Arabica Coffee Company
9 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101
Arabica Coffee Company Menu
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Address :
9 Commercial St
Portland, ME, 04101 - Phone (207) 210-6473
- Website https://arabicacoffeeportland.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Good for Working : Yes
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Shanna W.
I had a real love/hate relationship with Crema when they first opened. It was convenient to my workplace, and a local coffee joint, so I wanted to give it a chance, but the customer service and beverage quality were mediocre at best...at best, after multiple visits. In fact, I felt both watching interactions, and being part of some myself, that we were seriously bothering the staff by being there... After some time I was convinced by friends to give it another shot, and have been pleasantly surprised the past few visits to see more consistency, hustle and engagement! I don't know what's changed, but I'm more likely to split my time between Crema and CBD because of it. There are some tasty snacks and suitable light meal items available, more than just sweets and bagels. The atmosphere is very cozy for being so spacious. The only downside left for me now is the lack of accessible outlets. As someone who frequently "works from home," aka a coffee shop or some such, for long spans of time, this is a hurdle as there are many other folks doing the same thing, and not everyone is good about sharing these spaces. I tend to opt into BYOEC, (Bring Your Own Extension Cord), to make it easier and also allows someone I'm sharing table space with to plug in as well (multiple plugin-style cord). So, that's been a personal solution...
(3)Vincent H.
This place is huge! A lot of space for doing work along with group work or for group chats. Two restrooms too. Got a Chai which wasn't bad, disliked the fact that you could only get it in medium or large though. Also they go by Tall, Grande, and Venti which I thought was funny. Barista was super nice and chatty. Even delivered my drink to me after which was a first for me in the New England area.
(4)Neal E.
Crema Coffee is within walking distance of the the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Waterfront location. Lots of seating and places to hang out. I ordered a cup of whatever their dark roast coffee was. It was rich, tasty, and outstanding! They have a free Wi-Fi network. They don't accept American Express credit cards here...
(4)Matt C.
With a large and cavernous interior, Crema Coffee Company reminds me of a Brooklyn style warehouse-turned-cafe. To be truthful, I only visited Crema due to it's proximity to the Cruise Terminal where my ship was docked for the day, but I am glad I went. I ordered a affigato and the first barista I talked to did not know what it was. I was explaining it to her when another barista came over and helped me. She know what it was, but when I ordered it she asked me which kind of Gelato I wanted. I assumed this was because they were trying to spice up the affigato from it's traditionalll vanilla scoop, but once I rounded the corner to the gelato stand I realized it was because they did not have any vanilla gelato. Picking the least offensive scoop, I ended up with an Oreo affigato. Not horrible but not great either. Maybe I should have had the pistachio :/
(3)Charles F.
"I'd hang out here again." What greater accolade could one bestow on a coffee house? Congratulations, Arabica (formerly Crema), you have just about nailed the formula. My visit to (the former) Crema came on a bright and brisk early April weekday afternoon--no particular mission in mind but finding a great cup of coffee, a snack, and a convivial and welcoming atmosphere for conversation with my companion. Mission accomplished! I gladly welcome Crema to the super-competitive coffeehouse category of eateries in Portland. To micro-refine my categorization, I would say Crema falls to the right of grubby bohemian (e.g. Coffee By Design), similar to hipster pretentious (Arabica, Bard), but well left of corporate (you know who I mean). Beverage & Food: My machiatto was excellent. I'm not a connoisseur by any means, but it was hot, strong, and delivered a buzz which proved very stimulating to conversation. The Elvis Bar--apparently a house favorite according to the Crema staff person who served it--was decadent but not tooth-crackingly sweet. After one, I had had enough, and, was pleased to find that I did not feel hungry for anything else, although the other choices were tempting. Architecture: loved the space, an old warehouse/factory building on Commercial Street with a great view of Casco Bay out of the wide and tall front windows. Crema's designer allowed the brick, glass block, and wood beam features to speak for themselves, and the wood stove/fireplace, likely a vestige of the wood stove store which previously occupied the space, added a perfect degree of warmth, something often missing from brick, wood, steel, and concrete warehouse spaces (comparable effect to the ovens at Flatbread, also on Commercial Street. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some connection between Crema and Flatbread--both achieve the same overall customer experience in similar spaces). Crema has a good mix of seating options--tables for the serious laptoppers, comfortable chairs and couches for the surfers and social media skimmers, a counter as well. Many customers also had books or other traditional reading materials, and one or two couples had settled in for the afternoon with playing cards. Atmosphere: So, perhaps the crucial factor at any coffeehouse if the coffee is well-made and the food matches, is the vibe. On this particular occasion, the stars aligned--hum of conversation, friendliness of staff, good music at appropriate volume, fine lighting. Yes, I would return.
(4)Lyndenise B.
The herbal peace blend tea is a must! After exploring Portland for the day, I stopped in to get some work done and just relax. The ambiance is great! Very relaxing and the staff is very welcoming. It seems to be a favorite of the locals as well since I asked around when I stopped at different stores and they definitely recommended that I stop by. I definitely hope to come back and actually try some of the great coffee everyone was enjoying.
(4)Kate S.
Is it just me or has the transition to Arabica (I know they owned it all along) knocked this place down a notch? I do love the bike rack/parking addition even though I'm not a cyclist. However, something seems .. drabber. Also, the wifi is slower / glitchy - at least the times I've been back since the Arabica sign went up. This is my main gripe as I work from coffee shops on the reg. We shall see!
(3)Heather S.
Delicious maple lattes!
(4)Michael J.
Great coffee. Amazing atmosphere.
(5)Michael J.
Great coffee. Amazing atmosphere.
(5)Ashley T.
This weekend I made it a point to have an eat in experience here and I am so happy I chose to start my Sunday morning off here. Now called Arabica by the way ( I see there isn't an update to the name but everything is the same as before) I went around 8 a.m and it was quiet. I ordered a 4 shot 16 oz milky way latte and a spinach breakfast sandwich to stay. I also bought a greek yogurt. Everything was so delicious. Their espresso is so tasty. The breakfast sandwiches are delicious. I have only had the spinach one but I have had it multiple times before and every time it has been very good. I love how they use a stronger cheese, cheddar I think. The service usually is indifferent but that morning everyone was extremely pleasant. I love how they always steam the milk to 120-130 degrees and they froth their milk so well. I am really glad they use whole, it just makes the beverage taste better. I also think they have the have the best macchiato in town. I have also had their cappuccino once before and really enjoyed it. The coffee shop itself is beautiful and has rustic feeling. The lack of outlets is a downside but manageable. I definitely wish I could afford to be a regular but it is really expensive for a day to day experience,so I am happy to go there once a week as a great.
(5)Bryan V.
Microwaved espresso? Really? It's Snowing out and we wanted a cozy caffeine hang out. We picked this spot because we have been here before. It has great Devore and the location is unbeatable. But our latte and cappuccino arrived lukewarm. No. Less than lukewarm. We made our dissatisfaction known and the barista offered to microwave them. And for $8+ that's not cool. Make sure you ask for hot coffee.
(1)Joey D.
This is some strong coffee, people. Very good, good beans. It's strong like Starbucks but the coffee beans have more heart. That's what makes this place good, heart... Miles and miles of heart. The coffee beans showed love. The coffee was great
(4)Ashley T.
This weekend I made it a point to have an eat in experience here and I am so happy I chose to start my Sunday morning off here. Now called Arabica by the way ( I see there isn't an update to the name but everything is the same as before) I went around 8 a.m and it was quiet. I ordered a 4 shot 16 oz milky way latte and a spinach breakfast sandwich to stay. I also bought a greek yogurt. Everything was so delicious. Their espresso is so tasty. The breakfast sandwiches are delicious. I have only had the spinach one but I have had it multiple times before and every time it has been very good. I love how they use a stronger cheese, cheddar I think. The service usually is indifferent but that morning everyone was extremely pleasant. I love how they always steam the milk to 120-130 degrees and they froth their milk so well. I am really glad they use whole, it just makes the beverage taste better. I also think they have the have the best macchiato in town. I have also had their cappuccino once before and really enjoyed it. The coffee shop itself is beautiful and has rustic feeling. The lack of outlets is a downside but manageable. I definitely wish I could afford to be a regular but it is really expensive for a day to day experience,so I am happy to go there once a week as a great.
(5)Charles F.
"I'd hang out here again." What greater accolade could one bestow on a coffee house? Congratulations, Arabica (formerly Crema), you have just about nailed the formula. My visit to (the former) Crema came on a bright and brisk early April weekday afternoon--no particular mission in mind but finding a great cup of coffee, a snack, and a convivial and welcoming atmosphere for conversation with my companion. Mission accomplished! I gladly welcome Crema to the super-competitive coffeehouse category of eateries in Portland. To micro-refine my categorization, I would say Crema falls to the right of grubby bohemian (e.g. Coffee By Design), similar to hipster pretentious (Arabica, Bard), but well left of corporate (you know who I mean). Beverage & Food: My machiatto was excellent. I'm not a connoisseur by any means, but it was hot, strong, and delivered a buzz which proved very stimulating to conversation. The Elvis Bar--apparently a house favorite according to the Crema staff person who served it--was decadent but not tooth-crackingly sweet. After one, I had had enough, and, was pleased to find that I did not feel hungry for anything else, although the other choices were tempting. Architecture: loved the space, an old warehouse/factory building on Commercial Street with a great view of Casco Bay out of the wide and tall front windows. Crema's designer allowed the brick, glass block, and wood beam features to speak for themselves, and the wood stove/fireplace, likely a vestige of the wood stove store which previously occupied the space, added a perfect degree of warmth, something often missing from brick, wood, steel, and concrete warehouse spaces (comparable effect to the ovens at Flatbread, also on Commercial Street. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some connection between Crema and Flatbread--both achieve the same overall customer experience in similar spaces). Crema has a good mix of seating options--tables for the serious laptoppers, comfortable chairs and couches for the surfers and social media skimmers, a counter as well. Many customers also had books or other traditional reading materials, and one or two couples had settled in for the afternoon with playing cards. Atmosphere: So, perhaps the crucial factor at any coffeehouse if the coffee is well-made and the food matches, is the vibe. On this particular occasion, the stars aligned--hum of conversation, friendliness of staff, good music at appropriate volume, fine lighting. Yes, I would return.
(4)Vincent H.
This place is huge! A lot of space for doing work along with group work or for group chats. Two restrooms too. Got a Chai which wasn't bad, disliked the fact that you could only get it in medium or large though. Also they go by Tall, Grande, and Venti which I thought was funny. Barista was super nice and chatty. Even delivered my drink to me after which was a first for me in the New England area.
(4)Neal E.
Crema Coffee is within walking distance of the the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Waterfront location. Lots of seating and places to hang out. I ordered a cup of whatever their dark roast coffee was. It was rich, tasty, and outstanding! They have a free Wi-Fi network. They don't accept American Express credit cards here...
(4)Joey D.
This is some strong coffee, people. Very good, good beans. It's strong like Starbucks but the coffee beans have more heart. That's what makes this place good, heart... Miles and miles of heart. The coffee beans showed love. The coffee was great
(4)Margaret M.
Best cup of coffee in Portland - fresh, hot and flavorful. Not to mention all of their baked goodies and fancy coffee drinks which are also delish. I also love the location & ambiance with the local musicians playing in the corner, the fire & cozy seating and the brick exposed walls. Definitely the perfect spot to warm up on a cold New England day.
(5)Deni T.
I'm here... Often. #1 breakfast sandwiches-- made on their homemade English muffins with cheddar cheese, egg and either spinach or sausage. This is no ordinary egg... It has a tasty blend of sage? Rosemary?salt? I don't know, but considering I am lactose intolerant... This is a whole sleeve of lactaid pills worthy. #2 my fav right now.. Iced Chai w soy milk #3 convenient fruit in containers to go, melon or grapes generally. Plus yogurt parfaits. #4. Every single morsel of the baked goods.. Vegan Elvis bars! #5 coffee. Oh the coffee. I work close enough to smell it all day. You can't go wrong. #6 the staff is laid back and friendly #7 there are plenty of tables and chairs and some couches... Some facing out the monster wall of windows overlooking Casco Bay #8 the piano. I love walking in when someone is playing. People interacting with the space other than purchasing is great #9 in the winter the cozy warmth is dreamy and so is the Americano #10 the compost/recycle/trash all in one place to encourage people to think about what they are using and how it can be reused. It is also conveniently located next door to Rosemont Produce.
(4)Steff D.
Dear everyone not from Portland, Hi. Welcome to our city. We charge a premium for things like beer and coffee because... WE ROCK AT MAKING IT. So please stop making such a fuss over the prices. We're used to it, and you should be as well if you're traveling (since in this day and age, to do so means you probably have some kind of disposable income). Furthermore, if you're avoiding places like Dunk Nuts or Timmy Ho's and getting your coffee at a local place, then you know darn well it's going to be more than the $2 you spend on a 64-ounce styrofoam cup of sludge at a mega chain. Now that that's off my chest... I like Crema because - as it is with their sister company Arabica ( yelp.com/biz/arabica-cof… ) - I can get ENORMOUS pots of hot, flavorful tea (we're talking three to four large cups out of one pot) for under $3. Also, the coffee doesn't seem as bitter to me as it does at other local places in town. Recently, I tried a maple latte with soy... and it was positively delicious. For just under $4 I had a mug big enough I could swim in filled with a creamy latte that was sweetened just right by the addition of the maple. Unlike many other flavored lattes, there was no strange aftertaste produced by artificial ingredients, nothing cloyingly (and therefore off-putting) sweet about it, and no "coffee sweaters" were left on my teeth or tongue. It was the best maple latte I've had in Portland, and I would come here again just to have one. Physically and geographically speaking, I like this location more than Arabica. I like the enormous, renovated "garage-esque" feeling to the building with it's tremendously high ceilings and exposed brick; the warm colors it's decorated in; the roaring fire place; the multiple seat options (bar, bench, table, couch, etc. - I appreciate this because a good coffeehouse wears many different hats like office, conference room, study hall, a place to interview people or meet old friends, a place to read quietly or think in solitude... and Crema does a fabulous job being all of those things at once); and, the view. Oh, the view. The Atlantic makes an exceptional partner to drink cuppa with!
