Labor Day has passed us by, which means it’s kind of supposed to be fall. With the exception of the past day or so, the September forecast says otherwise. For most of us, the prospect of a few more sunny weekends means a good excuse to exhaust our last few vacation days: camping with family, a road trip with friends, anything to get out of the office and put the finishing touches on our summer tan. One of the most popular weekender destinations in the region is Washington’s San Juan Islands. If you’re heading out to soak up the last of the sun before heading back to the office, don’t forget your thong bikini bottom to minimize those tan lines!
When it comes to coffee on the islands, the relative quarantine of the locale makes for some of the quirkiest indie cafés in our region. Stop for a cup of locally-roasted coffee on your way to go whale watching, or hold down a café table and spend a lazy morning people-watching. Either way, there’s no hurry: you’re on island time.
San Juan Coffee Roasters, San Juan Island – San Juan Coffee is served at island businesses across the archipelago, but the roastery’s own small espresso shop is the first thing you’ll find as you step off the ferry in Friday Harbor. 18 Cannery Landing, Friday Harbor
The Doctor’s Office, San Juan Island – Beyond San Juan Roasters’ shop, The Doctor’s Office (“A Treatment Café”) is your first San Juan Island stop. What was once a Victorian home for the superintendent of Friday Harbor’s waterfront cannery is now the perfect place to watch the ferries chug in and out of the harbor over a cup of Doctor’s Office Café Blend from San Juan Coffee Roasters. 85 Front Street, Friday Harbor
Café Demeter, San Juan Island – Another nearby outlet for San Juan Coffee, Café Demeter also draws patrons with its savory breakfast pizzas and conversational baristas. 80 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor
Churchhill Coffee House, San Juan Island – Looking at a long wait for the ferry? Up the street from Café Demeter you’ll find one of the coziest island coffee nooks around, serving hot breakfast sandwiches alongside the hot strong coffee. Bring a book or a cribbage board-this is a good place to while a few hours away. 1 Harrison Street, Friday Harbor
Darvill’s Bookstore, Orcas Island – The beautifully-curated Darvill’s Bookstore dedicates one cozy corner of their Eastsound space to serving Olympia-based Batdorf & Bronson espresso. Order an Americano and browse around in search of one more great summer read. 296 Main Street, Eastsound
Teezer’s, Orcas Island – Centrally located in Eastsound, Teezer’s is an Orcas Island favorite for cookies and coffee alike. 330 North Beach Road, Eastsound
The Taproot Café, Lummi Island – The Willows Inn, acclaimed for its fine dining under Chef Blaine Wetzel, also houses the Taproot Café, serving soups, salad, and Stumptown espresso. 2579 West Shore Drive
Isabel’s Espresso, Lopez Island – “Avoiding responsibility? You know you want to.” It’s encouraged at Isabel’s, a favorite locals’ hangout with a devoted crowd of regulars. Isabel’s offers all-organic Washington milk and Eugene-based Café Mam espresso plus delectable baked things from nearby Vita’s. If you’re feeling experimental order an “espressoda” and take it out to the sun-soaked deck. 308 Lopez Road
Caffé La Boheme, Lopez Island – Down the street from Isabel’s is Caffé La Boheme, featuring a tight-knit clientele of its own and coffee roasted by Local Goods on neighboring Orcas Island. Try the Caffé La Boheme-specific Dark Blend. 211 Lopez Road
