Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories, Caffeine & Nutrition – Complete 2026 Guide

Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories is the most consistently ordered brewed coffee on the Starbucks menu – available at every location, every day, as a standard brewed option. If you drink it black, it has about 5 calories per cup and around 310 milligrams of caffeine per Grande. This guide covers every number worth knowing: the full calorie and caffeine breakdown by size, the complete nutrition facts, how Pike Place Roast compares to other Starbucks coffees, and how to brew the best possible cup at home.

Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories – Full Breakdown by Size

Plain brewed Pike Place Roast has virtually no calories at any cup size. Like all plain brewed coffee, it carries only trace calories from dissolved coffee solids — there is no fat, no sugar, and no significant carbohydrate in black coffee. The size you order does not change the calorie count in any meaningful way as long as you drink it black.

The only thing that adds calories to a Pike Place Roast order is what you put into it. A splash of 2% milk adds 15 to 25 calories. A pump of vanilla syrup adds 20 calories. A classic Pike Place Misto (half coffee, half steamed 2% milk) comes out to around 110 calories for a Grande. Use the Starbucks calorie calculator to get the exact total for any customization.

Calories With Common Add-Ins

Full Nutrition Facts for Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories (Grande)

The table below covers the complete nutrition panel for a Grande (16 fl oz) Pike Place Roast brewed coffee with no additions, based on Starbucks official nutrition data.

With 5 calories, 0g fat, and 0g sugar, Pike Place Roast brewed black is one of the most calorie-efficient items anywhere on the Starbucks menu. It fits virtually every diet that allows coffee — keto (0 carbs), intermittent fasting (well under 50 calories), Weight Watchers (0 PersonalPoints), and calorie-counting of any kind.

Pike Place Roast Caffeine – How Much Is In Each Size?

A Grande Pike Place Roast contains 310 milligrams of caffeine — a substantial amount that is higher than most espresso-based drinks but lower than the Blonde Roast Veranda Blend. The FDA’s recommended maximum for healthy adults is 400 mg per day, meaning a single Grande Pike Place brings you to about 77% of that limit before any other caffeine source in the day.

Pike Place Caffeine vs Other Formats

The Clover brewed version (available at some Starbucks Reserve locations) uses a different brewing process and typically produces slightly less caffeine per Grande than the standard drip-brewed version. K-Cup pods deliver approximately 130 mg per 8 oz serving — roughly half the Grande brewed amount because K-Cups brew a smaller serving size with a proportionally smaller amount of coffee.

Why Medium Roast Caffeine Falls Between Light and Dark

Pike Place Roast sits at intensity 7 on the Starbucks scale — right in the middle between Blonde Roast (5) and dark roasts (11-12). The caffeine content follows a similar middle-ground pattern. Light roasts like Veranda Blend carry more caffeine because the beans are denser — lighter roasting preserves more mass and caffeine per gram. Dark roasts lose slightly more caffeine to the extended heat of the roasting process and shed more mass (water and CO2 evaporate), leaving less actual caffeine per gram of ground coffee. Medium roast sits between the two extremes.

What Is Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories?

Pike Place Roast is Starbucks’ signature medium roast — named after the Pike Place Market in Seattle where the first Starbucks store opened in 1971. Introduced in 2008 as an always-available, consistently brewed coffee at every Starbucks location worldwide, it was designed to be the dependable everyday cup: balanced, not too bold, not too light, with smooth and rounded flavor notes of cocoa and toasted nuts.

It is a 100% Arabica blend sourced from Latin America and roasted to a medium level, sitting at approximately a 7 on Starbucks’ 4-to-12 roast intensity scale. Unlike seasonal or reserve coffees that rotate through the menu, Pike Place Roast is a permanent fixture — the one coffee you can always count on being available, freshly brewed, at any Starbucks counter. It is also brewed fresh every 30 minutes according to Starbucks’ standard operating procedures, which is worth knowing if you want the freshest possible cup.

Pike Place Roast vs Other Starbucks Coffees — Nutrition Comparison

All plain brewed Starbucks coffees share the same near-zero calorie profile — the meaningful differences are in caffeine content and roast character. Here is how Pike Place Roast compares to the rest of the lineup:

The pattern across brewed coffees is clear: all have the same near-zero calories when served black, and caffeine runs higher in lighter roasts than darker ones. Pike Place sits comfortably in the middle — more caffeine than dark roast but less than Veranda Blend, with a bolder, more balanced flavor than either extreme.

