So, this little coffee shop is very conveniently located to my home. So, by that reason alone, it…read morehas become my go-to on weekends when I'm out early. First, they use Coffee By Design for their coffees, which happens to be one of my favorites. Secondly, they get a number of their baked goods from Baker's Bench (also a fave of mine), and they sell soup from Karmasouptra. Seriously - it's a trifecta of local goodness here! In addition, the service is always top notch. The owners are lovely and warm. The space is inviting and there is free wi-fi. The only thing I wish they would add is a Maple Latte. This is my favorite thing and not a lot of places offer it....but if they started. Oh, the trouble I would be in.....

They rarely have any pastries but hey if you drink coffee hopefully they have that for you! Dude…read moreeven told me to comeback Wednesday because there would be more pastries , and there were 0.

My family and I have been here a number of times and always had a really solid experience. The…read morestaff is always super friendly and the vibe inside and out (weather dependent) is always great. Today, we indulged in blueberry muffins and fruit parfaits (both of which the kids devoured and I personally enjoyed as well), a ham and cheddar breakfast crepe (absolutely amazing!!!), and avocado toast (my wife, who has celiac, was quite disappointed in aside from the onions) for food. To drink, my kids were able to get juice boxes (apple and fruit punch). I got the iced dulce de leche latte, which was pretty good though had a little bit of a different flavor that took some getting used to. My wife got the Maine maple latte, which she said was really good. Being dedicated gluten free, they definitely have some challenges, especially with baked goods, that most places don't have to deal with, so I'm willing to cut some slack here. All in all, there's definitely some gems here but other things could use a little work. We'll definitely go back but maybe not our first choice to go out of the way for.

I've never been to Roots before and was excited because I've heard good things about it. I just got…read morea Cold Brew with sugar free vanilla flavor. I didn't enjoy the coffee at all. Maybe it was the coffee, maybe it was the addition of sugar free vanilla, but I didn't drink it. The ceilings are extremely high. They most definitely should have some noise-dampening panels or something to make it a bit quieter in there. There was a family there when I went that was treating this small coffee shop as a daycare, which made my experience even more disappointing. The screams were echoing throughout the cafe, and I ended up sitting outside for peace and fresh air. The outside seating area is nice. Overall, not a great first experience for me, but maybe their food is better than the coffee?

For a location of Speckled Ax (one of the three they have) that is more barebones, it's a good…read morespot. Especially great if you want to just grab some of their coffee beans or get a morning coffee/drink. Perfect for your fix without having to go into downtown. Small amount of parking but they do have a few spots. As other reviews have mentioned the inside is very small with space for one worker behind the counter and at most maybe 4 customers to fit. No inside seats but some tables nearby the parking if weather is nice enough. They have a large majority of drinks you'd expect a coffee spot to have along with a special available most likely. The current special was "Hey Bay Latte" which was a bay leaf, orange zest, and brown sugar. I thought it had a great combination of flavor and was well made. My wife got an iced mocha latte and enjoyed it. It did not become her new favorite but thought it was a solid version. If you are looking for a bite to eat, check out another Speckled Ax location Despite the small space it is well utilized and they have enough decorations and wall art to give it some vibes. Some great artwork on the building's walls outside as well. Great coffee roaster worth supporting!

If you're looking for that high quality Specklex Ax coffee you know and love in an intimate setting…read morewith plenty of parking and an engaging/knowledgeable staff... get off the peninsula and visit this location! It's not a cafe; there's no seating inside (it's barely big enough for three or four people to stand). With loads of parking both in their lot and in the neighborhood, it's a perfect place for you to grab and go for beans, different brewed coffees, or even a specialty latte. Speckled Ax isn't my preferred coffee, but I appreciate this location and love that it serves the Greater Portland population. If you were coming into/leaving town via 302, this could easily become your go-to local independent coffee shop!

Loved this little cafe! Lovely staff, great menu, homemade goodies! They make their own English…read moremuffins!! WOW! They were tasty. I ordered inside and got my food and sat outside in the back patio. It was super cute and quiet. I loved the atmosphere. My sandwich was delightful (eggs, homemade sausage, cheese, on a homemade english muffins). My coffee was good too - espresso beverages are my favorite. And the donut I tried was good too.

Such a cute coffee/breakfast stop!…read more Drinks: They have lots of creative drinks. I got the blueberry matcha, which was a little too milky for me and didn't have a strong matcha taste. It was alright, but I probably wouldn't get it again. I do appreciate that they have simple syrup and honey syrup out so you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. Food: Plenty of vegan options, and they even have vegan eggs available for a small upcharge. I got the habanero ham biscuit sandwich. The biscuit was flaky, with ham and cheese, and the habanero ham had a pretty good kick that really hit by the end! Good portion size and tasty. They also have donuts, smoothies, and plenty of other options, so there's something for everyone. Highly recommend!

