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Maine's 11 Top Coffee Shops, Selected by Readers

by Tom Minervino
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by Tom Minervino

A couple weeks back, Eater Maine asked readers for their favorite coffee shops in the state. Responses came in in the comments, on Facebook (feel free to go and "Like" us), in emails and via the anonymous tip form. We've compiled the suggestions into a handy map to serve as a guide to the best coffee houses this state has to offer. The shops are listed in no particular order.
Your favorite caffeination destination not on the map? Let us know in the comments.
[Eds. note: A recommendation for Rock City sent by a loyal reader was lost in cyberspace. The map has been updated to include it.]


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Elements Books Coffee Beer

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265 Main Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 710-2011
(207) 710-2011
Visit Website
With fine coffee, craft beer (and some wine offerings) and new and used books, it's very possible to spend a lot of time here.

2. St. Joe's Coffee

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220 Gorham Road
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 883-8835
(207) 883-8835
Visit Website
Original breakfast sandwiches and "Bennies" (fried dough balls doused in powdered sugar) are a great accompaniment to the coffee.

3. Speckled Ax

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567 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 660-3333
(207) 660-3333
Visit Website
This cool, modern space has offerings to please even the biggest coffee geek, but the menu descriptions and informative staff will help out those with less bean knowledge.

4. Arabica Coffee

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2 Free St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-0792
(207) 879-0792
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Says one reader about this longtime Free Street institution: "Great beans, perfect lattes, excellent service and lovely ambiance."

5. Bard Coffee

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185 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 899-4788
(207) 899-4788
Visit Website
These baristas know what they are doing. Go here for great pourover coffee or a finely crafted latte. Leave the Starbucks across the street to the tourists.

6. Crema Coffee Company

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9 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 210-6473
(207) 210-6473
The spacious cafe/micro roaster from the folks behind Arabica has an industrial but welcoming feel with large windows offering a view of Commercial Street.

7. Tandem Coffee Roasters

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122 Anderson St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 899-0235
(207) 899-0235
Visit Website
Writes a reader: "Tandem redefines excellent espresso and brews nuanced and bright shots without any bitterness, ever. They also offer great iced coffee and a really extraordinary malted ice coffee. For the cold winter months though, their bright and open cafe is just where I want to be sipping on some of the best espresso I've had anywhere across the globe."

8. Coffee By Design

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67 India St
Portland, ME
(207) 780-6767
(207) 780-6767
Visit Website
With four Maine shops, a roastery and a big expansion planned, CBD has grown a lot since its humble beginnings some two decades ago, but the focus on fresh, flavorful coffee remains.

9. Maine Roasters Coffee

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305 Rte 1
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(207) 846-6866
(207) 846-6866
Visit Website
It's been a "neighborhood" coffee shop for Yarmouth and surrounding areas for close to 20 years.

10. Rock City Cafe

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316 Main St
Rockland, ME 04841
(207) 594-4123
(207) 594-4123
Visit Website
From a reader: "While it does not have the same personality or charm as its earlier incarnation Second Read, its still a great spot to grab some java and something sweet. Their scones are unreal."

11. Zoot Coffee

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41 Elm St
Camden, ME 04843
(207) 236-9858
(207) 236-9858
Visit Website
This small Camden cafe has character and offers up a comfortable meeting spot with excellent coffee.

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1. Elements Books Coffee Beer

265 Main Street, Biddeford, ME 04005
With fine coffee, craft beer (and some wine offerings) and new and used books, it's very possible to spend a lot of time here.
265 Main Street
Biddeford, ME 04005
(207) 710-2011
Visit Website

2. St. Joe's Coffee

220 Gorham Road, Scarborough, ME 04074
Original breakfast sandwiches and "Bennies" (fried dough balls doused in powdered sugar) are a great accompaniment to the coffee.
220 Gorham Road
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 883-8835
Visit Website

3. Speckled Ax

567 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
This cool, modern space has offerings to please even the biggest coffee geek, but the menu descriptions and informative staff will help out those with less bean knowledge.
567 Congress St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 660-3333
Visit Website

4. Arabica Coffee

2 Free St, Portland, ME 04101
Says one reader about this longtime Free Street institution: "Great beans, perfect lattes, excellent service and lovely ambiance."
2 Free St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 879-0792
Visit Website

5. Bard Coffee

185 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101
These baristas know what they are doing. Go here for great pourover coffee or a finely crafted latte. Leave the Starbucks across the street to the tourists.
185 Middle St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 899-4788
Visit Website

6. Crema Coffee Company

9 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101, Portland, ME 04101
The spacious cafe/micro roaster from the folks behind Arabica has an industrial but welcoming feel with large windows offering a view of Commercial Street.
9 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 210-6473

7. Tandem Coffee Roasters

122 Anderson St, Portland, ME 04101
Writes a reader: "Tandem redefines excellent espresso and brews nuanced and bright shots without any bitterness, ever. They also offer great iced coffee and a really extraordinary malted ice coffee. For the cold winter months though, their bright and open cafe is just where I want to be sipping on some of the best espresso I've had anywhere across the globe."
122 Anderson St
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 899-0235
Visit Website

8. Coffee By Design

67 India St, Portland, ME
With four Maine shops, a roastery and a big expansion planned, CBD has grown a lot since its humble beginnings some two decades ago, but the focus on fresh, flavorful coffee remains.
67 India St
Portland, ME
(207) 780-6767
Visit Website

9. Maine Roasters Coffee

305 Rte 1, Yarmouth, ME 04096
It's been a "neighborhood" coffee shop for Yarmouth and surrounding areas for close to 20 years.
305 Rte 1
Yarmouth, ME 04096
(207) 846-6866
Visit Website

10. Rock City Cafe

316 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841
From a reader: "While it does not have the same personality or charm as its earlier incarnation Second Read, its still a great spot to grab some java and something sweet. Their scones are unreal."
316 Main St
Rockland, ME 04841
(207) 594-4123
Visit Website

11. Zoot Coffee

41 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843
This small Camden cafe has character and offers up a comfortable meeting spot with excellent coffee.
41 Elm St
Camden, ME 04843
(207) 236-9858
Visit Website