Behind The Museum Cafe

My granddaughter brought me here. what a cute place. It was my first time having Matcha & I loved it. Also had onigiri & miso soup. It was really good & filling. I had a Matcha Parfait which was delicious. Got some cookies to go. We will definitely be coming back..Thank you for the hospitality.

Beautiful cafe with gorgeous decor & simple menu offerings. The salmon mayo onigiri is the perfect choice for a fulfilling midday snack. This was the best matcha experience I’ve ever had.

Gorgeous environment but the matcha latte is WAY too sweet. Make sure you ask for less sweetener or unsweetened. I’m not sure what type of sweetener they add but they add too much. I’d go again though and try it hot.

Love the onigiri🍙, hojicha latte and hojicha soft serve! Latte art is sooo cute! Generally a great shop for everything!

The matcha brownie and bagel were sooo good! We loved the matcha latte too, but we would’ve preferred it a bit stronger. Maybe we didn’t order the right one. We’ll definitely come back and try other options!

A great cafe, they serve treats, soft serve, and drinks. All are delicious. So by after voting the museum or just passing by.

First time here and as a huge match lover we selected a matcha soft serve in a cone and a matcha latte , soft serve was mediocre but the matcha latte was decent . Aromatic and tasted great even though it’s powder . Will be back , as it’s Christmas time the cafe was full , but service was also fast. Cute decor and I loved the live plants greenery inside

the best matcha in portland omg this is amazing!! super delicious, pretty good price, and amazing food! the bagel is so good and the onigiri is filling for its size!! adorable place with lots of room, beautiful. the hojicha latte is beautifully created and the matcha latte is just perfectly sweet

Ordered: -Salmon mayo onigiri -Chicken Teriyaki onigiri -hojicha soft serve Pro: -Such a calm, peaceful cafe to spend an afternoon in! -The salmon mayo was a highlight for us! It was not your average salmon and was flavored very well. Each order comes with edamame or cabbage and you can't go wrong with either side -They offer samples of the soft serve and both were refreshing. We opted for the hojicha which tasted less sweet to us. Both have great tea flavor and were refreshing! -Staff is really friendly and there was a woman behind the counter wearing a beautiful kimono that we appreciated -There is street parking in the front of the store, though it is limited Con: -Not a con really, but I wish they stayed open later so we could grab dessert after dinner!

I'd give it a 3.5. It was a very interesting set up and it is clearly behind the museum. Environment: Not a very big cafe but because of the tall ceilings and windows, it made it extra grand. I bet it'll be super busy and crowded during the weekends but on nice days you can drink and snack outside I believe. Staff: they were good! It was semi self serve as you bus your own area but they do serve the food to you. They had a party so they closed sooner but they kindly walked to each table to remind us numerous times. Not pushy or mean but politely. Food: 1. I got a cappuccino for around $5. It was fine, it was cold so I wanted something warm and a bit more bitter to balance my dessert. I like the cup~! 2. Hojicha soft serve was also around $5. It was sweet at first and then the aftertaste of the hojicha slowly came in as an after taste. I wish it had a strong hojicha flavor as the sweetness was a bit more overpowering. I would say this area is a little more pricey than what I expected but if my friends want to go, I don't mind visiting again.

Behind the Museum is the tried and true Japanese cafe in Portland! Been coming here for over 10 years now, and their quality and service are unwavering. The consistency I didn't know I needed in life. Truly a Portland gem. I opted for their hojicha latte with oat milk, and it was the perfect creaminess and sweetness. It reminded me a bit of pearl milk tea with an earthy tea flavor, but not bitter. Our lattes were served in bowls and it was an experience drinking from them instead of the usual cup. All the more unique and fun! They also serve traditional tea ceremonies, Japanese pastries, and snacks that are perfect for pairing with tea. This cafe is truly great and it is a lovely visit every time.

I love this place, easy to work and grab a snack. The sandwiches are good, the onigiri is delicious and service is good. The windows give the place a spacious feel and it's a good vibe.

