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When Italian brothers Leo and Vildo Pellegrini imported the first espresso machine to Australia in the early 1950’s they mustn’t have known the profound impact that that machine would later have on the city they called home (Australian food timeline, n.d). Residing on the top of Bourke street, in Melbourne’s CBD, Pelligrini’s is an institution that still stands today. Whilst it is wildly debated whether they owned the first espresso machine in Australia at that time, there is no argument as to the drastic change that was taking place in Melbourne in 1950. Following WWII, an influx of Greek and Italian migrants had created a coffee culture that was rapidly growing (Hanscombe, n.d.). Populating the inner suburbs of Melbourne, the European coffee culture began to occupy much of the cities laneways and streets, with new coffee stalls and cafe’s popping up throughout the city.

Plantations are mainly located in the southeastern states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná where the environment and climate provide ideal growing conditions. Minas Gerais alone accounts for about half of the country’s production. Most plantations are harvested in the dry seasons of June through September, usually in one huge annual crop when most berries are ripe. In most countries, arabica beans are processed using the wet process (also called washed coffee), but virtually all coffee in Brazil is processed using the dry process (also called unwashed or natural coffee). The entire berries are cleaned and placed in the sun to dry for 8–10 days (or up to four weeks during unfavorable conditions). The outer layer of the dried berry is then removed in a hulling process before the beans are sorted, graded and packed in 60 kg bags.The coffee plant can tolerate low temperatures, but not frost. Milder frosts, called “white frosts”, kill the flowers that grow into the harvested cherries, but new flowers are regrown by the tree the next season. White frosts only affect the following year’s harvest, but more severe frosts, “black frosts”, kill the entire tree and have more long-term consequences. New plants have to be planted after a black frost, and it takes years before the tree begins to bear fruit, typically 3–4 years. Brazil is the only major producer vulnerable to frost, and harsh frosts may drive up the world price of coffee due to Brazil’s large share of the market. Frosts of this severity affect harvests every five or six years, causing volatility on the market.

The devastating black frost of 1975 struck on 18 July, hitting hardest in Paraná, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The immediately following 1975–76 harvest was not severely affected as two-thirds of the harvest was already completed, but the 1976–77 harvest was hit harder with 73.5% of the crops affected. The price of coffee doubled in 1976–1977 and did not fall again until the successful harvest in August 1977. The last severe frost took place in 1994 when two particularly harsh frosts hit in June and July in the span of two weeks. While not as severe as in 1975, the frosts reduced the following year’s harvest by 50–80% some states like São Paulo and Paraná and raised worldwide prices the following years.One of the most significant ways that second slavery in Brazil has impacted its social history, is the fact that it is connected to capitalism. The former slaves of São Paulo, were still the backbone of the coffee industry, catapulting Brazil to an elevated status of an industrializing nation. Even before the emancipation of slaves, in several engravings and images from the early 19th century portrays dark-skinned slaves working on coffee fields. As author Erik Mathisen argues, second slavery is connected to capitalism, much like slavery itself. And just like the U.S, by the 1880s in Brazil slavery limped on its traditional sense, but rich plantation owners disregarded the change in social status from slave to former slave, and retained its labor practices. Mathisen goes on to say: “Not only did Cuban sugar, Brazilian coffee, and American cotton become cash crops in high demand, but their production drew inspiration from new, brutal labor techniques, buoyed by new ideas about the scientific management of agriculture and labor…”

Coffee was not native to the Americas and had to be planted in the country. The first coffee was grown by Native Americans. The first coffee bush in Brazil was planted by Francisco de Melo Palheta in Pará in 1727. According to the legend, the Portuguese were looking for a cut of the coffee market, but could not obtain seeds from bordering French Guiana due to the governor’s unwillingness to export the seeds. Palheta was sent to French Guiana on a diplomatic mission to resolve a border dispute. On his way back home, he managed to smuggle the seeds into Brazil by seducing the governor’s wife who secretly gave him a bouquet spiked with seeds.

The crop first arrived in Brazil in the 18th century, and the country had become the dominant producer by the 1840s. Brazilian coffee prospered since the early 19th century, when immigrants came to work in the coffee plantations. Production as a share of world coffee output peaked in the 1920s but has declined since the 1950s due to increased global production.

