4. Restaurants

Crema Coffee - Bakery

2728 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR, 97214
  • (503) 234-0206
  • Store is closed

Crema Coffee - Bakery Menu

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  • Victoria L.

    YUM!! Such great coffee and nice staff! We stopped by for a quick drink while waiting for breakfast at Screen Door. I got the Spanish latte which was SOO yummy and made with their home made condensed milk. My boyfriend got a caramel coffee drink which he loved so much! The staff was super friendly and everyone seemed to really enjoy working there. If I ever get to come back, I definitely want to try some of their delicious looking pastries!

    (5)

  • Marc R.

    This place has great coffee, friendly staff, and good food, but mid afternoon it can be a hard place to find a table to work on your laptop as there are people who sit here and hog tables for hours. I think they should find a way to move table hogs out after a few hours.

    (4)

  • Glen V.

    Delicious caramel latte. The cheese, egg, vegetable turnover was the highlight of my love's and my morning. Do it. They have wonderful artwork for sale on the walls as well. I was sorely tempted by a few. A bonus is taking business away from the Starbucks a block away.

    (5)

  • Nino O.

    The thing I like most about Crema is the great, open atmosphere. High ceiling with giant gate windows that open up on hot days. There is plenty of seating inside and out that is always almost full, but I haven't had a problem yet after visiting a few times. They also have a great display of their baked goods at their service counter that you just can't seem to turn down. The staff is friendly and somehow so are the customers who are there. A lot of people seem to be doing work there so it's almost as if other customers respect the noise level. Overall, it just feels like a positive place to be. The food and drinks are great for a fair price. The ham & cheese croissant is my favorite food item. The croissant was soft, flaky, and buttery that went well with a perfect portion of ham and cheese. Their iced coffee is nice and bold. Also, their iced tea had a nice balance of flavors, but I can't remember which tea I got unfortunately! Definitely would rather go here than a Starbucks if you have a chance.

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    Great coffee place! I tried the breakfast sandwich, which has (seemingly) candied bacon in it. Way above average for a typical coffee sandwich. I didn't get a baked good, but they all looked delicious and freshly made. Also, this is a great place to get things done. Outlets everywhere, no wifi password, and tables that are nicely spaced out. And it's huge! But somehow not loud, which is nice. A little pricey, but worth it overall.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    I would give this place 3.5 stars but since I can't, I rounded up. Their Spanish lattes are delicious. I like it because it's not too sweet. I like to come here to study, but it can get very busy and seating is hard to find especially when they have certain limitations (ie. table with 4 chairs is reserved for a party of 4 only; must order before finding a sit, etc...) Also, this place can be very loud, so if you're looking for a place that's nice 'n quiet.. I would not recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Linda N.

    I probably would have never tried it but a friend of mine ordered the Honey Vanilla latte and fell in love with it. It's pretty freakin' amazing. I'm usually not even a coffee drinker and for the times that I drink coffee I usually steer clear of the sugary drinks. TRY IT. I've also had some of the savory pastries and the parfait (it comes in a cute mason jar that you get to keep!). This place is pretty close to Screen Door so it's a good place to pop into to grab a drink or even a snack while you wait (if your estimated wait for Screen Door is super long and you're starving).

    (5)

  • Leslie K.

    This place continually hits it out of the park. I discovered it back in April when I was recovering from surgery and would send my sister out each morning to explore for coffee. She found this place the first day and we decided that no other places need apply. Killed it with the coffee each time and we would get different pastries every day. Needless to say, this made recovery much, much easier. Just met my friend there for coffee last week and she had me try the yogurt parfait. This is the sort of thing that you continually think about and wonder how that much goodness could be packed into a mason jar. It was the impetus for writing this review- everyone should know how truly delicious it is even though this might reduce my chances of scoring one should I arrive later in the day when visiting Portland. Just go. You will not regret your decision.

    (5)

  • Cassidy M.

    Fabulous coffee, pastries and breakfast sandwiches. The honey vanilla latte is my go to. They are very busy so give yourself some extra time. It can be hard to find a space inside especially on weekends, but if its sunny, they usually have some patio spaces open.

    (5)

  • Ruth B.

    My favorite bakery in Portland. Very down home, down to earth, and best pastries (in my opinion) Wins all around.

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    Strolled in at 5:35 PM on a Sunday afternoon -- 25 minutes before closing -- and they had a piping hot carafe of Stumptown at the ready. They serve 8-oz to go cups, and they even provide hemp milk. The pastries looked delectable too. Classic, great Portland bakery/cafe.

    (5)

  • Britt P.

    I bike by crema at least 3 times a week and I have to force myself not to stop and get a hemp milk latte with the best espresso in town (I'm looking at you Coava) and a morning bun. Best coffee in town hands down. And original yet classic pastry selection. Yum!

    (4)

  • Larry C.

    Solid coffee. Have been coming in early for the past few mornings and there is never a big line.

    (4)

  • Robert R.

    The food offerings, fresh juice, and coffee can't be beat! I don't know of a better bakery in the area.

    (4)

  • Robert K.

    I have spent countless weekend mornings sitting next to the large garage doors at Crema Cafe. It is very nearly exactly what I look for in a coffee shop: good customer flow, good coffee, lots of sunlight (nice in this town), and perfect location. Crema features Stumptown coffee (like many of the shops in Portland) and do a pretty good job with it. They have a very large selection of baked goods all of which are reasonably priced and quite delicious. They also do soup and sandwiches both of which are above my expectations of what you get for what the cost is. This cafe has a lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor (for those rare sunny Portland days). Despite the ample seating it can sometimes be very hard to get a seat, at least on weekends. This place has A LOT of customers and is usually pretty crowded. It is definitely not the place you want to go if you need a quiet works pace, it will be loud, I guarantee you that. If people watching is your thing, then Crema is the pace for you; the large garage doors are perfect for looking out on the street, and as a bonus in the summertime they open up these doors and it gets a nice breeze flowing through the place. Baristas are friendly and wait time is minimal for food and drinks to arrive at your table. Art is rotated monthly (approximately) and it is always nice to have a change of scenery, even in a familiar place. Crema is definitely worth your visit, I will likely end up there at some point this weekend myself.

    (4)

  • McKenna B.

    Honey vanilla lattes were delicious! It was the perfect way to wrap up our Valentine's Day weekend in Portland! What an awesome atmosphere too-bring your laptop and get comfortable! Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Diane C.

    Crema is one of my go-to coffee shops to hang out in. I like the atmosphere (though on this particular cold morning, I got a nasty gust of cold air blasting me every time someone opened the door). It was very busy at 11 a.m. There was barely a spot at the communal table, much less an open individual table. My DIL and I asked someone if we could sit where their backpack was (at the communal table) and they grudgingly obliged. As soon as an individual table opened up, we grabbed it (too near the offending door). I am a soy chai type and love theirs (no simple syrup on the condiments bar, though). My DIL had the Caramel Sutra. The service is always friendly. There are way too many tempting treats staring me down, but every time I've had one, I have been happy. I also like their lunches. I usually do soup and half a sandwich, and I am glad they have this as an option. The food is always good. Definitely a keeper.

    (4)

  • Megan B.

    Awesome cold brew and and even more impressive cardamom roll. It just doesn't get better than that. Seriously people, try the cardamom roll. You'll never want to settle for a cinnamon roll ever again. Great selection of sweet and savory breakfast items and their coffee is spot on.

    (5)

  • Austin E.

    Really good coffee, tons of baked goods, and a decent little menu for breakfast or lunch. Huge windows/doors open up for a nice breeze. Some of the music really sucked, like a Cher techno song. Also, if you have GF items, label them! We would never have known if we didn't ask. Gluten Free cupcakes go a long way if advertised but I just stare through the glass if I'm unaware... ;)

    (5)

  • Edward B.

    ATMOSPHERE: Bright corner space, lots of windows, a bit of sidewalk seating. Slightly shabby. Not a dive, but needs some maintenance. For example, tables need to be refinished. Still, the overall feel is good. Nice rotating art on walls. Never crowded, never awkwardly empty. Stereotypical coffeehouse jazz today, but I don't recall if that's the norm. SERVICE: Counter service is fine, helpful and friendly but not phony. I've never gotten attitude here. FOOD: Good variety, not one of those places where you see 27 items in the case but they're just different varieties of muffins and scones. Today I had a nice big egg-and-cheese turnover ($5) that was just great, almost like a simple quiche with pastry all the way around. If you want a conventional quiche, they have that too. Other savory items are available. This morning they had a pear/brie/hazelnut galette, IIRC (maybe a stretch to call that savory, but they did). Bread pudding is always good, baked with generous rotating fruit in a big pan and spooned out into your bowl. Muffins are slightly dry and I think they taste a bit weird, but I still give them a thumbs up for being interesting and unusual. If you like to finish your breakfast with something sweet, or if you like to sample various items, you'll be pleased to see that some items are offered in petite sizes (e.g. you might find mini danishes or scones or whatever). PRESENTATION: Nothing fancy, but fine, no complaints. PRICE/VALUE: Slightly spendy, but not outrageous. Considering the generous sizes, quality, and uniqueness, I'd say Crema offers a reasonable value. Note: pricing is quirky, fractional rather than decimal. OVERALL: They get my repeat business because they open at 7 on weekdays, they offer interesting rotating fare, and it's just a nice place to start my day. Sadly, I do have to say I've seen disturbing things in the kitchen. Not today though, so hopefully they've improved the sanitation.

    (4)

  • Tom M.

    My 2 star rating is for purely for subjective reasons. I hate the place. I suppose it's great if you're a 20-30 something with the capability of handling unlimited amounts of caffeine and gluten. Gluten intolerant and sensitives, you are not welcome here. I was the oldest person in the place so imagine how that makes one feel. Do you suppose there is a gluten-free coffee shop in Portland anywhere that caters to geriatrics? Since I'd already had my morning fill of coffee, both the leaded and unleaded variety, I opted for a glass of iced tea. Yes, believe it or not there is a difference in the way my body processes it. The caffeine itself is different somehow. I can even get a little jolt without the jitters. Just enough for a good feeling but the clincher here is this. NO refills. That in itself is almost worthy of 1 star. Alas, it's a cool space so I didn't want to take it that far. Then there's the music. Oh boy. In this case I guess they were actually catering to their patrons. I just don't happen to fit in. That is all.

    (2)

  • Sandra B.

    Bathrooms are consistently filthy. If they don't clean those, do they clean the kitchen?!

    (2)

  • Melissa B.

    There seems to be a large, loud and laughing staff but still there was a line. It was kind of like a bakery bowling alley. Loud music, no customer service. The place seats at least 100 and one register. Really? It's a deterrent to ordering more food or drinks even if you've already got a table! If I went back it would be on a sunny day and sit outside.

    (2)

  • Caroline N.

    This is an excellent place to camp out with your laptop - it's predominantly MacBook filled if that matters. The wifi is fast. Not pretentious but also not too cozy and filled with mothers and children. What sets it apart though is that both the coffee and the food are good. Usually places only focus on one or the other. They brew single origin coffees as their drip, when I came they were serving an Ethiopian from Coava. And they have so many baked goods to choose from! There is something to please everyone. The walls are all windows that let in a ton of light, with garage-style doors that open up to let in a breeze on nice days. Any day I spend at Crema is a good day!

    (5)

  • Slavik P.

    Amazing food, coffee and atmosphere. Not too crowded. Came in on Sunday for breakfast and service was quick. Definitely coming here again.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    One of the best places in PDX to get tasty coffee and pastries. The Wifi is solid and the ambiance is great. The staff is friendly and happy. I recommend this place for families or anyone who needs a good spot to work for an hour or more.

    (5)

  • Robert G.

    Stopped here on the way to Mt. Tabor. The place is packed. I looked at their over-priced choices and was not impressed. Their website has better photos than the actual thing. I noticed some of the edges of the meats and cheese curling and dry. I had a delicious coffee and a magnificent piece of olive bread. Very pricey !

    (3)

  • Jeff C.

    This really is an update: I now avoid eating grain...yeh, I know, how do you go to a place like Crema that has the BEST pastries, and not eat grain? Try the Bouchon (French for cork), which is a chocolate lovers dream come true, AND IT HAS NO GRAIN!!! Just nut flour. I also love their hemp milk coffee drinks, and actually think they're the best I've tried in the city.

    (5)

  • Julie C.

    Lots of windows with fantastic lighting, many seats with access to wall plugs, 5G WiFi available, a absolutely delicious-looking selection of pastries (I didn't try any to comment), breakfast and lunch options, and good coffee and loose leaf teas.

    (4)

  • Caleb B.

    One of my favorite coffee shops in town. Not a place I like to sit down and work as the noise level can be pretty high. This IS a place I love to come for coffee and quiche, though. Stumptown drip coffee, House-made almond syrup for lattes, and delicious food options at fair prices. If you're in the neighborhood, this place is a must.

    (4)

  • Chuck N.

    The bakery for those that like very dense pastries lacking in flavor. Their muffins are like some bad hippie muffin from the 60's. Beleech! Too many other great options in town for this kind of stuff.

    (1)

  • Mark C.

    Visiting Portland and was looking for some coffee and light breakfast on our first morning. Lots of options available within walking distance of our house, but this seemed to have some of the best reviews. We were not disappointed. Homemade granola was tasty and the pastries were fresh and delicious. Kids loved their hot chocolates--"best hot chocolate ever" :-) Single origin coffee was excellent, as were the honey vanilla lattes. Lattes reminded me of my two favorites, Monmouth in London and Zumbar in San Diego. Looking forward to coming back again.

    (5)

  • Deaton B.

    Here in Portland for 11 days and I visited, hung-out in five different coffee shops. This, Crema, is the one I'm writing about. They had everything...From the first visit, I received personable service. Was a person, not just a customer to give them $, the prices were comparable to other places and the refills were less expensive. The tables are set up to welcome conversation or to plug-in and work. Lots of windows. Open atmosphere...Is it counter-culture, low-income Portland - no. Frankly, it was a refreshing change. Now to the important part. Excellent coffee but I have to say the mounds of excellent bakery products is astounding. I tried something different every day and never disappointed. The dog biscuits make my friend's elderly dog act young again - at least for a few minutes. A comfy, warm, welcoming coffee shop set up for interaction with other humans. smiling. Oh and I really like their pricing style. Dog biscuits are $1/4 .... 25 cents. An egg product is $2 1/2 ....$2.50. fun.

    (5)

  • Jared K.

    This was a fun little bakery, which was just the kind of breakfast spot we were looking for. They had a nice assortment of yummy pastries, as well as several interesting quiches. I got a slice of the Savory Galette, which has bacon and gooey cheeses, plus a duo of red and white onions and a nice flaky pie crust. Pair that with a delicious and warm Spanish Latte and you're ready to start the day. I'll take this place over Starbucks any day of the week!

    (5)

  • Heidi L.

    the quiche and salad is divine! The coffee can be too strong sometimes, goodies are amazing and unique! LOVE

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    My go to coffee + bakery place!! Haven't tried any baked goods that aren't delicious! Love to go in the winter months for some hot soup and bread for lunch too. And my vanilla latte that I always order is perfect!

    (5)

  • Dave D.

    Hands-down my favorite coffeeshop to hang out and do laptop work in. It's a modern, inviting, airy space with nearly unmatched peoplewatching potential. The coffee is good and strong, and their food is totally delicious as well - I particularly recommend the breakfast turnover and the quiche. On a nice day, grab a cup to go and take a walk in nearby Laurelhurst Park... you've officially had a five-star Portland morning.

    (5)

  • Misha A.

    Love this place. good coffee, yummy baked goods, nice staff. I haven't noticed as of late if they still do this, but they use to always have a guest brand of coffee beans, something other than Stumptown. love this, let's you try many different brands. Favorite being Intelligensia of course! For their baked goods, the honey buns are D-LISH and the ham and cheese croissant (heated up) YUM!!! It is just too bad they do not make anything gluten free, as I am not supposed to eat said baked goods listed above. The best part about this place is on a nice day, they open up the windows, which are pretty much the height of the ceiling. love this coffee shop and recommend people to go out of their way to caffeine up here!!!!

    (5)

  • Tasha D.

    The morning bun and coffee are both excellent, and I love the art on the walls! This is how I would decorate, if anyone let me decorate anything. Which they don't. Oh well.

    (5)

  • Chandler L.

    Ok, this place can be one of those 'I'm a hip barista I don't have time for customer service' places but mostly they're cool. I like their coffee. I like that they have interesting art rotating in and out of the place. It's an excellent place to study and they have huge windows. It's a great location in general. Great food, coffee and space.

    (4)

  • Danni D.

    Brown sugar glazed bacon. Did that get your attention? It certainly got mine. I have recently fallen under the spell of Crema's Kick Start breakfast sandwich. Oh. My. God. Melty cheese, egg, and brown sugar glazed bacon on a grilled sandwich. Unfreakin' believalble! This coffee shop continues to be one of my favorites in town. I have come here frequently in recent months to enjoy breakfast and to catch up with friends, as well as to WiFi my way through the morning. It remains a five-star experience for all of the above, but that bacon, it's worthy of a 6th star. Seriously.