(4)Heather J.
Love the atmosphere, service and of course coffee here. Get a latte to stay to witness the work of art on top. Like banana bread? Even if you're not vegan, theirs has all the others beat. Be sure to ask for it heated ;) I get up to Portland once a quarter for work (and a little play) and Crema is a favorite.
(5)Rachel K.
I really wanted to love Crema. I've been by it a bunch of times and it always looked cute. I stopped in on a weekday morning after running w/ the pup. I was in a bit of a rush and was less than thrilled w/ the service. It took more than 10 minutes for me to get an ice coffee and piece of quiche to go (both items that were prepared and didn't need any prep). The staff seemed to give a shit about good service. I asked the price of the quiche and was told "I don't know" with no offer to find out. The person who took my order didn't listen to what I ordered and I had to repeat it 3 times at one point calling out to the girl who was heating my quiche up "excuse me! no, I don't need it heated. thanks!". The quiche (mushroom and spinach) WAS delicious and huge and the space was beautiful. Absolutely huge especially for Portland, but I don't have plans to go back anytime soon. When it's a workday morning timeliness is key and if the staff doesn't realize that then they need to get with it.
(2)Alise K.
Lemon square and a cappuccino. Nice atmosphere and plenty of places to sit. The people working there seemed tired and bored. Maybe it was at the end of their shift?
(4)Sarah Z.
Stopped into Crema Coffee Company while walking around downtown Portland on a warm day. My husband and I both really liked their coffee and took a bit of a break sitting on the couch looking out their big front window. Great people-watching potential.
(4)Linda S.
Hold up. Wait a minute. Total coffee addict right here. Cozy coffee shop overlooking beautiful Casco Bay. Love everything about this place. The coffee roast is just simply delicious and I cannot get enough! Best brews! My favorite has to be the maple lattes! Mmmm mmmm! Give me!
(5)Ashleigh B.
Crema has an awesome spot in town. Right on Commercial Street with decent views of the water, nice and big indoor space. However, the coffee is meh and the employees do not have good customer service skills. There is this new breed of baristas that sing and dance at the register. What the hell is that about. I'd rather you take my money without a smile and dance and brew some decent coffee. Also, the bathrooms at Crema are always slightly out of order. Hire another employee. The way they have the coffee fixings set up is kind of gross. Who is the owner of this place? Have they been to Speckled Axe or Bard before? They do it tastefully. It's so easy to do things right. Also, to boot, the water fountain they have for customers to fill cups with basically drips water. I stood there for what felt like 5 minutes filling up the glass. Can you please just add some pressure? The thing is, people will go to Crema whether or not they have nice fixings, clean bathrooms, pleasant employees and better aesthetics, so why should they change?
(2)Joseph P.
Place was confusing to find. On the back of the building it says "Arabica Coffee Company" but that coffee place is actually about a mile away. Not sure if this used to be the location of the old Arabica Coffee Company. Anyway, coffee was decent but nothing special. Atmosphere is nice and they have a nice fireplace too. They are very pricey though. It was $9 and change for 2 of their smallest sized lattes. From what I hear there are better coffee spots in the area. I'll be on the hunt for those next time!
(3)Courty C.
My maple latte was ok, great foam but a slightly burnt taste. And not burnt meaning a bold roast, burnt meaning burnt. Ambiance seems ok. Looks like a decent place to bring work including laptops because they have free wifi and lots of outlets near the tables.
(2)Dawn T.
It is close to the close of business so I have to forgive them for being out of two of my first requests.
(3)Sam Z.
Staff is incompetent and borderline surly. Only worthwhile when it's too cold to walk to CBD.
(1)Joanna F.
Awesome iced coffee which automatically gets your 4 stars in my book! I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)Asya P.
Fantastic coffee shop to work at! Wifi, tons of space, quiet, lots of tables and SUNSHINE. As an ex-grad student, I cannot overstate the importance of sunshine. Highly recommend for this purpose. Excellent German Chocolate cake! Lots of selections in the baked good department. Sadly... I can't recommend the coffee! :( I'm picky, and it was insanely acidic and not smooth. So, bring a book or some work, grab a pot of tea, and while away some happy hours here. I will keep looking for "my" coffee shop in Portland, because I just wouldn't order coffee here again. 3 stars because it's a "coffee company" , and there are just too many in Portland for someone to be running around burning beans.
(3)Ross C.
Having had a couple of good experiences, I took the wife here on Sunday morning. Two lukewarm caramel lattes totaling $8.50, plus Mumford and Sons on an endless loop, did not a happy visit make. Keep the standards high, eh?
(3)Carlos A.
I love the location, vibe, live music and friendly people that hang out here. We stopped in here to grab a warm drink while waiting for our ferry.
(5)Kristine A.
This place is adorable & wish they were in Boston. I would have to say that having a working fireplace adds to the ambiance of this place. It's very spacious & various comfy seats & counter to sit at. So they get 5 stars for having vegan options which is awesome. They not only have soy milk but almond milk too which is not very common. But they get 3 stars for the almond milk hot chocolate that I had because it wasn't very good, don't skimp on the cocoa please. Definitely worth checking out & since right downtown that's pretty damn convenient. They are not the fastest at making things, but maybe it was just a busy day for them.
(4)Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting, so I didn't get to really soak it in as much as I would have wanted to... but I enjoyed my stay. It's huge in there, which is great -- many of Portland's coffee shops are small enough that you feel bad if you take up prime real estate for too long (especially if you're not constantly sipping a beverage or eating), but I didn't have that issue in Crema. Delicious hot chocolate -- a must for me -- and friendly staff. A great location for me personally -- out of the way a bit but still close to the action, and loved stopping into Rosemont next door when I left!
(4)Mark A.
I like the great open space inside of Crema. Just remember to feed the parking machines outside with quarters before you walk in. Otherwise, the tall americano I had was great on the flavor side. The staff here also were very helpful and had my order out in no time.
(3)Leah H.
Awesome space but they seem to not actually know how to make good drinks. Mr H stayed outside to watch the ship (cruise ship leaving Portland) and I said "I'll just be a minute!" - how wrong I was. I was the ONLY person in line - it was maybe 6:50pm on a Sunday night. I ordered a hot chocolate and a coffee. 11 minutes later I had my drinks. If I took my father who works in construction (he probably thinks a barista is some kind of lawyer) and put him behind the counter this would give you some idea of my experience. The "coffee, cream only" took ages and Mr H took one sip and threw it away. It was close to closing but that's no excuse for a bitter and burned coffee on the expensive price. I was kind of excited for my hot chocolate. It took almost 9 minutes to make so you'd expect something awesome too right? The guy made a big thing about microwaving some kind of chocolate syrup and then asking me if I wanted it "very frothy, frothy, not frothy". I gave it a good stir when I got it but on drinking it was essentially hot milk with a very vague hint of bitter chocolate. It joined the coffee in the trash. Sad to write this report as it's a great space. Just seemed very inefficient (imagine it if there had been more customers in front of me! Maybe it would have taken hours!) and kind of awful tasting drinks. Incidentally the one other guy in there was brushing the floor with an old school broom. He seemed to be pushing the dust from one area to another. No swiffer or other effective system. Seemed kind of indicative of the ethos of this place.
(2)Kathryn Y.
What a shame. A beautiful spot with wonderful light and views and possibly the most hapless servers / baristas around. I waited 15 minutes for an iced coffee (and got the wrong order and was over charged). My sister waited 20 minutes for her Americano (they brought her two and had also overcharged her as she only ordered one) and - wait for it - 4 women waited over 30 minutes for their orders. When they complained they were sharply told "I have 7 orders ahead of yours" . This was impossible as they were ahead of me and I'd had my coffee for quite some time. What's really a shame is that not one of us will go back and I had exactly the same experience a year ago after a run along the water. #foolmetwice
(2)Jeffrey R.
This place is huge! If you like to sit in a coffee shop with your laptop/tablet and get some work done... but don't like people potentially reading your screen or listening in on a meeting because they are less than two feet from you... BINGO, this is your place to go. You have plenty of personal space and yet it still feels warm and cozy with the fireplace in the middle of the room. You can sit on comfy seats by the fire, tables by the nice windows, or perhaps at the bar where they make and serve the coffee. Everyone I've interacted with behind that counter has been super polite and friendly. The coffee I've had so far has been great, no complaints there. I don't need anything super fancy, so it's mostly the open yet cozy/warm atmosphere that does it for me. I plan to make find reasons to just come and hang out here often.
(5)Tony W.
This is a great little coffee shop. I think the physical space differentiates it from most cafes: open, well-lit, and sunny vs the cramped, can-you-get-up-so-I-can-plug-my-laptop-in-the-Âplug-under-your-table-because-I've-been-working-Âon-the-next-great-American-novel-for-12-hours kinda place. I hate being in places where you are so close to the person behind you that they can read your magazine or monitor your Facebook posts. They could easily cram 10 more tables in here, but I'm certainly glad they don't. This place is always busy when I'm in here, but not packed, so it's never been a challenge to find a seat. Also a plus. In the three or more times I've been here, I've tried the coffee (3x) coffee cake and bagels (2x). All have been enjoyable, and the coffee is really quite good. I like a good dark roast, and I've been impressed by the quality each time. The baristas aren't overly friendly or overly antisocial, but somewhere in the middle; I'm perfectly fine with that. One of the baristas who I've seen almost every time I've been in went out of her way to refund my credit card purchase with about .25 in change because she had accidentally billed me at the to-go cup price. The only real negative I have on this place is that they're only open at 7am. On the mornings that I would normally grab a cup of coffee and a bagel in town, I need to do it by about 6:15am. Don't most coffee shops open around 6am? What I've had to do is walk up and around the corner to Coffee By Design, which IS open at this time. Crema, if you were open at 6am, you'd have my business (although CBD is a noble runner up). This is a trivial complaint; don't change for anyone, because sleeping in is underrated.
(4)Heather J.
Love the atmosphere, service and of course coffee here. Get a latte to stay to witness the work of art on top. Like banana bread? Even if you're not vegan, theirs has all the others beat. Be sure to ask for it heated ;) I get up to Portland once a quarter for work (and a little play) and Crema is a favorite.
(5)Margaret M.
Best cup of coffee in Portland - fresh, hot and flavorful. Not to mention all of their baked goodies and fancy coffee drinks which are also delish. I also love the location & ambiance with the local musicians playing in the corner, the fire & cozy seating and the brick exposed walls. Definitely the perfect spot to warm up on a cold New England day.
(5)Holly B.
Large space fills up quickly, but turns over nicely too. I like to park it for hours on Sundays to get work done. Coffee is great, tea is expertly brewed, and the homemade baked goods, soup, pizza, and quiche are enough to hook you. Seating is spacious; enough for groups and nooks for flying solo - whatever you need!
(4)Hdjshds H.
The espresso is burnt and tastes way too bitter. I asked for it for here and they gave it to me in a tiny to go cup.
(1)Deni T.
I'm here... Often. #1 breakfast sandwiches-- made on their homemade English muffins with cheddar cheese, egg and either spinach or sausage. This is no ordinary egg... It has a tasty blend of sage? Rosemary?salt? I don't know, but considering I am lactose intolerant... This is a whole sleeve of lactaid pills worthy. #2 my fav right now.. Iced Chai w soy milk #3 convenient fruit in containers to go, melon or grapes generally. Plus yogurt parfaits. #4. Every single morsel of the baked goods.. Vegan Elvis bars! #5 coffee. Oh the coffee. I work close enough to smell it all day. You can't go wrong. #6 the staff is laid back and friendly #7 there are plenty of tables and chairs and some couches... Some facing out the monster wall of windows overlooking Casco Bay #8 the piano. I love walking in when someone is playing. People interacting with the space other than purchasing is great #9 in the winter the cozy warmth is dreamy and so is the Americano #10 the compost/recycle/trash all in one place to encourage people to think about what they are using and how it can be reused. It is also conveniently located next door to Rosemont Produce.
(4)Steff D.
Dear everyone not from Portland, Hi. Welcome to our city. We charge a premium for things like beer and coffee because... WE ROCK AT MAKING IT. So please stop making such a fuss over the prices. We're used to it, and you should be as well if you're traveling (since in this day and age, to do so means you probably have some kind of disposable income). Furthermore, if you're avoiding places like Dunk Nuts or Timmy Ho's and getting your coffee at a local place, then you know darn well it's going to be more than the $2 you spend on a 64-ounce styrofoam cup of sludge at a mega chain. Now that that's off my chest... I like Crema because - as it is with their sister company Arabica ( yelp.com/biz/arabica-cof… ) - I can get ENORMOUS pots of hot, flavorful tea (we're talking three to four large cups out of one pot) for under $3. Also, the coffee doesn't seem as bitter to me as it does at other local places in town. Recently, I tried a maple latte with soy... and it was positively delicious. For just under $4 I had a mug big enough I could swim in filled with a creamy latte that was sweetened just right by the addition of the maple. Unlike many other flavored lattes, there was no strange aftertaste produced by artificial ingredients, nothing cloyingly (and therefore off-putting) sweet about it, and no "coffee sweaters" were left on my teeth or tongue. It was the best maple latte I've had in Portland, and I would come here again just to have one. Physically and geographically speaking, I like this location more than Arabica. I like the enormous, renovated "garage-esque" feeling to the building with it's tremendously high ceilings and exposed brick; the warm colors it's decorated in; the roaring fire place; the multiple seat options (bar, bench, table, couch, etc. - I appreciate this because a good coffeehouse wears many different hats like office, conference room, study hall, a place to interview people or meet old friends, a place to read quietly or think in solitude... and Crema does a fabulous job being all of those things at once); and, the view. Oh, the view. The Atlantic makes an exceptional partner to drink cuppa with!
