A place to put my feet up in Portland

February 5, 2007 3:14 PM

Good place to sit and read for a day in Portland?

I'm looking for a nice coffee shop to camp out in on my days off from work in Portland. My schedule is kind of random, so some weeks I'll have regular weekends, and some weeks I'll work randomly. I'll be here on and off for the next six months, so I don't anticipate making friends, but I'd rather not sit alone in the hotel on my days off. Where can I bring a book to relax?

posted by bargex to sports, hobbies, & recreation (29 comments total)

Powell's. . .has it's own coffee shop. . . all the reading you can do in many lifetimes. . .walking distance to about anything you can want in a city. Burnside between 10th and 11th.
posted by Danf at 3:29 PM on February 5, 2007

Forgot.
posted by Danf at 3:30 PM on February 5, 2007

You are talking about Portland, OR right? What area of the city are you in? There are a lot of nice coffee shops here's a list of my favorites:


NW Portland: Coffee Time (classic), Anna Banna's and Java Vivace are all nice places for just what you're talking about in the NW 23rd-21st area. Also the big Powells on burnside has a coffee shop that's always packed with readers.

SE: The Pied Cow is one of my favorite places (still) in Portland, they're in a Victorian house and have delicious desserts! Very cozy for reading all day.
posted by Packy_1962 at 3:30 PM on February 5, 2007

The weather'll be getting nicer in the next 6 months, and on nice days you can just take your book out to Pioneer Square (6th and Yamhill). Though you might get distracted with the people watching...
posted by hopeless romantique at 3:35 PM on February 5, 2007

I'm going to recommend Beulahland, on NE 28th and Burnside (roughly, it's a block and a half north of Burnside on 28th) near the Laurelhurst Theater.

It's reasonably quiet during the day, they serve good breakfasts, have an amazing jukebox, internet access, possibly Portland's worst situated pool table (but it's fun if you get used to it), cozy little back porch area, good beer selection and its close to lots of stuff like the movie theater and good restaurants.

The service can be frustrating, but they bill that as part of the charm, and they actually are good people. In the later afternoon it starts to pick up with people getting off work, but I've found it a good place if you want to read, work or do the crossword for a few hours. You can meet some really interesting people or talk to no one and you won't get hassled.

I'm hoping you are talking about Portland, Oregon, since you didnt specify, nor did you specify a certain part of town. It's on a bus line and a bit of a walk to MAX, and you can park without paying within a block at pretty much all hours.

If you're looking for somewhere in a different part of town let me know.
posted by efalk at 3:37 PM on February 5, 2007

I would not sit in Pioneer Square. It's traffic-y, and that's where a pretty significant population of homeless youth hang out. If you are going to sit outside in the downtown area, I suggest Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
posted by Packy_1962 at 3:39 PM on February 5, 2007

My kitchen. :-)
Okay, just kidding. The household is infested with the plague right now and is not fit for healthy folk.
Head down to the Hawthorne and you'll find a plentitude of people watching, bars, and coffee shops to camp in for a while.
posted by browse at 3:46 PM on February 5, 2007

I have to disagree about Beulahland. It's a hipster joint and the place is so full of smoke at night that the smell persists during the day, making it mighty unpleasant. It's also a restaurant and not really a place where one could camp out all day.

Where in town are you staying? Palio coffee in the middle of Ladd's Edition in inner SE (close to downtown and just south of Hawthorne) is a nice coffee/dessert shop that's quiet, well-appointed and not right downtown. Ladd's Edition is scenic with lots of carefully-tended gardens and not a lot of car traffic, making it quiet and peaceful.
posted by hollisimo at 4:06 PM on February 5, 2007

NW 23rd's Coffee People. Bit heavy on the people watching aspect, but an entertaining place none the less. Plus, streetcar-able.
posted by lilithim at 4:10 PM on February 5, 2007

FYI: Coffee People was bought by Starbucks and most locations closed. I think the only stores still with the Coffee People name are in the airport. I'm pretty sure the 23rd st. CP closed a few years back.
posted by hollisimo at 4:20 PM on February 5, 2007

I'd second Palio if you're in that area (might be confusing for an out-of-towner).

If you're in NE Portland, I'd recommend Concordia Coffee House on NE Alberta (my fav), Albina Press on N. Mississippi, or Extracto (the best coffee) on NE Killingsworth.

Downtown, there's no other place but Stumptown on SW Third Ave.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 4:27 PM on February 5, 2007

PS. I'll be your friend.
posted by strangeleftydoublethink at 4:28 PM on February 5, 2007

I'll second the Stumptown for downtown. Also good is the Coffee Crutch, a small place in a house near the library. SW Yamhill & SW 10th Ave, if I remember correctly.
posted by RobotAdam at 5:54 PM on February 5, 2007

During my last year in Portland I fell in love with Saint Honoré Boulangerie in NW Portland (Thurman @ 23rd Pl). Not your typical cafe, it's more of a French pastry shop. Their pastries are amazing (try the Canelet!) and the place just feels right. They have several long tables where I saw people reading the paper and small tables if your roll like that. Also, the Salade Niçoise is not to be missed.

If you want to mix some exercise with your relaxation, just up the road on Thurman is Fat Tire Farm, a bike shop. For $25 you can rent a mountain bike for a day, ride up Thurman 1/2 mile to the head of the Leif Erickson trail, 11 miles (22 rountrdrip!) of easy, unpaved biking goodness in Forest Park.
posted by funkiwan at 6:01 PM on February 5, 2007

Two that I like that aren't listed above are Crema (on SE 28th & Ankeny, a block south of Burnside) and the Fresh Pot on N. Mississippi -- both good places to hang out for awhile. I also like Albina Press & Extracto, and the downtown Stumptown (though it doesn't have wifi -- good if you'd rather take a book).

