Higher Grounds of Maine

*This is review for the tea not cannabis. Got a Assam ice tea from Higher Grounds. It’s good black tea but I wish the tea flavor is a little stronger. Nevertheless, I enjoy my cup of tea while walking around downtown Portland. Vibrant wall mural. Cannabis section at the back (21+ only). The staff were very nice. Some indoor seats and outdoor seats.

This is a very nice store to grab some coffee, tea or some other drinks. They have a gorgeous interior, with few tables to dine in. There are tables available outside as well. The menu includes drip coffee and whole bunch of iced versions like Americano, Latte, Mocha, Matcha and French Roast. Very decent price for 12 oz and 16 oz sizes. We ordered a tea from here. The barista made it within a minute. It was quick and efficient. The tea had excellent flavor. In the back side of the store they have the cannabis section. Lots of items are displayed. An associate helps customers explaining different products and their origins.

Stumbled upon this cute coffee shop walking around! We stopped in for a cold brew and we were pleasantly surprised by the extremely nice staff and affordable cannabis products. Would definitely recommend and return next time we make our way back to Portland!

Staff was extremely blunt and rude. When we asked a question, it was met with attitude. Infused chai was delicious, and french toast flavor was kinda gross. First experience in Portland with bad vibes :/

Mark and his team were amazing! Coffee, cannabis and queers are the three best things combined! Can’t wait to come back!

I recently visited Higher Grounds of Maine while visiting Maine for the week and was incredibly impressed! I had a fantastic experience with their cannabis products specifically the garlic cookies strain. The individual who helped me was exceptionally knowledgeable and offered honest and insightful information about everything they had to offer. It's clear they are passionate about providing quality products and a positive customer experience. I will definitely be back to Higher Grounds of Maine on my next trip!

Higher Grounds Dispensary never disappoints! The staff is always friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to help you find exactly what you need. Great selection, fair prices, and a welcoming vibe every time. Highly recommend!”

A queer friendly cafe with amazing drinks where I can also buy top shelf cannabis products??! It’s literal heaven here. Wish there was one in NYC. Couldn’t recommend enough!!!!

This is a very nice store to grab some coffee, tea or some other drinks. They have a gorgeous interior, with few tables to dine in. There are tables available outside as well. The menu includes drip coffee and whole bunch of iced versions like Americano, Latte, Mocha, Matcha and French Roast. Very decent price for 12 oz and 16 oz sizes. We ordered a tea from here. The barista made it within a minute. It was quick and efficient. The tea had excellent flavor. In the back side of the store they have the cannabis section. Lots of items are displayed. An associate helps customers explaining different products and their origins.

*This is review for the tea not cannabis. Got a Assam ice tea from Higher Grounds. It's good black tea but I wish the tea flavor is a little stronger. Nevertheless, I enjoy my cup of tea while walking around downtown Portland. Vibrant wall mural. Cannabis section at the back (21+ only). The staff were very nice. Some indoor seats and outdoor seats.

Had a super nice barista, she was super helpful when I was asking questions about their chai and syrups. The only issue I had is I felt super sick to my stomach after having a chai with cbd added. I think it may have been the cbd, I didn't ask to see the ingredients so that's on me.

Great vibe, kind employees. A little challenging to find, it's across from Rigby yard in case that helps. Just got a latte - they have oat milk and honey available. Amazing art on the walls. They carry local CBD and herbals. They also compost & use compostable to-go cups/containers. The world needs and deserves more of these conscious, healthier places!

I'm no coffee snob, but The Cappuccinos were incredibly bitter and way overpriced, but the people were nice. Redid the cappuccinos as lattes, which remained quite bitter.

The staff was super helpful and accommodating when I had a short timeframe before needing to be at work. Thanks again.

Great start to the day. Awesome coffee and cannibus selection. Staff was super cool and helpful. Really enjoyed it and will def come back when in Portland.

I'm not normally a coffee person, but when I was in town visiting some friends they all wanted to visit this place so I tagged along. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised! A few highlights: - As an LGBTQ person myself, I felt incredibly welcomed by the staff. Everybody I interacted with me with respect and warmth. Not sure what some other reviews are talking about in regards to bad attitudes or whatever... - The drink I got was delicious! It was one of the seasonal specials (I can't remember exactly what it was, oops...) and although I could taste the coffee in it, I didn't mind because it was just that good! - The medical marijuana products were completely separate from where I ordered my drink. I don't personally engage with that sort of stuff, and didn't feel pressured to in the slightest! Again, contributing to the warm and welcoming environment that I absolutely LOVED TL;DR - Higher Grounds is a great place to go if you're looking for some good coffee, good vibes, and maybe even a side of THC if you're into that sort of thing!

