There are no fewer than a dozen coffee shops on or close to campus where you can get coffee to go, but taking a sit-down coffee break can be a great way to unwind, study or catch up with a friend. Although there are 13 Starbucks in Eugene (including one a block away from campus on E. 13th Avenue), there are also many smaller coffee shops located around the town.
A good place to start is upstairs in the University’s Architecture and Allied Arts building at the Hearth Café. It has tall ceilings and big windows, whitewashed walls and hardwood floors, and offers an escape from the busier thoroughfares of campus. The small café also just underwent $6,000 worth of renovations, according to John Costello, director of the campus food service program that manages the café. In addition to coffee drinks, they also serve an assortment of teas, Oregon chai, juices and breakfast and lunch food. The Hearth Café is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For on-campus weeknight and weekend fixes, try The Daily Grind, in the basement of Knight Library. They have extended hours: weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s a great place to take a break from studying.
Venturing off campus, try Eugene coffee-fanatic Michael Phinney’s Full City coffee shop at 295 East 13th St. Phinney brews his coffee in West
Eugene, in part to assure that his customer gets the freshest brew, he said. The small shop goes out of its way to buy local ingredients, such as the eggs they use for their steam wand-made “eggspresso” breakfast sandwiches. And they provide friendly, personal service. According to store manager Aaron Thomas, many baristas not only know the names of their regulars, but also their usual coffee drinks. This isn’t a place for night owls, though; they’re only open until 6 p.m.
The Beanery located in the 1928 Pacific Coop Poultry Producer’s building on 152 West 5th Avenue, is owned and operated by Allann Bros., the Albany-based company that owns 10 stores in central Oregon. As if drawing on the historic heritage of the building, the coffee is prepared the old-fashioned way in a vintage 1939 roaster. During the evenings, there’s often a local musician playing, although the staff makes sure that it’s quiet enough to allow for conversation or studying. The Beanery is open 365 days a year, and with the exception of holidays, until 11 p.m. every night.
Known more for their dessert than their coffee, the Sweet Life at 755 Monroe St. is worth the trip for their vast array of cakes, pies, éclairs, mousses, brownies, cookies and other pastries, many of which are made with vegan and organic ingredients. Started 11 years ago in the home kitchen of sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart, the business now has a thriving retail and food service operation and is remodeling to accommodate more tables. They have more than 30 different teas and a full compliment of organic coffee drinks to help wash down a piece of Triple Chocolate Obsession cake or a slice of vegan cheesecake. And if that’s not enough decadence, Sweet Life will introduce gelato, the creamy Italian style ice cream, this fall. Sweet Life is open late every night — until 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and until 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Jackson Holtz is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.