Several species in the coffee genus, Coffea, can be grown for their beans, but two species, arabica and robusta, account for virtually all production. Arabica dominates both Brazil and the world as a whole with about 70% of the production; robusta accounts for the remaining 30%. In Brazil, arabica production is located in the main coffee-growing cluster of states led by Minas Gerais where arabica is produced almost exclusively. Robusta is primarily grown in the southeastern much smaller state of Espírito Santo where about 80% of the coffee is robusta. More recently, the northwestern state of Rondônia entered the market and produces large shares of robusta.Consumers’ change in taste towards milder and higher quality coffee triggered a disagreement over export quotas of the International Coffee Agreement in the end of the 1980s. With the retained quotas from the 1983 agreement, the change increased the value of milder coffee at the expense of more traditional varieties. Brazil in particular refused to reduce its quotas believing it would lower their market share. The consumers, led by the United States, demanded higher coffee quality and the end of selling coffee to non-members at reduced rates. US officials criticized Brazil for not being willing to accept a reduction of the country’s quotas despite falling share of the world market since 1980. Jorio Dauster, head of the state-controlled Brazilian Coffee Institute, believed Brazil could survive without help from the agreement. Not being able to reach an agreement in a timely manner, the agreement broke down in 1989. As a result, the Brazilian Coffee Institute, previously controlling the price of coffee by regulating the amount grown and sold, was abolished to limit government interference in favor of free markets. Up to this point the industry had simply neglected quality control management because government regulations favored scale economies, but now coffee processors began exploring higher quality segments in contrast to the traditionally lower quality. Before the 1960s, historians generally ignored the coffee industry because it seemed too embarrassing. Coffee was not a major industry in the colonial period. In any one particular locality, the coffee industry flourished for a few decades and then moved on as the soil lost its fertility. This movement was called the Coffee Front and pushed deforestation westward. Due to this transience coffee production was not deeply embedded in the history of any single locality. After independence coffee plantations were associated with slavery, underdevelopment, and a political oligarchy, and not the modern development of state and society. Historians now recognize the importance of the industry, and there is a flourishing scholarly literature. There are no taxes on coffee exports from Brazil, but importing green and roasted coffee into the country is taxed by 10% and soluble coffee by 16%. Unprocessed coffee can be exported duty-free into the three largest markets: the United States, the European Union and Japan, but processed coffee such as roasted beans, instant coffee and decaffeinated coffee is taxed 7.5% into the EU and 10% into Japan. Exports to the United States are tariff-free.The second boom ran from the 1880s to the 1930s, corresponding to a period in Brazilian politics called café com leite (“coffee with milk”). The name refers to the largest states’ dominating industries: coffee in São Paulo and dairy in Minas Gerais. This period also saw the Brazilian government start the practice of valorization, a protectionist practice designed to stabilize the price of coffee.Coffee remains an important export, but its importance has declined in the last 50 years. Coffee exports as a percentage of total exports was over 50% between the 1850s and 1960s, peaking in 1950 with 63.9%. The percentage began to decline in the 1960s when other export-heavy sectors expanded. In 1980, coffee export was down to 12.3% of the total, and by 2006 accounted for only to 2.5%. Brazil itself is the largest consumer of coffee by surpassing the United States in the mid-2010s. Per capita, Brazil is the 14th largest consumer and is together with Ethiopia the only coffee producer with a large domestic consumption.

Brazil has been the world’s largest producer of coffee for the last 150 years, currently producing about a third of all coffee. In 2011 Brazil was the world leader in production of green coffee, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia and Colombia. The country is unrivaled in total production of green coffee, arabica coffee and instant coffee. In 2011, total production was 2.7 million tonnes, more than twice the amount of Vietnam, the second largest producer. Some 3.5 million people are involved in the industry, mostly in rural areas.

