Sea Level Bakery + Coffee

The tiny beach town of Cannon Beach, Oregon gives Seattle– the oft-proclaimed coffee capital of the country– a run for its money. This is especially true at Sea Level Bakery + Coffee. The bakery is located south of the main downtown area, but there will undoubtedly be a line out the door whatever time of day you visit. Make sure to secure a place in line as close to opening as possible; many of the best pastries fly off the shelves early.

What should I order at Sea Level Bakery & Coffee?

As a regular coffee drinker, I don’t even want to think about how much coffee I’ve consumed in my lifetime. The amount is bad news for my bank account, but good news when comparing different coffee drinks. This in mind, Sea Level’s coffee is some of the best I’ve tasted, at least so far. Using heart coffee, which is roasted nearby in Portland, Oregon, the espresso forming the base of lattes is smooth and slightly fruity. Whether hot or iced, the coffee is without a trace of bitterness. As an added touch, they froth the milk that goes into the iced latte, a detail that that makes the drink feel special. 

Baked Goods

Sea Level’s expertly crafted coffee drinks are not the only stars of the show. In fact, though their coffee is excellent, it is almost (almost) secondary to its baked goods. Every day, a variety of pastries– bread, scones, muffins, you name it– are freshly baked before the cafe opens at 7am. You’ll likely find the bakery shelves sparse if you come in only a few hours after opening. If you’re early enough to have your pick, though, you can’t go wrong with any option. The scones are crumbly and a perfect pair with a hot coffee, and the meticulous folds of kouign-amann crunch delicately as you bite into the blueberry-filled center. The quiche is particularly enticing; neatly enveloped in beautifully flaky pastry, the egg, mushroom, tomato, and zucchini combination practically melts in your mouth. 

Words don’t do Sea Level’s offerings justice, so make sure to check it out for yourself if you ever find yourself on the Oregon Coast (or willing to make the hour and a half trek from Portland). Not much beats a morning walk along the beach drinking some of the best coffee in the Pacific Northwest.

Find more coffee in Cannon Beach:

Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters