Local Business Spotlight: Rise & Grind Coffee Bar – Brewing More Than Just Coffee in Portland, OR
Nestled on a bustling corner of SE Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, Oregon, Rise & Grind Coffee Bar
isn’t just any café―it’s a community cornerstone redefining what it means to be a neighborhood coffeehouse. From ethically-sourced beans to live local art shows, this standout establishment is creating a buzz not only in cups but across local media and social circles. Recently highlighted in the Portland Monthly and trending on Instagram’s #PDXcoffee tag, Rise & Grind is proving that a good cup of coffee can fuel creativity, community, and connection.
Why Rise & Grind Coffee Bar Belongs on Your Portland Bucket List
Whether you’re a lifelong Portlander or a curious visitor wandering the city’s quirky Eastside, Rise & Grind Coffee Bar offers more than your standard latte. Imagine sipping a hand-crafted cold brew while listening to live acoustic folk or browsing a pop-up art gallery featuring local creatives. This café is where conversations ignite, ideas are born, and neighbors connect. Its blend of top-tier coffee, inclusive culture, and artistic flair makes it a must-visit—and a worthy feature in this week’s Local Business Spotlight on CompaniesByZipCode.com.
Table of Contents
Business Overview
History & Origins
Founded in 2017 by Emma Delgado, a Portland native and passionate coffee connoisseur, Rise & Grind Coffee Bar arose from a vision of togetherness. Emma, a former barista turned entrepreneur, noticed a gap in the PDX coffee scene: plenty of good coffee, but few places that intentionally cultivated community and inclusion. Her mission? Brew top-quality coffee while providing a welcoming space for all walks of life.
With humble beginnings—just a 450-square-foot space with upcycled furniture and a borrowed espresso machine—the business quickly elevated its presence in Portland’s competitive café scene. Today, Rise & Grind occupies a vibrant 1,200-square-foot corner unit, adorned with rotating art displays, reclaimed wood features, and an unusually warm ambiance that attracts remote workers, artists, tourists, and longtime residents alike.
Menu Highlights & Unique Offerings
Rise & Grind is known for more than your morning drip. Their signature Lavender Honey Latte and the Cold Brew Tonic (a mix of espresso, tonic water, and citrus peel) consistently draw attention on Yelp and Instagram. Sourcing beans from female-led farms in Guatemala and Ethiopia through direct trade partners, their commitment to ethical sourcing makes each beverage both satisfying and socially conscious.
The café also offers plant-based pastries from Portland’s own Petunia’s Pies & Pastries. Gluten-free donut day, held every Wednesday, brings in health-focused regulars who vouch for the treat’s taste “despite” being wheat-free.
Not to be overlooked, the bar also now serves a rotating selection of kombuchas, herbal tonics, and seasonal bougie beverages (think: sparkling turmeric-ginger lemonades).
Community Impact
Supporting Local Artists
One of Rise & Grind’s defining features is its commitment to elevating local artists. The café functions as a micro-gallery, with its walls displaying monthly rotating artwork by Portland creatives. Sales from art pieces go 100% to the artists, with no commission taken by the business.
Monthly Open Mic Nights and First Friday showcases not only draw significant foot traffic but offer a vital platform for music, poetry, and performance. These events have become a launchpad for local talent, gaining mention in The Portland Mercury and Willamette Week.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is baked into Rise & Grind’s business model. Reusable mug discounts, compostable straws and cutlery, and an on-site compost bin have helped reduce its carbon footprint. In 2023, the café partnered with local collective “Portland Compost Club” to introduce an employee-led food-waste reduction program, diverting over 2,000 lbs of waste from landfills in just five months.
Their zero-waste drink special, which repurposes excess syrup and milk from the week, has gained viral attention as #noWASTEespressoChallenge on TikTok.
Employment & Youth Programs
Rise & Grind actively hires and trains young people from historically marginalized communities, providing them with barista training and hospitality experience. Partnerships with local organizations like Elevate Portland and the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization underscore the café’s commitment to equity and opportunity.
Customer Experience
Testimonials & Online Buzz
A glance at reviews reveals a sea of praise for Rise & Grind’s staff and ambiance. Averaging 4.9 stars on Google and Yelp, common themes include:
- “The kindest team I’ve ever encountered at a café. They make you feel like a regular on your first visit.” — Maya T., Google Review
- “Fantastic oat milk latte and probably the best vibe I’ve found since moving to Portland.” — Emilio D., Yelp
- “Came for the coffee, stayed for the live poetry reading. New favorite weekend ritual.” — Taylor S., Instagram
Its cozy, plant-filled aesthetic—think hanging philodendrons and mid-century modern chairs—has made Rise & Grind Instafamous. The #RiseAndGrindPDX tag has over 10,000 user-generated posts showcasing latte art, events, and community boards covered in local flyers.
Community Events & Customer Engagement
From “Sip & Sketch” Saturday mornings for aspiring artists to “Coffee & Conversations” discussion nights led by local thought leaders, the business curates experiences that go beyond the beverage. Customers often mention the bulletin board near the entrance lined with neighbor-to-neighbor notes, job postings, and lost-and-found love letters.
Recently, their four-day “Grind for Good” fest raised over $4,500 for wildfire recovery funds. Attendees enjoyed live music, pop-up stands from local artisans, and coffee flights—further reinforcing that, at Rise & Grind, coffee serves a bigger purpose.
Visual Gallery
Call to Action
Looking for the ultimate coffee spot in Portland where you can sip, connect, and spark change? Visit Rise & Grind Coffee Bar at 2456 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR. Whether you’re grabbing a solo espresso, co-working for the day, or attending a communal storytelling night, you’re bound to leave inspired.
Share this article with your fellow Portland enthusiasts or coffee aficionados, and help spread the word about one of the top local businesses making a real difference. Want to discover more gems in your neighborhood? Explore hundreds of locally ranked businesses like Rise & Grind on CompaniesByZipCode.com and support the power of local.