The Proper Cup

Nice coffee shop with cool decor inside - feels like a hangout spot. I gave a lucky duck to the cashier and in response, glee and cheer. The location gives me a reason to knock off a couple stars on atmosphere. The business is very unlike most of the buildings, outside seating isnt as comfortable.

absolutely thrilled to have a shop in the area that makes vegan breakfast sandwiches. the smoked salted maple latte was also divine. i went in fast for a pickup, but the inside looks like it's inviting and community minded.

Chill place to get work done and they serve a great drip coffee. Cons are that the hours are short and also the espresso drinks are pretty pricey - especially if you need a milk substitute. Overall a good vibe, though.

Lovely staff and a nice atmosphere. The bathroom is always clean. Appreciate the vegan options, always wish there were more.

Great little coffee shop with delicious blends of coffee to try. Really enjoyed our cold brews. Thank you!

What a great place! Delicious brews, a cozy resting place, free Wi-Fi, and a super convenient location on your way to work. The prices are well pointed for their top-quality brews and locally made donuts and baked goods. Just what I love to see from a coffee shop!

A very calm and open space. Enough tables and chairs to meet with others. The coffee was good, though moderately priced. This cafe should be a local favorite!

Excellent coffee and baked goods! Parking is easy, seating is abundant. Service is as warm as the sunshine pouring through this cafe’s big windows. Ambiance is sublime. Go to the Proper Cup. Order a honey lavender latte. It will make you smile.

I've tried this place three times and, though everything I've ordered has been decent, the attitude and service are always lacking somehow. Today, I stopped by to get an iced matcha on my way to work. It was made hot and I didn't have time to ask for a correction, so I asked if I could get a cup of ice. The guy went for the smallest one, though my drink was 16oz, so I asked nicely for the big one. He didn't offer a cover or ask if there was a problem or whether I needed anything else. I was nice regardless and said, "Have a good day!" For which I received a very unimpressed, "See ya." The place is cute and could have a lovely vibe if it was more warm and inviting. Unfortunately, I always leave slightly less content than I came after exposure to the establishments' energy.

I stopped in here while my friend was running the Portland 10 miler and ordered a maple latte. The latte was really good and the staff was so friendly that after the race we came back to get her a coffee and eat a snack. My friend ordered the honey lavender latte and the vegan breakfast sandwich. I ordered the avocado toast. Toast was exactly what I wanted from avocado toast! My friend said her sandwich and latte were also good. Would recommend stopping here for a coffee or a snack if you're in this area! The space has plenty of seating as well so even when we came back and wanted to sit and eat, we found a seat pretty quick.

Great neighborhood vibe - heard the barista having a full on convo with a local 3 year old regular. I got the iced coffee and it was pretty meh ... that single experience has converted me to an americano guy!

Great place for coffee and a small bite! Came here with a big group so seating was a little difficult but we made it work. I ordered an ice mocha latte 20oz and a plain croissant which was made perfectly!

I would say my favorite cup of coffee in the city of Portland is at the Proper Cup! I've loved their cold brew since the day they opened, and within the past year discovered the Maple Smoked Sea Salt Latte. Rich espresso combined with a touch of maple syrup sweetness and creamy oat milk topped with alder-smoked salt. And it actually tastes like all of those individual elements, too! An iced 20oz with an extra shot of espresso (and extra sea salt) is currently about $8 and keeps the pep in my step for a very, very long time. The Proper Cup is also one of those places where: 1) I never have concerns about whether or not my drink was made correctly. 2) *IF* I did have a concern about my drink, I know that they'd fix it right away. Their ambiance has changed over the course of their opening in 2018, but only for the better. It's a comfortable, airy space with ENORMOUS windows that let in so much light (even on those overcast days); there's great seating along the windows themselves, a couple tables outside, some two tops along one wall (with plenty of outlets), and a little central seating area. There's plenty of parking nearby on-street, which makes it genuinely so easy to get to if you're just picking something up to go. But - just some things to note - they close at 1pm every day and they don't take online orders on the weekend (so be prepared to wait Saturdays and Sundays because they get BUSY).

