Monte Rossa Cafe

The best way to start your day if you’re in the downtown Portland area in the midweek is at Monte Rossa’s in Chinatown! Rob has been running this place for about 10 years and still takes care of each and every customer personally. More often than not, he’ll remember your preferences after only a couple visits!
I typically start my day here with either a double espresso or green tea. On days that I’m running behind, I can always count on the croissant breakfast sandwich (Rob makes his own amazing version of Dijon mustard!).
The menu here ranges from sandwiches, subs, and paninis, salads, all the way to desserts such as cheesecakes, cakes, and muffins.
The ambiance is comfortable, lots of regulars, super easy parking. Monte Rossa doesn’t offer wifi as Rob would rather have his customers interact with each other. A couple tables with umbrellas outside is a perfect spot for those rare sunny Portland days.
I give Monte Rossa 5 Stars for that comfortable non-​corporate feel and because Rob is such a likeable guy. If you get a chance to pop in, tell him I said hi!

This guy knows what customer service is supposed to be like. He is going to go far just with that alone, not to mention the best iced hazelnut late (recommended by another poster) I have had in a while. I’m not a coffee snob but it definitely sounds like he knows coffee. Come support this guy’s business, we need more like his.

I’ve been coming in here for years Robert the owner is what he seems a leftover from how people cared about each other a small shop where I’ve made meny friends and had meny conversations? So the food is great and all ways. The best prices in town try the breakfast sandwich lots of combos I can’t say enough once I found this shop I stoped looking others feel cold and sterile try it make a new friend just say hello it’s that easy all sane are welcome

one of the best parts of being a contractor is whenever I’m in a new office, I get to explore the local food and drink options — and finding a good place to grab coffee and a snack is pretty essential. Monte Rossa is a pretty strong contendor for my go-​to joint so far — coffee is solid, and right now I’m biting into a delicious warm bagel sandwich with just the right balance of ingredients. It’s just one (really friendly and chill) guy behind the counter, so if it’s busy things can get a bit slow, but otherwise, this little coffee shop is kind of a no-​brainer if you’re looking for a bite and some caffeine.

Best iced hazelnut latte I’ve ever had. Beats the milk out of Starbucks, and the owner/​manager (didn’t actually catch his name) really made this experience here memorable.
My road trip buddies and I had stopped in Portland in September and were just meandering around the city when afternoon sluggishness hit us suddenly in Old Town, and we went on a serious mission for coffee. Somewhere around 4^th Ave. there’s an old sign in faded paint that screams COFFEE but we peeked our heads in all we saw were grungy men working on cars. Luckily, some grinning mechanics pointed us in the direction of Monte Rossa, and thank the sky they did.
The owner was really friendly and nice, someone you can actually talk to, not just a salesman in a business suit, and the coffee tasted real and creamy. Something I have never encountered before: he asked me to taste my drink before I paid for it, to make sure I liked it. Unheard of! I was impressed. Furthermore, I accidentally spilled my drink after it was freshly made and approved of (like I said, my hazelnut latte was worlds above Starbucks, strong but not overdone, creamy but not too fake-​sweet) because I tend to be unusually clumsy, and he offered to make me another one without hesitation. I was embarrassed but he was so genial and great about it. The other customers that came in seemed to frequent the place often and had a great rapport with our guy.
In all my road trip encounters, this coffee shop ranks among the best. Great coffee drinks, impeccable customer service (though I would hesitate to call it service because he makes you seem like you’re old time friends) and comfortable atmosphere with free wi-​fi and tasteful music. A favorite for sure.