    (5)

  • Anita H.

    Crema's mushroom and manchego biscuit may not be the prettiest pastry on display, but it sure is scrumptious! Get it heated up -- it's the way to go and then you can bite into the warm dense layers of buttery, flaky goodness with mushrooms nestled in between. So delicious that you consider ordering another one midway noshing through your biscuit until you realize how full you are after you're done. These little pastries are filling! I also ordered an almond sticky bun to go. They are decent eaten cold, but taste way better warmed up. The glaze is oooey gooey and terrific for licking off your fingers! These buns are big and perfect for sharing. You can have one all to yourself but then you may regret breaking your New Year's resolution. Also, this coffee shop is spacious and well lit. A great place to catch up with friends or do some studying.

    (4)

  • Heather S.

    Delicious coffee and espresso drinks, good service, and absolutely scrumptious pastries. My faves include: * the turkey roll (sweet and savory!), * the bread pudding (often with berries, which is perfect for breakfast!), * the almond croissant Yes, the decor is not my fave: industrial with hard chairs Yes, they're open only until 6:00 p.m. Yes, they have bags instead of boxes when purchasing multiple pastries But, they're good. Even great.

    (4)

  • Jenny B.

    Great, great place. Serious about their coffee, genuinely happy and helpful staff. Not necessarily for those looking for quiet. Very high ceilings make for lively accoustics and it's always packed. But perfect for meeting a friend or just being anonymous within the din. Be patient with the line, these folks are working hard. They can't help that they're so popular. I can't personally partake of the baked goods but there's always a huge variety that look incredible and are all made in-house. One of the best coffee shops in Portland.

    (5)

  • Joe M.

    I'm still a little baffled this laid back coffee place is across from one of my favorite theater pubs in Portland. I met up with a big group for a sunny saturday outting. The mixed berry pudding caught my eye and I noticed not much was left. The friendly barista gave me an uber scoop of berry goodness along with my dark chocolate mocha. I like how they give you a number to put on your table so your not standing around waiting for your name to get called. The traffic flow was pretty steady but didn't feel over crowded during my stay. The baked goods were definitely the highlight. The mixed berry pudding wasn't mushy but moist and addicting with each bite. The mocha wasn't too sweet but not bitter or bland either aka typical starbucks drink. I sampled the turkey and mustard roll which tingled my tastebuds with delight. I know what I'm going to order next time!

    (4)

  • Dan H.

    Crema came through for me on Monday. I was looking to get something sweet and something with berries. Decided I would bike on over to Crema for an afternoon treat. I walked in the door and after looking at their goodies, I walked over to the case to the right and low and behold I saw a berry tart ($4) that had my name on it. Not literally mind you, but in my mind it had my name on it. Got one of those with an iced coffee and grabbed a table outside. Life is good.

    (4)

  • Ben A.

    My sunday morning spot. Which extends usually way longer, since I always get tempted to eat yet another pait au chocolat. Or order another turkey-brie sandwich or chicken-salad sandwich, with kalamata-olives and a to-die-for vinaigrette for your mixed sidesalad. Enough said, now I'm hungry again. Oh, and their olive ciabatta bread? Take it as long as there's one still there, you will hardly find a better one.

    (5)

  • Brody L.

    The ginger lemonade is soooo tasty and all the pastries are great. I love it here! I actually haven't had any of the coffee because I always get that lemonade!

    (5)

  • Valerie W.

    Get the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. For $5 you will not be disappointed! It is SO delicious. Free Wi Fi TONS of yummy baked goods. GREAT for lunch - lots of nice options here. Prices are fair. Outdoor seating. Nice staff.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    Enjoyed a beautiful Caramel Sutra signature latte and a gluten free pastry. The caramel sutra latte was the perfect amount of sweet and the coffee was not bitter. It could have been a little hotter but that's a personal preference. The gluten free pastry was delicious, I should have had two! Sat inside to people watch and sip my coffee. This is definitely a true hipster hang out. I saw more people with beards and flannels in my hour here then I do in a month on the Westside. The coffee shop has complimentary wifi, cute paintings from local artists on the wall. Very colorful happy atmosphere. The build has glass garages doors so I bet they open these up in the warmer non rainy weather. Really enjoyed this coffee house.

    (5)

  • Devon M.

    This place is right around the corner and I am so grateful! Super friendly staff always busy. Their coffee is really good the have rice and hemp milk which make me happy! Their baked goods are almost a stellar. I am a vegetarian and dont really eat dairy but there is always something for me. For being extremely well made and tasty their prices are fair. They have a pretty good amount of indoor seating and high ceilings and music is overpowering. Good to go and catch up with an old friend or study and the windows are open in the summer and theres outdoor seating so you can being your pooch along.

    (5)

  • Krista G.

    Carmel Sutra on ice made my day go from meh to kick ass! It was so so YUMMY! Great big place lots of windows, happy vibe and what looked to be a huge selection of tasty pastries. Next time I will try those!

    (5)

  • Matthew T.

    Ham and Swiss croissant was pretty good. Larger indoor seating with variety of small and large tables. Tons of bike parking out front.

    (4)

  • John O.

    Solid bakery in Portland, Oregon. Reasonably priced food and beverage, great selection, freshly made everything, good energy, free wi-fi, and anonymity. Very much reminded me of the cafes in Berkeley... All of the pastries are super fresh and reasonably priced. For breakfast I had a muffin & coffee -- super fresh, wholesome (good ingredients), and delicious. For lunch I had the quiche ($5) with a small salad. Great little place for brunch and conversation. Sit , sip on an organic coffee, and watch the people of Oregon file in with their different styles of dress -- think eclectic, unique, colorful, hipster, (and lycra, of course).....as a southern Californian, I found it very entertaining people watching..... Would be nice if coffee refills were free but, alas, they are not. Very relaxing place and super chill.

    (4)

  • Ann D.

    On days when I work from home, I usually head over to Crema for a while to drink coffee and be out in the world, rather than in my tiny apartment. This is also my go to coffee shop on the weekends. The cafe is spacious with lots of seating. The coffee and food is all delicious. I usually just get drip coffee, but it is so, so, so good. All of the pastries I've tried are amazing and I love the kick start, a breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon and maple. The staff is mostly really, really friendly and nice. Definitely one of my favorite cafes in Portland.

    (5)

  • B. C.

    Pros: It's a nice area to come and study. There is a lot of natural lighting and some outlet plugs along the back. The space is large enough that you're not going to be bothered by the people close to you. You have lots of options to choose from on the menu. I had the turkey & brie sandwich, which wasn't too bad. Cons: The bathrooms do not have much ventilation. I was interested in purchasing their drinks, but good grief they're pricey! It made me sad.

    (3)

  • Kiki P.

    Kickstarter sandwich is great because of the smoked bacon and perfect for a hangover or just any morning. I find a lot of people are here to drink coffee and hang out. It is hard to sometimes find a table available, but when there is i sit and enjoy for awhile :) I also love the chocolate croissant mmmm it has just the right ammount of chocolate ( a lot ) The caramel sutra drink is really good but i get it with Soy or almond milk (yes i know caramel has dairy) and decaf because I don't do a lot of caffeine. Delish!

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    I love their savory pastries, and I will probably be back to grab a delightful ham croissant or a turkey roll on future hurried mornings, but I won't be ordering coffee here anymore. Even the simplest of drinks -- for example, ones that require nothing more than pouring liquid into a cup -- take much too long. Recently I ordered an iced coffee and it took ~20 minutes because they forgot my ticket, despite the fact that I had been patiently waiting at the counter the whole time, trying to catch the barista's eye. The woman who rang me up didn't apologize when she noticed her mistake, either. Prior to that, I had a similar experience when I ordered an Americano. A little customer service goes a long way when occasional oversights are made, but I haven't had that experience here. Obviously this place draws a steady crowd, and their baked goods are great, but I can't justify spending $3 on a 12oz iced coffee that's 20 minutes in the making.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    Popped in for coffee and a pastry. Maybe I've been spoiled by all the great baked goods in Portland but the $3 croissant was a disappointment. Coffee was nice and a decent atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Kendra M.

    Great spot for your morning coffee or to meet up with a friend. Great location, I love grabbing a coffee here and walking to Laurelhurst park to drink it. In the summers the whole place is open to the outside- they have overhead doors that retract up and let in fresh air. The kick-starter (egg, bacon, cheese on a bun) is delicious and highly recommended! And their bagels- OMG, they are awesome. They only make bagels on Thursdays so you got to grab em when you can. So good. Overall, it's a great neighborhood cafe, nice alternative to Starbucks, and it's dog friendly.

    (4)

  • Madeleine T.

    I popped in here for coffee a few times during my recent Portland jaunt and they make a (very hot) serviceable soy latte. The staff has all been very nice, and I really like the high ceilings and large windows. I haven't seen the elusive vegan pastry though. Maybe there's a secret password!

    (3)

  • Robert H.

    Everyone knows Southeast is a hippie haven. And that Portland is more than hippies, though that may not be apparent to the East Coast. Cutting through Portland's sociography, 28th Avenue spans the ultra refined restaurant row North of Burnside, to Stark Street's hippie haven dive Goodfoot. Right in the middle of it, Crema has to keep peace with hippies, refined people and hipsters. It's the UN of 28th. Inside it's elegantly utilitarian, with a bench along one wall of cafe tables. There are a scattering of hippie pillows to sit on, and they have been. Crema maintains an active art program on the walls. The bathrooms are clean, and electrical outlets relatively plentiful. In the Summer, the beautiful people sip coffee at outdoor tables, especially on quiet Ankeny. An occasional rock star will drop in for a cup. People study anatomy books and type love messages on their laptops. There are high windows that open the space to the outside when it's nice. The crowd is a balanced Portland mix, just about everyone should feel comfortable, though it's not child-oriented. I have always had problems with their WiFi. Some machines have not connected at all, others spontaneously loose connection. That hasn't deterred the crowd. The staff is great, even bringing your coffee drink to the table if they are backed up at the espresso machine. That's becoming a lost tradition in Portland's coffee culture, where we are trained like Pavlovian zombies to wait standing for our coffee drinks. And that crowd is at Crema for coffee and some pretty spectacular baked goods, made right there. They have cookies to cakes, pastries and pies, croissants to Danish-style. But occasionally the bakers catch the hippie vibe and turn out things like bread pudding topped with nectarines, pistachios, fresh blackberries and chunks of chocolate. If you are not a sweet-seeker, like me, I have to prop the sandwiches at Crema. Like a goat cheese, sun-dried tomato, caramelized onion and more on a pair on generous ciabatta slices. From the case, they are sandwich press grilled and served with a salad that's more than greens. Your choice of pickles or varietal olives, dressing on the side. Though I don't generally hunt croissant sandwiches, their chicken salad version drew my eye. Crema's non-desert items are high quality and yum. Just saying. Your choice of food items will prob go well with that refined unsweetened triple espresso, a glass of water and good company at Crema's UN of 28th Avenue.

    (5)

  • Theresa M.

    Found this little gem on Yelp. So glad we found it. There was a line, but the food was good. We split the egg and cheese turnover and I had to give part of my half to my husband, too big. Local feel cafe.? Seating inside and outside.

    (5)

  • Harmony D.

    Go if you don't mind dirt on your scones. The staff is friendly and the food is good but there are visible cobwebs and INCHES of dust on all the high surfaces, including right above the food where a fan is blowing! I very politely mentioned this to the guy taking orders and he didn't even react. He just grinned diffidently, said ok, and went on with his business. He didn't take a note or promise to speak to management. I was horrified. He acted like he'd heard the complaint before and couldn't care less. Returned a week later to see if the situation had improved, and it was worse than ever. Any place that serves food should not be in such appalling condition.

    (1)

  • susan l.

    quick stop for breakfast before our mini roadtrip what i ate: - ham and cheese turnover: good god this was the size of my huge round face. the bread was dry, but flavorful. the filling was dense with egg, ham, cheese. eating this was enough to satiate me all day! - quiche of the day (i think it was blue cheese and spinach?): pretty darn delicious. the crust was nice and crispy and flaky, the quiche filling rich and delicious - americano: nice and strong, just like i wanted it pros: - food: plenty of delicious pastries and savory/sweet items to eat. some small enough to be a snack, some good enough for a meal - coffee - great place to have a quick bite and read the paper, or do some work cons: - there was nothing i could really complain about but, would i come again? probably not.

    (3)

  • Jessica K.

    Holy hell where have you been all my life? The best cappucino I have had to date in Ptown. Finally. Creaminess dialed in and not too bitter. Also two of the nicest baristas I've come across in some time. We had a long night ahead and were in desperate need of coffee. Score 1 for the Yelp app that led us here. It was late on a Sunday afternoon, so it wasn't too packed. Passed by again yesterday and it was a whole different story, lots of people sprawled across the outdoor seating enjoying the Wi-Fi. Can't blame them, if I had more time I would have joined them. Love the space, all windows in a great location for people watching. Add in some superb coffee and delectable pastries and you have a perfect Portland afternoon in the making. I vote that these guys get a giant neon flashing light for their entrance that says, "Awesome coffee served here".

    (5)

  • Stephanie S.

    Ideal mixture of coffee shop and bakery. Soups, bread, and sandwiches are delicious. Cupcakes are always a treat! Savory galettes and quiche are fantastic as well. Service is not the friendliest. Sweet spots, pain au chocolate, and the chocolate espresso bread are my faves.

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    Ok, so I usually go to Heart. But, that doesn't mean I don't love Crema. I'm not much of a coffee drinker, so I can't really speak to that. But, here's where Crema trumps Heart - wifi on the weekends. Also, it's a much more.... comfortable atmosphere to take, say, your mom, or someone else who might be uncomfortable with the level of hip found at Heart.

    (4)

  • Melissa L.

    Crema has joined my standard rotation of cafes where I can plunk down my laptop and get some work done outside the house, which is a crucial outlet for me as a full-time telecommuter. They have lots of tables & power outlets, good solid wi-fi, and also really tasty coffee, green tea and pastries. The noise level (caused by the racket of dishes being bussed & washed, plus sometimes incongruous musical choices) can sometimes wear on you after you've been there more than a couple of hours, but if you can tune it out or bring your own headphones, it's great.

    (4)

  • Bachtuyet L.

    This is my quick review for now, as I decided I wanted to give my pecan bun to my mom. I did manage to get a quick bite from it and I don't love it as much as Grand Central Bakery's monkey muffin. However, it might be an unfair comparison because one is more bread-like (Crema) and the other is more croissant-like (GCB) in texture. It did have sticky caramel and I liked that. I don't like runny caramel. I will have to return to try more pastries and their coffee. I hear their coffees are great.

    (3)

  • Kari M.

    Met up with a bunch of yeeps here on a Saturday for some coffee and pastries. The prices were decent, and every pastry I tried was quite good. I got a chai latte as well. The presentation was all pretty and whatnot, but it was a little weak as far as the tea flavor. Maybe too much milk? I'd say it was maybe just an off cup, but my husband came in about 20 minutes after me and got the same thing and his was the same. Probably get something else if I ever come back, they have lots of non coffee options (and I am not a coffee drinker so that is good).

    (4)

  • JC R.

    Thanks for noticing, Collin! Constructively speaking ... I like my coffee hot, hot, hot! When I asked the hostess to heat my coffee, she insisted it was hot enough. She went so far as to tell me that it had just been brewed and I could feel how hot it was by touching the pump pot (which she picked up and offered to me). Wow. It didn't stop there, either. We went a couple of rounds about this then I caught the eye of the barista ... he smiled and nodded so I knew he understood me. He was kind enough to thoroughly heat my cup, but unfortunately the coffee itself was weak and for me not very good at all ... not that I need a "bold" coffee ... there just didn't seem to be enough coffee IN the coffee for it to taste like much of anything ... it was also grainy with coffee grounds residue. Maybe this was just an off day all around ... it was cold, windy and raining; there was a "cycle event" in the neighborhood so the side streets were blocked off from traffic; and there was a long line for service (a good thing for you!!). While I am sure (based on many of the reviews here) Crema can be and is many things to Portland coffee drinkers and the hipster populace, there are a couple of other coffee houses that serve a far better product and more customer service oriented. I do wish you continued success!!

    (1)

  • Danielle R.

    I use crema to meet work teams. It's central, delicious, and has something for everyone. I don't eat bread, and I still love their coffee and eat the middle of their sandwiches. :) Of course my friends eat my bread. Really nice space to sit with folks and chat or get some work done.

    (4)

  • Lindsey R.

    First time back in awhile. I appreciate the addition of the big shared work table in the middle, but damn, between having to wear my jacket because they have the air conditioning on in mid-November, and wishing I had brought earplugs because it's impossibly loud and clangy, I probably wouldn't come here if I didn't have to wait for a few hours for my car to be fixed down the street...

    (3)

  • Brandi H.

