Came on a whim and it did not disappoint! Long standing local matcha shop in Portland with so much charm and history! The matcha was EXCELLENT and tasted how all matchas should: balanced, aromatic in a way, deeply enjoyable. Dare I say one of the best matchas in town? There's soooo many new matcha openings nowadays which has been fun, but you just can't go wrong with the OGs. Service was very sweet and I loved the interior decor! Will be back for many more!! read more

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i got the matcha soft serve with the hochija brownie. it was decent, the brownie was really dense for a brownie and the matcha's soft serve flavor was on the lighter side. we ordered at the kiosk and our order was brought to us! i really liked the atmosphere of the place and they had products around the store for you to shop as well!! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I love Behind the Museum Cafe! This was my second visit since I was visiting my bestie in Portland. Behind the Museum Cafe remains consistent and wonderful. We arrived right when the opened on a Sunday morning. And good thing since we were a big group of 5 and we were able to snag the large table. Seeing all of the trinkets along the wall is so nice. A lot of people were trickling in by 12pm for the lunch time rush. For eating at the location you order at the front, and then the workers will bring your food and drinks to you once ready. Everything is so thoughtfully prepared and served. The quality of their matcha in the latte and in the ice cream is perfection. Their salmon onigiri and teriyaki onigiri were delicious. Once you are done, you bring your dishes and glasses to the front in the designated area for dirty dishes. If I was a local I would probably visit this location weekly! read more

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I've been curious about this place for a long time and was excited to try it. The onigiri was super tasty and fresh. I loved the mixed grain rice and the broad range of fillings. I liked that it came with a side. The rooibos tea was pleasantly iced. The staff were super friendly. I do wish that they had more reusable cups and dishes, but maybe they just don't have a dishwasher or something. read more

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Dear 10 Yelp Followers, A new decree has been made: this review has been officially upgraded from 4 to 5 stars. In my opinion, Behind the Museum Café serves the best matcha lattes in the entire city. No competition. If this is your first visit, here are 3 essential tips: - Order a hot matcha latte. No milk substitutions. Their natural sweetener is perfectly balanced--nothing extra needed. - Expect limited seating. If it's packed, head to the community table in the back. It's part of the charm. - Parking is classic Portland street parking. Prepare accordingly. And don't forget to enjoy the pottery wall--it's half the experience. 5/5. Thank me later. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Best Matcha in PDX - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We saw the reviews and knew we had to try it. We got some salmon onigiri, matcha latte, and a hojicha and matcha soft serve. The matcha latte and soft serve was definitely worth the hype! The salmon onigiri was a bit underwhelming. Too much rice, little salmon, and no flavoring in the rice. The interior was cozy and spacious. The service was excellent and the staff were courteous. I would most definitely recommend for the drinks, soft serve, and ambience! read more

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Behind the Museum Cafe is a Japanese-inspired cafe located directly across the street behind the Portland Art Museum. There is a ton of street parking all around the area. Inside, they have a cozy and welcoming setup with a good amount of seating. For their menu, they have a nice selection of different coffee, matcha, tea, and ice cream too choose from. Wifey and I ended up trying the Hojicha Latte and the Matcha Parfait. Both items were amazing with nice flavor profiles. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the vibes here and unwinding for a bit after some walking. All of the staff here are very friendly and accommodating. Definitely plan a day around going to the museum and stopping by here right after! read more

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Always a wonderful time when we stop by this cute cafe. The parfaits are delicious, and the short bread cookies are always a nice surprise! The onigiri is also really good. Lattes are creamy and not too sweet. The sencha was surprisingly the favorite last time we visited. It's very refreshing and not bitter at all read more

oh my goodness! I felt like I walked into a different world at this cafe. Behind the Museum is a beautiful cafe with lots of windows, Japanese drinks and food options, and fast service. Probably most affordable + tasty matcha I've found in the Portland/Vancouver area so far. Hojicha latte is pretty sweet, but the hojicha tea itself has a good flavor. Onigiri is mostly rice, but teriyaki shitake filling is very flavorful. Edamame is ok... probably needs more salt. mini baguette has a good balance of flavors. Everything is beautifully presented. If planning on studying here, there are lots of small tables and 1 big table with accessible outlets. Wifi is spotty, however. I would recommend parking at a nearby garage if you plan to stay a while as they are cheaper. I went on a weekend afternoon and it was packed. Definitely plan on returning! read more

