Find The Best Coffee in Salem
Forget the franchises…local coffee houses are in abundance in Salem. Salem is fortunate to have some really good local coffee houses, all with a slightly different vibe so that you can find the place that feels most comfortable to you. Let’s face it, you can’t say you live in the PNW unless you have a plethora of local ma and pa coffee shops to choose from. So where is the best coffee in Salem? Depending on my mood, these are some local favorites of mine.
Bentley’s-Coming Soon
I’m a fan of Bentley’s drive-through coffee right now. They are going to be starting their first sit down coffee shop in downtown Salem where the current Starbucks is on Court. That is a small space so I’m interested to see what they do with it. It is supposed to open next month so make sure to check it out when they open.
Urban Grange
Relatively new on the local coffee house scene, Urban Grange is located in West Salem in a strip mall type of building on Edgewater. It is across from Walery’s. The owners have done a great job of making the atmosphere casual and welcoming. They have a mobile library and board games there just to make sure you know they want you to come and hang out for a while. They have bagels, scones, and other baked goods in addition to coffee. Their chai is the spicy kind of you like chai, and you need to go in the fall when they have their warm caramel apple cider. This is a great addition to our local coffee scene and a much-needed place for West Salemites. For those of you that miss the old Coffee House Cafe’, this is a good replacement.
Archive has been open for a couple of years now. Coffee house by day, bar by happy hour into night. They are located in The Mcgilchrist Building downtown on the corner of State and Liberty downtown. This isn’t a place for your Starbucks style coffee. They roast their own beans here and take their espresso and cappuccino seriously. With an industrial interior design, this coffee house has a lot of space so it is a good place for large groups to meet. They do offer a few baked goods to go with their coffee as well as some lunch and dinner options as the day progresses.
French Press.
A staple to the Salem Oregon scene, this coffee house just happens to have some crepes to go along with your drinks. With an Eiffel Tower theme, this place is typically really busy. Just a fair warning the Kona is wonderful BUT strong. For those of you that aren’t regular coffee drinkers…go easy on this blend. I was hyped up after drinking just one cup of this. I normally talk fast, but I felt like I was talking in super speed after drinking this coffee.
Ike Box–
Ike Box is also on the coffee house scene. I LOVE the interior of this building. The owners did a great job of preserving the architecture of the original building and for that I thank them. It was an old funeral home, but I like the aesthetic in there. Not everything old needs to be torn down and “updated.” The Ike Box supports the owners’ non-profit program called Issac’s Room. At-risk teens are welcome to come and just hang out here. They have rooms for them to come and just have a safe place to be, to learn skills and gain confidence. I just love the idea of supporting a local business owner that has good coffee (they tend to make it sweet so keep that in mind when you order), great atmosphere, AND tries to help some of our troubled kids at the same time. If you haven’t been here. Go.
Isacc’s
This is run by the owners of the Ike Box and is their new venture downtown. This coffee shop is already busy and offers some small menu items in addition to their, already popular, coffee. They also offer wine and desserts. It has a nice casual vibe and is located on Commercial across the street from Olivia’s.
Broadway coffee is run by the Salem Alliance Church and supports its many community efforts. From helping refugees to free medical clinics, this is another coffee house that supports our local community in many ways. This place is busy. They serve Stumptown coffee here and serve donuts from a local bakery. The space is large and bright and great for just hanging out and you can book rooms upstairs for all sorts of community events. During the summer they have patio seating and have music as well.
The Governor’s Cup-This coffee house is easy to miss because there is just a tiny sign to let you know it is there. This is probably one of Salem’s older coffee houses and had some change in ownership for a bit. Now is owned by the Delgado’s who have had it for a few years. They roast their own coffee and are serious about making good coffee. They have live music and cocktails on Friday nights as well and you can see their upcoming music on their website. This coffee house has brick everywhere on the interior and so it feels old and comfortable. An easy place to hang out with a good cup of joe and a bagel.