Bard Coffee

Cute cafe, their latte was smooth and perfectly balanced.. the vibe inside is pretty welcoming and bright.. good spot to work or just relax.. tried their Danish too which was not sweet but flavorful with cottage cheese and asparagus. One of the best coffee shops I have tried In Portland (;

There was a line of 6 people waiting for this place to open at 7 am on a Monday. Fast service. I got a red eye and a cappuccino. Both were delicious. Lots of cool items to purchase. Indoor and outdoor seating. Paid parking on the street close by.

Great spot for coffee centrally located. Glad they were open later than other surrounding spots. I like the swan design on my latte. There was Plenty of seating inside. Cool vibe. Took an outdoor table.

It was my first time in Maine, and this was the first stop I made as I was exploring the town. I let the barista know it was my first time and he was helpful with the recommendations. I ordered a latte with wildflower honey. It was pretty good, and the sweetness was light, I was able to appreciate the coffee (and some oat milk). I headed outside as there are benches and did some people watching. So nice to also just breathe in fresh air! I came back with my husband before leaving town. We then tried their other syrups: Vanilla Bean and Maine Maple. Both pretty good! I preferred the vanilla bean as Maine maple is on the sweeter side. We enjoyed the drinks inside this time, and it was a vibe! Enjoyed their playlist, which I learned was that of their barista’s/manager. It’s a lovely place! Conducive to getting some work done (saw some people with laptops), catching up, or just hanging out to people watch.

First coffee house in downtown Portland we visited. Service was friendly and quick. The coffee was hot and tasty as well as the 2 muffins we had. Not much for atmosphere. Quiet music in the background, tables, and chairs. We used the time to plan our day.

Did not have any expectations on this one. It was on a sort of side radar for me, after Tandem of course. So I didn't know what to expect here. I asked for a pour-over which they only do on Fridays. Bummer but it is what it is. Got the espresso and it was good. Not great but pretty good. The guy making the espresso (former NJ shore resident) was super friendly and we shot the proverbial poop for a few minutes. Good guy, good experience. Atmosphere is solid, with plenty of space inside to hang out on hot days. Also, the location s great so you can go outside and sit on a bench or in the grass and watch the town happen around you, which is what we did. Would go back, for sure. Next time I will go on a Friday so I can try the pour-over.

Cute coffee shop. Didn’t try any of the pastries but coffee was delicious. I’m a bit of a coffee snob and have high standards for coffee. Latte was super flavorful and creamy with oat milk. Love that it was served in a real cup and saucer and bonus points for latte art. Not overpriced either. Will be back next time I’m in the area.

I came here to drink something hot as the weather is too cold. I ordered hot chocolate and tart dessert. The staff are friendly and service is quick. I like the shop and its modern decoration. It was too busy for me as almost all the chairs are occupied. It was ok for me as at that time I needed a hot drink. Not to chill. Next time I will try their coffee.

Bard coffee has been around for awhile and I've always enjoyed it, but recently I had an experience of excellent service that made me want to give them five stars. They are one of few places that does an espresso tonic, but when I went they were out of tonic sadly. But I conspired with the barista and they were willing to make it using one of their small bottles of Pellegrino, and added a pump of Lavendar syrup. They charged me the same as what an espresso tonic would be despite giving me a whole (12 oz) bottle of Pellegrino. It tasted delicious and I appreciated their willingness to go above and beyond to make me the drink I wa craving!

If you are into paying to be abused by barista staff this is your spot. I get it, it's not what wanted to do as a kid growing up, but that is no excuse to treat customers terribly. If you are unfortunate enough to catch wind of their banter while in the shop you will hear them talking disparagingly of patrons--I might be missing something, but that's the exact OPPOSITE of what my experience normally is in a coffee shop. Too bad. Coffee is great, but until mgmt has a talk with front end staff about how they interface with public, I'm bringing my money elsewhere.

We're in town for vacation and wanted to grab breakfast at a coffee shop and have a hot breakfast sandwich. My husband found Bard Coffee online and we decided to check it out. We each ordered a latte. It wasn't very crowded and it still took a while to get our coffee and they were very average when we did get them. We had finished our food before we got our drinks. They only had pastries and a ham and cheese croissant. I got a blueberry muffin and my husband got the ham and cheese. Both of our items were put on one plate even though it was clear we each ordered an item. There was no offer to heat them up. So room temp ham and cheese in a room temp croissant. My husband ate it but it wasn't great. The muffin was okay. There wasn't much going on regarding any ambiance. It seems more like a place people go to do some work. It wasn't cozy and comfy at all. The staff didn't seem overly friendly to the customers but the four women behind the counter seemed to be having fun talking to one another. We won't be going back.

Probably the best cappuccino I had while in Portland! I wouldn't call it cozy but I did appreciate how much seating there was, although we didn't stay.

