Exploring a new city comes with a plethora of hiccups. You might have 99 problems, but in Portland, a cup of good coffee isn’t one of them.
Portland is often referred to as the Third Wave of coffee, and it’s true, the best Portland cafes take great pride in mastering the craft and the end result is a beautiful thing.
In Portland, good coffee is easily accessible on practically every street corner but with so many great Portland cafes to choose from, where to begin?
With a self-proclaimed caffeine addicted local, of course.
So without further ado, allow me to share the best coffee in Portland, Oregon (from firsthand experience).
Who am I and why can you trust me?
I’m a lifelong Portland local! Spoiled by the robust coffee scene in Portland, I’ve relied on caffeine to get me through the most important days of my life.
From my internship for the City of Portland, late-night study sessions in college, my first real job, and finally my voyage into entrepreneurship (*heads to podium to thank coffee and mom).
I’ve tried practically every single coffee shop in Portland, here’s the ones that stick out. These are places I personally return to time and time again.
Best Coffee Portland, Oregon
#1. Good Coffee
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.
An airy interior filled with healthy plants and cozy seating, the ambiance is dreamy and the hot cup of perfect coffee is only icing on the cake.
But perhaps my favorite thing about Good Coffee is the positive impact they have on the community.
Good Coffee partners with local organizations focusing on improving Portland, by creating special bags of coffee specifically for the organization and then donating 20% of proceeds directly to them.
Local’s Tip: For a GREAT (albeit expensive) souvenir, the handmade mugs (made by a local artist) here are the cutest I have ever seen.
Locations:
- 2175 NW Raleigh St. Portland, Oregon
- 1150 SE 12th St. Portland, Oregon
- 4747 SE Division St. Portland, Oregon
- 813 SW Alder St (temporarily closed)
#2. Albina Press
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.
You’ll notice friends catching up, people glued to laptops and the occasional people-watcher (*raises hand) lingering in this cozy Portland cafe.
Albina Press recently started using Coava beans. Why not order a French press coffee and see what all the fuss is about?
Address: 4637 N Albina Ave, Portland, OR 97217
#3. Keeper Coffee
Keeper Coffee opened its doors in 2020, it’s safe to say that this charming Portland cafe’s survival is attributed to their great knowledge of coffee and delectable home-made pastries that incite out-the-door lines on a daily basis.
The cafe is as endearing as can be, with classic wooden chairs, clean marble tables and a stark white interior. Serving Coava Coffee, the menu is well curated and lists delightful seasonal home-made syrups like elderberry and jasmine.
The homemade pastries only add to the relaxing and low-key experience at Keeper Coffee, those hand pies are so memorable — don’t miss out!
The cozy atmosphere partnered with delicious coffee served in real cups makes this is one of the best and cutest cafes in Portland.
Address: 4515 SE 41st Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Image courtesy Keeper Coffee
#4. Commissary Cafe
Located in the lovely NW neighborhood, Commissary Cafe is a true gem. This charming Portland cafe is on the smaller side but the exterior is bright and clean which creates the perfect environment for a relaxing weekend morning.
Actually, I may need to take that back. Commissary Cafe has a devote customer base, so lines are all but guaranteed but I assure you the wait is worth it.
What’s more, this Portland cafe has some of the best breakfast pastries in the city. The jammers (biscuits with jam) are my favorite! I never pass up an opportunity to order them (assuming they’re not sold out for the day).
Address: 915 NW 19th Ave Suite A, Portland, OR 97209
#5. Spella Caffé
Originally started as a food cart before finding a more permanent home in a tiny hole-in-the-wall, Spella Cafe is one of the most charming cafes in Portland because it transports you to Italy. If you like old-school cafes with charming European, this is the spot for you.
Only 4 -6 people can fit inside and I’ve never seen more than two baristas behind the counter. Turns out you don’t need a spacious cafe with 10+ baristas to make some of the best coffee in Portland.
Spella Caffe has mastered the craft of perfect coffee drinks, especially cappuccinos and lattes. The foam is as airy and light as a cloud and I’ve never had a bitter taste from the properly-roasted beans.
Always smooth, always pleasant, this is the best cafe in Portland for true coffee enthusiasts.
Local’s Tip: Their affogato (ice cream with espresso) is the best I’ve had in Portland, order it during a hot summer day for a treat you won’t soon forget!
Address: 520 SW 5th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97204
#6. Proud Mary
Proud Mary hails from Melbourne, Australia where it cultivated a cult following before deciding to expand to America by opening a small restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
The result? An epic Portland cafe and brunch spot that fills to the brim with eager locals and tourists alike every day of the week. Plus, the coffee is hard to beat.
The talented and cheery baristas at Proud Mary Cafe churn out some of the best coffee in Portland and we are all better for it.
I want to be transparent, the coffee at Proud Mary is on the pricier side but you’re paying for expertise (even if you’re doing it through teary eyes).
