The Unique Restaurant In Washington Where Every Diner Can Choose To Pay It Forward
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published December 12, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
As soon as you cross the border into Washington, you’re in a territory where brunch is a way of life. It’s no different in the state capital, Olympia. Here, locals line up for the town’s most popular breakfast purveyors. This obsession with the day’s first meal combined with a strong sense of community has led one restaurant, New Moon Cooperative Cafe, to launch a pay-it-forward program. Here, you can wake up to coffee at one of Olympia’s best brunch spots and make it possible for a less fortunate breakfast lover to do the same.
Renowned for its vibrant counter-culture and commitment to quirk, Olympia is a haven for a spectrum of oddballs and do-gooders. New Moon inherited its hometown's undercurrent and has become a mainstay of the capital's off-beat downtown atmosphere and a favorite for indulgent morning grub.
Since then, the brunch spot has gone from strength to strength. Its flexible, non-hierarchical operating style has made it adaptable through moments of adversity. When other downtown restaurants closed during the pandemic, New Moon eked by.
Its pay-it-forward program allows diners to pay for another customer's meal. This simple innovation has a big impact. Not only can the less fortunate count on a hot— and delicious— meal, but New Moon also creates an opportunity for Olympians to strengthen local ties. This spirit of generosity is palpable in the quaint breakfast joint, where local art crowds the walls, coffee flows, and laughter is constant.
But choosing New Moon for breakfast isn't a philanthropic gesture. The food here is darn good. The menu emphasizes local and sustainably-sourced ingredients, meaning every bite bursts with freshness.
New Moon proves inclusivity is king and habit-formingly good! Vegan and vegetarian options don't feel like an afterthought and are crafted with care and skill.
The prices are also fair, especially given the portion sizes that make sharing inevitable. This makes it easy to donate an extra five or ten dollars to the cafe's pay-it-forward program. Your empty plate can mean that someone else's is full.
Not only does New Moon Cooperative Cafe serve some of Olympia’s best brunch, but it also has an innovative pay-it-forward program. In a town teeming with great dining, this wholesome cooperative is a must-visit entry on your culinary bucket list. If you’re visiting from out of town, spare a morning and an extra ten dollars for this local favorite.
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