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Turns out Bach was really into coffee, as evidenced by his character Lieschen’s lament in his slightly lesser known composition, the ‘Coffee Cantata’—“If I can't drink my bowl of coffee three times daily, then in my torment I will shrivel up like a piece of roast goat.” Fortunately, with the beans per capita hovering around 11 billion in Portland, nobody around here is shriveling up like roast goat for want of coffee. Here are a few of the very best spots to sip three bowls while composing your next masterpiece, the ‘Ristretto Requiem.’
This neck of the Concordia woods is known for its culinary finesse, and holding up the coffee end of things is this homey roaster/coffeehouse. Join the lively neighborhood crowd for a perfect cappuccino and a fresh pastry, and if it's nice out, grab a patio table.
Pouring in PDX since 2005, this popular roaster has three locations now, but I generally find myself at this one for the relaxed vibe and excellent people watching. The Bakeshop pastries don't hurt either.
One of Sterling Roasters' two NW Portland outposts, this beautiful brick-walled coffeehouse is worlds away from the Burnside hustle and flow right outside its front door. Get the hot chocolate and a half dozen Two Tarts' cookies, because, you're worth it.
Great coffee roasted on the premises, served alongside equally lovable homemade pastries, make this charming inner Southeast coffeehouse a must stop on your Tour de Beans. Plus, they're situated just below 2nd Story, one of my very favorite PDX restaurants, so the building clearly has very good juju.
I don't think I can say anything that Oblique doesn't in their online elevator pitch--"A super bitchin' Victorian Coffee Mercantile with scrumtrulescent beans micro roasted in an über German cast iron roaster named Bart!" So, yes, what they said.
I'm extremely partial to this space--some of the best nights I don't really remember have begun/ended at evening tenant M Bar, so naturally I'm in love with its am coffeehouse by association. It doesn't hurt that they have exceptional coffee. And very tasty sandwiches. And at night it turns into M Bar. Did I mention that already? I forgot.
It's sometimes hard to tell what the crew at this exquisite little coffee bar is more obsessed with, coffee or bikes, but whichever you're interested in, their blog is a fascinating read. Pop by for a cup of coffee, or if you've already reached your caffeine quota, a housemade ginger ale.
Small batch beans + TLC equal a beautiful cup of coffee, served in a simple little shop in the epicenter of downtown. Chai cognoscenti won't want to miss Spella's celestial rendition.
With brew beauty and brains alike, this popular Burnside micro-roaster really packs the Chemex lovers in, especially on weekend mornings. It can be pretty boisterous at full capacity, making it a great place to take friends who are loud talkers.
If you prefer to sip your impeccably sourced, flawlessly brewed single origin pour overs in an equally cool setting amidst a gathering of Portland's most beautiful of beautiful people, stop by this renowned roaster's inner SE "brew bar". The two-brew flight is an especially fun way to build your coffee connoisseurship.
Come Sunday morning, you will find me in the window bar of this charming magazine-filled coffeehouse, surrounded by the NYT (or, you know, Elle), a ham and butter sandwich, a slice of homemade caramel or pistachio cake, and a pot of tea. Heaven.
This low key little SE Division roastery brews a lovely cup of joe, and the homemade sourdough bagels with smoked salmon schmear will start your day off right.
This comely downtown coffeehouse is a relaxing spot for a latte and Nuvrei pastry, especially when you're in dire need of a break from work or power shopping.
Such a charming spot for an espresso or pot of Foxfire tea, a toasted cinnamon raisin spice Bowery Bagel & some quality time with a good book. Pretty back patio's covered AND heated!
