I attempted the Coffee Shop Hop. This is how it went.

Here’s why you shouldn’t wait until mid-October to start the Coffee Shop Hop.

This year, 26 shops participated in the month-long challenge, which encourages people to visit coffee and tea businesses throughout Lane County. And they’re not just serving up lattes and chai: You’ll find, as we did, incredible pastries, thin and crispy paninis, gluten-free and vegan finds and other noncaffeinated pick-me-ups.

For the Hop, you get a passport to record your visits, receive special discounts and potentially win a prize (by the way, you have until Nov. 5 to enter the raffle; just send a photo of your passport to wewalklane@gmail.com or @walktober_lanecounty on Instagram.)

Completing the challenge required passport holders to trek across Eugene and Springfield, then farther into the county, from Lowell to Cottage Grove, Veneta to Florence.

By Oct. 12, my passport was stamped once.

Do the math, and you’ll find that 25 more stops in 19 days is a tall (actually: venti) order. 

Toward the end, I was hitting two, three, even four spots in one day. An adventure to say the least, but next time, I’ll start Oct. 1 so I can linger, take slower sips and pace my caffeine intake. 

Here’s how it went, along with a few words about each shop and everything I tried.

Total shops visited: 23
Places missed: River Roasters in Florence, Windowbox Caffe in Veneta, Blue Valley Bistro in Creswell.
Money spent: $285 (about $12 per shop)
Best part: Discovering new favorite lunch orders and cozy hangout spots.

Stop 1, Oct. 2: Chapter & Steam
27 W. Fifth Ave., Eugene

My order: The Pumpkin Creamsicle mocktail, as I wrote in my review of Chapter & Steam, “pairs cream soda with warming spices and pumpkin butter’s subtle vegetal sweetness and creamy texture.” Plus, it’s served in a goblet. Be on the lookout for November mocktails and more coffee drink specials.
The vibe: The ultimate curl-up-with-a-good-book space, with romantic and dark academia decor: think fireplaces and funky vintage lamps, pink velvet chairs and book page chandeliers. It makes even more sense when you realize the coffee shop sits inside Daffodil Books, which specializes in romantasy novels. 
Best for: Book-themed mocktails and coffee drinks, fun touches such as picking your own mug, and hidden nooks for getting lost in a romantasy novel (or working on your own). 

Stop 2, Oct. 12: Perugino
767 Willamette St., No. 102, Eugene

My order: Pumpkin spice chai, silky and warming a little more cinnamon-forward.
The vibe: Italian cafe by morning, cozy wine bar by afternoon. Peruse the gorgeous Persian rugs in the back while you wait for your order. 
Best for: An infamous caffeine fix and interview spot for Lookout reporters, whose office is right next door. In the summertime, Perugino’s iced tea specials are a must. 

Stop 3, Oct. 12: Meraki Coffee Co.
203 Willamette St., Suites 110 & 120, Eugene

My order: A Sanpellegrino and an herbed turkey toast special, which is now on my lunch rotation. It also costs less than $10. I particularly loved the pesto cream cheese and thinly-sliced cucumber on Metropol’s sourdough. The honey drizzle and black pepper finish took an already excellent open-faced sandwich up a few more notches.
The vibe: A bright, student-friendly cafe in downtown Eugene that’s constantly popping, with a mix of comfy couches and tables.
Best for: Study breaks, a quick, cheap lunch and compelling coffee specials such as the pecan pie latte and malted mocha. Toby’s toast, with tofu spread, avocado and crunchy veggies, is an excellent plant-based option.

Stop 4, Oct. 13: Palace Coffee Roasters
842 Pearl St., Eugene

My order: A cardamom-scented iced oat milk stout, which was creamy and lightly — I repeat, lightly — sweetened with a bit of honey. It makes a perfect afternoon pick-me-up when paired with a gluten-free, dark chocolate orange scone, tender-crumbed and showered with crunchy demerara sugar, a must for any scone, in my opinion.
The vibe: The go-to coffee stop for downtown workers, run by a Full City Coffee Roasters alum who bought the business in 2020 and changed the name to Palace.
Best for: It’s near sacrilegious not to get a Palace pastry alongside your caffeine fix, especially when you walk by the giant windows in the back and see bakers rolling out pumpkin scones and mixing dried fruits and chocolates into various doughs. The pumpkin cookie — cakey with a thin layer of icing, domed like a shield volcano — is a crowd favorite (and it’s made year-round). 

Stop 5, Oct. 14: Alchemy Coffee House
545 E. Eighth Ave., Suite A, Eugene

My order: A caramel cold brew with caramel cold foam, a solid cooldown for anyone huffing down the Ruth Bascom Bike Path. 
The vibe: If you’re here for a quick coffee to go, you’ll be tempted to linger in the gorgeous, lofty space, with vintage leather couches, butter yellow and forest green walls, floral paintings, chill music and a kids’ corner with toys and crayons.
Best for: A post-bike bite and coffee or tea drink, such as its namesake Alchemy Rose, with herbal mint tea, rose and oat milk. The shop’s breakfast sandwich breads and fresh pastries are made by Sweet Life Patisserie, The Daily Bagel and Larry & Sons Gluten-free Bagels.

Stop 6, Oct. 15: Nana’s Caffe
90999 S. Willamette St., Coburg

My order: A tender-crumbed spiced walnut pear scone and my first white cafe borgia (espresso, white chocolate and lemon zest), one I would gladly order again. 
The vibe: A homey, low-cortisol atmosphere with Italian coffee drinks (Nana’s own label) and baked goods. The cafe is inside an old barn, with a fireplace that appears to be made of river rock. Sarah Vaughan was playing on the radio when I went. There are rocking chairs, a working jukebox, a sign reading “Good food takes time. Be nice to the farm hands”, various horseshoes and black-and-white family photos. 
Best for: An intriguing all-day dining experience, as Nana’s Caffe is under the same roof (and family ownership) as Coburg Pizza Company. The pies showcase the family’s many travels — or as Coburg Pizza Company states on its website, “the craziest, most imaginative, unique, over-the-top & totally whacked out stuff to ever hit a crust”: There’s Memphis pulled pork, Florentine steak and gorgonzola, Nashville hot chicken, an Italian grinder. And that’s just pizza toppings. 

Stop 7, Oct. 15: Blue Valley Bistro (Coburg)
91088 N. Willamette St., Coburg

My order: A ham and havarti panini, the poster child for what a sandwich should be: simple, with quality ingredients that hit all the salty, fatty, tangy notes. In this case, Black Forest ham, creamy and mild havarti and stone-ground mustard mayo. And I’m still thinking about that rosemary herb bread. 
The vibe: A spacious and sunny fast-casual eatery with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating on Coburg’s super sweet main drag. 
Best for: Grabbing breakfast before (or lunch after) hitting Coburg’s flea markets, antique stores and pickleball courts. The bistro also serves savory breakfast bowls, crepes, wraps, soups and other cafe fare. 

Stop 8, Oct. 22: Moke’s Coffee & Kitchen
295 E. 13th Ave., Eugene

My order: The gluten-free GOAT waffle. Because it’s made with rice flour, the crust achieves a nice crisp, while yielding a fluffy and slightly chewy interior. Mine was topped with chèvre (hence the name), basil aioli, avocado and an over-easy egg. 
The vibe: A campus-friendly spot ideal for work (and catch-up) dates, filling plates and great outdoor seating in the warmer months (or just bring a blanket).
Best for: A wide selection of savory and sweet gluten-free waffles and an even wider selection of hot sauces, including a big bottle of Valentina, my favorite. 

Stop 9, Oct. 22: Dark Pine Coffee
954 Pearl St., Eugene

My order: The Witch’s Brew, a Halloween special that exemplifies what Dark Pine does best: Pair coffee drinks with flavors that bring out the dark chocolate notes of its espresso. In this case, maple and pine-scented rosemary.
The vibe: A relaxed setting, with quiet music and ample seating in a spacious interior. 
Best for: Work sessions by day, jamming by night, when Dark Pine occasionally morphs into a venue for punk and jazz shows, fundraisers, art features and other cultural pop-ups. A fun update: Dark Pine announced in August it is now roasting its own coffee beans at a facility in Eugene, after previously partnering with Equiano. 

Stop 10, Oct. 23: Estelle Bakery
349 Main St., Springfield

My order: A carrot cake cupcake and a slice of cheesy broccoli potato galette, two of the best things I had on The Coffee Shop Hop. Too often, carrots are put on the back burner of their eponymous cake. Not so at Estelle Bakery, a dedicated gluten-free bakery on Springfield’s Main Street. The crumb is fluffy and spiced, with plenty of soft-yet-present, naturally sweet grated carrots. The swirl of cream cheese frosting is both eye-catching and proportionate. It took a lot of restraint not to scarf the cupcake in one go, but I had to save room to try one of Estelle’s rotating galettes. The savory pastry gave Sunday roast vibes: thinly sliced potatoes, fragrant rosemary, tender-crisp broccoli. Bonus: the filling goes all the way to the edges of the golden-brown crust. 
The vibe: Cozy and airy, Estelle’s invites you to sit on padded benches by the window facing Springfield’s Main Street. Enjoy chill music as you work, browse the rotating art pieces and chat with the sweet staff members, who will explain the menu and make fabulous recommendations. 
Best for: Incredible savory and sweet baked goods made in a dedicated gluten-free bakery. While a new menu drops every week, seasonal favorites such as the apple cider doughnut (also vegan) and carrot cake are staples.

