Behind The Museum Cafe
Tea house · Downtown ·
Matcha lattes, onigiri, and soft serve in a tranquil Japanese cafe.
Matcha lattes, onigiri, and soft serve in a tranquil Japanese cafe.
"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
"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." - Eater Staff
"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
"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
"A bright, window-lined teahouse and bakery that's been open eight years, Behind the Museum Café serves teas and matcha lattes and sits near visiting museum guests and Portland State students; the original space is about 2,500 square feet and is the home base of owner and baker Tomoe Horibuchi." - Alex Frane