Words by Delaney Rea | Photo by Benji Rothenberg
Starbucks, Vero, Glenwood, Brails — these are the Eugene coffee shops and cafes that we all know and love. They’ve all been featured in at least one Emerald Essentials piece, so it’s time to branch out a little further. Eugene and Springfield have a litany of cafes that cater to different moods and experiences. With that in mind, here’s a selection of some local gems that deserve more attention for the unique experiences they provide.
Wildwood Cafe & Bar – Best Place to Kick Off Your Boots
Wildwood Cafe & Bar takes a very laid back approach to its business style. With modern aesthetic and distinct admiration for all things related to the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, Wildwood is a local cafe and brewery that caters to an adventurous lifestyle. Alongside their craft beers, cocktails and fresh coffee, Wildwood also designs their own line of outdoor apparel. Wildwood is open at 521 Main St. in Springfield from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Monday through Saturday.
The Barn Light Cafe and Bar – Best Spot to Start and End the Day
Moonlighting as a bar by night, The Barn Light has the kind of interior decor that you’ll want to send the whole day in. Luckily you can, because the Barn Light offers cafe service during the day. Whether you need a drink to toast the night with or a coffee to begin your day with, the Barn Light strives to provide the perfect beverage, making it one of the best coffee specialist cafes in Eugene. The Barn Light, located at 924 Willamette St. in Eugene, has varying hours per day; check out TheBarnLightBar.com for more details.
Slightly Coffee Roasters – Best Place to Drink Slightly Better Coffee
Do you like your daily cup of coffee, but just wish it could be… slightly better? Slightly Coffee Roasters is the ideal spot to get yourself an above-average cup of joe. Slightly Coffee Roasters’ goal is to serve up delicious, high quality coffee, all while dropping the pretense of what a coffee shop is expected to be. Alongside their coffee Slightly offers a toast menu, local beers on tap and their own signature cocktails. Located 545 E 8th Avenue in Eugene, Slightly Coffee Roasters is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Wandering Goat Coffee Co. – Best Place to Study with a Friend
Following in the ambling footsteps of its namesake, Wandering Goat Coffee Co. sits outside of the core Eugene area you may be acquainted with. That’s part of what makes this cafe and coffee shop a hidden gem. The atmosphere is funky yet cozy, making it a great destination to study or talk with friends for hours. You can grab a bagel and a cup of coffee made in Wandering Goat’s own roastery from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at 268 Madison St., Eugene.
Morning Glory – Best Brunch Spot
If you love vegan cuisine just as much as you love brunch, check out Eugene’s longest running vegan cafe and restaurant, Morning Glory Cafe. Their menu is fully made from scratch and features local organic ingredients. Even if you’re not vegan, their scrambles and omelettes are offered with actual egg substitutes. Morning Glory is open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day at 450 Willamette St., Eugene.