Coffee is quite popular in P-Town. Perhaps, it’s the copious amounts of rain the Pacific Northwest receives. Averaging 36 inches a year, a jolt of caffeine helps motivate on those overcast days. Maybe it’s Portland’s close proximity to Seattle, a global coffee mecca where people consume more java than another other city in America. Regardless, people take coffee as seriously as their cannabis here. Small-batch, ethically sourced, artisanal coffee combined with champion baristas equals hot cups of caffeinated heaven. Ready to try some? If you’re not keen on the high caffeine scene, we’ve included tea and kava options, too.
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-2640
“Keep Portland Weird” is a popular slogan you’ll see and hear around PDX, so we had to include a coffee shop that lives up to the hype. The Rimsky-Korsakoffee House is a haunted 1902 Craftsman style home turned coffee spot decorated with interesting oddities and occasional classical music performances. If the quirky atmosphere and delicious coffee aren’t enough to pique your interest, the decedent desserts will most definitely capture your attention.
Coava
1300 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 894-8134
Ever see the episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Portlandia’s Fred Armisen and Jerry Seinfeld? Well, they made a stop at SE Portland’s hippest coffee shop, Coava, for a cup of joe. The creation of veteran barista and roaster Matt Higgins, Coava seeks out farmers who are committed to producing quality crops with a focus on under-sourced regions. Don’t live in Portland, but like what you tasted while you were in town? Try out one of their convenient coffee subscriptions.
Spella Caffè
520 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 752-0264
Craving classic Italian coffee? Perhaps, an oaky, frothy cappuccino made on a classic Rancilio espresso machine or an affogato sweet treat? Andrea Spella’s Spella Caffè, a cozy spot located in downtown Portland, won’t disappoint. Spella, who began drinking espresso from a very early age, makes relationships with coffee growers a priority and takes great pride in roasting the beans himself, aiming for “a balance of sweet and bitter with a dark chocolate flavor and caramel finish.” Don’t forget to grab a bag of Rossalina Espresso, Colombia Monserrate or Ethiopia Harar Abebayehu before you go as a delicious souvenir.
Tower of Cosmic Reflections at Lan Su Garden
239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-8131
Offering pure leaf teas in their original form, free from artificial preservatives or additives, The Tao of Tea’s Tower of Cosmic Reflections at Lan Su Garden is a traditional Chinese teahouse, boasting delicious teas combined with artistry and soul. With the price of admission to the authentic Lan Su Chinese Garden, one of Portland’s most beautiful architectural and natural sites, you’re allowed to roam the grounds, check out art installations, learn about Chinese culture and attend floral arrangement demonstrations in addition to visiting the teahouse.
Bula Kava House
3115 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 477-7823
If the caffeinated buzz of a coffee shop gives you the jitters, consider swinging by SE Portland’s super comfy Bula Kava House for a cup of earthy tasting kava served in a coconut shell. “Bula” is a Fijian word for “life” and is used in place of “cheers” before imbibing kava, an intoxicating beverage made from the aromatic root of a Polynesian shrub called Piper methysticum, or kava. For over 3,000 years, Pacific Islanders have been drinking kava root tea for recreational and medicinal reasons. Many use kava to socialize or treat anxiety, pain or insomnia. The effects can be described as relaxing, blissful and uplifting, depending on which type you try. Sound familiar? It’s not uncommon to hear cannabis characterized in similar ways. If mellow is on your agenda, this should be one of your favorite stops.