    I am sitting at Crema right now writing this review. I am always here, with friends or by myself. It has a great atmosphere, great staff, great coffee and of course the baked goods are AWESOME! It's hard to pick a favorite, they are all really good. It depends what kind of mood I'm in also. -Bread pudding is always a good option because they give you a heaping mound of it and it's great with coffee. The ingredients are varied and seasonal. -Savory galette - toppings vary but usually carmelized onions with some kind of cheese and sometimes olives. yummy! -Corn & cheddar biscuit and mushroom/manchego biscuits are superb. -Egg and cheese turnover is BOMB! This is my "breakfast" when I want something a little more substantial. Lasts me half the day. -I am a sucker for quiche. Ingredients always change but they usually have one with meat and one vege, which is nice. It also comes with a salad. -Sandwiches = good -Dessert-type goodies are excellent. You really can't go wrong!

    (5)

  • Kelly W.

    Couple rules of thumb: I'm an early bird. I'm up with the sun and I'm usually one of the first ones in at Crema in the morning - I rarely come in after 8 am. I've been coming here for years and learned that I don't do Crema on the weekends because it's too damn crowded and loud. My favorites: Cheddar Corn Biscuit Rooibos Tea Kick Start breakfast sammich (egg, cheese, maple bacon on a ciabatta roll) The staff are friendly - many have been there for years. I drink coffee before I leave the house and I rarely get it here. In the past, the honey vanilla latte was good - when I was in that latte drinking phase. Now I'm an Americano kind of woman. On the rare occasion I get it here it's decent. For a little while I was worried it was getting a little too dirty. The cushions needed a good cleaning and the restrooms...don't even get me started. BUT!!! they just bought a whole slew of new chairs - sprucing up the joint and things have been nice and tidy lately. PS Those damn placards are on the table for a reason - the idiots that come in on the weekends hog all the tables before order food. Nothing corporate about this - just being fair to customers. PSS If you want awesome, awesome Stumptown coffee with attitude go somewhere else.

    (4)

  • Michelle A.

    Oh, Crema, time has not been kind to you. I'm sorry to see how you've aged over the past four years. I returned for your fabled Spanish latte and cheddar corn biscuit to find you a shell of your former self. Your signs look worn and old, your baristas are no longer hot (but are more surly), and your menu looks tired. Nothing new to speak of! I'm disappointed to see what has happened to you, my former bakery/coffee crush. The cheddar corn biscuit was good, but not as good as days of yore. The Spanish latte, while passable, was not nearly as flavorful as in my memory. I guess it's time for me to move on. I've found newer coffee shops to love, closer to my current home state. Goodbye, Crema, fare thee well!

    (3)

  • Cari S.

    Delicious seasonal quiches and baked goodies, it's always a surprise and always delectable! I always get a Vietnamese iced coffee though as it is heavenly.

    (5)

  • Lisa T.

    Crema leaves me in a dilemma. Do I crave their delicious pastries, especially whatever sweet or savory gallette appears each day? Do I love their amazing coffee, and find their yogurt parfaits in mason jars both tasty and whimisical? The answer to all these is yes, yes, yes. But that said, Crema is a coffee shop for a particular day. The day when you don't care how long that amazing coffee might take, or the line might be, because you are seizing the day, kicking back, enjoying the moment. That is largely because getting in and out of Crema in less than ten minutes (and more like 15-20) is something of an impossibility. I think that their are laws of physics preventing it. So love it for all the amazing, but realize amazing takes a bit of time. Even if you just want a drip coffee to go.

    (4)

  • Newman A.

    My new favorite coffee place. Cappuccinos are good and reasonably consistent. But I don't come here just for the coffee... they have an amazing set of fresh pastries, plus other basic options I enjoy (particular fan of yoghurt+granola). Plus the atmosphere is nice for a relaxing Saturday morning beginning, has pretty much everything I want in a cafe (well, could do with fresh french bread).

    (5)

  • Andy D.

    It's not a top-tier breakfast place and it's not a top-tier coffee shop, but it's definitely good at both, which sometimes makes for a better destination. I like Crema because it provides the variety you find at a Starbucks, but with much better execution. You can get a basic cup of coffee, iced latte, tea, french press, and even Vietnamese coffee. You can also find pretty good sandwiches and great pastries - I have a fondness for the mushroom manchego biscuit. I don't think I would drive across the city for it like some places, but I'm very happy it's in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    I stopped by here since I was in the neighborhood already. Plus, it seemed highly rated by other yelpers. Large open space. The big doors on the side roll up and expose the shop to the outside. Very nice and patio-esque. I got the Honey Vanilla Latte and the Huckleberry Scone. The latte was nice and smooth. But I didn't enjoy the addition of honey in it like I thought I would. Oh well. I'll remember that for next time. The scone, however, was simply fantastic. Buttery, melt in your mouth with a big dollop of huckleberry jam in the middle of it. There were a ton of other delicious looking bakery items as well! I had a hard time choosing. I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with the food here. Well done, Crema!

    (4)

  • Dennis S.

    This is my new neighborhood, non-Starbucks coffee shop, and I'm darn lucky it is! It may be a bit on the pricey side for some of their baked goods, but they are worth it! I had their breakfast sandwich: English muffin, cheddar, bacon and egg. It was really tasty! A lot of people around me were scarfing down the turnover, so I'll have to try that soon. The americano I had was good, too. Plenty of places to sit at a table with a laptop, many of which were taken at 9:30 a.m. on a Monday. ?? Definitely worth checking out! And if you live in the neighborhood, add "again and again and again!"

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    I think I have gained at least 4 lbs since I have been out here a few days. And it is because of places like Crema. At the counter you are greeted with a gorgeous selection of sweet and savory goodies. I picked up an orange ginger scone for my friend and I got the savory galette which had bacon, cheese, green chile and onion. And the most amazingly flaky crust I have tasted in years. And the coffee...oh. The coffee. Fantastic. I might have to go back tomorrow do quality control on that galette again...

    (5)

  • Kevan M.

    My wife and I were staying a couple doors down so we stopped in regularly for breakfast. It's a pretty large industrial space with quite a few tables, including some outdoor options. It's got a great neighborhood vibe with good people-watching. They offer a large assortment of baked goods. I tried a mango bread pudding which is pretty good - a little too sweet. I ended up drinking a number of their coffees and enjoyed them immensely. I would feel great having crema as my regular go-to coffee joint.

    (4)

  • Kelsey L.

    I just loved this place. All the syrups, caramels and chocolates for the lattes are hand made.

    (5)

  • Don B.

    I was making a list of bakeries and pastry shops and came to the startling realization that I've never reviewed Crema? How did this one slip by? Shame on my lacsadaisical reviewing! Especially since I always compliment people who express their love for one of the best coffee/bakery combos in Portland. While most coffee shops/bakeries usually shine in one category and lack in the other, Crema is one of a rare breed that delivers on both - with delicious baked goods and fantastic coffee, you need look nowhere else for your dual fix. Coffee: Simply put, Crema makes a solid espresso. I feel like their strength really lies more in the cappuccino/latte department, but I'd venture to say that while I'm never completely 100% blown away by their other options, they're definitely up there amongst my top choices in Portland for a solid cuppa. Baked goods: I don't even know where to start. Sweet and savory alike, everything I've sampled from the bakery case has been both devastating to my waistline and yet pure carnal pleasure for my mouth. I think what probably impresses me the most is that in a case replete with sugary, cake-y, dessert-y options, they have quite a few solid savory options as well, which a lot of other bakeries don't offer. Throw in big, bright natural light from the huge windows surrounding this fishbowl, indoor and outdoor seating, very reliable wifi, and a boisterous atmosphere, and you have a winner. This isn't a coffee shop, nor is it just a bakery... it's a wonderful marriage of the two.

    (5)

  • Suzanne J.

    I miss Crema, to put it mildly. I've only visited once while passing through the city on, but I dream of the day I return to sit down to an orange ginger scone and a latte. I'm planning a trip to PDX mainly motivated by a visit to this place, I'm not kidding.

    (4)

  • Claire D.

    The food here is pretty amazing; based on food alone I'd say they're closer to 5 stars. If I want a substantial breakfast I go for their quiche, which comes with a side salad and is always delicious. They usually have two quiche offerings: one meat, one veggie (although they usually run out of one or both by mid-morning). Now, the quiche is always very tasty, but I think the best part of the deal is that it comes with their fantastic side salad. They ought to sell the dressing on it's own; it's some sort of balsamic reduction that is just bursting with flavor. And the way it blends with the fresh mixed greens, almonds, onions and apple is just amazing. I'm not even a salad person but I've started ordering just the salad (even though it isn't on the menu solo, they'll make it for you), because it is just that darn good. If I had one complaint about the food it might be that their quiche and egg turnovers tend toward the heavy/greasy side, but I feel like that's a bit unavoidable when you're serving something that is mostly eggs, cheese and pastry. And speaking of pastries...Crema's savory food is always full of awesome umami flavors, but I think that sweets are where they truly shine. I've had their honey bran muffin (at $2 it's certainly one of the best values there and probably one of the healthier options as well) on a few occasions and it's always satisfyingly hearty, the perfect amount of sweet (but not too sweet), and just lightly browned on the edges while still being moist in the middle. Their chocolate espresso bread is one of my favorite indulgences, and most of the incarnations of their bread pudding (which rotates with seasonal availability) have been very satisfying. Even after being a somewhat regular patron for a year now they still surprise me; today I tried their honey vanilla bun. I have to confess I've seen them there often and every time I've dismissed them in favor of something more flashy, or something more familiar. But after just one bite I knew I was hooked; unrolling the layers from the slight crunch of the outside to the soft doughy center reminded me of a homemade cinnamon roll, but with a more delicate twist. Honestly it's hard to put into words but I'm certain I can't keep myself from going back for more. So, yes, the FOOD IS AMAZING, but I'm afraid in some other ways this place is a bit lacking... The service has been so-so (a lot of the other reviewers mentioned the condescending snootiness that is sometimes encountered here. I haven't noticed it the last few times I've been in so I'm hoping that's a problem of the past but it has happened before). The drinks, I would say, are good but not great. Probably not worth their high cost, which brings me to the next point.... They are rather pricy. I wouldn't say it's exorbitant, but definitely know that it's on the pricy side. At least in my opinion it's worth it to splurge on their food sometimes, because it is so freaking good, but you can definitely get a muffin or a sandwich cheaper elsewhere if price is a major factor for you. Yes, it gets VERY busy in here. Expect to wait in line, and also expect that you might not be able to get a table. The first couple of times I came to Crema I dined in, but the next few times I was unable to get a table, so now I get my order to go every time. Regardless of all that, their food keeps me coming back, and if you give it a try I don't think you'll be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Jean B.

    Crema has become my most frequented coffee spot. They serve Stumptown and have great baked goodies. It's a great spot in SE and there are not many spots of equal concept/caliber around. Their baked goods are better than their coffee, however, which I've found is often a bit inconsistent and sometimes the drip coffee is slightly watery (but that's in Portland terms, so still solid coffee). They also have great loose leaf tea. The service is either great or normal, depending on who's taking your order. Baked goods are more on the "Americana" style, and all quite good quality. There is ample seating (usually) and makes for a good spot to study/read. The noise level is on the loud side but normal. Causal, lots of light. Usually ample street parking and bike parking. Overall, I think it's the best bakery/coffee spot in the east side of town. Recommendations for improvement, in order of impact: More consistently great service and coffee. Update the cushions. Overall clean, but could be even cleaner. Better music/more variety/sound quality.

    (4)

  • Emily T.

    LAME! I have never been so irritated by the staff at a coffee place in Portland!! I drink a lot of coffee, frequenting the small, locally owned spots like Fresh Pot, Heart, Ristretto, Extracto -you get the idea. None of these places or Stumptown for that matter has informed me while I stood in line that I had to order my coffee before taking a seat, or made me order a new cup of full priced house coffee rather than charging me for a refill after I purchased a latte. Corporate style micromanagement of customers is not what I look for in a coffee shop.

    (1)

  • Nika T.

    The good: --Delicious pastries --Lots of natural light --Beautiful space --Friendly staff --Good tea The bad: --8 times out of 10 it's noisy and hard to get a table --I have had several coffee drinks that tasted gnarly here --When I do get a table it's often not near an outlet --The wifi is erratic, slow and throws my computer offline. --Closes at six ----------------------------- I can't blame them for their booming success -- but if they would work out the kinks in their coffee and their internet I might be more willing to come do mortal combat to get a table :)

    (2)

  • Rolyat E.

    Crema is one of the best! I've never had a less than perfect latte. They also have some of the best cupcakes in town, I'm especially fond of the coconut, red velvet, and Mexican chocolate ones. They have great rotating soup selections with a nice chunk of bread alongside. Also good panini/sandwich options and I love the little salad and olives served along side.

    (5)

  • Kaleb F.

    The Americano was great...

    (5)

  • Bridget P.

    What is the deal with all the rules at Crema? Don't pick a seat first everybody, and don't use your cell phone. The coffee is all right, but you don't get a free refill. It's 50 cents and they suggest you buy one while you're paying for your first cup. I had the stuffed challah. It was only $3.50 and it was huge, but it was only somewhat stuffed. Most bites were just bread. It was okay challah but not amazing. The artwork is beautiful and the people are friendly.

    (3)

  • Marshall B.

    I go to this place all the time! It's a Portland gem. Excellent atmosphere year round but especially nice in the summer time (when they open their giant windows). Even though it's big for a cafe, this place gets very crowded around lunch time so don't waltz in and assume you are guaranteed a spot for you and your laptop. They have a policy to pay first, THEN take a seat to avoid people who cherry pick tables from the line (I'm okay with that). They have pastries that look like the ones in Saveur magazine, and even if I'm not buying something from the bakery it's a treat just to look at their showcase. They have an excellent staff! very polite and they are all skilled at what they do! Pros: great in the summertime. excellent study atmosphere. incredible pastries. great food. great coffee. very affordable. great staff. Cons: loose wall outlets (my laptop power brick constantly falls out of the wall) often crowded (this might be because they are doing something good)

    (5)

  • Jackie F.

    I love espresso and Crema has some of the best! I tried their mocha (which was fabulous) and also had the quiche for breakfast. The quiche was delicious! It was hard to choose from so many good-looking pastries!

    (5)

  • Bethany P.

    Hmmm, may be my favorite coffee shop in Portland (so far). I just love their spread of baked yummies. I also like that it's large and bright--that makes it appealing to me.

    (4)

  • Andrew H.

    *I* was new in town and in need of Internet... *She* lived a couple blocks down from me and was rearing and willing to take a bandwidth pounding... I confess, I have a one-track mind. That's really the only reason I ever came in here to start. The free wifi (or "whiffee" as my dear mother once pronounced it). However, I discovered some MASSIVELY potent and fine-tasting coffee here. (I know absolutely nothing about what "good" coffee is, which is the opposite of how I am with beer, but I seem to really like the crack they sling up here) The people that work here are also SUPER nice and ready to strike up conversation. They also will let disgusting leeches (which have 32 brains, btw) like me sit there for hours doing important Internet stuff like...ordering my own Internet, cancelling my old utilities, or hitting "refresh" on facebook every 4.7 seconds. The eats here are also pretty decent, not a "meal" place by any means...but a great place for some snackage. So, come people of Portland, let's take our over-priced Pippin computers and waste time on the internets...in PUBLIC, TOGETHER.

    (4)

  • Esther Y.

    It's kinda funny how I see so many haikus written on Yelp in Portland...but not so much anywhere else. I guess all the artsy people live here or something. Anyways, this is a great cafe. Delicious and affordable iced tea and coffee, and a great selection of treats.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    Microwaved baked goods, coffee brewed 5 hours ago, and spotty service from people who might still be drunk from last night. What's not to love?

    (2)

  • Ken A.

    I forgot that I had reviewed Crema already...oh well. I saw someone post that the staff was pretentious and cold and that the service is slow, and I had to post to say that I have not found that to be the case at all. I go in 2-3 times a week, usually get just coffee and often hang out for an hour or two at a time. The staff have always been friendly and efficient. If the service is ever slow it is because of the customers ordering a ton of stuff, or not knowing what they want, NOT because of the staff. Like I said, I go there a lot and they are usually running around like crazy trying to keep with everything, AND they deliver food and drinks to people's tables when it is not ready right away. Oh, the and coffee and pastries are still really good!

    (4)

  • Dave S.

    Not the greatest coffee. Not the greatest bakery. But Crema does both well enough to make it a nice place to be. Free wifi and a few scattered plugs make this a decent place to work, but be prepared for the constant hub-bub/roar of conversation, plates clanking and filler music.

    (5)

  • Austin S.

    Stop #4 on my Portland crawl. I debated at Vicente's for like 5 minutes whether or not to go to Waffle Window, but considering I started my crawl with something sweet, and was planning come here to Crema afterward one way or another, I just decided to skip WW and come straight here. The place was packed because they offer free WIFI. Half of the people there were staring down laptops. Nothing wrong with that. They had a pretty good variety and selection of pastries and baked items. Some of the flavors were slightly unique. I can't remember any examples, but I ordered an "AM Bun", which looked like a cinnamon roll but was flavored with cardamom and had an orange glaze. static.px.yelp.com/bphot… So since the place was packed, and it was still raining outside, I took it to-go and ate it in the car on my way to the next stop. It was really good, nice and slightly flakey on the outside, but soft on the inside (that's what she said). The cardamom and orange glaze were light in flavor, but provided a very nice flavor profile. I definitely would love to come back when it's not so crowded to try their sandwiches and other pastries. Thanks Don!!!