LGBTQ+ friendly, spacious, and smells incredible were my first thoughts. The baristas were attentive and service was quick. I tried the avocado toast and added sriracha and it was delicious! I got a large iced caramel latte - my go to. It was also delicious. They are very conscious of their waste and are a sustainable business. I would definitely come back here. Located on Forest Ave in Portland, it is close to other establishments. Great place to take a walk to.

This is one of my neighborhood coffee shops -- I remember when they first opened. They bring good vibes to an area that did indeed need this especially with the closing of Little Woodfords Generally I think the coffee here is not bad. I'm not a coffee connoisseur but it's a nice spot to enjoy a cup with the glorious sun flooding in the large windows. Pros: 1. There is a video game nerd in the staff. You won't infrequently hear some chill Zelda or Nintendo music in the background 2. Plants and great seating options 3. Cups and straws are compostable 4. BYOC Cons: 1. They need a vent or exhaust because the moment they start running their grill, the entire place fills with this terrible smoke that gets in your hair and clothes. My conspiracy theory is that it's meant to keep people from staying too long. 2. So many people just sit and work here. It's fine but it's also SO packed, you can't come here and find a spot to have a conversation! Overall it's good. The staff are pretty nice and the space is great!

You can't help but take a deep breath as you walk in the door and get hit with the invigorating smell of fresh coffee! The shop is delightful, the coffee is delicious, and the raspberry coffee cake hit the spot. Definitely worth a visit!

Coffee can taste GOOD. The Proper Cup is proof. I used to think of coffee as more of a medication vs a beverage to enjoy, but Rachel changed my mind. I've been to every nearly coffee shop on and off the peninsula and this is the best, even topping local institutions like Coffee By Design and Rwanda Bean. The coffee is aromatic and flavorful. Each varietal has its own flavor profile like fine wine, and the stock rotates so there is always something new. The decaf expresso is especially good. It tastes like nutty, rich caffeinated coffee. Latte flavors are inventive, use homemade simple syrup, and are not too sweet. Rachel is a personal friend, and I knew her when she opened the 'Cup almost seven(?) years ago. I'm so happy to see this place thriving. It's deserved.

Wicked good chai. Was warm and spicy and even with oat milk still had a rich and creamy feel. The prices are a bit expensive (7+ dollars for a 16 oz latte feels crazy especially since it's not downtown). The restaurant is cute with bright windows and lots of tables-perfect to do some work. Very quiet even though the cafe was full. Staff were quick making the drinks and had good recommendations.

The Maple Latte and Caprese Toast were amazing! I will definitely be coming back to this place. The workers were very nice and I loved the busy talkative atmosphere.

What is not to love? From their rebooted Pride flag, brilliantly displayed at the entrance, to their Flight coffee, this wonderful coffee shop is outta this world. The staff is so welcoming and clearly skilled with their artisanship, the space is open and airy, and the street seating is quaint albeit limited. Their chai is not too sweet, with the notes of clove and cinnamon laying atop the vanilla level. Their mocha had just the right blend of espresso and chocolate, with the foam (again, artisanship) done just right, fluffy and velvety. But try the baked goods. The blueberry scone (uh, Maine) was amazingly cakey and I'm not sure how they packed so much fruit into that scone. And the strawberry-rhubarb hand pie stands no chance versus my wife, destroyer of all things strawberry. Pair your eats with a cup of Flight coffee and you have an amazing start to your day. Enjoy!

Waited in line for coffee with my wife and infant. Some random lady walks into the shop and they decide to take her order when it's our turn just rude.

One of the first pit stops upon arriving to Maine. When we went to go grab coffee, seats were not available due to covid. Coffee options were good! So many cute plants inside the shop as well. Would come back hopefully when the times are a bit better...

The Proper Cup is the cutest! I love the vibe Proper Cup sets as soon as you walk in. The Proper Cup truly serves only... you got it, a proper cup! Food is excluded off of the menu, but that doesn't stop me from coming! I love to enjoy a cup of my chai latte while reflecting in my journal, reading a new book, or catching up on emails and writing new Yelp reviews. This is the perfect place to soak up your creative juices. Parking is street only, but because this is away from all of the touristy spots and small nooks and crannies of Portland, you can easily find parking around the corner.

