The Best Cafes & Bars in Portland
From dawn until dusk (and everywhere in between), Portland’s bars, cafés, and nightlife spots seamlessly blend the roles of hangout, art space, and social statement. Coffee shops like Deadstock and Portland Cà Phê reflect the people who run them – community-driven and deeply personal. Distilleries like Freeland Spirits or wine bars in the Central Eastside are just as focused on story and sourcing as they are on flavor. Inclusivity shows up in menus that highlight zero-proof cocktails, gender-neutral spaces, and diverse ownership.
The scene leans casual but always thoughtful. A bar might double as a mutual aid drop spot; a café might host a pop-up dinner by a rising chef. Drinks matter here, too, whether it’s a Caribbean cocktail at Sousòl or a small-batch Pinot in a hidden winery – but so does who gets to enjoy them and how they’re made.
The tasting room of Freeland Spirits. Courtesy of Freeland Spirits.
Amaterra
Best For: Wine and pairing boards with a view
Location: Forest Park/West Hills
Price: $$
North Stars:
Meaning “for the love of the Earth,” Amaterra is a state-of-the-art winery and restaurant that opened in 2022 amidst the tree-filled slopes of Portland’s West Hills.
Just minutes from downtown, the facility features unparalleled views of the Willamette Valley, a 12-acre vineyard, chef-driven restaurant, and outdoor event lawn. The gravity-flow winery produces 10,000 cases of wine annually, predominantly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Wine and a charcuterie board at Amaterra. Courtesy of Travel Portland .
Division Winemaking Company
Best For: Low-key afternoon sipping wine
Location: Inner Southeast Portland
Price: $$
North Stars:
This award-winning urban winery represents a new generation of winemakers looking to create wines from grapes outside the status quo (think Chard and Pinot, the state’s reigning royalty of grapes.)
Located in Inner SE Portland, the winery-cum-wine bar pours approachable, low-intervention wines made from organically- and biodynamically-farmed grapes. The vibe is fun, low-key, and ready for afternoon relaxing.
Oysters, wine, and bites. Courtesy of Division Winemaking Company.
Portland Cà Phê Roasters
Best For: Vietnamese coffee drinks
Location: Two Locations
Price: $
North Stars:
Portland Cà Phê was started by Kim Dam, a first-generation Vietnamese American who wanted to bring more visibility to much-maligned robusta beans and the people who grow it.
The café roasts its own beans, serves drinks like cà phê sữa đá and ube lattes, and makes food inspired by Vietnamese street snacks. It’s casual, welcoming, and a reminder that Vietnamese coffee culture is a lot more than sweetened condensed milk.
The inside of Portland Cà Phê. Courtesy of Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland.
Deadstock Coffee
Best For: Sneakerhead coffee lovers
Location: Downtown
Price: $
North Stars:
Deadstock Coffee is a Black-owned café in downtown Portland started by former Nike designer Ian Williams. The space is relaxed and personal, with sneaker art on the walls and custom gear behind the bar.
They roast their beans in-house and serve great coffee without the attitude. It’s a local hangout for sneakerheads, creatives, and anyone who likes good coffee — even if they can’t tell a Dunk from a Blazer.
A sneaker-themed café blending street culture and espresso. Courtesy of Justin Katigbak.
Freeland Spirits
Best For: Small-batch cocktails with big personality
Location: Inner SE Portland
Price: $$
North Stars:
Freeland Spirits is a women-founded, women-led distillery producing gin, bourbon, and seasonal releases using Pacific Northwest grains and botanicals.
The tasting room offers cocktails that highlight their award-winning spirits like a lavender gin fizz, smoked old-fashioned, or rotating slushies in summer, all served in a lively, welcoming space with bold decor and a celebratory vibe. Through its Free Spirit program, Freeland also supports female-identifying, transgender, and gender-nonconforming Oregonians, blending community impact with standout drinks.
Bartender mixing up a drink at Freeland Spirits. Courtesy of Ashley Anderson.
Sousòl
Best For: Caribbean-inspired cocktails and NA drinks
Location: Buckman
Price: $$
North Stars:
Hidden in the subterranean space below kann, chef Gregory Gourdet’s award-winning Haitian-inspired restaurant, Sousòl blends Caribbean flavor with serious mixology. The bar channels Gourdet’s heritage into a menu of small plates and pan-Caribbean drinks made with tropical fruits and house-made ingredients. The space is lively, intimate, and plastic-free.
Non-drinkers get just as much attention with a selection of zero-proof cocktails. It’s an inclusive spot for anyone looking for a night out — alcohol or not.
