Coffee By Design

This place was OK. I was in desperate need of caffeine so ordered a café au lait and a molasses cookie topped with candied ginger. My drink was hot but tasted really watery, and my cookie was tough. Staff wasn’t very friendly. I wouldn’t rush back but it did relieve my caffeine withdrawal headache.

Good chai, and «dirty chai” — and a-​ok cannoli.
Tiny little, quick stop in and out.
Really nice folks behind the counter.
Super excited about the restaurant that’s about to open across the street — Teralingua.
Cool little spot, next to some great spots.

I’m not a coffee drinker but I can still appreciate the warmth of this spot! The barista was super friendly and smiley and knowledgeable of what was on the menu. I got the spicy chai and I loved it. It’s the type of spice I was hoping from the Oprah chai they had a Starbucks a while back (or that they still might sell?). I loved it and will be back for another.
I’ve heard great things about their coffee so I’ll have to bring my coffee loving friends here to confirm. From what I saw of the flavors offered, I’m sure they’re all tasty.

My favorite coffee spot. They are remodeling, and it is very noisy so don’t plan on hanging out there. My personal favorite is Black and Tan.

Coffee by Design is a staple in the city of Portland. With four physical locations (Congress St, India St, Washington Ave, and one inside LL Bean), and businesses selling some form of their product all the way from Nevada to Puerto Rico and just about everywhere in between according to their website, CBD is obviously doing something right.
Especially at their Washington Ave store. It’s the best representation of what CBD is, and always has been, all about which is being exceptional at the three C’s: coffee, customer service, and community.
We stopped in here one weekend before a big snow storm was approaching. There were two people working and maybe a dozen or so ordering coffee or drinking it leisurely in the very casual atmosphere (heads up: there’s stuff on just about every surface of the store, and that can cause extreme sensory overload/​temporary adult-​onset ADD… the urge to make splurge purchases will absolutely be there — you’ve been warned). One of the employees (Tessa… this is a shout out to you; damn girl are you awesome) greeted us warmly as we approached the wall of bagged beans in the back. She was extremely (and flawlessly and genuinely) well-​versed in all things coffee and spoke to us and not at us about it. We told her that we usually drank Rebel Blend («a rich, smooth coffee with a wonderful fruity finish») and she encouraged us to check out Midnight Jazz (an «unforgettable dark blend that’s sweet, rich and smooth with a distinctive wine finish; a great all day darker roast») because it had the same great boldness, but with a more flavorful profile on the end (and it was fifty cents cheaper!). She couldn’t have been more right: it is now our favorite CBD coffee. Little did we know that we would also get a complimentary coffee with the purchase of our one pound bag! LOVE IT.
I got a Ruby Red Mocha (seasonal speciality), too, and was told that it was one of the staff’s favorite. «That’s just because it’s what I ordered, right?» I asked playfully. Both employees told me that it really was one of the best options because it was made from natural spices with nothing artificial or cloyingly sweet. And truthfully it was delightful (I should have gotten a bigger size)! Definitely a milder tasting flavored mocha with a serious punch of cinnamon, but that’s something I personally prefer. The point? It doesn’t matter what time of year it is — if they’ve got speciality drinks and you’re curious as to what’s in each or what the staff prefers… just ask. They will give you their honest (and knowledgable) opinions!
I’m was already a big fan of CBD (I’m a girl who likes some «umph» to her java, and I feel like CBD doesn’t skimp!) but this experience and specific location just solidified my love for them.

nice coffee shop. CBD seems to be all over portland and that is good because they make a decent mocha. was going to buy some beans but trying to figure out what they cost was not easy before i had a cup of coffee.

Great location, good coffee, espresso drinks and breakfast pastries. Luckily i live in the neighborhood. Better than the top of the hill coffee shop.

We were out of towners who didn’t know the area and we decided to walk all the way to this location to get some exercise after a big breakfast. It was worth the hike! Very friendly and helpful staff, bold iced coffee that tasted so good after a long walk, and interesting little things to consider adding to your coffee purchase (I was tempted by some lipbalm; boyfriend picked up a packet of chocolate-​covered pretzels). When we went to another location on Congress the next morning, I was shocked by the line to the door and the long wait. Not so with the Washington Ave. Coffee by Design. Coming here is like a breath of fresh air.