Tandem Coffee and Bakery

Okay. This place was crazy busy over the holiday weekend (Labor Day). Because everything was outside and everyone was masked, it still felt safe despite the crowds. The coffee was pretty okay, but not life changing. The pastries were good. Major points for aesthetic and super friendly and kind employees. Pretty decent turnaround time despite the huuuuge lines.

AMAZING COFFEE! I’m quite picky when it comes to coffee, and this exceeded all expectations. Ordered the cortado with almond milk (I typically get oat) and it was out of this world. Would recommend ordering pick-up because there is a long line and they often run out of things (such as the cheese jalapeño biscuit).

Also got the biscuit mentioned above and chocolate chip cookies. Would highly recommend! I preferred the cookie, but scone was also great (and rich)!

We love this place. Everytime we visit Portland we have to make a trip to Tandem and get a sticky bun. The picture is the best I could take before everyone devoured their bun. They don't last long. They are so good! My kids always ask to us to make another trip back to tandem before we leave for home. They make great breakfast sandwiches and fruit pies as well. They have outdoor seating to eat your treats too.

The long lines at this bakery should be a sign- it is AMAZING! The cinnamon roll, quiche, biscuit...honestly, all the things we tried were so good. We return every time we're in Portland.

I read they have the best breakfast sandwiches but do not agree. They only offered American cheese and did not have any bacon. I was also handed an empty mug after ordering coffee and then had to ask for them to fill, it was weird. Hipster vibes

I’ll be real: Best biscuit I’ve had
Due to COVID, pick up line only. Moved quickly. Need to get the Sweet Savory Biscuit, hello heaven. Also, coffee was hella good! Creamy and sweetened nicely with honey. Wish there were chairs outside..kinda had a after school gas station vibe..that I actually enjoyed?
+Quick and kind customer service
+Amazing (and SHAREABLE) biscuit
+Quality latte

This is a very memorable bakery and coffee shop. Located in an old gas station that dates back to the 1960s, the gas station has been completely renovated into a space to enjoy coffee and homemade pastries inside or at the long wooden tables underneath the old gas station canopy.

What to order: Tandem's flaky yummy biscuits, slathered with butter and jam. Not only are they amazing, but they are also quite photogenic.

For a repeat visit, try their egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches with bacon and grilled onions. You will love them!

Honestly, you can pretty much get anything here and it'll all taste great!!!

While visiting the area we are so happy we stopped by this cafe; it had great reviews and it did not disappoint!! The area where the cafe is located is also a beautiful neighborhood that I am glad we walked through because of this cafe.

The food was delicious and they obviously know what they are doing flavor-wise; it is a higher end quality for breakfast and pastries. The coffee was good, and I loved that they made their own almond milk in house. The prices were a little high though, and we had to wait a bit in line to order so expect there to be a wait. After eating there though it makes sense why there was a long wait; delicious food and quality ingredients!!

SO delicious! I was here from out of town for 2 days, and Im so glad I stopped by here!

Beneath the guise of exposed bricks and rustic aesthetics, Tandem Coffee and Bakery in Portland, Maine, parades itself as a beacon of artisanal coffee and scrumptious bakery items. Yet, upon close inspection, the truth of its dreary offerings quickly seeps into the palate like over-extracted coffee.

First, let's address the architectural eyesore masquerading as 'industrial-chic.' With a façade as inviting as a prison wall, it’s as if the designers were striving for a dystopian coffee shop ambiance. The resulting structure is as warm and appealing as a snowstorm in April.

Onto the coffee, the lifeblood of any self-respecting coffeehouse. Tandem's brews are so tragically average they should come with a disclaimer. Each sip is a woeful testament to the countless beans that made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of mediocrity. If Tandem's coffee was a symphony, it would be played entirely out of tune, serving as a grim dirge for what could have been a delightful coffee experience.

Their pre-made sandwiches are an epicurean travesty. One can only wonder if the soggy bread and uninspired fillings are a cruel social experiment testing how far people will go for convenience. The sandwiches, it seems, have taken on the building’s charm – unappealing, cold, and utterly forgettable.

But the true pièce de résistance is Tandem's staff, a gaggle of painfully cheerful individuals who seemingly mainline their own middling coffee. The level of feigned enthusiasm displayed borders on insufferable. A simple order turns into an over-extravagant theater performance, leaving you wondering if you've walked into a coffee shop or an overzealous improv class.

In short, Tandem Coffee and Bakery is a disappointing ode to the art of coffee and culinary creativity. Its attempts at charming customers are as artificial as the saccharine smiles of its staff. Much like a tandem bicycle, it’s a quaint concept on paper, but in reality, it's awkward, cumbersome, and you're likely to find yourself longing for a solo ride elsewhere.