Nice local coffee shop. Their maple sea salt latte was well liked by my friends. Street parking available in front

A tranquil and magical place with delicious coffee. There is plenty of seating, ample and convenient locations for plugging in, dog ecstatic, clean, and possessing a lovely staff. The clientele is polite and considerate of other people. Park on a side street to amplify your bliss.

Excellent and fast service. Very cute place, nice and quiet and very welcoming staff. Coffee was good, a little sweet but would definitely recommend

Roasted: checked out the Proper Cup in Portland Maine this morning. It is open limited hours with out door seating only right now due to Covid but had about 4 two top tables outside to sit at. Relatively simple menu with limited flavor options and no sugar free ones. They use a coffee roaster called Flight which is based out of New Hampshire which I've never heard of before today. Overall good but the espresso is slightly on the brighter side for my liking. The milk was steamed perfectly and the latte had a heart on top and the temperature was drinkable right away. Friendly barista. Would I go out of my way to come back here, probably not but I'd recommend it for sure if you are in Portland. Unroasted: I like the fact that the coffee shop goes out of its way to set up tables and chairs outside for people to enjoy. The staff as friendly and I wish they had a menu on the table you order at. Menu is on the window as you walk in. No sugar free flavoring here so had to go with my usual vanilla latte. I must say I enjoyed it quite a bit. This was a really good execution of the proper cup. I would try this again.

The Proper Cup is a local coffee shop that makes for a solid choice if you're looking for a place to grab a coffee/tea and chill. As a local joint service is a bit slower since they don't operate with the military efficiency of a Starbucks. But that's to be expected. The volume of the music is spot-on. It's not too loud and makes for great background noise. There is plenty of seating and it comes in all sorts of varieties: tables, bar, sofas. They have a good selection of hot and cold drinks and a limited selection of food in case you're feeling munchy. Of course, they have WIFI and I really like that the password is written above the refrigerator so that you don't need to ask anyone for it. Overall, I found it to be a very pleasant place to enjoy a beverage and relax. I'll totally return.

This is one of my top three favorite coffee places in Portland. Not only is their coffee/espresso delicious but they proudly wave a BLM and LGBTQ flag out front, creating a safe space for those who need it. But good vibes aside, I love their iced lattes. Although my go to has been an iced oatmilk maple latte (with CBD if they have it), my new obsession is their honey lavender iced lattes. Holy smokes!!! As someone who doesn't love their coffee too sweet, this is the perfect mix of delicate flavor and sweetness. I have to retrain myself from not ordering one every day. Maybe if my stimulus check ever comes in, I will!

We were looking for a coffee place near to downtown but not too busy and we definitely found it! Coffee was great and I also got a few pastries that were delicious as well. Atmosphere was clean and simple and there were plenty of places to sit down and enjoy our snacks before heading out into the day. It was a cool and rainy morning but this place gave us a spot to sit and wait out the rain before spending the day in Portland. Definitely reccommend

the proper cup made me a proper woman. also - so slayboss literally so pride! love the interior, especially the pink couch!

This was the best cup of coffee I have had in Portland. I would definitely drive out of my way to go to this place

This place has a great atmosphere. Excellent place to hang out lots of interesting decor. Coffee was good but disappointed in the food choices was hoping for something to go with the coffee but just a couple donuts and a scone. Was hoping for something a little different from all the other places in town. I will go back as I felt really comfortable there.

This is a great space. I found my new favorite sandwich here (vegan panini). The space is very welcoming and good for all ages.

