Tea and Coffee Culture Brews in the Mid-Willamette Valley
Nine Great Spots Where You Can Grab a Warm Drink
Updated 11/7/2024
Calling all coffee and tea lovers — the Salem region is brewing up something special just for you! Whether you're craving a rich, bold espresso, a delicate matcha latte, or a refreshing fruit-infused tea, Salem’s local spots are serving up the perfect pour.
High-quality libations are offered throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley, each showcasing the hard work of local roasters, creative baristas, and home-grown companies dedicated to sharing their craft.
So, as you look for your next cup, here are nine shops and roasters pouring quality coffee and tea in Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley.
The Governor’s Cup Coffee Roasters (Salem)
The Governor’s Cup Coffee Roasters has been a downtown Salem institution since 1991 and, today, is the city’s oldest craft coffee roaster. The shop’s fresh-roasted coffee is a hit with diners for its smooth, easy-drinking flavors—which are far less bitter than what might be found at bigger chains.
Diners will also find a variety of milk alternatives to meet different dietary needs, fresh-made bagel sandwiches for meals on the go, and a deep selection of loose-leaf tea for non-coffee drinkers—all of which can be enjoyed in a spacious outdoor seating area.
Archive Coffee & Bar (Salem)
Downtown Salem’s Archive Coffee & Bar is a small-batch roaster that prides itself on finding sweet and bright flavors in its many coffees. And its coffee is emblematic of a broader Archive story defined by craft and creativity.
One of the coffee shop’s most popular items, for instance, is the Bee's Knees—an espresso drink that incorporates (among other ingredients) honey, rosemary, and lavender for a slightly sweet, somewhat floral taste. Visitors can also try nearly 20 teas from around the world.
Archive also specializes in cocktails and cocktail mixers (including wine cocktails, which are mixed drinks made with champagne or wine). Unsurprisingly, given the shop’s attention to quality coffee, one such cocktail is served piping hot—and incorporates coffee into its ingredient list: The Knight Cloud includes brandy, hazelnuts, oat milk, chocolate, marshmallow, and—of course—coffee.
Broadway Coffeehouse (Salem)
At the northern edge of downtown Salem, Broadway Coffeehouse works overtime to reflect the community it serves. That means serving java from a variety of regional roasters—including Coava Coffee Roasters, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and Dapper & Wise Coffee Roasters—with meticulous brewing methods that help ensure a refreshing cup. Broadway also imbues its space with a sense of community by decorating its walls with artwork from Salem-area artists and serving fresh pastries from Dough Hook Bake Shop. Broadway has earned plaudits for its spacious interior, full of couches and comfortable chairs for a relaxing break.
IKE Box and Isaac’s Downtown (Salem)
IKE Box and Isaac’s Downtown, both anchored in Salem, comprise Isaac’s Room, a nonprofit whose mission is to offer community, support, and opportunities to at-risk youth in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
The IKE Box coffee shop serves light breakfast fare (including sandwiches and several varieties of quiche, pastries, and snacks) alongside coffee roasted by Sisters Coffee Company and artisan tea from Metolius Tea (both based in Central Oregon). In doing so, the shop trains, mentors, and employs local youth as part of an apprenticeship designed to build self-sufficiency and support young adults through teamwork and skills-building.
Isaac’s Downtown brings that mission to downtown Salem with more of a café experience that serves breakfast sandwiches, salads, snacks, lunch sandwiches, house-made baked goods, and other fare—along with its fresh coffee, of course.
Karma Coffee Bar and Bakery (Dallas)
Seemingly everything about Karma Coffee Bar and Bakery is crafted to make you feel at home—and that includes its shop, which sits inside a converted home in Dallas.
A few chairs and tables dot the front lawn and patio—both of which make a fine place for sampling Karma’s fresh-brewed coffee, sourced from Allan's Coffee & Tea (a Mid-Willamette Valley institution that has been roasting since 1972). The coffeehouse also prides itself on a rotating menu of creative specials each month—like February's "Hot Date", a latte made with caramel, cayenne, and chili powder for a spicy kick.
And if you’re looking for baked goods to pair with your coffee, Karma makes a variety of cookies, cakes, muffins, scones, doughnuts, and other pastries in-house.
Rosie’s Mountain Coffee House (Mill City)
Rosie’s Mountain Coffee House has been a mainstay in Mill City for more than 20 years. As the name implies, Rosie’s prides itself on pouring a variety of coffee drinks—all using beans from Silver Falls Coffee Co., a regional fixture since its launch in 2009; the small-batch roaster, based in Silverton, roasts beans from around the world. Smoothies and infused energy drinks round out the menu, as do the café’s homemade scones, deli salads, made-to-order sandwiches, and wide variety of pastries (including lemon bars, muffins, and decadent cinnamon rolls).
WABI SABI TEA (SALEM)
A stop at Wabi Sabi Tea in Salem is a must visit for any tea afficionado. This cozy shop serves up a beautifully curated selection of both traditional and creative tea drinks, all made with fresh and natural ingredients.
For those who love the classics, Wabi Sabi offers expertly brewed loose-leaf teas—from smooth, fragrant green teas to robust black varieties. For the more adventurous, the menu features colorful concoctions that are as delicious as they are Instagram-worthy. Try the strawberry oolong topped with velvety sea-salt cheese cream or indulge in the matcha with mango jelly for a vibrant burst of flavor. Whether you're stopping in for a calming cup of classic tea or treating yourself to something sweet and unexpected, Wabi Sabi offers an experience that’s both refreshing and memorable.
OFFBEAT COFFEE (SALEM)
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind coffee experience at Offbeat Coffee in Salem. One of the shop's boldest features is their espresso on tap, a twist on tradition that uses cold brew concentrate for a rich, intense flavor. True to its name, Offbeat offers an eclectic, inviting atmosphere, complete with an indoor jungle of plants, quirky artwork and seating, and a vinyl room that sets the perfect soundtrack for your sip. If you're in the mood for something different, Offbeat also serves up fizzy lemonades and sparkling teas, adding a refreshing twist to your visit. Don’t forget to pair your drink with a locally made pastry while you kick back and enjoy the vibe at this funky, laid-back coffee shop.
related blogs
Take A Farm And Foodie Tour Of The Salem Region
The secret’s out: The Mid-Willamette Valley is a world-class agricultural hotspot. While spring and summer are ripe time to explore the blooming flower gardens and cherry orchards, popping into family-run farm stands and picking strawberries and petting alpacas — any season is a great time to take the self-guided Marion Farm Loop and Great Oaks Food Trail and sample the bursting bounty firsthand.
Sweet Treats in the Mid-Willamette Valley
Unique desserts from local makers
Satisfy your sweet tooth with handcrafted goodies and treats made with local ingredients and lots of love.
These Salem Area Food Pods Dish Up Good Times and Great Food
As a self-proclaimed foodie with Pacific Northwest roots, I’m no stranger to the Willamette Valley’s discerning lineup of eating and drinking establishments. But sometimes I just want to enjoy a salty tripas street taco and frosty Oregon beer in a laid-back, family-friendly space. Enter the DIY culinary curiosity known as food-cart pods.
Related Content:
299 Cottage St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 581-6154
IKE BOX CAFÉ299 Cottage St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
201 Commercial St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 551-3939
ISAAC'S DOWNTOWN201 Commercial St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301