VERDICT: We gave 4 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
Day 1: Canada to Astoria ✅
Day 2: Astoria to Cannon Beach
Day 3: Cannon Beach to Portland
Day 4: Portland to Mount St. Helens and Union
Day 5: Union to Canada
Skip the Chains! This Downtown Spot Serves Up Biscuits, Cardamom Lattes, and Small-Town Charm
Before heading out for day 2 of our road trip we needed a little breakfast! We found the perfect spot. The Rusty Cup Cafe in Astoria, Oregon is one of those downtown spots locals (& visitors!) keep coming back to.
It’s been around since 2004 and sits at 1213 Commercial Street, right in the historic Liberty Theatre building & across from the Astoria Downtown Historic District.
The Rusty Cup is cozy, small, and personal, not a chain feel at all. It’s got a comfortable atmosphere & wifi. The barista was efficient & friendly. On the menu you’ll find Heart Coffee Roasters espresso, all-day breakfast, and house-made items like granola, berry compote, and yogurt parfaits.
Standout drinks we noticed on the menu were their Dirty Chai, Cardamom Latte, cortado, oat latte, Cubano latte, and the “Brown Cow” smoothie. Food-wise, the bacon sandwich on a fresh-made biscuit was amazing. Prices are moderate/inexpensive. They had a cool section of cookbooks, some delicious local honey, coffee beans, and other retail items.
If you’re downtown without a car, it’s an easy walk from spots like the Commodore Hotel, then you’re right near Fort Astoria and not far from the waterfront.
Top 3 Favourite Alternative Fast Food Eateries in Astoria
- The Lemon Fresh: Healthy-ish fast-casual spot known for vibrant bowls, salads, and wraps with locally sourced ingredients, perfect for a quick, tasty lunch
- Custard King: Old-school drive-in serving creamy frozen custard, classic burgers, and crispy fries with that nostalgic roadside feel
- Frite & Scoop: Casual spot dishing up Belgian-style fries with creative dipping sauces plus hand-dipped ice cream for the perfect sweet-salty combo
More to explore in and around Astoria:
- Bowpicker Fish and Chips (Unique Experience)
- Astoria-Megler Truss Bridge
- Nordic Park and Hidden Trolls
Nearby Attractions:
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
