Spella, Downtown
31 people recommendvia r/askportland, r/Portland30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 21 threads.
What people say, in short
Many commenters recommend Spella, and several describe its espresso as traditional, Italian-style or classic. Several name it a favorite or top choice, and several praise its beans and roasts, including dark roasts. One commenter notes there is little seating. One commenter says the 1st Avenue branch has closed, leaving only the Alder Street cafe, which this entry covers.
Address
Spella Caffè @ Alder Street, 608 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
At a glance
- Signature dishes
- Espresso
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Spella, Downtown, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/LowAd3406 in r/askportland · May 2025
Names it among personal favourites.
- Recommendsu/MountScottRumpot in r/askportland · Apr 2024
Named as a Southwest pick, tied with another shop.
- Recommendsu/jmlack in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Once loved Spella, though has not visited in years.
- Recommendsu/Pale-Weather-2328 in r/askportland · May 2026taste
Thinks it comes nearest to Roman-style espresso bars; roasts its own and has tables in a nearby historic lobby.
- Recommendsu/Lawfulneptune in r/askportland · Sep 2025taste
Says this downtown spot pulls their top espresso in town.
- Recommendsu/GreedyWarlord in r/askportland · May 2025taste
Enthusiastically recommends Spella and praises its roasts.
- Recommendsu/Androgynous_Wonder in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Names the Spella on Alder as their pick.
- Recommendsu/escaladorevan in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Ranks Spella second in their personal preferences.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/bad-bangs in r/askportland · Apr 2024
Lists it as their Southwest pick.
- Recommendsu/Mediocre_Feedback_21 in r/askportland · Apr 2026
Replies to the request by naming this shop as a suggestion.
- Recommendsu/Due_Duty1270 in r/askportland · Jan 2026
Says the cafe is excellent.
- Recommendsu/LeisureActivities in r/askportland · Oct 2024taste
Recommends Spella Cafe for a classic Italian style.
- Recommendsu/GoblinCorp in r/askportland · May 2026taste
Agrees with the Spella pick; says its shot is the most classic they've had outside Italy.
- Recommendsu/giles_eb in r/askportland · Sep 2025consistency
Says this shop is consistently excellent.
- Recommendsu/marsdenplace in r/askportland · Jul 2025
Names Spella as a third wave shop to try in reply to the question.
- Recommendsu/Spruce_cat in r/askportland · Sep 2024
Names Spella as their top choice overall.
- Recommendsu/Tc5998 in r/askportland · Jul 2025taste
Agrees with the Spella pick and says they've been getting its affogato in the afternoon lately.
- Recommendsu/IzilDizzle in r/askportland · May 2025
Says they love it in the Old Town area.
- Recommendsu/Baketown in r/askportland · Jan 2024taste
Names Spella as a dark-roast pick.
- Recommendsu/redandshiny in r/askportland · Oct 2026taste
Praised for its espresso; notes it has little seating.
- Recommendsu/the_real_raj007 in r/askportland · Sep 2026
Lists it among downtown coffee picks.
- Recommendsu/Away_Issue in r/askportland · Apr 2026taste
Says Spella on Alder makes good on-the-go coffee with strong beans and suggests it as a morning stop.
- Recommendsu/anticdotal in r/askportland · Jun 2025taste
Praises Spella as very good and underrated.
- Recommendsu/abrewsterslifeforme in r/askportland · Jan 2026
Also praises this cafe, agreeing with the earlier recommendation.
- Recommendsu/BlastNastier in r/Portland · Dec 2025taste
Only place in town for traditional Italian-style espresso; praises the hand-pulled ristretto at the downtown cafe.
- Recommendsu/Imaginary-Objective7 in r/askportland · Sep 2025
Replies with a one-word endorsement of the suggested place.
- Recommendsu/pacificmidwest in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Gives Spella Caffè as a one-line answer to the request.
- Recommendsu/samanmax in r/askportland · Jan 2025taste
Currently using beans bought at Spella's downtown cafe and calls them great.
- Recommendsu/neptunoneptuneazul in r/askportland · Sep 2024
Says the 1st Ave branch was their favorite and is closing, leaving only Alder.
- Recommendsu/anwgirl in r/askportland · Aug 2024taste
Calls Spella an old classic that matches the asker's taste.
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Freshness
Details last checked 14 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.