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PORTAL WEST COFFEE ATMOSPHERE
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Cozy Vibes & a Beautiful Cappuccino I popped into Portal West Coffee this afternoon looking for a quiet spot between appointments and was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem. From the parking lot, you kind of have to squint to find it--but once you're inside, it's warm, cozy, and instantly welcoming. I only planned to stay for half an hour, but I found myself wishing I could hang out all afternoon. Lots of people were working or studying, so it's definitely a great spot for students, remote workers, or casual meetings. As for the coffee: my cappuccino was fantastic. The crema was rich, the latte art was beautiful, and the mug it came in just fit the vibe. The barista was friendly and answered my questions about the Drip Drive with a smile. And the best part? Great prices. I didn't feel like I was paying luxury prices for a mid-afternoon (decaf!) pick-me-up. Definitely adding this one to my regular rotation.
Stopped in around 10am on a Saturday and it was medium busy but was packed by the time we left. I like the vibe of this basement spot, even though I drove by it looking up not down. There's plenty of in door seating plus covered seating on their brick patio. The baristas are friendly and give good recommendations. I enjoyed my blueberry lavender iced almond milk latte but my son's decaf iced maple latte had good espresso flavor but wasn't so maple tasting.
The espresso macchiato had a great flavor and the presentation was perfect. The service was delightful friendly faces good conversation. The place was pretty crowded but still relatively quiet. Seems like a great place to do some work. It is in a lower level with windows. There is an elevator to access this coffee shop if handicapped.
I really was looking forward to trying this spot as i'm new to town, looks very cute and a great ambiance!! The coffee though is a different story, flavors are not strong and the espresso is not great. Very strong and nutty. Our latte was even a little burnt tasting, more of an acquired taste i'd say. I was disappointed but the vibe itself was cute, but I came for a good latte and left disappointed. To add- service from the baristas were very friendly and they greeted everyone and wished a farewell as everyone exited.
I have driven past this place for months not knowing it was here, so I'm glad my friend mentioned it to me, because it was such a cute little spot. I absolutely love a cafe that has lots of plants and natural light, especially when they have fun drink options like a blueberry pancake matcha!
First time ever going here and it definitely did not disappoint. I got a blueberry matcha latte with oat-milk and it was made perfect tbh it was one of the best i ever had! def will be coming back, such a cute cafe. the baristas were kind and patient. They also have so much pretty plants.
Portal West is a wonderful spot for coffee and non-coffee drinks alike. It's rare that I can find a coffee shop where I can pull out the laptop or where I can meet up with a friend to chat. The pea flower tea latte is tasty (and periwinkle). I also love the option of being able to sit out in the covered patio area or inside. For a smaller size place, they use the space so incredibly well. My one pet peeve concerns the opening hours. Every few months, the days and times for operation seem to change. As someone who is more of a late morning or early afternoon coffee shop person, I tend to avoid places that close before 5 pm, which means that I really loved being able to swing by Portal West during the week. (I note that a lot of people work until 5 pm.) However, when opening hours change, this change was not simultaneously listed on the website or on Google -- which would have helped me either check out another shop that day or plan my schedule to arrive earlier. It's disconcerting to get all situated only to spend money and to have to leave an hour before I had planned on it. I recognize that there may be factors outside of my purview that necessitate changing hours around every few months. Hopefully they can either settle on hours that don't fluctuate as much. That said, Portal West is great and I hope they stay open until 6 pm at least one or two days during the week for people like me who are not able to be there between 8-3 pm
BEST COFFEE...I've ever had and I've been coming here 3-4 times a week for over a year because of the atmosphere and workers! If you're looking for a coffee spot that has one of the best coffee around north east Ohio, meet a ton of amazing people, get to know the workers on a personal level this is the spot!
Always good work from home vibes here, with great coffee and great service. Love the plants too!
First time checking out this hidden downstairs shop. Baristas were friendly and welcoming and there is both indoor and outdoor seating, and enough outlets to go around. I tried a chai, which was a generous cup and not too sweet, though I felt the flavor was very subtle. The savory seasonal brioche bun with squash was worth a try but not the most mind blowing pastry experience.
Favorite coffee place in Akron! The staff is lovely and keeps up even when busy. Great vibe to sit and stay for a while as long as it's not too crowded. Only complaint would be that the seating fills up on weekend mornings but usually you can squeeze in somewhere especially when the weather is nice with the outdoor seating.
This is a bit of a hidden gem in the plaza it is a part of. You have to go down a staircase to get to the main entrance but everything inside is well done. It's a nice place to get a coffee and sit down to get some work done. The service was quick and the coffee was easily an 8/10. Love that they have local art showcased inside.
