Breakfast Gourmet: Top Pot Doughnuts

When your morning wake up call involves coffee and a doughnut, you can’t go wrong with hand-forged doughnuts from Top Pot.  With five locations around the area, you’re never too far away from some of the best doughnuts in town.

I typically go to the downtown location, a building that looks like a cross between a cool house and an old fashioned library.  Its huge windows make a showcase of the interior terrazzo floors, steel furniture, floor-to-ceiling book-lined walls (with sliding ladder), and staircase to an upstairs loft.  I like grabbing a spot by the window and watching the world go by.  Bonus points because it’s also a spot where I can keep my eye on those delicious pastries, too. During the nice weather, outdoor seating is also available.

Top Pot downtown is frequently crowded, because people come to hang out and linger over the coffee and doughnuts, rather than just grab and run.  That said, you’ll still find plenty of customers picking up to-go boxes full of baked goodies.  Patrons linger with a book, taking advantage of the FREE wi-fi, or enjoying time spent with friends.  If you’re planning to camp out for awhile with your laptop, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plug-ins at nearly every table.  Customers are a nice mix of locals out for morning coffee and visitors staying at nearby hotels.

Doughnuts are presented on plate towers or silver trays, sort of like what you may recall from bakeries of your childhood.  If you’re of a particular age, that is.  The arrangements will tempt you, to be sure, but fair warning that it may also be difficult to make a selection.  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.

There are more that 40 different types of doughnuts offered.  And if matters to you, they all contain zero grams trans fat (a result of frying in palm oil).  I’m a fan of the crullers, the wonderful crunchy-creamy combination of a glazed old-fashioned, and when I really need a sweet fix, I’ll opt for a maple bar.  Some other types to tempt you include plenty of other bars, cake style, rings, filled, and decorated styles.  You’ll be hard pressed to choose a favorite, so plan on taking a couple home with you.  You can also pre-order by the dozen for pick up.

And since coffee is a much a part of the morning ritual as the pastry, Top Pot’s attention to this detail will be appreciated.  They use a medium roast for espresso, a French roast for their drip coffee, and occasionally offer additional artisan blends.  The coffee is roasted in small batches at the downtown location.

The cafes also serve other pastry items, along with an assortment of lunch fare.  But honestly, for a first visit, go for the doughnuts!

I’ll be in Seattle for lots of New Year’s festivities, and I know there will be a visit or two to Top Pot.

Locations & Hours of Top Pot Cafes:

• Downtown at 2124 5th Avenue (map), Monday – Friday 6 am – 7 pm, Weekends 7 am – 7 pm.
• Capitol Hill at 609 Summit Avenue East (map), Monday – Friday 6 am – 9 pm, Weekends 7 am – 9 pm.
• Wedgwood at 6855 35th Avenue NE (map), Monday – Friday 6 am – 7 pm, Weekends 7 am – 6 pm.
• Queen Anne at 325 West Galer, Monday – Friday 6 am – 7 pm, Weekends 7 am – 7 pm.
• Bellevue at 10600  NE 9th Place (map), Monday – Friday 6 am – 5:30 pm, Weekends, 7 am – 5:30 pm.

Other locations to find Top Pot Doughnuts:

• Mill Creek:  Inside the University Book Store at 15311 Main Street (map), Monday – Thursday 7 am – 7 pm, Friday and Saturday 7 am – 8 pm, Sunday 8 am – 5 pm.
• Qwest Field:  800 Occidental Avenue South (map).  Open during games and other special events, rain or shine.

Photo credits:  Both from flickr, Jack Hebert (interior); Arnold Gatilao (to-go box)