    (4)

  • Alyssa A.

    Crema makes it in my top five favorite coffee shops. I appreciate that they offer single origin espresso shots for my latte instead of just Stumptown's Hairbender (although no complaints here about Hairbender, it's a solid roast) Their pastries are incredible. The honey bun is delicious and I love all their muffins. Their scones are delish as well. All in all, the bakery items are top notch and it's almost impossible to resist ordering one with your beverage. The shop gets crowded pretty quickly so keep that in mind if you plan on meeting someone there and want a place to sit. Also, they don't open very early but that's true of many shops in Portland. We are not a city of early risers.

    (4)

  • Lora L.

    Their specialty lattes are delicious. Although they have plenty of seating, every time I go in they are packed and there is no place to sit. The staff there are friendly and there is always someone walking around cleaning tables and taking away used dishes. Great place!

    (5)

  • Olivia T.

    I don't know why I didn't make a visit here earlier than this year. I keep hearing how Crema made the best coffee drinks and how tasty their pastries are. I'm usually a skeptic for places with high praises and especially if it's a coffee shop kind of place. Well, let me smack my own skeptic self and I'm happy to say that I'm a Crema believer. I had the Macchiato (not like starbucks' version of Caramel Macchiato) and it was a strong drink in a small cup. For savory pastry, I had the Turkey with Swiss roll with Honey Mustard glazed. It looked like a Cinnamon bun, but it's wayyyy better than Cinnamon bun (not a big fan of Cinnamon in my food). I tasted the turkey, the swiss, and the honey mustard glaze (loooooveeeee me some honey mustard). Since I'm a cupcake whore, I decided that I had to get the Black Porter cupcake. I heard so many good things about this little thing and let me tell ya, all those good reviews and praises are accurate. It's one of the best cupcakes I've ever had. It's chocolatey but not too sweet and you can taste the Porter in the cupcake but not so overly so. During my visit, somehow between the Macchiato and pastries, I decided that I was in need of more caffeine. I ordered Crema's Iced Vietnamese Coffee and it was very very good. Usually I have my Vietnamese Iced coffee either from Pho restaurants or Nong's cart. Crema's version is pretty damn close to all other Vietnamese coffees. I'm happy to say that now Crema is on my list for a coffee shop that I want to make a visit to at least once a month. I just don't think I can live without their pastries and coffee drinks.

    (5)

  • Bradly F.

    I LOVE Crema. I come here in the summer, order a soup and coffee, and sit outside or near the giant garage door windows reading a book and am the happiest person ever. Great evolving food menu. Awesome atmosphere. Fun neighborhood. Do it.

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    Portland does bakeries well. There are so many great offerings, yet Crema stands alone at the top as they offer great drink, food, atmosphere, staff and prices. Most only have one or two of the aforementioned. They add some creativity to the simple coffee/espresso menu with a delicious caramel-based creation, plus two unique offerings. The quiche and salad is a standby if I want a healthy and cheap slant for breakfast. Of course, there are ample bread type goodies as it's their specialty. I like, but not love, their much heralded breakfast sandwich. Great place to read a book and people watch. Parking can be a problem.

    (4)

  • Jeri H.

    Big fan of the chic industrial feel and amazing pastry case. Friendly staff, loud (local indie) music, and a good amount of seating for staying awhile. If you show up hungry, not to fear; wonderful light options including, but not limited to: sandwiches, soup, salads, and quiche. Hard to concentrate (unless you thrive on the bustle of coffee shoppe noise like some of us), but bring a friend for conversation or a friendly game of cribbage over a cup of house blend.

    (4)

  • Crispin H.

    OK Colin, fair enough, it had been a few months since I had been there and was spurred to write based on a friend bringing up their bad experience, I was brought back to my bad times there and got to typing. So out of fairness I went back today and ordered a latte and a selection of pastries. The food was still very good, it remains one of my favorite scones in town, the coffee was a little better that before, but still not my favorite. The woman who helped me was very nice and friendly, a vast improvement from the last server I had. I do have a long memory for bad experiences and will hold a place to the highest standard I have had there, but I am always willing to try again if there is a reason. Crema still isn't my go to for coffee or atmosphere, but it was better than before and I might go try again in the future.

    (3)

  • Brandi M.

    They've got coffee (stump town), they have tea (loose leaf), they have yummy pastries, and they have free wi-fi. Plus there is ample seating inside and outside. So when you want a little more than your generic Starbucks and space to do your very important online work this is the place to go...would've perfect for reading an actually book or doing some people watching.

    (4)

  • Justine P.

    Your treats are Soooooo yummy BUT your hipster service sucks! I only get to come to your joint once every couple of mths. I always look so forward to it only to be thwarted by service professionals with short term memory each time getting some mystery item I did not order. I don't think I should check my treat bag before I leave to make sure you put the right item in there. That's your job your behind the counter. SO I bid you farewell far too many other sweet spots worth going out of my way for to get my hard earned ca$h.

    (1)

  • Laura N.

    5 hours of my life have never flown by faster. Chalk it up to the consistently amusing company of over 30 yelpers who breezed in and out of the shop from 1-6pm, or the incredible soup that nearly caused me to spontaneously pull out my super slurpee straw that I always keep handy in case circumstances such as this arise, or the nancy's non-fat yogurt with honey and granola, or the honey vanilla latte, or the lightning speed internet, or the plentiful seating, or the garage doors that raise when the weather is nice, and are quickly closed when torrential downpours occur, (yes, even in August,) or, or, or, wait, what's not to like? I'll just end with this -- never, in the history of Yelp Office Hours, have 34 yelp members converged upon one location. On a MONDAY. Something about the venue, the location, the atmosphere, the menu....it's just magic.

    (5)

  • Jeannie J.

    If Crema were in NW, I would be dropping more often. It is right next door to Kalista where I get my brows done, so it will become an occasional treat. I stopped in to say hi to Laura N. for office hours, and came away with a tasty shortbread cookie, and a chocolate cupcake with strawberry buttercream to go. I had the cookie on the way out, but ended up gobbling the cupcake up right before bed. Both were very tasty, and very buttery. The buttercream was piled high, and very creamy. It could have used a tiny bit more strawberry flavor, but it was delicious none the less. I just don't think I need to make a habit of having one as a bedtime treat. But who can sleep knowing there is one in the kitchen? Not me apparently!

    (4)

  • Eloine L.

    So, I would definitely second all of the {wonderful} comments here about Crema. I love that the staff are unpretentious and kind. They have ample seating (although they are a booming business & therefore, those seats aren't always available at peak times), great {free} wifi, amazing coffee & delectable desserts as well as light lunch options! Really, all in all, I'm a long-time customer. I've frequented it nearly every day that I've been off work for the past year. However... I.will.never.go.there.again! It was a rainy, miserable Portland day. It was my sister's last day of living in Portland, Oregon, and since I'm a night shift nurse, I had just awoken to my day, while my sister had been up for hours and ready for lunch. I, myself, wanted something light and breakfast-y. My sister wanted to get a grilled cheese sandwich from the Grilled Cheese Grill food cart next door for the last time, and I went into Crema to grab two delicious breakfast pastries and a caramel sutra. It was pouring rain, and there were only 5 people in the coffeeshop. We thought that since the staff knew us well (my sister and I are FREQUENT flyers!), perhaps if we sat together outside in the miserable weather...we could at least share a meal together. The owner/manager had just come to work. He came right to the table outside that my sister had JUST sat down at, and said, "We don't allow outside food here, girls." His stance, his expression, his demeanor was pure pretention & disgust. Seriously. It really took me aback. I'd never seen him before in this shop. I told him, "Okay, then I guess we'll just sit on the sidewalk together." He could have cared less. Really? That looks better to future customers than outside food at a table? We sat in the rain on the sidewalk, until my sister gave up and found shelter with the kind people at the Grilled Cheese Grill. THEY offered for me to sit there.... I went inside Crema to have them box up my food, and instead of feeling any kindness towards me, the man was downright rude. I got a bit teary-eyed (Hey, I was about to send my sister halfway across the world to live!) and told him why we had done that, and how we didn't think on a rainy, awful day it would affect his business. Crema has always been a great coffeeshop, and people LOVE it. I HIGHLY doubt that my sister's lone little grilled cheese was going to send people who were {duh} coming to Crema for the coffee and pastries, would be swayed so strongly to get grilled cheese instead under a tent in the pouring rain! I mean, come on! When I teared up, he actually just got angry that I was crying. Unbelievable. All of the other staff (who know us quite well and were very familiar with our faces), were silently mouthing "Sorry's" with their looks, and making sure to say, "Have a good day" on my way out. It was the most appalling moment of human grossness, that I swore that I'd never return, even though that Caramel Sutra made my day on many an occasion. Portland is lovely to me because of its' people... And...he is not one of them. I don't want to support that! So sad.

    (1)

  • Robert L.

    Its Crema~~~ Great lil place to sit and drink your coffee. Lots of people doing their homework when I was there. It might have just been the season for it. Being fitted next in the corner of a high traffic area of Portland you would assume long lines and quick and terse 'istas. Istas with limited eye contact and basic introductory conversational skills...you would assume. My first time there had me wanting me to come back...the service always brings me back. NOte: I am trying not to find such good cafes in Portland...my rotation is getting out of hand! R\_

    (5)

  • Allison E.

    This review has been a long time coming.... I love Crema. I will often nestle myself away at one of their bench seat tables for hours at a time for use of their quality study atmosphere. The freshly made soups, salads, and of course pastries are all made in house and keep me sustained for the hours of brain expansion I do there. I'm a big fan of the half sandwich soup or salad combo. Every pastry I have tried has been amazing, and I know of several other shops around town the actually get their pastries from Crema, that speaks wonders for the quality of treats. The coffee concoctions are always pleasant, and if for some reason they lose your order in the mayhem(only happened once) they are quick to make it up to you with a complimentary treat. That being said, expect craziness when trying to get your order in or finding a seat mid day, this is a popular and well loved location, but once situated it doesn't take long to get your order and is always worth the slight hassel of finding a seat. My only complaint is that they close a 6PM, this is fine for the average coffee shop patron, but annoying for me the coffee shop study hound, so not worthy of removing a star from their rating. If you like a great coffee, pastry, or light lunch this is your place. If you don't like noisy coffe shops with a constant flow of patrons this is not your place.

    (5)

  • Sharon W.

    This is hands-down my favorite coffee shop in Portland, though it is a very close second to CoffeehouseNW. The atmosphere is great, sunny and bright, lots of seating, and super friendly staff. All their drip isn't drip - it's freshly French-pressed Stumptown! Pastries: AMAZING and they make them right there. Plus, they have great lunch deals: Soup and a housemade roll for $5, quiche + salad (w/homemade dressing) for $5, half sandwich + soup for $7...and the sandwiches and soups are creative and delicious. Honey vanilla latte is my go-to treat when I'm having an off day at work or just need a break. Lovely in the summer when the windows open up; great people watching, and right of the Ankeney bike route. Portland has a lot of coffee shops that make great-tasting coffee, but very few produce a vibe conducive to hanging out and spending some time there, let aloen have so many options, so many great pastries, and lunch items as well - Crema has it all.

    (5)

  • N. W.

    Pretentious staff (mostly one staff member in particular). She was rude to my friend and I and made me never want to go back. We were accidentally in the way of another customer and instead of politely asking us to move, she rudely yelled "DO YOU MIND?". They also have a weird rule that you have to order before taking a table. I understand not wanting people to just sit at the tables, but this strange rule makes people overly competitive with seating. Pros: - Good food Cons: - Rude staff - Weird rule about taking a table before ordering

    (1)

  • lucia j.

    Maybe next time. And there will be a next time. My first visit here wasn't so great to be honest. I was expecting good things, seeing a 4.5 star coffee shop on my yelp app that was so close to me, and I walked in to smiling faces and a humongous array of pastries, all looking yummy. But, it just wasn't that great. Everyone behind the counter was really nice, but they forgot my croissant. But, once again, when I went up to remind them they were really nice and apologetic. They even offered to heat it up to me first, a humongous plus since I usually have to beg people to heat my pastries up. But it was too expensive at $2.50 for a small bar-shaped croissant, and while it was good it was far from the best I've ever had. I ordered a small mocha and there were grounds in it. Yikes. Also, there wasn't very much chocolate flavor, despite having a lot of chocolate sediment at the bottom of the cup. They have some house special drinks that people were ordering and those looked really good, so maybe the people at Crema just aren't mocha people. I don't know. Also the wifi? Slow as shit, and not working 40% of the time. I come to coffee shops to save time and get work done without the distractions of my house, but waiting for pages to load or to reconnect to the network actually wasted more of my time in the end. I wanted to hang out here for a while but I only lasted an hour. I won't let this affect my starrage, because I saw other people's screens next to me and it looked like they weren't having as many problems as me. Oh well. Oh yeah, and one song playing in the storefront and another, totally different song playing in the back kitchen at the exact same time, at the exact same volume. No. But, okay, I will give them another chance. Even I'm not on my A-game when it's 95 degrees and there's no air conditioning. And even though those were the conditions today everyone behind the counter gave me quality service and good energy, so because of the service (and the service alone) I can bump them to an A-OK, and I will go back so that they can help me bump my star rating to a 4 or 5.

    (3)

  • Nick D.

    The Japanese would say "isogashi" which is loud and busy but in a good way. Also they might say "genki" which is lively and full of happy energy. I say this place rocks.

    (4)

  • John S.

    LOVE this place! Being from Seattle you are constantly surrounded by coffee shops so it's fun to travel to a different city to try theirs out! This is a gem in PDX! I was here last weekend when visiting in Portland. I had a chai coffee as well as a breakfast sandwich, both were amazing! Very efficient and friendly staff and I was even able to meet the owner while I was there. It's a great set-up and luckily I was there on a nice day where the large garage-style windows were open! I highly recommend Crema!

    (5)

  • Katherina A.

    Crema is the mothership from which the greatest ginger molasses cookies are produced. I had my first Crema cookie at Albina Press, but eventually found my way to the source. It was a problem. Crema is far from my house and not only do they have great piles of big soft gingery molasses cookies that I want to eat in stacks of 3 or 4 at a time, but they have other good things to and turn out an excellent latte. Oh Crema, how will I ever fit into my jeans again with the likes of you in this world? Damn you and your sweet perfection.

    (5)

  • Keith B.

    Well in just the small time since I wrote my last review on Crema I have discovered more. Friday and Saturdays are fresh challah bread days. Also they do a stuffed challa bread that changes every week. Their challah is unbelievable words can only do some much to show my appreciation for the bakers here Thursday is fresh bagel day. These bagels are really good and unique to me. Seasonal pies and cakes too. Hopefully they will make Tuesday pizza day soon!!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    This place is obviously doing incredibly well, but I'm a little unsure why. I came here to cram for finals under recommendation of a friend, and a freeway underpass would have been quieter than this place. Until they attempt to sound proof the walls, I won't come back. The coffee was fine, but a little overpriced.

    (2)

  • Cam O.

    My first visit here to meet a friend for breakfast and was I impressed. Service was friendly and prompt, selection of baked goods was exceptional, and I had one of the best cups of Chai in memory (actually, I had a second cup as well!).

    (5)

  • Lee H.

    Portlanders love their breakfasts. It's been about five years since I lived in Portland and I have fond memories of standing in front of my favorite breakfast spots on Sunday mornings along with 10-15 others (sometimes more) patiently waiting for a table. Fast forward five years and it's still the same situation, except I no longer have the patience to wait an hour and my breakfast partners are more likely than not to have children who will inevitably have a melt down if they are forced to wait an hour to eat. This past Sunday we found ourselves in the "crowd outside of every restaurant" situation. After our third or fourth drive by of some of my favorite breakfast joints, we ended up at Crema. No crowds huddled by the front door and a couple of empty tables lifted my hungry spirit immediately. We noshed on tasty sandwiches and a slice of amazing chocolate espresso loaf bread. My "urban assault" hot chocolate was a work of art. It had a hint of Mexican chocolate coupled with dark chocolate. The perfect pick me up after trudging around Portland looking for breakfast food. Sorry Screen Door, Mother's and Zell's - I'll have to catch you next time I'm in town.

    (5)

  • Chad H.

    Where to start? Since moving away from Portland, this is one thing I miss often. Each time I return to PDX, I go straight from the airport to Crema. The coffee is always fantastic, and the baked goods are rock. My standby is the Ham & Cheese Criossant, but as some of the other reviewers stated... the breakfast sandwich with the brown sugar glazed bacon really can't be beat. Seriously, bacon is already the candy of all meats, add brown sugar to that, and its divine. Props to the service. I saw some negative reviews on that, but I've not had a bad experience. Adam and Drew always remember my fave beverage selection.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    The coffee was great... the guy taking orders was a tool. Fist pump? Air hump? Really?