(4)Rachel K.
I really wanted to love Crema. I've been by it a bunch of times and it always looked cute. I stopped in on a weekday morning after running w/ the pup. I was in a bit of a rush and was less than thrilled w/ the service. It took more than 10 minutes for me to get an ice coffee and piece of quiche to go (both items that were prepared and didn't need any prep). The staff seemed to give a shit about good service. I asked the price of the quiche and was told "I don't know" with no offer to find out. The person who took my order didn't listen to what I ordered and I had to repeat it 3 times at one point calling out to the girl who was heating my quiche up "excuse me! no, I don't need it heated. thanks!". The quiche (mushroom and spinach) WAS delicious and huge and the space was beautiful. Absolutely huge especially for Portland, but I don't have plans to go back anytime soon. When it's a workday morning timeliness is key and if the staff doesn't realize that then they need to get with it.
(2)Alise K.
Lemon square and a cappuccino. Nice atmosphere and plenty of places to sit. The people working there seemed tired and bored. Maybe it was at the end of their shift?
(4)Sarah Z.
Stopped into Crema Coffee Company while walking around downtown Portland on a warm day. My husband and I both really liked their coffee and took a bit of a break sitting on the couch looking out their big front window. Great people-watching potential.
(4)Linda S.
Hold up. Wait a minute. Total coffee addict right here. Cozy coffee shop overlooking beautiful Casco Bay. Love everything about this place. The coffee roast is just simply delicious and I cannot get enough! Best brews! My favorite has to be the maple lattes! Mmmm mmmm! Give me!
(5)Ashleigh B.
Crema has an awesome spot in town. Right on Commercial Street with decent views of the water, nice and big indoor space. However, the coffee is meh and the employees do not have good customer service skills. There is this new breed of baristas that sing and dance at the register. What the hell is that about. I'd rather you take my money without a smile and dance and brew some decent coffee. Also, the bathrooms at Crema are always slightly out of order. Hire another employee. The way they have the coffee fixings set up is kind of gross. Who is the owner of this place? Have they been to Speckled Axe or Bard before? They do it tastefully. It's so easy to do things right. Also, to boot, the water fountain they have for customers to fill cups with basically drips water. I stood there for what felt like 5 minutes filling up the glass. Can you please just add some pressure? The thing is, people will go to Crema whether or not they have nice fixings, clean bathrooms, pleasant employees and better aesthetics, so why should they change?
(2)Joseph P.
Place was confusing to find. On the back of the building it says "Arabica Coffee Company" but that coffee place is actually about a mile away. Not sure if this used to be the location of the old Arabica Coffee Company. Anyway, coffee was decent but nothing special. Atmosphere is nice and they have a nice fireplace too. They are very pricey though. It was $9 and change for 2 of their smallest sized lattes. From what I hear there are better coffee spots in the area. I'll be on the hunt for those next time!
(3)Courty C.
My maple latte was ok, great foam but a slightly burnt taste. And not burnt meaning a bold roast, burnt meaning burnt. Ambiance seems ok. Looks like a decent place to bring work including laptops because they have free wifi and lots of outlets near the tables.
(2)Dawn T.
It is close to the close of business so I have to forgive them for being out of two of my first requests.
(3)Sam Z.
Staff is incompetent and borderline surly. Only worthwhile when it's too cold to walk to CBD.
(1)Joanna F.
Awesome iced coffee which automatically gets your 4 stars in my book! I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)Asya P.
Fantastic coffee shop to work at! Wifi, tons of space, quiet, lots of tables and SUNSHINE. As an ex-grad student, I cannot overstate the importance of sunshine. Highly recommend for this purpose. Excellent German Chocolate cake! Lots of selections in the baked good department. Sadly... I can't recommend the coffee! :( I'm picky, and it was insanely acidic and not smooth. So, bring a book or some work, grab a pot of tea, and while away some happy hours here. I will keep looking for "my" coffee shop in Portland, because I just wouldn't order coffee here again. 3 stars because it's a "coffee company" , and there are just too many in Portland for someone to be running around burning beans.
(3)Ross C.
Having had a couple of good experiences, I took the wife here on Sunday morning. Two lukewarm caramel lattes totaling $8.50, plus Mumford and Sons on an endless loop, did not a happy visit make. Keep the standards high, eh?
(3)Carlos A.
I love the location, vibe, live music and friendly people that hang out here. We stopped in here to grab a warm drink while waiting for our ferry.
(5)Kristine A.
This place is adorable & wish they were in Boston. I would have to say that having a working fireplace adds to the ambiance of this place. It's very spacious & various comfy seats & counter to sit at. So they get 5 stars for having vegan options which is awesome. They not only have soy milk but almond milk too which is not very common. But they get 3 stars for the almond milk hot chocolate that I had because it wasn't very good, don't skimp on the cocoa please. Definitely worth checking out & since right downtown that's pretty damn convenient. They are not the fastest at making things, but maybe it was just a busy day for them.
(4)Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting, so I didn't get to really soak it in as much as I would have wanted to... but I enjoyed my stay. It's huge in there, which is great -- many of Portland's coffee shops are small enough that you feel bad if you take up prime real estate for too long (especially if you're not constantly sipping a beverage or eating), but I didn't have that issue in Crema. Delicious hot chocolate -- a must for me -- and friendly staff. A great location for me personally -- out of the way a bit but still close to the action, and loved stopping into Rosemont next door when I left!
(4)Mark A.
I like the great open space inside of Crema. Just remember to feed the parking machines outside with quarters before you walk in. Otherwise, the tall americano I had was great on the flavor side. The staff here also were very helpful and had my order out in no time.
(3)Leah H.
Awesome space but they seem to not actually know how to make good drinks. Mr H stayed outside to watch the ship (cruise ship leaving Portland) and I said "I'll just be a minute!" - how wrong I was. I was the ONLY person in line - it was maybe 6:50pm on a Sunday night. I ordered a hot chocolate and a coffee. 11 minutes later I had my drinks. If I took my father who works in construction (he probably thinks a barista is some kind of lawyer) and put him behind the counter this would give you some idea of my experience. The "coffee, cream only" took ages and Mr H took one sip and threw it away. It was close to closing but that's no excuse for a bitter and burned coffee on the expensive price. I was kind of excited for my hot chocolate. It took almost 9 minutes to make so you'd expect something awesome too right? The guy made a big thing about microwaving some kind of chocolate syrup and then asking me if I wanted it "very frothy, frothy, not frothy". I gave it a good stir when I got it but on drinking it was essentially hot milk with a very vague hint of bitter chocolate. It joined the coffee in the trash. Sad to write this report as it's a great space. Just seemed very inefficient (imagine it if there had been more customers in front of me! Maybe it would have taken hours!) and kind of awful tasting drinks. Incidentally the one other guy in there was brushing the floor with an old school broom. He seemed to be pushing the dust from one area to another. No swiffer or other effective system. Seemed kind of indicative of the ethos of this place.
(2)Kathryn Y.
What a shame. A beautiful spot with wonderful light and views and possibly the most hapless servers / baristas around. I waited 15 minutes for an iced coffee (and got the wrong order and was over charged). My sister waited 20 minutes for her Americano (they brought her two and had also overcharged her as she only ordered one) and - wait for it - 4 women waited over 30 minutes for their orders. When they complained they were sharply told "I have 7 orders ahead of yours" . This was impossible as they were ahead of me and I'd had my coffee for quite some time. What's really a shame is that not one of us will go back and I had exactly the same experience a year ago after a run along the water. #foolmetwice
(2)Jeffrey R.
This place is huge! If you like to sit in a coffee shop with your laptop/tablet and get some work done... but don't like people potentially reading your screen or listening in on a meeting because they are less than two feet from you... BINGO, this is your place to go. You have plenty of personal space and yet it still feels warm and cozy with the fireplace in the middle of the room. You can sit on comfy seats by the fire, tables by the nice windows, or perhaps at the bar where they make and serve the coffee. Everyone I've interacted with behind that counter has been super polite and friendly. The coffee I've had so far has been great, no complaints there. I don't need anything super fancy, so it's mostly the open yet cozy/warm atmosphere that does it for me. I plan to make find reasons to just come and hang out here often.
(5)Mrs. G.
Beautiful location, and baked goods are great :) HOWEVER...there is no standard for making drinks here. I usually get iced drinks, and they are almost always very good- espresso tastes excellent. I ordered their largest hot almond milk latte with hazelnut, and it was SUPER light in flavor and weight. SO much foam...so sad, because it's SO EXPENSIVE, but usually worth it? This drink had hardly any rich espresso flavor, and tasted like it had been steamed with very watered down almond milk. Quality control and routines are needed here, not unusual for independently owned cafes, Arabica is usually pretty good though. I'll return, but stuff like this is unacceptable, will stick to iced drinks here.
(1)Jeff O.
This is a great spot with a lot if room I dried to chill out and do work with a tasty latte. However, they are very expensive - most drinks are half the size of a normal coffee shop, but still cost the same which means that you'll be paying double for a normal sized drink of any sort. They must be doing something right though because they are always crowded.
(3)Bjorn M.
Really nice looking shop, iced red eye was really good! Crazy that there could be a Starbucks down the street, I feel bad for anyone who went there instead.
(4)Matthew C.
From a strictly "coffee" perspective, I would give Crema only 3 stars. It's a bit on the pricey side and the drip coffee that I had was rather mediocre--not bad but definitely a bit of a burnt taste to it. It's also a little pricey at $2.00 for an 8-ounce cup. But going to a coffee shop is also about the coffee culture. Crema does get an extra star though for the awesome ambiance. I love the bright, airy warehouse-feel. It has a "modern-rustic", semi-industrial atmosphere. (Yes, that was maybe a few too many descriptors.) I also like how the back of the store is open and you can see the coffee roasting equipment. The man playing the piano was a nice bonus as well. Caveat: I did not bring my computer, so I cannot speak to the outlet situation (which some other reviewers have complained about). If it is indeed a problem, I would hope Crema would fix that. There is so much space that it would be the perfect place to settle in for a day of studying or work.
(4)Judy L.
Busy coffee shop in the middle of. . . . nowhere? The layout was very homey. Some Maine related items on the menu: maple latte, maple soy, etc. We got the maple soy latte, which was interesting, and hot cocoa, which was on par with Starbucks' hot chocolate. Not bad.
(3)Jay H.
The perfect place to work on a rainy December day. The staff was super friendly. You don't have to feel bad about taking up real estate due to the ample space. They have an epic arabica coffee plant just as you come in. That's where beans come from! Also to the girl playing the piano: you rock! Albeit in a chilled-out, pseudo-classical way.
(4)Lee E.
I've been to Crema 3 times over the past month: First occasions was great, there was a positive vibe, good service, tasty treats, plenty of comfortable seating, and a great location. Second time, it took over 20 minutes to pay for a bottle of juice do to complete dysfunction behind the counter in which the supposed manager was ranting about something to the cashier which caused a queue of about 12-15 people in line to order and pay. Third time (yesterday) was much worse. They were out of everything from behind the counter so I order a medium coffee, no issue and glad the place is doing well. Went to the counter to mix in some cream. There wasn't any so I went to the cashier and asked for some. Cashier had to ask the other person behind the counter if there was any cream. To which the person said yes, but they weren't allowed to give it to us as they had used the cream for the day and that container of cream was reserved. Seriously?!?! Isn't this a coffee shop in which some people put cream in their coffee? The cashier had to call the store manager to ask if it was ok to use the cream, and it sounded like the casher had to actually convince the boss to give us cream. Seriously! We were in line with 4-6 other people and we kept thinking a person was going to jump out from behind the counter with a video camera yelling - You've been punked! Got the cream, all was good! Clearly a management issue! Place called Crema rationing Cream is a bit ironic, wouldn't you agree?
(2)Ian D.
Just to clarify prices: 12oz. coffee at Crema is $2.25, 12oz. coffee at Coffee By Design is $1.84, and a 12oz. coffee at Standard Baking Company is $1.80. Big spenders from out of state might not mind the price difference, but locals will truly enjoy the savings!
(2)Fira B.
Great atmosphere as stated on other reviews, it felt bright and uplifting. It is walking distance from the residence inn we were staying at. Frittata and scone were both great. Both the wife and I got espressos upon seeing the la marzocco. They were decent drinks, a bit over extracted (really bitter on the sides of the tongue, not many complex favors) and with the viscosity being on the watery side. One of our demitasse cups was hot and the other was cold, but not a big deal to me. I got a bit of chocolate and grapefruit notes from the 'spro which was nice, and that would only pop out more with a better extraction. Overall it was drinkable. I would come again seeing that they invest heavily into their coffee program as much as anyone else in Portland. It's also next to a neat little produce company, giving me the impression they have a symbiotic relationship... Kind of like a shark and his remora? Two monkeys that groom each other? Ah you get the idea.
(4)Craig M.
