In the drizzly Pacific Northwest, coffee is as essential for getting through the day as a thoroughly waterproofed rain jacket. Portland, in particular, has java running through its veins. Award-winning baristas pull out all the stops, using beans that are carefully sourced from around the world and roasted in small batches by skilled pros.
In a city with a café on virtually
every corner, here are your best bets for a good cup ‘o Joe in Portland.
Heart Coffee Roasters
Stylish Heart Roasters sits on Portland’s popular East Burnside
Street, sourcing green beans from Central America, South America, and Africa. Roasted
in-house, Scandinavian style, get your coffee brewed via the Aeropress, a new
trend in nerd gadgetry that claims to use the ideal water temperature and a gentle
air pressure to create the perfect brew with lower acidity and less
bitterness. It’s a delicate cup of coffee that’s truly a work of art –
just ask Heart’s legions of followers.
Barista
With
three locations and a fourth on the way, Barista pays homage to the artists
behind the counter. The menus at each location change frequently to include
beans from multiple roasters, including local companies Intelligentsia and
Stumptown. Check out the Alberta café, with its wood paneling, taxidermy, and perfect
patio for wasting away the day.
Coava Roastery and Coffee Bar
With perhaps the most unique café set up, Coava is located inside a bamboo flooring showroom on Portland’s Southeast Grand Avenue because you never know where you’ll need a fix. And the locale’s history is as interesting as the coffee, started by Matt Higgins, who repaired motorcycles to keep the company afloat. You’ll find Coava-roasted small batch, single origin beans here, best prepared using the Chemex pour-over method.
Albina Press
With two locations, the original is just off
the trendy shopping district of Mississippi Avenue and another near Mount
Tabor. Both serve the acclaimed local Stumptown Coffee, one of Portland’s top
roasters. The Mount Tabor location is more laid-back, while Albina has excellent
people-watching.
Ristretto Roasters
Ristretto
specializes in a medium roast, aiming to create that perfect balance. The
single-origin menu at the roaster’s three locations rotates to showcase the
season’s best beans. Check out the third location on Northeast Couch Street,
located inside the Sunset Electric building. The much-hyped spot is a warehouse
showroom for vintage fixtures and furniture, and the café sports the city’s
first Alpha Dominche Steampunk, a futuristic glass-and-metal coffee-making contraption
that can make a perfect cup in about 75 seconds.