10 Drink Spots to Stay Warm this Winter in Bend
When it comes to outdoor adventure and finding the perfect winter getaway, Bend is the place to be. Located in Central Oregon, the city boasts a wide range of winter activities including snowshoeing, hiking, world class skiing and snowboarding, ice skating, and snowmobiling. If you’re not willing to brave the cold, then you can always find something fun to do within the city centre, whether it be checking out a museum, cafe-hopping, catching the latest movies, or enjoying some live music performances.
While we certainly spent some time enjoying the hiking trails and snowshoe spots in and around Bend, we weren’t able to spend as much time outdoors as we had hoped due to arriving in the middle of a winter storm that saw temperatures dropping to an abnormal low of -21°C/-4°F. To combat that cold, we spent a lot of time sipping on hot drinks while staying warm and dry indoors, and so I wanted to share my recommendations for the best spots in Bend to grab a warm beverage:
Backporch Coffee Roasters
Boasting several locations throughout Bend, Backporch Coffee Roasters offers your typical drinks alongside tempting seasonal drinks. I opted for their pistachio maple latte with oat milk and it was by far my favourite hot drink during our trip. All of their coffee is sourced from indigenous farms as a means to be more sustainable and offer fair compensation to farmers.
The downtown location is open early, making it a great spot to grab a drink or baked good before heading off on your adventure. If you're looking for a spot to read a book or get some work done, then this is the place to be as it's clean, well-lit, has plenty of seating, and there's even WiFi! They also offer a drive-up location which can be even more convenient if you’re on the go.
The Lemon Tree
The Lemon Tree is definitely more of a sit-down spot, but I'd highly recommend checking it out if you've got the time. I ordered a large cup of chai and was very satisfied with the level of spice. Even more, their menu allows you to enjoy different flavours from around the world with classic breakfast sandwiches to shakshuka to nasi goreng. We opted for the Amoretto French Toast and their lasagna, their special of the day, and both were very filling and full of flavour!
Do keep in mind that this seems to be one of the more popular breakfast joints in downtown Bend, so you may need to arrive early or be prepared to wait as they do not take reservations. Even on a weekday, we found there was a line forming just thirty minutes after opening.
Playful Paws Cat Cafe
While Playful Paws Cafe mostly serves cold beverages (beers included!) you can be sure to warm your heart with a visit to this bright cat cafe. The establishment has helped over 60 cats find a new home and all the cats that you can play with are available for adoption. You can also sign up for various event nights that are hosted in the lobby, including yoga with cats or DIY lip balm making classes.
The cafe also offers a range of cat merchandise which makes for the purrfect gift for any cat lover. Be careful when you visit as you’ll undoubtedly want to take all of the cats home!
Strictly Organic
A great place to grab takeout, Strictly Organic offers a wide selection of food and beverage items. Their chai is reasonably priced and was the perfect pick-me-up after spending the morning snowshoeing.
The breakfast burritos and grilled cheese sandwiches are our recommendation here, but if that's not to your taste, you can also order soups, salads, tacos, and rice bowls. They also offer merch options including some cute stickers and postcards that would make for good souvenirs to take home.
Bellatazza
Another great option for a warm drink is Bellatazza. Located near Drake Park in downtown Bend, this cafe offers some delicious hot chocolate (make sure to say yes if they offer you whip with your drink!) and coffee options.
Baked goods are also available and there are some seating options for those hoping to rest their legs. Some of the upscale hotels in the area also source their coffee from this shop, so you know it's good!
Thump Coffee
Also open early, Thump Coffee believes in giving life in every cup and make it their mission to welcome you like family. They offer fun flavours and have additional seasonal options like white peppermint hot chocolate that are perfect for warming you during the winter.
The cafe has an artsy aesthetic and plenty of seating that seems perfect for a chill study date or catch up with a close friend. Cast Away fans will also be happy to see Wilson the volleyball smiling down from behind the counter. While I wasn't able to try any of their available baked goods, they looked quite tasty and I saw many others enjoying them, so you might want to grab something in stock if you step in.
Lone Pine
Lone Pine Coffee Roasters is another spot to stop if you're hoping for high-quality hot drinks and baked goods. I enjoyed one of their seasonal lattes, the noriette hazelnut butter, and can also recommend their espresso.
The many hanging plants, ample amount of natural lighting, and wood features make Lone Pine a relaxed space to hangout or get some work done. If you're lucky, you might be able to secure a spot on the couch in the corner. Another great aspect about Lone Pine is that the baristas are particularly knowledgeable and passionate about coffee which makes sense as they roast their own coffee. They welcome questions about their various blends and are happy to help you make a drink selection if you’re not sure what to get or just want to branch out from your usual drink order.
Sintra Restaurant
With a nod to one of Portugal's famous towns, Sintra Restaurant offers some great breakfast choices alongside a wide range of beverages. Truthfully, I went with a cold drink when visiting since I was curious about their nitro pours, but they offer many hot drinks and even have alcoholic coffee options if you're looking to spice up your morning.
The restaurant has a laidback vibe with a semi self-service element. We were glad we stopped by despite the trek through the snow as their sandwiches and eggs benedict were the perfect hearty breakfast. If you’ve never tried pastéis de nata, then I would recommend grabbing one to enjoy with your drink as they are decadent! Sintra Restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, so you can stop by any time of day.
Looney Bean of Bend
The Looney Bean of Bend provides a rustic feel and offers some interesting drink combinations. We tried the Dirty Hippie which is chai + espresso and the Killer Bee which mixes honey, cayenne, and cinnamon. Grab a warm cup of your choice of beverage and then take a stroll through the peaceful Drake Park which is just a few steps away.
Established in 1992, this local roastery believes that coffee is meant to be shared and is a dedicated leader in sustainability. If you know the weather is about to get cold and you don’t want to head out, you can even put in an order to get their coffee delivered right to your doorstep!
Worthy Brewing Company
Once again this one is cheating a bit as the beverages we ordered weren’t warm, but I figured I’d include Worthy Brewing because the drinks still warmed us up and the food we were served was the best pub food we’ve ever had. There are a number of craft beers available for your choosing and they’ve even offered pairing suggestions to go with the food. If beer isn’t really your thing, then you can rest assured that the cocktails available are also worth it.
There is tons of seating at this joint, both indoor and outdoor, as well as options to rent out the venue for events. Even cooler, this brewery is all about sustainability and takes part in several initiatives that support the planet. Their motto is “Earth first, beer second” and they stand by their desire to promote healthy and resilient forests in and beyond Central Oregon. Even more interesting, the main pub on Bend’s Eastside offers the unique experience of stargazing and you can check out the observatory after a night of enjoying some drinks and food!
These are just some of the many spots in Bend that serve great beverages, and you’ll be happy to note that there are tons more cafes and restaurants for you to explore. You’ll find a great variety of drinks and could spend all day cafe hopping without ever running out of exciting options. While you’re indulging in these treats, you can also feel good about supporting businesses that do their part in creating sustainable experiences as many of the local establishments are dedicated to doing their part in protecting the environment while ensuring ethical business practices.
