Din Johnson is a risk taker. When Ristretto Roasters first opened in late 2005, in a tiny slice of a spot on very un-hip NE 42nd Ave near Fremont St, there were whispers of, “Who are these outsiders who aren’t from the Portland coffee scene? … [Read more...]

Things you don’t need to know about Heart Coffee Roasters but I’m going to tell you anyway: Owner Wille Yli-Luoma is Finnish, and he’s a well-regarded pro-snowboarder. Why does this matter? It adds to the distinctive personality that is Heart … [Read more...]

Some Portland cafés are sleek and polished, with expensive build-outs and stone countertops, while others look to a classic, yet polished style with antiques, gilded mirrors, and bow-tied staff. Then there’s Courier, who proudly keeps their DIY, … [Read more...]

Coffeehouse Northwest owner Adam McGovern and his loyal talented crew are purists and perfectionists: you get a pared down menu of drinks, a few pastry items and that’s it. But that’s all you need here where baristas are known to toss a just made … [Read more...]

<updated 4.17 - corrected employee awards> Although Matt Higgins has been in the coffee business for over a decade, he began Coava, as many Portland roasters have, out of a humble garage in 2008. Just a few years later, Higgins still roasts … [Read more...]

Originally started as an espresso catering company in 2005, Case Study opened their outer NE Sandy café in 2010. What sets Case Study apart from countless other neighborhood cafés in Portland? We think it’s a passion and a concerted effort to do … [Read more...]

Owner Billy Wilson used to be referred to as a “Rock Star Barista” due to his suave, heavily tattooed looks, and three winning Northwest Barista Championship titles. These days, he's left all of that behind, and as a father of two, he spends most … [Read more...]