Whether you’re a Portland resident or a visitor, you’re sure to find a cafe shop in Portland to suit your needs. Portland is home to dozens of coffee shops, from large chains to smaller, more intimate spots. These cafes serve everything from coffee and sandwiches to coffee and dessert.
Cathedral Coffee
Located in the heart of Portland’s Pearl district, Cathedral Coffee is a worthy contender for the title of best cup of coffee in town. While you’re drinking your caffeine fix, you’ll also be treated to a plethora of perks and treats including free wifi and ample bike parking. If you’re lucky, you’ll even find yourself at the center of attention with no competition in your sights. During this time of year, you’ll be able to enjoy an evening brew or two without having to trudge through the crowds on a busy weekend.
Commissary Cafe
Whether you are looking for a high brow brunch or low brow grub, you can’t go wrong with Commissary Cafe in Portland. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They are also close to the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The best part is that they have a reasonably priced menu. They are open seven days a week.
The Commissary is located in Northwest 19th Avenue, Suite A. They are open from 7am to 6pm. They also have an online ordering system. The staff is friendly and the food is good.
La Perlita
Located in Portland’s Pearl District, La Perlita is a small and bright cafe. It serves Reforma Coffee Roasters’ freshest coffee and drinks. It’s a pleasant place to spend a few hours. It’s open Monday through Sunday.
La Perlita is owned by Angel Medina. She was one of the founders of Reforma Roasters. Medina traveled to Mexico to learn more about coffee. She met coffee field workers and started sourcing Mexican coffee to raise money for DACA recipients.
La Perlita also offers Mexican restaurant foods. Angel Medina is passionate about pre-colonial Mexican cuisine. The staff is friendly and patient. They’re also great at serving coffee.
Upper Left Roasters
Located in Portland, Upper Left Roasters is a local coffee roaster and cafe shop. This is a family-run business that is rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Upper Left Roasters is committed to quality coffee and ethically sourced roasts. It also focuses on sustainability, transparency, and gender inequity.
The original Upper Left Roasters location is in Ladd’s Addition. This coffee shop has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. It’s a great place to meet friends, relax, or just read. The cafe serves espresso, drip, and a variety of teas.
The building was originally built in 1926 as a service station. It has been refurbished and is now home to Upper Left Roasters. The interior of the cafe has been created by Adam Garcia of FIELDWORK architecture and design studio. It is light-filled and features salvaged terracotta, Oregon white oak, and modern lighting. The coffee shop has a large seating area with plenty of choice seating outside.
Guilder
Whether it’s coffee, wine or just a place to get some reading done, Guilder Cafe is worth a visit. Located at 2393 NE Fremont St., Guilder is a small but mighty coffeehouse with a two story layout. The main floor features counter seating along the south facing windows. This is a great place to people watch while you sip on a coffee or cocktail. The cafe opens at 7 am on weekdays and 8 am on weekends.
Aside from the coffee, the most impressive thing about this cafe is the customer service. It’s rare to find a coffeehouse with knowledgeable personnel who actually want to help you.
Push X Pull
Located at 821 SE Stark Street, Push x Pull Coffee is a Portland “natural-process” coffee roaster. Their focus is on underutilized beans and creating flavorful brews. The small-batch roaster features an under-counter espresso machine. They roast a variety of coffees, including single-origins and honey processed beans.
Their coffee is roasted on site at their Northeast Portland location, and they recently acquired a new roaster. This machine will triple their production.
Push x Pull has a large order from Portland State University. They plan to open a tasting room in the near future. They will also build relationships with wholesalers.
Ovation coffee
Several Portland cafe shops specialize in artisan coffee. Some specialize in tea, while others focus on coffee from all over the world. The coffee shops of Portland also have a unique vibe. They have an emphasis on sustainability. Some roast their own beans, while others roast imported coffee from Vietnam.
A few Portland cafe shops are family-owned. Others are independently operated. Many of these cafes have been around for years. They offer unique coffee finds and a friendly staff. Some of them offer delivery and takeout.
Ovation Coffee and Tea is a family-owned coffee shop that specializes in Moroccan-spiced tea and coffee. They also offer espresso, sandwiches, and other coffee drinks. Ovation also has a blog that offers tips on coffee brewing.