Portland's coffee scene has been burgeoning for years now, thanks in part to these cafes that have redefined a cup of joe.
Part bar, part venue, part cafe, part art gallery Backspace triumphs with all ages shows that don't separate the big kids from the little kids. A great resource if you just arrive in town.
Grendel's offers a low-key cafe atmosphere and a public computer with internet access--a modern rarity. And their sandwiches aren't half bad.
Blend, of all cafes, gets why people frequent cafes: to loiter. Understanding this, Blend creates an attractive, comfortable place to do so.
Oblique's big leather sofas invite lounging so rev your loitering engines, but beware, sitting more than 3 hrs a day shortens the life span.
Each morning a friendly barista will offer you up some of the best beans in town. For a cheap treat--ask for the day-old bagels.
Aliviar Coffeehouse is more chill community space than cafe, serving espresso, but also wine & beer, with none of the hush hush snobbery that often plagues other coffeehouses.
Red E Cafe roasts their own beans, joining a growing trend among coffee shops. Their brew is really rich and bold, but tends to gather a lot of soot at the bottom.
Barista is as swank as it looks & sounds. The espresso is as strong as the ambiance, best to sip it on the patio and watch the people pass.