Ristretto Roasters

Gone gone gone and gone.
Went here once. The person working was SO rude that I never returned.
I asked for a 12 ounce drip, because that’s what I drink. The person working sneered and said «That’s all you want?». Well, yeah, assface… it IS a coffee shop, right? Then they proceeded to get huffy while «helping» me. I thought about going back, but with so many other options nearby… screw it, I’m not risking my time and I’ve heard from others about the lousy service at this Ristretto location. Too bad, because the coffee quality I’ve had from other locations has been really good.
I meant to leave this review a while ago. Heard that they closed or moved from the hood. YES. Win for folks who drink regular coffee!
I’ll be having my fill down the street at Motivasi, thank you, where the baristas are friendly and the coffee is hot. And no one complains because all I want is… coffee. Makes sense.

Good people serving great brew.

We LOVE Ristretto Roasters and are saddened that they’ll be closing this location. We regularly visit all 3 locations. There just isn’t anything like them in town. We love the smoothness of the coffee, it’s the perfect pull of espresso.
Every barista that’s ever served us has always been super friendly and helpful. One of them, at this location, let us in as he was closing up on a Saturday afternoon. We were so thrilled, it has been a long day and it was cold. We took the coffee to go, of course, but were so grateful to have gotten some that day.
You guys ROCK!

Out of all the coffee shops in Portland, Ristretto in NE is by far the most consistent. I am a regular there and always look forward to seeing the sweet workers, and enjoying my perfect cup-​o-​jo. The baristas really make the place. They are all personable, sweet, and they always know what I want. Its a great place!

Small place, but really good lattes and service. Baristas know what they are doing and are pretty friendly.
I’ve only been here twice, but I’ll probably return if I’m in that area (and craving a latte). Overall, better than some of the other coffee shops in the area.

Ristretto is a friendly place that is bigger than it looks. Small storefront runs deep into the building.
I’ve had coffee in here several times. And I’m usually a latte guy, but I really like the drip here.
I’ve had sandwiches and occasional sweets in here too. Very good.
Super friendly staff.

LOVE the COWBOY BLEND!
TIP: great place to get a cup of joe while waiting for your table at Tasty n Sons!

I’ve been coming here since it opened, and I pretty much get the same thing every single time. That being said, I know the people who work there and they know me. I honestly don’t understand why so many of the reviews are saying the employees are snobs. I actually find Ristretto to be significantly less snobbish than a lot of places, and you know why? They talk to you like real people. If you want to get creepy, fake perpetual enthusiasm, go to Starbucks. Josh and Mary are my favorite employees (They’ve been there a looonnnnggg time) They make amazing coffee and DAMN good chai. I have never found chai anywhere else that has not disappointed me.
Now to get to the negatives. The atmosphere has changed a little since the remodel. The art feels a little more sterile, as does the rest of the shop. While it’s easier to get around and a better use of space, it feels colder than it did in the beginning. I am not digging some of the newer employees at this location. They aren’t as personable and even if you come in every day, this one dude can’t remember your drink. I am talking about MAYBE 2 people that I’m not crazy about who work here. Everyone has outliers here and there. I may be biased because I remember how stellar the original staff was and wish they were all still there
Alas, times change, as do we all. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m sticking with Ristretto for the long haul.

WIFI = Great
Coffee = Good
Food = Pastries
Atmosphere = Snobby, pretty inside, good seating, a little noisy
The wifi worked great for me and a group of 6 or 7 that went in to work there together. Definitely NOT welcoming to folks working.

I was excited about this place after reading that they were a «reader’s choice best roaster something or other» considering just how much amazing competition there is in this town. So I went and went and went again, and was never once dazzled. I never had anything which passed beyond decent, at best. Even the shot that the unhappy barista pulled four times while trying to dial it in was exactly the same flat, uninteresting, indecipherable flavored what-​have-​you that I’ve had every other time. To much self-​indulgent wanna be coffee expert; not enough result. And I hate to be that guy who complains about coffee shop service (I worked in an indie espresso shop, too) but these people seem seriously unhappy to be working there. Not that they have ever been directly rude or anything toward me, but they just ooze pissyness. I think I’m going to give up on them.

I’m going to start by saying I think they have the best coffee in town — and this is Portland. THAT said, they dissed my expired groupon, which they can’t do, and it made me very very angry. They are just «too cool» in here for me anyway and it’s not a friendly atmostphere from the sterile furniture to the white walls and overbearing art. Besides, this is a family neighborhood and this is SO family unfriendly. So there. Oh, and they will accept my expired groupon. Maybe not today, maybe not next week, but someday and soon.

Its so good Its almost evil well perhaps not evil but like chaotic neutral or something. Many times I almost got in trouble with my work from going there for a quick cup of coffee. Very interesting décor.

