Better Days Cafe Is Open in Portland

Pouring steamed milk into a latte. — Photo credit: Better Days Cafe

Today is the first day of the soft opening of Better Days Cafe, located on SE Division and 35th Place. This is a project from Kim Dam of Portland Cà Phê and Mémoire Cà Phê, a new brunch spot on NE Alberta that recently received a 2024 Eater award for Restaurant Team of the Year; and Melody Rin, who has been a roaster and the very first employee at Portland Cà Phê.

Better Days, Continuing the Coffee Tradition

This location has been home to a number of different cafes over the years: Haven Coffee, Coffee Division, Five Points Coffee Roasters, Phoenix Roasters Company, Daily Dose Coffee. Before Better Days, the last cafe likely shuttered in 2022, from what I can tell. Kim and Melody posted on Instagram in July 2024 that they got the keys to the space.

On Instagram, Kim talks about how much she loved this location over the years, even before she opened Portland Cà Phê (they have two locations—one on SE Holgate and a second location on MLK Blvd, too). So when it was available, she and Melody checked it out and “instantly fell in love.”

She also talks about how Melody supported her from the beginning of her journey in roasting and coffee, and that she was her very first hire at Cà Phê. They’ve been through a lot over the years, and so going into this together was a natural outcome of their partnership. Melody is running operations at Better Days Cafe.

As for the cafe’s name? “We’ve been through the trenches together,” she says, “navigating the challenges of opening and running a coffee shop, always reminding ourselves that ‘better days are coming’ to stay motivated. Well, now those Better Days are here!”

“We’re happy to be a part of the neighborhood,” said Melody and Kim. I have no doubt the neighborhood will welcome them with open arms.

Inside Better Days Cafe

The look of the cafe is fairly minimalist, with a kind of cobalt blue being the dominant color, which is really striking against the white walls and tables. Chairs are blue and wooden tables are light-colored, too. There is a lot of natural light coming in, making it feel bright and airy inside.

They’ll offer hot and iced coffee (espresso, cold brew, drip) made with Portland Cà Phê beans; tea (jasmine, peppermint, green), chai and matcha, including Vietnamese coffee drinks. Their milk options are whole milk and oat milk.

Matcha latte at Better Days Cafe. — Photo credit: Better Days Cafe

Their pastries are from HeyDay, whose owner, Lisa Nguyen, is also involved with Mémoire Cà Phê. Kim and Melody tell me, “Down the line we hope to have more in-house baked goods.”

In the new year they will open up their wine nights and host more community events. Currently, they also have a turntable and sound system on the counter. I also love their logo: a hummingbird playing a record. My understanding is that in Vietnamese culture, the hummingbird represents love and happiness.

The Opening

Last weekend they did a quiet friends and family opening, with today being the initial day of the soft opening phase. That ends on Thursday, December 12, with the grand opening on Saturday, December 14.

During this soft opening phase they’ll offer coffee, tea, donuts, and pastries from 9am to 3pm. The grand opening will bring on their additional full food menu along with the aforementioned items. Same timing, 9am to 3pm.

So head on over, have a warm drink and a donut, and check out the space. Sending all the best to Kim and Melody on the new cafe!

Better Days Cafe [opened December 5, 2024]
3551 SE Division Street, Portland
Instagram

Updated February 11, 2025.