Coffee and Portland are two words that just go together.
Photo by Maria Perala
And it’s no wonder: Just walk outside your door and you’ll likely be at a coffee place in a matter of minutes. But where is the best place? And where do you go if you don’t want to spend four or five bucks on a daily drink?
Though it’s nearly impossible to narrow the coffee places in this city down, here are some suggestions. Some are close to campus, and some are worth a trip. But either way, these places are solid choices with which to start.
Food For Thought Cafe
Basement of Smith Memorial Student Union
Just about as close to campus as you can get (in the basement of Smith) we’ve got PSU’s very own cafe, a student-run and -operated cafe that features many vegan-friendly options. Aside from the large selection of healthy, homemade food they’ve got available, Food For Thought is an easy, cheap and convenient place to get some coffee.
They offer a drip Trailhead coffee for $1 if you bring your own cup. And even if you don’t, the price only goes up by a couple of quarters. It’s a great place to sit and work, and no one cares if you’re there with a group for a couple of hours.
Park Avenue Cafe
1535 SW Park Ave.
In the Park Blocks, just a couple blocks away from Lincoln Hall, Park Avenue Cafe offers Illy coffee, known for its espresso. It’s a classic, homey cafe that offers a great alternative to the Starbucks a couple blocks away. The seating is nice, but may get a little more crowded now that it’s getting too cold to sit at the outdoor tables. Since there are not a lot of outlets, studying alone with a laptop isn’t ideal,but it’s a great spot to meet with groups to chat about a project.
Java Man Coffee
1432 SW 6th Ave.
Java Man sits a bit further away from the main part of campus, right across the street from PSU’s Clay Building. It’s a cool little place, with stairs leading down to a lower level. The prices average about $3 for anything more than a black coffee, and the service is superfast.
Java Man is a great place to meet for a study session. They also have bar seating right against the window, perfect for people-watching on Broadway.
Broadway Coffee
1924 SW Broadway
Broadway Coffee resides on the other end of campus, right underneath the Baan Thai restaurant. From the outside, all you see is a door and a window, but stepping in, the space opens right up. With seating options ranging from tables and chairs to couch and coffee tables, this place has a lot to offer. Broadway has house coffee for under $2 and a homemade chai that is to die for. The owner is very friendly, and if you go in on a regular basis he will remember you.
Kobos Coffee
200 SW Market St.
Heading toward the water, we’ve got Kobos Coffee. As a place to hang out and study it may not be the best, but for someone who just needs some coffee, it’s perfect. Fill your own cup for only $1, and the coffee they offer is locally roasted.
World Cup Coffee and Tea
1005 W Burnside St.
Last, we’re going to go a little further from campus, to , World Cup Coffee and Tea, located inside the Gold Room at Powell’s. Aside from being constantly surrounded by a mature environment, books and interesting people, The cafe offers something most other cafes don’t–an open sign until 11 p.m. every single day. It’s a student’s dream: a place to get coffee late at night that’s not 7-Eleven or Plaid Pantry.