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What a gem!!! Loved atmosphere with all the nostalgic Japanese items in the cafe such as Shinto Kami Dana and Ojizou san!!! Loved the soft ice cream! A lot of matcha flavor in it :) we wanted to eat onigiri but we were too full. It was a busy place with long time on Saturday. Service was OK but worth trying the food!! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Real deal - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is a fun place to stop in for a quick snack and a great matcha after a long day exploring all the new updates to the Portland Art Museum. Delicious hot matcha that pairs well with the cold days we have coming up and a variety of savory and sweet snacks! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Matcha - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Very strong matcha shot and a very unique experience, lovely place, very nice service aswell. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Matcha set - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Needed a quick stop for lunch and to chill before heading to the airport and this hits the spot. The only thing was that they only had street parking and it was very crowded inside. I got an onigiri and it came with edamane. The edamane surprised me...tasted like it was boiled in dashi. I also go a matcha latte and it was perfect with the cold raining afternoon vibe. The cashier was friendly and helpful. read more

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I was so excited to find this very modern Japanese cafe in the city! It is a perfect place to stop by for a light lunch or tea. They offer onigiris and matcha which tasted wonderful. There's a long row of seating and tables that get filled pretty easily. Very beautiful interior that facilitates great conversation read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Matcha - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The cafe has a very cozy and comfortable vibe with warm lanterns spaced throughout the main area and decorative plates and other antiques on wall shelves. The servers were all very friendly when answering any questions and taking our order. We got the salmon mayo and teriyaki chicken onigiris which were both pretty solid. The hojicha latte also was great with a very pronounced taste of the tea. There's a good amount of street parking outside that is free at certain times. We went on a Sunday when it was free before 1 PM. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Teriyaki chicken (top) and salmon mayo (right) - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My friend wanted to treat me to lunch. She asked if I had ever been to Behind the Museum Cafe, and I never have. We were able to find street parking nearby, I paid for 2 hours so that we wouldn't have to rush. We were greeted at the counter where you place your order. The person taking our order was great and helping us to make decisions on what to order. Once you place your order, you find a spot and they bring your order out to you. She and I are both vegan, and there were vegan options enough that we certainly did not leave hungry. There were 4 vegan onigiri, and we got 1 of each. Ume pickles, seaweed mushroom, teriyaki mushroom, pickled tea leaves. It came with a side of edamame or Japanese style napa cabbage or half and half, which we went with half and half. We also got an appetizer of cucumber with miso dip. I got Hojicha, a roasted green tea and she got an expresso soy latte. The rice is a nutritious blend of brown rice with quinoa, millet, Bhutanese red rice, black rice. I thought it was pretty delicious. It was a fun adventure with a lovely friend! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Behind the Museum Cafe: cucumber with miso dip, 4 different vegan onigiri, hojicha roasted green tea, expresso soy latte - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

One of the best matcha spots I've tried in Portland. The food, pastries, and drinks were delicious. The service was great and the baristas were nice and friendly! The ambiance is great. The aroma of matcha and the sweetness of pastries is notable. I would defijitely go back. read more

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What I have heard/ seen of this cafe is this. - great soft serve - matcha can be a mix up (often very milky) - hojicha latte is quite delish - vibes 10/10! Super cute and as per the name right behind the museum. read more

On a recent visit to Portland with girlfriends, we decided on a place to hangout and enjoy afternoon hot drinks. Locked up option and behind the museum definitely stood out... The restaurant is airy with tall ceilings, glass walls and ample seating area. Loved the authentic Japanese decor as well as items for sale. What drew me here was the matcha latte which is my favorite and the menu definitely had great options. We tried the matcha lattes as well as some mochi brownie and one other sweet option (don't remember the name, my bad). Everything was perfect!! The quality of matcha is up there, I don't like my matcha sweetened and can tell the quality really well without the sweetness taking over the flavor. Really enjoyed it and the relaxed atmosphere was perfect for an afternoon girls hangout spot. read more

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Still a gem after all these years. Best matcha in town. Friendly service. The neighborhood can be a bit sketch so make sure you hide anything of value if parking. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Best matcha in Portland - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

WHEN: Sat @2:45pm Came here after checking out the Art Museum, and it is peak time of the day so I am feeling that heat. Since I had lunch just before that, I am hankering for some cold sweets! I was surprise to see how busy it was at this hour. I managed to snag up the last table for my partner and I. There are tables outside too but no thank you with this heat. There was a line but not terribly long, and I ended up ordering: SOFT SERVE - $4 I decided on a swirl of both flavors they had: MATCHA and HOJICHA, and it was such a great combo. Imagine the matcha flavor you love, but also with that nutty and toasty tones. It was a portion big enough to share, and it was only $4! Having soft serve was probably the best choice I made today cuz it sure hit the spot! This cafe is so cute. Plenty of lighting and well decorated, filled with merch to buy. I like that they serve a variety of eats and drinks, both sweets and savory. I was hoping to come back here to do work but I suppose it will have to be when I visit Portland again in a few years. See you soon! read more