Nice coffee/tea shop with lots of options. They have normal coffee/tea and spiked versions

CBD, ya you know me! Is it bad that we wandered into this cafe not realizing that they had CBD products? Even despite the cafe name? I even bought coffee and treats and still didn't realize adding CBD was an option until my husband pointed it out to me. There were plenty of signs, I missed all of them probably because I was hungover. But, I'm glad I was able to buy CBD drops to add to my coffee after the fact! We ordered: 1.) 2 Lattes 2.) Spinach & Feta Pie Everything was delicious-especially the pie. This cafe even composts as as sells CBD products and other natural products. Such a cool cafe filled with friendly staff- we will be back if we are ever in town!

Higher Grounds is all the vibes. Every time I come here, I love the ambiance. The menu of drinks is quaint, and they have light bites. They also sell a small selection of oils, including CBD. They for some strange reason, do not put sugar in your drinks, you have to do that yourself. I wish they would though! I came to relax, not to make drinks! Higher Grounds is in Old Port, and not just Old Port, but Wharf St where all the bars are and where the worst cobblestone path is in Portland. Watch your step!

Despite it being a federal law on the books for 40+ years this place is not wheelchair accessible like they claim on Google and here. They have a foot tall step into the shop that could easily be turned into a ramp. They make sure everyone else is welcome with lgbt stickers etc (which is awesome) yet they are actively discriminating against disabled people...one of the largest protected classes in the nation. Will be filing a formal ADA complaint.

Poor service. The barista was extremely rude and handled everything in an aggressive and disrespectful manner.

Another great visit. Amazing service and staff. Look forward to coming back for another coffee and some THC.

Great coffee. Great cannabis. Great conversation. Thanks Mark! We will be back! Buy from your local shop.

Service was moderately friendly. It took close to 15 minutes to get our lattes and there was no line. I bought one of the two remaining muffins. It was clear it wasn't made that day. No reason to go back.

Portland is filled with coffee shops and we weren't sure which one to choose. My sister and I were quite happy with Higher Grounds. The staff is friendly and it's really cute. It's in an alley, if you're looking for it. My latte was on point and so was her tea. We look forward to returning.

While not the biggest coffee drinker, it just took one stop in here for this to be my favorite local coffee spot. Friendly and welcoming staff and just a nice atmosphere with a great vibe to it. With the extra added benefit of them having CBD products and even add-ins to their drinks. As someone who uses CBD for frequent pain it is a great addition. I went with the French Toast Ice Latte and my girlfriend went with the Iced Matcha Latte and we both got 15mgs of CBD added. Now never mind if you don't use CBD or what not, you have to give this place a try for the quality of the drinks. My drink tasted exactly like French Toast and was easily one of the best lattes I have had. I look forward to returning to have the same drink again as well as getting some of their other CBD related products.

Needed a "pick me up" after a day of exploring the Portland coast & this place did just that!! Ordered a "French Toast" latte (hot) with oat milk & an extra shot of espresso. Such a neat place with super friendly service. Will definitely be back for more during our stay.

Good coffee, good muffin, free wifi - life is good. Great cafe in quaint cobbled street. Interesting art work and a wide range of coffees to sample as well as buy in beans or ground.

The staff is attention- seeking and rude. The man who makes the coffee pretends to be a mute and lets the cashier speak on his behalf. His overall demeanor made us uncomfortable. He could not even answer questions regarding the coffee flavors when we inquired about the maple flavored coffee. He would not give eye contact and comes across angry. Do not go here.

Super cool coffee shop with a very punny name. Was visiting Portland for the day and I must say the lavender honey simple syrup they had was amazing. Nice little flavor boost to my iced coffee.

Non-hygienic. The male barista with pink hair was outside smoking. When customers came inside he followed. He did not attempt to clean his hands and grossed us all out. We only bought the coffee because it felt rude but we were all so grossed out and threw it away. Not sanitary at all.

My favorite coffee shop in Portland by far and yet so much more than just a coffee shop. Higher Grounds feels like a community. The staff is consistently friendly and conversational. I'm not actually a coffee drinker, but I LOVE a good matcha, and Higher Grounds has the best one. Plus a CBD add-on option? Count me in. The space is hip and welcoming--plants, a table made out of a tree stump, fun artwork, shelves of CBD/hemp products, and a "NASTY WOMEN UNITE" print hanging. I'm a big fan. Good vibes all around.

Love the vibe and decor here. Also one of the few places in town to offer CBD extract as an add-on in any drink. Most of the staff are wicked nice. Can be a little pricey, but worth it. You have to try the French toast latte with oat milk!