Quaint cafe located you guessed it behind the museum. Part cafe part tea house, with snack items like miso soup and onigiri. The cafe has comfortable seating and is flooded with light. Seemed like a nice place to study or sketch. Had a memorable matcha latte. Definitely stop in after the Portland Art Museum.

They have a pretty unique selection of teas, coffees, & other beverages. On the cheaper side for beverages which was a nice touch. I love finding non franchise cafes. Beautiful Asian themed decor throughout the space. They also serve food- baked goods & other light bites & soups. They have a selection of onigiri which I would recommend if you're vegan. Unfortunately, the miso soup contained fish so I couldn't try it but overall I like this cafe. Lots of places to sit indoors and outdoors. There wasn't too long of a wait and it's self seating.

Been to this cafe a few times now and I enjoy it more with each visit! I typically order their hot matcha, which I highly recommend for anyone seeking a traditional matcha without all the extra sweetener. This time, I came with my mom and we ordered their soft serve matcha ice creams. We added the hojicha and matcha brownie toppings which were the perfect pastries to complement our creamy treats! This cafe is the perfect place to sit down and catch up with our loved ones while surrounded by traditional Japanese artwork, scrolls and memorabilia.

Such a lovely cafe! Great place to go to for a variety of matcha and other authentic Japanese teas. Both their iced matcha and hojicha was amazing! They also have food and desserts that looked really yummy- didn't get to try this time but I wish I did! Employees are super friendly & have good recommendations. Lots of people studying, reading, & meeting up here, kind of had a more quiet and relaxed feel.

This place really nails that authentic Japanese vibe, both in its interior and its coffee and food offerings. My family and I dropped by, and we were all amazed! The interior was absolutely adorable, with plenty of seating for everyone. The barista was super helpful, pointing out some excellent vegetarian options and guiding me through their extensive drink menu with a ton of respect. As for what I ordered? Brace yourself: a Chai latte with almond milk, matcha with almond milk, Teriyaki Shiitake Onigiri, Seaweed Hijiki Shiitake Onigiri, and a cream cheese, tomato, onion, capers Bagel. And let me tell you, I loved every single bite and sip! Especially cool was how they served the matcha latte in a bowl, just like they do in Japan. My whole experience here was a delight, and I'm already counting down the days until my next visit. Check out the pics - they speak for themselves!

This has got to be one of the worst cafes I've ever been to. Honestly, I regretted coming here as one of my stops since I was only in Portland for a few days. I really wanted onigiri, and found this place while browsing Yelp. It looked good in pictures but it was basically just rice. Way too much rice and only a tablespoon size of filling/salmon (if even that). I ended up eating one bite and tossed the rest away. The hojicha brownie had good flavor but omg it was so cold and hard/dense, my fork almost broke when I dug into it. The thing that surprises me most, after a disappointing onigiri and brownie, was the matcha latte. It's honestly the lightest matcha latte I've ever had and it hardly mixed, so I just thought it would taste like unsweetened milk. To my surprise, it had a light sweetness to it, which I liked but it still tasted like drinking sweet milk.

Cute cafe - food was simple, but tasty. I had the ham and egg salad sandwich - veggies in it were very fresh and seemed to be a horseradish-ish sauce on it that added a little oomph. Tea drinks and pastries looked great - would probably return for tea and study/work.

The hojicha parfait was interesting because it didn't use their hojicha soft serve like I'd expected, or maybe the soft serve melted before I got under all the toppings. I can't say I would go back for it. The nicest part of my experience here was definitely the interior. It was super cozy and had many outlets to do some work. It seemed like this place was most suitable for groups of 4 at the very maximum, because most of the tables were 2-seaters.

I have nothing but good things to say about Behind the Museum. It's a truly lovely and authentic Japanese cafe. The menu has a great selection of beverages, snacks, sandwiches and desserts. Most of them are unique Japanese dishes or dessert so come with an open mind! There is street parking available...make sure you pay the parking kitty! The ambience itself is calm and cheerful. It feels like a cafe you can just sit in and read the day away. The staff is very polite and respectful and always willing to help and answer questions. The cafe also has a lot of Japanese items for sale, including clothing! I ordered the Matcha set with omanju and a sesame bagel with cream cheese, salmon, onions, tomato and capers. The matcha tea was creamy and delicious and the omanju was matcha flavor with bean paste in it. Also delicious. The presentation is adorable as well. They also provide you free water. The bagel was much more basic but equally delicious! The only thing is all the ingredients kept sliding out but not enough to justify taking a star away. Please consider visiting this place for a fun and relaxing experience. They truly put so much effort into this cafe!

