressos, and orange-vanilla bean shaken lattes. Each has a barely-there sweetness and a lot of complexity, and they still do a great job showcasing the coffee." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley