Bend’s Hidden Gems: Where Artisan Coffee Meets Soul
The verdict is in: Bend’s coffee scene is less about beans and more about the people who grow, roast, and serve them. For years, the city boasted the highest number of coffee roasters per capita in the U.S.—a title now held by Portland—but its legacy of craftsmanship remains unmatched. Here, coffee isn’t just brewed; it’s curated. Third-wave roasters spend years building relationships with farmers, swapping stories over coffee rather than just transactions. At Bellatazza, owner Stewart Fritchman describes his work as “hours with plantation owners in Guatemala, discussing Uncle Juan’s surgery.” This intimacy isn’t just about beans—it’s about connection. These…