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    I recently got a job (WOOHOO!) kind of located in a weird, dead part of town and was longing for a decent place to eat. Luckily, I bike to work, so hopping down the road in search for a delicious midday meal is not much of a chore. I hit up 28th out of curiosity and stumbled upon this spot. Now, I'm not really much of a coffee person (DON'T HURT ME!), so I just waltzed on over to the huge case of pastries and goodies, of course. I had myself what nobody would probably bother to order from here...a HUGE SUPER AWESOME DELICIOUS caprese panini for $7. For what it's worth, I was impressed by its *large girth*...and it came with pickles (I LOVE PICKLES!) and a salad. And it was good. I would do it again. I SO SO SO SO SO wanted a cupcake with it too. Actually, I wanted almost everything in the case and counter... But I have this lame health rule now...no midday sweets. (It's how the French eat pate and truffles and lard all the time and stay so thin!) Since my cookie escapades last month, I have impressively increased in girth as well. Maybe later tonight, I'll make a stop by my new favorite carbs dealership. P.S. I love friendly baristas! P.S.S. Finally tried a cupcake (broke the midday sweets rule) and it was...OKAY (not fantastic). :-( But I still love the vibe and the paninis!

    (5)

  • Ness N.

    For breakfast, Crema has a gorgeous array of fresh baked goods ($1.50-$4) from the oh-so-sinful double pain a chocolat (a flaky double chocolate croissant) and their ever-changing, bread pudding of the day to savory gallettes filled with goodies like pear, bacon and Gorgonzola or asparagus, Gruyere and roasted red pepper. The charming baristas here crank out all the usual suspects and a few you didn't know you'd love, like the dreamy honey vanilla latte or the creamy Spanish latte all served up with a smile and a dose of witty conversation. In the mood for something cold? Besides the iced versions of their expertly made coffee, Crema offers fresh squeezed orange juice, killer lemonade or brewed herbal iced tea in intoxicating flavors like their crisply tart berry. Whether you come for the steamy hot coffee or the thirst-quenching cool drinks you'll find that while breakfast (which also includes bacon and egg sandwiches and ham and cheese croissants) is decadently delicious, lunch is a must for your budget and your gourmet sensibilities. While everything at Crema is priced less than $10, for $7, they will satiate your hunger with one of three lush sandwiches all served on fresh baked ciabatta: Caprese (ripe tomato, basil and mozzarella) Tuna (with dill and lemon aioli) and turkey (served warm with melty brie.) All sandwiches come with a beautiful mixed green salad (sometimes topped with colored peppers or corn or whatever is in season) with their signature balsamic dressing and your choice of pickles or Mediterranean marinated olives. Not only are the sandwiches big enough to wrap up half and take home for later but once you add in the salad and olives you really have a super deal on a meal that will curl the toes of the most epicurean among you. At lunch, there's always soup and quiche for those who aren't in the mood for sandwiches and if you still aren't full -- dessert! Cupcakes, fresh baked and lusciously layered with gobs of frosting (look for seasonal treats like the Ghost topped cupcakes for Halloween), sumptuous éclairs and a chewy assortment of cookies -- my favs are the Ginger and the California- dried apricots, nuts, coconut and chocolate chips make this one good for hitting the trail or washed down with that honey vanilla latte. Yum!

    (5)

  • Alissa R.

    I'm starting a new tradition; When possible, I am going to try and hit a new coffee shop every Sunday. This Sunday's sampling was at Crema. After my dad insisted Crema had the best coffee in town, I had to try it out for myself. While its maybe not what I would consider the BEST coffee in town (which I consider a very serious claim considering how many new roasters are popping up around Portland), its definitely up there in the top 10. The Spanish latte was the perfect balance of sweet and creamy with the goodness of stumptown espresso. I also decided to try the apricot apple coffee cake which certainly didn't disappoint with HUGE chunks of apple and apricot.... Light and Delish! So I don't know if I can say 'Father knows best' when it comes to coffee but he certainly knows whats good and certainly noteworthy. I will definitely be back to try out more of the baked goods and maybe the honey vanilla latte next time.

    (4)

  • Jess K.

    This place is pretty fabulous... it is large, with lots of seating, free wifi high ceilings, and fun random art. Open every day of the week, full of delicious treats and yum coffee. Great place for lunch, as they have everything from quiche to soup to paninis... and it is all very tasty. When it is busy it can be a bit loud for my taste, but is otherwise a great place to come and get work done whilst indulging in a sweet or savory treat! It CAN be a bit expensive, but their portions make the price make sense... ie: $7 for a sandwich, but a big sandwich and comes with side salad... I'll chalk that up as a win!

    (4)

  • Michele M.

    What isn't there to love about Crema? First of all it's huge and has an awesome layout. The windows all open up creating a totally open space with fresh air flowing throughout. They have a DELICIOUS selection of pastries and breakfast items. There caramel sutra latte was the best caramel latte I've had, hands down. I worked at sbux for 2 years and I've never had a latte that good at any Starbucks. The Creme cake is to die for!!! If youre going to go to Crema, you have to get the Creme cake! The staff was so super friendly and welcoming. And patient! the barista was fab. The prices are definitely decent too. the only complaint I had was that the some of the tables were low and my legs had to sit out to the side because they hit the legs if I tried to put them under. I'm 5'3'' and don't have very long legs. I wish they were open later, but thats not a complaint!

    (4)

  • Gayle S.

    The coffee here is delicious but I would take a less delicious cup of coffee from a friendly person any day. I walked in, grabbed a table since I saw that the place was packed, and sat for not 2 minutes before the owner came over and rudely asked if I would like to place an order. I mistook his rudeness for friendliness and said, "Sure, a latte, I guess." "Well, you'll have to go to the register and order, then!" he exclaimed. I should have left then, but I was too taken aback. Hold the attitude, please! Totally unacceptable.

    (1)

  • Akila F.

    The Baristas are surgeons. I've been here 3 times now and each time their approach to lattes is methodical-and delicious. The pastries here are out of control; fresh, buttery, flaky. And not just typical coffee shop fare like muffins or scones, there are some inspired creations here. Large tables practically beg you to set your laptop down and surf the internets. Great location by laurelhurst theater. And actually pleasant baristas! my new favorite coffee place in town. whoa

    (5)

  • Lorelei C.

    It was time to write a new review! Crema is my favorite spot in Portland for coffee, pastries, studying, reading, meeting friends, just about anything. In fact, when I talk to my friends (who also live in the area) about moving, most of them hesitantly say that they would hate to have to live on the other side of the river because they would have to "commute to crema" in the mornings. The drinks are reliably good, the coffee is fresh and hot, the pastries are worth every extra minute in your running shoes, and the soups must have some secret ingredient that make them all so freaking good. (Recommendations: Curry Soups, Honey Vanilla Bun, AM Bun, Kickstart, Espresso Bread. I stick to black coffee and lattes.) Everyone who works there is exceptionally friendly and will take note of your drink order if you come regularly. Others have noted that there is a wait - but this is the same of any coffee shop at peak hours. If you're in a hurry, plan accordingly, and life is wonderful. There are new chairs in crema, which is great, because sometimes I felt I was on the verge of that one scene from Shallow Hal (What the hell's wrong with this chair? What's this shit made out of, anyway? Uhhh... Steel) but order has been restored. Again, my only sadness is that the place isn't open late late late. That's probably a good thing for my health, and my wallet. But still.

    (5)

  • Preston P.

    Nice place for coffee but also great for a quick lunch. They usually have a soup/salad combo. The bread pudding is always amazing. Great coffee and I think that they now feature a single origin espresso. They have free wifi. The staff/baristas always seem very friendly.

    (4)

  • katie w.

    I'm from Chicago and I long to have a place like this in the Windy City. When I'm in town I make sure I stop in for simply perfect coffee. I love the Mexican latte, it's the best. The baked goods are great too. You Portland kids are so lucky to have a place like this!

    (5)

  • Jen W.

    The baked goods are excellent, but the service leaves much to be desired. Waiting 20 minutes for a latte is kind of ridiculous, especially in Portland. Crema would be perfect if they paid as much attention to their operations (front end service) as they do their baking. I definitely wouldn't suggest it if you're in any kind of hurry.

    (3)

  • Brandi B.

    Know the definition of being out of the loop? Working in public radio in Portland, and having your DAD (in Atlanta) tell you about a Portland coffee shop he heard about on public radio. Hence Crema (Splendid Table, May 09.) I can't believe I've been here two years and just found this fabulous place. I've been trying to break out of my establishment ruts recently, but frankly since I've started going here don't see much reason to do that. Maybe I just broke out of one rut to fall into a better one. The spanish latte (iced or not) is like a floaty, creamy, sweet (but not too sweet) coffee cloud. As per Splendid Table story I've also tried the corn cheddar muffins, which are super terrific but actually a little rich for my taste (thank GOD, as I can see these being pretty addictive.) As Megan T. noted, it's also awesomely windy here! Sunny weather permitting they throw open the huge garage door windows and let it blow. Perfect place to hang with a good book (or work, in my case) and get stuff done over a fabulous cup.

    (5)

  • Jenna S.

    Ok, I have never written a review on Yelp. So this will be my first... Ahh...I'm excited as I have been a lurker on this site for quite some time.... I felt inspired to write one finally after an interesting experience at Crema in my neighborhood. I had been frequenting Crema in my neighborhood for about a month constantly eyeing any of their amazing pastries and baked goods.... and was dying to try one of their spiced cupcakes with orange cream cheese frosting. I resisted the urge for about a month due to a low carb diet of no sugar, or bread, diet...but after an unfortunate headstand accident while practicing yoga at my house, I severely hurt my neck and decided I deserved a pick-me-up. The time had finally arrived for me to have a moment with this tantalizing beast of a cupcake. Whether it was the fact i was celibate from sex for 4 months and was on a strict diet of no sugar, or whatever... I took the cupcake to my house and ate it on my porch...consumed it with such bliss.... It inspired me to write a poem... So here it goes... (keep in mind this is the first poem i Have ever written in my life!... lot of firsts I know...please be gentle) Death By Cupcake --- By Jenna Lee Soard O' beautiful cupcake with your pretty frosting hair. O' beautiful cupcake unto which I gently stare. Your luscious carrot-y goodness and delightful magical crumbs as I delicately put you into my mouth, out creeps pleasurable hummmmms, I sink my teeth into your perfect belly, your melty top attacks my nose, I start to lick my fingers and tingles become my toes. A sweet suicide of pleasure, your frosting tears subside. When you became a part of me today, my heart exploded... I died.

    (5)

  • L.A. W.

    Nice place, clean and open. Fantastic spanish latte- made with condensed milk (YUM!!). Very cute counter help ;-P Four star- because it was bank! A 12oz spanish latte and a cup of chili/bean soup (Yum, by the way) just over $8 bucks - can you say yikes??? The bakery selections looked lovely though I did not partake.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    I dropped in for a quick iced coffee and chocolate sable after stopping by the nearby Starbucks to use their bathroom (what are large chains good for if not their bathrooms? Thanks mcdonalds!). Coffee was good for a hot day, although in the future I'd probably get something espresso based. The cookie was impressive - nice typical sandy texture and oozing chocolate chips throughout. Normally I'm not a huge fan of double chocolate cookies, but the cookie itself wasn't overly chocolately, so it was a great combination. Other baked goods were quite tempting as well. The baristas seemed more friendly and less snooty than I'm used to, and the atmosphere was airy and bright.

    (4)

  • Jason L.

    Chocolate bread. Is it cake? Is it bread flavored like chocolate? It is moist and not a donut. I love you chocolate bread.

    (5)

  • Rob W.

    The coffee and espresso drinks are solid, as is the atmosphere and the baristas. Seating is usually ample - both inside and out - even on busier mornings and afternoons. The baked-in-house pastries and sandwiches are decent enough, and the wifi is plenty free. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Tom B.

    Soup! It's obvious they make great coffee, pastries and a when the suns out (it happens!) it's a great place to hangout when the "windows" are open. I love going in for lunch and grabbing soup. They usually have two choices and there's always one that works. Served with one of their fresh baked rolls, it's the perfect light lunch. Absolutely love this place! It's my favorite coffee houses in Portland.

    (5)

  • Anuj K.

    Can you think of anything better to do than wake up at 6:45 on a weekend to study for 8 hours at crema and smell their delicious stumptown coffee and baked goods? I can't. That's why you'll often find me occupying a table at crema for hours on end. I can't really think of a better place to be for that extended out of time though, because they have an awesome lunch and a variety of desserts to choose from. I also love that their olive ciabatta bread is so cheap! and tasty... can't forget that it's tasty. The best part is that they use it for their sandwiches - i should mention that they're reasonably priced and a provide enough food for two.

    (4)

  • Justin K.

    Fantastic coffee? Check. Great location? Check. Friendly barristas? Check. This place has it all. I judge the quality of a coffee joint by itsregular coffee, since just about anybody can make a carmelly creamy latte concoction taste good if you add enough fat and sugar. And I have to say the coffee here is the best I've had since I arrived on the west coast. The regular coffee here is actually french-pressed, which leaves it bolder and richer than normal coffee. The coffee is served in actual ceramic cups, which is an environmental plus. I liked the location since it was away from the business district and felt like a real neighborhood coffee joint. The thing I liked best, though, was the servers. A lot of times the people who work at similar coffee shops have a bit of an attitude, but the people here were friendly, smiley, and cheerful (and authentically so, it appeared.) La crema is a can't miss on your Portland stopover.

    (5)

  • Melinda B.

    My first thought whenever I enter Crema: Eerrgh, this place is so packed... why am I all the way out here damn early in the morning just for coffee? 15 minutes later I am in a much better mood, sipping some spectacular coffee action. Crema makes it the way I like it: strong, dark, no-nonsense. The fact that they have hot water to dilute the brew if you need to makes me feel a little more hardcore in the mornings. Their pastries are pretty much magically delicious.

    (4)

  • Suzanne F.

    Crema still scores a solid 5 stars from me and thankfully I have joined a gym to offset the calorie count I have wracked up here over the months! The quiche is perfect every time. The pastries are buttery, rich & delicious. The Mexican mocha is motivation enough for me to traipse through the chilly weather for the Big Pay Off! Sometimes it's hard to find a place to sit. Sometimes it seems a bit much. But it is always tasty, comforting, and friendly. As for my earlier review regarding the friendly conversation I struck up with those 2 women?? Yep. We are still friends and we meet regularly at Crema!

    (5)

  • Leinani H.

    I would like to give this shop a better review, but my overall experience was awful! I work nearby and was told they serve Stumptown as well as the amazing bakery items. When I first entered it looked like my new local spot, then I stepped up to the counter and had what I would consider one of of the worst customer experiences ever. The cashier/ server was rude and condescending and I'm not sure why? I let it go even tipping for the "service", but then I experienced the same attitude from the barista. At this point I was certain it was not me. I work in the customer service industry and felt it almost necessary to post some sort of review about this ridiculous lack of customer service and overall manners.

    (1)

  • Amado L.

    Spanish Latte. That about sums it up for me about Crema. Oh, one more thing: You may actually gain about 5 pounds just looking at their Display of Decadence (tm Amado L.), which houses a variety of fresh-baked, house-made treats, including sandwiches. So far, I've foregone the eats, but will one day give in to the temptation. Their free wi-fi is also a big plus. Although, with so many people logged in at any given time, the bandwidth can be pretty slim. Skip the YouTube videos, for instance; they'll take forever to load. It's a very popular spot among the locals so expect a long line to order as well as a wait for tables.

    (5)

  • Pablo M.

    Gotta say I love this place, and I'm SOOOOO glad I live just a couple blocks away. Not only are their "Kick Starts" and other breakfast pastries and goodies awesome, but almost every time I stop in (walking, generally) there's a massive cargo bike just like mine parked outside. I assume it belongs to one of their ever-polite and helpful staff members, but in any case its good to be reminded I live in such a bike-nut town. To top it off, they have these great peanut butter dog treats they sell at the counter. THE WHOLE FAMILY IS WELCOME! Oh, and their coffee could be used to clean engines. I mean that as a good thing. :)

    (5)

  • dane J.

    I've been here a few times and the one thing I think every time is: This muffin is pretty good, but I do not feel welcome and/or do not belong here. The service is surly as hell. Even more than that it feels targeted. I don't drink coffee so I always feel a little off in coffee shops but this place is another story. I went in to get a zucchini muffin (which is quite good) and I asked to get it cut in half because my wife and I were going to split it. I know this seems reasonable but what the zooey deschanel behind the counter must have heard was me saying the "N" word or something. She was extremely offended and made it known that I was REALLY putting her out cause she had to pick up a knife. I'm sorry? I pay for my muffin hempispheres, the next guy comes up and the reaction is a total 180. Bubbly to the max, "OH HIIIIII, How are you??!!! so good to see you! What can I get you??!" She says to the guy who she obviously likes a lot more than me. So now I know that she is capable of being overly nice to the point of mania but not to me. The next thing I did was walk out, eat my muffin half and never ever return. The End.

    (1)

  • K A.

