Wine Tastings, Coffee Flights, and More Flavorful Experiences in Seattle Southside

Seattle is, of course, known for its coffee. But the options in Seattle Southside go far beyond your standard drips and lattes. Neighborhood Cafe in Tukwila is famous for its coffee flights, which feature incredibly unique flavors you probably haven't seen elsewhere, like a refreshing mint mojito coffee, a rich, savory black sesame latte, and a sweet, light coconut pandan iced coffee. The drinks are beautifully presented, so we wouldn't blame you for snapping a photo or two. While you're there, enjoy a brunch of Filipino comfort food.

Vietnamese cafe Drip & Sip in Tukwila has a fantastic coffee flight as well. If you haven't had Vietnamese coffee, it's distinctly delicious, made with strong brewed coffee and sweetened with condensed milk. The Drip & Sip flight includes four different brewed drinks, including classic Vietnamese coffee, bạc xỉu ("white coffee," similar to the classic kind but with more milk), salted coffee (trust us, the flavors are surprisingly complimentary), and creamy egg coffee made by whipping together egg yolks, milk, and sugar. Pair your flight with a savory, spicy bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwich) on a soft baguette for the perfect lunch.

Whether you're deep into wine or a novice, you'll feel comfortable at Bacovino's tasting room in Tukwila, a quiet, modern space where everyone is welcome. This boutique local winery sources all of its grapes from Washington vineyards, which are carefully chosen by the owner, Randy Brooks. His winemaking style is rooted in European techniques, with a particular focus on French Bordeaux (though you can find other kinds of wine as well). Brooks doesn't take the easy route, favoring grapes that grow in more "challenging" settings, which results in a more complex flavor. You can stop by any time during business hours to sample a wine flight, which comes with four small pours. The knowledgeable staff can guide you through each drink, though Brooks shies away from telling people exactly what they should taste, in part because he knows how diverse the region is, and that people may be coming to wine with very different palettes and backgrounds.

"What we want to do is open the person’s palette up and see what they find and what flavors they find in the wine as they’re truly tasting them," says Brooks. "That allows people who might be a little apprehensive about their journey of appreciating wine to enjoy it. It doesn’t need to be pretentious."

On a nice day, there's nowhere better to get a beer flight than Quarterdeck, near the Des Moines Marina. With ample outdoor seating, you can sit on the deck or lawn and enjoy a panoramic view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Even if it's cold and gray, you can cozy up in a heated tent while listening to the rain. It's also a beer lover's paradise. The flight comes with your choice of five local craft beers from the rotating tap list, which is always changing and exclusively features Washington beers. You'll get a four-ounce glass of each, which you'll want to sip at a leisurely pace while soaking in the view.

If a huge menu is what you're after, head to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Tukwila. For the flight, which comes with four small pours, you can choose from more than 50 kinds of imported, domestic, and local beers (including some craft beers exclusive to the BJ's menu). It's also a great place to catch a sports game or take a load off after shopping at Westfield Southcenter, the largest shopping center in the state.

We love a good mimosa, but if you only ever have the breakfast cocktail with orange juice, you miss out on all the different flavors you could be enjoying. Enter Quarterdeck's mimosas flights, which include four different kinds of bubbly mimosas (typically strawberry, POG, peach, and orange) in elegant four-ounce pours. Picture sipping one while taking in a view of the sea and nibbling a warm breakfast sandwich. Quarterdeck opens at 9 a.m. on weekends and mid-morning on weekdays, so you can get there on the early side and start your day in the sunniest way possible--by sipping multiple mimosas or sharing a flight with a friend.

Never tried mead? You're not alone. Though it's one of the oldest forms of alcohol, it's not every day you see this ancient honey wine on menus. Even if you have had mead, we'd venture to guess you haven't had a lot of different flavors. At Oppegaard Meadery in Tukwila, you can sample six different kinds of handcrafted mead made with local honey and fruits that showcase the natural flavors of the Northwest. With a flight (which comes free if you purchase a bottle of mead), you'll get to try flavors like clover honey and apple, quince and lemon, lingonberry, and blueberry. What makes the experience even more fun is that the tasting room, which is both kid- and dog-friendly, is decked out in historical details, evoking an ancient Nordic mead hall.

Sumi Korean BBQ in Tukwila not only has some of the highest quality meat (which you can grill right on your table), but a fun, classy soju flight. If you're unfamiliar with soju, it's a type of clear alcohol that's very popular in South Korea. Sometimes described as an "easier-to-sip vodka," it's a go-to drink for nights out and celebrations. Sumi's soju flight features four pours served in short glasses on a stylish wooden tray. You can choose your own flavors, which include original, apple, strawberry, yogurt, and peach. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, go for a surprise mystery selection! Pair it with one of Sumi's preset menus, which feature mouth-watering cuts of steak and other meats, along with modern twists on Korean favorites. And if you're with a group and feeling extra festive, order a Somaek Tower--a refreshing mix of soju and beer served in a tall tower with two faucets for easy pouring. You can customize your tower by choosing your favorite flavor of soju to mix with the beer, creating a bubbly, Korean-style cocktail that’s perfect for sharing.