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? They’ll never make it in THAT location. They are insane to open a roastery in … [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 Coffee. He has a Finnish sensibility around nature and science, combined with … [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, almost punk rock esthetic at the forefront, in a thrift store meets shared … [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 cappuccino if the ristretto or foam isn’t to their standards. They really … [Read more...]

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 on his trusty Probats, but has moved  out of the garage and into a beautifully designed retail shop, which  he shares with … [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 things better. With a focus on small batch-roasted coffee, house-made … [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 nights at home. Billy says that he's hung up his competition hat, and is … [Read more...]

Clive Coffee might seem to be a misnomer in this coffee series, for it is not a café. While Clive does have a small selection of their own quality roasts, their primary focus is their retail shop and online business. Clive showcases a revolving line-up of beans by the pound from top Portland roasters, and they give … [Read more...]