Tandem Coffee and Bakery

Category:	Bakery
Address:	742 Congress St, Portland, ME 04102, USA
Phone:	+1 207-805-1887
Site:	tandemcoffee.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 7AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 18

Nathaniel Kraft

Simply put, the best pastries and breakfast sandwiches Ive ever had. You may think you know what a scone is -- but until youve tried an apple and feta; pear and honey; strawberry and cream cheese; a blueberry; or a cherry and dark chocolate scone from Tandem, youve simply been lied to by Starbucks. Words dont do the justice, so I wont even try. That same hyperbole extends to their chocolate chip cookies; their egg and meat breakfast sandwiches; their hazelnut blondies; and so forth. I literally cried when I first tried their chocolate chip cookie--and I am a connoisseur of cookies. In addition to their incredible baked goods (Im really not exaggerating), they also offer drip coffee and a full espresso bar. Personally, I really enjoy their lattes. The staff is fantastic. Friendly and ready with a smile, always patient for people who are having a hard time deciding, they make you feel like youre a part of the Portland community--and they themselves are very much a part of the Portland community. The atmosphere may seem daunting to some -- very hip and modern, contained in a restored auto garage, and frequented by all sorts of locals -- but once you wait in line and hit the register, and share smiles with other patrons, you realize that everyone is happy to be there, and that, in Portland, all are welcome.

Lance Marble

I have come here at least 3 days a week for the last month! Staff is quiet, unless they know you, but very knowledgable and super customer focused. You can tell they have confidence in what there selling! Egg Breakfast sandwich on a sweet biscut, melted cheese, a light mayo and something else (?) With a pinch of large grain salt on top makes this sandwich a delete bless melt goodness! They come from simply meat, no meat, with or w/o spinach currently). Oh! The quiche are excellent! Ans so much more!!! And the best cup of coffee since I was in DC. Look you definately pay for the quality but you GET quality so its worth it. No wifi and seating is spartan but that seems to be just right in the industrial space. Even the bathroom is clean and interesting (wierd that the bathroom is worth checking out, but it is!) Great product and business!

L Holce

The food opions are plentiful and unique. I swore to reduce my bread intake just last night, and today I began with an insanely delicious jalapeño biscuit and quiche concoction. If I had perished from this earth after experiencing those baked delights, I would have been satisfied with my last meal. I also had an americano. It was more bright and acidic than I prefer howerver the flavor profile was good. As a result, on my way out the door I ordered an iced malt coffee.......and a choclate chip cookie for breakfast desert. It was a very very delicious cookie. I cannot wait to come back to Portland and experience this again.

Luke Maher

The Tandem Bakery is a pretty cool spot outside of town. Im a big egg sandwich connoisseur from NYC metro and grew up on breakfast sandwiches. Im typically not a fan at all of pre made/baked egg sandwiches, but Tandem flipped the script. They put together an excellent pre made sandwich with meat and veggie options on an excellent biscuit. I ate mine in less than five minutes and immediately bought another before leaving! I also thoroughly enjoyed their latte and black sesame banana bread!

Janie H

Tandem gets 3 stars because: their breakfast sandwiches are hella expensive (10-11 each?) but very good, BUT ALWAYS SELL OUT BEFORE 10?? The sandwiches are premade on the morning and I cant understand why they simply do not make more if they are consistently turning patrons away at 10am? Their coffee isnt my thing but thats just a personal preference as I find it too smoky. Go to Dutchs over tandem.

Kristel Hayes

The coffee served up here is roasted about a mile & a half away in Tandem’s Cafe & Roastery, so you won’t get more local than this. With baked goods that will leave you weak in the knees (I don’t say that lightly), and some really delicious lunch selections, I’m betting you might find yourself back here more than once. Also awesome…there’s typically something deliciously vegetarian on the lunch menu.

Meghan Karlik

Everything looked and smelled so good we got a sampling of everything. The loaded biscuits and blueberry pie were my favorites, but it was all top notch. The pastries werent overloaded with sugar so you can taste the quality of each ingredient. The malted ice coffee was different and refreshing.

Carkeys

Tandem roasts some of the best coffee on the east coast so its no surprise that they make excellent espresso & coffee at this incredibly cool cafe (the space was once a gas station). Super cool, with plenty of seating inside & out. The scones with jam and clotted cream are kinda insane.

Doug H.

Pretty solid coffee in a town with plenty of hipster coffee shops. THe coffee was solid, nothing to write home about, but it was tasty. My favorite part here was the location -- in what appears to be an old gas station. Makes for a neat space, and I like the vibe they created in it.

Kaitlin M

Great coffee spot on your way out of town--theres a small parking area and tons of on street parking, outside picnic tables, bike stands, and a sit down area inside. Great baked goods and coffee. On the more expensive side, but worth it for the quality and friendly staff.

Alan Platner

I just go for the biscuit breakfast sandwich and it has to be my favorite grab and go breakfast in Portland. All the options are good but the chorizo is by far the best. The line may look long but moves fast. Be early on those busy weekends because they will run out.

Jennifer Chu

Coffee was ok. I was most excited to try the black sesame banana bread but the black sesame was very very subtle. Could barely tell the difference between a normal banana bread. Spelt coconut tea bread was pretty good. A little more dense than I was expecting.

Amanda Del Bove

Awesome atmosphere in an old gas station. Espresso was very tasty, not bitter at all, and house made almond milk was really flavorful. Would go back. Only one size cup from what i could tell so if youre looking for a supersized coffee you may need to get two.

Jeff Burns

This is a truly exceptional bakery that is as good as anyplace I have been to, even NYC and Portland, Oregon. The biscuits in all forms are delicious. Good variety of creative sweet and savory items. Great coffee, too. Definitely do not miss trying it.

Alissa Delorey

This coffee shop is so hipster its amazing. They turned an old gas station into this awesome coffee shop. Great coffee and iced tea. I tried the malted iced coffee and it didnt disappoint! Great caffeine fix spot, fun atmosphere and awesome service!

Brian Barnett

House-made almond milk?! Top 5 mocha this side of the MS River. Lot & street parking. Professional staff. Seating for about 2 dozen inside. Fun music playing (maybe sit outside if u want to read cuz it might be loud). Food smells yummy too.

Zachary Goater

I come for the food. They have amazing pastries and baked goods. The coffee is far too expensive. While it is okay, the same amount of coffee costs a few dollars less elsewhere, with the same quality. Great atmosphere and quirky location.

Jessica Thomas

Funky old gas station converted to funky new hangout. The baked goods and sandwiches pair flavors creatively and are uniformly delicious. Not gonna lie: their coffee is not my favorite. But overall theyve got a good thing going here.