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very cute cafe with nice japanese decor! plenty of seating but it gets filled up quick! sad to report but the matcha tasted mediocre. for a Japanese cafe had higher expectations but def more on the milkier side. matcha cookie was nice, it had white chocolate on top. cookie was cold. Did not want to go ask for a warmup because of how busy they were. gave 4 stars because of how pretty the cafe was!! matcha could be more flavorful. read more

such a beautiful cafe this has been on my list for awhile, and it was such a great experience! food 5/5 i tried the hojicha soft serve with an add on of azuki (my two favorites!) such a great combo. i also tried the tuna mayo onigiri and it was by far the best onigiri i've had! the multigrain rice was hot and fresh and the tuna mayo was yummy! service 5/5 even tho it was pretty consistently busy the cashier was so sweet and the workers were so efficient and nice! and not to mention the BEAUTIFUL interior! i will definitely be back !! read more

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This is an adorable, Japanese inspired cafe with delicious treats and a cozy vibe. The matcha lattes are delightful and possibly the best I have had in Portland so far. Their drinks are affordable and they offer a wide variety or Japanese and American options. The staff are kind and friendly, and they prepare the drinks with a lot of care and thought. I will be returning soon! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We ordered two drinks and two food items and both arrived very quickly. The drinks were delicious and came with the cutest latte art because the barista is probably the GOAT at being a barista. I wanted to ask if I could watch him do it so i could try later but I was too shy. I got the bagel with salmon and my boyfriend got a teriyaki chicken onigiri (he says it is delicious). The atmosphere is amazing: good music, cute decor, and plenty of seating. They are very friendly. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Mocha and Matcha Latte - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Tucked behind the museum lies the a charming little cafe - a cozy hideaway for coffee, tea, Japanese treats, and savory bites. Weekends can get a bit busy, so I'd recommend arriving early if you want a seat inside. We tried the matcha latte (the cutest latte art), a matcha parfait, a couple of onigiri, and a yuzu drink. The latte had a lovely balance of matcha and sweetness - though I do wish it had been served a bit hotter. The matcha parfait was a nice sweet treat, and while the onigiri had good flavor, the rice-to-filling ratio wasn't balanced. Still, the overall vibe of the cafe is a must visit. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Interior - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Quick Summary: - This cafe is close to the museum - Tall ceilings, a good amount of seats - Indoor and outdoor seating - Some of the staff can speak in Japanese We visited here on a hot, summer day, so the seats were mostly packed with guests. There was indoor and outdoor seating, but while the seats had some shade from the building, the seating popularity was inside. Fortunately, there was a seat enough for us along the wall, so we claimed it. If I recall, there were more bench seats, so sitting with different people is expected. Since it was a hot day, ours eyes were only focused on cold drinks. Maybe when we visited when the weather was cooler, I'll try their hot drinks. Speaking with the staff, we decided to make our own parfait and ordered an iced green tea and coffee. The drinks were a delight. First, it was refreshing and it quenched our thirst. Next, even the drinks contains ice, the flavor stood out strong, and it didn't water down as much. The parfait was delicious too. The matcha ice cream was creamy and I tasted the gentle and earthy matcha flavor. I think we did pretty well with the topping choices because it paired well with it. My favorite from the toppings we chose was the tiny cookies. They were as soft as though they were like cookie dough. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is a cute cafe right behind the Portland Art Museum. They have Japanese drinks, treats and food available. I got their hojicha soft serve and a sencha yuzu drink. This was perfect for hot weather when I went. The hojicha soft serve had a nice, nutty roasted flavor. The sencha yuzu drink was okay, nothing too special. Tasted like ice tea and I had it with no sugar. Everything came out decent quick. You bus your own table after you're done. There's things around the cafe you can purchase too. No on site parking, just street parking. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I love always love to try any cafe that serve hojicha, which is not many. Since we are walking around downtown portland, saw this, why not try it. It has a line but not too long. Cafe: small one has indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered: Matcha brownie Hojicha brownie Rooibos tea Iced yuzu sencha Almond crumble matcha brownie hojicha soft serve Overall is good. Slow service. Clean up after yourself. read more

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Update as of 04/12 My boyfriend and I ended up coming back since we were in the area, and I'm really glad we gave it another shot! This time, we got to try the hojicha soft serve with a brownie, and I ordered a hot matcha latte with an extra shot of matcha. My boyfriend really enjoyed his soft serve--no surprise there--but the fun part was that we expected a regular brownie and were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a hojicha brownie! It had a unique flavor and a really cool, fun texture that paired well with the soft serve. As for my matcha latte, I ordered it warm this time, and it was so much better. It was creamier, more balanced, and I actually felt like I was drinking a proper matcha latte. The extra shot definitely helped. Overall, this visit changed my mind a bit. It's worth coming back and trying different things, especially if you tweak your order a little. read more

