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Sterling Coffee Roasters
518 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
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Sterling Coffee Roasters
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Mi
Review №1

Ordered espresso flight, came with espresso of blend, drip of blend, espresso of Ethiopia Aricha and a drip of natural processed coffee from Yunnan China. Blend coffee is sweet and balanced. Nice selection of fun single origins! Enjoyed the opportunity to try coffee with different brew methods and from different origins.

Al
Review №2

Wonderful experience. They are always cool with my weird requests.

Ch
Review №3

The coffee was bold and hot; the pastries were homemade and delicious! The atmosphere was inviting, and they offer free WiFi. I enjoyed sitting outside at one of the tables and met some new people too. Service was excellent. They were very busy and there was a line both days we went so it is a popular place.

Mi
Review №4

Genuine craft and care. Their house roast is always delicious, but they often have a light roast thats a little off-center style-wise. Exceptional staff, very chill. My favorite coffee spot in Portland.

Ja
Review №5

Super friendly staff. Helpful with coffee selection, offered tasting/samples, and struck up nice conversation!! Id sit here all day.

Sa
Review №6

Extremely helpful and kind! I couldn’t decide on what beans to purchase, and the barista gave me a sample, and was very helpful in my decision. Excellent coffee as well, and the prices were more than fair.

Da
Review №7

We stopped by because another coffee shop was closed and we didnt regret it at all. The coffee is soo good but the stuff and vibe is the best. I love that the staff is all dressed up but super friendly. We left with a smile and will come back for sure. Thanks ☺️

No
Review №8

Authentic Portland local coffee shop . Popular pastries and large lineup of custom roasts. Its cashless. Local owner usually behind the bar.

Je
Review №9

Love their coffee and homemade chai. Service is excellent. Great space for work, conversation or relaxing. So glad I found this place on my visit - I made multiple trips!

Review №10

Low-key coffee shop that makes a good cup of coffee.

Co
Review №11

If you want a mediocre cup of coffee, then look elsewhere. If you want an absolutely exceptional cup of coffee from the nicest people this side of the Mississippi, then this is the place for you!

Ga
Review №12

The coffee was okay. I expect more special flavor than my everyday coffee at home and the only feedback is, staff are friendly but super formal! I was gonna talk to them more but the vibe and environment was not comfortable to have more conversation. I personally like to have more friendly conversations as a local resident to my coffee place when I walk to my neighborhood and stop for my coffee.

Ju
Review №13

Love the shop and decor, love the coffee. But honestly, its the employees that keep me coming back and the family atmosphere they have going on. Never change, yall are the best.

Mi
Review №14

Our favorite coffee ever. They ship beans that works very well for those of us who don’t live in Portland, but when we are here, we always make a stop. Fresh is best.

Ro
Review №15

Good latte, could have been a bit hotter. Wii be back

Di
Review №16

My favorite shop in Portland. Light roasts are always fantastic, and the staff is always bright, intelligent, and welcoming

J
Review №17

Yes yes yes ... a very very good coffee and a well put together spacious shop. Just about anything you need for coffee and just about the first place you should go to drink it. Definitely top of the list for coffee destinations in Portland.

Dy
Review №18

This is a pretty cool place to go if you are in the area! The staff are friendly and they know how to make you a good cup of coffee. I got their caramel drink and it was good!The reason I put the review at 4 stars is two reasons. They had very few outlets and your likely not going to be able to use the outlets that they do have. Second, the Wi-Fi didnt work for me. I couldnt connect with my phone or my computer.

Lo
Review №19

Its comfortable here, I felt very safe. The music is great, atmosphere is nice. I came by because I had a hard day and wanted a little treat. The Feeling Better Tea was real soothing, the staffs were real nice. So glad I stopped by. Thank Sterlings

Ta
Review №20

I really enjoy fresh coffee beans from Sterling Coffee Roasters.They ship beans that work very well for those of us who don’t live in Portland.Ordering on-line is easy. Delivery is free, secure and on-time. Love love love Sterling Coffee Roasters.

