The family and I have just returned from a ten-day excursion to the north woods of Minnesota, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Wisconsin. While scouting coffeehouses was not even a minor objective of the trip, getting a daily caffeine jolt remained a necessity. There were a few disappointments along the way: a delightful coffeehouse in the Fitger’s building that SLP and I remembered from our last visit to Duluth had closed; the lone coffeehouse on the somewhat dismal downtown strip of Ontonagon, Michigan didn’t open until 10 AM; and most of the rest of the U.P. was similarly lacking. Not entirely surprising, but still disappointing. Nonetheless, I managed to identify three coffeehouses for bonus reviews. Enjoy!

Boreal Beans Coffeehouse
★★

840 Gratiot St., Copper Harbor, MI
GOOGLE MAP • WEBSITE

I wish I could find more positive things to say about Boreal Beans than simply, “it exists.” Unfortunately, I’m not even entirely sure that’s a positive. Boreal Beans is Michigan’s “northernmost coffeehouse,” located in Copper Harbor, just a couple of miles south of the northern terminus of US Highway 41. It’s housed in a small storefront better suited to use as a gift shop, in a small motel. There’s no seating available, although there is WiFi (from the motel — something our otherwise superior accommodations elsewhere in the village lacked).

The biggest disappointment here though was the coffee itself. While not undrinkable, it possessed a strange taste that neither I nor SLP could identify, and that we both found unappealing. Given the limited options in town, though, these are the best (because they’re the only) espresso drinks for miles around. But you’re probably better off with a standard cup of joe elsewhere.

Of course, you don’t come to Copper Harbor for cappuccino. You come for this.

Cyberia Cafe
★★★

524 Shelden Ave., Houghton, MI
GOOGLE MAP • YELP • WEBSITE

I had no idea until I looked up the Google map for this location that the “main drag” one-ways in Houghton were named Shelden and Montezuma. Odd, but then again the U.P. is kind of an odd place in general.

Cyberia Cafe is a little odd too. Its name is a dead giveaway that it dates back to the era when “Internet coffeehouses” were a brand new phenomenon, and unfortunately it still exhibits one of the more antiquated traits of that period (aside from the “cyber” prefix itself): paid Internet access. The lone review on Yelp says they offer free WiFi, and I didn’t actually test to confirm this, so perhaps the paid access applies only if you’re using their computers. Still, the sign posted behind the counter listing Internet access prices in 15-minute increments is off-putting.

I have fond memories of coming here a few times when I visited Houghton more often in the early 2000s, but my latest visit left me disappointed. The service was brusque and the coffee was bitter. Cyberia does offer an appealing location in Houghton’s charming downtown area, but otherwise has not kept up with the general level of quality of coffeehouses elsewhere over the past decade.

And don’t even get me started on the font.

Brewed Awakenings
★★★★

107 E. College Ave., Appleton, WI
GOOGLE MAP • YELP • WEBSITE

I hadn’t been to Appleton since I attended a jazz festival at Lawrence University back in high school (about 20 years ago). Upon returning last week, I found the downtown/university area to be very appealing and much like a smaller version of the downtown/university area in Madison (which I also find very appealing). I was also confident that here, at last, I would be able to find a decent coffeehouse to conclude my vacation bonus review post, and I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m not sure why so many coffeehouses have puns in their names, but by now I’m somewhat desensitized to it. Still, “Brewed Awakenings” actually elicited a chuckle the first time I saw it.

Located a few blocks from the Lawrence campus, in the heart of Appleton’s downtown commercial district, Brewed Awakenings looks the part of a hip college hangout. There’s a wide selection of beverage and food options, with an eye towards organic and sustainable sources. I ordered my usual large cappuccino (excellent) along with an egg, havarti and spinach croissant sandwich. The sandwich was good, but served scalding hot (obviously having been microwaved, which was a bit disappointing). The eggs were light and fluffy, but somewhat flavorless.

The interior space was inviting and populated by a handful of college students, even on a summer Friday morning. The service was reasonably friendly, if slightly ill-prepared to handle our fairly straightforward order. Overall, though, I felt right at home at Brewed Awakenings and can imagine spending many mornings there if I lived in Appleton… something I wouldn’t mind at all, at least on a warm, clear summer day like the one we enjoyed last week. I might have second thoughts in February. But then, I live in Minneapolis, so I could probably handle it.