Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

Delicious coffee and tea :) fun, quaint, unique house-​converted-​to-​business. Best part was we came on a Friday night and there was a very talented man playing guitar: Spanish guitar, Renaissance era songs, a good mix of beautiful music. Staff was very friendly. I would definitely recommend it.

Pros: great atmosphere, intimate, wonderful piano music, delicious dessert.
Cons: slow service, limited and tight seating, cash and check only.
We ordered light, just the chocolate raspberry fool and a café Vienna. We chose the dessert simply because the menu said that it was popular and they run out of it. There is a reason they run out of it. It was amazing and I was slightly upset that we only ordered one to share!

This place is very unique & not in a negative manner :) I got the hot fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream & hot chocolate. It was so delicious! You could easily tell the brownie wasn’t store bought & just put in a microwave. You seat yourself but when we arrived it was busy so all the tables were taken but the wait wasn’t that long… maybe 10 minutes. There was live music… an older woman playing the piano. The atmosphere & decorations were interesting & relaxing. It looks like a 2 story home that got turned into a dessert place. I would come more often if I lived in Portland. I definitely recommend this place & plan on coming back the next time I’m in Oregon. :-)

I had not been to this place in 15+ years! Used to come here in high school. It has not changed at all, just as quirky! Occurs to me this place was hipster before that word was en vogue. Dessert was great — piano music was a bit loud for conversation but also nice to hear. Server was slow to take our order but dessert came quick after that. I think this place is still wonderful but could use some TLC for the areas that are clearly worn down… Overall a Portland gem and a good after dinner date spot!

Almost too good to be true.
Go here after dinner (and cash) with a laid back attitude, a good sense of humor, and a fun friend to chat with. Relax your expectations and just take it all in. Ask questions about the menu. Get a few items to share. Oh, and go to the bathroom — that’s important. Tip well.
And get off your damn phone!

Cool house, with a lot of tables and fun lighting and pictures. Many dessert options and specials. We had one of the specials: peppermint brownie sundae with fudge and ice cream, $ 6.50, sooo good. It was big enough to share for ²⁄₃ people. The one thing is that the service was a little slow

Me and a few friends ended up coming here at around 11pm. Overall it was good, but there was some quirks.
First issue: They only took cash. There was an ATM at the Plaid Pantry next door, but it’s still sort of a pain. Second issue: The seating was sort of difficult. The tables mostly seemed to be designated for groups of two or like maybe three, but we had uh. More than that. A few people with our group just left because they didn’t like how loud it was (there was some live music of some kind), so we ended up finding a table to seat five of us.
Third issue: It may just be me, but reading the rules presented on the menu and trying to figure out how to proceed sort of worked out like a logic puzzle. Like, every person must spend at minimum $ 4, however most drinks were around $ 2.75 and the desserts were around $ 5. We had five people, two of whom couldn’t pay for themselves, so we had to like work out what combination of things to get for who such that we weren’t in violation of their per-​person dining cost.
Also in addition to that, it seems like they run out of their menu items pretty regularly. I tried ordering the lemon mousse cake, but they were out (leaving everything else on their main dessert menu as a chocolate option, unfortunately).
Our table ended up getting a few various mochas, the super cider, the jasmine tea, and a couple of dessert items (pot du crème and the chocolate mocha cake). All of the drinks were good, though it seemed like the most well liked was the cider (someone commented that it tasted exactly like liquid apple pie). The desserts were super rich, and the mocha cake almost seemed more like fudge than a cake.
Overall though, despite the problems I mentioned, everyone I went with (and stayed to get food) really enjoyed the experience! The bathroom was really cool, and the waiter was nice (though it did take a pretty long time for the waiter to show up in general). Especially considering it’s open late, it’s really hard to beat.

I found this quirky Portland relic searching Unilocal for a late-​night tea or coffee spot. The nerdy musician in me appreciates the name, and there was live music on a Wednesday night — the two ladies playing acoustic guitar gave the ol’ house a mellow and welcoming vibe.
Everything’s mismatched and worn from good use, including the cups and flatware. It reminds me of a great-grandmother’s house, with more clutter and dust. Tables feel a little crowded for my taste but it is cozy.
Desserts looked amazing, and I’d try them on another visit. The names are fun, too.
But it took 30+ minutes for the only server to take my order for tea, so I wasn’t willing to brave another long wait for sweets. Oddly, when I opened the kitchen door to ask if I could order (noticing she had waited on two tables that sat down after me and was bringing one of them a check by this point!), I was chastised and made to feel like I was being rude. There was no apology or thanks for waiting with the impatiently served tea. This felt so very Portland… then again, maybe I was sitting at one of the famous trick tables — the one that rendered me invisible (sarcasm font).
Knowing these tips will help make your experience more enjoyable:
— Cash only
— Visiting the bathroom upstairs is a must, even if you don’t actually use it. Seriously. And well done to the owners for that element!
— Service can be very slow and/​or disorganized. Don’t be impatient like me (or at least know there might be a wait)

Five stars for the most unique coffee house experience ever.
Four stars for the actual coffee and food choices.
As previous reviews have stated, if you want good coffee and food, it’s available. That’s not why you would come here though. Definitely weird, our service was thoroughly entertaining. Too bad we didn’t sit at one of the more fun tables, it turns out. I’d come here again just for the pure entertainment value.

OhMIgad. This place gave me the heebie jeebies before we even stepped into the house! My fiancé and I were looking to grab some late-​night dessert, and found the Rimsky-​Korsakoffee House through Unilocal.The photos featured sweets that we were eager to try, but the company description on their Unilocal page had us on the edge of our seats… literally.
We entered the home and sat ourselves near the doorway for a quick and easy escape should things start to get weird. Of course, all of this was in our heads, but it was fun to creep ourselves out. The ambience was pretty yet eerie, and the dining room was decorated with candles, string lights and ornaments hanging from the ceiling. Ambient, classical music played on a loop. It was reminiscent of a haunted bed and breakfast…
Despite the unsettling atmosphere, the desserts were outstanding and satisfied our sweet tooths. We ordered the marionberry cobbler and the brownie sundae. Both were decadent and perfect portion sizes — enough for one person but could possibly be shared between two people if you’re both not too hungry.
The staff were extremely friendly and bubbly, which was entertaining to us as it was juxtaposed with the not-​so-​bubbly environment. Overall, the Rimsky-​Korsakoffee House was a fun destination for a late-​night dessert. We were content and pleasantly satisfied… until we walked toward the front door and saw what was looming overhead above the stairwell…
This place gives meaning to the phrase «Keep Portland Weird.» Seriously though, we loved it.

This place is a cross between adorable and kitsch. I feel like I’m a guest at John Waters house. Anyway, the desert is delicious. Always look at the specials. I love the Marionberry Cobbler and the cheesecake a la mode is delicious. The coffee is so/​so, but I like the Earl Grey Tea.
The service is slow, but considering how packed it is, I totally understand. They’re very nice though. The live classical music is to die for. Brahms, Haydn, Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart are standard here. