A gothic-themed café on Hawthorne serving coffee, tea, and light bites in a moody, death-positive space filled with skulls, candles, and quiet contemplation.
Memento Mori Café brings a darker, more introspective twist to Portland’s already eclectic café scene. Located on Hawthorne, it leans fully into a gothic, death-positive aesthetic—less “haunted house,” more “philosophical acceptance of mortality with good coffee.”
Inside, the space is dimly lit and carefully styled with candles, skull motifs, vintage curiosities, and subtle occult references. It’s atmospheric without being overwhelming, creating a calm, almost meditative environment that contrasts sharply with the louder nightlife spots nearby. The pacing here is slower—people come to sit, think, read, or have low-key conversations rather than cycle through quick caffeine stops.
The menu focuses on coffee, tea, and simple food options like pastries and light bites. It’s not trying to compete with Portland’s third-wave coffee purists on technical grounds—instead, the experience and environment are the main draw. It appeals to a mix of goth/alternative crowds, creatives, and anyone looking for a café that feels a little more intentional and a little less… aggressively cheerful.
It also serves as a kind of daytime counterpart to Portland’s darker nightlife venues—proof that you can keep the aesthetic going without committing to a 2am existential spiral.
No upcoming events are listed for this venue yet.