What a truly beautiful cup of coffee. If I lived less than three hours away, this would be my daily ritual. The coffee is exceptional, the atmosphere cozy and inviting, and the kind of place that lingers in your memory Highly recommend. read more

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This coffee shop, not only has a nice coffee selection with an easy to read menu, but has one of the largest non-caffeine offerings I've seen so far! So many unique teas to choose from. Also these were some of the nicest employees I've come across in a long time. Definitely noteworthy. My drink was very good, and I grabbed a pastry that I couldn't resist. It was a rhubarb danish, and it was so so good! I was pleasantly surprised that it was as tasty as it looked. They also had a table with lots of fliers for current events & community engagement things happening around Akron. The shop itself has plenty of seating, and even tables outside. If you're on the towpath, it's a nice place to stop in after a walk/run. Overall rating: 4.7/5 stars read more

Portal West Coffee - Dirty Spicy Honey Chai Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Cozy Vibes & a Beautiful Cappuccino I popped into Portal West Coffee this afternoon looking for a quiet spot between appointments and was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem. From the parking lot, you kind of have to squint to find it--but once you're inside, it's warm, cozy, and instantly welcoming. I only planned to stay for half an hour, but I found myself wishing I could hang out all afternoon. Lots of people were working or studying, so it's definitely a great spot for students, remote workers, or casual meetings. As for the coffee: my cappuccino was fantastic. The crema was rich, the latte art was beautiful, and the mug it came in just fit the vibe. The barista was friendly and answered my questions about the Drip Drive with a smile. And the best part? Great prices. I didn't feel like I was paying luxury prices for a mid-afternoon (decaf!) pick-me-up. Definitely adding this one to my regular rotation. read more

Portal West Coffee - I appreciate a barista who's careful about latte art. A pretty pour just makes coffee taste better. lol - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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Stopped in around 10am on a Saturday and it was medium busy but was packed by the time we left. I like the vibe of this basement spot, even though I drove by it looking up not down. There's plenty of in door seating plus covered seating on their brick patio. The baristas are friendly and give good recommendations. I enjoyed my blueberry lavender iced almond milk latte but my son's decaf iced maple latte had good espresso flavor but wasn't so maple tasting. read more

Portal West Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

BEST COFFEE...I've ever had and I've been coming here 3-4 times a week for over a year because of the atmosphere and workers! If you're looking for a coffee spot that has one of the best coffee around north east Ohio, meet a ton of amazing people, get to know the workers on a personal level this is the spot! read more

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The espresso macchiato had a great flavor and the presentation was perfect. The service was delightful friendly faces good conversation. The place was pretty crowded but still relatively quiet. Seems like a great place to do some work. It is in a lower level with windows. There is an elevator to access this coffee shop if handicapped. read more

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First time ever going here and it definitely did not disappoint. I got a blueberry matcha latte with oat-milk and it was made perfect tbh it was one of the best i ever had! def will be coming back, such a cute cafe. the baristas were kind and patient. They also have so much pretty plants. read more

Portal West Coffee - matcha tea latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

I really was looking forward to trying this spot as i'm new to town, looks very cute and a great ambiance!! The coffee though is a different story, flavors are not strong and the espresso is not great. Very strong and nutty. Our latte was even a little burnt tasting, more of an acquired taste i'd say. I was disappointed but the vibe itself was cute, but I came for a good latte and left disappointed. To add- service from the baristas were very friendly and they greeted everyone and wished a farewell as everyone exited. read more

Portal West Coffee - exterior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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I have driven past this place for months not knowing it was here, so I'm glad my friend mentioned it to me, because it was such a cute little spot. I absolutely love a cafe that has lots of plants and natural light, especially when they have fun drink options like a blueberry pancake matcha! read more

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Portal West is a wonderful spot for coffee and non-coffee drinks alike. It's rare that I can find a coffee shop where I can pull out the laptop or where I can meet up with a friend to chat. The pea flower tea latte is tasty (and periwinkle). I also love the option of being able to sit out in the covered patio area or inside. For a smaller size place, they use the space so incredibly well. My one pet peeve concerns the opening hours. Every few months, the days and times for operation seem to change. As someone who is more of a late morning or early afternoon coffee shop person, I tend to avoid places that close before 5 pm, which means that I really loved being able to swing by Portal West during the week. (I note that a lot of people work until 5 pm.) However, when opening hours change, this change was not simultaneously listed on the website or on Google -- which would have helped me either check out another shop that day or plan my schedule to arrive earlier. It's disconcerting to get all situated only to spend money and to have to leave an hour before I had planned on it. I recognize that there may be factors outside of my purview that necessitate changing hours around every few months. Hopefully they can either settle on hours that don't fluctuate as much. That said, Portal West is great and I hope they stay open until 6 pm at least one or two days during the week for people like me who are not able to be there between 8-3 pm read more

