Washington is branded as the birthplace of America’s growing obsession for caffeinated drinks. While establishments such as Starbucks and Black Rock offer quick service, and appear on almost every street corner, locals may want to visit these hidden gems that hold true to the Pacific Northwest’s coffee culture.
Roasted with love and care, Gold Cup Coffee lives up to its name. Conveniently located on Fourth Plain Boulevard, the shop has a chic white interior and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is plenty of seating for guests to lounge and work as they enjoy one of the many beverage items listed off the menu. While Gold Cup Coffee contains standard drinks such as Americanos, Cold Brews and Chai lattes, their vegan and organic additives are what make this place worth visiting. Gold Cup Coffee contains several dairy-free options such as soy, almond, hemp, coconut and oat milk. Additionally, the establishment also uses Holy Kakow organic syrups, made locally from the heart of Portland, Oregon. Syrup flavors include an array of options such as lavender, vanilla, hazelnut and more to spice up your favorite cup of joe. Gold Cup Coffee is a friendly and quaint shop with a prime location for parking, and if you’re looking for somewhere to visit on your next social outing, you’ve come to the right place.
Nothing says “jungle cafe” like Relevant Coffee. Built upon sleek hardwood floors and an impressive amount of indoor house plants, the coffee bar serves as an ideal place to connect for study groups or work meetings. Serving as a “proud community-focused coffee roaster and hospitality company,” Relevant Coffee is positioned on 1703 Main Street between Vancouver’s Hough and Arnada neighborhoods, and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to regular menu items, Relevant Coffee provides customers with staple drinks such as their Iced Ranger Mocha or Hot Lavender Earl Grey Latte. For those wanting a light to medium roast, or generally something sweet, Relevant Coffee surely won’t disappoint.
(Emily Baumann/The VanCougar)
As customers are greeted with high ceilings and an open garage door on the side, Thatcher’s welcomes its guests to relax next to large windows that allow plenty of natural sunlight. Housed in a sophisticated brick building, located on the corner of the Grand Central Retail Center, Thatcher’s is open every day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the rave reviews they’ve received on their baked goods, Thatcher’s has several notably high ratings on their drip coffee and teas. For those searching for a more flavorful drink, one recommendation is the iced Lavender Cardamom which provides a bitter, but slightly sweet taste. With the shop sustaining its popularity after opening its doors in 2010, Thatcher’s Coffee is a must-try for all Vancouver residents and visitors.
If you’re wanting a taste of Vancouver’s java lifestyle, we recommend trying out these neighborhood brews for yourself. As local cafes emerge with new flavors, accommodations and blends, it’s a sure guarantee there’s a drink out there for everyone.
Emily is a senior studying integrated strategic communication at WSU Vancouver.