The baristas provide cards with every coffee ordered that explains the origins of beans and information on the farmers that harvested them.
You can’t go wrong regardless what you order (especially if you indulge in the creative brunch menu) but my favorite drink is the flat-white, they’ve definitely mastered it!
If you’re feeling adventurous, try a new-to-you coffee bean. Proud Mary makes it easy, they’ve categorized their menu into three sections: mild, curious and wild. Regardless of what you order, you’re bound to be impressed, I know I am (consistently).
Address: 2012 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
#7. Stumptown Coffee
We can’t talk about the best coffee in Portland without mentioning one of the original third wave coffee shops in Portland, Stumptown Coffee.
Dating back to 1999, yet 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.
I’m partial to the lattes because I think they’ve perfected the art, but any brew you get here is bound to impress.
Pick up a bag of whole beans for your home — Stumptown is my favorite Portland cafe to buy beans at because the quality is hard to beat.
Locations:
- 1026 SW Harvey Milk St. Portland, Oregon
- 128 SW 3rd Ave. Portland, Oregon
- 4525 SE Division St. Portland, Oregon
- 3356 SE Belmont St. Portland, Oregon
#8. Behind the Museum Cafe
Behind the Museum Cafe serves up the best matcha in Portland. I worked a mere five blocks from this quaint cafe and visited every chance I had.
I especially like the Japanese treats, like the fig cookie, when I’m in the mood for something sweet. If you’d like a more substantial snack, the delicious onigiri can’t be beat (especially the salmon!).
Apart from perfected matcha, you can expect to get serious espresso drinks. This cafe uses Extracto Roasters beans and the smooth flavor shines through.
Tip: If you’re visiting Behind the Museum Cafe during summer, get the ice cream, it’s so good!
Address: 1229 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
#9. Caffé Umbria
Caffe Umbria is the quintessential Italian cafe that has been spreading like wildfire in Portland, and for good reason.
The coffee is consistently smooth and the baristas are always in a good mood. This is my go-to cafe in downtown Portland because it’s close to my office.
In fact, I visit several times a week with coworkers. I usually order and Americano unless I feel like treating myself, at which point the oat milk latte is hard to beat.
#10. Coava Coffee Roasters
I was first exposed to Coava Coffee during an epic camping trip to the Wallowas, when my cousin generously brewed coffee for the group.
I was take aback by the robust flavors extracted from the coffee using basic camping equipment. I knew instantly I had to go straight to the source and buy a bag from my house immediately.
What ensued was nothing short of a love affair — this is quite possibly the best coffee in Portland. But don’t just take my word for it, it’s inevitable that you’ll find Coava beans being served at cafes all over the city.
But what I love best about Coava Coffee Roasters is that it can satisfy every single coffee aficionado I’ve taken here (even in a city like Portland, this is no easy feat).
Specializing in in pour-overs and espresso, rather than latte art. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for those little foam hearts, but folks come here for coffee that tastes like real coffee — hold the cream.
Coava boasts three Portalnd locations and they all have a cool industrial, rustic vibe where natural light takes center stage.
Plus, the baristas are some of the friendliest I’ve come across and take great pride in sharing their knowledge of the day’s beans.
Locations:
- 1171 SW Jefferson St
- 1300 SE Grand Ave
- 2631 SE Hawthorne Blvd
#11. Never Coffee
A tiny but light-filled charming Portland cafe, Never Coffee has become Instagram-famous thanks to their colorful decor and great coffee.
Served in cheery and vibrant ceramic mugs, the flavored lattes at Never Coffee are the stars of the show.
Perfectly executed, these creative concoctions feature seasonal flavors like yuzu, fennel and shishito peppers. Plus, the colorful and cheery coffee bags don’t hurt either!
It’s hard to describe just how creative these drinks are, so here’s a quick list of descriptions from their website.
Oregon | Cascade Hops • Dulce de Leche • Jacobsen Sea Salt
- The taste of Oregon. Familiar and inviting caramel brings you in and sea salt makes you stay. The addition of the local hops keeps it wild.
Hunny | Flowering Jasmine • Dark Chocolate • Wildflower Honey
- A delicious celebration of a bee’s bounty. The flower’s nectar. Gathered pollen. The final honey. All the bee feels. Sting not included.
Pop | Tart Cherries • Makrut Lime • Matcha
- This is cherry lime matcha. It’s like the sweet milk at the end of a bowl of Fruit Loops during Saturday morning cartoons. It’s what matcha wants to be when it grows up.
Midnight Oil | Sweet Fennel Seed • Star Anise • Black Licorice
- The Scandinavian love of black licorice wrapped in a pillowy latte. It’s dark, moody, and scary delicious with a sweetness that haunts you, stalks you, and eventually devours you.
