CIA Cafe Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

  • Natalie T.

    A cozy little place that serves good coffee and food. It's kept very clean too and to me gives a kind of bohemian vibe. They're a bit on the pricey side but it's great nonetheless. They make their own bread which is delicious and the staff is friendly and helpful. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick cup of coffee with a sandwich or ice cream.

    (5)
  • Seb T.

    i'm here essentially every day since it's on my way to work, but even when it's not this is my go-to coffee destination. the staff is always extremely friendly, and not just because they recognize me. i always see the owner engaging with customers and offering tips about greater portland destinations to people from out of area. she's clearly working to make knightville a vibrant area in south portland, and it's been a lot of fun to see this place really blow up since it opened. their english muffins are really good, and they have a great selection of hot sauce if you're the sort of person who wants spicy avocado flavor on just about every breakfast food.

    (5)
  • Jeff F.

    Great breakfast/coffee spot. We are passing through and spending a few days in Portland. This coffee and breakfast/lunch spot is the best. Prices are incredible (certainly as compared to NYC), staff are super friendly, and the egg and cheese sandwich I had was huge and very fresh. Make sure to add some of the local hot sauces they keep in the fridge.

    (5)
  • Eliza M.

    Now that I'm on this side of the bridge, I'm a frequent patron of Cia. And I'm SO happy they exist down in Knightville! Firstly - great coffee. I've had drip coffee, lattes, and hot cocoa. All my drinks have been great. Secondly - great food selection! Pastries from Standard, bagels from Union, breakfast sandwiches made to order.... SO good. Thirdly - an excellent atmosphere that supports local artists. And finally - really great customer service. I went in this weekend with two young men behind the counter and they were chipper, informative, and personable. Cia is my new jam, people. LOVE IT.

    (5)
  • Brock F.

    I drink coffee and eat here almost every day because CIA is The Best! The neighborhood is lucky to have such a nice cafe run by such nice people.

    (5)
  • Clint B.

    This is easily one of the best coffee shops I've been too. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the staff was beyond friendly (pretty much at a level friendliness you'd find in Tennessee, without the accent). I had a single-origin pour-over Guatemalan coffee when I came here. It wasn't the best single-origin I've ever had in my life (I can be kind of a coffee snob), but it was definitely still well-done and worthy of purchasing again. The place was spacious and had ample room to either get some work done or to relax. The baked goods and ice cream are also worth checking out here as well. Plus, compared to downtown Portland coffee shops, finding close parking here was a breeze. The factor that made this place was the people; not just the staff, but the locals too. The staff members greeted every single person that walked in. In most cases, the staff already knew the customers walking in, so long conversations ensued. And all the locals that came in for coffee and/or ice cream were pleasant to talk to. I will definitely be back here in the future.

    (5)
  • Bryan V.

    I really want to like this place. Nice quiet location, outdoor seating and espresso. But three times and three lattes and I have yet to have a great cup. The barista is on roller skates and cute and the breakfast sandwiches are decently proportioned so I'll keep coming back. But I will be more discerning about my coffee choices and if I really really need a good espresso I'll go elsewhere ( like Bard or Arabica).

    (3)
  • P. And B. J.

    "Did you just come in to just use the internet?...This is real estate, (talking about my table) it costs money ya know." Given, I've only spent only maybe a couple hundred dollars here and know the Male (who I think is an owner). My appearance is Fashion/GQ and working on a 17" MacBook Pro. Freshly shaven, great clear skin and a light sheen product in my hair, I'm assuming I dont' look homeless? Being I am a new (4 months here) local. I think that it's a tad rude, to approach customers this way. Owner or not. I get it, some maybe take "advantage" of your FREE WiFi. But I've been a supporter and very offended to be approached with such appalling attitude. Heck even starbucks doesn't approach the homeless who come in to use the restroom this way. I say this drinking a lite snack (hot chocolate and two 2 small fig newtons) sitting here planning on working the next couple hours. (meaning I was planning on getting my afternoon triple shot mocha at some point). (Please read "The Starbucks Experience" on good customer experience) (You have been nice before, perhaps you're just having a bad day) Reply to resolve and I'll remove the review as I have the best intention by posting this to see you grow as a business, and show you that offending customers isn't the best way to gain consistent customers.

    (1)
  • Brianna T.

    Best latte I've ever had. Nice and strong, which is especially nice, when so many lattes I've had are too milky / the espresso shot is weak. The barista nailed the steamed milk - itty bitty bubbles and super creamy, perfect ratio of liquid to foam. Plus, they have ice cream and art exclusively from local artists. What's not to love??

    (5)
  • Steff D.

