Such a lovely shop, literally what I wish every shop was! Comfy, inviting, and plenty of seating. I hope this place continues to prosper, it deserves it, they really work hard here! (Plus coffee is delicious and inexpensive so that’s a plus)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kieran Cannistra
Great local coffee shop with a super friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sonia Taa
High expectations but extremely disappointed. Do not come here.
This café is convenient to Reed College’s campus and looks cute on the inside, but do not be fooled. The quality of the drinks here is simply bad. The coffee tastes burnt and acidic, whether you choose a latte, cappuccino, or a simple cold brew. The teas are no better; the matcha is soapy, fishy, and astringent.
My orders have been wrong on multiple occasions, and I have never had the staff provide any graceful substitutions or gestures to rectify their mistakes. If they aren’t messing up your order, they are taking twice as long to make it or simply forgetting it. I have seen them train baristas constantly, so I think it’s the lack of proper training and possibly high turnover rates of staff that are causing these issues.
The drink sizes are limited as well, only 12 ounces for hot drinks. The price of a 12oz at Heretic is the same as a 16oz or even 22oz at other locally owned artisan coffee shops in the neighborhood. At $7+ per drink, I expect much more in terms of quality, level of service, and overall experience.
The pastries are alright, seeing as none of them are made in-house. However, at $5 per pastry, you would expect them to at least be properly toasted. Every single time I have gone, whether it’s a croissant puff or bagel, the outside will be lukewarm and the inside soggy, doughy, and cold.
The café isn’t the best for studying either. The benches are hard and uncomfortable, and they close so early that it’s impossible to come in the afternoon and get any work done. Constant issues with the sound system have also made the ambiance incredibly distracting—either there is no music at all (deadly silent), music that is played out loud from a computer (no proper speakers), or music from the sound system that is skipping, cutting out, and too loud.
It’s really unfortunate since the previous owners (Ardent Coffee) did an amazing job and never had as many issues with the quality of their coffee, service, or overall environment of the café. I would love to make this a usual spot for me since it’s very convenient and close to campus, but it’s just not worth it. I have gone about four times now, hoping that my last visit was just a fluke, but Heretic just is not redeemable anymore.
There are much better options for coffee in Portland:
- If you want specialty drinks, Vietnamese coffee, and to support an AAPI family-owned business, go to Ca Phe.
- If you want incredible in-house baked goods and smooth lattes, go to Keeper Coffee.
- If you want a late-night study spot with rich cappuccinos, fast Wi-Fi, and a full menu, go to Rose City Latte.
- If you want overpriced milky dirt water, cold and stale pastries, and dreadful customer service, go to Heretic Coffee Co.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sarah Augustine
I love the coffee here, and the fact that it’s a non profit makes me so happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leslie Alfred Sanya
Staff were warm and friendly, and the spot was easy to find with ample parking. We were excited about coming here but upon settling down for coffee, quickly realized that we couldn't have a conversation because of how loudly sound travels inside the space: we could hear clearly every single conversation (including the friendly volunteer staff behind the counter!) and everyone else could hear ours too lol.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries and Bagels
Jade Pritsker
Coffee (well, an espresso drink) was incredible. I've been to many coffee shops across different states and countries - and this was one of the best.
I'll have to come back later to make sure that it's not a fluke :b
Really great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samantha Schmitz
Cute little coffee shop, they have your basic drinks, some pastries and homemade syrup. Great Instagram spot
Dietary restrictions: Alternative milks available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Kai Mercury
The maple burboun latte tasted like somebody bottled the flavor of my mom's pumpkin pie and put it in my coffee, I am obsessed. The servers are friendly and the place is cute, with some cozy seating options, and a back room if you want to be tucked away. The music wasn't too loud, which I appreciate.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
PV Delivery & Transport LLC
In a town with so many coffee shops we are thrilled to have found this gem only minutes away from our ABB. The raspberry poptart was divine. We truly enjoyed the pour over coffee as well as we have had difficulties finding this anywhere else in the city.
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Paddon
Service was excellent and the chocolate chunk cookie was delicious, but I was very disappointed by the mocha. It tasted like watered down chocolate milk.