I've been here a few times. I'm behind on reviewing. First: the decor, the tea service.: bright, clean and super cute. I love. And all the matcha you can consume! Matcha green tea, matcha latte, matcha parfait. Matcha ceremonial tea! Just give me all things matcha. The ladies here are super sweet too. It's a very welcoming spot with all things delicious tea/ green tea: matcha. What's not to like!

Best Matcha in the city. Behind the Museum Cafe is everything you're looking for when it comes to a cafe. Delicious matcha latte, spacious tables, friendly staff. Street parking.

An adorable treehouse located under a condo. I only order tea and Matcha. There are valuables for sale against the wall and homemade ceramics. This seems like a very popular study and work spot as people come in the morning in stay throughout the day. They workers here super nice and sweet as one of our tea pot had a crack in it, and he replaced it for a new one.

Yay my fave! I love absolutely everything- the wholesome bites of miso, edamame, rice to the teas and standout Hojicha soft serve. I have taken probably 30 people here - it is great food and beverage, great service, great ambiance...my only complaint is I wish they were open more hours.

Behind the Museum Cafe is quite literal and right behind the Portland Art Museum. It's a really cute shop and worth checking out for a zen atmosphere where you can also browse the walls for Japanese art and items for purchase. As you enter they have really cute Japanese decor and a nice variety on their menu with teas, pastries, japanese specialities like onigiri, and even alcohol. I originally came here to try some of their soft serve but since it was still early I ended up trying their hojicha latte and salmon onigiri with edamame on the side. Loved the hojicha and if you haven't had it the tea is a slightly toasted version of green tea and has great depth. The salmon onigiri was solid as well but edamame slightly overcooked but still nice for a healthy snack. Looking at their pastries they seem super similar to what's served at the Japanese garden so not sure if they are the same menu or inspired by each other. Worth trying if you haven't gone to the cafe there. Looking around you have a pretty diverse group of folks coming here on the weekends ranging from students, families, and people from out of town.

Visited the art museum so naturally I had to drop by this cafe as well! Nestled just across the street form the Portland Art Museum, this is a great place to grab a treat, quick bite, or tea before or after your museum visit. I dropped by on a Sunday afternoon and there was a healthy crowd with seats still left for me~ woohoo! My main goal on this trip was to try the matcha parfait and I can confidently tell you that it did not disappoint. It was loaded to the top with whipped cream, ice cream, red bean, a matcha brownie, and the cutest little umbrella. I was awestruck when it came out and enjoyed every bit of it! I will say it was a little on the sweeter side but that's to be expected given the description. I did salivate at people's food including the ongiri, bagels, etc that were being served around me. I am 99% sure I will be going back to try other items here! In terms of ordering, you order at the front then grab a seat and they bring your order out to you with some utensils. There is a station to bus your own table after you're finished with your meal/drinks. Service was very friendly~ Parking in this area can be a bit tough and is mostly street parking so plan accordingly! This place has definitely been added to my list as a cute matcha cafe where I'll be swinging by for bites in the near future!

I came here after a day of walking around the Portland Art museum (perfect name for the cafe, huh?) and it was packed. I'm not sure if it was from others visiting the museum or just individuals who happened to find the cafe on their own, but there was no tables left (despite having lots of seating) and I had to wait for a bit before a seat opened up. The inside of the cafe was so beautifully decorated and had huge window walls which let in so much sunlight (it must be so nice studying here). Staff was super friendly and their menu actually had quite a few items! I ended up just getting a matcha parfait, which was okay (there are other cafes that I think do it better), however, I would love to come back and try their food and tea options another time!

