The Best Coffee in Portland (A Local’s Cafe Guide)

Finding the best coffee in Portland isn’t hard, the city is practically built on caffeine. 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 art of proper coffee.

In Portland, good coffee is easily accessible on practically every street corner but with so many great cafes to choose from, where to begin? With an unabashed caffeine-addicted local, of course. the best coffee in Portland (from a local’s perspective).

Why trust me about the best cafes in Portland?

My name is Antonina and I’m a lifelong Portland local. Spoiled for choice, I’ve relied on caffeine to get me through the most important days of my life.

From late nights in college to my first real job, and finally my voyage into entrepreneurship (*heads to podium to thank coffee and mom), I’ve tried practically every coffee shop in Portland. Here’s a list of places I personally return to time and time again.

Portland Coffee FAQ

What coffee is Portland known for?

Portland is known for its artisan, small-batch coffee roasting. The city helped pioneer the third-wave coffee movement, which is all about treating coffee like wine: paying attention to the origin, the roast profile, and the brewing method. Portland roasters tend to favor lighter roasts that highlight the unique flavors of each coffee bean, so you’ll taste a lot of bright, fruity, and floral notes in Portland coffee. Stumptown Coffee Roasters put Portland on the coffee map back in the late ’90s, and since then the scene has exploded with amazing roasters like Heart, Coava, and Never Coffee continuing to push the craft forward.

Is Portland a good coffee city?

Portland is one of the best coffee cities in the entire country, hands down. The combination of world-class roasters, talented baristas, and a coffee-obsessed culture makes it a paradise for anyone who takes their cup seriously. What I love most is that great coffee isn’t limited to just a few trendy neighborhoods. You can find an exceptional cup of coffee in virtually every corner of the city. The coffee culture here’s also very inclusive and welcoming, Portland does it all, and does it well.

What is the best coffee shop in Portland?

This is a question that could start a friendly debate among Portlanders. Stumptown is the iconic choice that most visitors know, but locals tend to gravitate toward spots like Heart Coffee for its clean, minimalist approach and exceptional single-origin coffees. Coava Coffee is another local favorite with a stunning space in their SE Grand location. For something more cozy and neighborhood-y, Good Coffee and Keeper Coffee are both wonderful. My honest answer is that the “best” coffee shop depends on what you’re looking for in terms of atmosphere, coffee style, and location. You really can’t go wrong exploring.

Does Portland have better coffee than Seattle?

Oh, this is a fun one. As a proud Oregonian, I might be a little biased, but I do think Portland edges out Seattle when it comes to craft coffee. Seattle has the big names like Starbucks and some fantastic roasters, but Portland’s scene feels more independent, more experimental, and more community-driven. Portland roasters tend to focus on smaller batches and direct trade relationships with farmers, which shows in the cup. That said, both cities are incredible for coffee, and Seattle absolutely deserves its reputation too. But if I’m being honest? I will take a Portland pour-over any day.

Where do locals get coffee in Portland?

Locals tend to have their neighborhood spot that they’re fiercely loyal to, and that’s one of the charming things about Portland coffee culture. In Southeast, you’ll find people lining up at Coava or Heart. Northeast locals love Albina Press and Upper Left Roasters. In the Pearl and downtown area, Spella Cafe and Barista are go-to spots. But the real answer is that locals explore constantly. Portland has so many amazing coffee shops that people are always discovering new favorites. If you want to drink coffee like a local, skip the chains and walk into whatever independent shop catches your eye. You’ll almost certainly find something great.

Best Coffee in Portland, Oregon

Good Coffee

What’s in a name? A lot, apparently. Good Coffee (great if you ask me) 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’ve ever seen.

Locations:

• 2175 NW Raleigh St. Portland, Oregon
• 1150 SE 12th St. Portland, Oregon
• 4747 SE Division St. Portland, Oregon

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 one of my favorite brunch spots in Portland and I’ve been hooked ever since. The 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 – savory toasts, breakfast sandwiches, etc.

Address: 1028 SE Water Ave #145, Portland, OR 97214

Sisters Coffee Company

I first discovered Sisters Coffee Company in Sisters, Oregon after my husband was commissioned to do a film on the Deschutes National Forest. We spent most weekends in Central Oregon, 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.

My husband prefers Ethiopian beans and considers Sister’s beans among the best. I’m partial to the Americanos at this cafe, no additions needed (the strong coffee sings!).