The wait is long...but it's so worth it…read more Coffee- pricey, eh. Theres better coffee Loaded savory biscuit- oh my...one of the best things I've ever had. Incredibly flavorful. My boyfriend hates goat cheese but he loved this. The combo with the tomato jam is incredible. The biscuit was also one of the best I've ever had! Banana cake- flavor combos you wouldn't expect to go together...but are phenomenal. The sesame seeds, olive oil, cream cheese and banana bread are so good together. Might even change how I make my banana bread! Sticky bun- HUGE and delicious. We saved it for the next day and it was still so soft and yummy. Plenty of seating outside which is perfect after the long wait. Staff was super nice and helpful, made sure everything was packed up nicely in to go boxes. I'd come back again, but now that I know what we want I might just order online. It's a very long wait to get inside

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse, but these are the best biscuits in the world…read more Crunchy, soft, airy, moist, buttery... It's literally everything you'd ever want in a biscuit and to make matters worse, they do a sweet and savory option that really puts me over the edge. This weekend: tomato jam and goat cheese. These biscuits have to be on it a top 25 list of best things I've ever put in my mouth. It's really an incredible experience, even if you wait in that heinously long line. But, you don't have to wait in line. Wake up by 745 and place your order online you can order any of the baked goods or breakfast sandwiches, along with drip and cold brew coffee. They will keep your biscuit sandwiches hot, store your pastries for you, and they don't pour your coffee until you arrive for pick up. So you can order at 7:45 in the morning and pick up at 1 PM if you really wanted. It's as good as they say, and you must make a point of visiting when you're in Portland!

We were looking for a coffee spot in the neighborhood and found this place. Hoping to pick up a…read moretreat to go with coffee, but their stock was bare. No one in the place but the employee and one other person (Who may have also been an employee?). Nice music playing - good vibe. Maybe it would be hopping later in the day. Anyway, we shared an iced pistachio latte, which seems like their go-to drink. I hear they make their own pistachio butter? It was delicious, of course. A little on the pricey side, but always happy to try/support a new (to me) business!

I was very excited to try this place out, as the interior looked really nice online…read more We were right. So nice inside and I asked for the baristas recommended cold coffee. I think it was the habibi latte. I had oat milk as well. So beautifully presented and it tasted very nice. The oat milk is nutty but the sweetness was perfectly complementary.

St. Joe's Café in Scarborough totally delivers on the cozy neighborhood café vibe, and both the…read moreTurkey A.B.L.T. and The Chuck are worth coming back for. The coffee is strong and flavorful, a big step up from chain spots, and fits perfectly with their hearty breakfast-and-lunch menu. The Turkey A.B.L.T. eats like an upgraded turkey club, with avocado, bacon, and a little smoky heat that makes it feel like a "real" café sandwich, not deli counter fare. The Chuck is a classic, hefty breakfast sandwich--simple, filling, and exactly what you want with a morning coffee. Service is friendly, portions are generous, and it's an ideal stop for locals or a pre‑beach bite. Best turkey sandwich ever!!!!!!! fresh cut off the bird fresh. wicked

Bennyfit This was my…read morefirst time taking a "red-eye" flight, and boy howdy, do I hate people who can sleep on a plane that much more after that miserable experience. Suffice it to say, what's the first stop after something like that: caffeine. "Somebody" just wanted to hit up the first Mermaid we could find, but I refused and found the first place on Yelp that popped up with "café" in the name and had more than a 3* rating and here we ended up. St. Joe's has been serving the Scarborough area for almost fifteen years (ca. 2012) and are known for their all-day breakfast, coffee, and their signature "Bennies" (aka Beignets). The Good: *Gluten-free options *Parking lot that wasn't huge, but ample enough for their space *Friendly service *Covered outdoor space to enjoy your goodies *We weren't particularly hungry but knew we had to try their Bennies--and they were 100% worth it. Unlike a traditional Beignet, these Bennies are little two-biters that are fried up fresh to order and the raspberry dipping sauce was a nice fresh foil to the fried goodness. The Meh: *Interior is cramped and not the place for the claustrophobic at heart. The Ugly: *Ordered a iced Dirty Pumpkin Spice Latte (might've actually been a double I'm a little fuzzy on that) and the flavor all-around was very muted on the chai, Pumpkin spice, and coffee. Tasted like a watery, slightly spicy tea. Not what I was looking for, but it got the job done. Fwiw, Carissa liked her drink (don't recall) so maybe just depends what you order? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Conclusion: Coffee might be hit or miss, but definitely get the Bennies!

