Nalu Kava Lounge Tea House — Restaurant in Portland

3 stars, OK. Not mad we went, but the vibe was anxiety inducing for me.

The kava was good (I mean how good can mud water really be anyway). $33 for a bowl for 2. Enough for a very subtle buzz, so a bit more expensive than going out for booze, but if you don't drink it's a fine alternative to relax a bit out of the house. The seating was comfortable enough.

I think this place is catered to those with internal chaos who crave calm and understand others who are like that. Those people might "get" the vibe of this place. For someone like me whose internal world is overly organized and craving chaos to escape and unwind, this isn't the place.

The big negative for me was the vibe of the place was giving me anxiety (and I'm the least anxious person I've ever met). Very chill, stereotypical calming/yoga style music. Like stepping into the living room of your weird spiritual friend who you never quite know how to communicate with and if you are inadvertently offending them by not leaving your shoes at the door, asking their houseplants for guidance, or acknowledging the existence of chakras.

We went in, I stood there awkwardly for a few moments, wondering if I should run away. Was I supposed to order at the counter? Sit down? Wait for someone to acknowledge our existence? I still don't know. I was tense most of the time I was there. The bowl of kava helped. I wanted another shell but left because I couldn't get over that...

STELLAR. 😍

I’d been introduced to the kava experience on Oahu years ago – soft lighting, maybe some candles, a Hawaiian band playing Marvin Gaye tunes on acoustic instruments – and this is the only place in Portland that nails the proper kava vibe.

It’s also even better in some ways – starting with an absolutely magical rooftop patio and greenhouse. The indoor space is cozy and gorgeous as well – strewn with beautiful books, oracle decks, and more plants. I loved seeing a few solo visitors just reading in comfy nooks for hours.

If you’re not into kava (though I highly recommend trying one of the shareable presentations), there are some luscious-sounding drinking chocolates and teas on offer as well. My companion said the kava immediately eased some heartburn that’s been chronic recently – and of course we very much enjoyed our conversation and insights and good mood with its aid! This is our kind of drinking. 😂

I was beyond charmed when they made sure we got to take home our undrunk portion of kava – and in a glass jar!! No plastic. This business is truly in devotion to the values of a better world.

I had known about Nalu for years but somehow just hadn’t made it in till last night. We couldn’t be more excited to have discovered it now and will be avid repeat visitors (along with everyone else we send in,...

It's a great little place I remember when I first found it I was mildly sketched out cause the girl I was on a date with was leading the way and it was late and I was having a mild anxiety attack cause I got too stoned and in turn the date wasnt going great lol and it's all tucked away and then when you go in the lighting was all red and stuff as you walk up these stairs that had a bunch of pictures of Chinese letters so I was worried I was going to lose a kidney or something lol but when we got upstairs the atmosphere was totally chill and the owner was super friendly and made me a anti anxiety tea concoction that ended up being delicious and totally helped reduce my anxiety it was probably the best part of that entire night I would 10 outta 10...