The first coffee economy in Brazil grew near São Paulo in the Santos coffee zone. North of São Paulo was the Paraíba Valley, this region was home to Oeste Paulista, a once hegemon of Brazilian coffee. This region and its economy only grew because of slave labor. While later on the industry largely invited immigrant populations to work in coffee. The coffee industry was already booming when slavery was abolished in 1888. This led the way for second slavery to exist, promoted by the Brazilian government and international European pressures to further expand the coffee economy. The politics and economics behind second slavery, have most certainly affected the coffee production in Brazil. Historian Dale Tomich describes “The concept of the second slavery radically reinterprets the relation of slavery and capitalism by calling attention to the emergence of extensive new zones of slave commodity production in the US South, Cuba, and Brazil as part of nineteenth-century industrialization and world-economic expansion.” Using this perspective on second slavery, it explains the coffee industry in Brazil today when tracing its origins in the 19th century. The abolition of slavery didn’t necessarily change labor practices but nudged a change in labor history. This wave of second slavery, as the name suggests, may have abolished legal slavery, but it did not abolish harsh labor practices, nor did it abolish racism. The social history of Brazil was still a segregated society.The six Brazilian states with the largest acreage for coffee are Minas Gerais (1.22 million hectares); Espírito Santo (433,000 hectares); São Paulo (216,000 hectares); Bahia (171,000 hectares); Rondônia (95,000 hectares); and Paraná (49,000 hectares).

The processing industry is divided in two distinct groups, ground/roasted coffee and instant coffee. The ground/roasted coffee market is highly competitive and had over 1,000 companies in 2001. In contrast, the instant coffee market is highly concentrated with four major firms accounting for 75% of the market. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of instant coffee, with instant coffee constituting 10–20% of total coffee exports. Both types of coffee are mainly exported to the US, the world’s largest coffee consumer.Much of the Brazilian coffee landscape has to do with its labor and social history. Second slavery has its roots in the sugar, cotton and coffee industry in the Americas. The sugar industry, much like the cotton industry up in Northern America, has a long and winding history. While sugar traveled far and wide throughout the Old World, the production ultimately fell to the Europeans in contemporary world history. This commodity shaped social, and labor history, as well as geography. Like cotton, this commodity yielded high profits and therefore the presence of capitalism was undeniable. As Dale Tomisch, in much of his works point out, sugar, cotton, and coffee, have forever changed the landscape on which people build their lives, as its history has seen the evolution of these sugar-based societies. And while the term second slavery may suggest the undertones of emancipation, its very history is rooted in the violence and the dismantling of entire societies in Africa for slave production and thus sugar, cotton, and coffee production. Even with free labor, the ultimate goal for the state in the 19th century was economic expansion into the world economy, therefore with free or unfree labor regimes the state is still not committed to relieving the wrongs of slavery, but the growth of the economic state. Having the context of second slavery in mind, when looking at these three major commodities; coffee, unlike sugar and cotton, became more prominent in the 19th century in Brazil. The politics and economics behind second slavery, have most certainly affected coffee production in Brazil.

By the early 20th century, coffee accounted for 16% of Brazil’s gross national product, and three-fourths of its export earnings. The growers and exporters played major roles in politics; however historians are debating whether or not they were the most powerful actors in the political system. The February 1906 Taubaté Agreement is a clear example of the high influence on federal politics São Paulo gained from the coffee production. Overproduction had decreased the price of coffee, and to protect the coffee industry – and the interests of the local coffee elite – the government was to control the price by buying abundant harvests and sell it at the international market at a better opportunity. The scheme sparked a temporary rise in the price and promoted the continued expansion of the coffee production. The valorization scheme was successful from the perspective of the planters and the Brazilian state, but led to a global oversupply and increased the damages from the crash during the Great Depression in the 1930s.In the 1920s, Brazil was a nearly monopolist of the international coffee market and supplied 80% of the world’s coffee. Since the 1950s, the country’s market share steadily declined due to increased global production. Despite a falling share and attempts by the government to decrease the export sector’s dependency on a single crop, coffee still accounted for 60% of Brazil’s total exports as late as 1960. Coffee spread from Pará and reached Rio de Janeiro in 1770, but was only produced for domestic consumption until the early 19th century when American and European demand increased, creating the first of two coffee booms. The cycle ran from the 1830s to 1850s, contributing to the decline of slavery and increased industrialization. Coffee plantations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Minas Gerais quickly grew in size in the 1820s, accounting for 20% of worlds production. By the 1830s, coffee had become Brazil’s largest export and accounted for 30% of the world’s production. In the 1840s, both the share of total exports and of world production reached 40%, making Brazil the largest coffee producer. The early coffee industry was dependent on slaves; in the first half of the 19th century 1.5 million slaves were imported to work on the plantations. When the foreign slave trade was outlawed in 1850, plantation owners began turning more and more to European immigrants to meet the demand of labor. However, internal slave trade with the north continued until slavery was finally abolished in Brazil in 1888. Besides, the brand has revolutionised the coffee experience by introducing É by Nescafe– the first of its kind, app-enabled mug coffee maker to reach its customers beyond their store locations.With yearly revenue of $11.62 Billion, Keurig ranks second among the top ten global coffee players. Founded in 1998, the brand has established its name in beverage brewing systems, single-serve coffee containers, and other beverage pods.

