By Audrey HayesUpdated November 2026
The starbucks pike place roast ground coffee bag is one of the most widely available medium roast options on store shelves, and it is designed to be a reliable everyday cup rather than a specialty showpiece. It suits people who want a balanced, approachable flavor that works equally well in a drip maker, a French press, or over ice. Buyers who want a bright, single-origin cup with floral or fruity notes will likely find it too conventional, and those who prefer very dark, smoky roasts may want to look at a darker blend. The 28-ounce size makes it a practical choice for households that go through coffee quickly.
Starbucks Ground Coffee, Medium Roast Hot or Iced Coffee, Pike Place Roast, 28 oz
Product Overview
Pike Place Roast is Starbucks’ flagship medium roast, named after the Seattle market where the company opened its first store. The blend is positioned as a smooth, well-rounded coffee with notes of cocoa and toasted nuts and a body that sits between light and dark roasts. The product listing describes it as a medium roast suitable for hot or iced coffee, which reflects how the blend is intended to be used.
This particular listing is a 28-ounce bag of pre-ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee is convenient for anyone who does not own a grinder, but it also means the coffee begins losing aromatic compounds sooner than whole beans would. For that reason, the bag is best used within a few weeks of opening, and storing it in an airtight container away from heat and light helps preserve flavor.
Because the blend is meant to appeal to a broad audience, it is built around consistency and mildness rather than strong regional character. Most people who have tried it describe it as easy to drink black, and it is commonly used with milk or cream without the flavor disappearing entirely.
Key Features & Specifications
The table below lists the specifications stated in the product name and listing. Details not confirmed by the listing have been left out.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Starbucks |
| Product name | Pike Place Roast Ground Coffee |
| Roast level | Medium roast |
| Form | Ground (pre-ground) |
| Net weight | 28 oz |
| Intended uses | Hot or iced coffee |
| Compatible brewing | Drip, pour-over, French press (coarse grind recommended), and other ground-coffee methods |
The grind on pre-ground bags is typically a medium setting suited to automatic drip machines. If you use a French press or cold brew, you will get better results by checking the grind against the guidance in the Buying Guide below.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Balanced medium roast flavor that many people find approachable
- Large 28-ounce bag suits frequent brewing and households
- Works for both hot and iced preparations, as the listing states
- Widely available in stores and online, making reordering simple
- Consistent taste from bag to bag, which owners often cite as a reason to rebuy
Cons
- Pre-ground format loses freshness faster than whole beans
- Flavor profile is mild and may feel flat to drinkers who want bright or complex notes
- Not a single-origin or specialty-grade offering, so it lacks the distinctive character of micro-roasted coffees
- Grind is set for general use, so it may need adjustment for certain brewers
- Some drinkers find it too light if they are accustomed to dark roasts
Performance Analysis
Because this review is based on the product specifications and patterns in owner feedback rather than on direct testing, the performance discussion focuses on how the blend and format are generally described. Owners frequently report that Pike Place Roast brews a clean, mellow cup in standard drip machines and that it holds up well when brewed strong for iced coffee. The medium roast level tends to produce less bitterness than darker roasts while still delivering enough body to stand up to milk.
The main performance variable with pre-ground coffee is freshness. Coffee begins to oxidize once ground, and the aromatic oils that give coffee its nose and sweetness dissipate over time. Owners who buy this bag often recommend opening it and using it steadily, since the flavor is noticeably more vibrant in the first few weeks than near the end of the bag. Storing the coffee in a sealed container at room temperature, away from the stove and sunlight, helps slow this process.
For cold brew, the medium grind works, though many people find that a coarser grind and a longer steep of 12 to 18 hours produces a smoother result. For French press, a coarser grind than the pre-ground setting is generally preferred to avoid sediment and over-extraction. Brewing ratio matters as well: a starting point of about 1:16 by weight (roughly 60 grams of coffee to 1 liter of water) is commonly recommended for a balanced cup.
Taste is subjective, and drinkers who prioritize sweetness and clarity may find this blend more restrained than they would like. Those who prefer a dependable, familiar medium roast generally report satisfaction with the consistency.
Who Should Buy This Product?
This coffee is a good fit for people who want a dependable everyday blend without having to think much about it. It suits households that brew several cups a day, offices and shared kitchens where many people have different tastes, and anyone who wants a crowd-pleasing medium roast that works for both hot and iced drinks. It is also a reasonable choice for people switching from very dark roasts who want something gentler.
