The Willamette Valley may be known as Oregon Wine Country, but drink options here seem to be limitless. From Pinot to cider, IPAs to bubbly, and stouts to lattes, there's a drink for everyone. With all these options to choose from, it's difficult to pick where to visit and what to drink, so we've compiled a collection of various cafés, bakeries, and roasters where you'll find a full Willamette Valley coffee experience.
Follow this trail down scenic roads and highways from north to south to get a caffeinated taste of the valley. Make sure to also grab a bag of your favorite beans, so you can savor the Willamette Valley flavor from home.
Baker's Prairie Bakery makes its coffee with locally roasted beans-and serves it alongside fresh-made pastries.
Start your coffee trail in one of the Willamette Valley's northern towns, Canby, at Baker's Prairie Bakery. This unique little shop offers fresh bagels among other delicious treats and often team up with Willamette Valley's TMK Creamery to bring customers delicious cheesy snacks. The shop's beans from Garage Coffee, based in the nearby community of Molalla; beans are available by the cup or bag if you want some for the road.
If you're looking for some outdoor fun nearby, check out our guide to outdoor recreation along the Molalla River Corridor.
Le Petit Bistro rings true to it's namesake when it comes to environmental impact. They are forging the way to sustainability with a reusable to-go container program for both food and drink that helps to limit the amount of single use waste produced as a result of our daily operation. But their commitment goes beyond containers. Many of their vendors were chosen with consideration of how they impact the local community and environment ensuring the food supply chain remains as short as possible. For example, Lady Lane Farm, just up the road from Le Petit, supplies milk products in reusable glass bottles. And don't forget about the coffee, delicious and locally-sourced from Caravan Coffee in Newberg.
Wind through wine and farm country to the next stop in Yamhill county, Caravan Coffee. More than 20 years ago, Caravan Coffee was a cafe in a garage down the street from George Fox University. Proprietor Pete Miller sources Fair Trade Coffee that ensures ethical trade practices with farmers and Organic coffee that offers customers a cup of coffee free of chemically treated beans.
If you happen to be in the area on a Friday, every week at 9:30 a.m. Caravan Coffee offers a 'cupping,' which is a tasting of two coffees side by side. You will explore the fragrance, aroma, acidity, body and tasting profiles of each cup. It's a great time to ask questions and learn more about the coffees they are serving. A tour of the roastery is also available upon request.
For other local sip stops, check out the Yamhill Farm Loop-a self-guided tour of 12 farms, markets, vineyards, and more in (and around) Newberg.
image: @jsessreneeharvey
Oregon's capital, Salem, is home to The Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters, a.k.a. The Gov Cup. This local roaster has been around for more than 25 years, serving the community "damn good coffee." They offer an impressive lineup of syrup flavors, such as lavender, cardamom and gingerbread year-round. In the evening, The Gov Cup turns into a full-service bar that often has live music from a variety of genres.
After you've fueled up in Salem, see why you should make the nearby community of Independence your basecamp for a fun cycling adventure.
Margin Coffee Roasters boasts two outposts in Albany. Photo by Melinda Martin.
Historic Albany's downtown coffee shop, Margin Coffee, is a "place to come, not to escape life, but to allow some time in our day to simply be."
The shop's welcoming staff and downtown location, buoyed by an airy atmosphere and laid-back vibe, help make Margin what it calls "Albany's Living Room." There you sip pour-overs, single-origin espresso shots, and other specialty drinks.
The shop, now with two outposts around the city, roasts its own sustainably sourced coffee; head roaster David Hurley, for instance, has a background in chemistry and physics-experience he uses to bring out the full range of flavors in each batch. In addition, Margin makes the pastries, sandwiches, and desserts dotting its food menu.
Check out other culinary offerings in the area with a trip along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail-a self-guided tour of the region's farms, markets, tasting rooms, innovative eateries, and more.
Tried & True Coffee Co. opened its doors in 2014, bringing a community-focused café experience to downtown Corvallis. In the years since, Tried & True has worked to support small businesses and source its items from Oregon-based companies.
Today, you'll enjoy Tried & True Coffee Co. at two locations. Its original outpost sits amidst restaurants, boutiques, and breweries in downtown Corvallis (where it pairs a variety of coffee drinks with delicious light bites). Its second location, just south of downtown, offers a stellar selection of coffee alongside breakfast sandwiches, lunch dishes, and even locally brewed beers; there you'll also find a patio that's open year-round and is heated in winter.
Keeping in line with its focus on supporting local purveyors, Tried & Trued sources its coffee from Bespoken Coffee Roasters; the Corvallis-based, small-batch roaster prides itself on transparent sourcing and shifting its lineup to reflect what's fresh and in-season.
Follow your coffee stop with some outdoor adventure around Corvallis. The Corvallis-to-the-Sea Trail is a backpacking and mountain biking path that runs from downtown Corvallis to the Oregon Coast-and has quickly become popular among hearty hikers. For something a little more low-key, check out Alsea Falls-one of the many waterfalls in the Willamette Valley.
image: @annainseattle
From Corvallis, take Highway 99W toward Eugene. Located on the west end, Coffee Plant Roaster serves small-batch coffee from around the world, roasted right behind the counter. The café's menu features fresh, local food options and breakfast all day long! In addition to an extensive double-shot espresso menu, Coffee Plant Roaster serves organic, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, and smoothies. Pro tip: if you're here for breakfast, make sure to try the biscuits and gravy (and yes, the half-order is plenty for one person).
In addition to great coffee, Eugene is home to (and is surrounded by) plenty of outdoor opportunities-cycling paths, mountain biking trails, and so forth. Learn more about enjoying outdoor activities in Eugene and the West Cascades.