Yum! Nice and smooth! I ordered a latte with oat milk and it was perfect. Service was fine, nothing special. The place was pretty big for a coffee spot, plenty of space indoors and out- only one bathroom though. The whole time I was there, a line was formed for the bathroom.

Miss walking through downtown Portland. Love the people and the great coffee shops like Bard. Easy to find and plenty of seating. Plus just next to a park area so go outside and enjoy the views. Great coffee s f awesome treats. Plus the staff is so darn friendly. Street parking is available and a parking garage around the corner if you want to take time and take a stroll and visit all the great shops nearby.

Ordered an iced maple latte to go and service was fast. However my iced maple latte was not made with espresso. I watched the barista make my drink and they poured coffee from a pitcher over my flavoring and milk instead of pouring a shot of espresso for the drink. Tasted fine for iced coffee, milk and maple sugar to taste but didn't have the same rich creaminess as a latte made from espresso. Unlikely to return

Even though Bard isn't my go-to coffee spot, it's a very close second. Its location is unbeatable, has an airy and light interior with plenty of seating (although it is always jam-packed so you'll be lucky to find a spot to sit), a great menu, and friendly staff. Order inside at their counter or outdoors at their to-go window (which was such a gem during crazier COVID times). I'm a sucker for their iced chai, hot chocolate, and any number of their desserts or bars. Live, love, laugh, Bard!

I liked it so much that I went twice in one day. With housemade syrups (maple, cocoa, vanilla, caramel, and honey), expert latte art, a banging soundtrack, and a staff with camaraderie, I spent a perfectly pleasant Sunday lounging about and enjoying drinks. There's bar-height seating, counter-height seating, and tables. The espresso profiles are textbook: long on the finish and not bitter. If you want a true coffee place in Portland, this is the one.

Great coffee and bakery item. Get crowded easily. Nice atmosphere and coffee. Recommend:)

Love coffee shops and any shops with live plants, what's even better is they are real! I stopped by to grab some coffee beans and asked them for a special favor in grinding half of the bag for short term use and left half of the bag whole beans. It wasn't a typical request but they were in for the request. They were very helpful based on a particular unusual request, so I'm really happy about that. The ambience of the place was open and bright, I would work here if I were To work remotely. Environmentally friendly and clean with their reusable cup Sanitation station Always love to support local when I visit a different town!

Bard serves consistently great coffee with warm hospitality and a nice vibe. Best of all, they open at 7 am!

Tried their dark roast coffee. Coffee was okay. Bitter. Ambiance was nice! Service was okay. One lady was very kind; greeting us as we walked in and left. The lady who took our order was not very kind. You could tell she didn't want to serve us coffee. She also doesn't understand social pragmatics. Bad for business. The coffee shop was playing anything but calm and relaxing music. Mind you, the time was 7:50am. I couldn't work or read in there with the music they were playing so early in the morning. I will note that my husband enjoys the flavor of their coffee. I wouldn't go back.

Probably the most popular coffee spot in downtown Old Port -- lots of good drink options and smooth coffee for those looking to grab a cup before embarking on their Portland adventure. Prices are a little higher given this is more of a trendy coffee shop on a busy main street. Coffee is pretty good but if there's a massively long line -- not sure it's really worth its wait.

Great service. Hot coffee. Great beans and roast. Hipster vibe without the price. Visiting and I'll be back.

Cute little coffee shop, with lots of seating to work or have a meeting. Their cold brew is very good, and all their pastries are very amazing as well. A little pricey but worth it. The service is also really friendly. Worth a stop for a great coffee!

First time here came based on the yelp reviews and the quantity of yelp reviews. Thanks to Yelp I just discovered a great place for nitro coffee. Recommend!

The coffee shop came highly rated. We were only in Portland for one day, so we wanted to find one nearby. The shop has some amazing homemade syrups--my partner and I both got the maple which was pretty great. The vibe is exactly what you want it to be: a casual local coffee shop with no frills or gimmicks! The service was amazing and we were able to get a ton of recommendations on things to do from the baristas there. I can't say I was blown away by the chocolate croissant we had, but that's not what brought us in so I can't hold that against them.

Bard coffee was absolutely packed in the afternoon. However, it's no surprise because even the hot black cup of coffee was delicious. If I didn't have a late lunch, I wouldn't have gotten a pastry as well. This place does not disappoint. Totally a spot I would camp out at to finish up work or school assignments. Also love their very progressive sign at the front door. I'll come back when I'm in Portland again! Love it!

Nice place, you can order inside or during nice weather order at a window on the side of the building. Prices are fairly standard for the area and service was good. The espresso they use for the drinks is pretty smooth, and there is plenty of seating inside and even some tables outside.

