Portland’s coffee shops are shaping a dynamic new culture. There are revolutionary roasters and old-school cafes alike redefining what a cup of coffee can be.
This Southeast Portland favorite focuses on beans grown in Vietnam, incorporating them into drinks like ube lattes and banh mi sandwiches. Its cozy interior is a draw for locals looking to work or catch up with friends.
Albina Press
A funky spot that looks like it’s been the backdrop for many episodes of Portlandia, Albina Press sits in a building revamped with old beams, patched up floor and plenty of nail holes. Despite the spartan interior, the staff makes up for it with impeccable service and delicious coffee. The menu features a range of classics, such as the typical gamut of unadorned espresso drinks highlighting the beans, as well as more exotic latte ingredients like black sesame cream and mugwort.
The cafe is open throughout the day, which caters to a wide audience from early risers to those seeking an afternoon pick-me-up. It also has a variety of baked goods and other beverages, including teas, juices and sodas. Its cozy atmosphere is a draw for locals and tourists alike.
There are a number of unique cafes in Portland where roasters and owners merge their passion for coffee with other interests. For instance, Deadstock Coffee & Gallery pays tribute to sneakerhead culture and basketball history. In addition to serving a full range of coffee and tea, they also offer a selection of rare Air Jordans and NBA memorabilia.
If you’re looking for a place to relax with a good book and a cup of coffee, then look no further than this charming establishment in southeast Portland. This cozy cafe is known for its exceptional brews and inviting atmosphere, making it the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends.
Keeper Coffee
The city’s coffee culture is vibrant and varied. From pristine pour-overs to creative latte flavors, you’ll find a beverage for every taste. Some bars even roast their own beans. The locals love to experiment with their beverages, serving everything from miso caramel to popcorn latte. You’ll also find a wide variety of vegan options at cafes like Courier Coffee.
The cozy coffee shop is a favorite among locals, and it’s usually packed with chatty friends or laptop-clad professionals. It’s easy to see why: the coffee is delicious and the homemade baked goods are to die for. They also serve great lunch items, including sandwiches and soup bowl mugs.
This charming cafe has a beautiful interior and a welcoming staff. The baristas are incredibly skilled, and the owners are always willing to talk coffee and share their passion for the craft. The menu is extensive and features unique options that can’t be found elsewhere in the area.
The tiny hole-in-the-wall cafe is a must-try for anyone visiting Portland. It serves Coava coffee and has a simple menu with curated coffees and pastries that change frequently. The decor is very unique and evokes an old European vibe. It is a great place to hang out with a friend or read a book. They also offer a few outdoor tables, and the service is fast and friendly.
Electrica
Whether you’re a casual coffee drinker or a committed barista snob, Portland is full of options that cater to your personal preferences. Among them are places that blend coffee with unique cultures and advocacy. For instance, Deadstock Coffee & Gallery pays tribute to sneaker culture and basketball history while serving a range of nuanced roasts. Its coffee shop in the Goat Blocks also features a collection of rare Air Jordans and vintage NBA memorabilia.
The latest to open in this genre is Electrica, which serves Mexican coffee and Japanese tea in a 100-year-old warehouse in the city’s industrial district. Founded by restaurateur Angel Medina (whose Republica and Company Hospitality Group includes some of the city’s most popular restaurants), this is his seventh coffee shop in two years.
In addition to offering a wide variety of drinks and food items, these cafes do good in the community. Several are committed to supporting diversity and social justice with their products and hiring BIPOC-identifying staff. In addition, some provide language training to immigrants and support indigenous communities in the region.
Other locations are dedicated to a single cause, such as the AIDS Foundation of Oregon’s coffeeshop on Sandy Boulevard, which provides training and employment opportunities for HIV-positive people. Others are known for their sustainable sourcing, such as Stumptown, which sells its own beans at its Portland stores and across the country.
Queue Coffee
The Portland cafe scene is bursting with energy. In a city that prides itself on the meticulous approach to brewing coffee, local baristas are known for dialing in single-origin pour-overs and experimenting with innovative latte flavors like black sesame, buttered popcorn, and miso caramel.
Many of the city’s coffee shops serve their own beans in addition to carrying selections from other roasters. The Public Brew Bar, which sits inside the roasting facility on the Park Blocks, is popular with students from nearby PSU and serves drinks with beans sourced from Yunnan, while a sibling shop in Goose Hollow called Super Joy sells its own roasted beans.
While the city has plenty of classic, old-school coffeehouses, it also features a slew of new and exciting spots that cater to a younger generation. For example, the LGBTQ-owned Either/Or serves Tanglewood chai lattes by day and cocktails and burgers by night in Northeast Portland. Its tavern-like space is known for hosting events like queer soup nights and karaoke nights.
The latest addition to the lineup is Queue Coffee, which opened on the ground floor of the Q21 building near NW 21st in Slabtown yesterday. The 40-seat cafe is owned by Bridge Development, which hopes to expand the concept across its retail spaces in other apartment and office buildings. Its coffee menu is curated by Portland roasters, including Extracto and Tanager, and it pairs with pastries from Petunia Jean’s and Loretta Jean’s. The coffee shop is also slated to offer savory sandwiches and sweet and savory toasts, as well as brownie sundaes made with Coop ice cream.