This one needs a backdrop to provide rationale for its crappiness. Please bear with me. I'll start by saying that this place threw me for a total loop; it's not the creme de la 'Crema' I expected. The exterior of the building is classic with a modern twist and the sign drew us in. When our group of four entered we were hit with the fine smell of coffee, loud reverberating sounds of espresso machines steaming milk, and ambient background chatter inside a wonderfully warm, open and rustic space - excellent way to greet your customers! There were about 4 people ahead of us and 3 baristas working the coffee bar. No special orders were made that would have taken any extraordinary length of time to prepare, yet the service was so slow that we couldn't help but notice. On the plus side it gave us plenty of time to look at their menu board, but we found that to be of equal disappointment. The selections were minimal, which is fine, but the prices were RIDICULOUS! My wife and I ordered the cheaper options: a Chai latte and the 'Cocoa'. The price on the board for each of our drinks was $2.80, for a mere 16oz, yet somehow the total came to nearly $8. Obviously I was forced to comment that perhaps there was a mistake in ringing us up but the teller stated that taxes in Maine have increased. I replied, "Yeah, but not by that much". He then told us the prices on the board were incorrect, that the computer charges differently and that there's nothing he could do about it. "Bring it up with the owners", he said. Another barista chimed in, echoing the same thing but a little more politely. I was instantly unimpressed and was ready to give them a lesson in customer service. Now if I see a price advertised I expect to pay that price, plus the unavoidable taxes of course, but in this scenario I didn't want to make a scene beyond what I was already making to the ever-growing-but-who-knows-why-line behind us. So, reluctantly, I paid up. Perhaps the drinks will be worth it... ...or... ...not... My 16oz of steamed milk with but a faint sprinkling of cocoa was only ¾ full and lukewarm. My wife's drink was hot enough but also had very little flavour, other than the dairy'esque'ness of steamed milk. WTF!!! One other in our group was very disappointed by her drink which cost $5 alone (minus tax mind you!) and ALSO had minimal flavour other than the overwhelming, and seemingly signature, taste of steamed milk. To add salt to the wound another customer approached me, surprisingly, during our wait and was curious about what I had been fussing over with regards to price, so I told him. "The exact same thing just happened to me!", he replied, and we all laughed at 'Crema' in sheer disbelief. Whether they had a bad day or we picked a bad moment I will not return. A business gets one chance at first impressions to awe or, at the very least, even just satiate their customers and 'Crema' failed. Summary: if you like paying out your ears to get slow and poor service for specialty drinks that taste like steamed milk with underlying notes of the flavours you actually ordered, then have fun. I'll stick to the places that know what they're doing
(1)The Happy Lobster R.
Worst chai latte I've ever had. Wasn't ready until my dried out breakfast was finished, and then it was poured into a to go cup. I explained I was sitting with 6 people who were all drinking from mugs so they poured it into a mug, but it was so foul I couldn't drink more than a sip. Bad product and bad customer service.
(2)Heather S.
Delicious maple lattes!
(4)sarah s.
The physical space is awesome. But the service, at least this weekend, left a lot to be desired. First, it was fairly busy, and there were only two people working, both of whom were *kids* - I'm talking teenagers (or at least, they appeared to be teenagers). They were messing up every order. I can't tell you how many times I heard them apologize, or say "sorry, can you tell me again what you ordered" to someone who had been waiting for a drip coffee for 5 minutes. They offered us some caramel as an apology for the long wait / order mistakes. Also they were playing bad early 90s soft pop music. Bottom line is, get some more seasoned employees, change the music--oh and also it was super hot in there, so fix that--and then maybe it'll be alright. Oh, also, they need a bike rack! There is no place to lock a bike up outside the shop. I love arabica and because this space is so great, I was hoping for a better experience. They are carrying the new union bagel co bagels, and those were good.
(2)Michelle D.
the shortage of electrical outlets here is very frustrating - i work "from home", which really means "from local coffee spots". which means that being able to plug in my computer for an all day marathon of self-employment is very important. and high competition for very few plug-ins means i won't likely be back. which is too bad, because the staff are really nice, and the shop is spacious with lots of light and a good ambiance. if you're looking for a place to knit or meet up with friends, i give Crema 4 stars!! so the other complication is that i don't drink coffee and i can't speak to the quality of Crema's. they do have a nice selection of teas, but so do plenty of other places where i can sit in a nice comfy couch all day, with accessible juice for my computer. (Crema has a couch, with no outlets near it.)
(2)Ryan D.
A freelancer's dream coffee shop! The space is *huge* with many large tables and a ton of seating. The front of the building has big windows that provide views of the bay, and the WiFi was fast & stable. For the battery-challenged I noted several available outlets along the perimeter. :) On my way out I had a conversation with the owner, Art, who told me that he once had a manufacturing business in the building but had always dreamed of opening a coffee shop. He's off to a great start (they've been open less than two weeks); Crema is now the first place I'd recommend to someone looking to get some work done (and great coffee!) in the old port.
(5)Megan P.
During my quick visit to Portland, I stumbled upon this gem. This is truly a unique and great space for a cafe - large windows, high ceilings and plenty of space. I loved that it's so close for a nice stroll on the water, and if you stay put to hang out in the cafe, they offer real mugs/glasses to enjoy your cup o' joe. The coffee was a bit bitter but I was otherwise happy with my experience and resulting caffeine buzz.
(4)Lauren M.
This place was alright...I'm from the DC area and there are a lot of coffee places to choose from there. I would give the treats (muffins, scones, etc.) four stars, the space three stars, and the coffee three to two stars (thus the averaged three star overall rating). I think you can do better coffee wise in the area (haven't tried much yet) but if you're looking for a space to work (like many others have noted in their reviews) this seems to be a great space. They could do some finishing of the space. I like the bare look but it's kinda mess in the back area (customers can't go back there but you can see it from the seating area). They do need to buy more chairs though. Lots of table space but low on the chairs. We went on a Sunday morning. It was relatively quick inside even though there were a fair amount of people, so I can't imagine that the noise level would ever get very high. I ordered a almond cappuccino and it was almost undrinkable. I don't know if it was the almond or the cappuccino but it was bad. I had a raspberry muffin which was delicious. I tasted some of my parent current cream scone and that was also delicious. They had black coffee, which I didn't taste but it seemed as though they enjoyed it (especially when they came back for a second cup later in the day). May have to re-try this place later on but at the moment I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Bob L.
Was very much looking forward to my visit here, as anytime I travel out of state the coffee yelp reviews is where I start, and everyone seemed to rave about this place. Well from start to finish this was a huge disappointment. Maybe it was a bad day for everyone working, but everyone seemed so grumpy? I actually wasn't even greeted, just stared at until I said " good morning." Ordered a drip coffee and a latte. Drip coffee I threw out... Latte took 10 minutes to make. It was painful watching the "barista" prepare drinks. I stood there watching the printer pour out slips, and she proceeded to sink deeper and deeper. Now most people would have an oh crap moment, and work a bit faster. Nope. Not everyone. She actually seemed to move slower, taking her sweet time. Finally received my drink, and well, shocker: Not worth the wait. It was over aerated and lukewarm at best. Will not return. Do yourself a solid and head in the opposite direction to Bard coffee. That's where I went the rest of the weekend. PS if dust and cob webs gross you out, don't look up ( that's of course you ignore my advice and go to experience it for yourself).
(1)Maureen K.
Great place to set up shop for an afternoon of work. Only watch out if my computer battery is low, as there aren't a ton of outlets.
(5)Colin R.
I been to Crema 20-30 or so times since its opened. Love the space, great vibe and friendly staff. As a previous reviewer wrote, its a great place to get work done, or just wait out a rainy Portland afternoon. Good free internet, etc. Previous reviews have complained about the prices, but given the space and location I think they're reasonable. Updated - 11/20/2012 When first reviewed Crema back in July I had complained about the care which their baristas take in making their drinks, which I found was a bit shoddy. I have had a few dozen lattes and cappuccinos since them, and they have all been excellent. So they seem to have resolved the issue. I've got no complaints, love this place.
(5)Anne S.
Love this place. Gorgeous view looking out the front, great staff and the baked goods are solid. Also, bonus points for gluten free options.
(5)Eli A.
Great coffee and ambiance. Cashier guy was snoty!
(4)m s.
Honestly, for the amount of work that went into the space, I was expecting a little bit more. The building is classy, and the space is really wide open. Not really my style necessarily, but it's a good all around vibe. But the coffee...It's just...really bad. I've had straight black coffee there, along with a couple cappuccinos (months apart, hoping the staff would be better trained...) but the espresso is over-extracted, the milk was waaaaaaay too hot for a good drink. Their black coffee has a really gnarly astringent quality to it.
(2)Pieto J.
$3.50 for latte feels like vacationland pricing a la Old Port. With a snack and taxes its a ten spot stop. Really want it to have a neighborhood/local feel but every time I intend to stay and sip... I cant wait to leave. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe cause all the laptoppers look so sad. I wouldn't got out of my way to go there.
(2)Benny D.
Very nice physical space, like others said, but it does not feel nice somehow. I might be biased, because we went there with our 15 month old, but the place felt very unwelcoming. First, in the HUGE space there is no high chairs. When we asked the waitress about them she explained that they don't have them- and that mostly people coming there are young- in their 20s or so... Well, upon looking around there were practically no 20-something olds hanging out there. There were, on the other hand, several families... The internet was not working either, and a youngish woman came asking about it to the counter after getting her coffee and starting to work. The waitress was very matter of fact, well, it is not working... No apologies. I wonder who is actually welcome there? Will never go again.
(2)Joe R.
Move over Arabica. I have a new favorite coffee spot in Portland. It's Crema! Every Saturday we wake up and say Crema? Toast? Yes! Crema's coffee is the darkest and best around (same as Arabica). The real reason I love it is the space. It feels like they transported the cool factor from Cambridge. Huge. Brick. And the first coffee shop in Portland you don't feel on top of your neighbor. Thanks Crema!
(5)Rachel H.
Best coffee I've had in Portland (says fussy SF coffee snob). Great space too.
(4)Rhea S.
AMAZING!!! I send all of my clients here from Dathan Hunter Salon (4 1/2 milk street) for an amazing espresso or coffee! They roast their own beans and the ambiance is completely a San Francisco feel. You have to visit this coffee shop when in need of some generosity towards the locals! My favorite is the amazing selection of milks...almond milk? Mmhmm yummy in a latte!
(5)Brian G.
Excellent service, friendly folks, delicious EVERYTHING.
(5)Nate K.
Really beautiful space with coffee not worth the stop. It's not bad, but over roasted. The iced coffee was too watered down and the iced chai wasn't anything unique and was lacking much flavor. Don't bring a kid to this particular shop as it isn't the vibe nor welcoming in location or atmosphere. Can be ok if that is what you want.
(2)Libbi P.
I come here a lot as the space is amazing with a water view, large windows, a fire place etc. The baked goods are also amazing. The customer experience however is lack luster. There is a major gap between the quality of their products and the quality of their service. A lack of smiling, interest in chatting, and just a very matter of fact - take it or leave it attitude. They are missing the boat - as a coffee shop is about more than just the coffee or food - its about creating an atmosphere that has a positive energy, a welcome feel. I watched one of the girls behind the counter snap at the owner today. I almost got up and left I was so disappointed and shocked at her attitude. Don't go to work if you are angry - everyone around you will pick up on it.
(3)Lyndenise B.
The herbal peace blend tea is a must! After exploring Portland for the day, I stopped in to get some work done and just relax. The ambiance is great! Very relaxing and the staff is very welcoming. It seems to be a favorite of the locals as well since I asked around when I stopped at different stores and they definitely recommended that I stop by. I definitely hope to come back and actually try some of the great coffee everyone was enjoying.
(4)Kate S.
Is it just me or has the transition to Arabica (I know they owned it all along) knocked this place down a notch? I do love the bike rack/parking addition even though I'm not a cyclist. However, something seems .. drabber. Also, the wifi is slower / glitchy - at least the times I've been back since the Arabica sign went up. This is my main gripe as I work from coffee shops on the reg. We shall see!
(3)Shanna W.
I had a real love/hate relationship with Crema when they first opened. It was convenient to my workplace, and a local coffee joint, so I wanted to give it a chance, but the customer service and beverage quality were mediocre at best...at best, after multiple visits. In fact, I felt both watching interactions, and being part of some myself, that we were seriously bothering the staff by being there... After some time I was convinced by friends to give it another shot, and have been pleasantly surprised the past few visits to see more consistency, hustle and engagement! I don't know what's changed, but I'm more likely to split my time between Crema and CBD because of it. There are some tasty snacks and suitable light meal items available, more than just sweets and bagels. The atmosphere is very cozy for being so spacious. The only downside left for me now is the lack of accessible outlets. As someone who frequently "works from home," aka a coffee shop or some such, for long spans of time, this is a hurdle as there are many other folks doing the same thing, and not everyone is good about sharing these spaces. I tend to opt into BYOEC, (Bring Your Own Extension Cord), to make it easier and also allows someone I'm sharing table space with to plug in as well (multiple plugin-style cord). So, that's been a personal solution...
(3)Matt C.
With a large and cavernous interior, Crema Coffee Company reminds me of a Brooklyn style warehouse-turned-cafe. To be truthful, I only visited Crema due to it's proximity to the Cruise Terminal where my ship was docked for the day, but I am glad I went. I ordered a affigato and the first barista I talked to did not know what it was. I was explaining it to her when another barista came over and helped me. She know what it was, but when I ordered it she asked me which kind of Gelato I wanted. I assumed this was because they were trying to spice up the affigato from it's traditionalll vanilla scoop, but once I rounded the corner to the gelato stand I realized it was because they did not have any vanilla gelato. Picking the least offensive scoop, I ended up with an Oreo affigato. Not horrible but not great either. Maybe I should have had the pistachio :/
(3)Tony W.
