Our Fab Five
In town for just a few days? Check out these MUST see cafes complied to each offer a unique experience and perfect representation of Portland’s best.
Proud Mary Coffee
Proud Mary Coffee
Hailing all the way from Melbourne this is Proud Mary’s first U.S. location and is not to be missed. They have quite possibly the most insane selection of coffees that regularly include some of the rarest and most prized beans from the worlds most prestigious farms that is sure to blow the mind of any coffee nerd. Want a “Cup of Excellence” Geisha on espresso? Or how about a varietal so rare that is was genetically sequenced by the founder Nolan Hirte himself? They got it. They have a unique approach to storing their coffee that includes deep freezing individual doses for pour over and a custom built freezer that drops measured doses into separate EK43s for espresso. They pull their espresso on a one of a kind Synesso Hydra that was custom installed into their bar to offer a truly one-of-a-kind guest experience. Oh, and did I mention their food program is just as impressive?
Pro tip: Ask for a seat at the bar and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The baristas are just as excited as you are.
2012 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
+15032083475
Less & More
Less & More
Founded in 2021 by L.A. transplant Ryan Jie Jang, Less & More, has made a large impact in its relatively short time. Their unique location inside of a decommissioned bus stop on the southwest corner of 5th and Salmon street in the heart of downtown makes for an easily accessible and memorable experience. Less and More has some of the most unique beverages to be found in the city including a Tiramisu Iced Latte served with a house-made tiramisu cream top (their best seller), the “Enjoyme latte” with house-made injeolmi cream topped with roasted soybean powder (our personal favorite) and for the non-coffee drinkers a delicious and attractive Ube latte. And if you find yourself in the mood for something more traditional they offer all the classics executed with the same care and attention to detail. In addition to their wonderful beverages Less & More also offers a selection of in-house roasted coffee and pastries served with some of the most kind and genuine hospitality to be found in the city.
Pro tip: Order a cortado “for here” and a signature drink to-go for the full experience and enjoy downtown by foot.
1003 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
+19717124147
Heart Roasters
Heart Roasters
Started in 2009 on the simple idea that a “great cup should highlight the distinct fruit flavors that are found in coffee” Heart has made a name for itself worldwide. Their extreme dedication to following this principle results in some of the cleanest and most transparent coffees that you can find. If you are looking to expand your palate or gain a better understanding of how origin impacts flavor their may be no better destination in the city. Their menu is designed with a clear intent to celebrate each coffees innate flavor and as such you would be unlikely to find any “funky” processing or beverages that do not allow the producers efforts to shine. Their transparency continues into their buying practices and relationships they’ve established with producers offering a great insight and educational opportunity for the consumer looking the gain a greater understanding of the complexities of sourcing and roasting coffee. Their annual report is definitely worth a read and provides an excellent opportunity to further your appreciation for their craft.
Pro tip: Heart currently operates from two cafes after having to close their downtown location due to the pandemic. Their Burnside location was their first cafe offering a glimpse into their early days with a sign still stating not to disturb the roaster at work though their Woodstock location offers better seating and opportunity to relax. I typically go for one of their single origin offerings which is always delicious but their Stereo blend makes for a great milk beverage.
2211 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
5181 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
+15032082710
Guilder Cafe
Guilder Cafe
If you are visiting the city you almost certainly will make a stop at Powell’s Books in downtown Portland, and the Guilder Cafe located inside presents an excellent opportunity to enhance your “Portland” experience. Though a bit touristy, you would be hard-pressed to find a local that also doesnt love visiting Powell’s and with the opening of Guilder’s second location inside in 2021 a perfect opportunity to peruse “the worlds largest independent bookstore” with coffee in hand was born. Guilder, which first opened in NE Portland in 2017 by PSU alumni, acts as both a cafe and roasting space for Junior’s Roasted Coffee, their independent roastery founded in 2014. Guilder and Junior’s Roasted Coffee go to great lengths to ensure that producers, who are often trapped by unfair commodity market pricing, are also able to generate a profit from the sale of their coffees. They do this by ensuring that the prices paid at farm gate include things like cost of production, farm reinvestment and farm profit margin. Guilder offers a straightforward menu common of many specialty coffee shops with the inclusion of the occasional seasonal beverage and relatively substantial food menu.
Pro tip: Especially a great stop for a rainy day order what is typically your favorite beverage “for here” and take a seat by the window or enjoy walking the many aisles of Powell’s with a drink to-go.
1035 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
2393 NE Fremont St Suite B, Portland, OR 97212
+15038416042
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Though maybe overlooked by some due to its ubiquity, Stumptown in our opinion remains an almost obligated pilgrimage. Acting as one of the founders of the specialty coffee movement, Stumptown introduced practices such as direct trade with coffee producers all the way back in 2003, and goes so far as today to not even refer to a coffee as “direct trade” until they have purchased from a producer for 3 consecutive years and intend to continue purchasing in the future. Their commitment to paying a premium above that of the “C” market allows producers to reinvest in their farms and roasters like Stumptown to be able to offer consistently delicious coffees for years to come. And though news of their acquisition by Peet’s Coffee in 2015 may scare some, those fears remain unfounded as it is still commonplace to find “crew” who have been with the company since its earliest days and that still prepare everything the same care. Stumptown’s commitment to ALL of their relationships has earned them “B Corp” certification and they remain as a worthwhile stop on any Portland coffee list.
Stumptown operates out of 4 separate cafes in the Portland area though 2 remain as our favorites. The SE Division cafe was Stumptown’s first location and offers a great glimpse into its earlier days where you can check out one of their original, though no longer in use, coffee roasters. The SW 3rd street location is Stumptown’s flagship and largest cafe that regularly features rotating artists works and ample seating.
Pro tip: Stumptown is known for their seasonal beverage offerings that are often created through internal competitions and their unique merch produced by their crazy talented internal art team. Be like the “Fire Guys” and order a “Lil’ Buddy”, which is an equal parts espresso and hot water americano, a seasonal beverage and a can of “Strange Magic”, their Cascara Soda (cascara is the fruit of the coffee cherry) for the road. Stumptown’s newer cafes are also oddly known for their unique bathrooms with the SW 3rd being one of the cooler ones to see.
128 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
1026 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97205
4525 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97206
3356 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
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