Upper Left Roasters

I love this coffee shop. It spacious and perfect for studying. I love the cold brew here and their pour overs are really tasteful and smooth. The toast there is really good and filling. I like to drizzle extra honey on it ;)

I had been eyeballing this place for a minute now and I’m so glad I decided to give it a try! I had the Olive Thyme (a toast-​like thing with cream cheese and zoodled cucumbers), along with an iced americano (my favorite). Both were top notch. Definitely coming back!

Like they all say. Get a sandwich.

Though I like to think myself above the silly passing of trends, I must say I fell hard for the fad that is Toast (capital T entirely intentional). Upper Left Roasters does Toast, and it does Toast well. Sure, they’ll overcharge you for said Toast, but that’s the cost of food fashion, friends. So fork over $ 9 or so for a plain coffee and slab of toast adorned with the fixings of your dreams, and be prepared for bliss.
It should be said, since they are first and foremost a roaster, that the coffee was impeccable. Also noteworthy is how wonderful, light, and airy the space is. Certainly the kind of place where you’d be tempted to linger long after the coffee’s grown cold.
Also, be warned, though their website says nothing of it, Upper Left Roasters stops serving food 1 hour before close. I came in the other day at 3:01, tummy grumbling, and was unceremoniously informed that the Toast quit toasting at 3:00.

The real deal. Highest quality like Coava, and vibe for days. The baristas know what they’re doing, yet are a good hang instead of acting aloof or pretentious like so many in the best shops in PDX. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a neighborhood roaster that transcends the genre.

I am loving all these new coffee shop options in SE Portland. Where were they when I used to be in school and always searching for a good coffee shop? I always end up going out of the way to Insomnia or Starbucks, all the trendy places never had tables open, which not the most ideal place to study because they always blending shit. Anyway, I love that I could go to coffee joint in the area if a place was busy and its convenient because I don’t have to drive out of my way. Upper Left Roasters is now on my list. It’s a very bright space with clean décor and plenty of seating, lots of stools along the window bar. I actually got my coffee to-​go so I can’t really comment on the environment if you plan on getting work done there. Excellent iced soy mocha, loving the pour-​over coffee. Excited to return to try the toast and open-​faced sandwiches options.

Um holy shit yeah hi. This is one of my favorite places to get some work in. It’s bright, open, tons of bar seating (my preferred work seating) with outlets galore. I always get their Orange Mocha because it tastes like those Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, and I like to feel like I’m getting my serving of fruit in. I tend to not like the coffee shops that make me feel like I’m in an Apple store, but this is my exception — the tasty toasts help too.

Beautiful new space that used to be a dive bar. Really not good coffee. Almond milk has been sour/​bitter, even though they were making it themselves. Gave it a couple of chances, but had to pour out and take back another. I know, #firstworldprobs, but when it’s a $ 5 to treat yourself with, it should be tasty. House coffee isn’t anything special. Good place to look at, but missed the coffee mark. Maybe it’ll get better but with so many options close by, not motivated to keep trying.

That was pleasant. They are still a new shop so it will be cool to see how they progress!
I was invited to have morning coffee from Davis (a barista there) while I’m in town for Coffee Fest, so I came by. The shop was spotless. The music was slightly bumping (for the start of the weekend) and slightly cool ambiance. I was greeted instantly with a wave and an espresso (how did they know? …magician baristas…). I had a HUGE piece of toast that they use as the base for their Open Faced Sandwiches, had an egg on top, all the goodies, just $ 7. Sounds like a plan to me. The staff seemed to be having a good time hanging out together and serving customers.
Thanks for the espresso ;)

Bright space, friendly staff, great location, solid wi-​fi. I like it. Nice to have an alternative to Tiny’s a couple blocks away. (Probably even nicer for folks who have been stuck with rude staff and poor selection at Cellar Door!) I do with they had more vegan options here, but the country wheat toast with nut butter and banana is super yum and hit the spot. They roast their own beans and have Steven Smith tea. Sweetpea is still my go to, but this is a great spot. Recommended. (But did I mention I’d love more vegan options? :-))

Awesome coffee, space, and people.

I am in love with Upper Left Roasters. Like «let’s get married» love. Like «stealing stray hairs from your brush» love. Like «carve your name into my arm» love. Maybe even «suicide pact» love. That, folks, is some serious love.
Inner SE Portland is hardly in need of another coffee shop, but the environment at Upper Left Roasters is so pleasant that it seems like an absolutely vital part of the neighborhood. I dream of living in Ladd’s Addition and strolling to ULR for a my morning coffee and a bite to eat. With white walls, light wood accents and tons of windows, on a good day the space is flooded with natural light that is priceless in a city like Portland. Heck, on really nice days it has a full patio from which you can enjoy your drinks. It’s just so effing pleasant here! I’d say I’m in love, but I’ve already covered that…
There are a number of seating options, so whether you are working solo or need to use their space for a meeting, they’ve got you covered. Also, there are ample electric outlets and free wifi. I can assure you, I’ll be working from here and soon.
Of course, none of this would matter if the coffee and foodstuffs weren’t up to snuff. Fortunately, they’re both pretty dang great! I’ve had a really good iced coffee and their drip is legit too. I don’t get into espresso drinks, but I suspect it’s on point. Today, on the recommendation of a colleague, I tried their avocado toast. It’s a thick slice of wheat topped with avocado (duh), plus a poached egg and some radish. Holy hell, this thing was delicious. I still get cranky dropping $ 7 on toast, but I must admit, it filled me up good.
I can’t think of anything to not like about Upper Left Roasters. 5 stars all the way!