This is a hidden gem in Merriman Valley, and when I say hidden, it literally is hidden down some steps on the lower level of the plaza. Portal West has quickly become a destination for me on my weekend bike rides. (I ride from my house in Medina but it's also on the towpath as a perfect stop for causal weekend cyclists!) The vibe is impeccably hipster from the decor to the attire of the baristas and the regulars, but not the snobby type that makes a newcomer feel ill at ease. Everyone I've interacted with here has been warm and friendly, happy to recommend their favorite, serve it with a smile, and give a cheerful wave of thanks when I head out. These guys clearly know what they're doing with their coffee, and the small, unassuming display of baked goods will knock your socks off with how fresh and delicious everything in it is. Their rhubarb hand pie is one of the best things that I've ever eaten, and pairs perfectly with an oat flat white or a spicy chai latte. Portal West is a must-try!
10 days ago
Celebrating National Coffee Day at one of our favorites Portal West Coffee in the Merriman Valley! Featuring sweet treats by Jamtooth baking Avon! The homemade pop tarts are my favorite! Don't sleep on the beautiful Blue Dream Tea Latte made with butterfly pea flower! The service is fast and friendly as there is typically a line out the door! They have lots of seating indoors and a few small tables outside. Plenty of parking available in the large shared lot! Cortado Vanilla Latte Iced Matcha Latte read more
What a truly beautiful cup of coffee. If I lived less than three hours away, this would be my daily ritual. The coffee is exceptional, the atmosphere cozy and inviting, and the kind of place that lingers in your memory Highly recommend. read more
1 year ago
This coffee shop, not only has a nice coffee selection with an easy to read menu, but has one of the largest non-caffeine offerings I've seen so far! So many unique teas to choose from. Also these were some of the nicest employees I've come across in a long time. Definitely noteworthy. My drink was very good, and I grabbed a pastry that I couldn't resist. It was a rhubarb danish, and it was so so good! I was pleasantly surprised that it was as tasty as it looked. They also had a table with lots of fliers for current events & community engagement things happening around Akron. The shop itself has plenty of seating, and even tables outside. If you're on the towpath, it's a nice place to stop in after a walk/run. Overall rating: 4.7/5 stars read more
2 years ago
Cozy Vibes & a Beautiful Cappuccino I popped into Portal West Coffee this afternoon looking for a quiet spot between appointments and was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem. From the parking lot, you kind of have to squint to find it--but once you're inside, it's warm, cozy, and instantly welcoming. I only planned to stay for half an hour, but I found myself wishing I could hang out all afternoon. Lots of people were working or studying, so it's definitely a great spot for students, remote workers, or casual meetings. As for the coffee: my cappuccino was fantastic. The crema was rich, the latte art was beautiful, and the mug it came in just fit the vibe. The barista was friendly and answered my questions about the Drip Drive with a smile. And the best part? Great prices. I didn't feel like I was paying luxury prices for a mid-afternoon (decaf!) pick-me-up. Definitely adding this one to my regular rotation. read more
1 year ago
Stopped in around 10am on a Saturday and it was medium busy but was packed by the time we left. I like the vibe of this basement spot, even though I drove by it looking up not down. There's plenty of in door seating plus covered seating on their brick patio. The baristas are friendly and give good recommendations. I enjoyed my blueberry lavender iced almond milk latte but my son's decaf iced maple latte had good espresso flavor but wasn't so maple tasting. read more
The espresso macchiato had a great flavor and the presentation was perfect. The service was delightful friendly faces good conversation. The place was pretty crowded but still relatively quiet. Seems like a great place to do some work. It is in a lower level with windows. There is an elevator to access this coffee shop if handicapped. read more
2 years ago
I really was looking forward to trying this spot as i'm new to town, looks very cute and a great ambiance!! The coffee though is a different story, flavors are not strong and the espresso is not great. Very strong and nutty. Our latte was even a little burnt tasting, more of an acquired taste i'd say. I was disappointed but the vibe itself was cute, but I came for a good latte and left disappointed. To add- service from the baristas were very friendly and they greeted everyone and wished a farewell as everyone exited. read more
I have driven past this place for months not knowing it was here, so I'm glad my friend mentioned it to me, because it was such a cute little spot. I absolutely love a cafe that has lots of plants and natural light, especially when they have fun drink options like a blueberry pancake matcha! read more
9 months ago
First time ever going here and it definitely did not disappoint. I got a blueberry matcha latte with oat-milk and it was made perfect tbh it was one of the best i ever had! def will be coming back, such a cute cafe. the baristas were kind and patient. They also have so much pretty plants. read more
1 year ago