Such a cute cafe with great food! Located in downtown Portland within walking distance to many shops and attractions. There are many students that like to study here. The japanese decorations provide a calming atmosphere. The building has large glass panel walls that provide lots of natural light. They also have different local arts and craft for sale along with their cafe items. Today we wanted to try some items off their cafe menu. I got the seaweed hijiki shiitake onigiri with the japnese napa cabbage side. All the onigiri balls include a side of either the japanese napa cabbage or edamame. The onigiri was very tasty and I loved the taste of the shiitake mushrooms. Normally I only see onigiri with salmon or just grilled so it was nice to see the variety that they had. For my drink, I ordered a latte with oat milk. It was served in a giant mug and the drink was delicious. For dessert, I got the hojicha soft serve with red beans and almond crumble. The hojicha is a roasted green tea flavor and this was the first time that ive seen this flavor of soft serve. The staff recommend that I add the red bean and crumble as toppings. Toppings are an extra $1 each and you can add red bean, crumble, green tea brownie or hojicha brownie. The toppings added a lot of texture and flavor to the soft serve which was really good already. Also, the staff here are super friendly and genuinely excited for people to come in and try the food. The ones that I spoke to really appreciate japanese culture and cuisine and their enthusiasm reflects it. Overall - great calm vibes, unique and tasty japanese food, friendly staff.

It's so calm in here :) the ambiance was really refreshing. Also, the drink I got was really good! I got the hojicha latte iced. Service was speedy & friendly. Can't complain!!!!

Fun place to go, but lacks cleanliness. Food, drinks, and dessert are great. However, found a hair and a bug in our two waters. Requested new ones, and still got sh*t floating in our water. Gross. Very spendy....$8 onigiri, $10 desserts, $11 for half sandwich. $60 for 2 people -1 star for unsanitary -1 star for expensive

Service 10/10 Ambiance 10/10 could definitely work remote here Clean space, calm music, cute trinkets Edamame 7.5/10 Matcha brownie 3/10 Rice balls 7/10 Matcha 7/10 I enjoyed the trip here as it's been on my bucket list for a long time. Sadly it was an average experience with the food, I would definitely come again because of the service and ambiance, the matcha latter was a nice sweet and creamy, but I personally prefer a stronger matcha. If you want a more subtle ice matcha latte that's creamy, I recommend this place for you!

The decor inside the cafe was beautiful, simple and Japanese-inspired. When we visited, the indoor seating was full so we opted to sit outside where there are about 4 tables. After placing our order with the very friendly guy at the counter, they brought our food and drink to our table outside. I ordered the matcha soft serve and added on a Hojicha blondie for $1 extra. Both were great and I would reorder the soft serve. It was rich and had a deep matcha flavor. I also ordered the Onigiri with teriyaki shiitake mushroom filling and a small cabbage side salad. It was the perfect afternoon snack and the onigiri filling was very tasty. My sister ordered an iced Hojicha latte and loved it. They offered alternative milks including soy and oat milk. We visited after a trip to the Art Museum and it was a lovely, repeatable experience.

They make the best matcha latte in town, sell great pastries and soft serve. Go here after a visit to the museum for a sweet, yet balanced treat. Service was quick and they bring your made to order drinks and food to your table. Quite busy on a Saturday but we managed to grab a table around noon.

Cute little light-filled Japanese cafe with decent selection of teas and tea lattes. Best part is that they also have parfaits and soft serve. They also have some small snack/food and desserts (I.e onigiri, brownies, etc). As the name implies, it is near the Portland art museum. This location has been around for many years and we've always been treated to friendly service. Good place to stop by after a stroll through the museum or downtown area. Can be a bit crowded so seats can be a bit hard to come by over the weekend.

Really nice atmosphere. They sell kimonos and stuff, and have give off vibes of Japan. The seating is solid. My iced matcha latte was fine but not great. Could have used a stronger flavor. The onigiri was pretty cool! I appreciated the ability to order something different at a coffee/tea shop. That chicken teriyaki stuff had a nice flavor to it, and the nori felt like it was high quality. It had a solid flavor. The rice could have used more flavor to me though, and be a little bit firmer. The edamame was pretty basic. Maybe that's what they were going for, but I would have liked some sort of flavor. Garlic or something.

