The Pacific Northwest has long been known as a center of coffee culture, and Salem has several outstanding coffee shops worth visiting. We are lucky to have two great coffee roasters that provide the coffee for their own shops – Archive Coffee and Bar, and the Governor’s Cup. Whether you’re looking for a place to catch up with friends over coffee, as many do at the Broadway Coffeeshop, or get some reading or writing done, as a lot of patrons do at Ike Box, there are many types of coffee shops in Salem, from cozy to funky to sophisticated.
Salem Coffee Roasters
Archive Coffee and Bar
102 Liberty Street NE #120, Salem
Archive Coffee and Bar does a lot – roasts and serves small-batch coffee, tea, and light meals by day, and dinner and cocktails at night. Beyond the coffee basics, the menu changes with the seasons but always includes many unusual takes on espresso drinks. One current drink, for example, the “In a nutshell” includes “house-made pistachio orgeat, espresso, and milk.” Other espresso drinks are similarly unusual and fascinating.
It’s an excellent stop for anyone who loves espresso drinks and is tired of the typical recipes. The ambiance is a dark, sophisticated space with massive bookshelves along the walls. There are cool outdoor tables and benches, including a tented area in the parking in front of the shop. With a diverse food menu, try different offerings for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Don’t miss the cocktail menu, which is excellent for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The Governor’s Cup
471 Court Street NE, Salem
The Governor’s Cup, or “Gov Cup,” is the oldest roastery in Salem, still roasting small-batch coffee and serving in a funky downtown coffee shop since 1991. They serve classic coffee and espresso drinks, and it’s clear that many people come to hang out for a while to study or chat.
Bagel sandwiches are the option for food, and have lots of adventurous fillings like tempeh, nori, or olive tapenade. The Gov Cup is in a small historic building, and seating is somewhat limited. On non-rainy days, there is pleasant outdoor seating and good people-watching.
Coffee Shops in Salem
Isaac’s at Ike Box
299 Cottage Street NE, Salem
Isaac’s Downtown
201 Commercial Street NE, Salem
Ike Box is a very popular downtown coffee shop that employs at-risk youth in a mentoring and employment program. Located next to the YMCA (with an Ike Box outpost in the Y itself) and close to both Willamette and state offices, there are typically a lot of people grabbing coffee to go or staying to enjoy the historic ballroom that forms the center of the space, now filled with tables.
Ike Box serves the beloved coffee drinks we have come to expect, with some extras like chai, an extensive tea menu, and Italian sodas. They have a pastry case with both sweet and savory options (including vegan and gluten-free options) and a small food menu. Ike Box also serves as an event space people can rent, and features a monthly rotating art show on the walls. The team at Ike Box also sponsors Care Corps, a three-week intensive volunteer and leadership camp, free for anyone who is admitted. Ike Box’s related restaurant and coffee shop, Isaac’s Downtown, serves the same great coffee, but with a much more extensive food menu, serving breakfast and lunch all day.
Broadway Coffeehouse
1300 Broadway St NE, Suite 100, Salem
The Broadway Coffeehouse is a light-filled coffee shop just north of downtown, excellent for larger groups. As you might expect, they have an extensive coffee menu with rotating specials. They have lots of tables and seating on the lower level, but there is space upstairs as well if you need more privacy.
It’s a popular stop for book groups, small-group meetings, and just hanging out and getting some work or reading done. Broadway Coffeehouse serves a variety of local and Oregon-based brands, including Archive Coffee Roasters and Dough Hook Bakery, both in Salem. Other coffee and tea brands include Portland-based Dapper and Wise, Coava Coffee, and Steven Smith Teamaker.
Urban Grange Coffee
1594 Edgewater Street NW, Suite 180, Salem
Despite its strip-mall setting, Urban Grange Coffee is a delightfully cozy coffee shop in West Salem. The coffee menu has all of the typical favorites, with brewed coffee and various iterations of espresso and milk. The pastries are great, and they have an excellent selection of giant cookies that are hard to resist. Even though it’s a fairly small space, there are lots of tables and seating for individuals or pairs that might want to hang out.
All of these coffee shops are worth checking out and spending some time in. Whether you’re looking for great seasonal drinks or iced coffee, each location also pays close attention to the season and its patrons’ needs. When you need to get out of the house on one of these rainy winter days, choose one of these fabulous shops in Salem to grab a cup of coffee or an espresso drink.