Ma
Review №21

Such a friendly and inviting place. Plus, they have homemade chai that smells and tastes delicious! This place is a must if youre a fan (or even if youre not a fan) of chai! The coffee is also very good and not overpriced.

Br
Review №22

Excellent beans. Shipping is super fast.

KG
Review №23

Sterling Roasters is the best coffee in Portland period.Their espresso is just so perfect.Try the cortadoMacchiatoYou dont need sugar in thier coffee..Just a sublime Coffee Roasterand always classy experience.

H
Review №24

Hard to find a flaw on this coffee. Well balanced taste. Good place to chill.

Am
Review №25

Lovely spot ! Great espresso, great atmosphere and friendly staff.

Sa
Review №26

Nice baristas. Good atmosphere.

Al
Review №27

Wow! Delicious coffee, knowledgeable and caring staff. They make many of their own syrups and their own chai! I had an iced vanilla latte and it was amazing. Wish I had one of these back home! Id visit often 😊

Pe
Review №28

A lovely, modern coffee shop that boasts small batch roasted beans and a very natural and inviting vibe. Staff are professional and seem to be passionate about their business. Limited food options, but normal pastries and light sweets are available! Would recommend!

H
Review №29

Great staff.the greatest coffee.

St
Review №30

Lovely area in NW Portland to stroll around and look at shops, bars and cute houses. This coffee shop is a nice stop with very friendly, helpful and sharply dress staff and the coffee is good too.

Ro
Review №31

Great spot for some coffee, ordered their espresso which came with three cup settings. Had to ask the baristas what the third one was for and they were very eager to educate me! Friendly staff that knows their coffee.

Sa
Review №32

One of the best! Quality coffee and service.

st
Review №33

Sterling has some of the best single source beans Ive tastes. I keep the peru ones in constant rotation.

Mi
Review №34

Amazing coffee to get your morning going! They are following covid safety measures to a tee!

Ar
Review №35

Im sure the roasting quality is good, but the espresso I had was undrinkably sour.

De
Review №36

Some of the best espresso roast Ive ever had. It doesnt come cheep tho. 2.2 lbs will sent you back 36 bucks.

Gr
Review №37

This place is really great. It has wonderful coffee, good tea, and good treats for sure. but so do many places in Portland. what makes it stand out is the people, who are always on top. especially important now during the epidemic is that the owners care about the employees and keep them very safe, which means you the customer are kept safe as well. wear your mask or youre not getting served (Id say wear your mask or youre clueless, but that has nothing to do with this review), and get a good cuppa to go. theres currently no seating and plenty of social distancing. take care. be well. drink coffee.

Br
Review №38

Well, the time BEFORE when I went there this place did everything right. No problems with it. However, I went there again today and the tea that the man working behind the counter gave me, just tasted awful. I wish I had drunken it THERE so I could have said something to the guy so maybe hed make me another, but I didnt. Oh well.

Ra
Review №39

Fantastic little coffee shop. Sterling serves up amazing coffee and espresso drinks, including fantastic seasonal lattes. Drinks are well crafted and not too sweet.A handful of pastries are available as well, including 5-6 gluten free options from a local bakery.The atmosphere is cozy and a great place for a laid back meeting with friends or knocking out a bit of work. If you plan to bring a laptop, be sure its charged before you come, as outlet space is at a premium.Great spot with amazing coffee and friendly service.

Je
Review №40

Had a double espresso with milk. The barista is great! From now it is a favorite place for me. They do have a wifi, and sometimes I like to check mails with a cup of double espresso.

Sc
Review №41

Exceptional craftsmanship. Knowledgeable staff. Had the flight with the Ethiopian single origin coffee and espresso with their house blend and sparkling water. It was a great experience. BTW All of the negative reviews are so ridiculous.