    CIA? More like "CIA & OBFUG" (Coffee, Ice ream, Art and Other Baked goods For Uplifting Gormandizers... no?). Seriously, though, how can you not appreciate a coffeehouse that just owns up to its artsy side and also admits, "You know what would make us infinitely cooler? Ice cream." (Pun intended thurrrr, folks). Like Susan Walker sitting in the back of the car at the end of "Miracle on 34th Street", when we were driving past CIA (not gonna lie: we took a wrong turn in Ye Olde Knightville 'hood - good thing, in the end - and found ourselves near Taco Trio) I had a glee-filled melt-down, "STOP, UNCLE FRED, STOP!" We immediately pulled over and I bounded out of the vehicle, because I had heard about CIA but had never been before (nor did I know where it was). And being a bit of a caffeine junkie, I've made it my personal mission to stop at all the local coffeehouses in Portlandtown. I was already poking around by the time my significant other realized what was going on. What a charming space, eh? Couches bathed in sun puddles, tables perfect for groups of studying students or grandparents with kiddos dribbling ice cream down their faces (a sight not so uncommon in March in Maine), and - what can only be described as - a "computer" bar for singles to sit and get work done. I'd certainly come here for a change of scenery! I had a large caramel soy latte that was THE BEST caramel soy latte I have ever had. Although, I would have been plenty satisfied with a medium or even a small. It was hot, creamy, sweet, and espresso-y. What a lovely thing to drink after spending the morning outside in the snow (note to self: come back and get an iced version sometime in July)! The boy had a dark roast that he was perfectly content with as well. And the little kid doodles on the cardboard coffee holder things? Such a neat idea! Why aren't more places doing this? We didn't get anything to eat, but much of it looked divine. The younger girls working behind the counter (it was a Saturday afternoon) were very pleasant and patient with us as we stood wide-eyed in front of the menu (and pastry case). So if you like coffee, ice cream, and art - all of which CIA appropriately does well at serving - do yourself favor and get lost here for an afternoon.

    (4)
  • Jay N.

    Great little spot for fantastic coffee, awesome, locally made ice cream and a small giftware and art offering if you're in the mood for a little shopping. I especially liked the fact that they're one of the very few businesses I've seen in the country who actually leave a blue recycle bin out for you to drop-in all those plastic cups. Kudos to them for helping to keep landfills a little more clear and helping to put plastics back into recycling. Staff is friendly, restroom is impeccably clean... just nothing here not to love in this quickly up-and-coming Knightville neighborhood. This is a must-try, definitely on the Portland Yelp bucket list!

    (5)
  • AJ P.

    Great spot for coffee, lunch, ice cream, studying - you name it. It's not as busy and crowded as the cafe's across the bridge in Portland and there's always ample street parking.

    (4)
  • Jessica H.

    This is a great coffee shop. I love the way the owner wears roller skates. It's nice that they offer gluten free options.

    (5)
  • Jessi A.

    LOVE this place! Biased in the extreme! I love to meet up with friends, enjoy the sunny, warm and comfortable seating and coffee with ice cream in it. It isn't on the menu, I just started asking for it. Tell them Jessi sent you and I'm sure to get a smile next time I'm there. :) I even did a fair share of my Christmas shopping from local crafts-people here.

    (5)
  • Kate S.

    I work from coffee shops at least 2x/week and was psyched to see there was finally somewhere like this in this 'hood. I really want to like it more. So much potential but jury's still out for me. Service is pretty slow. WiFi is decent but could be better. Coffee is good. Haven't tried the food. Owner skating around on her roller-blades (or skates?) is super distracting. I'm truly cool with whatever people want to do - I just returned from 10 yrs in San Francisco, land of the weird - but she really seems to like putting on a little show. I like seeing other folks working there, but it doesn't quite have the dig in/set up shop and work for a cpl hours (while purchasing things) welcoming-ambiance quite yet. Perhaps they don't want this to happen as noted in a previous review (Lauren P's), which would be a real shame given their size and location market-share.

    (3)
  • Jeff O.

    This area definitely needed a cool little coffee shop, but do t stop by if you're in a hurry - the service is sloooooow!

    (4)
  • Danielle S.

    I stopped in to CIA on a particularly stressful afternoon. Maybe the woman working (the owner?) could sense that, because she was so sweet and sunny, and she even brought us a delicious affogato on the house. This place also has great coffee and macaroons, and the atmosphere is bright and cheerful!

    (5)
  • Maura K.