Address: 1235 NW Marshall St

P.S. If you’d like to see the video, I’ll post it below. Enjoy 🙂

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

Keeper Coffee

Keeper Coffee opened its doors in 2020 and 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 hand-picked 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

Proud Mary

Proud Mary hails from Melbourne, Australia where it cultivated a cult following before deciding to expand to America by opening a small cafe 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’re 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 of 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’m (consistently).

Address: 2012 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Upper Left Roasters

Situated just inside Ladd’s Addition, Upper Left Roasters has the look and feel of a bay area coffee shop. Last summer I found myself in a slump and decided to shake things up a bit. I started with my work routine.

I’d spend the morning working from home before packing my laptop and heading to Upper Left Roasters for the second half of the day.

Their single origin is some of the best coffee in Portland. Likewise, spacial cafe is ideal for getting some work done. Huge windows and a great outdoor patio makes this one of my favorite working cafes in Portland.

The food here’s top-notch as well and not to be overlooked. All the ingredients are super fresh sourced from local farmers, namely Trent Family Farms which Upper Left is proud to boast about using their eggs. The menu is seasonal and you seriously can’t go wrong with anything you order.

Address: 1204 SE Clay St, Portland, OR 97214

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 many 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’s bound to impress.

Pick up a bag of whole beans for the house — Stumptown is one my favorite Portland cafes to buy beans (hello Holler Mountain) 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

Behind the Museum Cafe

Behind the Museum Cafe serves up the best matcha in Portland. If you’ve found a better place please let me know in the comments (seriously). 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’re in the mood for 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

Caffé Umbria

Caffe Umbria is a quintessential Italian cafe that’s 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 former office.

In fact, I visit several times a week to catch up with former coworkers. I usually order an Americano unless I feel like treating myself, at which point the oat milk latte is my go-to.

Coava Coffee Roasters

I was first exposed to Coava Coffee during an epic camping trip to the Wallowaswhen my cousin generously brewed coffee for the group.

I was take aback by the hearty flavors extracted from the coffee using basic camping equipment. I knew instantly I had to go straight to the source and buy a bag for 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 features three Portland locations and they all have cool industrial, rustic vibes 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

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

Oui Presse

This cozy and beloved Southeast Portland coffee shop is a southeast Portland favorite. Arriving here 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

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

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.

The Dragonfly Coffee House

No list of the best cafes in Portland would be complete without Dragonfly Coffee House in Northwest Portland. Billed as “the cozy community coffee house you thought was long gone” this independent cafe is a favorite in the neighborhood.

Most days of the week every chair is full with chatty friends or laptop-clad locals. Make sure to order the chai (the house special) and don’t sleep on the homemade baked goods.

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 monthly for nostalgia’s sake alone.

Address: 2387 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210

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

Roseline Coffee

Roseline is one of those Portland roasters that locals are fiercely loyal to, and once you try their coffee, you’ll understand why. Their single-origin pour overs are outstanding, with a focus on bright, clean flavors that let the beans speak for themselves. The roasting is precise without being fussy, and the result is coffee that’s complex but approachable.

Their cafe on NE Sandy has a warm, welcoming vibe and is a great spot to settle in with a laptop or a book. If you’re the kind of person who orders pour overs and cares about where your beans came from, Roseline should be near the top of your list.

Local’s Tip: Ask what single-origin they’re featuring that week. The rotating selections are always interesting and the baristas are happy to talk you through the tasting notes.

Address: 1509 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, Oregon 97232

Bold Coffee and Books

Bold Coffee and Books in downtown Portland is exactly what the name promises, and the combination works beautifully. Great coffee and tea drinks, a comfortable seating area with books everywhere, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you want to stay for hours. They also serve beer and wine, which means you can transition from a morning coffee session to an afternoon drink without changing venues.

They host regular events and readings, which adds a community feel that most coffee shops don’t have. If you love the idea of a coffee shop that doubles as a bookstore and an evening hangout, Bold is your spot.

Local’s Tip: Check their events calendar before you visit. They regularly host author readings, open mics, and community gatherings that make the experience even better.

Address: 925 SW 6th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97204

Best Portland Coffee (Post Overview)

In sum, these are the best cafes in Portland

• Good Coffee
• Albina Press
• Upper Left Roasters
• Keeper Coffee
• 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