    Wow! I knew Portland baristas could be snotty but this is a new one: I ordered a latte then asked them to charge me for a coffee refill as I like put coffee on top of the rest of my latte (so as to not waste any caramel). "Whoa that's weird," was the reaction I received from my wish to be honest and pay for everything I consumed and "we usually don't do refills on the lattes" wasn't asking for a free one. And this is the only coffee place I have been to (and I've been to a lot). Who have had this reaction....yikes! And being called weird and treated like I was trying to rip them off? Noooottt good customer service. Granted, I could be that it's almost 10 a.m. and I am finally drinking my first sip of coffee but I am regretting not continuing on to Kettleman's...

    (1)

  • J E.

    Over rated. Over priced. Watched the bakers mix the dough with the "garage door" open to the street. Code violation?

    (3)

  • Maria D.

    terrific bakery items, soups and sandwiches. I don't actually drink coffee so I can't speak to the quality of coffee. I actually go here to buy bread when I want a special loaf like kalamata olive bread or potato sourdough. This is a really nice place to hang out and get some work done. I really like the staff. This place is a little pricey (not nearly as pricey as some of the local cafes) but the staff sometimes gives me free stuff if I've had to wait for some reason which is appreciated. Also, the olives are delicious :)

    (4)

  • Jon M.

    Yep. I'm eating a sweet potato cupcake with maple buttercream frosting, which I wasn't even going to get, and which is the last of the batch, and it's STILL blowing my mind.

    (5)

  • Warren H.

    It is so hard to stay on budget here due to the fact that everything is so damn amazing! Love the creative twists they put on pastries and clever bread pudding combinations. Friendly, cheerful staff. Plenty of bike corral parking and pleasant sidewalk seating and huge class roll doors for when the weather allows. I love seeing the bakers @ work in the early morning hours when I ride home from work

    (4)

  • Jeano M.

    I am here at least twice a week to inhale the insanely delicious, productivity-enhancing french press coffee while I read books in a sea of laptops, assignments, chit chat, and newspapers. I guess I am what the staff might refer to as a "regular," though I try my best to keep to myself and blend in with the surroundings. Although I am sure Crema's loyal customers have various reasons for frequent visits, what keeps ME returning to the corner of SE 28th and Ankeney again and again is the coffee. Mmmmm...the coffee! Here are some analogies to put it into perspective: Homer Simpson = Duff, James Brown = coke, me = french press Stumptown coffee made by the folks at Crema. My coffee standard has been set at a ridiculously high level now that I've been spoiled as much as I have, but I don't really mind. I could easily continue to extol the merits of this insanely good coffee, but I'd rather you just took my word for it. Should you find yourself at Crema with an appetite, don't be afraid to gaze into the delicious pastry window and decide which treat would compliment your coffee. You can't, 'cause they all look so good. I can't afford one every visit, but occasionally I like to treat myself to a little somethin' somethin'. My personal favorites are the cheddar corn biscuit (salty and greasy = good for hangovers!) and the honey vanilla bun (sweet and sticky). I've heard rumors that the staff is "snobby" and "too hipster." These rumors are coming from the same people who complain about Portland being too rainy and Elliot Smith's music being too depressing. Get over yourselves. As for the lines, they're there for a reason.

    (4)

  • Harvey M.

    Picked up some dinner rolls for a family dinner after pre ordering. Rolls were the size of hamburger rolls and tough. Even the diehard bread eaters could not finish even one. For the price, I expected much more. Threw out almost all of them. Very disappointed.

    (1)

  • jim s.

    Pro: great baked goods, good coffee, well poured drinks, wifi Cons: Heavily snobby attitude from baristas, unfriendly vibe to clientele (people claiming tables before ordering), more expensive than other good coffee places nearby, lots of laptops and business meetings taking place.

    (2)

  • Kevin T.

    There are a lot of reasons I go to Crema a couple of times a week. It is close to home, they are open till 6:00 (very rare) and they have decent baked goods. But I have lots of beefs with this place as well. 1. Very surly, unfriendly, baristas. Never a nice word to say to anyone. 2. Dirty, dirty, dirty. The place is a friggin pig sty. The table tops are sticky, the floors are littered and filthy. 3. They usually don't bother to have iced tea on hand. (Starbucks has iced tea every day, year round- no wonder people go there!) 4. In the winter they leave the doors open and let the customers freeze to death. But, still I keep going there. I do like the environs a lot, but if there was a better option close to home I would drop Crema in a heart beat!

    (1)

  • Clare M.

    Just had to go back today and see what the food was all about, as I already happened to be in the area. I figured 1030am on a Tuesday might be dead but it was packed!!! Unfortunately my 2 year old was being a slight hellion so we had to leave pretty quick, but not before I tried their bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich! It was seriously good, and had a cute name, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called. I make something similar at home and while my version blows an egg mcmuffin out of the water, it doesn't come close to touching this! I don't know what they did to that bacon but it was sweet and juicy and I think I may never buy cheap bacon again. Just had to update to say the food at this place is pretty legit!

    (5)

  • Kimberly V.

    Here's a haiku for the stylish purveyor of caffeine, pastries, and Neutral Milk Hotel on 28th. Some people write poems for their beloveds, but what have your beloveds done for me today? I write poems for coffee. Raining on Burnside - Beckons dripping espresso To transcend morning One star off because the line drives me crazy on the days I just want to strap the Americano into my veins and because the bacon and pear galette I ate last Friday made me see visions of my own, gluttonous death.

    (4)

  • Oday S.

    I'm not sure that I can add much more than the other 50 or so reviewers. Basically, Crema got it right. Spot on. Great location in SE off the main Burnside drag, which helps with parking and noise, and allows for that great mixed-use residential-commercial vibe that neighborhoods east of the Willamette are so full of. Great layout. Tables for one, two, four, and even eight. Great for laptop work!! Outlets galore; sturdy, rectangular tables; and just enough savory food on the menu to sustain a multi-hour session. Lots of sunlight and a decent amount of interior lighting. Great staff. Smiles everywhere. Partial table service, which helps with the understandable wait periods. Great coffee. Stumptown beans, surprise surprise. A nice Marzocco machine, and the machiattos have been solid. Great when the weather is nice, cuz the industrial garage doors open up and inside easily becomes outside. If I had to say something bad, it would be that it doesn't have the sort of expressive character that so many other Portland coffee shops do. It ain't a sterilized, coffee laboratory like Barista. It ain't a bohemian caffeine geek paradise like Coffeehouse Northwest. It ain't an unabashed industrial espresso-fueled rave den like Stumptown (downtown). But it's well thought out, understated and elegant, and kind of reminds me of my favorite cafe in Holland in its simplicity, efficiency and openness. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Charles N.

    A great place, but if you're looking for a quiet place to sit and enjoy the great espresso drinks and amazing pastries, you're not at the right place. Sorry, but the music is often too loud for conversation, and the hard surfaces and high ceiling (which do lend it a sense of light and airiness that is lacking in many a PDX coffee hole) amplify every sound. I don't think I'd get much work done here unless I were wearing in-ear earphones, and it's often quite a wait to get a table with an outlet nearby. If you're just going in and out with an order to go, it can't be beat, except there will be a major line between 9 and 12 in the morning. That all being said, I really do love this place. Great coffee, exceptionally good pastries (and very good savory items as well) in a nice space.

    (4)

  • Jon D.

    Thank you dedicated baristas at Crema. And thank you Portland for giving me the best coffee experience I have ever had. I am a coffee snob and Crema delivers. I am tempted to leave San Francisco for Portland just based on your coffee and wonderful people. Thank you for making my vacation perfect. The closest we come to down here is Blue Bottle and Ritual both of which are very good too.

    (5)

  • Clare M.

    With an amazing Vietnamese Iced Espresso, which is perfect on a summer day, and tasty savory pastries, this place is so amazing, I'd go to it even if I didn't live within walking distance! Also, try the eclairs if you can--delish! It's a bit spendy, but the quality of the consumables is high and the staff is, overall, pretty cool. Also, they have classy neighbors.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    This is a sweet little coffee shop and great place to go to hang out and do whatever. I love the free WiFi and the fact that no one tries to hurry you when you're there. The staff are friendly, efficient, and seem to really enjoy being there. It has great coffee although its never even close to hot enough for me. The food smells good and looks beautiful but the selections I've had so far have been disappointing. Out of the bountiful spread offered, I've been able to find 3 items I can have that are gluten free- each overwhelmingly disappointing. The chicken salad (usually on a croissant) with greens has consistently been very dry. The curry squash soup was more like thick wall paper paste than soup and essentially inedible. Lastly, there are these small (half of a golf ball) size cookies that were so hard that I thought I'd crack a tooth trying to eat it. Seriously, I even dunked it in my coffee over and over and could barely get a chunk to break off. I just gave up. Still, I go to Crema because of the coffee and comfortable atmosphere. There's so much they could do to improve but I haven't ever gotten the impression that theres any interest.

    (2)

  • Nathan V.

    Great coffee, check. Manchego quiche, check. Bread pudding, check. Compostable cups and *straws*, check. NY Times, check. All-around great place, check. I can't believe it took me so long to find what was right under my nose.

    (4)

  • Brian L.

    The coffee is amazing and the pastries are very tasty! I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    Wow! as a fan of savory pastries, I love the selection here! They are so hard to find. It is a great place if you want something as simple as a coffee and croissant, or something more substantial, like a meal

    (5)

  • Albert G.

    One of the best coffeehouses in southeast Portland. Equipped with Stumptown roasts and and an extraordinary bakery, the baristas winsome smiles, and an open space with plenty of room to to read, surf the net, or share a cup of americano with a friend.

    (5)

  • Bonnie B.

    They know how to roast coffee, and they're signature lattes are amazing. Didn't have any problem finding seating

    (4)

  • Kari S.

    I can't speak for the coffee or the sandwiches, but I ordered a fresh berry tart for a party I was having. Best Tart I have ever had. Plus really helpful and friendly service. I will go back again for sure.

    (5)

  • Kristine A.

    Coffee is pretty dang good. The pastry display will make you drool (everything is very Buttery . . . I don't even want to know the calorie count). PJ Grizzly is different and Delicious. I also really like the Vanilla Honey Latte. Chai Latte was not my favorite. Very licorish-y. Honestly, the staff is the real stand out to me. I have been in a dozen times and they are always friendly and prompt.

    (4)

  • Nick P.

    Crema is always busy. At any time of day there'll be a line of three or four people, and the plentiful seating will be saturated by its hipster crowd of reliably attractive regulars. It's generally regarded as one of the better bakeries in the city, but sadly there aren't many good bakeries in Portland, so this doesn't mean very much. All of Crema's products are very good, but none stellar. But Crema is still worthwhile for the setting, with its grungily-cushioned bench seats, plentiful outdoor seating, and iconic garage doors, at least one of which are open at all times (which is great on some days, and downright obnoxious on others ... it kinda removes the option of indoor seating). The servers are friendly, and you get a number when you order so you don't have to stand for the long coffee wait. It's definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • stephen G.

    my first official day in Portland, I sought to ask my roommate where I might park the seat of my bluejeans for an afternoon of caffeine and wifi. my inquiry carefully composed in my head, I opened my phone to contact him, and as my finger came down to strike the first key (a "W," probably, for "where"), the answer unbidden wound its way urgently through the fiberoptic superhighways of the cloud - frenzied electrons performing feats of acrobatic skill profound and compelling and IMMEDIATE - to enlighten me with a musical jingle.* "CREMA. GO TO CREMA." and so I did. and I'm glad. the staff at Crema is awesome and hyper-friendly. they're happy to recommend their favorite drinks and dishes, don't mind when you hem and haw at the counter, and they don't eyeball you when you sit for long hours sapping their wireless without buying more than a single drink. the layout is wide open, with large front windows that are often open during the day, giving the place a really nice sense of space. the flavored iced teas are inexpensive and refreshing. the flavored coffees back an impressive wallop. and the food (mostly breakfast fare) is tasty and very fairly priced. fans of the archetypal breakfast sandwich should try out the Kickstart - egg, pepper bacon, cheese, and an english muffin-style roll with a sweet glaze. but be an early bird, because they go fast and are usually gone by noon. my only complaint is that they close relatively early, packing up and shuttering the windows at 6 in the evening. but as I sit here writing this review, the time is creeping over to 6:30, and rather than shuffling me out the door, the barista on duty is cleaning mugs and making pleasant conversation with me. just another point in their favor. *the idea here is that the answer was so thunderously obvious that it actually TRAVELED BACK IN TIME. that's some heavy shit, and if you're at all familiar with quantum mechanics, you'll be able to fully grasp what an impressive recommendation this is.

    (4)

  • Carissa M.

    My kids love it, my inlaws loved it, my mother loves it, and my spouse and I love it. It does not get better than this (the kickstart is awesome, my son's first solid food was their chocolate banana cake, and the coffee is superb).

    (5)

  • kate k.

    I love Crema, and no matter where I move to I continue to come here. It is at its best on summer days. It's located right on a major bike route, Ankeny & 28th, so you can just stop in for a coffee and pastry, and do a little work on your computer (they have wi-fi), or read a good book in the sun. The over-sized windows are incredible, and they open them on nice days so that the whole place feels like it is outdoors in the best possible way. They have delicious coffee and pastries, and this is a perfect place for cyclists to hang out.

    (4)

  • Smar T.

    I've never had bad service, coffee or pastries at this place. It can get busy, but I usually get stuff to go so it doesn't bother me. The pastries really shine here. Kinda reminds me of Belgium, and that's always a nice thought.

    (4)

  • Ali S.

    Great setting and coffee.

    (4)

  • Alan L.

    I came here on my girlfriend's insistence and wasn't disappointed with the experience, but wasn't thrilled with it either. Maybe I'm just expecting too much from a cafe. The interior is modern and minimalist. There's a lot of brushed alumuinum and recycled wood which is kind of nice, but also a bit bland. I'll give them points for creating an open and airy environment that's comfortable if you chafe in small cramped coffee shops. They really need the space too since so many people come here. Be prepared to wait for a seat. The Mexican chocolate cupcake was alright, but don't come here exclusively for cupcakes (the reason we came). I can't speak to the quality of other pastries so I'll leave it to others for review.

    (3)

  • Tessa M.

    ha. I see that other reviews match my review. Cinco estrellas! This place has great energy, a lot of natural light, and yes, incredible eats [and coffee]. I had the monster quiche which came with some greens. My study partners loved their scones. Real food, for sure. I dig it!

    (5)

  • Paul N.

    I went to Crema on a recent rainy morning with great anticipation because I love good bakeries and good coffee. It did not disappoint on those scores -- both were great. It was hard to find a seat because 80% of the chairs were taken up with WiFi Zombies staring at their screens. Sorry to be a grouch, but past some point IMHO a cafe gets cold when most patrons are starting at LCDs. But great coffee and very good creative baked goods.

    (4)

  • Katie M.

    The fact that there is a line out the door at 10:30 on a Tuesday speaks volumes about this place. This wait will allow you to stare at all the delicious baked goods they have and pick one (or maybe two) out. The cheddar corn biscuits are incredible, and I seriously crave their zucchini muffins. The coffee is really strong, which I like. Plus is has a fair amount of seating, and free wifi.

    (5)

  • Lindley E.

    Dammit, why doesn't Chicago have a cafe/bakery like Crema? Why instead do we get nasty attitudes or sub-par, charmless spaces, occupied by wi-fi and some hipster working on yet another novel that won't get published? Crema, I die just a little every time I step into your bright, garage-like interior, knowing that after I catch my flight back to the windy city, you will be but a memory and have cast a long shadow over every other coffee/bakery/experience joint I have and will ever step into. Baked goods are minutes old, chock full of buttery goodness, sugar sweetness, and eggy love. Cupcakes feature peaked swirls of icing, towering inches above the cakey base. Cinnamon rolls cause cavities based on looks alone. And the sweet fruity galettes...ah... The coffee, from Stumpton, is fine fine fine. Hunky tattooed baristas (are there any other kind?) motor through order after order without breaking a sweat. Is it any coincidence that one of the past year's winning World Coffee Championship Baristas works here? One note: if, like me, you are all about the dry cap, be SUPER SPECIFIC about what you are looking for. Even 'extra' dry is a vague, qualitative term that will have you making sour faces when you get to the drink, 35 degrees of angle too soon. Such was my experience. I'll give them another chance today.

    (5)

  • Pete S.

    An ideal combination of flour, butter, sugar and coffee. I visited for the first time this morning--thanks to the guidance of fellow Yelpers--and could not have been more pleased. Delicious coffee and amazing pastries! I will make this a regular stop whenever I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Katherine K.

    I decided to stop by on my way home today as I was in the mood for a pastry. I got the baked custard with chewy crust - I believe it is called the Crema Cake. I am AMAZED at how good this is!! It has a very similar texture to pecan pie minus the pecans... It is pretty sweet so if you do not like a lot of sugar do not attempt to eat this! But I will definitely be going back!! I also picked up the poppyseed butter cream cupcake for my husband. This was good, not too sweet but still tasty!

    (4)

  • MIDORI D.

    This place is always packed! :-) Their soup is great! I loved it! Cozy place to have lunch by yourself.