And on warm days, many public parks can be great. What part of town will you be staying in?
posted by lisa g at 6:24 PM on February 5, 2007

(Oh, and so that's why all the Coffee People locations suddenly closed. Damn Starbucks. I liked the sign on the MLK drive-through -- "So long, and thanks for all the tips.")
posted by lisa g at 6:26 PM on February 5, 2007

You should really tell us what neighborhood you'll be in and what your preferred scene is. Portland has gazillions of great neighborhood spots, all with different vibes. Do you want hipster? vegan? young? blue collar? laid back? foodie? fancy espresso? yuppie? artsy? musical?

Walk up and down NW 21st or NW 23rd or wander around the Pearl District if you're downtown. Walk up and down Hawthorne or Belmont or Division head to 27th & Clinton Street if you're in Southeast. Walk up and down Alberta Street or Freemont or along NE 28th if you're in Northeast. Head to Multnomah Village if you're in Southwest. Walk up and down N. Mississippi or drive up and down N. Vancouver/N. Williams (one-way twins) or visit downtown St. Johns if you're in North Portland. In each of these areas you'll find at least three or four low-key places with free wifi, coffee, light food options, each with its own vibe.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 6:26 PM on February 5, 2007

You can tell that Portland loves coffeeshops! Among the ones mentioned here I like Albina Press, Crema & Stumptown the best, for both atmosphere & quality of coffee.

You should also know that most Portland coffeeshops close at 6. Two places that stay open later are Backspace at NW 5th & Couch (open 'til 2 a.m., and around the corner from videogame paradise Ground Kontrol), and Staccato Gelato on NE 28th & Everett, usually open until 11 (not specifically a coffeeshop, but they serve coffee & tea along with awesome handmade gelato, and you can sit & read for awhile.)
posted by Sterling Hoyt at 6:54 PM on February 5, 2007

what about that 24 hour place on Powell and 14th? With all the bears? It's nice and has extra sassy baristas.
posted by yodelingisfun at 7:01 PM on February 5, 2007

Notes from a nostalgic ex-pdxer...I used to love Beulahland...It has a real insider-y vibe, not exactly hipster, but if you go there regularly, you'll soon be an insider too.

In NW, I love Crowsenberg's Half & Half -- it's right next to reading frenzy, on Oak near 9th. Pretty much just across the street from Powell's. (Full disclosure, the proprietress, Robyn, is a dear friend. Tell her Tony Z. sent ya!)
posted by TonyRobots at 7:17 PM on February 5, 2007

Try Rimsky-Korsakoffee House at 707 SE 12th Ave for amazing desserts, coffee, live classical music, and... odd surprises. Open from 7pm to midnight Sun-Thu, and 7pm to 1am Fri-Sat.
posted by chudder at 8:09 PM on February 5, 2007

Also, as a book lover you'll spend lots of time (and money) at Powell's -- but if your employer can give you a fixed address, also get a Multnomah County library card. You can reserve titles online, and you'll get an email when a book arrives at the branch of your choice. It's a great system.
posted by lisa g at 8:21 PM on February 5, 2007

Sorry, Crowsenberg's = SW.
posted by TonyRobots at 5:23 AM on February 6, 2007

The main problem with Powell's coffee shop is that it's incredibly crowded, you'll probably have to share a table, and people will be coming and going all the time. The proximity to the bookstore is excellent, but it is distinctly NOT a place to relax for a multi-hour sit-down.
posted by matildaben at 10:16 AM on February 6, 2007

Is Central Library too obvious? Not fabulous hours, but it's a very cool place.
posted by peep at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2007

The Goose Hollow Inn on SW 19th and Jefferson. It's right on the Max, a short walk to Civic Stadium/Nob Hill in one direction and downtown in the other. They've got the best porch/deck in town and have gone non-smoking (indoors). Plus, they have the best damn reuben sandwich in the state and $5 pitchers of PBR.

Keep it under your hat, though, I don't want it getting any more crowded.
posted by joseph_elmhurst at 2:41 PM on February 6, 2007

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Looks like I'll be here in Portland (Oregon) this weekend. My work is in Hillsboro, so I'll be staying in hotels nearby (I think I'll have enough time to try them all). If you see someone with a copy of "Oliver Twist" in a coffee shop this weekend, that's me!
posted by bargex at 9:56 PM on February 6, 2007

I no longer live in Portland, OR, but I have happy memories of The Pied Cow as well as the Goose Hollow Inn, both of which are mentioned above.

Or, if the weather is good, then there are plenty of benches and some beautiful scenery in the SW Park Blocks right by the Central Library. When I first came to Portland, I would check books out of the library and then read for hours out on the seats in the park blocks under the trees.
posted by Adam White at 1:49 AM on February 7, 2007

I love Rimsky's, chudder mentioned it a bit more than a half dozen posts overhead and I would definitely recommend it. It's so quirky, visit the underwater bathroom upstairs. And the desserts and tea don't usually disappoint. It's in this cute Victorian house with no signs so it can be a challenge to find but don't be afraid to just walk right in and sit right down, just pretend you're in the know.
posted by sweetmarie at 10:33 PM on February 12, 2007