Sea Level Bakery + Coffee — Restaurant in Cannon Beach

Let me preface this by saying we have been patrons of Sea Level since 2014, the first year they opened. We've always enjoyed their coffee and pastries, and this time we even tried their Salami Et Provolone sandwich, and it had excellent flavor. Unfortunately, the experience today took an unexpected turn. First, we had ordered the Maple Bourbon Latte. It was so sweet, it was almost unpalatable. It tasted a bit like taking a swig from a syrup bottle! Yeah, nasty. When you go to Dutch Bros, Starbucks, or even McDonalds there's a reasonably chance that your latte is going to be really sweet, maybe too sweet. This is not something you would expect from Sea Level. So here is where the experience takes a turn for the worse. We figured, well there's a possibility this latte can be redeemed by adding another shot. So I stood in line for a bit for a resolution. When it was my turn I said "this latte turned out too sweet for us, I'd like to pay to add a shot to it". The cashier said-"That's fine, it'll be $4!" She didn't say- "sorry we made it too sweet", or "not a problem let us fix it", or even, "that will be $2"(the cost you pay to add a shot to a drink) Nope! You'll have to pay full price, as if I hadn't just explained politely, that it was a really nasty latte. I offered to let her taste it to verify my claim. This is after watching the barista taste another drink he had made. He used a straw, which would have been fine by me. Also, take note that this was a full drink that had just got to our table a minute before I got in line. My wife and I had just sampled it. She denied adding a $2 shot said "that's their policy." You kind of expect 3rd wave coffee shops to have better coffee, and yes, better service than McDonalds. What a disappointment, our favorite coffee shop on the coast starts making bad lattes and stops caring about their customers all at once. We were with you from the beginning in 2014. It was exciting to have a third wave shop open on the coast, but if you can't manage having good service and certainly good coffee, we have to start looking again. Sea ya!

Update That someone from Sea Level read the review and apologized say's something. We all make mistakes and need forgiveness at times. I'll change my rating some and hopeful offset it with a five star down the road.

We'll Sea Level again, and be hopeful for great experience we've had...

We found this place online while searching for a serious coffee shop. They are in a tiny house on South Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach. The space reminds me of a little tiny beach cafe in California. Two mornings in a row, we seemed to have arrived at a good time because there were long line-ups afterward we placed our order. Imagine the line up during peak season! Our drinks (cappuccino and almond latte) were great. Properly made. Consistent even though they were made by a different person each day. They use the famous Stump Town Coffee. We bought a loaf of bread each day. Country Loaf and Ten Grains Honey. The Ten Grain Honey bread was dense, substantial, chewy but not dry, very enjoyable with almond butter and marionberry jam. Pictured here was the breakfast toast using Country Loaf with marionberry jam. Very yummy. We tried the blueberry scone as well and it was amazing. The order taking and kitchen execution need quite a lot of improvement before the rush in peak season. Still, we rank them five stars because there is no other place we would prefer to go for breakfast than at Sea Level while visiting Cannon Beach. Despite the fact the kitchen is slow—my toast arrived when I've nearly finished my drink—the coffees were perfectly executed and the beans superb. If the order taking was faster, I might have purchased a second drink, but the line up was too long. We also really enjoy the space – it is perfect for the location. It would not have felt as 'real' if they were to move to a fancy modern environment likes some of the coffee houses we enjoy in...

Sea Level Café is something truly special.

Yes, the coffee is world-class (honestly, some of the best I’ve had. It is on par with top spots in New Zealand), and the pastries and bread are exceptional. But what really makes this place stand out is the heart behind it.

You can feel it in everything: the care in how things are made, the stories behind the ingredients, the warmth of the space. It’s clear this café isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of Jason and Liz’s values, their travels, their love of French baking, and their deep roots in the Cannon Beach community.

Their commitment to sourcing with integrity, honoring tradition, and giving back (like donating fresh bread to the food pantry) shows in every bite and every cup. Even the location of reviving a beloved former bakery feels intentional and soulful.

We came here while visiting friends who are locals and live across the road, and it instantly became a highlight of the trip. Sea Level isn’t just a place to grab a coffee. It’s a place that reminds you how powerful good food and genuine people can be. There is a line out the door.

Thank you, for creating something so thoughtful, so delicious, and so full of purpose.

We wish we had a Sea Level in San...