    (4)

  • Brandy S.

    Lovely, lovely! Crema is so wonderful! The best chai in the city - spicy (but not tongue-numbing), with soy (not that strange aftertaste), that has a hint of honey so that it isn't cloyingly sweet, but just enough to keep you wanting more. I LOVE it! Oh, and the pastries are delicious as well - definitely try the zucchini muffins. Overall: Has become part of my new weekly ritual.

    (5)

  • alma l.

    This is one of the few cafes in Portland that doesn't scream 'claustrophobia'! There are many open windows and overall very welcoming. They have mouthwatering pastries, flavorful caffeinated bevs and some damn good soup. There is always a line no mater what time of the day it is, but it tends to move fairly quickly ... in no time you'll be flipping the pages of the Mercury and consuming some delectable treats. -1 star cos of the limited evening hours...

    (4)

  • Pamela H.

    Service is ssslllloooowwwwww. For all the time it took, we should have had a three course meal with desert. The coffee was OK. I think this place is mainly known for its pastries, which we did not try.

    (2)

  • Laurie H.

    I LOVE this place! I was in Portland for the first time this past weekend. I drove around the Southeast neighborhood and accidentally stumbled upon this place. They have the BEST hummus sandwich and mint tea (loose leaves). I'm not that big on coffee, so I didn't try theirs... but it's great for a lazy Sunday; hang out with your laptop while snacking... it's perfect. YUM! I want to move!

    (5)

  • Carla R.

    The ginger cookies is a very good reason to come here. Great coffee/espresso, wonderful pastries (I tend to shy away from them though), consistently friendly service and great atmosphere is the main reasons why I keep coming back for more. Seating is plentiful and the bathrooms is always clean. I wish they are open later in the evening, but its all good!

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    Good strong coffee always served hot and fresh (though I kind of miss the intelligentsia roast). Excellent baked goods. If there's anything to complain about, it is the line that is always there. Nice to live close to a source of great coffee -- probably the best coffee I have had in SE.

    (4)

  • Leanne M.

    Delicious croissants, cookies, scones and my favorite: the huge as your face cupcake! The red velvet cupcakes are redder than these five stars and turn your whole mouth and teeth red! It's great! I'm thankful that this place is right on the walk to my work! They serve Stumptown coffee, and sometimes knowing that I'll get to stop by here on the way, is what motivates me to get out of bed and off to work in the morning. I don't even have to put on lipstick...I can just eat a red velvet cupcake for breakfast!

    (5)

  • Courtney D.

    Everything looks good here OK, I have to admit that I totally went in here just to check out the hot baristas that I kept thinking about. Yes,not being a big coffee drinker, that's more than a good enough reason for me. Well, I sure wasn't disappointed by the view but have to admit that my attention was quickly drawn away by the chocolate croissants. I'm sorry but hottest is no match for me and my croissants. My eye wandered again to the cupcakes but since I didn't want to come across too excited, I transferred my eyes back to the cute guy waiting on me. Everything has a pretty vibe here from the pastries to the workers and even the look of the lattes steaming. If I was a coffee drinker, I'd come at least once a week. But since I'm a chocoholic, I think I'll go twice. Tip: Bring a magazine in with you, so you can pretend to read it while you are staring.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    yum. 1$ for a extra double shot! i'll take it.

    (5)

  • Jim B.

    "hey! how are you! your baby is so cute! look at my baby! isn't he cute?" my mushroom manchego biscuit was killer. my vietnamese iced espresso was thick and milkshakey, very tasty & filling. coffee drink took a ridiculously long time to come out. table was full of crumbs, egg particles and grease. the place was full of the aforementioned baby exploitationists and laptop zombies. nice airy space with windows, but a tad dirty and the crowd a bit douchey. the breakfast was expensive but good, the atmosphere was a bit too far out of my comfort zone. next time only as a treat, and "to go"!

    (3)

  • Carissa W.

    Crema is a yummy bakery and excellent hang out during the day. With fresh baked pastries ranging from ciabatta loaves to pear gallettes, this is a good spot to swing by for breakfast or stay longer. Get there early and you may be able to nab one of their more popular treats, especially the much-coveted Zucchini muffin. There are never any of these unusually sweet muffins left after 10am, because their savory taste (think carrot cake, sounds odd, but so good) and honey glaze make this muffin, and most everything else at Crema, melt-in-your-mouth good. The coffee is French press and---get this-so strong they provide hot water for those who need to dilute it. With this extra strong coffee, free wi-fi and a soundtrack that usually features indie bands it's easy to stay for hours, and this has become a favorite spot both for people working on computers and for social groups. Oh, and did I mention they have cupcakes in several varieties heaped high with frosting! The space itself is a large modern concrete room with high ceilings, but the true kicker is the floor to ceiling clear garage doors on two sides, which they roll up in the summer to let the breeze blow through. Located just off Ankeny, a major SE bike route, and Burnside Street, this is an excellent coffee shop to stop by, people watch, and snack.

    (5)

  • Blake E.

    One word - YUM. Crema is absolutely great. The coffee is amazing - so good you won't be able to settle for anything but the best ever again! The wait staff at Crema is very helpful and they really care about the coffee they brew. The food is really tasty too. I can't get enough of the ham and cheese croissants. The space is really beautiful and simple. You can sit and chat forever, or play on the internet while you sip that GOOOOOD coffee..

    (5)

  • Krista T.

    Crema seems unintentionally beautiful. The people behind the counter are very good looking, the pastries are colorful- they taste as good as they look, and the coffee is exceptional. Mostly because the baristas are "Barista Champoins" - made obvious by the plauques and awards standing on the espresso machine. It's the kind of place where they make hearts or leaves with the foam on your espresso. It's a very open and inviting space in SE with huge garage doors that are open as often as they can be in the Northwest weather. It can seem expensive - I would say 3 out of 4 $ signs - but the coffee is well worth it. The pastries are occasionally worth it, but it almost seems like sensory overload to get a coffee and pastry there. I recommend the Honey Vanilla Latte (soy, of course) with a corn and cheddar biscuit.

    (4)

  • Tami A.

    Come here if you want a smooth, quality cup of coffee! They also have some really yummy looseleaf teas. I haven't had their pastries, but hear that they're pretty amazing. They should have more seating, the place always seems to be packed!

    (4)

  • jeroen v.

    I am an asshole about coffee. There are very few places that can consistently make good espresso and good steamed mlik: Torrefazione in Seattle, La Colombe in Philadelphia (Rittenhouse Square location NOT manayunk), Stumptown on Belmont and Crema on 28th. Everything else is paying for dishwater. Crema does, however, need better hours. As a working stiff, I don't have the luxury of a 10am cup of joe. I need 4:45 AM opening times and 10-11pm closings.

    (5)

  • Christy T.

    I live pretty close to La Crema so I walk there often, the pastries are really really good and delicious. I'm a really big fan of the biscuits, especially when they are hot. The coffee however confuses me, it's never very good and usually kind of watery tasting. They also charge way more than even Stumptown for an Americano and it's nowhere near as good. If they could get the coffee up to par with the pastries, they would definitely rate 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Marc W.

    The food, staff and overall vibe is over baked and over flaked. A little rethought could go a long ways for a place that had so much potential in its beginning.

    (3)

  • Rebecca P.

    My daughter lives in Portland and brought us over to this great spot. We've visited in the summer heat (sat outside at one of the quiet sidewalk tables) and in the winter rain (much more likely in Portland). We've never had a bad visit. Super helpful and friendly staff, amazing sandwiches (their kickstart/jumpstart sandwich could become very addictive), great soups, and-my favorite- the California cookie "it's full of fruits and nuts".

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    might be my favorite coffeeshop in town in terms of ambiance plus coffee quality. downside - it is sometimes so crowded there is nowhere to sit and it closes at the absurdly early hour of 6 pm (or there about). Delicious cookies and other baked goods and consistently wonderful espresso and coffee. And I love the bright open nature of the space itself. I am very picky about atmosphere and love it here.

    (4)

  • Rick H.

    Quiche: best in Portland and served, as quiche should be, with a green salad. And the space is perfect.

    (5)

  • Oliver G.

    I love Crema. They make a real, Euro-style small cappuccino (not one of those giant mega-lattes masquerading as a cappuccino) without being asked. Their quiches, bread puddings, desserts, everything is delicious. And it's cheap. I couldn't be happier. Watch out, because they often run out of the baked goods by late evening.

    (5)

  • Hillary R.

    favorite coffee shop in portland. by far. i am not a coffee snob in any way and am just as happy with folgers instant crap that i make in my house. so to be honest it has nothing to do with the coffee. its all the same to me. i come to you to sit on my computer and pretend im writing my first great novel when really im checking out hot guys that always seem to be here, probably writing their first legitimate novels. there are also good magazines and tasty tasty chocolate morsels. sometimes the staff are a little too hip and intimidate me. the natural light in this place simply cannot be beaten. at times there are lots of children but they always seem to be the amazingly behaved ones with cloth diapers and fashion designer parents who just smile and look cute. i miss this place. a lot.

    (5)

  • Willow W.

    Service is getting more consistent, food & beverage is still awesome!

    (4)

  • Audra O.

    Crema is pretty good. They use Stumptown coffee and seem to do it well. The first time I went I had a soy latte, and while I didn't want to stand on a table and scream "holy crap! This is the best friggin latte ever!" it was still more than adequate. (remember, I'm a coffee snob) The espresso had a nice full flavor, the soy milk was a great temperature had a good texture, and the barista even added a little rosetta on top. I did had to wait for a while for a table, which kind of sucked, mainly because I was holding a latte in one hand and a banana bread in the other. But, I'm not bitter. I'm not taking a star off for that. It's not Crema's fault. They seem to have plenty of seating. They're just popular. It's probably that strange/awesome metal modern art sign out front which always reminds me of abstract reclining men with giant square pe....never mind. I'm sure you can figure that one out. If not, congratulations! You have a much cleaner mind than me. Anyway, both times that I went the only vegan thing was a banana/ chocolate chip bunt shaped bread. I'm always a little wary of chocolate/ fruit combinations. And I really wish they had even a couple more vegan options, but there weren't, so I decided to give the banana bunt bread a try. It was ok. I was glad there was no strange artificial banana flavor. However, one side was a bit dry and bordering on stale. The other side was fine, though not as moist as I would've liked. I was also very relieved that the chocolate in it was chocolate chips rather than cocoa powder, because I'll admit it. I love chocolate, but do not liked baked chocolate (think chocolate cake). It was pretty good, but not spectacular. I'd still be willing to go back, though I hope their vegan options multiply. But if they only have the banana bread next time I'm there, I'll give it another go. Maybe next time it'll blow me away, but I might share it with someone. Just in case. PS. The vegetarian friends that accompanied me really enjoyed their cheese biscuits and eggy, vegetable croissant thing.

    (3)

  • Jake D.

    I used to hate Crema. It was a pretentious place with an even more pretentious staff. NOTE THE PAST TENSE ...used and was... I love Crema now. They apparently noticed the upturned nose of the staff and the downturned thumbs of the customers and changed it up. The staff now is friendly, fun and very oriented to pleasing the customer. The pastries are always delicious and fresh, made right in the back room! The Raspberry Cream Danish is too die for and the coffee is always a solid hit. If you are more of a savory fan I recommend the Cheddar Corn biscuit or the Manchego Mushroom biscuit, both delicious. The egg and cheese turnover is also a great hearty breakfast! The open design with big roll up windows gives the place an airy quality and now with the new and improved staff its a great place to be. I would love it if they stayed open later as Beulahland is the only late night cafe/bar in the area and they suck. Please Crema, stay open later for us night folks.

    (4)

  • derek p.

    So I've been here a bunch over the summer because I love the grande open windows and tasty coffee, which is in a bigger than average cup which almost makes up having to for pay for a refill. The baked goods are fine and by fine I mean barely acceptable. Once I'm not enchanted with the breezy windows ie fall/winter/spring I'll be at Albina Press or Bi-partisan or....

    (3)

  • Dan S.

    After having a wonderful dinner (Yuzu) on the recommendation of Yelp the previous evening my partner and I decided that we would end our stay in Portland by following our fellow yelpers advice and hit up Crema for our morning coffee. This is one of the few times I wish I'd stopped at starbucks up the street. The wait was horrible. It shouldn't take 20 minutes for a barista to prepare two coffees even with the two people in front of us. I don't mind waiting for great or even good coffee but this was mediocre. Clearly there are a lot of locals who like this place, but all I can say is don't bother. I'm sure there are better coffee shops in town. --- update ---- Within 20 minutes of posting this review, Brent F. the owner contacted me apologizing for the wait. It's clear that he is aware of the service problem. It only remains to be seen if the problem is fixed or if he is just managing his reviews. Time will tell.

    (2)

  • shanklin g.

    I wanna like this place more but I can't because it's rare that I find seating. The treats are great, the staff is friendly but you have to get there early to find seating. Remember to order something before you sit down. The staff isn't rude about it but I've seen more than a few customers get angry about that policy and walk out. In all honesty it just made them look like dicks.

    (3)

  • Adrienne A.

    Great espresso drinks made under the capable hands of some wacky baristas. The line's often kinda long, and yes, it's kinda loud, but for a neighborhood coffee joint, all in all, it can't be beat. Today they were playing an entire Counting Crows album, and everyone behind the counter sang along. It was totally weird, and cute.

    (4)

  • Ahava Y.

    i had a roasted vegetable with eggs and cheese croissant that was the best breakfast croissant ever. nice coffee. i'll be back when i can.

    (5)

  • Katt A.

    OH MY LORD! I am not a religious person, but Crema is the kind of place that could convert someone! My friend took me to Crema last week for a birthday bunch. I ordered the quiche and a hot chocolate and I was in heaven. The quiche had potato, ham, corn, and some manchego cheese. My meal came with a beautiful garden green salad and zesty italian style dressing. When my meal came I wish I had brought my camera since my meal looked so beautiful. And it tasted just as good as it looked. I wanted to try the desserts so badly, but I was already full by the time I finished my meal. I will have to go back and try more!

    (5)

  • Anthony R.

    Clean, open space. Hipsters and hot folk hang here. Nice bathrooms. Good coffee. Plus, it's close to Holman's and the Hungry Tiger. Hard to go wrong.

    (4)

  • Caroline R.

    Yum. Tasty treats and a great place to sit on the laptop or read a book - especially on a nice warm day. Aside from the tasty desserts my favorite thing about Crema is the plethora of outlets. This is key for me. The only downsides are that I have somehow managed to miss the full menu both times I've gone (I'll order a sweet then discover someone else eating a salad) and that, as a result, I inevitably wind up eating sweets when I often just wanted a nice place to sit and enjoy a light snack or lunch.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    You mustn't miss the Manchego & Mushroom biscuit at Crema. If you're unable to invest the time in breakfast out but want something more exciting than a bagel or typical bakery fare, head to Crema. Don't let the long line discourage you and don't be too overwhelmed; you can't go wrong here. Again, the manchego and mushroom biscuit is a must-eat but they tend to run out early. In that case, a good alternative would be the cheddar corn biscuit or the caramelized onion tart. The cinnamon buns and cupcakes at Crema are also worthy of praise and all the baked goods are perfectly coupled with flawless coffee. If only they were open later.

    (5)

  • David M.

    such a divine place. the pastries are off the hook. sandwiches are fresh and filling. the coffee is stumptown. nice open space with big windows and ample seating. a great place to do some reading or catch up with a friend.

    (5)

  • Greg H.

    the people at Crema rock! so do their caps by the way. after an isolated customer service issue a couple of weeks ago they responded in a professional and caring manner. this is a true test of a company's and person's character. Kudos Crema!

    (5)

  • Jeremy S.

    Maybe I went on an off day, but my coffee was decidedly blech. Very cute space, and I had high hopes for my espresso, but it was weak and tasted slightly burnt. Maybe I'd try again...but they only get one more shot (no pun intended)!

    (3)

  • Kristen W.

    This place has a special place in my heart as a result of their magnificent honey/vanilla lattes and manchego/mushroom scones. I love you Crema. You are the first place I went when I came back to Portland after my 6 months of bland Seattle food.

    (5)

  • Ryan L.

    I went in here on my last day in Portland, and I think this might be the best coffee I've ever had. Deliciously strong...even though it was kind of a strange brew, it was still yum. The danishes and things are also pretty good, but overall a bit too pricey for me. I do like the overhead doors opening up when its nice out. That's worth four stars right there.

    (4)

  • Scoob W.

    crema is one of the best coffee spots, lucky me that it's in my hood. the pastries is definitely where it shines. so many choices and each and everyone is delicious. The coffee is solid too. However I avoid this place on weekends unfortunately. Too much of a crowd and i refuse to take a number and wait for coffee.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    Although there are a wide variety of items available at this bakery some of which are tasty, the coffee tastes off, there are flies floating around and the staff is generally rude or looks dirty. I have heard of 3 friends who have found things ranging from hair, to a bug, to a piece of string in their food( but too shy to say anything). I would not really recommend this place at all. I would sooner go somewhere clean and where the staff greets with a smile and not a 'i just rolled out of bed' look. Sad that the management has allowed what used to be a not so bad establishment go downhill!

