AYA Cafe Brings Love to NE Alberta In Portland

Chia pudding açai bowl at AYA Cafe. Photo credit: AYA Cafe.

I’ve been watching the progress of a new cafe called AYA that is opening in the old Tea & Tea space on NE Alberta. The Lime Stand (hand-smashed lime teas) and Ponto (Korean salt breads) are in the same building. They’ll bring a variety of poke bowls and açai bowls, and an extensive drink menu to the neighborhood. They open officially tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21.

I had an email exchange with Liz Qian, the owner of AYA Cafe, and here is what she told me that she has in store for Portland for this cafe (also, I believe she is associated with Poke Qube on NE Sandy Blvd near Bakeshop).

AYA Cafe: What’s in a Name?

I had no idea why the business is named AYA, and I was really curious, so I asked. “The name AYA is inspired by 爱 (ài), the Mandarin word for love,” explained Liz. “To me, 爱呀 (ài ya) is a playful, affectionate expression, which feels fitting because that’s really why I started this cafe: I wanted to share the things I love with more people.”

She added, “AYA is really a collection of things I love, brought together in a space I’ve personally designed and built.”

AYA Cafe: The Location

Liz liked the fact that this available space had already been a tea cafe, so transitioning her cafe business into the space was low-friction; there are no permits filed for any alteration work in this retail unit. “The space was previously home to Tea & Tea, so there was already an existing foundation for a cafe,” said Liz. “I saw an opportunity to take that space and transform it into something of my own.”

She continued, “I’ve spent a lot of time personally renovating and redesigning it, from selecting furniture and lighting, to developing the branding and overall atmosphere. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the transformation and bring a new concept to the neighborhood.”

The AYA Cafe Menu

They are offering an extensive menu of drinks, from Vietnamese coffee and brown sugar boba milk tea, to fruit teas, like their signature grapefruit Yakult green tea. Optional additions include boba, popping boba, and jellys. They also have smoothies.

Along with the drinks, they’ll have poke bowls with salmon, tuna, shrimp, and tofu; and açai bowls.

“I care a lot about the quality of our ingredients, how our food tastes, and how it’s presented,” she said. “I want our food to be as beautiful as it is delicious, while offering fresh, satisfying options for lunch, dinner, or simply an afternoon treat.”

Good Vibes and Good Taste

Essentially, Liz wants to bring nourishment to Portland’s cafe scene—good vibes and good taste.

“I wanted to create something beautiful, approachable, and welcoming,” she remarked. “Where people can enjoy delicious, nourishing food, feel good about what they’re eating—and have another little place in their neighborhood to look forward to visiting.”

More than anything, she hopes AYA becomes a place that adds something positive to the community. She wants whats best for her team who work there and for the people they get to serve. They want it to be a space where people feel welcome, enjoy themselves, and keep coming back.

“Ultimately, I’m bringing the kind of place I’d love to visit myself, and I hope the neighborhood loves it as much as I do,” said Liz

The Grand Opening

They’ve been in soft opening mode for a little while, and as a reminder, their grand opening is on Wednesday, October 21, opening at 11am until 7pm. Their hours will be Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 8pm.

All the best to Liz as they bring new life to this space on NE Alberta!

AYA Cafe [grand opening October 21, 2026]
1489 NE Alberta Street, Portland
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