Portal West is a wonderful spot for coffee and non-coffee drinks alike. It's rare that I can find a coffee shop where I can pull out the laptop or where I can meet up with a friend to chat. The pea flower tea latte is tasty (and periwinkle). I also love the option of being able to sit out in the covered patio area or inside. For a smaller size place, they use the space so incredibly well. My one pet peeve concerns the opening hours. Every few months, the days and times for operation seem to change. As someone who is more of a late morning or early afternoon coffee shop person, I tend to avoid places that close before 5 pm, which means that I really loved being able to swing by Portal West during the week. (I note that a lot of people work until 5 pm.) However, when opening hours change, this change was not simultaneously listed on the website or on Google -- which would have helped me either check out another shop that day or plan my schedule to arrive earlier. It's disconcerting to get all situated only to spend money and to have to leave an hour before I had planned on it. I recognize that there may be factors outside of my purview that necessitate changing hours around every few months. Hopefully they can either settle on hours that don't fluctuate as much. That said, Portal West is great and I hope they stay open until 6 pm at least one or two days during the week for people like me who are not able to be there between 8-3 pm read more
5 months ago
BEST COFFEE...I've ever had and I've been coming here 3-4 times a week for over a year because of the atmosphere and workers! If you're looking for a coffee spot that has one of the best coffee around north east Ohio, meet a ton of amazing people, get to know the workers on a personal level this is the spot! read more
2 years ago
First time checking out this hidden downstairs shop. Baristas were friendly and welcoming and there is both indoor and outdoor seating, and enough outlets to go around. I tried a chai, which was a generous cup and not too sweet, though I felt the flavor was very subtle. The savory seasonal brioche bun with squash was worth a try but not the most mind blowing pastry experience. read more
11 months ago
Favorite coffee place in Akron! The staff is lovely and keeps up even when busy. Great vibe to sit and stay for a while as long as it's not too crowded. Only complaint would be that the seating fills up on weekend mornings but usually you can squeeze in somewhere especially when the weather is nice with the outdoor seating. read more
This is a bit of a hidden gem in the plaza it is a part of. You have to go down a staircase to get to the main entrance but everything inside is well done. It's a nice place to get a coffee and sit down to get some work done. The service was quick and the coffee was easily an 8/10. Love that they have local art showcased inside. read more
This is a hidden gem in Merriman Valley, and when I say hidden, it literally is hidden down some steps on the lower level of the plaza. Portal West has quickly become a destination for me on my weekend bike rides. (I ride from my house in Medina but it's also on the towpath as a perfect stop for causal weekend cyclists!) The vibe is impeccably hipster from the decor to the attire of the baristas and the regulars, but not the snobby type that makes a newcomer feel ill at ease. Everyone I've interacted with here has been warm and friendly, happy to recommend their favorite, serve it with a smile, and give a cheerful wave of thanks when I head out. These guys clearly know what they're doing with their coffee, and the small, unassuming display of baked goods will knock your socks off with how fresh and delicious everything in it is. Their rhubarb hand pie is one of the best things that I've ever eaten, and pairs perfectly with an oat flat white or a spicy chai latte. Portal West is a must-try! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
Great coffee shop vibes. The staff here were super friendly. I ordered a med spiced honey chai and a banana walnut muffin. Both were delicious! Will def be coming back. read more
3 years ago
Service was great. Very welcoming. Tried the One & One and Peppermint Mocha. Both were very good. Nice seating area. Can get a little loud read more
4 years ago
One of the best news local coffee shop in the Akron, OH area! Service is great, drinks are amazing, and the owner, Paul, is very friendly and knowledgeable and you can tell he is passionate about his business and what he offers. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area! The drinks are perfectly priced and won't hurt your wallet either! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Stopped here to get coffee with a friend. The aesthetics of this place are on point with plenty of seating. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Most importantly, the Cortado was one of the best I've ever had. Served with carbonated water on the side. We also shared a banana muffin and chocolate chip scone which were also very good. I'm excited to return in the future! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
After a 6 mile towpath bike ride in sunny, chilly drizzle, this was a cozy spot to warm up and refuel. read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
This is the perfect place to have amazing coffee and meet great people! The staff is the best and they have great service. They do everything they can to give you the best experience, they listen, and they are friendly. I was a very simple coffee drinker always getting the same thing, but the staff and their knowledge has allowed me to try new drinks, and my favorite has to be the affogato- ice cream meets espresso. The shop has great ambiance, different than others, and perfect place to enjoy the morning or work. This should be your coffee shop home read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Open only a month and they totally get it. Greet you walking in the door. Beverages are expertly made and served. Great vibe and location. This area needed a coffee shop and it now has one. read more
3 years ago
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4 years ago
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