Stopped in to see what this place was about and it was so cute. I didn't realize there was sit in…read morespace and a menu for a meal. But I did grab a fantastic cappuccino. It was made with perfect foam and the coffee was so good. I loved it. I will be back to try the menu. Service was very friendly too. I caught them when they opened and they were so sweet

I've been aware of Rooted Heart since a little before they opened, but had yet to visit. Buxton…read moreisn't an area we typically find ourselves near but after a Maine Maple Sunday adventure we did find ourselves close and knew we needed to swing by. Best choice of the day by far and we have discovered a new favorite spot. By the name you can tell they are a cafe but are also an apothecary will be our definite go to for tea blends now. Plenty of parking available which is great and you will first notice it has rustic vibes from the outside. Inside is a little less rustic but still has the perfect feel/vibes. Cozy and inviting with lots of art on the walls. They have a number of bar stools, a few tables then a couple comfy couches to enjoy your food/drinks. Even with the snowy weather they were busy but we snagged a spot on one of the couches. I got their normal latte and my wife got their Maple Weekend special Spiced Maple Latte. Both were phenomenal and they use Milkweed Coffee Roasters. Which they are a spot that uses and supports local and makes a lot of their own things as well. Food wise we each got one of their sausage egg and cheese sandwiches on an English muffin. Again even the sausage was locally made and you could tell the English muffin was freshly made. We got them with goat cheese and pesto and they were the perfect breakfast sandwich, so much flavor! These would be absolute must try and in combination with their drinks are worth visiting for! I can't wait to return and get another sandwich and/or try even more food! Such a unique and welcoming cafe that also offers all your apothecary needs!

Seeded feta scone knocked my socks off. They were my favorite socks too but I don't even care…read more That's how good the seeded feta scone was. I expect to lose many more pairs of socks in exchange for seeded feta scones for years to come. This place rocks. Cute little spot with friendly staff. No seating so be prepared to enjoy your seeded feta scone in the car while listening to your favorite song and keep a close eye on those socks. 10/10 Would also like to add that I got a brownie too and it was so incredibly rich and gooey and dense and salty and awesome. But most importantly when I ordered it the employee asked me if I preferred a center or edge piece. Customer service doesn't get much more top notch than that.

Night moves is super close to my apartment so I love walking the green belt trail and grabbing some…read morecoffee! I also love their sourdough bread and the range of different ones they have. Also pictured is a fun hot dog party they had in collaboration with Lambs next door! My only complaint is that it is a little expensive for sopo, but you know the ingredients are clean so it does make sense.

The newest açaí bowl option to open in Westbrook. Located across from Rock Row in the Kohls plaza…read moreright next door to Chipotle. Oola bowls is a chain brand that originated in Pennsylvania with this being the first location in Maine. Despite that, technically their second is already in works and should be opening soon at Monument Square in Portland as well. My wife and I were excited to give it a try as they had finally opened about a week ago. They offer online ordering so you can have your drinks and bowls ready for pickup when you arrive. That's what we did and had zero complaints and even substitutions or any allergies needed to be mentioned is super simple. Loved how easy it was for customization so you can get exactly what you want. We walked into the store and both workers were extremely friendly and welcoming and along with that service both our bowls and the bag had notes from the workers too. While simple little messages to us they were that added little touch that makes customer service great. They do have some tables inside if you want to enjoy your food or drink inside and even looked like they had some games available to play while waiting or enjoying too. Firstly, drink wise my wife got the strawberry matcha lemonade which was great and had a great balance of matcha and lemonade. I had their blueberry ice tea and it was phenomenal as well, would get it again often! Bowl wise we each got a different açaí based bowl. You can see the size difference of their small and large in my photos. We loved our bowls and even would go as far as saying we prefer this spot over another closely located chain bowl spot. All of the ingredients used tasted fresh and were delicious, the granola used was so good and one of my favorite parts was the peanut butter they used. Both food and drink wise we were very impressed and happy with. Check this spot out!

From the owner: Oola Bowls offers the highest quality Acai bowls in the greater Portland area. We offer bowls for…read moreeveryone's pallet whether it be a an Oola Bowl exclusive or something you build yourself. We have smoothies, protein enriched beverages, fresh fruit cups, Oola Bites (little morsels of goodness) parfaits and much more. If you're looking for something that's fulfilling, good for you and wholesome pop on in and give us a try, we can assure that you won't be disappointed.