I love Powell's and I absolutely adore that they themes the Cafe after The Princess Bride, one of my favorite stories. I do wish the theme was a little less vague... I was so excited about it but it's not very obvious outside of the name and wallpaper. The coffee is always very good here.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Vegetarian options
Yes
Dietary restrictions
They have milk alternatives and occasionally gf options
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid street parking
Parking
Very busy area
Kid-friendliness
Not very
Wheelchair accessibility
Yes most floors, there is an elevator

Stopped in during my last Powell’s visit and knew they had a vegetarian menu. I wish they had more vegan options, but I did get the Savory Humperdinck which, considering I had no idea what I was getting, was pretty darn good! I think I was expecting like a breakfast sando type thing. It wasn’t. It’s like pigs in a blanket. It was SO GOOD. I wish there had been a bit more of the sauce, but I’d definitely go back. It’s an adorable location with some unique sitting areas.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$1–10

This cafe is located inside the iconic Powell book store on one of the corners. The atmosphere inside is pretty unique and charming. They have plenty of window sitting and great spots for people watching. The large windows give plenty of lighting. One can grab a book from the store and sit there for hours. About the coffee, which is darn good as well. I tried their Cortado and Cappuccino and both were spot on. It’s certainly worth coming here whether you are coming to Powells or not.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The absolutely worst Mac'n'cheese meal I've ever (partially) eaten anywhere in my life. I couldn't get past the first layer of goo. It had no discernable flavors other than sour. I tossed it out and left. And no, I didn't return it or ask for my money back. It was crowded, and I like the Powell's experience. But I'll never eat there again. Starbucks is just across the street.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 1
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4

The layout to get coffee was horrendous. The sitting there was somewhat organized chaos. You can see in main photo it's like bleacher seating and random tables. The coffee was okay and the atmosphere was stale. Felt like you needed to get your coffee and leave if you don't associate with certain aspects. Felt more like a library and you needed to be extra quiet in a cafe.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$10–20
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3

Staff were not friendly, didn't communicate details on how to get cream for coffee but got snooty when ASKED as if I should automatically know it myself, didn't offer to heat pastry, and when requested they refused because we already had taken the box from them so it broke covid guidelines.... the pastry, the coffee and the spot were NOTHING special.... Won't return if I have a choice.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10

Just wanted to hang at the window bat while i did a bit of studying after getting notebooks at Powells... I got hard cider which was a nice change and cooling after walking around Powells (lol). I chilled out for a couple of hours and the atmosphere was great... They even changed the music when I brazenly asked...lol. thanks guys
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Frocking awesome hot chocolate lattes. Omg, get them. Go there right now... Stop looking at this review and go here... Just make sure you can survive downtown traffic. Food is alright and kinda spendy. But don't think about that, just get the hot chocolate
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Best place to have coffee and read a book Lot of good seating. I ordered a extra hot drink but the Barista served me a drink that was not. Looks like a skill gap than anything else. I’d recommend sticking to default drinks while ordering here or else you are in for a disappointment. I will still return though
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

It's a wee bit small and stuffed in the back of Powells. They are busy and the staff are soldiers trying to get everything out as quickly as possible. Hard to believe there's one person on drinks some days given the volume. The coffee was decent and they have a lot of nice snacks to choose from.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Expensive, limited seating space, and most importantly, slow AF. I also have never been served an uglier looking cappuccino, especially when it’s $4.75. The taste was weird too, very sour. Not recommended.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 5

Vanessa is the kindest most attentive barista. I regularly come in to study and she always makes the experience amazing! I don’t see the other employees doing nearly as much as she does. She works so hard and deserve a raise!! Thank you Vanessa!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$20–30

I love grabbing muffin and sitting here to read my book. There’s various types of seating but I enjoy looking out the window. This time I got the banana chocolate chip muffin and it was amazing! To drink I had a hibiscus ginger tea
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10

They need to revisit the process they follow between taking your money and handing over your coffee. Too many stages and poor communication between staff makes the process unacceptably slow.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

We had a cortado and a latte. Service good, presentation great. The caf coffee was excellent and the decaf quite good. (Would have been nice if they had some kind of sweetener other than stevia for calorie-free options, though.)
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10

The only reason to go to Powells is for the coffee here. The cappuccino was so creamy and delicious. The barista even put a cute design on top. Definitely worth it.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Rich flavored coffee; friendly staff. Delighted that this location attracts readers. In this electronic age, so refreshing to view folx buried in a book
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Loved that the cafe is open again & has vegan options as well. Can definitely indulge with coffee & something sweet while book shopping. The staff is super friendly & quick with pushing out drinks so you do not wait long at all.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

A nice addition to a cool book store. The vegan pastries were delicious and the latte was perfectly balanced. No complaints.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Coffee bar within Powell's bookstore. Nothing fancy. Good atmosphere and reading space
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Features
Dine in: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Takeout: Yes
Delivery: No
Curbside pickup: No

The coffee was absolutely delicious!! I tried both a latte and a cappuccino. Best espresso based drinks I’ve had in Portland and Seattle.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Features
Dine in: Yes
Takeout: Yes

Delicious food and drinks. Friendly staff and patrons. Always neat and clean.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Yogurt Parfait

Nice place to get some coffee and rest from wandering around.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Steamed Milk

Very good breakfast sandwich and very good coffee. A little pricy however it was nice to have something near the book store! Definitely go here instead of a pricy coffee shop!
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Coffee was great. I was super impressed with my almond milk latte. The pastry I ordered was good, but just pretty basic coffee shop fare. I just really wish the Princess Bride theme went further than just some cool wallpaper!

Great spot for lunch. Make it a long lunch so you have time to browse the book store!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Got an awesome oat-milk mocha here. Super hot (which I personally prefer) and very creamy. Always love stopping in when I go to Powell’s.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10

Great traditional coffee house in the world famous Powell's City of Books.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Love having a cafe in the bookstore. The windows are great for getting sun and watching the world go by
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

A cute spot in Powell's. I adore the asiago and caramelized onion croissant. Their black coffee is pretty solid too. I would cowork from here more if there was more room to work!

Loved experiencing Slamlandia Open Mic here.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Just had water but it was nice
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

They have delicious hot cocoa
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Atmosphere is 6 stars out of 5, what a stylish and fun cafe in Powell’s. Love coming here.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Just waited in there going through my selections. It was nice that they had complimentary water on hand
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Worst croissant I've ever had and have had a lot of croissants.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10

Good coffee, but a weird vibe from staff who are on the lookout for something...
Food: 5
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 5

Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

It's in Powells Book Store. What more need be said?
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$10–20

The seasonal drink Miracle Pill was great! Fast service and cute menu. Check out their other location on Fremont too!!

One of the greatest bookstore in town
Service
Dine in
Food: 1
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Love sipping on some coffee and grabbing a nook in the café to read and get some work done.
Atmosphere: 5

Cute space. We had some drinks and a snack after book shopping.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Other

My tea was good
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Awful chocolate chip cookie. Nice window seats to relax and read.

Great mocha
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Needs an extra entrance other than the one from inside Powell's.

Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Love the new look and coffee and muffin was yummy. …

Excellent coffee, and the location is delightful.

Limited food options but wonderful coffee!

the espresso was weak and thin

At Powell's City Books

Cider was warm.