Oh don’t worry; we’ve got PLENTY of Island coffee options for you here in Friday Harbor. Sorry, no Starbucks or Tim Horton’s, but you can bet your bottom dollar you will be satisfied with any of the shops on the island. They are all uniquely different—I can guarantee you won’t be able to find one that’s identical to the other. And for the sake of research, I have visited all of them within walking distance of the San Juan Island Inn Collection! I have a maaaajor soft spot for Americanos with milk and honey in them.
Hint: If you ever want to make my day a little brighter, just show up with a 12 oz one of those in your hand.
For fellow coffee lovers out there, here are a few of my favorites on the Island—each with their own personality:
The Bean Café
Okay so I am a little biased when it comes to The Bean—it was the first coffee shop I visited when I moved to the Island and it won my heart instantly. I am currently earning my masters online so I need an escape from my tiny desk at home to study. Tucked into the alley next to Pelindaba Lavender, The Bean is my go-to place. They have high-speed Internet, an inviting atmosphere, plenty of seating, and they don’t judge me for sitting there virtually motionless for 5 hours straight! What more could a girl want? Oh yeah, awesome coffee…they’ve got that too! Did I mention they also have a ferry camera? You’ll never miss your ferry, unless, of course, you do so on purpose.
Location: 150 B 1st Street
Hours: 7:00am-5:00pm
Food: Muffins, cookies, breakfast options, Paninis, sandwiches, salads, wraps, soup
Gluten free options available
The Sweet Retreat & Espresso
I stumbled upon this local favorite walking down Spring Street on my way home from the gym one morning when I decided I had earned a coffee (great gym mentality, right??). I walked straight passed it before I remembered I was going to get a coffee so I doubled back excitedly which got the shop owners laughing. They immediately started chatting with me and made my day so much brighter—those are the types of encounters that make you come back for more (or find more excuses to indulge in yet another Island coffee!).
Location: 264 Spring Street
Hours: 6:30am-3:00pm Closed on Sundays
Food: Breakfast options, hot and cold sandwiches, cookies, muffins, ice cream.
San Juan Roasting Company
If you love the Island coffee we, the San Juan Island Inn Collection, serve during breakfast and at our events, then this is about to be your new favorite coffee shop. They deliver our Collection’s special blend hot out of the roaster every week. Not only do they offer a full espresso menu, but you’ll be dazzled by the array of chocolates waiting for you upon arrival. As you tour around the Island, you discover just how many businesses enjoy and serve San Juan Roasting Company coffee.
Location: 18 Cannery Landing
Hours: 9:30am-5:00pm
Food: Chocolates! And lots of them.
Griffin Bay Café
Even though they have a bright fluorescent light saying they serve coffee, for some reason it took me almost two months to walk into the Griffin Bay Bookstore on Spring Street for me to fully comprehend it. What I found made my eyes light up! In the back of the bookstore, they have a quaint café perfect for cozying up with a good book or putting together one of the many puzzles they have available.
Location: 155 Spring Street
Hours: 10:00am-6:00pm
Food: A variety of treats made by locally.
The World’s Skinniest Latte Shop
Don’t blink as you walk down Spring Street or you may miss this little shop! And when I say little, I mean little. Stop in and chat with the owner of this 5-foot shop. She and her daughter are always creating new items and drinks so every time you visit there is something new and exciting happening.This Island coffee shop is as personable and local as it gets!
Location: 127 Spring Street
Hours: 12pm-4pm (most days)
Food: Always changing—You’ll just have to check it out for yourself to find out!
Now you can Safely Plan your Trip to Friday Harbor
So now that your coffee anxiety has been appeased, you are ready to start planning your trip to the San Juan Island! Come stay with us at the Harrison House Suites and Tucker House Inn. All of our suites come fully stocked with San Juan Roasting Company coffee and french presses so your coffee is as fresh as possible. We will make sure all of your coffee cravings are fulfilled. Because, as we all know, everything is better with coffee, and the best coffee is Island coffee – okay, yeah, I’m definitely a little biased. We hope to see you here soon and help all of your coffee dreams come true!! Okay now I’m just getting carried away with myself.