This is a great little coffee shop. I think the physical space differentiates it from most cafes: open, well-lit, and sunny vs the cramped, can-you-get-up-so-I-can-plug-my-laptop-in-the-Âplug-under-your-table-because-I've-been-working-Âon-the-next-great-American-novel-for-12-hours kinda place. I hate being in places where you are so close to the person behind you that they can read your magazine or monitor your Facebook posts. They could easily cram 10 more tables in here, but I'm certainly glad they don't. This place is always busy when I'm in here, but not packed, so it's never been a challenge to find a seat. Also a plus. In the three or more times I've been here, I've tried the coffee (3x) coffee cake and bagels (2x). All have been enjoyable, and the coffee is really quite good. I like a good dark roast, and I've been impressed by the quality each time. The baristas aren't overly friendly or overly antisocial, but somewhere in the middle; I'm perfectly fine with that. One of the baristas who I've seen almost every time I've been in went out of her way to refund my credit card purchase with about .25 in change because she had accidentally billed me at the to-go cup price. The only real negative I have on this place is that they're only open at 7am. On the mornings that I would normally grab a cup of coffee and a bagel in town, I need to do it by about 6:15am. Don't most coffee shops open around 6am? What I've had to do is walk up and around the corner to Coffee By Design, which IS open at this time. Crema, if you were open at 6am, you'd have my business (although CBD is a noble runner up). This is a trivial complaint; don't change for anyone, because sleeping in is underrated.
(4)Holly B.
Large space fills up quickly, but turns over nicely too. I like to park it for hours on Sundays to get work done. Coffee is great, tea is expertly brewed, and the homemade baked goods, soup, pizza, and quiche are enough to hook you. Seating is spacious; enough for groups and nooks for flying solo - whatever you need!
(4)Hdjshds H.
The espresso is burnt and tastes way too bitter. I asked for it for here and they gave it to me in a tiny to go cup.
(1)Bryan V.
Microwaved espresso? Really? It's Snowing out and we wanted a cozy caffeine hang out. We picked this spot because we have been here before. It has great Devore and the location is unbeatable. But our latte and cappuccino arrived lukewarm. No. Less than lukewarm. We made our dissatisfaction known and the barista offered to microwave them. And for $8+ that's not cool. Make sure you ask for hot coffee.
(1)Mrs. G.
Beautiful location, and baked goods are great :) HOWEVER...there is no standard for making drinks here. I usually get iced drinks, and they are almost always very good- espresso tastes excellent. I ordered their largest hot almond milk latte with hazelnut, and it was SUPER light in flavor and weight. SO much foam...so sad, because it's SO EXPENSIVE, but usually worth it? This drink had hardly any rich espresso flavor, and tasted like it had been steamed with very watered down almond milk. Quality control and routines are needed here, not unusual for independently owned cafes, Arabica is usually pretty good though. I'll return, but stuff like this is unacceptable, will stick to iced drinks here.
(1)Jeff O.
This is a great spot with a lot if room I dried to chill out and do work with a tasty latte. However, they are very expensive - most drinks are half the size of a normal coffee shop, but still cost the same which means that you'll be paying double for a normal sized drink of any sort. They must be doing something right though because they are always crowded.
(3)Bjorn M.
Really nice looking shop, iced red eye was really good! Crazy that there could be a Starbucks down the street, I feel bad for anyone who went there instead.
(4)Matthew C.
From a strictly "coffee" perspective, I would give Crema only 3 stars. It's a bit on the pricey side and the drip coffee that I had was rather mediocre--not bad but definitely a bit of a burnt taste to it. It's also a little pricey at $2.00 for an 8-ounce cup. But going to a coffee shop is also about the coffee culture. Crema does get an extra star though for the awesome ambiance. I love the bright, airy warehouse-feel. It has a "modern-rustic", semi-industrial atmosphere. (Yes, that was maybe a few too many descriptors.) I also like how the back of the store is open and you can see the coffee roasting equipment. The man playing the piano was a nice bonus as well. Caveat: I did not bring my computer, so I cannot speak to the outlet situation (which some other reviewers have complained about). If it is indeed a problem, I would hope Crema would fix that. There is so much space that it would be the perfect place to settle in for a day of studying or work.
(4)Jay H.
The perfect place to work on a rainy December day. The staff was super friendly. You don't have to feel bad about taking up real estate due to the ample space. They have an epic arabica coffee plant just as you come in. That's where beans come from! Also to the girl playing the piano: you rock! Albeit in a chilled-out, pseudo-classical way.
(4)Judy L.
Busy coffee shop in the middle of. . . . nowhere? The layout was very homey. Some Maine related items on the menu: maple latte, maple soy, etc. We got the maple soy latte, which was interesting, and hot cocoa, which was on par with Starbucks' hot chocolate. Not bad.
(3)Lee E.
I've been to Crema 3 times over the past month: First occasions was great, there was a positive vibe, good service, tasty treats, plenty of comfortable seating, and a great location. Second time, it took over 20 minutes to pay for a bottle of juice do to complete dysfunction behind the counter in which the supposed manager was ranting about something to the cashier which caused a queue of about 12-15 people in line to order and pay. Third time (yesterday) was much worse. They were out of everything from behind the counter so I order a medium coffee, no issue and glad the place is doing well. Went to the counter to mix in some cream. There wasn't any so I went to the cashier and asked for some. Cashier had to ask the other person behind the counter if there was any cream. To which the person said yes, but they weren't allowed to give it to us as they had used the cream for the day and that container of cream was reserved. Seriously?!?! Isn't this a coffee shop in which some people put cream in their coffee? The cashier had to call the store manager to ask if it was ok to use the cream, and it sounded like the casher had to actually convince the boss to give us cream. Seriously! We were in line with 4-6 other people and we kept thinking a person was going to jump out from behind the counter with a video camera yelling - You've been punked! Got the cream, all was good! Clearly a management issue! Place called Crema rationing Cream is a bit ironic, wouldn't you agree?
(2)Ian D.
Just to clarify prices: 12oz. coffee at Crema is $2.25, 12oz. coffee at Coffee By Design is $1.84, and a 12oz. coffee at Standard Baking Company is $1.80. Big spenders from out of state might not mind the price difference, but locals will truly enjoy the savings!
(2)Fira B.
Great atmosphere as stated on other reviews, it felt bright and uplifting. It is walking distance from the residence inn we were staying at. Frittata and scone were both great. Both the wife and I got espressos upon seeing the la marzocco. They were decent drinks, a bit over extracted (really bitter on the sides of the tongue, not many complex favors) and with the viscosity being on the watery side. One of our demitasse cups was hot and the other was cold, but not a big deal to me. I got a bit of chocolate and grapefruit notes from the 'spro which was nice, and that would only pop out more with a better extraction. Overall it was drinkable. I would come again seeing that they invest heavily into their coffee program as much as anyone else in Portland. It's also next to a neat little produce company, giving me the impression they have a symbiotic relationship... Kind of like a shark and his remora? Two monkeys that groom each other? Ah you get the idea.
(4)Craig M.
This one needs a backdrop to provide rationale for its crappiness. Please bear with me. I'll start by saying that this place threw me for a total loop; it's not the creme de la 'Crema' I expected. The exterior of the building is classic with a modern twist and the sign drew us in. When our group of four entered we were hit with the fine smell of coffee, loud reverberating sounds of espresso machines steaming milk, and ambient background chatter inside a wonderfully warm, open and rustic space - excellent way to greet your customers! There were about 4 people ahead of us and 3 baristas working the coffee bar. No special orders were made that would have taken any extraordinary length of time to prepare, yet the service was so slow that we couldn't help but notice. On the plus side it gave us plenty of time to look at their menu board, but we found that to be of equal disappointment. The selections were minimal, which is fine, but the prices were RIDICULOUS! My wife and I ordered the cheaper options: a Chai latte and the 'Cocoa'. The price on the board for each of our drinks was $2.80, for a mere 16oz, yet somehow the total came to nearly $8. Obviously I was forced to comment that perhaps there was a mistake in ringing us up but the teller stated that taxes in Maine have increased. I replied, "Yeah, but not by that much". He then told us the prices on the board were incorrect, that the computer charges differently and that there's nothing he could do about it. "Bring it up with the owners", he said. Another barista chimed in, echoing the same thing but a little more politely. I was instantly unimpressed and was ready to give them a lesson in customer service. Now if I see a price advertised I expect to pay that price, plus the unavoidable taxes of course, but in this scenario I didn't want to make a scene beyond what I was already making to the ever-growing-but-who-knows-why-line behind us. So, reluctantly, I paid up. Perhaps the drinks will be worth it... ...or... ...not... My 16oz of steamed milk with but a faint sprinkling of cocoa was only ¾ full and lukewarm. My wife's drink was hot enough but also had very little flavour, other than the dairy'esque'ness of steamed milk. WTF!!! One other in our group was very disappointed by her drink which cost $5 alone (minus tax mind you!) and ALSO had minimal flavour other than the overwhelming, and seemingly signature, taste of steamed milk. To add salt to the wound another customer approached me, surprisingly, during our wait and was curious about what I had been fussing over with regards to price, so I told him. "The exact same thing just happened to me!", he replied, and we all laughed at 'Crema' in sheer disbelief. Whether they had a bad day or we picked a bad moment I will not return. A business gets one chance at first impressions to awe or, at the very least, even just satiate their customers and 'Crema' failed. Summary: if you like paying out your ears to get slow and poor service for specialty drinks that taste like steamed milk with underlying notes of the flavours you actually ordered, then have fun. I'll stick to the places that know what they're doing
(1)The Happy Lobster R.
Worst chai latte I've ever had. Wasn't ready until my dried out breakfast was finished, and then it was poured into a to go cup. I explained I was sitting with 6 people who were all drinking from mugs so they poured it into a mug, but it was so foul I couldn't drink more than a sip. Bad product and bad customer service.
(2)Michelle D.
the shortage of electrical outlets here is very frustrating - i work "from home", which really means "from local coffee spots". which means that being able to plug in my computer for an all day marathon of self-employment is very important. and high competition for very few plug-ins means i won't likely be back. which is too bad, because the staff are really nice, and the shop is spacious with lots of light and a good ambiance. if you're looking for a place to knit or meet up with friends, i give Crema 4 stars!! so the other complication is that i don't drink coffee and i can't speak to the quality of Crema's. they do have a nice selection of teas, but so do plenty of other places where i can sit in a nice comfy couch all day, with accessible juice for my computer. (Crema has a couch, with no outlets near it.)
(2)Ryan D.
A freelancer's dream coffee shop! The space is *huge* with many large tables and a ton of seating. The front of the building has big windows that provide views of the bay, and the WiFi was fast & stable. For the battery-challenged I noted several available outlets along the perimeter. :) On my way out I had a conversation with the owner, Art, who told me that he once had a manufacturing business in the building but had always dreamed of opening a coffee shop. He's off to a great start (they've been open less than two weeks); Crema is now the first place I'd recommend to someone looking to get some work done (and great coffee!) in the old port.
(5)Megan P.
During my quick visit to Portland, I stumbled upon this gem. This is truly a unique and great space for a cafe - large windows, high ceilings and plenty of space. I loved that it's so close for a nice stroll on the water, and if you stay put to hang out in the cafe, they offer real mugs/glasses to enjoy your cup o' joe. The coffee was a bit bitter but I was otherwise happy with my experience and resulting caffeine buzz.
(4)Lauren M.
This place was alright...I'm from the DC area and there are a lot of coffee places to choose from there. I would give the treats (muffins, scones, etc.) four stars, the space three stars, and the coffee three to two stars (thus the averaged three star overall rating). I think you can do better coffee wise in the area (haven't tried much yet) but if you're looking for a space to work (like many others have noted in their reviews) this seems to be a great space. They could do some finishing of the space. I like the bare look but it's kinda mess in the back area (customers can't go back there but you can see it from the seating area). They do need to buy more chairs though. Lots of table space but low on the chairs. We went on a Sunday morning. It was relatively quick inside even though there were a fair amount of people, so I can't imagine that the noise level would ever get very high. I ordered a almond cappuccino and it was almost undrinkable. I don't know if it was the almond or the cappuccino but it was bad. I had a raspberry muffin which was delicious. I tasted some of my parent current cream scone and that was also delicious. They had black coffee, which I didn't taste but it seemed as though they enjoyed it (especially when they came back for a second cup later in the day). May have to re-try this place later on but at the moment I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Bob L.
Was very much looking forward to my visit here, as anytime I travel out of state the coffee yelp reviews is where I start, and everyone seemed to rave about this place. Well from start to finish this was a huge disappointment. Maybe it was a bad day for everyone working, but everyone seemed so grumpy? I actually wasn't even greeted, just stared at until I said " good morning." Ordered a drip coffee and a latte. Drip coffee I threw out... Latte took 10 minutes to make. It was painful watching the "barista" prepare drinks. I stood there watching the printer pour out slips, and she proceeded to sink deeper and deeper. Now most people would have an oh crap moment, and work a bit faster. Nope. Not everyone. She actually seemed to move slower, taking her sweet time. Finally received my drink, and well, shocker: Not worth the wait. It was over aerated and lukewarm at best. Will not return. Do yourself a solid and head in the opposite direction to Bard coffee. That's where I went the rest of the weekend. PS if dust and cob webs gross you out, don't look up ( that's of course you ignore my advice and go to experience it for yourself).
(1)Maureen K.
Great place to set up shop for an afternoon of work. Only watch out if my computer battery is low, as there aren't a ton of outlets.
(5)Colin R.