You should probably skip this product if you are looking for a distinctive single-origin coffee, a bright and fruity profile, or a very dark, smoky cup. Coffee enthusiasts who grind their own beans fresh will also get more out of whole-bean options than from a pre-ground bag. If you are already a fan of the Starbucks medium roast but want the freshness advantage, you may want to consider the whole-bean version discussed in Starbucks Pike Place Roast Whole Bean Coffee Review: Who Is It For?.
Buying Guide
When choosing a ground medium roast, there are a few practical factors to weigh. Start with the roast level. Medium roasts like Pike Place sit in the middle of the spectrum, offering more sweetness and body than light roasts and less bitterness than dark ones. If you are unsure which direction suits you, the comparison in Light Roast Coffee vs Dark Roast Coffee (2026): Which Is Better for You? and Dark Roast Coffee vs Medium Roast: Flavor, Caffeine and How to Choose can help you narrow it down. The overview in Coffee Roast Levels Explained: Light, Medium and Dark is also useful if roast terminology is unfamiliar.
Next, consider the format. Pre-ground coffee is convenient, but whole beans retain flavor longer. If you buy ground coffee, buy a size you can finish within about two to four weeks of opening, and store it in an airtight container. Match the grind to your brewer: fine grinds suit espresso, medium grinds suit drip, and coarse grinds suit French press and cold brew. The guide Top 6 Coarse Ground Coffees for French Press Compared (2026) covers coarse options in more detail.
Finally, think about how you drink your coffee. If you usually add a lot of milk or sweetener, a medium roast with moderate body will hold its own. If you drink it black and want more complexity, you might compare options across roast levels before committing to a large bag.
Several well-known alternatives are worth comparing:
- Starbucks Pike Place Ground Coffee, 18-count box (
Starbucks SBK12411960, Pike Place Ground Coffee, 18 / Box
View on Amazon): Packaged in individual portions, this format suits people who want the same Pike Place flavor without measuring or opening a large bag.
- Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Pike Place Roast, 96 count (
Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Medium Roast Hot or Iced Coffee, Pike Place Roast, 96 Keurig Pods
View on Amazon): Designed for single-cup brewers, this option is ideal for households that want a fast, no-mess cup and do not need a full pot.
- For readers curious about other Starbucks blends, the overview in Starbucks Pike Roast Coffee: 7 Best Picks for Every Brewer (2026) compares several options across brewing styles.
FAQ
Is Pike Place Roast a light or dark roast?
Pike Place Roast is classified as a medium roast. It is designed to sit between the brightness of light roasts and the heavier, smokier character of dark roasts.
Can I use this ground coffee for cold brew?
Yes, though a coarser grind than the pre-ground setting usually gives a smoother result. Steeping for 12 to 18 hours in the refrigerator is a common approach.
How long does pre-ground coffee stay fresh?
Once opened, ground coffee is generally at its best within a few weeks. Storing it in an airtight container away from heat and light helps preserve flavor for longer.
Does this coffee work in a French press?
It can, but a coarser grind is generally recommended to reduce sediment and over-extraction. If your bag is finer than you want, a burr grinder can adjust the setting.
Is this the same as the whole bean version?
It is the same roast profile in ground form. Whole beans maintain freshness longer because grinding exposes more surface area to air, so the whole-bean version tends to taste brighter when freshly ground.
How should I brew it for the best flavor?
A common starting point is about 1:16 coffee to water by weight, with water heated to roughly 195 to 205°F. Adjust the ratio and grind to suit your taste and brewer.
Is this coffee suitable for people with caffeine sensitivity?
Medium roast coffee contains caffeine, and the amount per cup depends on the brew strength and serving size. Anyone with a medical condition or concerns about caffeine intake should consult a healthcare professional before changing their routine.
Can I make iced coffee with it?
Yes. The listing states it is suitable for hot or iced coffee. Brewing a slightly stronger cup and pouring it over ice helps offset dilution.
Final Verdict
Our Recommendation
Starbucks Pike Place Roast Ground Coffee is a sound choice for anyone who wants a familiar, balanced medium roast in a large, convenient bag. It performs well across hot and iced preparations and offers consistency that many everyday drinkers value. Its main limitations are the pre-ground format, which sacrifices some freshness, and a flavor profile that is intentionally restrained. If you prioritize freshness or a more distinctive cup, whole beans or a specialty single-origin coffee will likely serve you better.
About Audrey Hayes
Audrey Hayes is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our coffee beans & brewing methods guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