Stop 11, Oct. 23: The Washburne Cafe
326 Main St., Springfield

My order: A smooth chai latte with house-made cashew-almond-date milk. The Main Street cafe is also known for its thick pork belly biscuits, honey mustard-slathered fried chicken sandwiches and other filling breakfast fare.
The vibe: A lively and popular gathering place in the heart of Springfield, with a variety of seating options, from window stools to the couch across the brick wall. The old TV in the front is a fun touch.
Best for: A lingering breakfast date over the weekend, or a solid lunch break with a coworker on a random weekday. 

Stop 12, Oct. 24: Equiano Coffee Roasters
941 W. Third Ave., Eugene

My order: A cappuccino — Oaxaca beans, brown-butter scented, toasty and warm on a 35-degree morning — with house-made cashew milk.
The vibe: A quick, takeaway-only coffee shop on a quiet residential street in the Whiteaker. Equiano’s dreamy and vibrant mural by Erick Wonderly Varela, the same artist behind the Coffee Shop Hop’s caffeinated frogs, ensures the shop is impossible to miss. 
Best for: Coffee drinks for people who love coffee, made by people who love coffee. The owners roast their own beans from Vietnam, Cameroon, Brazil and other small farms around the world. Bonus: The cashew milk doesn’t cost extra.

Stop 13, Oct. 24: Glass House Coffee & Kitchen
520 Blair Blvd., Eugene

My order: A caramel apple chai, balancing tart-sweet cider notes and silky, creamy oat milk. Because I was in the middle of a move that day, I also filled up with a vegan sausage, egg and cheese bagel. 
The vibe: A literal glass house, designed like your cooler younger cousin’s first apartment: dinosaur stained-glass art, hanging plants, bar seating, a wood plank table, and cute touches such as my order card, which was marked by an adorable fawn instead of a number. It’s a snug space that still manages to pack in folks with a fast turnaround.
Best for: A quick drink pickup or breakfast spot to take your friends and family with various dietary preferences, from bacon- and biscuit-loving to vegan and gluten-free.

Stop 14, Oct. 26: Portal Tea
41 W. Broadway, Eugene

My order: One of Portal’s many house-blended chais, the banana bread chai was not as spicy as my usual order, but it was super smooth with mellow (yes, mellow) banana and cinnamon notes. This is the first time I ventured from my typical Portal bubble tea order. Unlike a lot of bubble teas I’ve had, you can actually taste the steeped tea leaves at Portal. I typically get a fruity green tea with popping boba and/or rainbow jelly. 
The vibe: A good mix of quiet working spaces, crafting stations and cozy conversations on the couch under colorful string lights.
Best for: Tea in all its glorious and diverse forms: order a pot of strawberry sencha green tea or vanilla bean rooibos, sip on masala chai, create your own bubble tea and browse Portal’s many varieties for your home collection.

Stop 15, Oct. 27: Sparrow Nest Coffee
132 E. Broadway, Suite 115, Eugene

My order: The salted caramel latte, a crowd favorite and for good reason. I got mine iced and asked for it to be less sweet. Next time, I want to try the mint chip matcha.
The vibe: Tucked in the historic Miner Building in downtown Eugene, Sparrow Nest is ideal for a Monday morning coffee before work, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a downtown shopping break for a latte and pesto egg and mozzarella sandwich. The marigold booths make for an especially comfy stopover.
Best for: Creative coffee drinks and espresso classics, from a honey cinnamon cold brew to a cortado.

Stop 16, Oct. 27: Magpie Coffeeshop
590 Pearl St., Suite 110, Eugene

My order: I was planning to grab a chicken tarragon hand pie from Magpie, but I was jonesing for some veggies, so I opted for the breakfast bowl instead, with a rainbow of sautéed kale, peppers, carrots and potatoes. One of the best ways to start your day is to break a perfectly poached egg and let the yolk spill over all your veggies. 
The vibe: Situated in the 5th Street Market Alley, Magpie is a great spot to socialize and nosh, with a modern diner feel, open coffee bar, and a black, white and blue color scheme that matches the magpie’s plumage. 
Best for: A quick, hearty meal just steps from some of downtown Eugene’s many retail stores. 

Stop 17, Oct. 28: Theo’s Coffee House
199 W. Eighth Ave. No. 1, Eugene

My order: Mam’s cold brew and a Bagel Sphere everything bagel with lox. 
The vibe: A huge space that also houses a bookshop and pizza place with a bar. The wall-to-wall murals alone are worth the visit. 
Best for: A no-frills breakfast, kind baristas and many art-viewing opportunities.