Je
Review №42

A very class coffee shop in a convenient location in NW. Amazing plants hung everywhere and they offer flights of espresso. Moderately priced. Great for meeting up with friends or sitting quietly and reading a book.

Ja
Review №43

Tried the Ethiopian and a single-origin S American drip. Both fantastic. Recommend the Fig scone too. Great place to work for a few hours.

Ma
Review №44

Friendly staff, dog friendly spot for espresso to go and a treat for the pup!

Da
Review №45

They’ve just been killing it since the pandemic! I’m so grateful for their grit and strength while delivering delicious coffee and pastries. They were literally one of the first business’ to adapt and create a genius app for contactless ordering.

Da
Review №46

Friendly, efficient, great-tasting coffee, fresh pastries

Vi
Review №47

Best latte in PDX. They have one with cardamom... sooo good!

Ra
Review №48

Always one of my favorite coffee roaster shops. Their coffee I have been drinking for about 5 years now and it never gets old. Surprised by how good it tastes every time. Keep up the good work!

Em
Review №49

The coffee here tastes so good and the staff is always friendly. Since the pandemic I make espresso mostly at home but love ordering their beans.

Ra
Review №50

Amazing coffee, great ambience. First time drinking coffee out of a glencairn glass, which was neat.

To
Review №51

The best coffee experience Ive ever had. Coffee flights should be everywhere and the coffee and tonic was delicate and hefty and like rocket fuel

Re
Review №52

A chic spot that serves a watery mocha and burnt chocolate cookies. The staff is friendly and the view is good for people watching. It is cashless.

Sa
Review №53

This is my new favorite coffee shop! They’re the only coffee joint on 21st I go to regularly because the quality is consistently excellent and the staff is really friendly and sweet. They’ve taken extra precautionary measures to help slow the spread of covid-19 as well.

Sh
Review №54

These folks are serious coffee connoisseurs. The place is tiny and cozy and they have heated outdoor seating - perfect for a rainy day.

Wi
Review №55

I love this place. A NW Portland staple if there ever was one!

Va
Review №56

Nice local cashless coffee place. The latte was great. Will come back

Da
Review №57

Cashless business is the literal embodiment of gentrification attitudes/cultures

Mu
Review №58

Nicely focused menu in an intimate spot with knowledgeable and informative staff. Loved the drip coffee side to provide a foil to the espresso, it was well chosen (In this case the espresso was a natural-processed lot of Limmu Kossa and the drip was a washed Ethiopian from a different region), and the snifter was a nice, uncommon-but-extremely-logical vehicle for the shot.

Ji
Review №59

Always enjoy meeting friends here. Their coffee is delicious and so are the pastries. During covid they are doing an excellent job of social distancing.

Jo
Review №60

Best coffee in town. quality and precision.

ad
Review №61

The rose coffee was amazing. Great taste good service.

Mi
Review №62

Great little third wave coffee place in Portland. Theyve been around in one iteration or another for over a decade, and Ive enjoyed them all.

Ni
Review №63

Sterling is a great local spot. the people are so nice and the roast is delicious. ❤️

Ke
Review №64

I enjoyed Sterling’s Cold Brew before they moved into their new location. When they were at their smaller location for whatever reason, the cold brew tasted great. Good balanced, nice tasting notes, and floral cold brew. I went back hoping to have the same experience and nope-the cold brew was sour tasting, acidic with no balanced taste or good tasting notes. My wife’s mocha was great and we had good service. However, Portland is a competitive coffee scene-a Cafe/roaster needs to offer quality all around. I’m taking my business elsewhere...

