I know this might sound contradictory, but I’m not really a big coffee drinker.
I’m not one of those people who need a jolt of caffeine to function in the morning. I can actually go days without a sip of coffee and be fine with it.
What I do like, is what I call the ‘the art of coffee-ing’. It’s the simple pleasure of finding a good cup of coffee and a delightful café to linger in. It’s also the ritual of taking an unhurried moment to brew a pot at home.

This Stumptown Coffee in Portland is one of the first coffee shops that I truly enjoyed spending time in. We were there a few years back on my first visit to Portland, and had such a great experience that it spun a Pinterest board of coffee shops from around the world that I want to visit someday.

I like the Stumptown brand; whether I’m in New York or Seattle, the quality of my coffee is always consistent. I tend to prefer the flavour of medium roasted beans, which seems to be the standard for roasting their beans. The coffee is fuller and a richer flavour comes through with no bitterness. I love coming back home with a bag of their beans.

With the unique nature of Portland’s coffee culture, it’s easy to discover wonderful coffee shops with every visit, but we also find ourselves often relaxing on the plush cozy couches at the lobby of the Ace Hotel, sipping our lattes and people watching. This location was the first collaboration between Stumptown and Ace Hotel, there’s one in New York and another set to open in New Orleans.

The café is adjacent to the hotel; from the main street, it flows through a set of giant windows into a narrow well-lit space with dark furnishings and fancy coffee making accoutrements.
The staff are pleasant and accommodating, they prepare coffee with a style and ceremony that is actually satisfying to watch.

There’s limited seating option in the main café, but we’re usually more comfortable sitting in the over-stuffed couches in the hotel’s lobby. I also love that it’s in a centralized location, close to the Pearl District, a block from Powell’s Books and steps away from Union Way, a cute shopping alley with cool eclectic shops.

Stumptown Coffee – Ace Hotel, Portland
1026 SW Stark
Portland, OR 97205