Cliffside Coffee & Sweets — Restaurant in Oregon

Okay so I called ahead to see if they had chai latte because I had just had one of the worst chai lattes of my life, and they said yes. So when I showed up, the older lady was very sweet. She actually made it for me and had me taste it before purchasing it.

And honestly it was terrible. Just sweet milk with no chai flavoring.

I was going to pay for it but I think she could tell he didn't like it. So then I just ordered a Hot Americano because I was tired of trying to find a good chai.

My expectations dropped immediately because she pulled a milk jug of coffee out of the fridge and proceeded to pour it into a shot glass.

Americanos are supposed to be made from fresh espresso. Not cold brew or whatever it was in those containers.

She then filled at the rest of the way up with hot water and put in a tiny splash of heavy cream. This thing was so watered down that it was almost white with just that little splash of heavy cream.

Tasted worse than gas station coffee. So I paid for it and left and threw it in the trash.

The best chai I have ever had was at Cold Water & Coffee up in Pacific City. So if you want an actually good chai that's where you're going to go. The worst chai is at Pirate Cove coffee.

Based on the drinks alone I would have given this place a one star. But because the lady was so nice to make the chai before I paid to make sure I liked it, I'm...

What a fun little find this shop was! We stopped at Devils Punchbowl on a whim, and as I have a special radar for sweets spots, I zeroed right in on Cliffside.

They offer ice cream, soft drinks, a variety of prepared hot and cold drinks, a bit of food, fudge, a few baked goodies like cookies and brownies, candy, and chocolates. While the latter is not made in house, it is from a chocolatier in Portland, so I love that they are supporting a local company. Service was quick and friendly, and prices were very reasonable.

I nabbed some chocolates for myself, with my favorites being the marionberry jelly stick (larger than usual with a slight violet flavor, I think?!), the huckleberry cream (great consistency, slight artificial flavor, but overall pleasant), and best of all was the seafoam (available in dark chocolate (the only way to eat it!) with perfect light, crispity texture).

While there was no seating inside the shop, picnic tables abound all over the Devil’s Punchbowl area, and I would love to return for a treat to enjoy while meandering the winding paths and admiring the punchbowl, pretty scenery, and watching the many surfers who...

It's the off-season, so...you know. Expectations aren't high. The bar is pretty low. A good review is really a reflection of: 1). Did I get what I ordered? 2). Was it drinkable? 3). Would I go back?

To keep it short: 1). Sort of? 2). Nope. 3). Definitely not.

It's a cute location and I loved the view, but I got served a latte made with spoiled (sour) milk by a barista who looked and acted (slamming pitchers, sighing loudly, etc) like making a latte was a personal affront to her. No thanks. I'm not picky about coffee -- I'll drink just about anything as long as it's not going to make me sick -- and I hate wasting food, but after two sips I chucked it because it was undrinkable. My husband confirmed that the milk was off, as it was also soured in the coffee he ordered. Both of us threw ours away and did not bother going back for a refund given the lack of service we'd gotten at the time of ordering.

Maybe it's better during tourist season? I won't be back...