Anna Bannanas

The St. Johns location is even better!. The Anna's location in St. Johns is my spot. You know... where everybody knows your name? And they're always glad you came? The baristas are friendly and funny and very knowledgeable about what they serve. It's comfortable and cozy and very, very Portland. Free WiFi makes it a great place to spend the day and get stuff done, which I often do, and there's a nice room in the back for private meetings or study sessions for the scads of UP students who regularly hang out there.

The coffee is good, the treats and food are yummy and more than anything, it lacks the pretense and ultra hipster atmosphere that permeates most typical Portland coffee shops. The staff is genuine and down to earth, as is the decor, which features various local art that rotates regularly. Kids are welcome and there are plenty of them toddling about with their parents on the weekends.

They're open late all week long, which is more than anyone can say for most Starbucks or most any other coffee houses in the general vicinity, really. And the music is almost always very cool, if not interesting... when they are playing it, but if you're really lucky, you might be there when they turn on The Daily Show or the Steven Colbert Report on the TV over the bar. Then you can share a laugh with the guy next to you and Anna's shines in all the glory of what it does best... creates a sense of community.  View Less … View More

Interesting experience, relaxing if you want it to be. Though the coffee is not fantastic and the chai was unbearably spicy, the vegan treats and funny "Keep Portland Weird" atmosphere make this coffeehouse worthwhile. Service is not great but the hands-off approach caters to a fruitful session of hanging out, studying, reading or even napping. They let you smoke in the basement but 16 year olds also apparently know this and usually take over the couches down there. Flying pigs painted on the ceiling and a Talking Heads soundtrack make this place very Portland.  View Less … View More

If you don't like it, go to hell. You might get freaked out a bit by the perm chair at first or that manikin in the fireplace, but if you can't take this, then you can go back to your shit|y starbucks in the suburbs slurping your watery frappuccinos and talking with your middle-aged friends from the health club about minivans. Anna Banana's is for people who really care about coffee and the Portland coffeehouse tradition. It is the best coffee in town in my opinion, and you should get to know the baristas a bit before you give them a mean stare, zip up your Banana Republic sweater, and disdainfully walk out the door.  View Less … View More

Fabulous. Comfy, friendly, charming, good service, good conversation. People that have something to say, which is nice to find. And great coffee! I love this place. Wish I worked there, lived closer, could hang out more. And not sure what grumpy butt (the guy that gave the lousy review) has a problem with. Unless he is decidedly against freedom of speech, thought, expression, or a persons right to their own sexuality. In any case, better that he not return. Although if he did, I'm sure everyone would be nice to him. Hmmm

(And I think the prices are more than fair. )  View Less … View More