Spendy but a vibe, and really a downtown Portland classic. Just as the name suggests, Behind the Museum Cafe is located right behind the Portland Art Museum. It is a beautifully curated space that also has shelves featuring locally crafted items (e.g. cups, bowls, etc.). They serve Japanese desserts and tea, and is a great space for work or a pleasant weekend out. I really enjoy their little pastries and tea sets. The tea comes in a kettle, and they will add hot water upon request. The tea is usually pretty good for at least three steeps, and does get a little duller in flavor as there are more steeps (but this is pretty average). The little desserts are also a must-try. They have yogurt parfaits, little rolls, etc. Their parfaits are layered with ice cream, dango, red bean, and many extra little goodies, and aren't too sweet! The little cakes and rolls are also super delicious, and both items pair very well with a nice cup of tea. The large windows also let in plenty of natural sunlight and light up the space. Love this Cafe and I always enjoy stopping by!

Came here on a rainy Friday afternoon. The cafe has a really cozy and Japanese style design. We were served quickly without any wait. We ordered a Matcha Parfait and a Hojicha Soft Serv with Azuki and Matcha brownie toppings. Both of them were on the sweet side for our taste. A great place to take some pics and have a dessert!

Cute Japanese-inspired cafe & gift shop located behind the Portland Art Museum. The baristas were very nice and our drinks were ready fairly quickly. I was happy they had a gluten-free cake slice I could enjoy. I had a slice of the Chikara cake which is made with rice flour & is literally chock full of various nuts and dried fruits - something I love, so I really enjoyed this cake. The Hubs had the Hojicha brownie which is a Japanese type of brownie with hazelnuts in it. That brownie isn't like a chocolate brownie you may be used to, but the Hubs really liked it. For drinks we had an Americano with oat milk & a mocha. With tip I think it all came to under $27. They have plenty of indoor seating as well as a small patio in the courtyard by the entrance. They also have a number of Japanese-inspired items for sale (decor, clothing, art, etc.).

Not much to add beyond the gajillion stellar reviews this place has. I stop here for onigiri and matcha every time I'm in town - it's an absolute gem.

Matcha drink was alright, sugar on the bottom. Would skip this next time. The matcha soft serve was not bad, definitely better than the hojicha. The hojicha brownie was definitely not for us. If at all next time I'd just order the matcha soft serve

Went back to this cafe the other day to get some work done and finally ordered the matcha--what a treat. Honestly the best matcha I've had in Portland (and the best matcha I've had in a year or so). Once you've had their matcha, nothing else will compare (unless you take the 9 hour flight to Japan). Wonderful ambiance, but be warned that it gets quite busy. People usually filter through tables, but if you want a guaranteed spot on the weekend, arrive early. Gotta say though, this place is always busy for a reason, it's a hidden gem!

Fun seating at a Japanese style coffee shop. Really good matcha soft serve and yummy coffee/ latte drinks that are artfully presented.

3.5/5! the ambiance in this cafe is so calming and peaceful. the big windows and wooden accents and paper lanterns make this place truly memorable. however, when my friends and i came to try this place out for the first time, we noticed that they seemed understaffed as there was only one barista taking orders, making the drinks, and serving them. a second worker was in the back handling the food items. we ordered a chai, a matcha latte, a matcha brownie, and a matcha parfait. the barista served the drinks to us and he was very kind. upon first sip the matcha taste was astounding, but the taste quickly disappeared after the third sip. i also tried the matcha parfait ($10) and expected more soft serve, but there was only one small scoop of matcha ice cream, some red bean paste, cookies crumbs, a chunk matcha brownie, a mountain of whipped cream, and the rest was a matcha latte drink. the ice cream was good, but for the small amount and the price i would not get it again. overall a really pretty area with pretty presentation, but i don't think i would go out of my way to come here again.