x
Review №65

Honey lavender was overly sweet. Nice staff

Me
Review №66

One of my favorite coffee shops in the town. Love all my friends that work there. Will do anything to help them. Theyre very good people. They have awesome shoes and performances, and a very classy decor to the cafe. Love the wood furniture and vines. I love the stool area. And they have awesome kambucha drinks, so tasty and healthy!! Super tastes good. And they have dark roasts, French pressed coffees, and exotic coffees from all over the world, and you can buy them in large bags to brew for yourself! I love the dark roast Ethiopian coffee and get it every time I go there! Excellent atmosphere ☺️☺️ 5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

St
Review №67

Coffee was good--only had the brewed coffee though so cant speak to anything else, but I loved that they gave me a free refill on my coffee before I left (need caffeine for the road). I really like the general atmosphere of this place. Nice aesthetic, friendly people and located in a great spot close to many other neat places to check out.

La
Review №68

These guys have fantastic coffee! The staff is also amazing! I was visiting all the way from Halifax, Nova Scotia and these guys made my experience in Portland so amazing! They even gave me a sample of some specialty coffee. I love this place. Thank you so much for everything and i am enjoying my coffee. :)

Ha
Review №69

This is my all time favorite coffee spot in Portland. The staff is very attentive and friendly. The seating is quaint but comfortable. It almost feels like a small hole in the wall coffee shop in Paris. The chairs tea is amazing but everything I have tried was excellent. The small pastries are local and tasty. Try the espresso with sparkling water to truly taste their excellent beans.

cj
Review №70

I come here every Sunday and it’s always the best part of the day. The staff is incredible! Very friendly, very attentive, and if you have any questions they can answer it very clearly. I love how classy the shop is. They use a Slayer Espresso machine which give out the utmost high quality espresso you could ask for.

Vi
Review №71

I love their coffe, forgot my mask and they provided one free of charge

As
Review №72

Just stopped in to get a quick coffee to go, saw the ambiance then changed my mind immediately, sat down sipped an absolutely fantastic mocha!! The barista deserves recognition, he was cranking out cafe like nobody I’ve seen, place was packed not a single ounce of panic just smiles!!

Ni
Review №73

Just the nicest baristas in town. Everyone should come here to learn what good service is all about. Coffee is just as divine.

PJ
Review №74

The owner was behind the counter when we came in and it was easy to see how passionate he is about quality espresso. Enjoyed our beverages and atmosphere. And he even went out of our way to bring us a sample of something we had asked about on the menu.We grabbed a pound of sterling coffee beans on our way out to brew at home and love them.I live about 30 minutes away but will make it a point to visit again soon.

Wi
Review №75

Nice open coffee shop. Good coffee and service. Its open, not cozy, which is why I give it 4 stars

Gr
Review №76

Greeted with a smile. The coffee and drink selection is great. The ambiance is relaxing and conducive to getting work done or sharing in good conversation.

Sa
Review №77

Cute little coffee shop with plenty of seating available. love the decor, mix of modern and rustic. good place for chilling with friends or to get work done. wifi was working well, the shop was clean and barista were friendly. will definitely return, great place to both relax and get some work done

Ta
Review №78

A great coffee shop. Wonderful, welcoming, friendly staff. The shop was clean and nicely kept. The coffee art was very funny to see each time we went to get drinks. As for the coffee itself, the coffee has a dark smooth deep flavor. There is more of a dark chocolate note in the coffee.

Ji
Review №79

Fantastic, local, small coffee shop. Service is quick, friendly, and always cheerful. Cashless, so make sure to have a card or phone to pay with. After starting in the basement of an apartment building, its really great that they have their own space and can set their own hours. The secret of the menu is to order a large cappuccino even though they dont list it.

So
Review №80

Speciality Coffee. Try their single origin coffee

Ti
Review №81

BEWARE: this place is too good. Youll come for a coffee and leave with a love. Great drinks, staff, and space. My only complaint is that there isnt one in SE.

An
Review №82

The espresso is really really good. Nice people and nice place to work too

Na
Review №83

Been going to Sterling for years now. Owner is super nice and the staff are great. Beautiful shop too.

