Oregon’s Best Coffee Roasters and Specialty Cafes on the Locals’ Lips
Oregon, with its lush green landscapes, crisp air and a palpable passion for fresh produce, is a paradise for coffee lovers. It’s not surprising that this state is regarded as the heart of America’s third-wave coffee movement, boasting an impressive collection of coffee roasters and specialty cafes. Here are the 10 best places that every true Oregonian – not to mention any adventurous coffee connoisseur – should visit.
1. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Founded in Portland, Stumptown Coffee Roasters is arguably Oregon’s most iconic coffee brand. It’s more than just a cafe; the business sets the gold standard for specialty coffee across the state with rich coffee sourced and roasted with meticulous care. Don’t miss their Hair Bender blend; it’s a local favorite. Take a roastery tour in the industrial district if you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes magic.
2. Coava Coffee Roasters
Coava Coffee Roasters guarantees a stellar brew with single-origin beans grown with sustainable farming practices. Find them on Grand Avenue, where their bamboo-clad warehouse serves everything from Chemex to Cold Brew. For something different, try their honey lavender latte – it’s a nod to the abundant lavender fields up in Hood River.
3. Heart Roasters
Operating since 2009, Heart Roasters crafts diligently roasted beans that exude complex, beautiful flavors. Pop by their east side flagship on Burnside for an espresso and a ‘vinyl side,’ where staff curate music as passionately as their coffee.
4. Good Coffee
With four locations in Portland, Good Coffee is playing a strong hand in the city’s specialty coffee scene. Their cafés are warm and welcoming, making for great spots to enjoy a perfectly brewed cup paired with locally sourced pastries. The Salmon Street location has great outdoor seating that’s great for soaking up Portland’s infrequent sun.
5. Upper Left Roasters
This light-filled cafe in the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood serves meticulously prepared espresso, pour-over coffee, and pastries. Upper Left Roasters is as much about community as it is about coffee, regularly hosting local events and showcasing local artists.
6. Noble Coffee Roasting
Down in Ashland, Southern Oregon, Noble Coffee Roasting’s farm-to-cup approach wins over locals and out-of-town visitors alike. Their commitment to quality and sustainability resonates in their lineup of award-winning roasts. Make sure to grab the Ethiopian brew if it’s available.
7. Sisters Coffee Company
Nestled in the small town of Sisters, this family-run company roasts their coffee in full view of the cafe-goers. Sisters Coffee Company is a local hub, often bustling with patrons enjoying the mountain cabin atmosphere. While there, consider trying the Campfire Mocha, paying homage to Oregon’s love of outdoor adventure.
8. Dapper & Wise – Coffee Roasters
Hailing from the suburbs of Beaverton, Dapper & Wise serves a variety of high-grade specialty coffees. Their passion for great coffee is matched only by their commitment to the community. While a bit off-the-beaten-path, their tasting room offers a genuine Oregonian coffee experience with views of the roasting process.
9. Thump Coffee
Bend, located in Central Oregon, is represented by Thump Coffee. Their coffee offerings are diverse while the ambiance is quintessential Bend: cozy, casual, and filled with the aroma of pure, mountain air, and freshly roasted coffee. Don’t leave without checking their frequently updated artwork by local painters.
10. Roseline Coffee Roasters
Rounding off this list is Roseline Coffee Roasters, located amidst the hustle of Portland. Their beans are sourced with an emphasis on relationships and ethical standards, often from small farms. Their tasting room offers an intimate coffee experience that makes you feel like a part of their ever-evolving story of flavor exploration.
Oregonians cherish our vibrant coffee culture, illustrated by the variety and quality of roasters and specialty cafes sprinkled throughout the state. So whenever you’re in a different corner of Oregon, consider stopping by one of these gems to savor its distinct, local approach to coffee. Becoming a part of our coffee community is part of being a true Oregonian – it’s a ritual, a passion, and a pride.