Yuzu & Salt | Yuzu Fruit • Sansho Pepper • Burned Sugar & Coconut Cream
- Big beautiful flavor from a little ugly fruit. A smooth latte with mouth tingling bursts of Japanese pepper and Oregon salt. It’s right. It’s wrong. It’s perfect.
Locations:
- 537 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
- 4243 SE Belmont St UNIT 200, Portland, OR 97215
#12. Oui Presse
A cozy and beloved Southeast Portland coffee shop, you’ll walk in to the heavenly smell of fresh baked goods and the buzz of freshly ground coffee.
Churning out great coffee and equally great bites, Oui Presse is the place to go if you’d like spend an afternoon catching up with an old friend. In many ways, this is exactly what folks envision when they think of the perfect neighborhood cafe.
Address: 1740 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
#13. Heart Coffee
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.
Locations:
- 1123 SW Washington St. Portland, Oregon
- 2111 E Burnside St. Portland, Oregon
- 5181 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, Oregon
#14. Barista
Make no mistake, Portland is blessed with some of the best coffee in the nation. Choosing the best of the best is a fool’s errand and I often find myself reflecting on some of the pioneering cafes in Portland.
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 around since 2009, when they opened the first location in the Pearl.
The flagship store is still my favorite, there’s something about a tiny cafe that speaks to me. Accommodating a maximum of 5 guests, the tiny bar is my favorite spot to be early Saturday morning.
#15. Water Avenue Coffee
Originally founded in 2009, Water Avenue Coffee is a cafe for the people. Most of my coworkers were overly-excited when the downtown location opened up in 2016.
Quickly we learned that everyone was waiting for this incredible cafe to expand because the lines are always long, albeit warranted.
I was first introduced to Water Avenue Coffee at my favorite brunch spot (Tasty n Alder) and needless to say, I’ve been hooked ever since. Think smooth pours are too easy to drink, even if you consider yourself a cream drinker, you may forgo it.
Worth noting, their breakfast treats are very tasty. They serve BAKESHOP pastries, which are the best baked goods in Portland, in my opinion. I also like the breakfast bowls and highly recommend them if you need a bite before a big meeting.
#16. Sisters Coffee Company
I first discovered Sisters Coffee Company in Sisters, Oregon after my husband was commissioned to do a film on the neighboring city, Bend. We spent most of our free time in Bend — more specifically at Sisters Coffee.
Imagine my delight when I discovered that Sisters Coffee had a Portland location that was a mere eight blocks from my apartment!
The coffee is creamy-smooth, even without extra additions like milk. I especially like the espresso-forward drinks like Americanos. They make them exceptionally well.
Address: 1235 NW Marshall St
P.S. If you’d like to see the video, I’ll post it below. Enjoy. 🙂
The Dragonfly Coffee House
No list of the best cafes in Portland would be complete without The Dragonfly Coffee House. Billing itself as “the cozy community coffee house you thought was long gone” this is the go-to Portland cafe for Northwest locals.
This independent cafe in Portland is a true gem, largely thanks to the welcoming vibe. Most days of the week every chair is full with chatty friends and folks glued to their laptops. If you’re lucky enough to snatch a seat don’t worry about being hurried out, you’re welcome to linger.
Make sure to order the chai, the house special and don’t pass up on the opportunity to order a home baked good. I have two friends that lived in NW before moving out to different areas and they both still visit this charming Portland cafe at least twice per month.
Address: 2387 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210
Best Portland Coffee (Post Overview)
In sum, these are the best cafes in Portland
- Good Coffee
- Albina Press
- Keeper Coffee
- Commissary Cafe
- Spella Cafe
- Proud Mary
- Behind the Museum Cafe
- Oui Presse
- Stumptown
- Caffe Umbria
- Coava Coffee
- Never Coffee
- Heart Coffee
- Water Avenue Coffee
- Barista
- Sisters Coffee Company
- Dragonfly Coffee
Map of the best coffee in Portland
Love Portland? Here’s a few articles you may find interesting
- 20 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in Portland
- 25+ EPIC Things to Do in Portland (+4 Tourist Traps to Avoid)
- 12 Stunning Parks in Portland, Oregon
- 10 Epic Portland Viewpoints to Check Off Your List
- 10 Adventurous Day Trips from Portland
- 30 Weird, Free & Cheap Things to Do in Portland
- Let’s Talk: Portland, Oregon Vs. Portland, Maine
With how quickly new coffee shops pop up in Portland, I’m sure this post will need to be updated on a quarterly basis. But hey, we can only work with what we have!
I hope you enjoyed this local’s guide to the best coffee in Portland.
Until next time,
Antonina
I have been enamoured with Sterling Coffee’s Blendo Stupendo roast since I started ordering it during the pandemic. I’ve seen pictures of the place and read reviews made by patrons. If Sterling doesn’t even make your list, then Portland’s coffee scene must be truly phenomenal. Moving there in the coming months may turn out to be a very good decision for this coffee lover!