This is such a hidden gem They have amazing pastries and matcha and even have soft service ice cream and small bites I ordered matcha which was delicious and so was the matcha brownie and Berry pastry Unfortunately the chai latte was not so great (too bitter) but the inside is so clean and nice - great for studying or meeting friends.

Cute cafe right next to the Portland art museum with yummy snacks! Very calm, inviting atmosphere. Definitely coming back for their matcha soft serve. Also recommend the salmon onigiri. Service was great too!

I ordered a matcha parfait and chai latte and they were both so good!! The service and the vibes are so calm and refreshing I would definitely come here to do some light reading.

We came to this cafe for the matcha and hojicha brownies. We had the brownies at Umami Cafe at Japanese Garden and staff there told us they sourced their pastries from behind the museum cafe. So if you can't get a reservation at Cafe Umami, definitely recommend you to visit behind the museum cafe!

Lovely menu, beautiful drinks, usually good service, but depending on the time of day, it can be so packed that getting a table is nearly impossible, which is frustrating for a "seat yourself" cafe. Still a great coffee shop though! I highly recommend any of their pastries.

There are some businesses that are so good they are an asset to the city. BTMC is just that to Portland. It makes Portland a better place. The food is outstanding with only high quality organic ingredients. Try all of the onigiri. The miso soup is made in house and a real treat. The location is beautiful and a place you'll want to stay. The staff are first rate and take care of this gem like it was their own.

This quaint relatively quiet Japanese-focused cafe has teas, coffee, & sandwiches but also rice balls & even alcoholic beverages. Loved the intensity of the matcha soft serve and how not too sweet everything was! Happy to support this woman-owned cafe! 5* Drinks & desserts were given in ToGo containers. Was a bit disappointed not to see a pretty latte design. Hojicha Latte Is earthy, nutty & toasty $4. 5* Matcha Latte is smooth with no bitterness. $4. 5* Matcha Latte Mix Gift Set has 5 packets to enjoy lattes at home/trips $12.50. 5* Matcha Soft Serve in cup or cone. Love how strong the matcha flavor is. Excellent! $4. 5* Matcha Parfait has a bit of everything with ice cream, brownie, azuki beans, almond crumbles. $9. 5* Seating many tables inside and some outside (also across the street is the courtyard of the Portland Art Museum and they also have tables) Service great Located -directly behind the Portland Art Museum -close to the NW corner of 10th Ave & Jefferson St in the Eliot building

Deserts are overly sweet and not much of tea flavor. Nigiris are mostly rice and not much of anything else, expensive for what it is. Nice vib, quiet, good place to chill with Wi-Fi.

This place is super cute and has so much aesthetic! I love that they share many Japanese culture in their cafe. Their lattes are so good and definitely their food!

The ambience and staff are great. The line can be a bit long sometimes, but the food and drinks come out pretty quickly. Parking can be a bit difficult to find, but there are some spots right in front if it's not too busy. We tried the Salmon, Chicken Teriyaki, and Ume Onigiri with edamame. We also ordered an iced Matcha Tea Latte and a Hojicha Ice Tea.

If you don't have your green tea personally steeped in a ceremony you haven't experienced it the way it should be! In an almost spiritual ritual, we were able to watch from start to finish how our tea was made. The service was excellent despite it being busy, and the quality was great. The wasabi ochazuke has a unique flavor and isn't overbearingly spicy at all. You get a nice bite in your nasal passages and then the flavors of the soup are allowed to take over. Fresh and tasty, it makes sense why I've come back multiple times.

I got a matcha tea soft serve ice cream cone at this cafe called Behind The Museum Cafe last summer. This is Ryan Clark writing a review in January 2023. I think I was at this Japanese cafe in Portland, OR on July 26, 2022.

Nice place to sit and drink coffee or tea while eating lovely Japanese snacks. One of my favorite little places in downtown Portland.

Wow! Stopped in for a light lunch today and it was excellent. Had the tea leaf onigiri with edamame and the salmon Mayo onigiri with pickled cabbage and they were both totally on point. Also got an iced matcha latte and it was perfect. Such a nice vibe inside. I would definitely recommend!