I'm always looking for new coffee shops to add to my daily work migrations and was psyched to hear the Proper Cup would be opening up an easy walk just "off the peninsula" I'd been meaning to stop in after learning about them on Portland Food Map and by chance arrived on their opening day! For being so spacious, the atmosphere is very welcoming, warm and cozy between the color palette, wood and decor. One thing I meant to ask about was the story behind the motorcycle being used as a focal point in the center of the cafe, but was having such a nice time chatting with the owners about the food and coffee choices they went with it slipped my mind, so next time! Anywho, they chose an out of state coffee, Flight Coffee, from NH to serve so you can get familiar with a flavor profile from a New England neighbor which is a nice change I think. Believe me, I love our local coffee roasting scene, but it's also good to see what else is out there from time to time. Rachel, one of the co-owners, described the coffee as being very representative of the nuances described, as in how often you'll see that the flavor is supposed to have hints of this and that in it when you read the description and when you taste theirs you really do find those flavors! Which my friend and I both found to be true. They are keeping it local on the snack side, serving (my favorite) HiFi donuts and also standard bakery treats. The prices were reasonable, both the owners we delightful and it was fun hearing about the biz and what they'd like to do with the space moving forward. Looking forward to going back! Go check 'em out! Corner of Noyes and Forest

With so many coffee shops around Portland, it must be hard to keep up with the competition. What sets The Proper Cup apart from the rest is that the coffee itself is delicious. I don't know much about coffee but I know when it tastes bitter, watered down, sour or flat. The Proper Cup's coffee/espresso is smoky, bold, and balanced. They even have decaf cold brew in the summer. I could drink cold brew all day so I appreciate when it is offered decaf. So far I have only found that Whole Foods and The Proper Cup do this. They have a selection of plant based milks including oatmilk which is by far the best and creamiest! The space inside is unique and comfortable and the staff friendly.

My husband said this place reminded him of a coffee shop that would be in Portland Oregon.. That being said, super cute interior - really nice space to work for the day if you do that sort of thing. Their matcha latte was fantastic and they have great coffee options. I'll be back! Cute spot.

Hands down my new favorite cup of coffee in town. It's giving Tandem a run for its money. The nitro cold brew is strong, smooth and flavorful. I have been here a few times and met up with some friends. They have little pastries, which I've shared and have been delicious. It's not a full breakfast kinda place, which upholds it's true coffee shop standing. The reason I'm not giving it the full 5 stars is for the seating options. This is clearly meant to be a place to sit and work or catch up with friends. The work stations, small two top tables and some window seats, look like a spot to peck away on the laptop, but the catch up areas are lacking. Most coffee shops have a "comfy" area, which this place does, but the couch I sat in was AWFUL, it was hipsterific cute, but terrible to sit on. The springs were completely dead and the boards were pushing through. This couch needs a trip to the prison store, on River Road, to be redone, new springs and new fabric. It will be well worth the 400$. I promise.

We came across this unique coffee shop on our way to go study and we decided to check it out. It has a motorcycle next to the coffee prep station... how cool is that? :D :D We got the macchiato and the vietnamese iced coffee from here. The macchiato was strong... just the way we like it and the vietnamese iced coffee had a perfect sweetness to it. This place was very peaceful and it's a great spot to read a book or even get some work done :)

Without a doubt, the best coffee shop in Portland! Their honey lavender latte is delicious - not too sweet. Their breakfast sandwiches are delicious, as are the muffins. I went here pretty much every day in my trip - I couldn't help myself!

This place has a nice warm vibe from the moment you walk in. The music is at just the right level. They offer lots of seating. Counter height, tables, couches, & benches. The staff is very friendly.

GORGEOUS AESTHETIC! Music is chill. Decor amazing and the coffee....Fantastic! Hesitant to share this gem because I don't want it to be overrun however, support of local businesses is particularly important in our seaside city. Bravo to the business owner-spot on! Also, plenty of parking. Outdoor seating is nice and very spacious inside. Lots of seating.

I gave this place two attempts & both trips were a disappointment. They only offer special blend coffee - no basic unflavored "regular"coffee. The 2 flavors of the day were unappealing choices - the coffee was terribly strong. With a burnt taste. Second try I ordered cocoa. It was room temperature and tasted like unsweetened chocolate. It was chalky and clumpy. Too bad the drinks are so awful - the only good thing is the mellow music & industrial atmosphere. The metal window seats are very uncomfortable, but have the best street view.

