1. Coava Coffee | 1015 SE Main St

Coava Coffee | Public Brew Bar & Roastery

From small beginnings in Matt Higgins’ garage in 2008, Coava Coffee has grown into not just one of Portland's favourite coffee shops but one of the premier coffee roasters of the United States.

We visited their Public Brew Bar & Roastery on 1015 SE Main St. It's more than just a cup of coffee there! You get to enjoy your brew as you watch a roastery in action. They also do daily public cuppings at 1pm where you can taste and learn more about some of the amazing coffees they have on bar. We enjoyed the long chat with the barista about the story behind the shop and how far they've come since the garage! It's most definitely worth visiting for a true specialty coffee experience.

What We Had | Chemex

Meaza - Ethiopia

Tasting Notes: black currant, cocoa nibs, and sweet orange citrus.

2. Barista | 529 SW 3rd Ave #110

Barista is another local favourite, founded by the award-winning barista, Billy Wilson. As one of the first coffeehouses to off guest roasters, they work to highlight some amazing coffee from lesser-known producers, giving a little break from Stumptown Coffee that dominated the scene. With now over 50 roasters calling Portland home, Barista is a great place to stop by and try some of the best beans in town.

What We Had | Cappuccino

3. Stumptown at the Ace Hotel | 1026 SW Harvey Milk St

If you like coffee, you've at least heard of Stumptown. Even if you've never been to one of their locations, you've probably drunk some of their coffee at a different café! Their flagship café and roastery opened in 1999. They now have many locations in 6 states, from Los Angeles to New York and continue to supply countless coffee shops with freshly roasted beans.

We visited Stumptown at the Ace Hotel. It's on the smaller side, with extra seating in the Hotel Lobby next door. It had a very rustic vibe and chilled atmosphere which encouraged us to sit back and enjoy a couple more drinks! It was cool to sit down in the city where it all started for one of the biggest names in third-wave coffee.

What We Had | Latte x2

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Portland was the twelfth stop on The Big Trip. Follow us to see the rest of our journey as we spend 3 months exploring America’s most beautiful National Parks.