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Founded in 1971, the brand has been one of the largest and fastest-growing British coffee shops. Based in Dunstable, UK, the coffee house operates in 33 countries across more than 3800 stores currently.

Driven with a passion for innovation, the brand continuously creates innovative blends for coffee lovers worldwide. Folgers takes pride in its Mountain grown beans and aroma seal freshness of its blends that makes one believe ‘The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup!’The inviting ambience suiting preferences of all customers, choice of store locations, efficient and friendly staff, and a variety of premium delights make the brand stand out.

The distinguishing feature of the brand is the perfect balance of rich flavour, hearty taste, and aroma of its iconic coffee blends. It guarantees the freshest taste and finest ingredients every single time. Flat white, Hot Chocolate and Caramel Cortado are the most liked drinks at Costa.The stark feature of the brand lies in its quality. It takes pride in ethically sourcing and processing its coffee beans. Being a customer-centric brand, it has consistently delivered top-notch service to its customers.

With annual revenues of $1.74 Billion, Lavazza ranks ninth in the line coffee players worldwide. Luigi Lavazza S.p.A. shortened as Lavazza is an Italian manufacturer of coffee products.The use of filtered water, quality beans, perfect brewing calibrations, quick and easy service, and fast order delivery makes the brand stand to its tagline ‘Always Fresh.’ The popular servings include Original Blend Double Double, Cotton Candy Freeze, and Chai Tea White Hot Chocolate.Moreover, it provides fine-tasting, good-quality coffee drinks at an affordable price compared to other brands. The outstanding Iced Mocha, Iced Espresso, Cold Brew Iced Coffee servings by Pete’s make people believe in the brand as ‘The original craft coffee.’

As far as the brand culture is concerned, the company has consistently grown respectfully by improving livelihoods, bettering prospects for its farmers, and protecting the environment. After all, ‘It all starts with a Nescafe.’Feedough is the one-stop resource for everything related to startups. Our philosophy is to research, curate, and provide the best startup feeds and resources to help you succeed in your venture. We are currently ranked as the 13th best startup website in the world and are paving our way to the top.

However, the brand gradually grew into the largest Canadian fast-food restaurant chain specializing in coffee and other fast food items with headquarters in Toronto. Currently, it serves its customers in almost 5000 stores in 14 countries worldwide.We spend a lot of time researching and writing our articles and strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content. However, our research is meant to aid your own, and we are not acting as licensed professionals. We recommend that you use your own judgement and consult with your own consultant, lawyer, accountant, or other licensed professional for relevant business decisions. It was first introduced in 1895, making it one of the oldest coffee brands. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, the company started through a small grocery store and has expanded to serve over 90 countries at present. Therefore, the trends suggesting that the coffee market will reach USD 151.92 Billion by 2028 are no surprise. Many notable businesses are thus capitalising on the vast growth potential and establishing a strong presence through their sumptuous offerings.It offers a host of products ranging from bold to rich blends in coffee. Nescafé chilled latte, Nescafé Intense Café, Nescafé Hazelnut are among the favourite drinks provided by the brand.

The American brand is headquartered in Massachusetts and deals in 400 different varieties, including hot and cold coffees, teas, fruit-based drinks, cocoas, lemonades, etc.

With annual revenues of $23.52 billion, Starbucks tops the list of best coffee brands in the world. The world’s largest coffee retailer, headquartered in Seattle, US, was founded in 1971. At present, its operations span across more than 33,800 stores in 80 countries.

The site may also contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.Besides, the strong aroma and deep-rooted flavour make it even more addictive. In addition to its taste come umpteen health benefits. It boosts physical performance, reduces risks of diseases, improves vital organs’ health, increases concentration, etc., to name a few.

At present, the brand is one of the largest coffee and doughnut shops, with more than 12,000 stores in 45 countries. It boasts a spectacular menu with delicious doughnuts and 100% Arabica beans from Central and South America. Classic Coffee, Caramel Macchiato Coffee, and Birthday Cake Coolatta are some top picks of the Dunkin’ customers.