Stop 18, Oct. 29: Slabtown Coffee
518 E. Main St., Cottage Grove

My order: A spiced orange chai special with Blue Lotus chai. This was among my favorite chai flavors of the Hop. My only regret is not asking for it to be warmed up, as it was a little cool.
The vibe: A sweet little coffee shop that celebrates the local goods, from Equator Coffee and Euphoria chocolate and Sugar Mouse Bakery pastries and Prince Pückler’s ice cream.
Best for: Inventive coffee and tea drinks — and almost tempting you to buy one of Sweet Life Patisserie’s strawberry pop tartlets. 

Stop 19, Oct. 30: Pour 818
818 E. Main St., Cottage Grove

My order: The Black Beard Tea Latte. I’ve never had rum extract in tea, nor had I heard of sarsaparilla (a soft drink similar to root beer, I later learned). Pour 818 is intentional with its flavor pairings: all those caramel, vanilla and licorice notes complemented the black tea well. As for breakfast, the hot honey ricotta toast was made even more lovely by a sprinkling of pistachio dukkah, a kind of crunchy seasoning mix from the Middle East, with fennel, cumin and coriander seeds.
The vibe: An excellent space for a work session or a slow morning hangout. Pour 818 has comfy couches, booths, high tops and a cozy, quieter back room.
Best for: Expressive coffee and tea drinks, from the clove and peppercorn-spiced Fireside latte to the soul-warming Bumble Bean rooibos.

Stop 20, Oct. 30: Morning Glory Cafe
450 Willamette St., Eugene

My order: A cup of black coffee and the Morning Medley, the classic diner order of two eggs, toast and potatoes. I’m also partial to the cafe’s cheesy pesto omelet, one of the first meals I had in Eugene. 
The vibe: Known as one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in Eugene, Morning Glory embodies an Oregon Country Fair spirit (community-centered, artsy, committed to local ingredients) in a cozy diner setting.
Best for: Getting you to question why you got the full order of anything. Your plate will usually consist of a food mountain: tofu scrambles, herbed potatoes, sauteed veggies in every color, biscuits and mushroom gravy. If you’re not too full, let yourself be tempted by the equally large cinnamon rolls or a thick slice of banana bread.

Stop 21, Oct. 30: Sip Champagne and Dessert Bar
488 Willamette St., Eugene

My order: A super-moist and fragrant pistachio loaf slice, a Dirty Dracula — one of the most intriguing (read: wild) drinks of this hop, starring espresso and Dr. Pepper — and tape for my passport, which was in tatters at this point.
The vibe: A chic cafe and dedicated champagne bar in downtown Eugene that made me regret not planning a Hop day here for mimosas and DIY French toast.
Best for: Your next brunch outing. We’re talking loaded avocado toasts, croque madames, mimosas and fun mocktails.

Stop 22, Oct. 30: Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop
113 E. Main St., Lowell

My order: A brown sugar maple iced latte, whose caramel and molasses notes made for an espresso-forward, not-to-sweet drink.
The vibe: The coffee shop you stop at while on a road trip and unexpectedly fall in love with: Stomping Grounds used to be a gas station for several decades, which you can still see in the exterior. The fuel is a bit different now, but Stomping Grounds remains a community cornerstone, from its Friday specials of $5 croissant sandwiches to a mini souvenir and goods shop inside.
Best for: A super affordable breakfast, lunch or snack stop ($6 teriyaki bowls, $4.50 for a full order of biscuits and gravy and $6 chicken salad croissant sandwiches, to name a few) on your way to Diamond Peak, Waldo Lake or the 300-plus miles of singletrack trail around Oakridge. Your coffee is best enjoyed while parked nearby at the historic Lowell Covered Bridge overlooking Dexter Reservoir. 

Stop 23, Oct. 30: Lovely All Day Cafe
111 Main St., Springfield

My order: I celebrated my last stop of the Eugene-Springfield stretch (and of my Coffee Shop Hop journey) with a tart-sweet Arnold Palmer and a yellowfin tuna melt with cheddar, peppy pickled onions and Dijon on grilled sourdough. (Note: I wanted to try Lovely’s quince lemon turmeric juice special, but they’d sold out by 2:30 p.m.)
The vibe: A hip hangout spot that lives up to its name, opening bright and early at 7 a.m. and serving coffee, cocktails and other drinks until 9 p.m. While Lovely’s kitchen closes at 4 p.m., Hey Neighbor Pizza’s new, on-site food truck guarantees a full belly late into the evening with its wood-fired pies. 
Best for: Pressed juices, coffee drinks using in-house roasted beans from all over the world, breakfast sandwiches on burnished brioche buns, shakshuka (my first time seeing this dish in Lane County) and turkey and tuna melts that will scratch your sandwich itch.