Portal West Coffee - Pea flower tea latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Always good work from home vibes here, with great coffee and great service. Love the plants too! read more

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First time checking out this hidden downstairs shop. Baristas were friendly and welcoming and there is both indoor and outdoor seating, and enough outlets to go around. I tried a chai, which was a generous cup and not too sweet, though I felt the flavor was very subtle. The savory seasonal brioche bun with squash was worth a try but not the most mind blowing pastry experience. read more

Portal West Coffee - Chai and butternut squash brioche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Favorite coffee place in Akron! The staff is lovely and keeps up even when busy. Great vibe to sit and stay for a while as long as it's not too crowded. Only complaint would be that the seating fills up on weekend mornings but usually you can squeeze in somewhere especially when the weather is nice with the outdoor seating. read more

Portal West Coffee - Oat milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

This is a bit of a hidden gem in the plaza it is a part of. You have to go down a staircase to get to the main entrance but everything inside is well done. It's a nice place to get a coffee and sit down to get some work done. The service was quick and the coffee was easily an 8/10. Love that they have local art showcased inside. read more

Portal West Coffee - Oatmilk matcha with caramel and cold brew with almond milk. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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Wandered into Portal West this morning for our first visit. Thankful for the road signage, otherwise I think we would've driven right past. The interior is textbook coffee shop; inviting, warm and cozy. They have a nice menu offering and we selected a cold brew coffee and a spicy honey chai tea with added espresso. The staff was very friendly and conversational read more

Everyone working and even everyone in the coffee shop was so happy and kind and it was really refreshing. The playlist they had going was also so my style genius of love to steely Dan. The coffee was good, they warmed up my scone and it didn't take long at all. And it was very affordable I felt. I am so impressed but i think everyone is when they come here! read more

Hands down the best coffee shop around. Their mochas are amazing, as are the pastries. Great atmosphere and wonderful staff. If only I lived closer..... read more

This is a hidden gem in Merriman Valley, and when I say hidden, it literally is hidden down some steps on the lower level of the plaza. Portal West has quickly become a destination for me on my weekend bike rides. (I ride from my house in Medina but it's also on the towpath as a perfect stop for causal weekend cyclists!) The vibe is impeccably hipster from the decor to the attire of the baristas and the regulars, but not the snobby type that makes a newcomer feel ill at ease. Everyone I've interacted with here has been warm and friendly, happy to recommend their favorite, serve it with a smile, and give a cheerful wave of thanks when I head out. These guys clearly know what they're doing with their coffee, and the small, unassuming display of baked goods will knock your socks off with how fresh and delicious everything in it is. Their rhubarb hand pie is one of the best things that I've ever eaten, and pairs perfectly with an oat flat white or a spicy chai latte. Portal West is a must-try! read more

Portal West Coffee - Rhubarb hand pie & flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Great coffee shop vibes. The staff here were super friendly. I ordered a med spiced honey chai and a banana walnut muffin. Both were delicious! Will def be coming back. read more

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Service was great. Very welcoming. Tried the One & One and Peppermint Mocha. Both were very good. Nice seating area. Can get a little loud read more

Portal West Coffee - One & One - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

One of the best news local coffee shop in the Akron, OH area! Service is great, drinks are amazing, and the owner, Paul, is very friendly and knowledgeable and you can tell he is passionate about his business and what he offers. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area! The drinks are perfectly priced and won't hurt your wallet either! read more

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This coffee shop is absolutely adorable and tucked away in a little store front. Their espresso is absolutely delicious. I like the iced oat milk latte and my husband gets the iced americano. You can tell the baristas know what theyre doing because it's just absolutely delicious coffee. To make it even better, the workers are incredibly friendly! If they have it, I would also recommend the raspberry jam bar! read more

Traveling I always love to find the best coffee in town. Portal West is everything a local coffee shop should be... local art, comfy seating, good music and of course great coffee made to perfection! Try the raspberry oat bar with your coffee, they won't disappoint. read more