They ensure that every cup is ‘Brewed for those who love coffee’. Vanilla Latte, Iced White Chocolate Mocha, Chai Latte, etc., are the favourite picks of its customers.

Committed to coffee farmers and coffee drinkers across the globe, the brand delivers over a century-old coffee mastery and expertise through ready-to-brew coffee at affordable prices.

There are so many rooftop cafe with reasonable places that will make you stop and fall in love. The amazing Moroccan coffee, smiling faces of the locals, and magical view of Marrakesh will make your coffee tastes even better. Thus, from a rooftop cafe, you can also watch the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Marrakesh. Hit up these rooftop cafés on your Marrakesh visit:The weather is hot, and well, the people are in need of iced lattes. With a plethora of coffee shops and fantastic coffee culture, Melbourne is one of the must-visit coffee cities for coffee lovers! Here’s some spots to check out in Melbourne’s coffee scene:

Next up in our best cities for coffee list is Vancouver. This city’s bustling streets are always on the go and of course, in need of coffee. You can be sure to find a coffee shop fitting to your tastes in this multicultural hub. Here’s where to get your coffee fix in Vancouver:Australians, well, they’re experts at coffee making. The rest of the world can only follow along with their expertise and ever-evolving coffee culture. Especially the city of Melbourne is paradise for café hopping. The historic vibe and cobblestone streets will just make you want to stop and drink coffee. Since Scotland is known for its whiskey, you might even want to spice it up by getting an Irish coffee. Furthermore, these Edinburgh coffee shops are well worth a mention: You’ll miss this little coffee stand if you don’t look close. The coffee shop is literally a small window facing the street, where you can grab your morning coffee from. Perfect for a bustling city like VancouverHelsinki is a true paradise for remote work or studying at coffee shops. All the coffee shops provide all the tools you might need for working remotely. Helsinki’s coffee shops are never ending, and its no wonder as Finland has the highest coffee consumption per capita in the world. Of course, during the long and cold winter, a cup of hot coffee boosts up the energy!

So, if you’re at a Parisian coffee shop, do as the Parisians do. Slow down, people watch and enjoy your cup of espresso alongside a fresh French croissant. To make the most of it, share your ‘pause de café’ with some like-minded travelers.Marrakesh is a must-visit in itself, but even more so for a coffee addict. It is known for the authentic Moroccan coffee, which tastes flavorful with various kind of spices in it. For that reason, Marrakesh is one of the best coffee cities in the world.

Kind of like the Finns, Icelandic people need coffee to get through the dark and sometimes harsh winters. It’s no wonder that the capital of Iceland has plenty of spots to serve its people. When strolling Reykjavik’s colorful streets, make a quick (or not so quick) stop at one of these cafés:Chiang Mai is the coffee city of Thailand. It is located near coffee producers and has a bunch of skilled roasters. Additionally, you’ll find a kaleidoscope of coffee shops and cafes, with different concepts and styles. So, it’s a true coffee lover’s paradise!

No wonder that all of its countries serve a good cup of coffee. The main street of the cute little surfer town of Santa Teresa is lined with great spots to get a cup of coffee- surfers need their coffee, too. So, dear coffee fans, here are some spots to check out in Santa Teresa:This is definitely a must-visit coffee for a different kind of café experience. With lots of outdoor seating and possibilities to roast sausages by the fire in the winter, this tiny cottage by the sea also is claimed to serve the best korvapuusti’s (cinnamon buns) in Helsinki. Greece is another country for some good and affordable coffee, making it one of the best coffee cities in the world. While strolling the streets of Thessaloniki, especially by the shoreline, you’ll find many places to stop in for a cup of liquid gold. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to try Greek gelato with your coffee, an unbeatable combo. Here’s Thessaloniki’s best spots for coffee lovers: Once you climb up the hills of Thessaloniki, you’ll also find many coffee shops overlooking the city to the sea. The views truly are nothing to complain about!Edinburgh is one of the best coffee cities in the world because the whole atmosphere of the city screams ‘cozy coffee shop.’ The rainy days, which are at no shortage in Scotland, are probably one of the reasons why the city knows how to do coffee.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to the best coffee cities in the world! If you’re a lover of espresso, you’ll know where to plan your next trip. JoinMyTrip offers amazing and unique adventures like TripLeader Tom’s adventure to Iceland. Explore all the upcoming trips for a shared experience with like-minded travelers, or become a trip leader yourself!If coffee is your main driver, it’s about time you know which cities in the world are the best for a coffee big fan like yourself. Whether you are traveling or planning to move somewhere new, it’s important for you know that a cup of espresso is just around the corner. Coffee lovers, you can’t go wrong when visiting these cities! Located in the center of the city, you’ll find this delightful little coffee shop with a garden to sit in, as well as books and a guitar, incase you want to serenade the guests of the coffee shop This location is perfect for vegans and vegetarians, as they have lots of plant-based options in the menu. Enjoy the chill vibes and fun décor of this coffee shop. However, it is not a rooftop cafe. Nonetheless, the feisty Moroccan vibes and great drinks make this cafe worth to visit.By Simar Singh: A cup of great coffee in the morning sets us up for a fantastic, or at the least, a tolerable day. Black, decaffeinated, super sweet, or cold — your preferred way of taking coffee may vary, but its origins don’t. So, leave your coffee beans at home, and pack your bags to travel to these places where the most important ingredient of your favourite beverage is born.

