Speckled Ax is my #1 coffee shop in Portland, ME. Ive hit all the popular local coffee shops and their Maple Latte is hands down my favorite coffee drink to get in the area. The ambiance is great. I love the small shop on Congress. Once this pandemic is over and we can all enjoy our favorite local spots again, Ill be back at Speckled Ax for a relaxing visit. You wont be disappointed.

Spent this last weekend drinking coffee in almost every coffee shop around Portland & Speckled Ax was ABSOLUTELY the best that I had. The shop is beautiful and simply decorated. The menu is not extravagant, it simply highlights the delicious coffee. The maple latte is spectacular, as is the cortado. The two baristas I interacted with were the sweetest. Would definitely come back & if I lived in the area, I’d be a regular at that nice high top counter.

Decent espresso but just take note that they are only interested in serving you the bare minimum at the moment, and seem to be focused just on to go orders. No options for seating. No cups for water. No ceramic mugs if you’re a purist like me. Also no sparkling water of any kind. With plenty of other good espresso spots in Portland, I’d suggest just trying elsewhere first

We stumbled upon Speckled Ax our first day in Portland and fell in love. We ordered quite a few things but my favorites were the espresso and tonic, the bacon egg and cheese with arugula and pickled onions (must add!), and the bagel with smoked salmon. It was all amazing!! We couldn’t get enough of it. We went three times on our four day stay!

Only stopped here for a breakfast sandwich, we ordered 2 of the bacon egg & cheese muffin. This item was $7.50. There were 5 people working here, 1 at the register, 1 at the espresso machine, 1 doing something behind the scene and 2 in the kitchen. Unfortunately there were 3 customers ahead of me who also ordered the same thing, so thus it took 17 minutes for my order to finally be done. I observed the 2 in the kitchen, only 1 was making the muffin orders. The other was just doing other prep work (something with garlic) and/or cleaning. Not a very efficient process. I wasnt expecting a fast food pace, but this was sit down and order pace. So we ate the muffins at our hotel, and I did like the bacon, but there was no cheese visible. I inquired via email and was told the cheese was mixed with the egg. Like I said, no cheese visible. Was I happy, no. Was it worth it, no.

Absolutely lives up to the hype. not a sit-down-to-study spot but the espresso is wild and they rotate out their espresso beans so theres always something new in your cup. Getting to know the other coffee places in portland has been made extremely difficult because I just always want to go back here.

Went 2 days in a row while visiting. One of the best espresso drinks Ive ever had from an establishment. I was sad to know that were closed in my last day in the city. 😔

The best coffee. The fantastically knowledgeable barista made me the perfect americano. Cannot wait to go back!

Stopped in to try the espresso as we were walking by. I thought the wood roasted coffee slogan might have been a gimmick, but I was pleasantly surprised by the shot I had. Not quite as lively in the cup as Id expect from a Colombian coffee, but still very enjoyable. Would love to try a milk drink next time Im in Portland.

I got fooled by all the good reviews on Yelp. We walked in during lunch time. Place looked nice inside with plenty of tables available. We ordered a latte and a mocha. My latte was bad and mocha was worse. Everything was off about it. The taste, the look and the foam was off. Mocha had salted chocolate and tasted bad. We threw both drinks out after a couple of sips.

This Coffee shop was quiet, clean, relaxing and an nice find. The coffee was high quality, I am buying more beans from them.The two baristas were nice and welcoming. The service was quick, I am giving them 4 stars, because, perfection is hard to come by.

They have a great coffee and tea selection. Thanks to the knowledgeable staff and friendly attitude we were able to enjoy great single region coffee and tea.

We were given a gift certificate as a gift so we checked out. Great coffee

We ordered a seasonal latte and a mocha--enjoyed both! Neither was overly sweet which was nice because you could actually taste the flavors of the espresso.

Cool coffee shop, comfy spot to settle in for a cup of cold brew! Delicious coffee & friendly staff. Theyre lovingly wood-roasting organic beans right in the back of the shop. Ill definitely be back to pick up a bag of beans to go!

The coffee is top notch. I really enjoyed my espresso, and their beans looked great. If you want a quality coffee you will enjoy.

Nice relaxed environment with great expresso. The beans are roasted over wood fire, which is supposed to retain more moisture in the bean for a slower roast. Try the espresso with 3 oz of steamed milk for a strong latte.

Really tasty cappuccino and well prepared. Would def come again.