I been to Crema 20-30 or so times since its opened. Love the space, great vibe and friendly staff. As a previous reviewer wrote, its a great place to get work done, or just wait out a rainy Portland afternoon. Good free internet, etc. Previous reviews have complained about the prices, but given the space and location I think they're reasonable. Updated - 11/20/2012 When first reviewed Crema back in July I had complained about the care which their baristas take in making their drinks, which I found was a bit shoddy. I have had a few dozen lattes and cappuccinos since them, and they have all been excellent. So they seem to have resolved the issue. I've got no complaints, love this place.
(5)Anne S.
Love this place. Gorgeous view looking out the front, great staff and the baked goods are solid. Also, bonus points for gluten free options.
(5)Eli A.
Great coffee and ambiance. Cashier guy was snoty!
(4)m s.
Honestly, for the amount of work that went into the space, I was expecting a little bit more. The building is classy, and the space is really wide open. Not really my style necessarily, but it's a good all around vibe. But the coffee...It's just...really bad. I've had straight black coffee there, along with a couple cappuccinos (months apart, hoping the staff would be better trained...) but the espresso is over-extracted, the milk was waaaaaaay too hot for a good drink. Their black coffee has a really gnarly astringent quality to it.
(2)Pieto J.
$3.50 for latte feels like vacationland pricing a la Old Port. With a snack and taxes its a ten spot stop. Really want it to have a neighborhood/local feel but every time I intend to stay and sip... I cant wait to leave. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe cause all the laptoppers look so sad. I wouldn't got out of my way to go there.
(2)Benny D.
Very nice physical space, like others said, but it does not feel nice somehow. I might be biased, because we went there with our 15 month old, but the place felt very unwelcoming. First, in the HUGE space there is no high chairs. When we asked the waitress about them she explained that they don't have them- and that mostly people coming there are young- in their 20s or so... Well, upon looking around there were practically no 20-something olds hanging out there. There were, on the other hand, several families... The internet was not working either, and a youngish woman came asking about it to the counter after getting her coffee and starting to work. The waitress was very matter of fact, well, it is not working... No apologies. I wonder who is actually welcome there? Will never go again.
(2)Joe R.
Move over Arabica. I have a new favorite coffee spot in Portland. It's Crema! Every Saturday we wake up and say Crema? Toast? Yes! Crema's coffee is the darkest and best around (same as Arabica). The real reason I love it is the space. It feels like they transported the cool factor from Cambridge. Huge. Brick. And the first coffee shop in Portland you don't feel on top of your neighbor. Thanks Crema!
(5)Rachel H.
Best coffee I've had in Portland (says fussy SF coffee snob). Great space too.
(4)Rhea S.
AMAZING!!! I send all of my clients here from Dathan Hunter Salon (4 1/2 milk street) for an amazing espresso or coffee! They roast their own beans and the ambiance is completely a San Francisco feel. You have to visit this coffee shop when in need of some generosity towards the locals! My favorite is the amazing selection of milks...almond milk? Mmhmm yummy in a latte!
(5)Brian G.
Excellent service, friendly folks, delicious EVERYTHING.
(5)Nate K.
Really beautiful space with coffee not worth the stop. It's not bad, but over roasted. The iced coffee was too watered down and the iced chai wasn't anything unique and was lacking much flavor. Don't bring a kid to this particular shop as it isn't the vibe nor welcoming in location or atmosphere. Can be ok if that is what you want.
(2)Libbi P.
I come here a lot as the space is amazing with a water view, large windows, a fire place etc. The baked goods are also amazing. The customer experience however is lack luster. There is a major gap between the quality of their products and the quality of their service. A lack of smiling, interest in chatting, and just a very matter of fact - take it or leave it attitude. They are missing the boat - as a coffee shop is about more than just the coffee or food - its about creating an atmosphere that has a positive energy, a welcome feel. I watched one of the girls behind the counter snap at the owner today. I almost got up and left I was so disappointed and shocked at her attitude. Don't go to work if you are angry - everyone around you will pick up on it.
(3)sarah s.
The physical space is awesome. But the service, at least this weekend, left a lot to be desired. First, it was fairly busy, and there were only two people working, both of whom were *kids* - I'm talking teenagers (or at least, they appeared to be teenagers). They were messing up every order. I can't tell you how many times I heard them apologize, or say "sorry, can you tell me again what you ordered" to someone who had been waiting for a drip coffee for 5 minutes. They offered us some caramel as an apology for the long wait / order mistakes. Also they were playing bad early 90s soft pop music. Bottom line is, get some more seasoned employees, change the music--oh and also it was super hot in there, so fix that--and then maybe it'll be alright. Oh, also, they need a bike rack! There is no place to lock a bike up outside the shop. I love arabica and because this space is so great, I was hoping for a better experience. They are carrying the new union bagel co bagels, and those were good.
(2)Ryan D.
A freelancer's dream coffee shop! The space is *huge* with many large tables and a ton of seating. The front of the building has big windows that provide views of the bay, and the WiFi was fast & stable. For the battery-challenged I noted several available outlets along the perimeter. :) On my way out I had a conversation with the owner, Art, who told me that he once had a manufacturing business in the building but had always dreamed of opening a coffee shop. He's off to a great start (they've been open less than two weeks); Crema is now the first place I'd recommend to someone looking to get some work done (and great coffee!) in the old port.
(5)Megan P.
During my quick visit to Portland, I stumbled upon this gem. This is truly a unique and great space for a cafe - large windows, high ceilings and plenty of space. I loved that it's so close for a nice stroll on the water, and if you stay put to hang out in the cafe, they offer real mugs/glasses to enjoy your cup o' joe. The coffee was a bit bitter but I was otherwise happy with my experience and resulting caffeine buzz.
(4)Craig M.
This one needs a backdrop to provide rationale for its crappiness. Please bear with me. I'll start by saying that this place threw me for a total loop; it's not the creme de la 'Crema' I expected. The exterior of the building is classic with a modern twist and the sign drew us in. When our group of four entered we were hit with the fine smell of coffee, loud reverberating sounds of espresso machines steaming milk, and ambient background chatter inside a wonderfully warm, open and rustic space - excellent way to greet your customers! There were about 4 people ahead of us and 3 baristas working the coffee bar. No special orders were made that would have taken any extraordinary length of time to prepare, yet the service was so slow that we couldn't help but notice. On the plus side it gave us plenty of time to look at their menu board, but we found that to be of equal disappointment. The selections were minimal, which is fine, but the prices were RIDICULOUS! My wife and I ordered the cheaper options: a Chai latte and the 'Cocoa'. The price on the board for each of our drinks was $2.80, for a mere 16oz, yet somehow the total came to nearly $8. Obviously I was forced to comment that perhaps there was a mistake in ringing us up but the teller stated that taxes in Maine have increased. I replied, "Yeah, but not by that much". He then told us the prices on the board were incorrect, that the computer charges differently and that there's nothing he could do about it. "Bring it up with the owners", he said. Another barista chimed in, echoing the same thing but a little more politely. I was instantly unimpressed and was ready to give them a lesson in customer service. Now if I see a price advertised I expect to pay that price, plus the unavoidable taxes of course, but in this scenario I didn't want to make a scene beyond what I was already making to the ever-growing-but-who-knows-why-line behind us. So, reluctantly, I paid up. Perhaps the drinks will be worth it... ...or... ...not... My 16oz of steamed milk with but a faint sprinkling of cocoa was only ¾ full and lukewarm. My wife's drink was hot enough but also had very little flavour, other than the dairy'esque'ness of steamed milk. WTF!!! One other in our group was very disappointed by her drink which cost $5 alone (minus tax mind you!) and ALSO had minimal flavour other than the overwhelming, and seemingly signature, taste of steamed milk. To add salt to the wound another customer approached me, surprisingly, during our wait and was curious about what I had been fussing over with regards to price, so I told him. "The exact same thing just happened to me!", he replied, and we all laughed at 'Crema' in sheer disbelief. Whether they had a bad day or we picked a bad moment I will not return. A business gets one chance at first impressions to awe or, at the very least, even just satiate their customers and 'Crema' failed. Summary: if you like paying out your ears to get slow and poor service for specialty drinks that taste like steamed milk with underlying notes of the flavours you actually ordered, then have fun. I'll stick to the places that know what they're doing
(1)The Happy Lobster R.
Worst chai latte I've ever had. Wasn't ready until my dried out breakfast was finished, and then it was poured into a to go cup. I explained I was sitting with 6 people who were all drinking from mugs so they poured it into a mug, but it was so foul I couldn't drink more than a sip. Bad product and bad customer service.
(2)Jeffrey R.
This place is huge! If you like to sit in a coffee shop with your laptop/tablet and get some work done... but don't like people potentially reading your screen or listening in on a meeting because they are less than two feet from you... BINGO, this is your place to go. You have plenty of personal space and yet it still feels warm and cozy with the fireplace in the middle of the room. You can sit on comfy seats by the fire, tables by the nice windows, or perhaps at the bar where they make and serve the coffee. Everyone I've interacted with behind that counter has been super polite and friendly. The coffee I've had so far has been great, no complaints there. I don't need anything super fancy, so it's mostly the open yet cozy/warm atmosphere that does it for me. I plan to make find reasons to just come and hang out here often.
(5)Mrs. G.
Beautiful location, and baked goods are great :) HOWEVER...there is no standard for making drinks here. I usually get iced drinks, and they are almost always very good- espresso tastes excellent. I ordered their largest hot almond milk latte with hazelnut, and it was SUPER light in flavor and weight. SO much foam...so sad, because it's SO EXPENSIVE, but usually worth it? This drink had hardly any rich espresso flavor, and tasted like it had been steamed with very watered down almond milk. Quality control and routines are needed here, not unusual for independently owned cafes, Arabica is usually pretty good though. I'll return, but stuff like this is unacceptable, will stick to iced drinks here.
(1)Jeff O.
This is a great spot with a lot if room I dried to chill out and do work with a tasty latte. However, they are very expensive - most drinks are half the size of a normal coffee shop, but still cost the same which means that you'll be paying double for a normal sized drink of any sort. They must be doing something right though because they are always crowded.
(3)Bjorn M.
Really nice looking shop, iced red eye was really good! Crazy that there could be a Starbucks down the street, I feel bad for anyone who went there instead.
(4)Matthew C.
From a strictly "coffee" perspective, I would give Crema only 3 stars. It's a bit on the pricey side and the drip coffee that I had was rather mediocre--not bad but definitely a bit of a burnt taste to it. It's also a little pricey at $2.00 for an 8-ounce cup. But going to a coffee shop is also about the coffee culture. Crema does get an extra star though for the awesome ambiance. I love the bright, airy warehouse-feel. It has a "modern-rustic", semi-industrial atmosphere. (Yes, that was maybe a few too many descriptors.) I also like how the back of the store is open and you can see the coffee roasting equipment. The man playing the piano was a nice bonus as well. Caveat: I did not bring my computer, so I cannot speak to the outlet situation (which some other reviewers have complained about). If it is indeed a problem, I would hope Crema would fix that. There is so much space that it would be the perfect place to settle in for a day of studying or work.
(4)Anne S.
Love this place. Gorgeous view looking out the front, great staff and the baked goods are solid. Also, bonus points for gluten free options.
(5)Eli A.
Great coffee and ambiance. Cashier guy was snoty!
(4)m s.
Honestly, for the amount of work that went into the space, I was expecting a little bit more. The building is classy, and the space is really wide open. Not really my style necessarily, but it's a good all around vibe. But the coffee...It's just...really bad. I've had straight black coffee there, along with a couple cappuccinos (months apart, hoping the staff would be better trained...) but the espresso is over-extracted, the milk was waaaaaaay too hot for a good drink. Their black coffee has a really gnarly astringent quality to it.
(2)Pieto J.
$3.50 for latte feels like vacationland pricing a la Old Port. With a snack and taxes its a ten spot stop. Really want it to have a neighborhood/local feel but every time I intend to stay and sip... I cant wait to leave. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe cause all the laptoppers look so sad. I wouldn't got out of my way to go there.
(2)Deni T.
I'm here... Often. #1 breakfast sandwiches-- made on their homemade English muffins with cheddar cheese, egg and either spinach or sausage. This is no ordinary egg... It has a tasty blend of sage? Rosemary?salt? I don't know, but considering I am lactose intolerant... This is a whole sleeve of lactaid pills worthy. #2 my fav right now.. Iced Chai w soy milk #3 convenient fruit in containers to go, melon or grapes generally. Plus yogurt parfaits. #4. Every single morsel of the baked goods.. Vegan Elvis bars! #5 coffee. Oh the coffee. I work close enough to smell it all day. You can't go wrong. #6 the staff is laid back and friendly #7 there are plenty of tables and chairs and some couches... Some facing out the monster wall of windows overlooking Casco Bay #8 the piano. I love walking in when someone is playing. People interacting with the space other than purchasing is great #9 in the winter the cozy warmth is dreamy and so is the Americano #10 the compost/recycle/trash all in one place to encourage people to think about what they are using and how it can be reused. It is also conveniently located next door to Rosemont Produce.
(4)Steff D.