It’s called the Jewel of the South for a reason. This extremely picturesque place is home to numerous coffee and orange plantations. It is also home to MSP Coffee, which was the first ever Indian-owned coffee plantation. Glenrock Estates, which also doubles up as a resort, is a great place to stay. Stay options offered in this include regular cabins, and dormitories for groups.What makes the high-quality plantations in this area unique is that thousands of tribals from the region are also an integral part of the coffee cultivation process, either working as small farmers or as farm hands. Don’t leave this place without trying the brilliant Araku Emerald, which is a brand of organic coffee grown by the local tribe.

India’s very own coffee district, Coorg is home to several coffee plantations that produce a sizeable volume of the country’s Arabica and Robusta varieties. There are a lot of homestay options within these plantations, including Tata Coffee’s Plantation Trails, Silver Brook Estate, and Comfort Homestay — so make sure you book one if you are looking to wake up just a few metres away from the fields. November is a great time to visit if you want to go berry picking. If you want to take a break between all the coffees, try some fresh Coorg honey.It’s the go-to destination for foodies, trekkers, historians and adrenaline junkies. Called the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is located at the panoramic crossroads of the Columbia River Gorge and the Cascade Range. It’s chock-full of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, craft breweries, wineries and farm-to-table bounty. We recommend doing it all.

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“Very cozy atmosphere, and a lot of unique drinks in addition to the normal coffee shop fare. High quality beans that they roast right in the shop as well…”“I ordered a large kicker and was given a medium drink and it wasn’t a kicker. after taking a few sips I felt a hair in my mouth. It was a large wad …”

“Stopped in for an afternoon coffee after lunch so didn’t get to try the food but definitely would come back to try more. The atmosphere was cozy and…”“Best coffee in Hood River. Friendly, personable staff. I really like their breakfast sandwiches & the pastries are local sourced – very tasty. There …”

“When we travel we seek for unique Espresso bars, Ground Espress Bar & Cafe was one of those. We liked the warm setting, coffee was excellent and the …” “They gave me the wrong change they didn’t have anything I ordered and I left empty handed my little brother was balling I came with 40 dollars left with …” Along with latte art, creative concoctions and smoothies, STOKED also holds free public coffee cuppings on the first and third Wednesday of each month. One of their experienced roasters will teach you how to properly smell and taste things like sweetness and acidity in coffee, as you enjoy some samples.

Tamara Elliott is the travel editor and founder of The Gorge Guide, which highlights the best experiences in the Columbia River Gorge. She’s an award-winning writer based in Hood River, Oregon, who particularly loves the area wineries and waterfall hikes. Tamara is also the founder of Globe Guide, which offers savvy tips for exploring destinations around the world.As the name implies this is in fact a gardening center, which is what makes this Hood River coffee shop so awesome and unique. There’s a cafe inside the historic home that houses the indoor plants, which serves soup, salads and sandwiches as well as fantastic desserts like key lime pie and berry crumbles to enjoy with coffee, tea and espresso.