Friendly Service. Great coffee. Open longer than other cafes around.

One barista with a bad attitude can ruin a coffee shop. That has finally happened for me at Speckled Ax. I enjoy the single origin beans, but the customer service is terrible. As in, there is NO customer service. Not a smile, not a thank you or the ability to answer questions about their products politely. Im not a tourist--dont treat me like one. The lattes are lukewarm, the foam is always off--almost as bad as Starbucks.

Fantastic coffee and service. Love the maple latte!

Stopped by for a coffee break and found our new favorite coffee spot in Portland! Cortado and the Flash Brew were both really good, and barista was super friendly.

Cliche hipster style cafe. Awesome coffee, great service, really chill atmosphere, plenty of seating, decent prices. Highly recommend the single origin roasts. This is a great place to come and read or do some work / studying.

Ive gone to the original Speckled Ax on Congress Street location a few times and its a bit pricey, but the coffee/espresso drinks have been pretty good. We went to their new location on Commercial Street and we were so excited! Unfortunately, the mocha lattes tasted like water and the iced coffee was fine and we paid a lot. I really hope they get their act together at the new location because wed love to be regulars! Speckled Ax - let us know if you want us to be taste-testers! ;)

Chai latte is quite possibly the worst I’ve ever had. Was looking forward to this place because of the reviews but wicked awful.Update: there was a line of people outside and the 1 barista working puts up a “out to lunch sign” and walks away. Doesn’t say anything to the line of customers.I did the polite thing and told everyone they weren’t missing out on the worst coffee shop in town.We all walked over to Coffee by Design and had good coffee.

Awesome coffee, friendly staff, nice ambiance

This is an awesome and eccentric coffee shop located on congress street. They have lots of cool retro decorations inside. They use very high quality beans and their baristas meticulously craft every pourover with great care. Their espresso drinks are also good and I like the touch of serving sparkling water on the side.I can’tsay I have tried any of their pastries. They also have a couple tables outside. They usually have plenty of seating and I have never found myself without seating..

Its pretty pricey, but i get that its a small business, and you pay for what you get. absolutely fantastic coldbrew, good donuts, overwhelmingly mediocre chai latte. i would recommend this place to any of my more coffee purist friends, or people who want a completely reliable good cup of coffee. no wishy washy coffee here

Horrible service!! Is too bad the coffee was tasty!! Not even allowed to try the coffee to make sure its made to your liking unless you step outside. Then you have to wait back in line again to have them add more cream or sugar!!I would not recommend!

Great coffee well made!

The coffee was fresh and tasty, the cranberry walnut scone and chocolate chip sea salt cookie were delicious! The service was friendly and the place was clean and tidy.

Unfortunately, now a days I am forced to drink Decaffeinated coffee (this makes me very upset). Their Decaf actually has flavor! Nice deep, rich, bold and a touch smokey flavor that I am head over heels about. When enjoying a cup, I dont even miss my regular coffee.

Great covid service. Very efficient. Overall great experience, five stars.

$10 for a nitro cold brew and a regular cup of coffee.The nitro brew was flat and it looked like someone simply “shook up” some iced coffee. The was not a nitro brew.The traditional coffee was mediocre at best.Maybe it was an “off” day but I won’t ever go back.

Cozy coffee shop. Unassuming and hip. Has wifi and great coffee. Went with the pour over. For reference, their fast coffee is drip and served until 11am.

I love this coffee! I am thrilled to find this place so close to my hotel. It is so rich and earthy, one of my favorite cups ever. I am visiting for 3 weeks and will start my day off here every day.

I should have bought the beans home. Mmm

The espresso was pretty good but the price was a bit high.

Stuffy, elitist and not sure what the coffee hype is about. Generally, while I appreciate a good espresso, I won’t be mad about a hotel coffee since it’s got the most important part... caffeine! Never been more disappointed in a cappuccino. Was not drinkable. Girl working seemed highly put off that we asked for stevia. Dunkin’ Donuts makes a far better cup of coffee.

Great espresso drinks

Awesome coffee shop!

Beautiful laid back joint. Espresso was excellent, tart and fruity and chocolate-Y. Incredible choice of formats for such a small tidy space. Everyone was super friendly.

Good pastries as well!

Wood roasted beans, quite unique, a fantastic charcoal aroma, served in Pyrex flasks for pour overs

Oh man, what nice baristas!!! Great sense of humor and seemed happy to talk to us about the area. We were only in town a day. The cereal milk latte is amazing. Love the roasted coffee, Burundi was delicious.

