As pretentious as this makes me, I am a coffee enthusiast. I love making my own coffee with strange gadgets and gizmos, and I frequently go to coffee shops with the false hope of getting work done. Still, despite how unproductive my coffee shop excursions turn out to be, I’m always looking for new places to go. After living in Portland for about two years now, I have come across many great shops, but the following three have earned a special place in my heart.
1.) Heart Coffee Roasters
Downtown: 537 SW 12th Ave
2211 E Burnside St
The first thing I notice when I enter this coffee shop is its beautiful design. The downtown location has brick walls painted white, a minimal black menu with consistent, white font, and the sleek espresso machine is stocked with shining, white mugs. You’ll see some people working on their computers, but Heart’s atmosphere works better for social outings or small work meetings.
The employees are extremely friendly and well-experienced in the coffee industry. They have many different seasonal offerings of coffee, always making sure to sell the best coffee possible from regions such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and so on. I usually get myself a cappuccino when I go to any coffee shop. The Heart baristas make particularly good ones, usually with a complex piece of foam art. Their hot chocolate is also a great non-caffeinated treat.
2.) Either/Or
8235 SE 13th Ave #2
Have you ever heard the song by Elliot Smith, “Either/Or”? This small, quaint coffee shop in Sellwood is named after the song, which is itself named after Soren Kierkkegard’s philosophical work of the same title. You can find a copy of the book in the shelves, where owner Ro Tam’s Tanglewood Spicy Chai Latte mix is put on display.
While Either/Or serves delicious coffee from multiple roasters including Heart, it’s the Chai Latte that really takes the cake with me. It’s one of the most delicious drinks I have ever had, and I continue to venture across the horridly congested Sellwood bridge just to have another taste of that spicy, warm beverage. Either/Or also serves tasting flights and handmade sodas, both making for a great drinking experience. Compared to Heart, Either/Or’s atmosphere is a bit more subdued, making this shop a wonderful place to do work, read, or just sit and relax. And don’t forget to try that Chai!
3.) Case Study Coffee
Downtown: 802 SW 10th Ave
5347 NE Sandy Blvd.
1422 NE Alberta
Case Study is one of the first coffee shops I went to upon moving to Portland. Here in the downtown locations, the baristas work in a large kitchen right in the center of the shop. Surrounding the kitchen is a small bar space, and even further out are tables and chairs for people to work or socialize. There is a nice shelf space where they keep different coffee-related supplies for you to take home and experiment with. The other location I go to is on Alberta. This one is, arguably, much cooler. It’s made up of two floors, and from the ceiling hangs a chandelier in the shape of a caffeine molecule.
The coffee here is fantastic. They roast their own beans, which you can buy in bags. The staff is always friendly, always trying to make you a perfect drink. Whether you go to work on homework or to meet a date, this shop is always friendly and accommodating, and you’ll be sure to have a great cup of coffee!
