Reviews (100)
A cute well run coffee place with nice pastries and good people watching and dog watching.
Baristas we’re so knowledgeable, I had a flight and left extra caffeinated for the day. The coffee was dialed in so good! I also had a cortado with the most beautiful wiggly heart ❤️
The staff is professional and friendly, the vibe is cool, but you come here for the coffee. They do not compromise. They respect and love the bean and are artisans. Super knowledgeable. Generous with their time and attention. I live nearby. There are 8 good/great coffee places within 4 blocks. I most often choose this one. Cashless. Dog friendly.
This is without a doubt the BEST coffee spot in the city. From the amazing selection of delicious coffees & teas, to the lovely staff, this place is an absolute must try. I came here for the first time a year ago and now ONLY go here. One of Portland's best kept coffee secrets!
Amazing amazing staff/coffee always happy to be here 🥺💕
This is my new go-to coffee shop in Northwest. Perfectly smooth Americano and a nice atmosphere, can't go wrong here.
The coffee here was so dang good. They had a special drink called.the Chagra Latte, there is no sugar in it but nothing artificial either, and yet it was like a Delicious cinnamon mocha. It was soooo fabulous, I want one every day! It's so hard for me to find holistic quality food/drink that does not have sugar and still tastes yummy. I also loved the whole ambiance and vibe of the Cafe, it was a very pleasant place to relax and enjoy. The staff were also a joy. Next time I get that drink, I will update with the name.
The coffee here is lovely and the staff know what they're doing. I really enjoyed the espresso flight, if you're into espresso then it's a pretty fun treat.
The baristas are amazing. I live around the corner and just realized I have this amazing spot right here. Highly recommend.
I got tea and was not disappointed in the slightest. I love the atmosphere and the staff were very kind.
Most of the coffee here is a medium or light roast. The barista was really enthusiastic, patient, and helpful as we asked many questions and sampled many different flavors. Looks like a good cafe to work from too.
I really enjoyed this little coffeehouse in the Northwest. The traditional cappuccino was pure perfection, and the liveliness of the staff is contagious! Great location on 21st, you don't want to miss this one!
Great coffee, cute place, nice staff. But a bit pretentious. No white sugar or splenda? What's that all about? You can put fake almond flavor in there but white sugar is unacceptable? Let me drink my coffee the way I want to drink it.
We toured around Portland this week, and Sterling superceded every coffee shop we've visit in Seattle. The coffee was so smooth & delicious, the décor was on-point, and the owner (Aric) was extremely gracious. Though not a coffee lover himself, our dog (Argus) approved of all the complimentary treats. Can't wait to come back next time we re-visit PDX!
I live in this neighborhood, and Sterling is my go-to (nearly daily) coffee shop, and by far my favorite. all the flavors and syrups are house made and incredible, the space itself is beautiful and always very clean, and an incredible cup of coffee is still affordable. i am a latte drinker and my girlfriend drinks black coffee, and sterling does an incredible job with both. the owner, eric, and staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, without any of the holier-than-thou condescending barista vibes that portland is sometimes (rightfully) known for. they have also always followed responsible covid protocols, and staff seems genuinely happy to be there. bonus, my service dog is a celebrity here! he knows to go right over to wait for a scooby snack, sometimes some cuddles, and he always leaves as happy as i do. when you stop by feel free to say hi to moose if you see him!
Great pastries, and the staff are really friendly, check it out you won't be disappointed
Another cute and cozy coffee place is pdx. Love the hazelnut latte
I ship the whole bean Stupendo Blendo monthly. Beautiful coffee.
A brief visit to meet a friend, a very comfortable atmosphere, and the cappuccino was as special as I expected
Without a doubt in my mind, the best coffee and service in Portland is experienced at Sterling. ======= I typically arrive 'early' in the morning--8 o'clock at the latest. This is more than enough time to beat any sort of crowd, and includes one additional perk: a high probability of witnessing the local dogs and cats whom share the same comfortable and inviting little coffee shop nestled below the northwest hills. After my order is taken, I wait patiently. Leaning against the front door's aging frame, as I silently admire the dexterity of the espresso machine operator, I casually eavesdrop on conversations (if any) scattered throughout the room. Then, of course, while my mind iterates through dreams of myself, one-day, owning that high-end coffee contraption displayed on the top shelf (you know the one), I recognize the barista weaving their way toward me--a cup in their hand (occasionally accompanied by a fresh maple scone), and a genuine smile across their face. I unconditionally smile back, express my gratitude, gather my few belongings, and head out the door. ======= It may seem pretentious to some, but the simplicity of this service is where my love for Sterling originated; that natural, person-to-person interaction inherently brings me joy. Here, there is no need to attentively listen for your name to be yelled across a crowded cafe (like many other coffee shops around). Instead, Sterling's tranquility is maintained from entrance to exit, cultivating a truly perfect experience.