This coffee shop was one of my favorites while I was in Maine. Wide menu with lots of choices. It was very busy but we still got our drinks pretty quickly.

Bard is one of my favorite coffee shops in all of Portland. Thanks to their baristas and roasts, they offer some of the best coffee in town. There's a lot of love and passion that goes into their coffee, and you can taste it with every sip. We've been going to Bard for over three years now. During the summer, a walk to their takeout window facing Tommy Park is a mandatory part of our weekend routines. During fall and winter, their indoor space provides a cozy spot to people-watch (sit by the windows!) or get some work done. You can't beat the location either -- right in the heart of Portland. I think something that sets Bard apart from other places is the service. The staff is always so friendly and welcoming. I've spoken with the owner and management, and they're always a joy to interact with. When I received a Bard shirt for Christmas that was too small, they quickly allowed me to exchange it, even though I didn't have a receipt. It's the little things that make Bard such a gem -- like their locally sourced pastries.

I loved this place!! It's so cute inside! I was so shocked how cheap 4 coffees and a croissant was (24$!) (I usually except 8$ per coffee in this economy). I got a dirty chai with oat milk, I had asked if the chai was house made and she said no but she said it was really good, and she was right!! Mine was great. My sister got a lavender cappuccino w oat milk was great too. I definitely recommend getting your coffee fix here!

Cute coffee place! I was in Portland for the day and needed a pick me up. The service was friendly and quick. The inside was huge with plenty of seating. The coffee was delicious and the perfect size. I'd come again when I'm in the area.

Very good dark roast. Service was fast. Street parking I don't think they should ask for tip on to go orders though. Seems ridiculous

What a fun, little coffee shop in downtown Portland! My husband and I were only in town for a few hours and needed some caffeine and something hot on a cold, rainy morning. I appreciate that the menu was straightforward, simple, and without too many wild flavors.

When I searched up must-try coffee places in Portland, I came across Bard Coffee. There was a long line when we went, but it moved pretty quickly. The coffee was expensive, but in my opinion, worth it! I ordered a cortado with oat milk, and my brother ordered the lavender latte. The cortado was strong, but unbelievably rich and smooth. The espresso was very well done. The lavender latte was also delicious, and I am usually not a fan of floral flavors in fear that it will taste like perfume. This one was almost nutty and the floral notes were very delicate and subtle, and perfect in a latte!! The cashier was also extremely nice and made an effort to welcome us :) If I lived in Portland, this would definitely be my go-to cozy spot to sit with a coffee and read a good book, especially since it's in the heart of the downtown area!!

Delicious & unpretentious cafe latte with oat milk and beautiful artwork. A nice place to take a break and enjoy a nice cup of coffee.

I got a delicious iced America with caramel coffee. The coffee shop has great vibes and lots of seating options. The staff were really great too helpful . Definitely worth going if you want a coffee treat.

We popped in during a late breakfast. The place was going - business deals happening in the corner, tourist planning moves in the next. No line though! We ordered a cappuccino, it was alright, nothing special 4/5. Next was a maple latte, it ended up being a little syntheticy taste and didn't end up finishing it 1/5.

Playlist was fire, def busy which is fun, doing work there was great! The baristas are wicked nice. The only slight little comment I have is my chai tea definitely took a while which isn't always great (especially when you NEED coffee to function lol) but again, they're busy which isn't a bad thing! They're popular!

I just moved to the Portland area and am looking for a home coffee shop as I'm deeply passionate about coffee and service. I have a very specific order, and, I am extremely kind and polite. I know it can't be bothersome for the barista to have to do a modified drink, and the situation I encountered at your coffee shop was the worst. ....the young man taking my order, wasn't positive of my questions so I asked the barista if she was taking my order. She abruptly told me talk to the cashier and rolled her eyes. Her aura from the moment I entered was angry and unfriendly not making eye contact or returning a smile. Unfortunately, she got my drink wrong. When I asked her to fix it and I simplified it she was curt. She finished making her present order and then put the remainder of the milk from that order in my cup. The milk was not the same that I ordered and my request, yes, specific hence service industry, completely ignored. I do believe anyone in the service industry should have a rigorous habit of being approachable and loving to give people exactly what they want no matter what detail is requested. Unfortunately, it was a dark experience as she seemed to be in the middle of the room glaring darkly behind the counter and outward. I hope you find a more suitable barista that loves the coffee experience and giving people a reason to come back. She made it seem absurd that I would ask for an adjustment in my coffee, I didn't even ask for it to be remade although after her rude modification, I should have. After paying eight dollars to get the wrong product and extremely horrible service I won't be back. Hoping you and your hiring manager find a new set of criteria for hiring in the future.