The lunch menu includes soups, sandwiches and salads, with most ingredients supplied by local farmers and businesses to support the community. Ground’s beans are also organic, and can be purchased in the shop to take home for your own coffee maker.STOKED calls themselves the ‘official coffee of the outdoors’, which they live up to with a variety of blends created in-house, a prime location along the waterfront and a team of pro-athlete ambassadors. All of their beans are roasted at their Hood River location, and are Certified Organic and Fair Trade whenever possible.Found in the heart of downtown Hood River, Doppio is the kind of place where you’ll always run into someone you know. The industrial-styled cafe along Oak Street always seems to have a lineup, and there’s plenty of space to sit both inside and out on their open-air patio.This spot is tucked away in a rather nondescript building in the Heights, and is a chill, quiet place to kick back and relax. There’s easy parking right out front, and people especially love their cold brew coffees during the hot summer months.

This Hood River coffee shop at the east end of downtown is a sister store to Doppio, and has been grinding its own coffee since 2009 to supply both cafes. They also make all of their pastries from scratch every morning, including sweets like cinnamon apple scones and peach spice coffee cake.The Gorge Guide tip: The Baker’s Sammies are a hot commodity here, with a delicious combo of salami and white cheese drizzled with oil over a fresh baguette. Grab one of these on the way out to the water or a hike, and it’s the perfect thing to pack for a picnic since they keep well even in a backpack.

KickStand is kid and dog-friendly, and little ones love noshing on the fresh donuts made each day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here along with Oregon-favorite Stumptown coffee, and the fantastic menu emphasizes giving local ingredients an international twist, as inspired by the bike-loving owners’ global travels.Grab a table surrounded by the thick, lush plants which feels like you’re in a secret garden, or get your coffee to-go and wander around the flowers and trees outside. In the winter months you can curl up with a cup of joe in front of the cozy fireplace–it’s especially magical during Christmas when the whole place is decorated like a winter wonderland. With a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and even a bike shop all under one roof, it’s easy to see why KickStand is one of the most popular hangout spots in Hood River. Located just outside of downtown on State Street towards the Heights, it seems like there’s always something going on here whether its a group of people meeting out front to head off on a ride, or a live music night on the huge outdoor patio lit by the glow of fireplaces. Listen- the town’s main drag, Oak Street, and the surrounding blocks are seriously so cute, packed with homey coffee shops, eclectic boutiques, outdoor gear outfitters, and art galleries in historic, brick buildings.The Columbia River Gorge stretches over 80 miles, from Portland, past Hood River to the town of Dalles, and actually constitutes the largest National Scenic Area in the United States. Better yet, these breweries are sprinkled both in Hood River’s charming downtown region, as well as along the countryside of the Fruit Loop. So whether you’re looking for lively vibes or stunning views, you’ll be able to find a brewery that’s just right for you. It just so happens that Hood River has two of the best lavender farms in Oregon, where you can walk through the colorful fields and be completely immersed in the floral aroma: If you’re looking for an apres-ski drink (or, let’s be real- an apres-ski hot tub!), the Timberline Lodge is an excellent spot to spend a cozy night or two enjoying the powder and that crisp mountain air. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission, for which we are extremely grateful, at no extra cost to you.Most of these businesses have fairly limited opening hours, usually closing somewhere between 4 to 6 pm at the very latest. This window is somehow super easy to miss if you’re out having adventures around Hood River- when my husband, Justin, and I have visited, we usually spend our mornings and afternoons out hiking and have unfortunately learned this the hard way!With ideal growing conditions and a town of outdoorsy hipsters, it should come as no surprise that Hood River Farmers Market is incredible. From May through November, every Saturday, the downtown hosts a market with up to 50 vendors, selling local produce, arts and crafts, and artisanal foods. There’s usually live music, activities for the kiddos, and those free delicious samples we all know and love!

While the Willamette Valley gets all the love for being Oregon’s wine capital, Hood River is impressive in its own right, boasting a whopping 83 vineyards and 36 wineries. And much like everything else in Hood River, almost all of the wineries have laidback vibes, spectacular mountain views, and killer patios.Visiting Hood River in the winter? Well, you’re in luck- Mount Hood has some of the nation’s best skiing and snowboarding- and one of the longest seasons (a whopping 10 months of powder can be found at the Timberline, the highest elevation option on the mountain!).

Alternatively, both Trillium Lake and Lost Lake, which sit at the foot of Hood, offer easy, flat trails around their shorelines, nice campgrounds, and opportunities to kayak, stand-up paddle board, or canoe, while you gaze up in awe at the mountain from the lake’s calm waters. Both lakes have outfitters to rent your watercraft of choice or alternatively, if you’re frequent paddlers, like us, it may make sense to pick up an inflatable kayak, like our Intex Explorer K2 kayak.

