03/21/07

Pleasant Refuge

by hawthorne48

A great selection of well-prepared and varied beverages in a warm, comfortable, if somewhat small cafe atmosphere. The gallery art varies in its worthiness, but there's always a full selection of reading material. Big picture windows make for great Upper Hawthorne people-watching.

Food items are on the pricy end for the amount you get (expect to drop at least $10 if you're getting more than one drink), but are reliably tasty. A medium-sized selection of pastries come from the Pearl Bakery, and Voodoo Doughnuts have recently been added.

Rush hour can be crowded, but economic table organization means you won't be left standing.

Overall, a nice little place to cool your heels, drink a mug of something spicy, and watch the neighborhood go by.

• Pros: Great Drinks, Pleasant Atmosphere, Tasty Food
• Cons: A Little Pricey

Strong coffee and soft couches are the main freatures of this coffee shop.

by Contributor

In Short
Customers run in for quick espressos or drift through the door with an eye toward the over-stuffed furniture. With a take-your-time atmosphere, this is a cheerful, airy place that's as soothing as the coffee is strong. Big mugs are filled with rich Caffe Umbria coffee. Members of the tea generation can choose from a wide selection, and baked goods hail from some of Portland's best bakeries. Customers looking for something heartier will find panini and homemade soup.

06/21/06

Best Espresso

by gregorsdh

Best tasting espresso beans of all Portland, Definitely a a must see on Hawthorne, Great vibe

05/08/06

Best little coffee shop on Hawthorne

by kellylynnalw

I love love love this place. The staff is always friendly and efficient, which is a sharp contrast to some of my other frequented coffee shops, where the baristas tend to be a bit, um, distracted and forgetful. The coffee here is incredible and I love their matcha tea lattes, although their loose-leaf tea lattes tend to be too weak to be enjoyable. This is by far the best place to go hang out and read the paper on the weekend, which is unfortunately the only time I ever get there, since it's the opposite direction from my job; I never make it there during the week.

• Pros: Cozy, Attentive staff, Clean
• Cons: Not on way to work

01/16/06

Love This Place

by buzzbee

The most welcoming place to be on Hawthorne - clean, warm, friendly - staff know you by name and greet you with a smile. Plenty of comfy places to sit back, relax and enjoy a really good cup of joe (they have a blend that is distinctive from the others in the area and it's both strong and flavorful). If you've got the munchies, they have delicious panini sandwiches and hearty soups, and excellent baked goods which they make fresh each morning. A great place to go to start your day or make a quick dash in grab a afternoon booster cup. My favorite coffee place by far.

• Pros: good coffee blend, friendly staff, fresh baked goods

01/06/06

Terrific Coffee

by ieatoutalot2

I moved to PTown two years ago. There a so many great coffee shops around. Stumptown makes wonderful coffee. But it's nice to see someplace that serves another great brew - Caffe Umbria. I understand Common Grounds has been in business since the early 90s. They must be doing something right. I always find the staff to be very courteous and quick. The pastries are a cut above most coffee shops in town - I loved the big cinnamon role.

The sofas are a little worn, but it seems to add to the charm of the place. It seems to have a little more soul compared to the hipper, new-comers that seem to come and go. And the lines are sometimes long, but I don't mind. The people waiting with me are as nice as the guy/gal behind the counter.

• Pros: Lovely Cap Foam, Character, Great Staff
• Cons: No Booze, Lines a bit Long, Table Hoggers

12/11/05

yikes

by hsaid

coffee's okay. the staff was unfriendly, line is long just for regular coffee. everything is a little more on the pricey side. couches and chairs need a make over.

07/25/04

Great coffee; not place for kids

by shoplocalpdx

Excellent coffee and a great place to work and study. Very quiet. Bad place for kids as it is very quiet. Not the best place for lively conversations for this same reason. They have free wireless, but it is down about 1/2 the times I visit. There are other people online, so I'm assuming they don't have a per-user bandwidth limit and someone must be using it to download truckloads of MP3s or something. Some of the furniture is a little scary -- needs to be replaced as it is has seen some wear (and spills) and gives the place a bit of a musty smell sometimes.

• Pros: Excellent coffee, Free wireless, Quiet
• Cons: , Uncomfortable chairs, Musty furniture

06/19/04

WOW! ATMOSPHERE, GREAT COFFEE & FOOD!

by ieatout2

This place is a home away from home --- funky, clean & comfy. The service is exceptional. This is not one of the myriad average Portland coffee houses. The Caffe' Umbria coffee is served well - the drip is strong (yet unburnt), the espresso drinks beautiful. The menu is leaps beyond even some cafes. Where else can you get a lunch (homemade hummus), a huge cookie (the Black Diamond is a killer), and great coffee.

The staff is wonderful, even with long lines. They contribute to the atmosphere. The crowd is a nice mixture of familes, business folk using the wifi, couples and singles. It's just a nice place to grab a bite or hang out and talk.

I'm with thecatinthehat...the baked goods (especially the scones and biscotti which are probably the best in town) are fantastic. The pecan rolls are the size of a Frisbee. I can't finish it.

• Pros: Wonderful Staff, Inexpensive, Comfy

04/08/04

The best bakery in town!

by thecatinthehat

Always a good place to go if you want to have a "two thumbs up" cup of coffee and awesome bakery goods. Refreshingly spacious and light-filled. The ambiance is pleasant without an attitude. A GREAT local hangout!!! Kind of like "Central Perk" Northwest.

• Pros: Great food, Good value, Spacious