    (2)

  • Mark N.

    I love Crema. Been going for years now. But $5 for a Vietnamese coffee is ridiculous. It's a few shots of espresso and some condensed milk. I'm not buying at that price. Very disappointed.

    (2)

  • vicarious c.

    The baristas are gorgeous (really, they're totally eye-candy), the coffee is individually pressed and strong, and the baked goods would make my ass gigantic if I lived in the area (mushroom and manchego biscuits, pain au chocolat, tiramisu... yum!). It's a clean, well-lit space with nice tables and a free wireless connection.

    (4)

  • Lev l.

    I want to like this place, but I can't stand it. Waiting 15 minutes for a very average coffee drink, complete with attitude is not worth it. And the biggest problem is the filth - I have been here on and off over many years now, and I don't think the tables have every been cleaned. Or fixed, they are all unstable. As I write this, water from the condensation on the wall is dripping on my laptop, I'm still waiting for my coffee, and I'm definitely not coming back.

    (1)

  • Mallori M.

    The pastries are always great, I love the cheddar cornbread and mushroom scone with an iced Vietnamese coffee. The service is good, and I would say great by Portland standards. The lines can be long but they tend to go pretty quickly.

    (5)

  • Felicia L.

    2 hour wait at Screen Door. My friends and I decided to walk here for some coffee and tea during our wait. The cafe is pretty crowded, but we were able to quickly get by the line to get our drinks. They have a variety of teas... I opted for the green tea which was very good. They also had a very tempting display of pastries and savory items. Quiche! All looks so good. I almost got a pastry but then I remembered the brunch we had planned nearby. Maybe next time.

    (4)

  • Jonathan D.

    While staying at an AirBnB nearby I went here twice on recommendation from my brother who lives in Portland. The coffee and pastries the first day were alright, not life changing, not horrible, but good enough to go back for a second try despite some really off putting service. I took it all to go, the coffee was luke warm and blamed the four block walk. While I really did enjoy my cappuccino the second day round, and the girl who made it was pleasant, the same guy at the register seemed to have taken his service down another notch. It seemed like having a baby and wife was off putting to him? He actually misheard my wife say "regular coffee"and created some sort of sarcastic rant about mocha that should probably have stayed an internal monologue. So, I chose the quiche as the butter croissants looked bland and the other pastries were fresh in my mind. The quiche was like a whipped custard with undercooked pastry that got nuked for 20 seconds. I have to say that given the low quality of service and microwave, I'm a bit surprised by the four star rating? I was a bit on the fence between two and three stars, but I just can't see myself there a third time for the same treatment.

    (2)

  • John L.

    Just discovered this nice little gem. The honey vanilla latte was quite good. The cookies were just ok. I went in the middle of a weekday and it was still quite busy. They have a good number of tables and chairs. They were all full. Of course they have the free wifi required of any cafe.

    (4)

  • Matt E.

    It took me a while to warm up to Crema Coffee, yet slowly but surely it has become one of my most reliable spots in town to grab some coffee and a bite while really buckling down and getting some work done. With ample seating, numerous electric outlets, and fantastic natural light, Crema is a dream for the laptop class. The coffee at Crema is all well and good, but nothing that blows my mind. For that, I need to visit their pastry case. I've had thousands upon thousands of calories and carbs from this place, and I dare say they've been worth it! Chocolate croissants are on point, and today I had a blueberry muffin topped with a passionfruit glaze. It pretty much made me ok with the idea of forever only wearing sweatpants and eating muffins until I had to ride a Rascal to get my next muffin fix. They're that good. Overall Crema is, a very solid place for a meeting, some work/study time, or catching a bite with a friend.

    (4)

  • Jana C.

    An INCREDIBLE Portland cafe, featuring Coava and Stumptown, with the greatest pastry offerings for breakfast. Everything tried was delicious, as was my little cuppa of Spanish latte. Lucky Portland with its plethora of cafes to choose from to always park it and chill, without any pressure.

    (5)

  • Alison T.

    I've chosen to ignore the fact that they don't have almond milk as an option. Their coffee is wonderful. Service is super friendly and matches the welcoming interior. Every Tuesday I come for a breakfast pastry and coffee. It's a great little spot! Biscuits are flaky, super buttery, and filled with amazingness! They have more options than just your usual croissant or muffin. Also use local coffee beans, which is always a good thing!

    (5)

  • Aimee L.

    After a few years away, it was good to return and find many tasty selections and great coffee. The mushroom & manchego biscuit was heavenly and my husband loved his croissant. The man who took our food order had zero smile and the personality of a wet mop, but the woman who rang us up was super nice. We got a couple of the mushroom/potato/egg turnovers to go, but sadly those were incredibly bland. Good bike parking though and overall worth the ride over from Woodlawn.

    (4)

  • Kyle R.

    Crema is probably great if you're a hipster or a friend of the owner/employees; otherwise service is lackluster, drinks are okay, and bakery items - if they have them - are decent. I've lived fairly close to Crema for four years now and I've always wanted to love it. The atmosphere inside is modern and open and the menu items are stellar. I've had several excellent drinks and many good pastries here over the past few years. When it comes to service, however, they've been awful to me. Every time I've been at Crema the line - even if there's just a few people in front of me - moves very slow. Most employees seem lethargic and it always feels a bit understaffed during the morning rush. Additionally, they pick and choose whom to be friendly to based on arbitrary judgements. As far as I can tell, corroborating with others who have had similar experiences, they seem far friendlier to hipster-types and friends of the owner and employees. Frequently I'll be in the middle of a silent transaction (they won't talk to me beyond, perhaps, "hello") and they'll start chit-chatting super friendly-like with the person behind me. Beyond the service issues, Crema has a fantastic "Kickstart" breakfast sandwich. It's an egg, cheddar cheese, and maple glazed bacon sandwiched inside an English muffin. Don't try to get one the first hour they're open (7-8am), however, because although they make them the night before for the morning, they bafflingly sell all of them the evening before instead of setting them aside. After four years of trying to like Crema I've just about given up. My biggest hope is that Crema will someday be sold to a new owner who more highly values customer service and neighbourhood relations.

    (2)

  • Katie S.

    As much as I enjoyed their desserts and coffee, one thing that makes me not want to come back is the lack of seats. The fact that every single table is occupied by one or two people with their laptops is very irratating and unfriendly. For those who just want to have a quick meal and a nice cup of coffee have to suffer bc people who decided to camp there for the whole day. Not sure who to blame, but I truly think they definitely need to do something about that. I also hope that I came at the wrong time on a sunday night... P.S oh, and don't get me started on the customer service. :/

    (2)

  • Tom J.

    I dream-a of ze crem-a! Ok, I'll hand out barf bags, that was really cheesy. So me and the rest of the gay Mafia went to Crema recently for Sunday coffee. Alright, I kid, it was me, my boyfriend and a good friend of ours. The space is large for a coffeehouse, very light, airy and comfortable. It wasn't too crowded on a Sunday morning at 9:30. There was an almost constant short line, but many people were getting things to go. I tried the house coffee, which was very tasty and strong. But people! The baked goods here are the stuff that dreams are made of! It all looks amazing. My friend had a zucchini muffin and said it was quite tasty. I tried the cheddar corn biscuit, which is actually more like a dense, cheddar croissant/biscuit hybrid. It was sooo delish! Said "biscuit" was flavorful, rich, buttery, redolent with cheese, the bread that dreams are made of! Head on down to coffee town for yummy drinks and baked goods.

    (4)

  • Hayden N.

    Love! Parking is easy, servers are very friendly, atmosphere is very clean and open. Every time I come in, it's always packed but has a good turnover so you aren't waiting too long to order or to find a seat. For drinks, I've had their unsweetened iced tea, Vietnamese coffee, and Caramel Sutra. The iced tea was a fruity black tea and that was very satisfying on the sunny day--I just wish they had more options for iced tea. They make a pretty good cup of coffee but, from them, I learned not to order Vietnamese Coffee anywhere other than a legit Vietnamese joint. It was too creamy and lacking the taste of the sweetened condensed milk, not brew strong enough. If you put a label on something, it has to deliver and that was my only disappointment here. However, I like their other coffee options, it's not overtly sweet. They have a very large selection of pastries, it taste fresh not the crap you get the display cases at chain coffee shop or tiny shops that typically offers commercial products. The quiche and salad make for a good, light lunch and hit the spot when I was craving quiche. The danish, so delicious! I enjoy flaky pastries for breakfast...never been a big fan of cheese danishes but, surprisingly, theirs had a lemon curd flavour and combined with a raspberry sauce provided a tartness that is needed against the sweetness. Decent size tables and wi-fi to get work done. No one rushes you if you want to sit there on your computer or to read. I have been here a few times and it was always a good experience. A great combination of coffee shop meets bakery.

    (5)

  • Justin L.

    I had been to Crema a few times and it was just another coffee shop to me where I could have a good coffee and get some work done. Then I tried the quiche, and that changed everything. It was amazingly light and creamy with a ton of flavor. Topped with a bit of hot sauce as I do any egg-based meal, it was perfection. The little side salad with almonds and apples is a nice addition. Apparently they only roll out a few quiches and they sell fast, so you gotta show up early if you want some. I snagged the last piece of the bacon quiche at about 9am. All the baked goods in the case look delicious as well, but it will be hard to pass on the quiche next time around if there is any left.

    (4)

  • Patti F.

    I had an iced tea - and it was fine. It looked like there were lunch items in the food case, which I considered but passed. This is the kind of place where you place your order at the counter, and if it's not readily available you will get a number and they'll bring it out. That is IF you can find yourself a place to sit (on a rainy day it's really your only option). But for the number of patrons who are sitting working on laptops with a glass of water in front of them, it's a little annoying to the rest of us looking for a place to sit and enjoy a paid cup of coffee or a pastry. I know, I know, this is common at coffee shops that offer free WIFI (and seriously who doesn't anymore?), but at lunch time really - the barista-laptop crowd needs their own space...elsewhere.

    (3)

  • David T.

    Best coffee in Portland. My time in Portland allowed me a few visits to different coffee shops. I didn't get to visit all the ones on my list, but Crema was the stand out shop, no questions asked. The place looked so cozy and inviting, the exact feeling you want when grabbing some hot brew. The employees were so nice, treated everyone like they are long time friends also. The coffee was probably the best I've ever had. I got the Honey Vanilla Latte and oh my lord. It was phenomenal. My girlfriend got the Macchiato and it was so good! If you're forced to make one stop for coffee in Portland, make it Crema.

    (4)

  • Smith R.

    Amazing coffee and small plates (sweet and savory) in an airy, light-filled space. I wish I had a Crema in my neighborhood!

    (5)

  • Alison V.

    This place is great to study or meet someone for a coffee date. They have some really great baked goods, and good coffee. I don't think you can go wrong with anything here. I got the honey vanilla lattes, sat down with my laptop and enjoyed a nice morning. I also got the blueberry muffin..yummy. I've also heard their parfaits are great, which I'll try on my next visit. Lots of seating and good environment!

    (4)

  • Rhyann B.

    Crema is my favorite coffee shop! I happen to live very close to it, but even if I didn't I still think it would be at the top of my list. They have a really great vibe. When the weather is nice, they open the windows and it's so pleasant. As far as the beverages go, I've had the vanilla honey latte and the Vietnamese iced coffee. Both are fantastic. They also have killer pastries/food. They have this delicious breakfast sandwich with eggs and bacon. They also have these stuffed savory pastries. The one that I had was filled with potato, cheese, and egg. It was like an inside out quiche. Basically perfection. If you live near the Buckman/Laurelhurst neighborhoods or are just close by, you should definitely check this place out.

    (5)

  • Chris M.

    The perfect Latte. I don't hate Starbucks for 2 reasons: You know what you're going to get They serve their coffee hot I've been to Crema three times now in four days, and these guys craft artisan coffee (Stumptown and Coava) to perfection and serve it at the perfect temperature. Portland's artisan coffee scene seems to favor look warm over hot. I'm not talking burn milk here. I'm talking the perfect temperature, taste, and balance. Food's is also very good. Zucchini muffin is fantastic. Indulge with the Caramel Sutra latte!!

    (5)

  • Bob R.

    This is a review by a vegetarian I've had a muffin at their location and a sourced croissant at another coffee shop and have been pretty unimpressed. The muffin was huge and seemed a good deal. It was dry and bland. I didn't even finish it. Let me repeat for emphasis: I DIDN'T FINISH A BAKED GOOD. The croissant was inferior to Grand Central, Lovejoy, Nuvrei, Pearl, Phillipe's, florio .. so pretty much standing only above Safeway. Plus it was smaller than all those other purveyors. The main shop is a great location with high ceilings and large windows so it's probably a great place to hang with a laptop but I recommend only purchasing the minimal amount for table rent decorum.

    (2)

  • Andrew H.

    One tends to notice things about certain coffee shops and it all depends where you live. Granted when you go into a Starbucks you're getting what they want you to believe is a "coffee shop" atmosphere but it's forced and like most all coffee places nowadays, way, way overpriced. But that's them. Although I still do like their white hot chocolate. But you notice things as I was originally saying. My buddy noticed that even though Intel is the local computer bigwig around here, every. single. laptop. at this place was an Apple. It's little things. In Portland, you can find a coffee shop on every corner and each one, it's own personality. Crema is both modern and cozy at the same time. Coffee and fresh baked goods wafting out the door entice you to enter. Large cups of coffee with designs in the cream or foam make you notice the little touches that they put forth. Blueberry muffins with passion fruit glaze, egg sandwiches and even beef stew share the menu. Something for the vegan, something for the gluten free crowd, something for the kiddos. Time tends to go by when you enjoy a good conversation, meeting up with friends new and old. One can discuss business or take an interest in a toddler and their first cookie or piece of crusty bread. Crema is a nice little place off East Burnside so it's not directly on a main road but it is worth the extra trip for some good stuff. Heck, in this town I'm sure there are many similar places all throughout the four corners and each one is right for the neighborhood and I'm sure there's one that fits your crowd. I really liked the big cup of hot chocolate I had, might even be better than Starbucks. Enjoy.

    (4)

  • Sudipto G.

    Got the spanish latte here after getting some lunch at the nearby food carts. Was pretty decent. They have a nice selection of pastries and sandwiches, might drop by again to sample some of them.

    (4)

  • Kelly G.

    The Carmel-Sutra Latte is pretty amazing. That drink is absolutely, hands down, the best crafted coffee drink in Portland. Crema has great food too (more than just delicious pastries)- the quiche and zucchini muffins are delish. It's a great place to get your work done, there's free wifi! But, make sure your battery life is well endowed. There are a limited number of outlets and a lot of dorks working on their mac books.

    (5)

  • Richard H.

    Crema is a fantastic little bakeshop. If it weren't for the cavalcade of people desperately battling for a table at all hours of the day, this would be my everyday spot. I wish they would provide more coffee options than French press, and while all of their pastries and food is great, it would also be nice if they baked something other than white bread, white flour, as that gets a little boring and puts off the healthy-minded. Finally, sit down at your table prior to placing your coffee on the table, because they all wobble and your fancy boiled brew will be all over your lap. But these are mere quibbles for an overall fantastic cafe.

    (5)

  • Heather C.

    This might be one of the best bakeries in Portland. It's spacious, reasonably priced, great service, plenty of options, super fresh. Delicious quiches (veg and meat options) served with a mixed greens salad. Breakfast sandwiches. Lattes, coffees, orange juice, granola, etc. We brought my boyfriend's parents and they loved it. It's hard to please his mom with a croissant but she loved them here!

    (5)

  • Derick F.

    Need a breakfast sandwich fast? Go here. Want to surround yourself with a first-class offering of Portlands effortlessly cool urban bohemian trust fund kids? Go here.

    (3)

  • Deanna D.

    Lovely cafe with great coffee, lattes and baked goods! The egg + cheese turnover with roasted veggie had a great crust and perfect amount of filling. The ham and cheese croissant and cream cheese danish were both very good. The drip coffee and Spanish latte were both delicious. They have a huge variety of sweet and savory goods and a friendly staff that's happy to help guide you along the way. Great coffee and baked goods combined with a bright, airy space and plenty of seating makes Crema one of my favorite coffee shops in Portland.

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    Honey vanilla latte is the bomb diggity here. I had some spirit mint loose leaf tea and it was light and less minty than I expected. I also tried the tres leches trifle and it was yummy! They even let you keep the glass jar it's in. They sell Sightglass and Stumptown coffee here too.

    (4)

  • Rachelle H.

    I had a tasty cup of coffee and scone here with my mom and sister. The place was pretty crowded but in a pleasant way. I'll be back when I'm in the neighborhood. Cute and cozy.

    (4)

  • Selena N.

    I love this place but rarely get here..they have the best savory mushroom biscuits and cheese ones..I'm sure everything is yummy there though! I stopped by to get a mushroom thing though and they had sold out! Ah well....I'll try another time. :) They serve great coffee too and it is a great people watching place as well.

    (5)

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Map

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

Crema Coffee - Bakery

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