If Socially Barbie were to visit Upper Left Roasters (and she totally would) she would undoubtedly be excessively hashtaging things like:
#microfoampartay #v60 #singleorigin #coffeelover #alternativebrewing #coffeegram #coffeeaddict #coffeetime #coffeegeek #coffeeculture #visitportland #thirdwave #baristaskills #latteart #lovework #lovefreewifi #worksesh #naturallight #urbanindustrial #openfaced #outletsfordays #communaltables #moretoastplease
And I get it. Because I hashtag love it here too. It’s like I flipped open a page of Kinfolk magazine then slipped and fell right inside because from the décor to the menu to the seating to the staff to, yes, the coffee itself, it’s all just so beautiful. Plus, outlets. Plus, open faced sandwiches. Plus, natural light. They really nailed their target demographic because I just can’t get enough of all of it. #newopenings

The staff at upper left roasters was very kind, they patiently explained the different coffee styles and roasts.
The space is very clean and open. Great natural lighting and open. The coffee was very good.
Great addition to the Portland coffee scene

For starters, I was not impressed with the coffee here. It tasted burnt to me! I decided to try the toast with cream cheese and cucumbers. While the toast was good, the portion was incredibly small. I had assumed that, for $ 5, I would get more than a small slice of toast. I was wrong. I ended up eating lunch really early that day because of how hungry I still was.
Long story short, it’s not worth the money. There are plenty of other good coffee shops in Portland.

First time here while waiting for my car to be serviced down the street. Modern, good looking coffee shop that is roomy and comfortable inside with lots of windows. Roaster is visible off to the side — nice touch.
Thank you Upper Left, it’s been a long time and it’s crazy nice to have a happy, non sleepy barista on the other side of the counter. I didn’t have to carry the transaction this morning I politely ordered and the barista smiled, took my order and told me my pastry options when I asked. We then traded product for cash. (It’s really that simple PDX Coffee shops.)
The shop was thought out with room to place your order without feeling in the way of other customers.
Bike racks outside and a decent patio area with bar seating.
Important stuff: I usually order espresso shots or Americanos because most shops ignore or look down at drip coffee. I took a chance and the drip was black and hot and tasted good. I wish this was in my neighborhood I would be back tomorrow. Oh! And the pastries didn’t suck. I had a lemon current scone that wasn’t too dry or too sugary sweet. Nice!
Drip coffee: $ 2
Lemon Current Scone: $ 3
Espresso: $ 3
Latte: $ 3.75
wi-​fi: yes
Outlets: along the wall
Bike racks: yes
Parking: might be tough but not impossible and there’s a 15 minute spot in front of the shop for quick in and out.
I liked it enough to tell the garage down the street about it and phoned a buddy to tell him «what’s new» in his neighborhood.
Check this place out.

Was walking by and noticed the place was open, so I wandered on in. First things first, the space is big and very open. There’s probably 40+ feet of counter and around 20 stools along the large windows, two large tables (8 seats), and 3 two tops. That’s not counting the outside seating along a rail (maybe a dozen more stools?). Super light and airy feel, with light woods and white metal furniture. There’s a small roaster on the east side of the space.
In addition to the standard coffee options, they’ve got a few toast and open faced sandwich options. I had a white cheddar with pickled peppers and cream cheese. Thick slice of wheat, which cream cheese spread edge to edge, a generous amount of white cheddar melted over it, and some pickled red peppers adding a nice kick and acidity to it, accompanied by an unremarkable spring mix salad.
Definitely geeked out brewing — induction burners, gram scales, swan necks, etc. .. Roaster looks like it might be computer controlled as well.
Looks like a good spot to get some work done, as long as it’s earlier in the day (closes at 4 on weekdays, 3 on the weekends).

Having only opened a week, sold! Solid place to work with big open space, natural lights individual and communal tables, even seats outside. Coffee is roasted and solid on site the likes of my favorites Coava and Either Or. Love they are reasonable on the tipping seletions on the ipad — 15% start at instead of a $ 1, I’ve seen some places do which makes a $ 4 cup of coffee …
Drip coffee solid at $ 2. Thoroughly enjoyed my chocolatey americano for $ 3.
Lots of outlets. Over-​all a great communal space to work at.
Munchies include pastries from Roman Candle and a few open toast sandwiches, but its a hop skip and a jump for lunch at Lardo or the food carts at 12^th and Hawthorne.

On first arrival I noticed plenty of bike parking and outdoor seating. Big plus in this town. Loads of people bike and sitting outside is always pleasant. Upon walking in I noticed how beautiful and bright it was. Tons of natural light coming through the skylight and big bay windows that face north. I can already tell even with the winter rains it’s going to glow in here which is always nice and comforting. Now on to the menu. At first glance I noticed how simple it was. It’s essentially coffee and toast which is perfect for any time of the day. I had the cold brew which was so exceptional I had to get another glass. My next choice was one of the open face sandwiches. I made the right choice when I picked the poached egg w/​avocado. A friend suggested it and she was correct. Quality ingredients. Great flavor and the contrast. Contrast is key for me. The creaminess of the avocado. Softness of the poached egg. Crunchiness of the toasted bread and the spice from the hot oil that was drizzled on the toast made for one of the most simple and delicious breakfasts I’ve had in a bit. Just a overall wonderful experience and I’m excited to see this place grow into itself. I shall be returning and I imagine frequenting quite often.

Awesome space, friendly staff, wonderful coffee roasted on site.
My son and I tried it the latest addition to Southeast Portland’s world of excellent third wave roasters.
To begin with ULR simply makes a Great Cup of coffee, from the drip to an espresso or Americano. All their coffees are roasted on site.
This is their «soft opening», but as far as I could tell, they’re already doing it the way things should be done.
Definitely check them out!