Spella Caffe has their own unique rhythm in Portland’s crowded café world. If there’s any proof that Portland roasters and cafes are highly individualized, then Spella is it. Master Roaster and owner Andrea Spella has been in the coffee business for decades, but has a different approach to café ownership, design and roasting than his Portland coffee brethren. This is … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Spella Caffe
A Coffeehouse Guide for Portland Oregon
This is a Portland coffeehouse guide to some of our favorite places in Portland. You'll find descriptions of the shops, an overview of their coffee, and interviews with coffeehouse owners and roasters. We've also added a handy map, so you can find our recommendations for some of the best coffee near you. This is not meant to be a definitive list of coffeehouses, just some of our favorites in the Portland area. We will add more as new favorites develop.
Coffee Guide: Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Some companies are game-changers. Not just in their cities or industries, but in changing the overall culture. In the coffee industry, Starbucks is the obvious one. But so is Stumptown, and as Portland’s most powerful, “world-dominating” roaster of all time, it brings out more heated debate, love, disdain and yes, admiration than any other “artisan” coffee business I can think … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Coffee Guide: Red E Café
Located in a retail pocket in North Portland near an I-5 freeway exit and Portland Community College, Red E Café can be easy to miss. But it’s worth the hunt, as an example of how simple but thoughtful execution can create an exceptional neighborhood café and in-house roaster worthy of national notice. Indeed, Red E has been noticed and was recently featured in this round-up in … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Red E Café
Coffee Guide: Ristretto Roasters
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 such a saturated market.” And so on.Well, six and a half … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Ristretto Roasters
Coffee Guide: Heart Coffee Roasters
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 a professional sportsman’s intensity.“I don’t believe … [Read more...] about Coffee Guide: Heart Coffee Roasters