Museum Grounds

They used to have a great spicy Chai (made by Pacific) here that I hadn’t had in a while and was looking forward to but the one I just got was bland, and it was $ 4.75 for a 12 oz soy chai, seriously?! So not worth that price, I’m so disappointed.

Stumptown Coffee Roaster coffee used. My double Macchiato was smooth. There are art books lining the walls to read and buy. Nice little stop at the museum.

I won’t go into my review of the museum, as that is a novel in and of itself (adore adore adore PAM!). The café is functional– essential coffee drinks, teas and some bottled sodas. There’s a tiny pastry case, that I’ve never paid much attention to. It’s not tempting enough to do so. The seating area is cute and petite with bookcases of art books surrounding it. Given the chance, I could make the café so much more than it is (the Palm Springs Museum Café and the Cincinatti Museum of Art cafes are fabulous in comparison). So functional is a good description. The security woman with short grey hair is quite brisk– she came by as we ordered (30 minutes before closing) to tell us to «pick up the pace, the museum is closing shortly.» We sat, to drink out lattes. Five minutes later (25 pre closing), she came by again with the same message. 5 minutes after that, she came and stood at our table (we were the only ones there). I pointed out that we had 20 minutes and we’d only be 5 – 10. She told me that we had 1, and to pack up our things. Bizarre. I go to the café weekly, and this is not the first time she’s acted this way (to me, or any other table). C’est la vie. Functional it is. Unfortunate, because it could be «fabulous.»

Not only can you get smooth coffee drinks and pastries and such, but you can also read and purchase art books from the well-​stocked shelves and buy many items (cards, books, etc.) supplied by the gift shop next door. The shop is surrounded by a sculpture garden and this is a joy to look at while drinking your coffee. That’s a lot to do in one small coffee shop, but you’ll sit back and also enjoy the quiet atmosphere, and the best part is that people respect the quietness by having low-​key conversations. The music is appropriate to the venue (not too loud and simply in the background). No phones rang! On my way out the door, a large group of people were sitting together and having a meeting and I never noticed them until then.
The barista on duty today was very pleasant and chatted along with me as I made my coffee and pastry choices. The coffee is from Stumptown and really excellent. Cannot remember the name of my pastry, but it was unusual (candied orange and anise seed flavoring) and a nice new flavor for the morning. I was able to read a book about Dale Chihuly as I drank my coffee; a little education along with my coffee. Who knew?
I sure didn’t know about this hidden place on the grounds of the art school with the witty name, but I’m glad I stumbled on it and tried it. This is the perfect place to come for those mornings that require a quiet start rather than jumping right in and rushing around. Come and discover it for yourself the next time you’re in the neighborhood.

Stumptown is incredible coffee all on its own, but you put in the artful hands of Crystal and her talented team of baristas, and you will get Perfection.
The setting is quite perfect nestled in the heart of the Park Blocks of Portland. Close to everything it’s worth the walk for the best coffee in Portland.

I love a good pun. Even a simple one like this. So it’s nice to have a pretty decent business to back up a punny name, and Museum Grounds backs it up well.
This little coffee shop is attached to the Portland Art Museum gift shop and offers a bright, colorful space for coffee, tea, laptopping, meetings and whatever else you may need. First, they serve Stumptown. Yay for that. The space is a refreshing mix of white and colorful furniture, and has plenty of outside tables in the PAM courtyard. So you can enjoy a bright setting for whatever your purpose. There’s free wifi (the PAM wifi) and the walls are lined with art books for your perusal.
The coffee here is good, and that’s what matters most, though. So props for that.
I just discovered this spot but it seems a good one for future Laptopistan-​related diplomacy.

This was a fantastic little spot attached to the Portland Art Museum. Cozy, crowded, but not uncomfortably so. Many people were taking refuge from the rain.
I had a soy latte with an extra shot, and the incredibly friendly barista made one that I’ll remember for a long time. QUALITY. I was allowed to carry my drink through the attached gift shop. Great way to kill some time while waiting for my party to show up.
4 stars instead of 5 simply because 4.5 stars isn’t an option. I wish there was more seating in there. I sat outside at a wet table under just a little bit of shelter from the rain.

Like to go there but no bagels and they close 10 minutes earlier than stated hours just FYI.

Great atmosphere here, especially when the museum has something going on. Today it was a bike-​fest, associated with their new exhibit on bike transportation. How Portland! Kids were riding on unicycles and adults were trying odd-​looking bike creations. All this and good coffee and tea, too.

Excellent coffee in a relaxing space. I’ll be back.

They serve stump town coffee which is a major plus, but if you plan on going to the museum, be sure to finish your drink or else the gestapo will track the smell of your roasted coffee and make you throw it away. The seating area resembles my grandmother’s living room, equipped with 12 senior citizens discussing their lack of knowledge on Rothko.

This is THE place for my mid-​morning latte and a toasted bagel. Awesome, capable staff — and — right by the museum streetcar stop!
Yay! GO TO THERE

Best atmosphere for coffee /​bagel /​pastry imbibing & consumption in Portland. Sit inside & browse any of Portland Art Museum’s volumes of Art & Art-​oriented books. Or take any of the tables outside in PAM’s sculpture garden OR take a shaded, tree covered seat by the Park Ave. bike racks, w/​more sculptures, or even the Park Blocks. Contemplate whatever Art compels you to contemplate, and start your day/​afternoon w/​the best coffee experience in town, if not on Earth!!!