Any local in Portland knows this is the place to go for a delicious dosed drink, some strong ass weed , and great and groovy vibes :) All of the staff are extremely welcoming and sweet. Definitely recommend stopping by to chat! Rosie the lovely batista with pink hair is very funny and she always makes my day when I visit ! Always looking forward to stopping by :)

What a great addition to the Old Port and to the city's coffee scene! I came to check it out while home in Maine because a childhood friend is behind the project, but I'd come back because of the nice space and good coffee. My husband and I came by on a typical November day--ie cold and grey--to warm up and re-energize for the afternoon after having gotten up wicked early for our flight up from DC. I went for the chai latte with almond milk (I don't do well with dairy anymore), and he ordered a cappuccino. It wasn't too busy, so our drinks were ready within a few minutes. We grabbed the table at the window and sipped our drinks while admiring the space and watching the people walking by outside. The space: I loved all the light, the natural wood and live edges of the furniture, and the multitude of plants throughout the room. The bathroom was really nice to use as well, rather than being a dreaded afterthought. It wouldn't be an easy place to stay for a long time, but the table by the window in particular would be a great place to work or read for an hour or so, especially in winter when natural light is a scarcer resource. The drinks: My chai latte had a wonderfully thick foam with the almond milk--I could even tip the spoon over and it wouldn't slide off! And it didn't come sweetened, so you can add sugar or not as you prefer. The chai itself however wasn't spicy enough for me; it tasted more like slightly flavored warm almond milk. My husband really enjoyed his cappuccino. I appreciated how they presented it on a wooden tray with a small glass of sparkling water (though the carbonation on the water was really weak). The design on the top of the cup was also really beautiful! Observations: There was a good looking selection of small food items for sale. You can also buy bags of roasted coffee beans to take home; I've found it's worth spending the money on good coffee like that. There's also a refrigerated case with some other beverages, and it looked like it could have held far more than it was then. Go enjoy this great new coffee shop Portland!

I really love Higher Grounds! I went in over the weekend and it was great. It's in a bit of a weird location, at least during the winter, but I think once people learn it's there, it will be great! I had a cappuccino and it was perfect. They pulled the shot just right and the milk was frothy but not stiff. I love Speckled Ax coffee too so that's an added plus! They served it on a cute little tray with some sparkling water, which was a nice touch. The space itself is also beautiful! They put in a TON of work. The mural is AH-MAZING. I also need to give a shout out to Tessa! I met her when I went in and girl is a BADASS. This place is great! Def go check them out.

Fantastic staff. Fantastic service. Delish coffee & relaxed atmosphere. I would come back here anytime

I had an iced chai with 10mg of CBD and while it was delicious, I am a self-proclaimed chai expert and I declare this chai a LITTLE bit lacking in flavor, though it is strong with cinnamon. Just a little bit watery (though I had whole milk). HOWEVER, I would still drink it ALL DAY everyday because of the CBD content, and I could taste a tad bit of cannabis oil at the end of my drink (which I personally enjoy) I loved my experience and highly recommend!

Don't sleep on this Portland gem! This shop offers way more than just your generic cup of coffee. Once inside you're greeted by the warm staff and an even warmer cup of caffeinated deliciousness. You can grab some wonderful dark roasts or really jazz it up with something sweet and creamy! I went down the sweeter route and was not let down by the staffs recommendation. We will totally come back next time we are in town!

Average drinks. However, service was pleasant. You have to options to put a bit of cbd in your drinks. I believe it cost a bit extra if you do.

We discovered this little spot trying to find an alternative to Starbucks, and so glad we did. Great little local spot tucked away on a great little cobble road, just a couple doors down from Street and Co.

My wife and I live locally and usually stick to our go tos for coffee shops but we were glad we have tried Higher Grounds a few times now. Small coffee shop tucked away one street between popular commercial and fore streets. Space is fairly small-medium sized with some art and earthy feel with unique wood tables that are nicely spread out. For those who want to hear each other talk or work alone while you sip your coffee it is definitely quieter than some super busier spots. Both times my lattes have been great- frothy, good flavor with good espresso to milk ratio as a latte should be. My wife has had tea there and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. Another plus is they do have local Standard Baking Co goods, like cinnamon buns and croissants! My only small complaint is service has not been overly friendly, but wouldn't keep me from coming back.

Good coffee and cannabis variety. Staff super friendly and ready to explain anything you need.

The best pumpkin latte I've ever had. Others can't even hold a candle to this one. You really can't beat real pumpkin in a latte, so much better than just the spices. Staff was so friendly and explained to me their CBD products. Will go back every time I'm in Portland.

I was on the hunt for a tasty hot chocolate and hopefully an exquisite pastry when a sign caught my eye. I decided I had to check it out when I saw an arrow on a chalkboard pointing me toward coffee and pastries. Finally, a small biz coffee shop in my favorite section of Portland! I met the manager, Tessa, who was really friendly. I had a chocolate croissant which saved me later in the day when lunch wasn't on the horizon anytime soon and that hot choc really hit the spot!! The inside decor is lively! I couldn't get enough of the rustic wood slabs for tables and the beautiful contrast of green succulents! I love the gorgeous Kohler sinks just outside the restrooms! We'll know if you do not wash your hands!! You should really swing by and soak in this coffee house. I could sit here all day catching up with friends.

