7 Best Iced Coffees in Portland, ME

Is there such a thing as an over-caffeinated day in the city? 7 of the best iced coffees on the peninsula (and one bonus one!)

If you know me, you know there's two things I love: a city and a ranked list. With the summer season being so short here in Portland, ME, I took it upon myself this last season to try and rate *all* the iced coffees on the peninsula. It was a daunting task, but someone had to do it. So, armed with Portland Food Fights' First Annual Iced Coffee coupons and my own sheer determination for journalistic integrity, I set off on my mission.

While I thought I knew most of the coffee shops around town, I quickly realized how mistaken I was. Twenty-seven iced drinks later, I have enough data to now list my Top 7 for your caffeinated enjoyment:

#1 Arabica Coffee

Nothing says "historic city vibes" like this little corner shop on Free Street in downtown Portland. Arabica -with its excellent people-watching bar stools positioned alongside a rounded windowed façade- boasts a very smooth iced coffee blend with hints of toasted chocolate. Be sure to also try their rotating latte - I can confirm their Honey Lavender Latte is exceptional both hot AND iced! Like most restaurants and shops in Portland, the space is small but there are a few seats for working or a quick coffee date.

Iced Coffee Rating: 9 out of 10

#2 Rwanda Bean Coffee

Allll the love for this little stop, right outside downtown! Rwanda Bean is located at 463 Stevens Ave. Head over early for a coffee and a treat! Not only will you be drinking a delicious roast in an inspiring environment, but you will also be supporting a community of Rwandan coffee farmers through Rwanda Bean's Fifty Percent for Farmers program.

Iced Coffee Rating: 9 out of 1o

#3 Yordprom Coffee Co.

This is one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall coffee spots in Portland. Set slightly back off Congress Street and often overshadowed by its neighbor, Tandem Bakery, Yordprom is a hidden gem. Don't let their simple menu and plain interiors fool you, their iced Vietnamese coffee is soo tasty!

Iced Coffee Rating: 9 out of 10

#4 Burkes Perks

Burkes Perks' iced coffee was a lovely surprise from a corner shop I walk by every day on my morning commute to work, but had never frequented. Their iced coffee is on the nuttier side, with warm cocoa tones and very low acidity - just how I like it! This is strictly a take-out shop, but its location in Monument Square makes it an easy choice for anyone venturing downtown. Enjoy paired with a breakfast sandwich from Sister's Deli next door! Iced Coffee Rating: 9 out of 10

#5 Bard Coffee

At the corner of Middle Street and Exchange Street, Bard Coffee is ready for your shopping day caffeine break! Bard sits next to a colorful mural by Will Sears that has become a Portland landmark and an Instagramer's dream. Besides their iced coffee, my 'go-tos' at Bard include their Iced Cappuccino and my favorite chai on the peninsula - try it hot or iced!

Iced Coffee Rating: 8 out of 10

#6 Crooked Mile Café

Crooked Mile Café in the heart of the Old Port and is the perfect place to break for a quick lunch or an afternoon pick-me-up. Serving Carrabassett Coffee, a local favorite, you can't go wrong with their standard iced coffee. However, I am particularly partial to their creative lattes. If you have a sweet tooth (like me), you'll want to try The Nutty Irishman - trust me.

Iced Coffee Rating: 8 out of 10

#7 Coffee By Design

Coffee by Design (CBD) is a Portland staple. You can find their roasts at coffee shops all over the state, including L.L. Bean's flagship store. While their hot coffee comes across a little acidic for my personal liking, I was glad I gave their iced coffee a second chance. Their cold brew has a more full, nutty taste and with a splash of oat milk, CBD climbed its way up my list to #7.

Iced Coffee Rating: 8 out of 10

BONUS! #8 Buzz Coffee

This new shop in Portland is a must try! Super cute and located in a tiny basement on Exchange Street, Buzz Coffee has several options for espresso drinks as well as your standard coffee options. Ask for cold foam to top their classic cold brew, or check out their flavor of the week if you want to mix it up a bit. No seating at this location, but they do have a lovely assortment of local artwork for perusal and purchase

Iced Coffee Rating: 8 out of 10

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Looking for an exhaustive ranked list of ALL Portland's coffee shops? Stay tuned for a post in the coming weeks!

Let me know your own thoughts on these iced coffees in the comments below!