Dear everyone not from Portland, Hi. Welcome to our city. We charge a premium for things like beer and coffee because... WE ROCK AT MAKING IT. So please stop making such a fuss over the prices. We're used to it, and you should be as well if you're traveling (since in this day and age, to do so means you probably have some kind of disposable income). Furthermore, if you're avoiding places like Dunk Nuts or Timmy Ho's and getting your coffee at a local place, then you know darn well it's going to be more than the $2 you spend on a 64-ounce styrofoam cup of sludge at a mega chain. Now that that's off my chest... I like Crema because - as it is with their sister company Arabica ( yelp.com/biz/arabica-cof… ) - I can get ENORMOUS pots of hot, flavorful tea (we're talking three to four large cups out of one pot) for under $3. Also, the coffee doesn't seem as bitter to me as it does at other local places in town. Recently, I tried a maple latte with soy... and it was positively delicious. For just under $4 I had a mug big enough I could swim in filled with a creamy latte that was sweetened just right by the addition of the maple. Unlike many other flavored lattes, there was no strange aftertaste produced by artificial ingredients, nothing cloyingly (and therefore off-putting) sweet about it, and no "coffee sweaters" were left on my teeth or tongue. It was the best maple latte I've had in Portland, and I would come here again just to have one. Physically and geographically speaking, I like this location more than Arabica. I like the enormous, renovated "garage-esque" feeling to the building with it's tremendously high ceilings and exposed brick; the warm colors it's decorated in; the roaring fire place; the multiple seat options (bar, bench, table, couch, etc. - I appreciate this because a good coffeehouse wears many different hats like office, conference room, study hall, a place to interview people or meet old friends, a place to read quietly or think in solitude... and Crema does a fabulous job being all of those things at once); and, the view. Oh, the view. The Atlantic makes an exceptional partner to drink cuppa with!
(4)Lyndenise B.
The herbal peace blend tea is a must! After exploring Portland for the day, I stopped in to get some work done and just relax. The ambiance is great! Very relaxing and the staff is very welcoming. It seems to be a favorite of the locals as well since I asked around when I stopped at different stores and they definitely recommended that I stop by. I definitely hope to come back and actually try some of the great coffee everyone was enjoying.
(4)Kate S.
Is it just me or has the transition to Arabica (I know they owned it all along) knocked this place down a notch? I do love the bike rack/parking addition even though I'm not a cyclist. However, something seems .. drabber. Also, the wifi is slower / glitchy - at least the times I've been back since the Arabica sign went up. This is my main gripe as I work from coffee shops on the reg. We shall see!
(3)Margaret M.
Best cup of coffee in Portland - fresh, hot and flavorful. Not to mention all of their baked goodies and fancy coffee drinks which are also delish. I also love the location & ambiance with the local musicians playing in the corner, the fire & cozy seating and the brick exposed walls. Definitely the perfect spot to warm up on a cold New England day.
(5)Rachel K.
I really wanted to love Crema. I've been by it a bunch of times and it always looked cute. I stopped in on a weekday morning after running w/ the pup. I was in a bit of a rush and was less than thrilled w/ the service. It took more than 10 minutes for me to get an ice coffee and piece of quiche to go (both items that were prepared and didn't need any prep). The staff seemed to give a shit about good service. I asked the price of the quiche and was told "I don't know" with no offer to find out. The person who took my order didn't listen to what I ordered and I had to repeat it 3 times at one point calling out to the girl who was heating my quiche up "excuse me! no, I don't need it heated. thanks!". The quiche (mushroom and spinach) WAS delicious and huge and the space was beautiful. Absolutely huge especially for Portland, but I don't have plans to go back anytime soon. When it's a workday morning timeliness is key and if the staff doesn't realize that then they need to get with it.
(2)Alise K.
Lemon square and a cappuccino. Nice atmosphere and plenty of places to sit. The people working there seemed tired and bored. Maybe it was at the end of their shift?
(4)Sarah Z.
Stopped into Crema Coffee Company while walking around downtown Portland on a warm day. My husband and I both really liked their coffee and took a bit of a break sitting on the couch looking out their big front window. Great people-watching potential.
(4)Linda S.
Hold up. Wait a minute. Total coffee addict right here. Cozy coffee shop overlooking beautiful Casco Bay. Love everything about this place. The coffee roast is just simply delicious and I cannot get enough! Best brews! My favorite has to be the maple lattes! Mmmm mmmm! Give me!
(5)Ashleigh B.
Crema has an awesome spot in town. Right on Commercial Street with decent views of the water, nice and big indoor space. However, the coffee is meh and the employees do not have good customer service skills. There is this new breed of baristas that sing and dance at the register. What the hell is that about. I'd rather you take my money without a smile and dance and brew some decent coffee. Also, the bathrooms at Crema are always slightly out of order. Hire another employee. The way they have the coffee fixings set up is kind of gross. Who is the owner of this place? Have they been to Speckled Axe or Bard before? They do it tastefully. It's so easy to do things right. Also, to boot, the water fountain they have for customers to fill cups with basically drips water. I stood there for what felt like 5 minutes filling up the glass. Can you please just add some pressure? The thing is, people will go to Crema whether or not they have nice fixings, clean bathrooms, pleasant employees and better aesthetics, so why should they change?
(2)Joseph P.
Place was confusing to find. On the back of the building it says "Arabica Coffee Company" but that coffee place is actually about a mile away. Not sure if this used to be the location of the old Arabica Coffee Company. Anyway, coffee was decent but nothing special. Atmosphere is nice and they have a nice fireplace too. They are very pricey though. It was $9 and change for 2 of their smallest sized lattes. From what I hear there are better coffee spots in the area. I'll be on the hunt for those next time!
(3)Courty C.
My maple latte was ok, great foam but a slightly burnt taste. And not burnt meaning a bold roast, burnt meaning burnt. Ambiance seems ok. Looks like a decent place to bring work including laptops because they have free wifi and lots of outlets near the tables.
(2)Dawn T.
It is close to the close of business so I have to forgive them for being out of two of my first requests.
(3)Sam Z.
Staff is incompetent and borderline surly. Only worthwhile when it's too cold to walk to CBD.
(1)Joanna F.
Awesome iced coffee which automatically gets your 4 stars in my book! I also loved the atmosphere.
(4)Asya P.
Fantastic coffee shop to work at! Wifi, tons of space, quiet, lots of tables and SUNSHINE. As an ex-grad student, I cannot overstate the importance of sunshine. Highly recommend for this purpose. Excellent German Chocolate cake! Lots of selections in the baked good department. Sadly... I can't recommend the coffee! :( I'm picky, and it was insanely acidic and not smooth. So, bring a book or some work, grab a pot of tea, and while away some happy hours here. I will keep looking for "my" coffee shop in Portland, because I just wouldn't order coffee here again. 3 stars because it's a "coffee company" , and there are just too many in Portland for someone to be running around burning beans.
(3)Ross C.
Having had a couple of good experiences, I took the wife here on Sunday morning. Two lukewarm caramel lattes totaling $8.50, plus Mumford and Sons on an endless loop, did not a happy visit make. Keep the standards high, eh?
(3)Carlos A.
I love the location, vibe, live music and friendly people that hang out here. We stopped in here to grab a warm drink while waiting for our ferry.
(5)Kristine A.
This place is adorable & wish they were in Boston. I would have to say that having a working fireplace adds to the ambiance of this place. It's very spacious & various comfy seats & counter to sit at. So they get 5 stars for having vegan options which is awesome. They not only have soy milk but almond milk too which is not very common. But they get 3 stars for the almond milk hot chocolate that I had because it wasn't very good, don't skimp on the cocoa please. Definitely worth checking out & since right downtown that's pretty damn convenient. They are not the fastest at making things, but maybe it was just a busy day for them.
(4)Justine J.
I popped in here for a client meeting, so I didn't get to really soak it in as much as I would have wanted to... but I enjoyed my stay. It's huge in there, which is great -- many of Portland's coffee shops are small enough that you feel bad if you take up prime real estate for too long (especially if you're not constantly sipping a beverage or eating), but I didn't have that issue in Crema. Delicious hot chocolate -- a must for me -- and friendly staff. A great location for me personally -- out of the way a bit but still close to the action, and loved stopping into Rosemont next door when I left!
(4)Mark A.
I like the great open space inside of Crema. Just remember to feed the parking machines outside with quarters before you walk in. Otherwise, the tall americano I had was great on the flavor side. The staff here also were very helpful and had my order out in no time.
(3)Ian D.
Just to clarify prices: 12oz. coffee at Crema is $2.25, 12oz. coffee at Coffee By Design is $1.84, and a 12oz. coffee at Standard Baking Company is $1.80. Big spenders from out of state might not mind the price difference, but locals will truly enjoy the savings!
(2)Fira B.
Great atmosphere as stated on other reviews, it felt bright and uplifting. It is walking distance from the residence inn we were staying at. Frittata and scone were both great. Both the wife and I got espressos upon seeing the la marzocco. They were decent drinks, a bit over extracted (really bitter on the sides of the tongue, not many complex favors) and with the viscosity being on the watery side. One of our demitasse cups was hot and the other was cold, but not a big deal to me. I got a bit of chocolate and grapefruit notes from the 'spro which was nice, and that would only pop out more with a better extraction. Overall it was drinkable. I would come again seeing that they invest heavily into their coffee program as much as anyone else in Portland. It's also next to a neat little produce company, giving me the impression they have a symbiotic relationship... Kind of like a shark and his remora? Two monkeys that groom each other? Ah you get the idea.
(4)Leah H.
Awesome space but they seem to not actually know how to make good drinks. Mr H stayed outside to watch the ship (cruise ship leaving Portland) and I said "I'll just be a minute!" - how wrong I was. I was the ONLY person in line - it was maybe 6:50pm on a Sunday night. I ordered a hot chocolate and a coffee. 11 minutes later I had my drinks. If I took my father who works in construction (he probably thinks a barista is some kind of lawyer) and put him behind the counter this would give you some idea of my experience. The "coffee, cream only" took ages and Mr H took one sip and threw it away. It was close to closing but that's no excuse for a bitter and burned coffee on the expensive price. I was kind of excited for my hot chocolate. It took almost 9 minutes to make so you'd expect something awesome too right? The guy made a big thing about microwaving some kind of chocolate syrup and then asking me if I wanted it "very frothy, frothy, not frothy". I gave it a good stir when I got it but on drinking it was essentially hot milk with a very vague hint of bitter chocolate. It joined the coffee in the trash. Sad to write this report as it's a great space. Just seemed very inefficient (imagine it if there had been more customers in front of me! Maybe it would have taken hours!) and kind of awful tasting drinks. Incidentally the one other guy in there was brushing the floor with an old school broom. He seemed to be pushing the dust from one area to another. No swiffer or other effective system. Seemed kind of indicative of the ethos of this place.
(2)Kathryn Y.
What a shame. A beautiful spot with wonderful light and views and possibly the most hapless servers / baristas around. I waited 15 minutes for an iced coffee (and got the wrong order and was over charged). My sister waited 20 minutes for her Americano (they brought her two and had also overcharged her as she only ordered one) and - wait for it - 4 women waited over 30 minutes for their orders. When they complained they were sharply told "I have 7 orders ahead of yours" . This was impossible as they were ahead of me and I'd had my coffee for quite some time. What's really a shame is that not one of us will go back and I had exactly the same experience a year ago after a run along the water. #foolmetwice
(2)Judy L.
Busy coffee shop in the middle of. . . . nowhere? The layout was very homey. Some Maine related items on the menu: maple latte, maple soy, etc. We got the maple soy latte, which was interesting, and hot cocoa, which was on par with Starbucks' hot chocolate. Not bad.
(3)Jay H.
The perfect place to work on a rainy December day. The staff was super friendly. You don't have to feel bad about taking up real estate due to the ample space. They have an epic arabica coffee plant just as you come in. That's where beans come from! Also to the girl playing the piano: you rock! Albeit in a chilled-out, pseudo-classical way.
(4)Lee E.
I've been to Crema 3 times over the past month: First occasions was great, there was a positive vibe, good service, tasty treats, plenty of comfortable seating, and a great location. Second time, it took over 20 minutes to pay for a bottle of juice do to complete dysfunction behind the counter in which the supposed manager was ranting about something to the cashier which caused a queue of about 12-15 people in line to order and pay. Third time (yesterday) was much worse. They were out of everything from behind the counter so I order a medium coffee, no issue and glad the place is doing well. Went to the counter to mix in some cream. There wasn't any so I went to the cashier and asked for some. Cashier had to ask the other person behind the counter if there was any cream. To which the person said yes, but they weren't allowed to give it to us as they had used the cream for the day and that container of cream was reserved. Seriously?!?! Isn't this a coffee shop in which some people put cream in their coffee? The cashier had to call the store manager to ask if it was ok to use the cream, and it sounded like the casher had to actually convince the boss to give us cream. Seriously! We were in line with 4-6 other people and we kept thinking a person was going to jump out from behind the counter with a video camera yelling - You've been punked! Got the cream, all was good! Clearly a management issue! Place called Crema rationing Cream is a bit ironic, wouldn't you agree?
(2)Michelle D.
the shortage of electrical outlets here is very frustrating - i work "from home", which really means "from local coffee spots". which means that being able to plug in my computer for an all day marathon of self-employment is very important. and high competition for very few plug-ins means i won't likely be back. which is too bad, because the staff are really nice, and the shop is spacious with lots of light and a good ambiance. if you're looking for a place to knit or meet up with friends, i give Crema 4 stars!! so the other complication is that i don't drink coffee and i can't speak to the quality of Crema's. they do have a nice selection of teas, but so do plenty of other places where i can sit in a nice comfy couch all day, with accessible juice for my computer. (Crema has a couch, with no outlets near it.)
(2)Charles F.