Not sure what the fuss is about, not very good capacino. No idea what kind of milk was in this.

Purely due to the location I was a little worried that prices might be out of my budget but I was greatly mistaken! The owner of the business was incredibly kind and made wonderful recommendations. I'll be purchasing all of my rosin here moving forward!

Great location on wharf Street a little hidden gem at the moment. Exquisite decor, great customer service, and friendly knowledgeable owner. Excellent espresso as well as drip from speckled axe. Located across from Mark's Sports Bar and adjacent to Bonfire Country Bar. Definitely a go to coffee house in the old port.

This was the first coffee spot I tried during my trip to Portland. It is on a lovely street but may seem a little hidden if you're not specifically looking for it. We however had no issue at all finding it with a little GPS help. The atmosphere was great, the staff was friendly, and most importantly the coffee was excellent!

Not an honest place . Fake ads to lure in honest people then they refuse to honor their posted ad . the excuse of a mistake is BS they crossed out the 10$ amount and posted 10 cents as pic below shows. when i complained they said to call and they'd make it right , ANOTHER LIE . they refused to honor or even call me back. If you run a business it is YOUR responsibility to proof read your ads before they are posted , and if one does slip by you eat it and give the customer the item(s ) at the posted price, not sleeze out because your an incompetent business owner.Honesty is paramount along with reliability , two things this company lacks terribly . If their that dishonest there is no way id eat or drink anything they make or serve.

Get coffee and very friendly helpful staff. Great little place on a cute cobblestone street. And.....pastry. Yum

Apparently, I had a very different experience than most people who have written reviews for this place. My girlfriend and I were scoping Portland out for the first time after a wonderful weekend vacay in Kennebuckport. Our flight back to Maryland flew out of PWM that night, so we spent the day wandering through the downtown streets. After a few hours, my girlfriend had a hankering for a good cup of coffee (the hotel coffee where we stayed wasn't that great). That's when we stumbled upon a bi-fold street sign for Higher Grounds. My first impression as we walked in was a good one. My girlfriend is interested in CBD and had an opportunity to talk to someone knowledgeable about it while I waited for our drinks. I don't drink coffee but I love hot chocolate and drink it often at home. I like mine really hot. Nothing worse for me than a luke warm cup of hot chocolate, so I told the barista that I wanted it extra hot. What I got was far from hot. It was a very pretty looking hot chocolate with it's fancy swirl design, but it was barely past warm. I don't like making waves, but I really didn't want to settle for what I got, so I went back to the barista and informed her that my hot chocolate was barely hot. A quick apology and a "Let me fix that" would have been great. What I got instead was a face full of attitude. She took my cup without saying a word, walked to the sink behind her and dumped the cup. What made matters worse was that the next cup I got was also warm. Yes, it was hotter than the first one, but it still wasn't hot. While I enjoyed the pretty design on my first cup of hot chocolate, that sort of thing rates low in my decision as to whether I like my hot chocolate experience. However, I was surprised my second cup didn't come with it. It was a strong statement that felt like a passive aggressive gesture. What really irked me was some young smart ass of a guy, not long after I sat down with my second cup of hot chocolate, loudly exclaimed in a dramatic fashion how hot his coffee was and that the coffee shop should be more careful about how hot they made their coffee. I looked over in his direction to see what was going on. He had just gotten coffee to go. When he realized I was looking at him, he smirked as if he was mocking me. Did the barista really diss me to her friend? Unbelievable. I didn't do anything to warrant that kind of treatment. My girlfriend thought her coffee tasted good but it wasn't hot either.

Loved this place! The street they are on (wharf st) is super cool. The layout of the coffee shop is awesome and it is kept clean. I liked their little apothecary section! The baristas both times I went were very approachable and knowledgeable about coffee...each time they pulled the best shot of espresso aaaaand didn't even bat an eyelash that I had gotten a redeye with another extra shot on the side (Thanks). Definitely the spot to go to for coffee when you're visiting Portland.

Adorable little coffee shop with great milk alternatives and a cozy little space. Love spending an afternoon reading there.

I walked in here solely because they advertise adding CBD into the drinks. After I got to the counter, they told me they don't do that at the moment, so I was very disappointed. I got a chai tea and it was just alright, not worth it for the price in my opinion. The location is great and the inside is super cute, seems like it could be a nice place to hang out.

Became our go to coffee shop for morning Lattes while we were in Old Port! Excellent!!!

Came here visiting Maine for vacation. The coffee was amazing and the atmosphere was incredible! Being from jersey, I'm not used to everyone being so nice. But they're incredibly kind here and they made my latte with such care. Get the French toast latte with oat milk, it's worth it!