Ristretto makes some damn fine coffee. I really could leave it at that. Named after a traditionally short pour, this local roaster pulls some thick, dense shots that are chock full of flavor. While I tend to prefer a longer pull on my shots, I can still get down with some ristretto.
The location here on 42^nd just of Fremont is small and fairly dark. It has served me well when I’m in the area and need a quick booster shot or a place to sit down and get a bit of work in. The wifi has been spotty on occasion but I rock a Verizon stick so that doesn’t really fade me.
I don’t find myself in Fremont often but I wouldn’t hesitate to stop in for coffee here when I am. For take-​away beans (if you prefer to brew at home) the Cowboy Blend is a tasty one.

«All shots served double ristretto»
That’s pretty much all it took for this Seattleite to know that she was in the right place. I needed a post-​brunch americano to stave off the uncontrollable desire to nap, and I needed it fast. One need only inhale deeply upon entering this café to know that he or she will be served a delicious espresso beverage. My americano was great. I also brough home some coffee as a souvenir (I like edible souvenirs, what can I say) and my first pot of french press from the coffee recommended by the barista was damn good. A++!
*for the uninitiated/​non coffee snobs/​curious out there:

I’m not a coffee connoisseur– just a consumer– but I wanted to check this place out after reading their website (
). During my lunchtime, I found the hidden shop (around the corner from «Beaumont Plaza») and bought a regular cup of Columbian coffee and a bag of beans. I drank my coffee back at my desk and it was really, really good. Yes, that’s my technical analysis. I’m so glad I also bought a bag of beans– some kind of Ethiopian blend. I just finished drinking 30 oz. of it, and I’m hooked. I can’t believe coffee that delicious came out of my Mr. Coffee!
I’ll also say it: BEST COFFEE IN PORTLAND
Like a previous reviewer said, the shop is not quirky, but I thought that was refreshing. It’s not as soulless as Starbucks, but it’s not as «Portlandy» as local places like Stumptown and Anna Bananas. Whatever your aesthetic tastes, the coffee is what makes the trip so worthwhile. I’ll definitely be back.

Ristretto is the best roaster in Portland. If you love coffee, what are you waiting for?
I’ve been drinking coffee a couple times a day for over a decade. I drink drip and I take it black.
I’ve been on 6 continents and 40+ states. If you told me that the cup I had today would be the last cup of my life, I’d want it to come from Ristretto.

Like my last review said, we don’t go in here to make friends we just want good coffee. I need to adjust that because at this point I just don’t want to make enemies.
The service has always been a bit aloof but in recent months it’s gotten downright rude. I’m tired of leaving tips for poor service in the hopes it will buy me good service on my next visit.
Still love their coffee, don’t love being treated like dirt.

Ristretto is quietly molding hundreds of teenagers into coffee snobs. These unsuspecting 15-​year olds that drink coffee to be «cool» don’t even know how good they have it with their school across the street from this gem. No burnt Starbucks coffee for these kids. Nope, just velvety espresso smoothness corrupting them and ruining their ability to ever mindlessly sip a cup of some commercially roasted tar.
I happened upon Ristretto as I walked from my car to the bagel shop and man am I glad I parked where I did. I am even happier that I went with my gut instinct instead of being lazy and ordering coffee at the same spot as my bagel.
My drink was fabulous except for the fact that I wish that it had been about 3 times as large so I could have drank it all day long. The décor is minimal but somehow cozy, the barristas were super friendly and really I just wish they were closer to my home. Yum. Highly recommend Ristretto. Man I love writing 5 star reviews!

When I wanted to treat myself to the Tesla of all espressos, I would spoil myself mad by coming here…
Fine espresso… stellar quality. Perfect taste. Refined execution. Ridiculously unknown in comparison to other larger names out there in the city…
This was *always* my come-​to, the Lexus and Mercedes of coffee experiences. I’m happy to know that one also opened up along the Van-​Will corridor. had to pass through there every time I went to and from that mixed blessing called work!

I go to Ristretto on 42 & Fremont, mostly to buy ground coffee to make at home, occasionally I will get a cappuccino. The staff is almost always really friendly, the prices are reasonable considering the quality. (Cap is about $ 3.00, ½ pound coffee is about $ 7 or $ 8)
I personally think that their coffee is way better than Stumptown, but this may have more to do with the fact that Ristretto has a lot of Mexican and South American varieties which I tend to prefer. There coffee is lightly roasted to perfection, I make it in a French press and drink it black. The Mexican blend that I love has a chocolaty sweetness all on it’s own, no cream or sugar necessary.
I have heard unflattering things about the owner but personally I don’t care, I never worked for her, she has never been a «B» to me. I will keep buying my coffee there because it really is very very good. They also have a small but good assortment of pastries as well, oh and Tao of Tea teas. (Sweets run between $ 1.50 and $ 4.00)