YUMMY coffee and they constantly collaborate with local talented bakers for delicious pastries

First time in. Barista was helpful, knowledge and personable. We chatted about coffee and Portland. Was able to get a half decaf Costa Rican coffee that was bright and flavorful with low acidity. Music was a little strange and the old school mechanism on the flashing sign was a little loud but otherwise a great place to sit out the cold and enjoy a book. Will return to try other varieties and foodstuffs.

Good coffee but prefer tandem

Nice place and great staff

Maple latte was da bomb. Their espresso is legit smooth and sweet.

Best small batch, terroir focused coffee in Portland

Great coffee, but since re opening post covid, the sizes of espresso drinks has been reduced to one from three. Now, lattes come in the 8 oz cup, and a cappuccino comes in a new, even smaller cup...holding only 6 oz. Maybe ok of an espresso, but not for cappuccino. Gone after 4 sips. No change in prices

Good coffee and fine seating, could use more comfortable areas for long-term customers.

Weve been buying coffee from here for a long time and they never disappoint. Stop in for a pour over coffee and try it before you add cream or sugar!

Very poor customer service. Attendants prefer chatting up among themselves and a customer who happened to be a friend than get the long queue moving. Simply inconsiderate.

Chill, coffee is aight, slightly quieter than other coffee spots (mostly due to snug space) prepare to bring your library voices.

Coffee was okay, small portions for high price, very acidic.

One of my fav shops in town. Probably my favorite coffee in Portland. From a fruity floral cup to a cup with green pepper notes, they have such a range of lovely coffees. Good staff and values too. : ) (Coffee bags are biodegradable too)

Fantastic coffee with a definite caffeine kick. Very clean aftertaste. Would 100% come back

Barista recommended maple latte and it was a cup of heaven!

The coffee and service is wonderful here, and the baked goods are great too!

I love the atmosphere, slightly on the hipster side, but without a doubt a calm and laid back environment. Promotes not only a friendly staff, but also a friendly attitude between coffee lovers. For Congress Street, ample seating, public restroom and decent coffee. Latte art and decently clean. Altogether exceptional although imperfect. Would recommend.

Wow. Delicious tasting espresso. My husband had the double shot and I had an ice maple latte. Both were great. Would recommend and return if in the area again.

Love this coffee shop! The Batistas are always very friendly and make delicious coffee. It is priced appropriately. There isnt very much seating, so get it to go! Will be coming back soon.

Ordered a cortado and iced coffee. Both the espresso and drip coffee were quality. Staff was friendly and service excellent.

A very nice coffee bar, good coffee and local baked goods are available.I dont go often, but its definitely comfortable and never as crowded and loud as Starbucks. The staff is friendly and accommodating. 😎🍰🍩☕🌝

Expertly made latte and hot chocolate. Always a great sweet or savory available too. A very comfortable seating area, just the right size.

Im finding all sorts of little treasure places in Portland and I think this is one of those places. I do feel this is one of those coffee places you have to know what everything is, which I dont, and am afraid to ask when I reach the counter. It was different because it appears everything is brewed by hand, not through coffee machines. The staff is friendly and smiling.

I brought a group of eleven youth there thirty minutes before closing and the person working was so pleasant and accommodated us quickly, accurately, and efficiently. Very impressed!

A perfect coffee shop

Get the « Nano Genji » Ethiopian beans. Don’t know if it’s the wood burning roasting process, but these are the best coffee beans I’ve bought in years!

I have had very mixed results when I have came in here. Overall a great experience but there are times that I come in and the Baristas are not always present. The coffee however is always delicious and well done and I like that I am able to make the coffee with specific types of sugar .

Ive been obsessed with Matts coffee before it became Speckled Ax. Mocha Java has been my favorite for a couple of years now. They roast the beans perfectly, you can taste the coffee. If you appreciate coffee for what it is, they make the best coffee that you dont need to mask it with sugar or milk. The coffee is delicious on its own, just black☕

I went there while I happens to be in passing through Portland during a Maine vacation because I had read they roast their beans with a wood fire. I thought that sounded interesting. Perhaps, I thought, the wood would imbue the coffee with different flavors, but that was not the case. I tried two different coffees, both of which were solid, and tasted exactly as advertised. It was good enough that I bought two pounds to bring home.

