Upper Left Roasters, SE Clay
30 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 22 threads.
What people say, in short
Most commenters recommend this Southeast Portland roaster, and many name it a favorite or a pick. One commenter would make a special trip for the espresso, one rates the food as the standout, and one describes great vibes. Two say it is small or crowded, though one notes outdoor seating helps. Two find the coffee decent or acceptable but fairly standard.
Address
Upper Left Roasters, 1204 SE Clay St, Portland, OR 97214
At a glance
- Best for
- Specialty coffee
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Upper Left Roasters, SE Clay, 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/aritumex in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Would travel for Upper Left, especially for espresso.
- Recommendsu/BoulderEric in r/askportland · May 2025taste
Ranks the food as the standout, pointing to the many hot dishes made there; rates the drinks as merely acceptable.
- Recommendsu/MadTownPride in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Lists this SE cafe among the places they enjoy.
- Caveatu/No_Cat_No_Cradle in r/askportland · Oct 2024value
Says Upper Left doesn't offer it, which bothers them.
- Recommendsu/levir03 in r/askportland · Nov 2025taste
Gives this shop an honorable mention for straight coffee.
- Recommendsu/MountScottRumpot in r/askportland · May 2025
Includes it in a personal list of favourites beyond earlier suggestions.
- Recommendsu/cream_based in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Lists Upper Left among options; suggests asking what espresso choices are offered that day.
- Recommendsu/twaddington in r/askportland · Jul 2025
Names Upper Left Roasters as a third wave pick in reply to the question.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Personal_Front5385 in r/askportland · May 2025taste
Calls its roasts offbeat and describes the room as stark and minimalist.
- Recommendsu/Brosie-Odonnel in r/askportland · Apr 2026
Names it among their personal favourite coffee shops and roasters.
- Recommendsu/bad-bangs in r/askportland · Apr 2024
Lists it as their Southeast pick.
- Recommendsu/yukimontreal in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Lists Upper Left Roasters among suggested cafes for remote work.
- Mixedu/jswagpdx in r/askportland · Mar 2026ambience
Finds it always crowded, so they only get drinks to go, though outdoor seating helps in warmer weather.
- Recommendsu/CherryPie2013 in r/askportland · Dec 2025
Names Upper Left Roasters as their suggestion.
- Recommendsu/clarka2891 in r/askportland · Jul 2025
Repeats Upper Left in their list of recommended shops.
- Mixedu/Moist-Consequence in r/askportland · Jun 2024taste
Finds Upper Left decent but fairly standard coffee.
- Recommendsu/tryoncreek85 in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Suggests Upper Left as a good option.
- Recommendsu/jansipper in r/askportland · Nov 2025
Agrees with the parent's list, so endorses this shop too.
- Recommendsu/fkinbollshit in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Rates Upper Left highly.
- Recommendsu/usefulmastersdegree in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Lists Upper Left Roasters as a suggested spot among its answers.
- Recommendsu/SouthernVegetable168 in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Recommends this spot for great vibes and excellent coffee.
- Recommendsu/billyspeers in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Replies with only the name Upper left as a suggestion.
- Recommendsu/Doggmamm in r/askportland · Jun 2025
Lists Upper Left Roasters among personal favourites.
- Recommendsu/owl0 in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Lists it as a Southeast pick.
- Recommendsu/jjthinx in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Names Upper Left Roasters as another local option near Ladd's.
- Recommendsu/vinylpanx in r/askportland · Oct 2024
Lists Upper left among their suggestions.
- Recommendsu/Interesting_Ad9295 in r/askportland · Jun 2024
Calls Upper Left Roasters a favourite coffee shop in SE that also serves food.
- Recommendsu/cgibsong002 in r/askportland · Jun 2024taste
Lists Upper Left as a good pour-over option, though below Proud Mary's level.
- Recommendsu/morgansdoor in r/askportland · Jan 2024
Lists Upper left among favourites that are excellent.
- Mixedu/102MEP in r/askportland · May 2025ambience
Describes the shop as small and often packed, offered as a practical caveat.
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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.