10 Best Cafes near Salem

“FANTASTIC first experience! The staff was very welcoming and helped me navigate where everything was. Highly recommend!“

“Great place to go before a Sunday matinee at the PM&L Theatre!“

“Alex's Open Mic Coffee And Tea House is the beating heart of Antioch, wrapped in espresso aroma and pure creative electricity.
You step inside and immediately feel like you just crossed into a place that actually gets community. Not the fake, corporate buzzword version, but the real thing, built drip by drip, song by song, cup by damn cup.

The coffee hits with purpose. Smooth, strong, balanced, and brewed by people who clearly give a damn about the craft. None of that burnt-tire bitterness you get at the chain spots. This stuff is alive. Whether you grab a classic pour-over, a latte that could convert the non-believers, or one of their signature drinks, everything tastes intentional and dialed in.

The tea selection? Massive. Fragrant, clean, and curated like someone actually thought about what humans enjoy. You smell the leaves before they brew them and suddenly you are already halfway in love.

The vibe is the real magic trick.
It is cozy without being sleepy. Artsy without being pretentious. Warm without being syrupy. It is the kind of place where people actually talk, create, write, laugh, think, and exist without rushing their souls out the door.

When the music starts, the whole room transforms.
The Open Mic nights are not filler entertainment. They are a showcase of raw humanity. You hear power. You hear vulnerability. You hear people taking chances and owning their moment. And the crowd? Supportive like a damn village. Nobody judges. Everybody listens. You can feel the energy bounce around the room like a spark that refuses to die.

The staff treats you like a regular even if it is your first time walking in. Friendly, fast, genuine, and on top of everything without hovering.

If Antioch has a creative sanctuary, this is it.
If Antioch has a living room for the whole town, this is it.
If Antioch has a soul, chances are it is drinking a latte right here.

The Open Mic Coffee And Tea House is more than a café. It is a home base for anyone chasing caffeine, connection, or a moment of damn peace in a chaotic world.“

“We LOVE Little Bean! We are treated so well! Every week, our table is promptly reserved for our Bookclub. Our orders are delivered with a smile! Everything and I do mean everything is tasty and delicious! Little Bean has become a staple in our community. We are all better here in Antioch to have this welcoming, warm venue where we can mingle together. Thank you for being here!“

“I love going to Betty's in Antioch! It's a very welcoming & warm experience. I have made a habit of going on a Friday or Saturday evening, Jackie the host is what keeps me going back, she is a big draw for this establishment, she goes above and beyond for the guest and seems to greet most by name, many have told me they go there to visit with Jackie and play some slots. So nice to have a great adult entertainment close to home.“

“Outstanding food! You decide how you want your sandwiches. Neat dry marker menu- just select your own combinations. Wonderful deserts - the pecan bars are yummo. Great beer and wine selection. The staff is terrific and very professional. Great decor also. This place is a keeper!“

“Good service, good coffee, yummy treats and nice atmosphere“

“Places That Felt Like Home Some places in this world hold you not because of their walls, their menus, or their decor, but because of the way they welcome you. For me, two of those places were Just Brew It in Union Grove, Wisconsin, and the North Star Bar in Rochester, Minnesota. At Just Brew It, after only a couple of visits, the staff began greeting me by name every time I walked through the door. It reminded me of Norm from Cheers—that easy ritual of belonging where the world pauses to say, you matter here. The drinks were good, the people were kind, but it was that simple recognition, that moment of being known, that made the coffee shop feel like family. The North Star Bar carried the same magic in its own way. Whenever I walked in, they’d call out, “Georgia,” not just as a nickname but as a nod to where I came from. It was playful, affectionate, and grounding. No matter how far I was from home, I carried a piece of it in the way they saw me. Both places remind me that what makes a space sacred isn’t the bricks or beams—it’s the people who look at you, smile, and say, you belong.“

“good service, friendly staff, food was amazing. highly recommended eating there“

“Such a cute place with delicious drinks! Will definitely be back.“