The baristas are not the warmest here. They do well with basic coffees, such as the cortado, but their specialty drinks need another look. The Vietnamese coffee was far from one, with no condensed milk, and was diluted. My boyfriend then got me a lavender honey latte and expresso and tonic (undrinkable) for him. It was a mistake. For the lavender honey latte, the lavender syrup was so strong. At first, there is the bitterness of the coffee then the aftertaste is the soapy flavor. The place has a huge crowd, but I don't know why it's so popular after the drinks we just got.

Happening coffee spot. Went back twice in one day based mostly on its location. On both visits the cafe was busy with people on computers, etc. As for the drinks: pumpkin spice latte was ok, great hot chocolate. Also got hot tea and was disappointed at its size for the price. Other prices were to be expected for a specialty coffee house.

Popped in for a quick drink while leaving Portland and was so impressed with Bard Coffee! The latte was delicious and the husband loved his hot chocolate as well. The baristas were quick and very friendly: asking us where we were from and if we enjoyed the holiday. Warm and cozy and would return next time we're in Portland!

Good coffee, they were quite busy. amazing scone. Would definitely recommend anytime in Portland

longtime supporter of Bard, always been happy to pay for quality coffee and service. Just paid $6 for an iced chai tea latte and got a cup of milk with some powder mostly mixed in... Bummer...even starbucks does more than that. crappy way to send off the trip to Portland.

Rude staff, mediocre coffee. I dunno, there's something about being talked down to by a hipster while aggressively loud country music blasts in the background that gives me serious ick. "Do you know what espresso is?" Oh please.

We were in Portland for 2 days and stopped here both days. First day, only got coffee and it was excellent. Second day, got coffees, blueberry muffins, and a choc chip cookie. I'm not sure if they bake their goods onsite or get them from a local bakery but the muffins and cookie exceeded the quality of the already excellent coffee. Has a blueberry muffin ever changed your life? Have the one at Bard with a great cup of coffee to match

A decent coffee shop in Portland, ME. The staff were really nice but the space itself was very crowded and not well kept. Also it was a super busy afternoon which meant not many comfortable places to sit. Overall not a bad experience! Okay coffee and good service but not a place I would go to super often. More of a grab and go spot.

Pretty good coffee and a nice place to sit and work. I got the Vietnamese coffee and it tasted really great. The nitro was watery and had a ton of ice. It didn't feel like an authentic nitro cold brew.

Bard was okay, okay coffee, okay atmosphere ...just okay. I believe there might be more local hype to this spot.

In my opinion, the best coffee in the Arts District. Affordable, no-frills, and quick service. Cozy little space with minimal seating, so I always take my coffee to-go!

AWESOME. After an absurdly warm day I was craving an iced coffee. Got one somewhere else nearby and it was so bad I tossed the whole thing where it belonged: the trash. Decided to head I'm downtown and come across the Bard and was instantly greeted by the person behind the counter. They had a lavender syrup I really wanted to try but I wasn't feeling adventurous. TIP: they make all their syrups IN HOUSE. Absolutely loved that. Anyway I got a vanilla iced latte that was the perfect way to kick off summer and enjoy a cool drink. 10/10

Very average coffee. I have a hard time when a coffee place says it's a roasters and does not do pour overs. Anyway service was good and the place was nice. Lots of seats and good ambiance.

Upon entry, I enjoy the large space and the many seating options offered Loved their big menu but wished they listed the prices. I feel that to be a bit unfair if that affects one's purchasing options. Got an iced dirty chai, americano and cappuccino. All great! (Tip) If you might visit this place more than once, grab a stamp card! Staff were nice and friendly!

When planning my trip to Maine, I didn't have a real structured itinerary per se, rather a list of restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries I wanted to hit up. I figured I would fill in the gaps as I usually do when exploring cities. Bard was one of the spots on my list, so as soon as I arrived in Portland I was feeling a thirst and decided to walk over and check it out. For the time being, Bard is operating as a walk-up window for both ordering and pickup. I don't believe their indoor seating is open, as I looked inside and it was empty less the employees. The window setup works really well, as the side of the shop faced a small park so there's plenty of space to form a line, wait for your order, and sip your beverages. They have a small selection drinks as well as some pastries. Mostly coffees but I noticed a few teas and I believe a lemonade beverage. The iced cappuccino looked good so I went with that. I thought it was great - smooth flavor and the perfect remedy for a warm day. Service was fast and friendly, and overall this is a great find in Portland. I would not hesitate to return to try more of their offerings.

Had an impromptu stay in Portland and was in need of some coffee. The reviews mentioned great space and service and excellent coffee, and this place did not disappoint. This spot will be on my list for the next visit up to Maine!

Very cute place! Coffee and food were great. Very chill and small coffee shop but plenty of seating. Get your work done or grab a to go cup! It's awesome! The owner is super nice too!