Exploring a new city comes with a plethora of challenges. You might have 99 problems, but in Portland, finding a good cup of coffee isn’t one of them.
LessWe can't talk about the best coffee in Portland without mentioning the original, Stumptown Coffee. Still considered the most iconic coffee shop in Portland, this gem has spread to several locations across the country. Swing by to see why locals maintain a steadfast devotion to Stumptown regardless of all the new cafes that have cropped up over the years.
Originally started as a food cart before finding a more permanent home in a tiny hole-in-the-wall, Spella Cafe will transport you to Italy instantly. So if you like old-school cafes with charming European, this is the spot for you. Spella Caffe has mastered the craft of coffee. The cappuccinos are airy and light and we've never had a bitter taste from the properly-roasted beans. Local's Tip: Their affogato (ice cream with espresso) is the best in Portland.
A tiny but light-filled charming Portland cafe, Never Coffee has become Instagram-famous thanks to the colorful decor and great coffee. Served in cheery and vibrant ceramic mugs, the flavored lattes at Never Coffee are the crowd favorites. Perfectly executed, these creative concoctions feature seasonal flavors like yuzu, fennel and shishito peppers.
Oui Presse is as charming as it gets. A tiny cafe tucked into an alley near Powell's Books seems unassuming at first. But just wait until you step inside and the smell of freshly baked goods and strong coffee engulfs the senses. This is a great cafe for people watching as well, so take your time enjoying your coffee inside, rather than rushing out.
Started by a married couple that began roasting beans out of their home, Heart Coffee has a cult following in Portland thanks to their delicious high-quality coffee and Instagram-worthy interiors. You'll find folks ardently consumed by laptop screens, coworkers discussing deadlines and excited out-of-towners with cell phones in hand. One thing is guaranteed, everyone will leave happy because even the simplest drink is bound to impress at this great Portland cafe.
Make no mistake, Portland is blessed with some of the best coffee in the nation. It's a dog-eat-dog world and yet some of these cafes have withstood the test of time and new competition. The secret? Sticking to the basics and being damn good at it. Case-in-point, Barista -- one of the best cafes in Portland. Pouring consistently high-quality drinks, this gem has been serving Portlanders since 2009, which tells you everything you need to know.
Originally founded in 2009, Water Avenue Coffee is a cafe for the people. The smooth pours are too easy to drink, even if you consider yourself a cream drinker, you may forgo it. Worth mention, the breakfast menu is great. They serve BAKESHOP pastries, which are the best baked goods in Portland.
Arguably the most beloved cafe in Portland, Albina Press is definitely worth a visit. Baristas at Albina Press are held to high standards, which is why many locals consider this the best coffee in Portland. In fact, two previous employees have branched off to open their own successful coffee shops in Portland (both on this list!), Barista and Coava. Plus, the interior is welcoming, with well-worn large leather couches and warm-toned wood floors invite guests to stay a while.
What's in a name? A lot, apparently. Good Coffee serves some of the best coffee in Portland. Clear standouts are foamy drinks, like the excellent cappuccinos and high quality lattes. But don't make the mistake of assuming you need cream for these perfectly roasted beans, everything is done to perfection here.
Coava roasts its own beans, which are so well known that many Portland cafes choose to use them exclusively. Specializing in pour-overs and espresso, rather than latte art, this is the place to go if you want a great cup of coffee with a focus on the beans. The baristas are some of the friendliest I've come across and take great pride in sharing their knowledge of the day's beans.