Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Various locations, stumptowncoffee.com
Stumptown is as basic to Portlanders as Starbucks is to America, but it’s still worth checking out if you’ve never been. Their coffee is great, which is why it’s now available nationwide and even in many foreign countries. Our personal favorite is their cold brew, which is available in cartons in three flavors: original, coconut, and the super dee-lish chocolate. There are Stumptown cafés throughout the city, but we recommend the location on the bottom floor of the Ace Hotel. You can sip your cold brew while chilling in the beautifully decorated and Instagramable lobby of the hotel. What’s not to love?
Heart
537 SW 12th & 2211 E Burnside
Heart has two locations on either side of the river, but we prefer the one in Southwest Portland. It’s a large coffee shop in a bustling part of downtown close to a lot of well-known (and rightfully so) restaurants. The staff matches its name: They’re all welcoming, friendly—and have plenty of heart. The decor is classic and minimal with white walls, wood paneled high ceilings, and simple black-and-white art. Even at its most crowded, Heart isn’t overwhelming thanks to the high ceilings and a full wall of windows. There is cute outdoor seating and tables affixed to the wall. Heart features coffee from multiple regions of Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and we recommend picking up the sample packs. One is an introductory selection, while the other is fruitier and floral.
Upper Left Roasters
1204 SE Clay
Upper Left Roasters is a great spot to grab an iced latte and breakfast on a warm day. The coffee shop is extremely airy, and on sunny days resembles an open-air café straight out of SoCal. A self-described “boutique café and roastery,” Upper Left Roasters resembles many of the trendy, minimalist shops lining the streets of Southeast Hawthorne, just a block over. The food menu consists mostly of toasts on locally made bread from Little t Baker (another spot you should check out on SE Division and 26th), and open-faced sandwiches on their miche bread. We recommend the spelt toast with housemade macadamia nut butter, banana, and sea salt.
Coava
1300 SE Grand & 2631 SE Hawthorne
Coava was started by veteran barista and specialty coffee roaster Matt Higgins out of his garage in 2008. Nearly 10 years later, it’s one of Portland’s favorite roasters and cafés. Coava’s Grand Avenue location shares a space with a bamboo furniture maker, which makes this spacious (and I mean spacious) minimalist café even better due to the cool bamboo installations throughout the shop. One of the neatest parts of the café is its bathroom—but you’ll have to visit Coava to see what I mean. Their second location is on Southeast Hawthorne at 26th, within walking distance of lots of fun vintage shops, record stores, and boutiques.
Kenilworth Coffeehouse
3713 SE Gladstone
This adorable and welcoming coffee shop almost makes you feel like you’re sitting in your own living room. There’s a comfy couch, a piano, and the music comes exclusively from an old record player. Kenilworth is located next to an adorable garden store and nursery, which is accessible from the backyard of the café. You’re more than likely to be served by the owner, who for the first few years of business was the only employee. If you’re looking for a low-key café to sit and reconnect with an old (or new!) friend, Kenilworth is the place to be.
Barista
Various locations, baristapdx.com
Barista has four locations across town, including two downtown. The newest is the Brass Bar, located in the popular Pine Street Market, an indoor food hall featuring some of the best eats in Portland. They test some of their newest beans and specialty drinks at this location, so you’re bound to find something special. Their first location is in the heart of the Pearl, surrounded by tons of cool shops and restaurants. Barista is one of the more popular coffee shops in Portland, especially the Pearl location, so be prepared to wait in line during peak coffee times. It’ll be worth it, though. Their iced lattes are unmatched.
More Coffee Places to Explore
Case Study
802 SW 10th, 5347 NE Sandy, 1422 NE Alberta
Good Coffee
1150 SE 12th, 4747 SE Division
Kahveology
1625 SE Bybee
Kainos
6633 NE Sandy
Prince
2030 N Willis
Water Avenue Coffee
1028 SE Water #145
