If you are a loyal blog reader, you’ll know I love coffee. I talk about it almost too much, and my day is not complete without at least one sip of the delicious dark drank.
Having that piece of knowledge, I hope you won’t judge me too hard for what I am about to say next. After entering Portland I had one goal: find coffee. Not just any coffee, good coffee, and not just good coffee, Stumptown coffee.
Sorry Starbucks, I cheated on you. Stumptown is to Portland as Starbucks is to Seattle.
I drove around for a period of time I will neither confirm nor deny (you can thank the recent podcast on Radiolab for my use of the glomar response) trying to find this place.
After navigating downtown Portland for over 10 minutes trying to find a spot to park while my cortisol levels rose, I called it quits and decided to try again the next day.
Sunday morning rush.
I ran my race (which I will recap in my next post) and made getting my hands on a cup of this coffee TOP priority. I was on a runners high, and needed caffeine to keep it flowing.
MINE
Not mine, but deserved a photo.
I don’t know if it was because I had to wait a full 24 hours before having this cup of black crack, or because I was still elated from my run, OR because I had a delicious cookie to go with..but this cup of coffee was like biting into a cloud from heaven. The place was packed, but my patience levels were through the roof and I didn’t mind waiting.
The barista forgot one of the items I ordered, and gave me a card for a freebie next time I’m there. That’s some good customer service. Looks like I’ll have to plan another trip!
Q: Would you drive around to find a place you had your heart set on, or give up and settle for something else? I refused to give up.
Blissfulbritt 
55 thoughts on “Discover Portland: The Coffee Scene”
Davida @The Healthy Maven
stumptown coffee is AMAZEBALLZ. They have it in NYC and I got addicted. I love coffee but I would never say I have an addiction to it…but when I had access to stumptown I absolutely did!
carrie
if i have my heart set on something i will drive around for days! haha. if i gave up i’d just be pissed that i put in even the littlest of effort and got nothing.
Alex @ therunwithin
I dig that coffee card. I swear that would get me going back there all the time.
happyappalachy
I am the drive-around-and-find-what-I’m-looking-for-no-matter-what person.
Ashley @ Married to the Game
I would do the same thing for coffee! I love that coffee cup!
Kristina at damntenpounds
I’m stubborn. I will find what I’m looking for. While we were in Italy, we had 5 restaurant recommendations in a small town. We must have walked 3 miles because there was something wrong with each one and we couldn’t just deviate from the plan and go somewhere close. That will forever go down as the 60 most stubborn minutes of my life.
Brittany
That sounds awesome to me!! I see no better way of exploring a different country than by foot!!
jessiebearwhat
Brb making my third cup of coffee
apartmentwife
you’re not alone in your quest for the perfect cup of brew – i’m pretty particular about coffee just because it has the power to make your *whole* day better. i mean, if you look up and dream about the coffee, it’s worth it, right? the best coffee in minneapolis is at this place called http://urbanbeancoffee.com/ 🙂
Brittany
I just adore coffee shops!! I want to visit as many as I can!
Claire Duffy
Posts like this make me wish I liked coffee! I’m a tea drinker (it’s not my fault, I’m British), and have tried so very hard to like coffee because it sounds so much cooler to order some fancy coffee rather than a bog standard tea, but… yuck!
Brittany
Hey, I LOVE tea!! Nothing wrong with that!! I will order tea if I visit a coffee shop in the afternoon!
Rach @ This Italian Family
I am so with you. If I have my heart set on going somewhere special then you better believe I will keep driving around until I find it, haha! I’m so glad it didn’t disappoint! 🙂
Boise Runner (@RunInBoise)
I like Sumptown, but isnt it always packed? There was a place downtown I liked. I think its called Portland Coffee House and I have a few punch cards from there. This coffee snob thinks they have good coffee too.
Brittany
This was the first time I had been!! One of the baristas said it was exceptionally busy, but I would believe it’s always busy!
Britta
My kind of woman right there!! ahh, I need to go to Portland and I will hunt down this coffee as well! SO GOOD. I absolutely would have waited and gone back. Actually, I probably would have driven around a little bit longer, found parking, and gone TWICE. I’m crazy! Coffee just makes life better. PERIOD.
katalysthealth
I’m pretty sure your one of my favorite bloggers BECAUSE of your addiction to coffee. It makes me feel not so bad about all mine 😉 Well, plus, I think you’re kinda cute. Sorry…don’t mean to get creepy on you…just trying to keep it real 🙂
Brittany
I love it when you keep it real. 😉
di @ life of di.
I really enjoyed Portland and I LOVED Stumptown coffee. Marty and I spent a few hours sitting in a Stumptown coffeehouse while we were there and I thought to myself, “I could get used to this.” 🙂 I can’t wait to get back to Portland one day!! Such a fun city.
PNWRunner
Yes I would drive around to find the place that I have my heart set on!! I want to go to voodoo donuts just to say I went. I don’t really like donuts but I just must go. I really need to go to Portland since my step brothers live there.
Brittany
I would seriously make the drive again JUST for another doughnut..SO GOOD.