Ra
Review №84

Love the new space! Same friendly staff as the old spot, still delicious coffee, but in a gorgeous new shop. There was a decent amount of seating available--I may have to come back and camp out for a bit next time Im in the neighborhood.

Ju
Review №85

Left my wallet at home... they made me a cappuccino & said come back later to pay. Came back in 15 to pay & purchased their incredible beans! One of the best coffee houses in Portland hands down!!!

Br
Review №86

Ive explored a lot of coffee shops in Portland, and Sterling is always my faithful standby. The coffee is always delicious, the service is always impeccable, and the shop is always a lovely place to hang out. Im never disappointed here.

Wi
Review №87

Very nice place to relax or to buzz in and out of. Energetic group of people that are happy to serve. Well laid out & plenty of seating. Two thumbs up!

Sa
Review №88

Super disappointed in this place as well as it’s staff. Treated poorly and paid for a cup of bad coffee.

iu
Review №89

Absolutely love this place! Great coffee and really nice team. They are super careful and kind. Love to come and spend some time..or take to go.

Da
Review №90

Impeccable brew of the Ethiopian single origin bean which was on grind today, bursting with notes of blueberries and caramel. Fantastic ambiance and most importantly the staff and baristas were on their A-game with exceptionally friendly and helpful service. A must-visit if you’re in the neighbourhood or beyond. Love you guys ❤️

Za
Review №91

Really nice people, fun modern interior, lots of small tables easy to chat and do work at, and if you get coffee for here you get a free refill

Je
Review №92

Awesome coffee shop - fabulous coffee, best latte Ive had in a long time! Pastries were delicious, too. Great environment and the baristas were super friendly and helpful. Ill be back! :-)

Sh
Review №93

Best latte I’ve had in a long time. Music is great. They don’t take cash, so bring your card!

Ry
Review №94

The best, most consistently crafted cappuccino in Portland, hands down.

Vi
Review №95

Cashless business, so they lost my business. Change your absurd Visa/Big Bank friendly payment model, and I will be back.

Da
Review №96

This place basically sells legal crack. Its amazing. I was chatting with a girl at a different roaster, and she mentioned that she goes to Sterling on her day off.I bought a bag the other day to have a source at home, and it brewed up perfectly with my cheap French press.I highly recommend their cold brew. I unwittingly bought some at 3pm once, and wasnt able to sleep that night.

Ma
Review №97

Im a pretty weak coffee drinker, but since I was traveling with my coffee-loving friend, we decided to explore the coffee shops of Portland. This was the first one. As I took my first sip of my Vanilla Latte, I tasted all the wonderful flavors of Blendo Stupendo. It was so rich, but not bitter at all, which is what I usually have trouble with. I ended up finishing that thing so quickly! I wish I had gotten more. Will definitely be coming back once I move here!

Ta
Review №98

Come here for a right cuppa joe, this is one o them places where all you need is cream and sugar for a flavoured latte because all the flavours are in the beans

Ju
Review №99

Coffee and bake shop pastries are delicious. Baristas are always so kind. So lovely to have Sterling in a more spacious location. Love this place.

Iu
Review №100

This place is small but very cozy. I think they serve the best lattes over there!

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.7 Rating
  • Address:518 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
  • Site:http://sterling.coffee/
  • Phone:+1 971-221-0265
Categories
  • Coffee shop
Working hours
  • Monday:7AM–5PM
  • Tuesday:7AM–5PM
  • Wednesday:7AM–5PM
  • Thursday:7AM–5PM
  • Friday:7:30AM–5PM
  • Saturday:7:30AM–5PM
  • Sunday:7AM–5PM
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Highlights
  • Fast service:Yes
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
Popular for
  • Solo dining:Yes
  • Good for working on laptop:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible seating:Yes
Offerings
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
Dining options
  • Dessert:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • Tourists:Yes
Payments
  • Debit cards:Yes
  • NFC mobile payments:Yes
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