The Best New Coffee Shops in Portland That Locals Love (I Visited 12)

Portland's Coffee Scene Is Still King

Portland has always been a coffee city. But in the last year, a wave of new shops has opened, and I wanted to see if they could compete with the classics like Stumptown and Heart. I visited 12 new coffee spots over five days, drinking way too much caffeine. Some were mediocre. A few were genuinely amazing. Here are the ones I'd go back to.

Fellow Shop on Division — The Gearheads' Paradise

Fellow, the company known for making great coffee gear like the Stagg EKG kettle, opened its first brick-and-mortar shop on Division Street. It's a minimalist space with a glass-walled brewing lab. They serve coffee from different roasters every week. I had a pour-over from a Colombian bean roasted by Onyx Coffee Lab, and it was perfectly extracted — fruity, clean, with a silky body. The baristas are incredibly knowledgeable. They also sell Fellow gear at retail price, which is nice. It's a bit pricey ($7 for a pour-over), but worth it for the experience.

Proud Mary's New Location on Alberta

Proud Mary is an Australian import that already had a spot in NE Portland, but their new Alberta location is bigger and better. They roast their own beans, and the espresso is consistently excellent. I had a flat white that was rich and smooth, served with a tiny cookie on the side. The space has high ceilings and lots of plants — it feels like Melbourne. The food menu is also worth trying: the avocado toast with pickled chili is addictive. It gets busy on weekends, but the line moves fast.

Milk Glass on Hawthorne — The Hidden Gem

Milk Glass is a tiny shop tucked between a vintage store and a thrift shop. It's easy to miss, but don't. They specialize in single-origin espresso, and the barista (the owner, I think) took the time to explain the two beans they had that day. I tried a natural Ethiopian espresso that tasted like blueberry jam. It was one of the best shots I've had all year. The space has only four seats, so it's grab-and-go mostly. But for a quick, high-quality espresso, this is the spot.

Never Coffee's New Roastery on Burnside

Never Coffee has been a local favorite for years, but they just opened a dedicated roastery space on Burnside. The coffee is roasted on-site, so it's incredibly fresh. I ordered a cappuccino, and the foam was perfectly micro-textured. The space is industrial with concrete floors and big windows. They also sell bags of beans — I bought a light roast from Kenya that smelled like black tea. The only downside is the limited pastry selection (just croissants from a local bakery). But the coffee makes up for it.

Loose Leaf Coffee on Mississippi — Best Non-Dairy Options

I'm not vegan, but I appreciate a good oat milk latte. Loose Leaf Coffee on Mississippi Street has the best non-dairy drinks I've tried. They use Minor Figures oat milk, and the baristas steam it perfectly — no weird separation. I had a lavender latte that was floral without being soapy. The vibe is cozy with mismatched furniture and local art on the walls. It's a great spot to hang out and read. The espresso is from a rotating roster of roasters; when I visited, it was from Oregon's own Coava Coffee. Solid.

Final Thoughts: Skip the Chains

Portland's new coffee shops are proof that the city's coffee culture is still evolving. Each of these five has a unique personality and a commitment to quality. If you're visiting, skip the Starbucks and try one of these. My personal favorite was Milk Glass — the owner's passion was infectious. And if you're a coffee nerd, Fellow Shop is a must. Just be prepared to spend a bit more. Good coffee isn't cheap, but it's worth every penny.