Cute cafe with delicious variety. Love the butterfly pea tea and the macchiato. Yummy raspberry crumb bar and cones. Love the local artist artworks read more

Stopped here to get coffee with a friend. The aesthetics of this place are on point with plenty of seating. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Most importantly, the Cortado was one of the best I've ever had. Served with carbonated water on the side. We also shared a banana muffin and chocolate chip scone which were also very good. I'm excited to return in the future! read more

Portal West Coffee - Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

Delicious Coffee, and the Pastries are to die for. The place is amazing, I love it there. read more

After a 6 mile towpath bike ride in sunny, chilly drizzle, this was a cozy spot to warm up and refuel. read more

Portal West Coffee - Cappuccino, scone, hubbie's green tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

I can't rave sufficiently about Portal West (Merriman Valley, Akron) to do the place justice. After a handful of visits, the owner (Paul) and his staff (Lexi, Ash, Olivia and Callum) greeted me by name, when I walked in, and knew exactly the temperature and type of plant-based milk I preferred with my matcha. This is not at all unusual; they seem to know every one of their customers and are very tuned in to their preferences, because for them it is not just a job. They love what they do, they take pride in making you the most perfect beverage and they succeed! The quality of the products is top notch. Paul is very knowledgeable and is constantly researching to keep up to date with the highest quality and healthiest coffees and milks. I travel to California regularly and have never been served a matcha like the ones I get at PW. They are the best. The place is not only welcoming but very cosy and comfortable. You can sit on the couch, in armchairs, at separate tables for 2 or 4 or even at their little counter bar surrounded by beautiful plants and art work. I highly recommend this gem of a coffee shop. read more

Coffee options are many and conflicting, except for this one. Portal West has the best drip coffee in Akron. I don't want anything else. It's rich and full bodied, and there's a complexity to the flavor I've only found a small handful of places. Also a nice place to sit and knock out a little work. Plus I usually like their choice of music. I go 2-3 times a month. read more

I went in to the coffee shop for the first time and the barista, maybe owner, was so welcoming. The matcha latte is the best I've had. Fast forward a few weeks, went back in the owner knew my name and my drink. You only see this type of great customer service at a local owned, small shop. I'll be back as often as I can. read more

This is the perfect place to have amazing coffee and meet great people! The staff is the best and they have great service. They do everything they can to give you the best experience, they listen, and they are friendly. I was a very simple coffee drinker always getting the same thing, but the staff and their knowledge has allowed me to try new drinks, and my favorite has to be the affogato- ice cream meets espresso. The shop has great ambiance, different than others, and perfect place to enjoy the morning or work. This should be your coffee shop home read more

Portal West Coffee - My go to cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

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Did not answer phone calls when I was trying to get information about the equivalent of Starbucks coffee traveler and how much it costed. Even left a VM. Found they have a google message online and was told by the staff that the best way to reach them is through google message or IG but even then, it took 1-2 days for staff to reply to google message and the inquiry about the price was not answered. I ended up not ordering the coffee for a large group of friends due to the experience above. read more

Fantastic coffee and chai. Always super friendly service. I just wish they were open a little later on some days!

What a welcome addition to the local coffee scene. This crew brings yet another quality option, acknowledging that Akron Coffee Roasters also continues to deliver... nothing like some friendly competition. The Portal West team knows what they're doing. Can't wait for the warm summer patio months. read more

Visited for the first time recently. Will definitely be back. Good vibe, friendly service, and excellent mocha, hot chocolate.

Open only a month and they totally get it. Greet you walking in the door. Beverages are expertly made and served. Great vibe and location. This area needed a coffee shop and it now has one. read more

Portal West Coffee - Chia, coffee, and a warm turnover. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Akron, Ohio

This place is a gem. Great atmosphere, even better coffee. The lavender thyme latte is *chefs kiss! People are friendly and drinks are consistently delicious. A regular in the rotation for sure! read more

The staff is super cool and friendly. Very nice vibe to the whole place. Coffee is outstanding. I even enjoy watching them make the beverages. They are coffee artists! Definitely recommend the matcha latte. read more

This place is adorable, well-priced, efficient, and the vibes here are great for studying, working, or meeting up with friends. I counted enough seating for 25-28 people. There's a few pastry options, but the coffee is definitely what you're coming for-- it's flavorful, and the baristas are knowledgeable and give great recommendations. Definitely a gem for the Valley read more

Great coffee, I'm a fan of their house blend, bold but bout acidic or burnt. Great space and very friendly service