Never Coffee

"Long walks to Mt. Tabor Park necessitate a visit to Never Coffee; the roaster’s playful branding, reliable baristas, and inviting interior attract passersby who may not have initially been in the mood for a coffee to begin with. It’s standard to see the line to entry backed up any time of the day without cause, whether it’s a casual Wednesday afternoon or a Sunday morning rush hour, as regulars patiently wait to grab inventive drinks with Never’s house-made syrups. Creations like the Rich Kid come with rose water, saffron, and cardamom, while the Midnight Oil gets flavored with fennel seed, star anise, and black licorice, offering subtly sweet and aromatic touches to milk drinks." - Katrina Yentch

"Never Coffee Lab is a colorful brand with two locations, downtown and on Southeast Belmont. The playful pastel-colored designs within Never’s cafe spaces are a tasteful pairing to its clean white walls, especially when juxtaposed with one of Portland’s endless-feeling gray days. Patrons will try to decide between inventive lattes flavored with ingredients like Cascade hops, saffron, and fennel seed, which come in stylish handmade ceramics or bottled to go with oat milk in tasteful amber glasses." - Katrina Yentch, Nathan Williams

"Tiny and bright, with aqua tiles on the floor, a Matisse Jazz–type mural on the back wall, and colorful bags of coffee beans, Sunnyside's Never is, well, never not vibrant. The creative lattes here are a step above, too. Everything from the Holy Grail (with turmeric, ginger, and lots of other goodies) to the Oregon (with cascade hops, dulce de leche, and Jacobsen sea salt) is divine. Best of all, drinks are served in colorful, locally made ceramic mugs." - Hannah Wallace