Such a lovely shop, literally what I wish every shop was! Comfy, inviting, and plenty of seating. I hope this place continues to prosper, it deserves it, they really work hard here! (Plus coffee is delicious and inexpensive so that’s a plus)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great local coffee shop with a super friendly staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
High expectations but extremely disappointed. Do not come here.
This café is convenient to Reed College’s campus and looks cute on the inside, but do not be fooled. The quality of the drinks here is simply bad. The coffee tastes burnt and acidic, whether you choose a latte, cappuccino, or a simple cold brew. The teas are no better; the matcha is soapy, fishy, and astringent.
My orders have been wrong on multiple occasions, and I have never had the staff provide any graceful substitutions or gestures to rectify their mistakes. If they aren’t messing up your order, they are taking twice as long to make it or simply forgetting it. I have seen them train baristas constantly, so I think it’s the lack of proper training and possibly high turnover rates of staff that are causing these issues.
The drink sizes are limited as well, only 12 ounces for hot drinks. The price of a 12oz at Heretic is the same as a 16oz or even 22oz at other locally owned artisan coffee shops in the neighborhood. At $7+ per drink, I expect much more in terms of quality, level of service, and overall experience.
The pastries are alright, seeing as none of them are made in-house. However, at $5 per pastry, you would expect them to at least be properly toasted. Every single time I have gone, whether it’s a croissant puff or bagel, the outside will be lukewarm and the inside soggy, doughy, and cold.
The café isn’t the best for studying either. The benches are hard and uncomfortable, and they close so early that it’s impossible to come in the afternoon and get any work done. Constant issues with the sound system have also made the ambiance incredibly distracting—either there is no music at all (deadly silent), music that is played out loud from a computer (no proper speakers), or music from the sound system that is skipping, cutting out, and too loud.
It’s really unfortunate since the previous owners (Ardent Coffee) did an amazing job and never had as many issues with the quality of their coffee, service, or overall environment of the café. I would love to make this a usual spot for me since it’s very convenient and close to campus, but it’s just not worth it. I have gone about four times now, hoping that my last visit was just a fluke, but Heretic just is not redeemable anymore.
There are much better options for coffee in Portland:
- If you want specialty drinks, Vietnamese coffee, and to support an AAPI family-owned business, go to Ca Phe.
- If you want incredible in-house baked goods and smooth lattes, go to Keeper Coffee.
- If you want a late-night study spot with rich cappuccinos, fast Wi-Fi, and a full menu, go to Rose City Latte.
- If you want overpriced milky dirt water, cold and stale pastries, and dreadful customer service, go to Heretic Coffee Co.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I love the coffee here, and the fact that it’s a non profit makes me so happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff were warm and friendly, and the spot was easy to find with ample parking. We were excited about coming here but upon settling down for coffee, quickly realized that we couldn't have a conversation because of how loudly sound travels inside the space: we could hear clearly every single conversation (including the friendly volunteer staff behind the counter!) and everyone else could hear ours too lol.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Pastries and Bagels
Coffee (well, an espresso drink) was incredible. I've been to many coffee shops across different states and countries - and this was one of the best.
I'll have to come back later to make sure that it's not a fluke :b
Really great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cute little coffee shop, they have your basic drinks, some pastries and homemade syrup. Great Instagram spot
Dietary restrictions: Alternative milks available
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
The maple burboun latte tasted like somebody bottled the flavor of my mom's pumpkin pie and put it in my coffee, I am obsessed. The servers are friendly and the place is cute, with some cozy seating options, and a back room if you want to be tucked away. The music wasn't too loud, which I appreciate.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
In a town with so many coffee shops we are thrilled to have found this gem only minutes away from our ABB. The raspberry poptart was divine. We truly enjoyed the pour over coffee as well as we have had difficulties finding this anywhere else in the city.
Parking: Plenty of free parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service was excellent and the chocolate chunk cookie was delicious, but I was very disappointed by the mocha. It tasted like watered down chocolate milk.
Restaurantji Recommends
My favorite place to study in Portland!!! Such creative syrup flavors that are made in house! Pastries are soooo yummy :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome place with a great mission.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vegetarian options: Have plenty of milk alternatives and all pastries are vegan unless specified otherwise
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quiet and intimate - had a coffee meeting inside
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finest coffee on Firdus. Dill Tudd approved.
Piddle, piddle, piddle.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...