PNWRunner
We should go…
Choc Chip Uru
I am not particularly into coffee but for those who love it (everyone else) I can imagine Portland being bliss 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Life's a Bowl
I was just chatting with a coworker about Portland earlier this week! He said it’s wonderful and reminded him a bit of the northeast… I’d LOVE to move back to Boston in the future, but if our lives take us out west I’ve got my eyes on Portland 😉
storiesbywilliams
You ever see the show Portlandia? Every one of these posts makes me think of the theme song 🙂
Brittany
Portlandia is my JAM! I love that show..it’s a completely accurate portrayal of the NW. HAHA.
storiesbywilliams
“The spirit of the 90’s is alive in Portland!”
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
The next time I go to Portland to see family, I’m calling you so we can meet up at this coffeehouse.
Brittany
OMG, PLEASE!
Life After Swimming
If I need coffee, I think I am at the point in my life that I will do anything. And that cookie. YUM.
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
aw mann wish you had this post so that I could of made my way there when I was in Portland. I need to tell my sissy about this one so she could go!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Kevin is pushing for a trip to Portland after I had him read this post. He’s a diehard coffee fan. That latte looks like my cup of tea – er, coffee. 🙂
Laura
This is now on my bucket list of places to visit!
The Vegan 8
Never been to Portland but you are making me want to go now!! I love coffee too, but especially love it paired in chocolate desserts. I like the taste of dark plain coffee, but I get dizzy spells if it’s too strong, which sucks. However, I absolutely LOVE the taste of it. Love your first photo too girl 🙂
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
I love you for this. Enough said.
Hannah
UUUUUGGGHH jealous! You earned it, Girl. I will go to great lengths for a good cup of coffee.
Lauren
I will for SURE drive around if I have my heart set on something!
Amalia
I am definitely going to have to try Stumptown when I go to Portland! I love that you are traveling right now, your recaps and adventures and photos make me feel like I am travelling with you. Thank you for that! Question: Do you take your good camera with you everywhere or where the coffee photos taken on your iPhone? Just curious 🙂 xo
Brittany
YES, go to Stumptown! These photos were definitely taken with my iPhone..the quality is not as good. I need to figure out how to get the neck strap on my good camera because I would totally carry it with me everywhere. Sometimes it’s just not plausible to carry the big camera though! The iPhone saves the day despite the lack of quality!
Luv What You Do
So we don’t drink coffee but are currently looking at flights out west. I can’t wait! So glad that you are enjoying your Bday celebration!
Amy
When I have my heart set on something, I REFUSE to give up. Ever. (You probably read about my chocolate cake addiction and my guy driving around town to find something suitable! 😉 ) Nothing wrong with “cheating” on Starbucks either! It’s great to support local (or less franchised) businesses, especially one as generous as Stumptown. So sweet of the barista to give you a free punch card for your next trip! Maybe we could meet up in Portland (or Eugene) sometime; it’s somewhat partway between us. 🙂
Brittany
Yes, I remember that post!! I remember thinking to myself, “yep, I would have done the same!” HA. I really enjoy visiting local coffee shops..I love Starbucks and it’s been good to me, but I think you get a “real coffee experience” more so at the smaller shops!
OMGAH yes, that would be a wonderful meetup, and the perfect excuse to get back to Oregon!! I would definitely have to make a doughnut pit-stop on my way… 🙂
Amy
It’s really true about local coffee shops! Although the one we have here in town is open until 11 pm, which means it’s always overflowing with college kids studying for midterms and finals while hyped up on caffeine. Not quite as fun. 😉
As long as I can tag along for the donut pit stop too!! 😀
DistrictSweats
Oooh, let me know next time you’re in Portland! So many amazing coffees to try, in addition to Stumptown.
Brittany
DEAL!! I want to try some of the smaller, more local places!! I think those give you the BEST experience. If I had more time I would have made coffee shop hopping more of a priority!
DistrictSweats
I think you made a great choice by beelining to Stumptown! But yes, countless more to try. I have a growing list of Seattle spots to try next time I’m there (next month). Holler if you have any must-try places. I’ll of course pay my respects to the Starbucks Mothership, too. : )
An Unrefined Vegan
For coffee?? You gotta stick with the plan!
Corrie Anne
Coffee is always a top priority. Even within Denver, love trying new places when I’m in a new neighborhood. But I do kind of love Sbux the best.
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
For coffee I wouldnt but only because I gave up drinking coffee a while ago. Now for a great chai place or food place I would.
karla @ finding my fit
You know my infinite love for coffee so I would have been right there with you. I really like local coffee shops–the ambience is always amazing but the coffee is to.die.for.
Speaking of coffee–even though its 5:40pm I think it’s time to brew a nice cup. I am getting so impatient for warmer weather so I can indulge in iced coffee!
jessielovestorun
You’d be so proud of me right now… I’m currently sipping on a cup of coffee (over ice – i hate it hot) and eating a chobani dark chocolate and coffee yogurt! 🙂
allieksmith
I love your love of coffee. I think it’s so awesome that you know so much about it, and that you work at a coffee shop, too! If I ever visit Portland, I know where to go 🙂
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