Burundi Star Coffee
261 St John St, Portland, ME
Crema's Take
“This Portland gem specializes in espresso-forward coffee and traditional East African fare, with genuinely enthusiastic regulars raving about their sambusas and plantain stew alongside expertly pulled shots. The space strikes that perfect balance between a serious coffee destination and a welcoming third place—clean, wifi-enabled, and attentive enough that the owner stays present to greet early morning visitors. Whether you're settling in with your laptop for hours or grabbing a quick cup before your commute, the thoughtful attention to both the coffee craft and the food makes this feel like a neighborhood spot that actually cares.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Great place to get coffee and food ! Stopped by while in town and loved it. Must get the meat samosa. And the plantain stew! Service was friendly the space clean. Bathroom available. WiFi also. Street parking. Or lot across the street. Try their coffee beans too.
Wanted to get a good cup for my ride home after medical appointment. I am a huge coffee fanatic and was shocked at how good it tasted. I order local roasted beans and have been to many many shops… this is the best I’ve had in a long time. Thank you !!!
I have been wanting to stop here for awhile but my work schedule has not allowed me to do so when they are open. Today I was early coming into work and they were closed but the owner was still there and he let me in. I got a Cafe mocha which was delicious! The owner was so kind and friendly. I wasn't able buy any food as he was all out or put away. But I did buy a few of the handmade items they sell there. Like the cutest reusable bag, a bag of whole bean coffee, and a Burundi Star t-shirt. So glad the owner was kind enough to let me in. I hope to get back soon so I can try some food and maybe buy a pair of the beautiful homemade earrings that were for sale.
I came here to buy coffee because of the reviews. I ordered latte and sambusa. Beef sambusas were awesome and very delicious. But the coffee didn't meet my expectation. Didn't get the taste of coffee but more like milk.
I made a quick stop here one morning for a drink. I'm a plain latte guy and they keep it simple with the drink menu here, so that didn't bother me. However, my latte was pretty meh; it tastes mostly like hot water and the espresso didn't come through much. It waw a small, so milk shouldn't have overpowered the espresso that much. I know this is a small sample size of the place, but I ended up getting coffee elsewhere and not finishing the one I bought. Maybe their food is the highlight. They had a couple pastries in the case that morning and they serve up a few African dishes, too. They have a decent amount of sitting space (can hold about 16 people), and have WiFi and plenty of outlets. Maybe you're experience will be better than mine!
Crema Reviews
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