A Beginner's Guide to Great Coffee Shops Across Montana, Idaho & Washington
Let's face it- I'm a coffee addict, and, like many people up here in the Northwest, I've become spoiled with the proliferation of small, artisan roasters and coffee houses springing up everywhere.
And I mean everywhere some towns up here have populations under 5,000 and you can find the best coffee in 100 miles in those tiny shops. Going out and discovering new coffees, and meeting the people that frequent those shops is one of my favorite things to do hence this blog.
Below you will find a list of some of the best places I've had coffee (or had coffee from) in the Northwest.
But before you skim the list there is a bit of a selfish bent to this post, and it's this: I know this list is not exhaustive, and I KNOW there are some coffee shops out there that I need to visit.
If you are a coffee shop owner, or you are a frequenter of an awesome coffee shop you want to share with me, and by extension with the customers we serve at North 40 Outfitters, find us on Facebook (click right here) and post your favorite coffee shops- who knows some day we may even build a map that lists the best places to stop for coffee ANYWHERE in the Northwest.
Check out the list below, and see how many of these spots/coffees YOU'VE had, and remember, this list isn't exhaustive, it's just a good place to start if you are looking for coffee in any of the states we serve!
AN INDEX OF GREAT COFFEE SHOPS ACROSS MONTANA, IDAHO & WASHINGTON
Roast House Coffee in Spokane, Washington
A small artisan coffee roaster out of Spokane, Washington, Roast House prides itself on being fully organic and sustainable with a roast-to-order freshness they are a small staff with only three people listed on their site, and their coffee is incredible. If you are in Spokane, this is worth a stop.
Cravens Coffee in Spokane, Washington
Like so many earth-shaking ideas, Cravens Coffee started with a napkin sketch. They've been around since 1993 and source their beans directly from the countries, and what's really cool about them? Their vision statement:
Visit coffee in its natural habitat.
Shake hands with the farmer.
Roast to perfection.
Treat every customer with the utmost care and attention.
Check these guys out online or go check out their store if you're in the area. You won't regret it.
Crandall Coffee Roasters in Kettle Falls, Washington
Crandall Coffee is a single-family run roaster operating since 2003. They specialize in small batch, organic coffee, and seek sustainable relationships with coffee growers they buy from to benefit the lives of the growers and customers alike. Something cool? Their coffee is roasted on order through a meticulous process that ensures absolute freshness. If you can find their coffee, or visit the shop, you should.
Blue Star Coffee Register in Twisp, Washington
This operation is a wholesale producer of small batch coffee that's been in operation since 1992. They roast on an updated 1963 Probat 22 kilo machine and source their beans green from remote farms all over the world. Like all great coffee roasters, their technical expertise of when it comes to bean size, hardness, moisture and so on is always growing. If you're not in the area, you can order directly from their website, linked out above.
DOMA Coffee in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
While many coffee roasters claim "artisan" status, this operation truly deserves the title they're hip all the way down to the printing press they use for their soy-based ink labels. They're organic and use 100% recycled paper product. Interesting fact? Oh- they trade coffee for vinyl (!!!) no joke. Check these guys out immediately.
Kokanee Coffee Roasters in Sandpoint, Idaho
Owners Jim and Angela grew up on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille, and this coffee is a local favorite in the city, plus it's been voted Best Cup of Coffee in Bonner County on two occasions. If the locals love it, you will, too. These guys have an interesting art collection you definitely have to check out if you're in the area. Plus, it's just a great all around vibe in the shop.
Morning Light Coffee in Great Falls, Montana
Morning Light Coffee began on the side of a mountain outside Helena, Montana in 1988. During a break from logging, Mike asked his friend what he thought about the coffee business. This first conversation on a Thursday afternoon in April was followed by a straight drive through to a specialty coffee roasting convention in San Francisco that weekend. From conception to inception: six weeks and the grand opening held during Helena's Governor's Cup Marathon. There was never any doubt in Mr. Myers' mind that coffee was a good idea, "We were trying to educate people, you know? Raise the standards of coffee in the area." And that's just what Morning Light Coffee did. Read an in-depth interview with the owner and reclusive roaster here.
Caffe Dolce in Missoula, Montana
This one is a bit of a hybrid they have two locations in the city of Missoula, and at both, the coffee is out of control. But there's more. They have an incredible- incredible menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus that shift with the seasons. If you are thinking of traveling to Montana, there's enough reason to visit Missoula on its own, but one must stop location is Caffe Dolce get a coffee and have the breakfast. You won't regret it.
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