"I'd hang out here again." What greater accolade could one bestow on a coffee house? Congratulations, Arabica (formerly Crema), you have just about nailed the formula. My visit to (the former) Crema came on a bright and brisk early April weekday afternoon--no particular mission in mind but finding a great cup of coffee, a snack, and a convivial and welcoming atmosphere for conversation with my companion. Mission accomplished! I gladly welcome Crema to the super-competitive coffeehouse category of eateries in Portland. To micro-refine my categorization, I would say Crema falls to the right of grubby bohemian (e.g. Coffee By Design), similar to hipster pretentious (Arabica, Bard), but well left of corporate (you know who I mean). Beverage & Food: My machiatto was excellent. I'm not a connoisseur by any means, but it was hot, strong, and delivered a buzz which proved very stimulating to conversation. The Elvis Bar--apparently a house favorite according to the Crema staff person who served it--was decadent but not tooth-crackingly sweet. After one, I had had enough, and, was pleased to find that I did not feel hungry for anything else, although the other choices were tempting. Architecture: loved the space, an old warehouse/factory building on Commercial Street with a great view of Casco Bay out of the wide and tall front windows. Crema's designer allowed the brick, glass block, and wood beam features to speak for themselves, and the wood stove/fireplace, likely a vestige of the wood stove store which previously occupied the space, added a perfect degree of warmth, something often missing from brick, wood, steel, and concrete warehouse spaces (comparable effect to the ovens at Flatbread, also on Commercial Street. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some connection between Crema and Flatbread--both achieve the same overall customer experience in similar spaces). Crema has a good mix of seating options--tables for the serious laptoppers, comfortable chairs and couches for the surfers and social media skimmers, a counter as well. Many customers also had books or other traditional reading materials, and one or two couples had settled in for the afternoon with playing cards. Atmosphere: So, perhaps the crucial factor at any coffeehouse if the coffee is well-made and the food matches, is the vibe. On this particular occasion, the stars aligned--hum of conversation, friendliness of staff, good music at appropriate volume, fine lighting. Yes, I would return.
(4)Bryan V.
Microwaved espresso? Really? It's Snowing out and we wanted a cozy caffeine hang out. We picked this spot because we have been here before. It has great Devore and the location is unbeatable. But our latte and cappuccino arrived lukewarm. No. Less than lukewarm. We made our dissatisfaction known and the barista offered to microwave them. And for $8+ that's not cool. Make sure you ask for hot coffee.
(1)Joey D.
This is some strong coffee, people. Very good, good beans. It's strong like Starbucks but the coffee beans have more heart. That's what makes this place good, heart... Miles and miles of heart. The coffee beans showed love. The coffee was great
(4)Heather J.
Love the atmosphere, service and of course coffee here. Get a latte to stay to witness the work of art on top. Like banana bread? Even if you're not vegan, theirs has all the others beat. Be sure to ask for it heated ;) I get up to Portland once a quarter for work (and a little play) and Crema is a favorite.
(5)Ashley T.
This weekend I made it a point to have an eat in experience here and I am so happy I chose to start my Sunday morning off here. Now called Arabica by the way ( I see there isn't an update to the name but everything is the same as before) I went around 8 a.m and it was quiet. I ordered a 4 shot 16 oz milky way latte and a spinach breakfast sandwich to stay. I also bought a greek yogurt. Everything was so delicious. Their espresso is so tasty. The breakfast sandwiches are delicious. I have only had the spinach one but I have had it multiple times before and every time it has been very good. I love how they use a stronger cheese, cheddar I think. The service usually is indifferent but that morning everyone was extremely pleasant. I love how they always steam the milk to 120-130 degrees and they froth their milk so well. I am really glad they use whole, it just makes the beverage taste better. I also think they have the have the best macchiato in town. I have also had their cappuccino once before and really enjoyed it. The coffee shop itself is beautiful and has rustic feeling. The lack of outlets is a downside but manageable. I definitely wish I could afford to be a regular but it is really expensive for a day to day experience,so I am happy to go there once a week as a great.
(5)Shanna W.
I had a real love/hate relationship with Crema when they first opened. It was convenient to my workplace, and a local coffee joint, so I wanted to give it a chance, but the customer service and beverage quality were mediocre at best...at best, after multiple visits. In fact, I felt both watching interactions, and being part of some myself, that we were seriously bothering the staff by being there... After some time I was convinced by friends to give it another shot, and have been pleasantly surprised the past few visits to see more consistency, hustle and engagement! I don't know what's changed, but I'm more likely to split my time between Crema and CBD because of it. There are some tasty snacks and suitable light meal items available, more than just sweets and bagels. The atmosphere is very cozy for being so spacious. The only downside left for me now is the lack of accessible outlets. As someone who frequently "works from home," aka a coffee shop or some such, for long spans of time, this is a hurdle as there are many other folks doing the same thing, and not everyone is good about sharing these spaces. I tend to opt into BYOEC, (Bring Your Own Extension Cord), to make it easier and also allows someone I'm sharing table space with to plug in as well (multiple plugin-style cord). So, that's been a personal solution...
(3)Vincent H.
This place is huge! A lot of space for doing work along with group work or for group chats. Two restrooms too. Got a Chai which wasn't bad, disliked the fact that you could only get it in medium or large though. Also they go by Tall, Grande, and Venti which I thought was funny. Barista was super nice and chatty. Even delivered my drink to me after which was a first for me in the New England area.
(4)Neal E.
Crema Coffee is within walking distance of the the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Waterfront location. Lots of seating and places to hang out. I ordered a cup of whatever their dark roast coffee was. It was rich, tasty, and outstanding! They have a free Wi-Fi network. They don't accept American Express credit cards here...
(4)Matt C.
With a large and cavernous interior, Crema Coffee Company reminds me of a Brooklyn style warehouse-turned-cafe. To be truthful, I only visited Crema due to it's proximity to the Cruise Terminal where my ship was docked for the day, but I am glad I went. I ordered a affigato and the first barista I talked to did not know what it was. I was explaining it to her when another barista came over and helped me. She know what it was, but when I ordered it she asked me which kind of Gelato I wanted. I assumed this was because they were trying to spice up the affigato from it's traditionalll vanilla scoop, but once I rounded the corner to the gelato stand I realized it was because they did not have any vanilla gelato. Picking the least offensive scoop, I ended up with an Oreo affigato. Not horrible but not great either. Maybe I should have had the pistachio :/
(3)Tony W.
This is a great little coffee shop. I think the physical space differentiates it from most cafes: open, well-lit, and sunny vs the cramped, can-you-get-up-so-I-can-plug-my-laptop-in-the-Âplug-under-your-table-because-I've-been-working-Âon-the-next-great-American-novel-for-12-hours kinda place. I hate being in places where you are so close to the person behind you that they can read your magazine or monitor your Facebook posts. They could easily cram 10 more tables in here, but I'm certainly glad they don't. This place is always busy when I'm in here, but not packed, so it's never been a challenge to find a seat. Also a plus. In the three or more times I've been here, I've tried the coffee (3x) coffee cake and bagels (2x). All have been enjoyable, and the coffee is really quite good. I like a good dark roast, and I've been impressed by the quality each time. The baristas aren't overly friendly or overly antisocial, but somewhere in the middle; I'm perfectly fine with that. One of the baristas who I've seen almost every time I've been in went out of her way to refund my credit card purchase with about .25 in change because she had accidentally billed me at the to-go cup price. The only real negative I have on this place is that they're only open at 7am. On the mornings that I would normally grab a cup of coffee and a bagel in town, I need to do it by about 6:15am. Don't most coffee shops open around 6am? What I've had to do is walk up and around the corner to Coffee By Design, which IS open at this time. Crema, if you were open at 6am, you'd have my business (although CBD is a noble runner up). This is a trivial complaint; don't change for anyone, because sleeping in is underrated.
(4)Holly B.
Large space fills up quickly, but turns over nicely too. I like to park it for hours on Sundays to get work done. Coffee is great, tea is expertly brewed, and the homemade baked goods, soup, pizza, and quiche are enough to hook you. Seating is spacious; enough for groups and nooks for flying solo - whatever you need!
(4)Hdjshds H.
The espresso is burnt and tastes way too bitter. I asked for it for here and they gave it to me in a tiny to go cup.
(1)Heather S.
Delicious maple lattes!
(4)Michael J.
Great coffee. Amazing atmosphere.
(5)Lauren M.
This place was alright...I'm from the DC area and there are a lot of coffee places to choose from there. I would give the treats (muffins, scones, etc.) four stars, the space three stars, and the coffee three to two stars (thus the averaged three star overall rating). I think you can do better coffee wise in the area (haven't tried much yet) but if you're looking for a space to work (like many others have noted in their reviews) this seems to be a great space. They could do some finishing of the space. I like the bare look but it's kinda mess in the back area (customers can't go back there but you can see it from the seating area). They do need to buy more chairs though. Lots of table space but low on the chairs. We went on a Sunday morning. It was relatively quick inside even though there were a fair amount of people, so I can't imagine that the noise level would ever get very high. I ordered a almond cappuccino and it was almost undrinkable. I don't know if it was the almond or the cappuccino but it was bad. I had a raspberry muffin which was delicious. I tasted some of my parent current cream scone and that was also delicious. They had black coffee, which I didn't taste but it seemed as though they enjoyed it (especially when they came back for a second cup later in the day). May have to re-try this place later on but at the moment I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Bob L.
Was very much looking forward to my visit here, as anytime I travel out of state the coffee yelp reviews is where I start, and everyone seemed to rave about this place. Well from start to finish this was a huge disappointment. Maybe it was a bad day for everyone working, but everyone seemed so grumpy? I actually wasn't even greeted, just stared at until I said " good morning." Ordered a drip coffee and a latte. Drip coffee I threw out... Latte took 10 minutes to make. It was painful watching the "barista" prepare drinks. I stood there watching the printer pour out slips, and she proceeded to sink deeper and deeper. Now most people would have an oh crap moment, and work a bit faster. Nope. Not everyone. She actually seemed to move slower, taking her sweet time. Finally received my drink, and well, shocker: Not worth the wait. It was over aerated and lukewarm at best. Will not return. Do yourself a solid and head in the opposite direction to Bard coffee. That's where I went the rest of the weekend. PS if dust and cob webs gross you out, don't look up ( that's of course you ignore my advice and go to experience it for yourself).
(1)Maureen K.
Great place to set up shop for an afternoon of work. Only watch out if my computer battery is low, as there aren't a ton of outlets.
(5)Colin R.
I been to Crema 20-30 or so times since its opened. Love the space, great vibe and friendly staff. As a previous reviewer wrote, its a great place to get work done, or just wait out a rainy Portland afternoon. Good free internet, etc. Previous reviews have complained about the prices, but given the space and location I think they're reasonable. Updated - 11/20/2012 When first reviewed Crema back in July I had complained about the care which their baristas take in making their drinks, which I found was a bit shoddy. I have had a few dozen lattes and cappuccinos since them, and they have all been excellent. So they seem to have resolved the issue. I've got no complaints, love this place.
(5)Benny D.
Very nice physical space, like others said, but it does not feel nice somehow. I might be biased, because we went there with our 15 month old, but the place felt very unwelcoming. First, in the HUGE space there is no high chairs. When we asked the waitress about them she explained that they don't have them- and that mostly people coming there are young- in their 20s or so... Well, upon looking around there were practically no 20-something olds hanging out there. There were, on the other hand, several families... The internet was not working either, and a youngish woman came asking about it to the counter after getting her coffee and starting to work. The waitress was very matter of fact, well, it is not working... No apologies. I wonder who is actually welcome there? Will never go again.
(2)Joe R.
Move over Arabica. I have a new favorite coffee spot in Portland. It's Crema! Every Saturday we wake up and say Crema? Toast? Yes! Crema's coffee is the darkest and best around (same as Arabica). The real reason I love it is the space. It feels like they transported the cool factor from Cambridge. Huge. Brick. And the first coffee shop in Portland you don't feel on top of your neighbor. Thanks Crema!
(5)Rachel H.
Best coffee I've had in Portland (says fussy SF coffee snob). Great space too.
(4)Rhea S.
AMAZING!!! I send all of my clients here from Dathan Hunter Salon (4 1/2 milk street) for an amazing espresso or coffee! They roast their own beans and the ambiance is completely a San Francisco feel. You have to visit this coffee shop when in need of some generosity towards the locals! My favorite is the amazing selection of milks...almond milk? Mmhmm yummy in a latte!
(5)Brian G.
Excellent service, friendly folks, delicious EVERYTHING.
(5)Nate K.
Really beautiful space with coffee not worth the stop. It's not bad, but over roasted. The iced coffee was too watered down and the iced chai wasn't anything unique and was lacking much flavor. Don't bring a kid to this particular shop as it isn't the vibe nor welcoming in location or atmosphere. Can be ok if that is what you want.
(2)Libbi P.
I come here a lot as the space is amazing with a water view, large windows, a fire place etc. The baked goods are also amazing. The customer experience however is lack luster. There is a major gap between the quality of their products and the quality of their service. A lack of smiling, interest in chatting, and just a very matter of fact - take it or leave it attitude. They are missing the boat - as a coffee shop is about more than just the coffee or food - its about creating an atmosphere that has a positive energy, a welcome feel. I watched one of the girls behind the counter snap at the owner today. I almost got up and left I was so disappointed and shocked at her attitude. Don't go to work if you are angry - everyone around you will pick up on it.
(3)sarah s.
The physical space is awesome. But the service, at least this weekend, left a lot to be desired. First, it was fairly busy, and there were only two people working, both of whom were *kids* - I'm talking teenagers (or at least, they appeared to be teenagers). They were messing up every order. I can't tell you how many times I heard them apologize, or say "sorry, can you tell me again what you ordered" to someone who had been waiting for a drip coffee for 5 minutes. They offered us some caramel as an apology for the long wait / order mistakes. Also they were playing bad early 90s soft pop music. Bottom line is, get some more seasoned employees, change the music--oh and also it was super hot in there, so fix that--and then maybe it'll be alright. Oh, also, they need a bike rack! There is no place to lock a bike up outside the shop. I love arabica and because this space is so great, I was hoping for a better experience. They are carrying the new union bagel co bagels, and those were good.
(2)