Behind The Museum Cafe

"Quite literally behind the Portland Art Museum, this tea shop and cafe is a sweet respite in an unexpected locale. Sip on delicate genmaicha between bites of salmon onigiri, or simply opt for a matcha set and a handful of sweets. It’s open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeout and delivery." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff

"This tranquil, light-filled cafe is the perfect pre- or post-Portland Art Museum stop. Cafe-goers sip cups of sencha or hojicha lattes while enjoying light dishes from owner and baker Tomoe Horibuchi, such as tea leaf pickle onigiri or chikara cake. Coffee drinks use Extracto beans, but tea is the focus here — customers can order their matcha tea ceremony-style, and for a sweet treat, try the matcha or hojicha soft serve with optional toppings such as azuki or brownies or in a parfait." - Janey Wong

"Food and beverage options within a few blocks of popular tourist destinations like the Portland Art Museum can often be overpriced bland mediocrities. Despite the utilitarian name, Behind the Museum is a gem. Light classical music wafts by, and massive windows wrap tea sippers in light as they lean over hot cups of Japanese teas like vibrant sencha, brown rice genmaicha, or finely ground matcha. Onigiri and miso soup are stars of the light food menu. A full assortment of espresso drinks are available for companions who prefer ground beans to steeped leaves." - Nathan Williams, Eater Staff

"One of the OG matcha spots in town, Behind the Museum has been serving matcha drinks and treats since late 2011, including a variety of delicious made-in-house green tea goods like matcha soft serve and brownies. The cafe’s use of hojicha, or roasted green tea, is of particular note, adding a earthy, grounded note to many desserts. The current seasonal offering is a matcha strawberry daifuku mochi — a whole strawberry that is enveloped by a fresh matcha whipped cream and a mochi wrapper. Behind the Museum is open for takeout everyday." - Seiji Nanbu

"Behind the Museum Café, owned by Tomoe Horibuchi, is a charming teahouse and bakery offering a variety of teas, matcha lattes, breakfast sandwiches, onigiri, and tea-based sweets like matcha brownies and soft serve. The cafe is a bright, window-lined space, popular among museum guests and Portland State students." - Alex Frane