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What a lovely gem in downtown Portland! The perfect place to visit if you're near the Portland Art Museum. Also a lovely place to study if you go to PSU - a quick 10 minute walk from my dorm. My favorite menu item is their Matcha Soft Serve. I get it every time I go! Be warned: once you try it, you'll be dreaming about it nonstop :') read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Matcha Soft Serve - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Awesome spot! It was a rainy day when I passed by and it was Christmas eve! Really nice staff and amazing matcha latte and some snacks! read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Awesome Matcha Latte! - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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A wonderful Japanese cafe with excellent service as you come in and during your stay. You order at the counter and find yourself a table. It's a nice place for a quiet chat with a friend, and the menu is quite varied. read more

I'd give it a 3.5. It was a very interesting set up and it is clearly behind the museum. Environment: Not a very big cafe but because of the tall ceilings and windows, it made it extra grand. I bet it'll be super busy and crowded during the weekends but on nice days you can drink and snack outside I believe. Staff: they were good! It was semi self serve as you bus your own area but they do serve the food to you. They had a party so they closed sooner but they kindly walked to each table to remind us numerous times. Not pushy or mean but politely. Food: 1. I got a cappuccino for around $5. It was fine, it was cold so I wanted something warm and a bit more bitter to balance my dessert. I like the cup~! 2. Hojicha soft serve was also around $5. It was sweet at first and then the aftertaste of the hojicha slowly came in as an after taste. I wish it had a strong hojicha flavor as the sweetness was a bit more overpowering. I would say this area is a little more pricey than what I expected but if my friends want to go, I don't mind visiting again. read more

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I love love love Behind the Museum Cafe. They have the best desserts and small foods. Parking can be a little tricky because they get full fast since it is behind the Portland Museum. But if you have the chance to visit, definitely do! I got the matcha soft serve and added crumble and a matcha brownie. So so so good. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - Matcha Soft Serve w/ Crumble & Matcha Brownie - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Heard great things about this cafe, especially about their matcha lattes, so I came in with pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met. The matcha itself is poor quality (maybe the matcha shortage has something to do with this?), and the lattes are served sweetened. Honestly, it's been a little bit of an adventure trying to find a cafe that serves up a mean matcha in Portland, so if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know! read more

FAV PORTLAND MATCHA PLACE [ bonus: this place is actually run by japanese people and you can feel the authenticity in the drinks and food, as well as ambiance and other goodies sold in the store] I grew up in portland but currently live in new york. every time I'm back in town, this is one of my first stops. you can't go wrong with anything on the menu and if you're lucky...you'll run into the bear latte it's like a lil goodluck symbol whenever I get one! Aside from the food, the woman who runs the cafe wears traditional japanese clothes and you feel like you're being transported to japan. all the goodies they sell in the store are authentic japanese items too (certified by yours truly). Such a calming ambiance!! perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or even getting some work done. read more

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Behind the Museum is the tried and true Japanese cafe in Portland! Been coming here for over 10 years now, and their quality and service are unwavering. The consistency I didn't know I needed in life. Truly a Portland gem. I opted for their hojicha latte with oat milk, and it was the perfect creaminess and sweetness. It reminded me a bit of pearl milk tea with an earthy tea flavor, but not bitter. Our lattes were served in bowls and it was an experience drinking from them instead of the usual cup. All the more unique and fun! They also serve traditional tea ceremonies, Japanese pastries, and snacks that are perfect for pairing with tea. This cafe is truly great and it is a lovely visit every time. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - hojicha latte (front) matcha latte (back) - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This has got to be one of the worst cafes I've ever been to. Honestly, I regretted coming here as one of my stops since I was only in Portland for a few days. I really wanted onigiri, and found this place while browsing Yelp. It looked good in pictures but it was basically just rice. Way too much rice and only a tablespoon size of filling/salmon (if even that). I ended up eating one bite and tossed the rest away. The hojicha brownie had good flavor but omg it was so cold and hard/dense, my fork almost broke when I dug into it. The thing that surprises me most, after a disappointing onigiri and brownie, was the matcha latte. It's honestly the lightest matcha latte I've ever had and it hardly mixed, so I just thought it would taste like unsweetened milk. To my surprise, it had a light sweetness to it, which I liked but it still tasted like drinking sweet milk. read more

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The hojicha parfait was interesting because it didn't use their hojicha soft serve like I'd expected, or maybe the soft serve melted before I got under all the toppings. I can't say I would go back for it. The nicest part of my experience here was definitely the interior. It was super cozy and had many outlets to do some work. It seemed like this place was most suitable for groups of 4 at the very maximum, because most of the tables were 2-seaters. read more

Behind the Museum Cafe - hojicha parfait - Japanese Near Me - Portland, Oregon