The Original Starbucks Store at Pike Place in Seattle : STARBUCKS Pike Place Heritage Market

Nestled in Seattle, the inaugural outpost of Starbucks, the world's largest coffee chain, is the iconic Pike Place store. For anyone touring Seattle, a visit to Pike Place is a must, and swinging by the original Starbucks is part of the experience—it's like a pilgrimage to a "sanctuary."

We visited on a Monday morning, but there was this crazy long line stretching out for like half a mile.

The counter and floor inside were still the same as when they first opened. Boxes stacked on shelves, giving off this simple, no-frills, practical, commercial vibe that was pretty cool.

The OG store stands out from the rest in a few ways, but one of the first things you notice is its brown sign with a different design. This reflects the design used when Starbucks first opened in 1971.

A relief honoring Starbuck, a character from Herman Melville's novel "Moby-Dick," from which Starbucks derived its name, indicates that this store is the original location.

Here, we've got some store-exclusive goods for sale, like bottles and cups rocking the OG logo, plus mugs with Pike Place Market vibes, all alongside our usual coffee and drinks.

When we're ordering drinks, the staff here are super nice and helpful, even to us Japanese folks who might not be familiar. They're great at giving recommendations and explaining all the customization options.

The cups flying around, the bustling energy, and yet the baristas never lose their smiles - it's all so exciting to watch.

Heritage Market Exclusive Iced Lavender Milk Tea (Tall)・$5.00
with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam・$1.25
Staff's pick: Try the Lavender Iced Tea for a fragrant lavender fresh aroma and a hint of sweetness from the milk. The Vanilla Sweet Cream adds a creamy richness to the flavor.
Fun fact: Sequim, Washington, is North America's largest lavender producer!

Pineapple Passionfruit Starbucks Refreshers (Tall)・$4.45
A breezy, mildly sweet and tart cup infused with tropical fruit vibes—my daughter’s favorite!

Caffè Mocha (Tall)・$5.25
This popular coffee beverage combines the bold flavors of espresso with bittersweet mocha sauce and steamed milk, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. It’s a satisfying and comforting drink, making it a classic choice for those who enjoy the delightful sweet and savory combination of coffee and chocolate.

We also tried "The Pike Place Roast," a Starbucks original coffee with hints of cocoa and praline. While we can get it in Japan too, the taste at the flagship store seems to have a little something extra.

Just a tip: "The Pike Place Special Reserve" beans are exclusive to this store!


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世界最大のコーヒーチェーン・スターバックスの1号店。シアトルを観光するなら、パイクプレイスを訪れるのは必須、そしてこのオリジナルのスターバックスに立ち寄るのもその体験の一部。世界中からファンならずとも人が集まるまさに「聖地」。

店内のカウンターや床は1971年のオープン当初のまま。棚に積まれた箱がシンプルで飾らない実用的な商業的雰囲気を醸し出していてとてもクール。

この店舗は、他の店舗といくつかの点で異なっていますが、なんといっても最初に目に入るのは異なるデザインの茶色の看板です。これは1971年にスターバックスがオープンしたときのデザインを反映していて、このデザインは世界中でここだけ。

また、スターバックスの名前の由来となったハーマン・メルヴィルの小説『白鯨』の登場人物であるスターバックを称えるレリーフも店内にあるので要チェック。

ここでは、オリジナルロゴのボトルやカップ、パイクプレイスマーケットの雰囲気を感じられるマグカップなど、店舗限定の商品が販売されているので、ぜひ記念に何かひとつ手に入れたい。

ちなみに月曜の朝に訪問したときの行列は約1kmほどの長さだったので、それなりの覚悟は必要かと。