There’s nothing quite like sitting down with a big, steaming cup of fresh, hot coffee.
Of all the occasionally weird and always wondrous things people know Portland for, the city’s coffee shops are the really a gem for this beautiful city.
Portland is famous for its coffee, and Portland coffee shops are a set well above cafes in nearly every other city in the United States.
That said, there are those famous few that exceed the precedent that the city sets.
If you’re looking for a great place to grab a cup of joe in PDX, but aren’t sure where to start, we can help.
Here are ten must-visit coffee shops in Portland where you’re sure to find a perfect cup of coffee.
1. Coava Coffee Roasters
If you boiled all the eccentricities that make Portland, Portland down into a single cup of coffee–you’d find that particular cup at Coava.
At Coava coffee is not merely a caffeine boost to get you through the day, it’s an art form.
Coava baristas obsess over everything from soil composition to their intricate, and well worth the wait, slow drip system. Each cup is expertly crafted to extract all the rich, aromatic flavors from their precision roasted coffee beans.
If you prefer a cup of straight, black coffee, then Coava is the spot for you–sugar and cream are not needed here.
2. Good Coffee
This coffee house has a name that suits it perfectly.
You’ll find a plethora of excellent coffee and espresso drinks at Good Coffee. On top of that, you’ll also find a fantastic place to enjoy your expertly crafted beverage of choice.
If you’re looking for a coffee shop with a real home away from home vibe, then Good Coffee is just the place for you.
3. Sterling Coffee Roasters
A more apt term for the baristas over at Sterling would be brewmasters.
You won’t be able to find anyone obsessing over soil samples or bean varieties over at Sterling. But, you will be able to find an excellent cup of joe and a fantastic place to sit and enjoy it.
Sterling feels more like hanging out in a good friend’s exceedingly large breakfast nook than a coffee shop–and that’s what makes it so great.
When you visit, try one of Sterling’s uniquely famous espresso flights before settling in with a large craft of their classic bean juice.
4. Behind the Museum Cafe
Sometimes you want the coffee shop experience, with something a little lighter on the caffeine.
Behind the Museum Cafe is one of the most zen coffee houses you’ll ever find. With its open and minimalistic design, it’s hard to get stressed in this coffee shop.
If that double espresso seems a little too extreme for Behind the Museum, they have a wide variety of teas to help warm you up and calm you down.
And if you were wondering, yes–it really is behind a museum.
5. Barista
If you’re a coffee-lover, but not the artsy type, it can be hard to find the perfect coffee shop to suit your style in Portland.
That’s where Barista comes in.
There are a few Barista locations scattered across the city. But each location features the same clean, elegant coziness everyone can appreciate and enjoy.
Barista bosts a series of different roasts from local coffee roasters from across the city. So, you’re guaranteed to find something local you’re going to love.
6. Heart Coffee
It’s the perfect coffee shop for the Scandinavian mad scientist inside all us. #dontcalluscrazy
While the outward aesthetic and style of Heart Coffee caused a bit of a rift amongst local coffee-fans, most people can agree that a good cup is a good cup.
Heart has become famous for its unique Aeropress system, that generates light but immensely flavorful cups of coffee.
7. Either/Or
If you’re into the broader world of coffee possibilities, then you may be able to find your wildest dreams come to life at Either/Or.
More than a coffee shop, Either/Or feels like an art studio — where coffee is the medium of choice.
Coffee mocktails, city-famous pastries, and surprising flavor combinations run rampant in this cafe.
Either/Or also features a Portland-inspired interior design that makes it a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and your next deep read.
8. Cathedral Coffee
If you’re in the mood for a heavenly cup of coffee, Cathedral Coffee is the place for you.
Don’t let the name fool you. Cathedral Coffee is far from stuffy. This strange coffee spot is full of art, life, and warm, natural wood–making it an excellent place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Cathedral Coffee’s coffee is undeniably worthy of praise. (Was that good for a dad joke?) But, if you’re looking for a real religious experience you may want to try one of the fresh, made-in-house wonders in their bakery display case. (We’re on fire with the dad jokes today!)
9.Spella Caff?
Spella Caff? has existed in some form for well over a decade–so you can be sure that its coffee is something of a landmark nowadays.
If an authentic Italian roast is your cup of tea–or coffee–then Spella is the place for you.
Spella Caff? looks and feels like a low-key down to earth style cafe, but don’t let its looks fool you. This coffee shop is cranking out one of the best Italian roasts available on this side of the Pacific.
10. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
While Portland’s namesake coffee house has a few different locations, every spot feels like the true original.
At Stumptown, consistency is king. It doesn’t matter which location you visit you can always expect to walk away with a top-notch cup of coffee.
Stumptown puts a lot of emphasis on their gold-star barista training program, which is how they maintain quality across the board.
It seems like every other coffee shop in America is doing a version of cold brew these days. But, Stumptown practically perfected the art with their nitro-cold brew system.
A nice iced-down Stumptown cold brew is the perfect way to refresh and jumpstart yourself when you hit that midday slump.
11. (BONUS) Nossa Familia Coffee
We just had to add one more because it was so good. From the second you step into Nossa Familia until you leave, you’re surrounded by the thought that these folks really know their coffee. A simple menu, with a few fun options like Portuguese for “Fire Mocha” or Sweet Mocha with Cardamon and Cayenne. The kids had steamers and hot chocolate, and we enjoyed the simplicities of one of the best latte’s we’ve ever had.
With mostly standing room only and a line of people waiting to buy their next latte, we headed on our way with coffee’s in hand. Don’t miss this jewel of Portland.
The Best Portland Coffee Shops
It’s no secret to locals and tourists alike that Portland is one of the best cities for coffee lovers in the country. So, no matter where you wind up wasting an afternoon, you’re sure to find an excellent cup of coffee.
Now that you’re familiar with a few Portland coffee shops, why not explore the rest of what this beautiful and eclectic city has to offer. See more at Clever Neighbor Portland.
If you’re looking for something fun and unique to do in Portland, we can help! Visit us today to uncover everything the city has to offer.
