Starbucks Pike Place Roast is a smooth, well-balanced medium roast coffee, named after the company’s first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Made from 100% Arabica beans, it delivers rich cocoa flavors with nutty notes, making it a perfect everyday brew.
This guide covers sizes, prices, calories, caffeine content, customization options, and expert comparisons to help you choose the best Starbucks coffee.
What Is Starbucks Pike Place Roast?
Pike Place Roast is a medium roast blend of Latin American beans, carefully roasted to bring out sweet, smooth, and nutty flavors. Unlike darker roasts that emphasize bold, smoky flavors, Pike Place Roast is well-rounded, never bitter, and easy to drink at any time of day.
How It’s Brewed
Starbucks brews Pike Place Roast fresh every 30 minutes in its stores, ensuring every cup has a consistent taste and high quality. It’s available in hot and iced versions and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.
Fact Check: Starbucks describes Pike Place Roast as a coffee with “subtle notes of cocoa and toasted nuts,” making it a great choice for those who enjoy a mild, flavorful brew. (Source: Starbucks Official Website)
Starbucks Pike Place Roast: Sizes, Prices & Calories
Here’s a quick breakdown of Pike Place Roast sizes, prices, and calorie counts:
| Size | Price (Approx.) | Calories | Caffeine |
| Short (8 oz) | $3.65 | 5 | 155 mg |
| Tall (12 oz) | $3.76 | 5 | 235 mg |
| Grande (16 oz) | $3.97 | 5 | 310 mg |
| Venti (20 oz) | $4.30 | 5 | 410 mg |
🔹 Note: Prices may vary by location. Caffeine content can fluctuate slightly based on brewing method and grind size.
Ingredients & Nutrition
Pike Place Roast is pure black coffee with no added ingredients, making it a healthy, low-calorie choice.
Ingredients
- 100% Arabica Coffee Beans – medium-roasted for a smooth, cocoa-rich taste.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cup)
| Nutrient | Short (8 oz) | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) | Venti (20 oz) |
| Calories | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Fat | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 5 mg | 10 mg | 10 mg | 10 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g | 0 g | 1 g | 1 g |
Good to Know: With only 5 calories and 0g of fat, it is an ideal choice for keto, low-carb, and calorie-conscious coffee drinkers.
Why Choose Starbucks Pike Place Roast?
Pike Place Roast is a top choice for coffee lovers who enjoy a balanced, smooth, and rich cup without bitterness of darker roasts. Here’s why it stands out:
- Smooth & Nutty Flavor: Offers rich cocoa and toasted nut notes.
- Medium Roast Perfection: Not too strong, not too light just right.
- High Caffeine Kick: Up to 410 mg of caffeine per Venti.
- Low-Calorie Choice: Just 5 calories per cup with no sugar or fat.
- Customizable: Can be personalized with milk, syrups, and sweeteners.
Barista Tip: “Pike Place Roast is the best ‘all-day’ coffee. It’s smooth enough for the afternoon but still has a good caffeine boost.” – Starbucks Barista, Chicago
How to Customize Your Pike Place Roast
One of the best things about Starbucks coffee is how easily you can personalize your drink. Here are some customization ideas:
Add a Milk or Cream Option
- Dairy Options: Whole Milk, 2% Milk, Skim Milk, Half & Half, Heavy Cream
- Non-Dairy Alternatives: Almond Milk, Oat Milk, Soy Milk, Coconut Milk
Sweeten It Up
- Natural Sweeteners: Honey, Agave Syrup, Stevia
- Flavored Syrups: Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Mocha
Make It an Iced Coffee
- Try it iced for a refreshing twist—Starbucks can serve Pike Place Roast over ice!
Go Decaf
- Sensitive to caffeine? Try the Decaf Pike Place Roast, which has only 15–30 mg of caffeine per cup.
Pike Place Roast vs. Other Starbucks Coffees
How does Pike Place Roast compare to other Starbucks coffee options? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Coffee | Roast Level | Flavor Profile | Caffeine (Grande 16 oz) |
| Pike Place Roast | Medium | Smooth, cocoa, nutty | 310 mg |
| Blonde Roast | Light | Mellow, slightly sweet | 360 mg |
| Dark Roast | Dark | Bold, smoky, full-bodied | 260 mg |
| Veranda Blend | Light | Soft, bright, subtly sweet | 270 mg |
🔹 Best For: If you prefer a balanced, nutty, and chocolatey coffee, Pike Place Roast is a great pick. If you want more caffeine, opt for Blonde Roast instead.
Did You Know? Blonde Roast actually has more caffeine than Pike Place Roast because lighter roasts retain more caffeine per bean.
FAQs
What does Pike Place Roast taste like?
It has a smooth, well-balanced flavor with hints of cocoa and toasted nuts, making it an easy-drinking coffee.
How much caffeine is in Pike Place Roast?
Is Pike Place Roast stronger than Blonde Roast?
What’s the best way to customize Pike Place Roast?
Final Thoughts
Starbucks Pike Place Roast is a versatile, smooth, and well-balanced medium roast that’s perfect for any time of day. Whether you enjoy it black, with milk, sweetened, or iced, it delivers rich cocoa and nutty notes that make it a Starbucks favorite.
💡 Looking for a classic, guilt-free coffee with great flavor? Try Pike Place Roast on your next Starbucks visit!