I have visited the Watershed Cafe & Bistro several times since it opened in December 2024 on Main Street, just across from the old courthouse in Oregon City. A few weeks ago, I took a day off, brought my knitting, and treated myself to coffee and beignets.

Watershed Cafe & Bistro is combination of breakfast and lunch place and coffee shop, with option of having a cocktails.

The Watershed Cafe takes its name from the land it calls home—just a short walk from the Willamette Falls, once known as Tumwata Falls by the Indigenous peoples of the region. As the first incorporated city west of the Mississippi and the final stop on the Oregon Trail, Oregon City holds layers of history. The name “Watershed” reflects those roots—where water nourished both land and life.

Inside the Watershed Cafe, the space is open and welcoming. There’s a cozy lounge area with couches, a long communal table for groups, and smaller tables for more private seating. The coffee and cocktail bar sits toward the back, and large windows bring in lots of natural light. There’s also a dog-friendly patio outside. The design feels relaxed and modern—great for hanging out, working, or grabbing a meal with friends.

The staff at the Watershed are incredibly welcoming and friendly, making every visit feel warm and inviting.

The lounge area with couches and chairs, as well as a long communal table at the back, reminds me of some of the coffee shops I’ve visited in Europe. Another thing I really appreciate is that after ordering at the register, your food and drinks are brought to your table—and the staff also clear away the dishes afterward. One of the reasons I like this setup is that it encourages interaction with the staff and helps build a sense of connection, which adds to the friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

The Watershed Cafe is at 812 Main St, Oregon City. Their hours are Mon-Fri 7am-2pm and Sat-Sun 8am-3pm.

Website: https://www.watershedcafeoc.com/

On my needles is the Friday Tee, a pattern by PetiteKnit. I enjoy her designs—I’ve previously knit the No Frills Sweater and the Stockholm Slipover V-neck—but I’m not a big fan of how her patterns are structured. To me, they read more like a novel, while I prefer patterns that are more clearly formatted and structured.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friday-tee-2

The Friday Tee is knit from the top down, featuring a broken rib stitch pattern with raglan increases shaping the yoke. The neckline is finished with a ribbed edge that’s folded and knitted together to create a neat double-knit neckband. I’m using Wandering Flock Fingering Singles in the colors Dune and Limeade—yarn I picked up last year at the Sacred Sheep fiber festival, held in November at Red Salmon in Portland. I really like this yarn and enjoy knitting with it.

Website: https://thewanderingflock.com/

Does any local coffee spot—remind you of the cafés back home? What details or rituals make a place feel familiar and comforting to you?