Decaf Pike Place Roast – Calories and Caffeine

Starbucks offers a Decaf Pike Place Roast in ground and K-Cup formats through the Starbucks At Home retail line. Decaffeination removes approximately 97% of the caffeine, leaving around 20 mg per Grande brewed serving — well below even a weak tea but not truly zero. The calorie count stays at 5 per Grande with no additions.

At Starbucks stores, Decaf Pike Place is not usually brewed on demand — many locations can brew a batch on request, but you may need to wait. Some locations keep a decaf option brewed and ready; it is worth asking. Decaf espresso-based drinks (decaf latte, decaf Americano) are the more reliable decaf option at any Starbucks counter.

Is Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories Good for You?

Drinking Pike Place Roast black has essentially no calorie or macronutrient impact. Like all coffee, it also delivers antioxidants — specifically chlorogenic acids — though medium roast retains somewhat fewer of these than light roast (more heat = more antioxidant degradation). The primary health consideration is caffeine: 310 mg per Grande is a meaningful amount, covering 77% of the FDA’s recommended daily maximum for healthy adults in a single cup.

Who Should Be Cautious With Pike Place Roast?

• Caffeine-sensitive people: 310 mg per Grande is high. If coffee makes you jittery or anxious, a Tall (235 mg) or a decaf blend is a better fit.
• Pregnant people: The recommended limit during pregnancy is 200 mg per day — a Grande already exceeds that. A Short (155 mg) stays under the limit; Decaf is the safest option.
• People with heart conditions or anxiety: High caffeine intake can elevate heart rate and worsen anxiety symptoms. Discuss with a doctor if these apply to you.
• Afternoon drinkers: Caffeine has a half-life of around 5 to 6 hours, meaning 310 mg consumed at 3 PM still leaves about 155 mg in your system at 8 PM — enough to disrupt sleep in caffeine-sensitive people.

Who Is Pike Place Roast Ideal For?

• Calorie-conscious drinkers: 5 calories per serving is one of the lowest-calorie options on the entire Starbucks menu.
• Keto and low-carb dieters: Zero carbs, zero sugar, zero fat. Fully keto-compatible when drunk black.
• Intermittent fasting: Well under 50 calories, so it does not break a fast under most IF protocols.
• People who want a reliable, balanced cup: Pike Place is the dependable everyday option — medium boldness, smooth flavor, available everywhere.
• Weight Watchers (WW): 0 PersonalPoints for plain brewed coffee of any size.

How to Order Pike Place Roast at Starbucks

Pike Place Roast is available at every Starbucks location as an always-on menu item — no seasonal availability, no special request needed. Here is how to order it and keep customizations intentional:

1. Order by name at the counter: Say “Pike Place Roast” or “medium roast brewed coffee.” Both work at any Starbucks.
2. Choose your size: For reference, see our Starbucks cup sizes guide. Remember the Venti (20 oz) carries ~410 mg of caffeine — above the FDA’s 400 mg daily limit for most adults.
3. Ask for it iced: Pike Place can be brewed hot and poured over ice. The calorie count stays at 5 black; caffeine is the same for the same coffee volume.
4. Customize low-cal: A splash of oat milk (~30 cal), sugar-free syrup (0 cal), or cinnamon (0 cal) all keep the drink well under 50 calories total.
5. Order a Pike Place Misto: Half brewed Pike Place, half steamed milk — a simple, creamy option at about 110 calories for a Grande with 2% milk.

How to Brew Pike Place Roast at Home

Starbucks recommends the same standard ratio for Pike Place as for any whole bean coffee: 2 tablespoons (about 10g) of ground coffee per 6 fl oz of water. The medium roast is forgiving to brew — it is more tolerant of slight variations in water temperature or grind size than a light roast, which makes it a good everyday choice for home brewing across any method.

Best Brewing Methods and Grind Sizes

Tip 1: Get the Water Temperature Right

Water between 195°F and 205°F is the sweet spot for any medium roast. Boiling water (212°F) extracts too aggressively and can introduce bitterness — especially with a balanced roast like Pike Place where the flavor is meant to be smooth and rounded, not sharp. If you do not have a temperature-controlled kettle, letting boiling water sit for 30 to 45 seconds off the heat brings it into range.

