Now that you’ve gotten your computer all set up you’re probably wondering where you can go to get wired, or just to find some good java. Well, you’re in luck, Portland has a plethora of joe joints. Each one has its own perks, prices and personality. Are you looking to study during the daylight hours, or have glass of wine or beer at an open mike night? Some local entrepreneur is probably begging to cater to your needs. Have fun exploring.
Arabica Coffee Co.
16 Free St.
Mon – Fri: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sat – Sun: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Art Shows: No.
16 oz. Coffee: $1.64
Arabica Coffee serves the phattest toast and has been featured in the Boston Globe for their exquisite latt? art. Cool employees, excellent atmosphere and a good quiet place to study.
Acoustic Coffee
32 Danforth St.
Mon – Wed:
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Thur – Fri: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.58
Trendy/granola neighborhood coffee shop by day (with fair trade and organic coffee), and then at night: The birthplace of Portland’s artistic renaissance. Margaret and Mark (the owners) host everything from spoken word nights to musicians in the round. They also serve beer and wine (something not even Starbucks dares to try). Check out their website, www.acousticcoffee.net, for a weekly schedule of events.
Breaking New Grounds
13 Exchange St.
Mon – Sat:
7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sun: 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.66
The coffee is decent and the froo-froo drinks are creative. It can be a bit loud to do any studying, so make sure that this is a social spot for getting to know people, not your homework.
Coffee By Design
620 Congress St.
Mon – Thur:
6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri: 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.33 + tax
Coffee By Design
67 India St.
Mon – Sat:
6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sun: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.33
Mary-Ellen and her husband, Alan, are the leading couple in Portland’s coffee society. They carry the largest selection of coffees and teas this side of Boston and are extremely active in the community (including awarding scholarships to Maine College of Arts’ students). Make sure to try out their “Mexican Altura.”
Java Net Cafe
39 Exchange St.
Mon – Thur:
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sun: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Art Shows: No
16 oz. Coffee: $1.66
Atmosphere: Corporate. Coffee: Decent. Customer Service: Good. Clientele: Corporate and successful artists. Java Net is a good place to go in the winter to study.
Starbucks Coffee
594 Congress St.
Mon – Thur:
6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri – Sat: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sun: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Art Shows: No
16 oz. Coffee: $1.62
Starbucks Coffee
176 Middle St.
Mon – Thur:
5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri: 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sat: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sun: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Art Shows: No
16 oz. Coffee: $1.62
Yes, like the rest of this world, we have several Starbucks. Their coffee is a unique as each of their locations.
Udder Place
428 Brighton Ave.
Mon – Wed:
6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thur – Sat: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun: 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: 1.75
If you can forgive the pun in the name and that purple color, this is a great place to grab a coffee on your way into the city. Say “Hi” to the cow on your way in. He’s not guaranteed to bring luck to your day, but if you’re already talking to a cow, can it hurt?
Youngo’s
803 Congress St.
Mon – Sat:
6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun:
7 a.m. – close
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.43
One of the newest places in Portland and off to a good start. Yungo’s serves Coffee By Design coffee. This is a beautiful place to sit in the morning with your java. Lots of sunlight will help you get your vitamin D while studying for an A.
Zara’s
24 Monument Sq.
Mon – Fri:
6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sat: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (seasonally)
Art Shows: Yes
16 oz. Coffee: $1.33
Up until last month this was a Coffee By Design. The name has changed, but the employees are the same (good), the coffee is still Coffee By Design coffee (fine) and the d?cor is still very much like, well, Coffee By Design. Give them a couple months and something cool and original will be born there. It is also a great place to study during the day.
Leave a Reply