I generally wouldn’t consider myself a lavender fangirl or anything, but I had SO much fun wandering around the fields, picking a bouquet, and taking in the spectacular scenery surrounding the field.Driving along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Drive, you’ll be treated to views of towering gorge walls; temperate rainforests, thick with moss and ferns; and the impressive Columbia River. You’ll pass more scenic overlooks than you can count, through tunnels carved into the cliffside (I’m a little kid at heart, so these are my favorite!), and over historic bridges. Or, for something a bit more intense, the 40-mile Timberline Trail circumnavigates the mountain’s base and can be completed in a 3-4 day bucket list-worthy backpacking trip. Between the myriad of hikes, waterfalls, and overlooks along the way, you could seriously spend several days just making your way down this 80-mile expanse and never get bored!Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, I had no idea there were so many lavender farms here. But it turns out that the areas of the Pacific Northwest have been referred to as “America’s Provence”, named for its French counterpart known for having field after field of the vibrant purple flowers.

The most famous one, Multnomah Falls, is actually on the way from Portland to Hood River, approximately at the halfway point. This waterfall, the tallest in Oregon at 620 feet tall, is a great option that’s suitable for a variety of visitors. You can either access a viewing platform of the falls with just a short walk from the parking lot or, alternatively, escape the crowds by heading out on the 4.9-mile Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop Hike, passing several stunning waterfalls along the way.Given its proximity to some of the state’s most popular attractions, like Portland, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge, it’s the perfect addition to any Oregon road trip.

There’s a variety of ski resorts here to fit all budgets and skill levels. For example, there’s the aforementioned Timberline, which has the mountain’s only true ski-in, ski-out resort; Mt. Hood Meadows, which offers the most varied terrain on the mountain; or Skibowl, a family-friendly resort that boasts not only the largest night ski area in the country, but the only cosmic snow tubing area (amazing!).The gorge’s walls, soaring up to 4,000 feet high, create a gnarly- and steady- wind channel, which provides ideal swells to ride on pretty much every day from May through September. The river is super accessible for both beginners and experts, with coves of calm waves and large stretches of the river known for strong swells. Best of all, you have Mount Hood and Mount Adams towering overhead and the sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge all around you!

Panorama Point is a teeny park that’s perfectly situated to see both Mount Hood and Mount Adams, as well as 15,000 acres of vineyards, orchards, and farmland blanketing its foothills. The view here is particularly stunning in the springtime, when the thousands of fruit trees, spread across the valley below, burst into bloom.Like several other businesses along the Fruit Loop, note that several of the wineries are only open seasonally from mid-spring through the end of fall. So be sure to check the wineries’ hours before you head out! If you want to hit several wineries in a day, this awesome guided bicycle tour will take you to up to three wineries, with behind-the-scene access to the vineyards, locally sourced lunch, and of course, plenty of tastings! If you don’t want to haul your own gear out to Hood River, there’s plenty of options to rent a bike and even book a shuttle to Post Canyon at outfitters like Fat Tire Farm or Hood River Mountain Bike Adventures.Hood River is one of the most charming towns in Oregon and offers endless outdoor adventures, thanks to its location along the Columbia River Gorge and proximity to Mount Hood. From exploring quaint orchards to snowboarding on the tallest mountain in the state or browsing the cute stores in its bustling downtown, there’s tons of activities to enjoy in this area.

Oregon and, really, the Pacific Northwest as a whole, take their beer pretty seriously- this region actually produces more hops than any other area on the planet! And Hood River is no exception, with a burgeoning microbrew scene with almost a dozen breweries in the area.The Historic Columbia River Highway snakes the entire length of the gorge on the Oregon side. Completed in 1922, it was one of the very first roadways in the country to be specifically designed to complement the surrounding natural landscape- and accordingly, was the first scenic highway to achieve the lauded status of a National Historic Landmark.

Windsurfing and kiteboarding aren’t really the kind of sports that you just paddle out into the river and try your hand at, so luckily, there are several schools in the area, like Cascade Kiteboarding or Gorge Kite, who will quite literally show you the ropes. Both of these sports are pretty challenging to master, so don’t be discouraged if it takes you a couple of classes to get the hang of it!