Tip 2: Use the Right Grind for Your Method

Grind size matters more than most home brewers realize. A medium grind works for standard drip machines. Coarser for French press — the metal filter needs larger particles to avoid murky, over-extracted coffee. Pour-over takes a medium-fine grind, since water moves through more slowly and benefits from more surface area. Getting the grind wrong is usually the reason a home cup falls short of the cafe version, regardless of the quality of the beans.

Tip 3: Use Filtered Water

Coffee is 98% water. The mineral content and any off-notes in tap water come through in the final cup — especially in a balanced, medium roast like Pike Place where the flavor is clean rather than bold enough to mask them. A simple carbon filter (Brita-style) makes a noticeable difference. Water that is too soft (distilled or very soft tap) can also flatten the flavor, since some mineral content aids extraction.

Tip 4: Grind Fresh, Store Smart

Buy whole beans and grind right before brewing — ground coffee begins losing its aromatic compounds within days of grinding, while whole beans stay fresh for weeks if stored correctly. Keep beans in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature, away from direct light, heat, and moisture. The fridge and freezer introduce condensation with every open-and-close cycle, which degrades flavor faster than steady room-temperature storage for beans you are using within a few weeks.

Tip 5: Pour Into a Thermal Carafe Immediately

Brewed coffee left sitting on a warming plate oxidizes quickly — within 20 to 30 minutes the flavor starts to go flat and bitter. If you are not drinking the whole pot right away, pour it into a preheated thermal carafe immediately after brewing. The thermal carafe keeps the temperature stable without continued heat, which is the enemy of a good brewed cup.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Brewing with water that is too hot — over 205°F pulls harshness from even a balanced medium roast
• Using the wrong grind size for the brewing method — coarse in a drip machine under-extracts; fine in a French press over-extracts and clouds the cup
• Letting the pot sit on a warmer — pour into a carafe to avoid the oxidized, stale flavor that develops within 30 minutes
• Using stale pre-ground coffee — Pike Place whole bean ground fresh beats any pre-ground bag that has been open for weeks
• Stretching the coffee too far — using less than the standard ratio to save beans results in a thin, sour cup, not a gentler one

Pike Place Roast K-Cup and At-Home Formats

Starbucks sells Pike Place Roast in multiple formats through its Starbucks At Home retail line:

• Whole Bean (1 lb bag): Best flavor and freshness. Grind fresh before brewing. Available at Starbucks stores, most grocery chains, and online.
• Ground (12 oz and larger bags): Pre-ground convenience. Retains peak freshness for about 2 weeks after opening if stored properly in an airtight container.
• K-Cup Pods: Standard 8 oz brew per pod with approximately 130 mg caffeine. Widely available at grocery stores, Costco (large counts), Walmart, and office supply retailers.
• Decaf K-Cup: Decaf Pike Place in K-Cup format — approximately 10 to 15 mg caffeine per pod. Available at most grocery retailers.
• Large-format bags (28–40 oz): Available at warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club. Best value for high-volume home brewers.

Best Pairings for Pike Place Roast

Pike Place Roast’s balanced, smooth profile with cocoa and toasted nut notes pairs well with a wide range of foods — it is deliberately designed to complement rather than compete. Classic pairings include buttery pastries (croissants, coffee cake), a simple breakfast sandwich, oatmeal with a little brown sugar, or a square of dark chocolate. The medium body and clean finish make it one of the most food-flexible coffees on the Starbucks menu. Overly sweet or strongly flavored breakfast items (a chocolate-filled croissant, a very sweet muffin) can dull its quieter flavor notes, so moderately sweet or savory pairings tend to work best.

Key Facts About Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories

• 5 calories per Grande black — near-zero calorie impact regardless of size
• 310 mg caffeine per Grande — higher than dark roast, lower than Veranda Blend
• Roast intensity: 7 out of 12 on the Starbucks scale (medium roast)
• 100% Arabica beans, primarily Latin American origin
• Flavor notes: smooth, rounded, cocoa, toasted nuts — intentionally balanced
• Available always at every Starbucks location — no seasonal rotation
• Formats: whole bean, ground (12 oz / 28 oz / 40 oz), K-Cup, Decaf K-Cup
• Brewed fresh every 30 minutes per Starbucks standard operating procedure
• Fits keto, IF, calorie-counting, and vegan diets when drunk black
• Named after Pike Place Market, Seattle — where the original Starbucks opened in 1971

Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories — FAQ

How many calories are in a Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories?

