Caffeine Crawl: My Favorite Caffeine Stops in Portland, Maine
If there's one thing I do in every new city, it's find the best caffeine. Whether it's a cozy café, a perfectly whisked matcha, or my personal favorite the espresso martini, I'm always up for a little pick-me-up.
Portland, Maine, did not disappoint. From the buttery pastries and expertly crafted coffee at Tandem, to the vibrant matcha creations at Matcha Mood, and the espresso martinis at The Grill (because let's be honest, that's my favorite way to enjoy coffee ), each stop had its own personality and flavor.
Whether you're an early-morning coffee enthusiast, a fellow matcha lover, or someone who prefers their caffeine with a splash of vodka, here's where I recommend getting your fix while exploring Portland.
Tandem Coffee in the West End, get there early there is always a line becuase the coffee and freshly baked goods are amazing. This place was so good, we went every single morning! They are known for their biscuits and for good reason! I had to have the loaded savory: Buttermilk biscuit with Fredrikson Farm goat cheese and house made tomato jam and it was 100/10! They also have cookies, scones, pie and quiche!
Matchamood, the first dedicated matcha bar in Portland, Maine. Their menu is a matcha girl's dream, featuring flavors like strawberry, purple ube, black sesame, coconut cloud, Biscoff, yuzu lemonade, and more. You can customize your drink with coffee jelly, order it iced, hot, or blended as a frappe, making it easy to find your perfect matcha mood. I went with the Purple Matcha, an iced matcha with ube and lavender and it was just as delicious as it was photogenic.
Don't skip the croffles (croissant + waffle). Whether you're craving sweet options like strawberries & cream, cookies & cream, or Biscoff, or savory favorites like egg & bacon or ham & cheese, they're the perfect pairing with your drink. And if you're traveling with someone who's not on the matcha train, they also serve rich Vietnamese coffee, so everyone leaves happy. It's one of those cafés that's just as fun to photograph as it is to sip your way through.
The Grill Room & Bar is known for the best espresso martinis! This urban steakhouse has a great vibe and the bar was so much fun! The staff was fantastic, bartenders made the best drinks, shoutout to Karl! Their version “TGR” is a little different: Smirnoff Vanilla, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Frangelico, Baileys. Top tier!