    CIA stands for Coffee, Ice Cream, and Art. My kids and I love this place! They have a great selection of coffee drinks made with Wicked Joe, and a great selection of Smiling Hill Farm ice cream. They also have bagels, pastries, cookies, brownies, pre-packaged sandwiches (if you need to grab a quick lunch), snack sized chip bags, and juice, soda, and water. Oh! And fruit! Like apples and oranges. It's a really nice variety. Best of all, this place has such a nice sunny atmosphere. Besides tables and chairs, there is an area with a couch and chairs and a coffee table. There also is a little kid's table with some books, including Where's Waldo?. We love that. The art on display and for sale is a bonus. A great idea and nice touch. And as if all this wasn't enough, the owners are really nice too! They are always super nice to my 7 and 9 year old boys. I love the location in the Knightville neighborhood. My kids and I love to ride our bikes here. In the words of my 9 year old son, "When are we going back there? It's so relaxing!" CIA you are a welcomed addition and blessing to South Portland!

    (5)
  • Eric S.

    Way above average coffee shop that showcases local art, has a cool feel and also happens to have good local baked goods and ice cream. Had a regular hot latte in a nice big ceramic mug- not too milky and delicious . Had a hot apple turnover made by CIA that also didn't disappoint. Owner is really nice. Will be back again!

    (5)
  • jena b.

    I had stopped to pick up an order at Alaina Marie, so decided to try a latte at CIA across the street. The sandwiches looked great, although I stuck to a drink only. The owner was very friendly, and it was great to sit outside on a beautiful Maine afternoon. I ordered a lightyl-sweetened caramel latte and it was fine - not bad, not outstanding.

    (3)
  • Alex C.

    Does anything go better together than art and coffee? Maybe wine and cheese... but Cia is the quintessential cafe, and ice cream is the cherry on top. I was instantly blown away upon walking in the door by the display of art and the cozy design of the room. A cafe with a couch gets extra points in my book. I spent a lovely afternoon at Cia reading and drinking a delicious soy latte. I'm sure I'll be back very soon!

    (5)
  • Dave P.

    Awesome coffee, awesome art, positive energy. Love this spot. I'm a first timer and will be back!

    (5)
  • Peggy F.

    I work in SoPo and decided to stop in for lunch on a week day. Very good selection of sandwiches which are available on bread or in a wrap. I'm not a coffee drinker but the list of beverages was as long as the food selections. I chose chicken salad sandwich on marble rye with lettuce and tomato. Bread was deliciously fresh, chicken salad was all white meat and had nuts and cranberries in it. Very good. Sandwich comes with a pickle. Small bags of chips are available for purchase, plus some canned soda, bottled water, muffins, etc. Staff was friendly and welcoming. I will make a return visit for Smiling Hill Ice Cream, which, had I seen that first, it would have been my lunch! Space was well laid out, eclectic and comfortable. There are small tables and chairs plus a an area that had two couches. Throughout the café are Maine crafts for sale: original art work, jewelry, tee shirts, hand towels, sea charms, etc. I'll be going back.

    (4)
  • Norton W.

    Friendly family owned and operated business in Knightville neighborhood of South Portland. Friendly staff with a sense of humor. Great Cappuccino, tea and local ice cream for a hot summer day. A light and cheerful location on the corner for studying, meeting friends and a little time off. Parking in front is normally available. They also have pastries and light sandwiches.

    (4)
  • Cindy M.

    Four of us went on a Sunday for light lunch. The counter service person brought half our order to our table. After waiting about ten minutes, after lots of other people had been served, we finally went back and asked about the rest. They had forgotten it. The bagel was burned, the soup was thin and tasteless, and the sandwich was stale.

    (2)
  • Diana V.

    This is my first review because I absolutely could not stand by and not share what a great experience my boyfriend and I had when we randomly stopped into Cia last week during our vacation to Maine! We were in the mood for coffee and some food and are so glad to have stopped at Cia for both. First, the cold brew ice coffee was just as fantastic as they said - when we ordered it the owners recommended that we not add any milk or sugar until we tasted it, so we could really experience the brew. What a good choice. I ALWAYS add milk to my coffee and this was so delicious and smooth, I drank the whole thing black. I ordered the egg salad sandwich and my boyfriend got the chicken salad. We both absolutely loved them. Simple sandwich in concept - but they executed them both beautifully. Extremely flavorful seasoning in both and interesting, fresh ingredients. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!!

    (5)
  • Christina A.

    This local cafe has a spectacular atmosphere in a great neighborhood. The owner gathers her goodies from local distributors, supporting MAINE business (YAY)!! When CIA first opened, it was 5 star quality. The service, the food, the art and the coffee- all contributed to the 5 star rating. Lately the customer service has gone downhill. The past two times I have visited, my order has been wrong and the customer service was poor. The owners unkind demeanor is taking away this cafe's charm

    (2)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Good for Working : Yes

CIA Cafe

Share with your social network

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.