As a freshman, new to Portland, I have had the opportunity to explore this wonderful city for the past nine months. My biggest goal every week is to get off campus as many times as I can! Going to a small school, in a suburban setting can sometimes make me feel disconnected from the real world. So, finding places to study in the surrounding area benefits my mental health and studying habits. Over my last few months I have collected a list of the five best coffee shops I have found in the North Portland area that are great places to study at and catch up with friends.
1. Cathedral Coffee
This is the classic coffee shop for UP students to study, it’s super close to campus and they have tons of tables and nooks. I would recommend if you only have a small amount of time between classes, but want a change of scenery. http://www.cathedralcoffee.com
2. St. Johns Coffee Roasters
I love this place because it is not usually crowded and they have huge tables that you have spread out at. https://stjohnscoffee.com
3. Townshend Tea Company
I absolutely love this place! They sell tons of different kinds of teas, even bubble tea! There is a huge area in the basement with lots of tables. The owner also has two cats that hangout in the basement! http://www.townshendstea.com
4. Anna Bananas
This place is very family friendly, and has a tight-knit, local vibe. They also sell breakfast and lunch, which is helpful if you plan on studying for the day. http://annabannanasnw.com/site/
5. Arbor Lodge
I have just recently discovered this place, and I absolutely love it! They have good coffee and it’s rarely crowded. http://thearborlodge.com