A Pike Place Roast contains approximately 5 calories per serving when ordered black at any size. The calorie count only increases when you add milk, cream, syrup, or other customizations. A Venti lists as 10 calories due to the larger volume, but the difference is negligible.

How much caffeine is in a Starbucks Pike Place Roast Calories?

A Grande (16 fl oz) Pike Place Roast contains 310 mg of caffeine. Tall (12 oz) has approximately 235 mg, Venti (20 oz) has approximately 410 mg, and Short (8 oz) has approximately 155 mg. K-Cup pods contain approximately 130 mg per 8 oz pod.

Is Pike Place Roast a medium roast?

Yes. Pike Place Roast is Starbucks’ signature medium roast, sitting at approximately a 7 on Starbucks’ 4-to-12 roast intensity scale. It is significantly lighter than dark roasts (11-12) and noticeably bolder than Blonde Roast / Veranda Blend (5).

Does Pike Place Roast have more or less caffeine than Starbucks dark roast?

More. Pike Place Roast (310 mg per Grande) has more caffeine than the Starbucks Dark Roast (approximately 260 mg per Grande). This is because light and medium roasts retain more caffeine than dark roasts — extended roasting breaks down some caffeine and causes beans to lose density, resulting in less caffeine per tablespoon in dark roast coffee.

Is Pike Place Roast good for keto or intermittent fasting?

Yes. Plain black Pike Place Roast has 0g carbohydrates, 0g sugar, 0g fat, and only 5 calories per serving. It fits any ketogenic eating plan and does not break a fast under most IF protocols, which typically allow foods or drinks under 50 calories that do not trigger an insulin response.

Why is Pike Place Roast always available at Starbucks?

Starbucks designed Pike Place Roast in 2008 to be the always-on, always-fresh brewed coffee option at every location worldwide. Before its introduction, Starbucks did not guarantee a consistently available brewed coffee at every counter. Pike Place Roast solved that — it is brewed fresh every 30 minutes regardless of how busy the store is, making it the most reliable brewed coffee order at any Starbucks.

What does Pike Place Roast taste like?

Pike Place Roast is intentionally smooth and balanced — the flavor notes are cocoa and toasted nuts, without the boldness or smokiness of a dark roast or the lighter, more delicate malt notes of a Blonde Roast. It is designed to be widely approachable: not too strong for coffee beginners, not too mild for experienced coffee drinkers.

Can I get iced Pike Place Roast at Starbucks?

Yes. Ask for an iced Pike Place Roast or iced medium roast brewed coffee. Starbucks brews it hot and pours it over ice. The calorie count stays at 5 when ordered black, and the caffeine is the same for the same volume of coffee.

How does Pike Place Roast compare to Veranda Blend in caffeine?

Veranda Blend (360 mg per Grande) has more caffeine than Pike Place Roast (310 mg per Grande). Despite tasting lighter and milder, Veranda Blend is the higher-caffeine option because lighter roasting preserves more caffeine. Pike Place is still a high-caffeine coffee by any measure — it just has about 50 mg less per Grande than Veranda Blend.

Is there a Decaf Pike Place Roast at Starbucks?

Yes. Starbucks sells Decaf Pike Place Roast in ground and K-Cup formats through the Starbucks At Home retail line, retaining approximately 20 mg of caffeine per Grande serving. It is not always brewed to order at the counter — ask if a batch is available or can be brewed on request, or choose a decaf espresso-based drink instead.

More Starbucks Coffee and Nutrition Guides

If Pike Place is your daily cup, our Starbucks nutrition calculator guide helps you build any drink and see its calories instantly, while the Starbucks cup sizes guide explains exactly how much coffee each size holds. For lighter customisations, the Starbucks medicine ball calories guide is a low-calorie favourite, and our Starbucks vanilla syrup calories page shows how add-ons change your totals.

Written by Mudassir Chughtai

Mudassir Chughtai is the founder and editor of Starbucks Calories. He compiles nutrition data for Starbucks drinks and food items, tests copycat recipes at home, and writes the guides published on this site.