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?

I see ALL kinds of reviews for this place and have been there a couple of times myself…read more Overall, I feel like Roots Cafe offers some delicious food that is prepared in various ways depending on the server. Meaning, sometimes the sandwich has enough filling, and sometimes it does not. Sometimes the food is hot, and sometimes it's not. It feels like the service at Roots goes in the same way. Some people working the counter at Roots are super helpful and friendly, and others are not. The price point here is also high. I understand that prepared food is expensive all over the place, but Roots feels like that, plus extra. There is plenty of nice indoor and outdoor seating.

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!

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!

Cute little cafe open daily for breakfast and lunch with plenty of well-marked vegan options. I…read morestopped by around 10am on a Sunday, and it was slammed--posted 35-min wait for food. I ordered the Garden Sprout ($9), a breakfast bagel sandwich with veggie sandwich, tomato, avocado, alfalfa sprouts, and vegan chive cream cheese on a choice of bagel. Luckily, it only took 20 minutes for the bagel to come out. The sausage was overcooked, to the point of being almost charred, but still tasty; the cream cheese--if it was that--seemed more like excessive butter (there was a pool of butter-like substance underneath). But other than that, the food was decent. I appreciate the vegan option, notwithstanding the aforementioned aspects that could be improved.

I had read about Tandem and their biscuits, best in town! So I knew i wanted to try them, but…read moresecretly I'm not really a biscuits kinda girl! I grew up in the south, I've had all kinds of biscuits and usually they are dry or crumbly and I usually end up saying, "eh, not worth the calories" Walking up there a line out the door, but it moved quickly, I was surprised that most things were already made and they just put it on a tray for you and you pay, very lunch line, and its not served hot!?! I immediately wished I had asked them to heat it up for me, but oh well were sitting already and they were busy! All my fears melted away when I tasted those delicious carbs! First impression the jalapeño cheddar reminded me of cheese straws, like great cheesy flavor, but the consistency was so good! Crispy edges but soft inside! But then, it gets better... one bite of that strawberry butter one, yep it's delicious moved right up the list, best biscuit I've ever had! The butter seems ridiculous like so much but it's so good, I swear seems like it's whipped with cream cheese or something cause what!? I found myself wishful for more strawberry preserves, but just so good, even took half home and ate it the next day, guess what still delicious!

Nowhere near worth the line on the weekends…read more Jalapeño cheddar biscuit was the best thing I had. Sausage egg and cheese sandwich I didn't finish - the egg was not good at all and the sandwich fell apart. Plus it was one of the saltiest things I've eaten in a long time (negative). Iced black coffee was to be expected.

Amazing! Great vibes at this spot. Well decorated inside. Service was great. My daughters have been…read moredying to try the trompe-l'oeil and they did not disappoint. We ended up staying longer and ordering more than we had expected. Will certainly be back. The inside decor was so welcoming I plan to come back and work remote from here sometime.

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!

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

This is a lovely little coffee shop with a variety of breakfast sandwiches. Nothing fancy just…read moregood food! You place your order at the register to the right from the selection of food on the menu which is on the wall to the left when you walk in. I just grabbed a coffee and a toasted bagel w butter as thats all I was in the mood for but I saw a couple of people there w some yummy sandwiches including a big maple croissant sandwich. Theres seating on the inside and lots of picnic tables outside. A few parking spot available.

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!

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 staff were friendlier to people who seemed like regulars. I asked some questions about breads…read moreand lattes and baked goods, and it didn't seem like they had as much patience or good humor with me. Other folks had warm conversations, I received a sense of urgency to be moved along. It's great to see this be such a community loved space! (But I didn't personally feel that.) VEGANS: 1. There are *no* baked goods, pastries, or sweet treats for you here (except for the bagged granola). Segue... 2. The breads ARE vegan-friendly! The grains they use are sustainably and locally grown too. Try the Country (a really solid, big, circular levain with a crusty exterior and soft interior) or the Bird (a smaller loaf with a bunch of seeds: sesame, caraway, sunflower, flax, pumpkin, etc). 3. There's oat milk for an upcharge regardless if that's for a latte or a tiny splash for your cold brew. To be honest, I didn't like the latte I tried: it tasted like I had a mouthful of dry, gritty spices. We're so fortunate in Greater Portland to have so many amazing bakeries. This might be your favorite, so for sure give them a visit.