They serve absolutely excellent coffee here. Dont come here just to grab a coffee and run. Sit down, sip your coffee, and appreciate all of the work they put into making you the best cup of coffee you will have in Portland.

Very relaxed coffee house. Simple menu with great choices for the coffee lover. I went with the cold brew iced coffee and while it is not the smoothest cold brew I have had, it was still quite good. I also appreciate that they serve dine in items in glass to reduce waste. Would definitely come back if I needed coffee and wanted to get some work done.

Place is very small and cramped feeling but the coffee was good. Dont expect a Starbucks when you come to this spot. Its a very hip and purist type of atmosphere when it comes to coffee. All coffees seemed to be of pour-over concept or what i would consider long form.

Coffee quality on point. Service was great. Cafe was relatively clean, couldve been cleaner. Knowledgable staff. Some of the tastiest espresso Ive ever had. Nice work, Speckled Ax!

Small shop, locally roasting coffee over wood fire. Espresso was good, not great. Especially as a shot with no milk to hide the bitter/sour taste. Im guessing this is due to the way the shots are ground and pulled, not the roasting? Either way, cool spot to grab some caffeine.

The nerd at the front should be fired.

They be pulling juicy shots

This may be my favorite espresso in Portland. The staff are talented and mostly warm and the coffee is superb. The only downside is that its difficult to get a seat. Thats the price of perfection, I guess.

Super quant and friendly coffee shop. Came in 15 minutes before closing and we were treated as if they just opened. Caroline made me a coffee off the cusp named the Snicker will make sure I go there again.

Wonderful little place with excellent coffee. Thoughtfully sourced and roasted.

I stumbled into this shop on a visit to Portland a few years back. Came back recently & had to see if it was as I remembered. We loved our pour overs & were thrilled to pick up a bag of beans to take home!

Excellent drinks and service. Their aloe plant needs a little love though ; )

Probably the best cup of coffee you can get in PortlandThe first time I blew into Speckled Ax, it made me late for work because I was under the impression it was a place to grab a quick cup of coffee. Its not the case. When you have a few minutes to spare, the time it takes to make each individual cup of coffee is worth the wait. If you can hit it when it is not crowded, it is a great place to bring a laptop or a book. Be careful though, the coffee is strong. I accidentally drank 3 cups without even thinking about it while working and was shaking my way out the door.

Excellent Iced Mocha. Took a few minutes for them to make it, but it was well worth it. Small nibs of cocoa/chocolate were in it, and it had a high-end taste that you only get at small batch coffee places. Recommended.

The best cup of coffee in Portland!

Perfect espresso. A friend told me if sugar floats on top, its good stuff. The place is super cool on the inside, as well. Very reasonable pricing.

Great coffee, the tea comes in a beaker (if you get the large) and their mugs are beautiful. Great place for a quick cup or small meeting.

I went there to grab 2 cups of coffee I decided I want to support a small buisness and bought a bag of coffee beansTotal was 26$The lady asked me if I want to tip herI was upset at the question so I said tip what ever you likeUsually you are supposed to tip a serviceLets say 6$ coffee so 1$ tipShe tipped her self 25%My total charge was almost 33$Where is todays honestly ?A shame

Love the coffee! Great place to get a cup and relax for a bit.

Delicious pour over coffee paired with a friendly, knowledgeable staff, makes for a great coffee shop.

First class as in world class.

Great service. Good wifi. Perfect for working on your laptop for a bit.

Speckled Ax is one of the best coffee shops in Portland. Since they specialize in pour over coffees it isnt the best place for a quick cup of coffee to go, but it would be unfair to evaluate the shop with that criteria. There are few better spots to sit and enjoy a complex cup of coffee. The shop is laid out so that you can chat with friends or get work done. There arent many outlets for charging devices, but the wifi is always strong.

Hands down the best coffee in Portland, and possibly all of North America. Roasted over sapwood and fruitwood and brewed using a variety of artisan techniques: high precision single cup pour over, full immersion vacuum pot, 24 hour slow cold brew. The crew also makes the full complement of espresso drinks. Super friendly and warm.

The service was nice and so was the environment but I was less than impressed with the actual beverages. The chai late was watery and left much to be desired and same with the coffee. The coco however is decent.

If your looking for simple coffee, this is not a good fit for you. One of a growing group of upscale coffeehouses in Portland, the offerings are diverse and can be pricey. During the week, they offer a fast coffee options and frequently have day-olds you can grab. While a little snooty its a nice place to warm up and catch up on a good book.