Boy am I glad The Proper Cup opened at the end of my street... the coffee is perfect, and the space is so warm and cozy. I love the wooden bar against the windows, the seating area with gorgeous vintage couches, local art, and the motorcycle centerpiece adds a cool, unique stylistic element. It's the perfect place to set up for a day of work or catching up with a friend. The snacks are great- with gluten free and vegan options, and the fact that they have cake and HiFi donuts on the weekend is just amazing. Also, they make a mean matcha latte which I always appreciate!

Stopped here the other day and had a delicious coffee. Great service, great ordering system (with covid-19 going on and them not allowing people inside). Will definitely be back next time I am in the area.

I absolutely love this place! Sitting at the window to do work while drinking an expertly crafted latte is one of my favorite things. I appreciate that they have vegan alternatives to milk such as almond milk and oat milk. If you want to sit with friends, there is a couch and some cozy chairs along with lots of tables. The baristas are great-- very kind and helpful. The only thing I dislike is how early they close or I would be there every day!! Overall, an amazing place!

Stopped by to grab a cup before starting my day. Coffee is well made, with great taste and flavor. They also have some savory and sweet breakfast pastries. The only challenge may be parking on busy Forest Ave.

I've waffled on this review: 3 stars or 4 stars. I even wrote an entire review after my first trip and then deleted it because I wanted to give them a second (then third) chance. I've settled on 3 stars. I'll start with the space: it's cool, but not for me. They went for an industrial vibe and I just find it too dark! They have these great windows, but it feels like no natural light gets in there - I think the black walls contribute to that. But, it's definitely got a cool, trendy feel that will work for some people. I also don't get the motorcycle. It really just seems like it's a homage to male ego and doesn't really fit in. Now onto the coffee and food: it wasn't good the first time I went. It got better the second and third time. But each time, the cappuccino milk was way too hot and I couldn't taste the espresso. I also tried their drip and it was alright. Definitely doesn't compare to coffee from Portland's coffee roasters though. And the food! They're serving Standard and HiFi Donuts. It was all tasty and great but I could get either of those elsewhere on trips into the Old Port. Overall, it's been an okay experience. I'll come back occasionally if I'm in a rush or just want to get a coffee within walking distance of my house.

Great new addition to this area! Excellent coffee , beautiful space and the sweetest couple own the place. They were warm and welcoming which I find rare in many other places in Portland. It makes all the difference to me. I will be stopping here often.

Without hyperbole, The Proper Cup has the best coffee in Portland. Personally I'm a black coffee guy. No riff raff, I just like coffee in my coffee. The medium roast at TPC is bean water from heaven. The coffee is from Flight Coffee, a Dover, NH roaster (also a great coffee shop). Usually enough sitting and outlet space, no WiFi problems, and plenty of parking on the street or in the neighborhood. 10/10 to study, have a meeting, or just enjoy a cup of high caffeine coffee.

I have never had such a perfect latte. I happened upon this place after the place down the street quoted us a 40 minute wait for bagels... we walked in and the smoked salt maple latte called my name from the menu board. This latte tops the charts as the most delicious breakfast beverage I have ever had. Must try!!!!

Delicious cortado and cappuccino i had here during the quarantine. Happy to have this coffee shop close to my house. You are doing great job!

Super cute coffee shop with friendly employees, excellent coffee, and lots of seating. No vegan food options was the only drawback.

Awesome lattes and cappuccinos. But even better is the cool vibes, wicked nice folks who work their, and the wide open work spaces to chill.

Great customer service! Excellent coffee. The maple smoked sea salt latte was incredible

The owners seem motivated and I'm sure they are putting their heart and soul into this endeavor. I think they just need some time to find their rhythm and figure out who they are and what differentiates them from Portland's eleventy-billion other coffee shops. As others have noted, it's quite dark in there and their food options are not especially noteworthy. The coffee is fine. The latte needs a bit more practice. They describe themselves on their web site as "industrial goth" so I guess that explains the motorcycle? I don't get it but I'm willing to own that I am probably older than their target market. I would have loved studying there in college!

Was hoping for more here... I didn't get that cozy coffee shop feel. There are just a couple food options and my cappuccino was alright. I liked the window seats looking out onto Forrest ave, and the staff was nice. Hoping they add some more food and drink options... maybe a few couches...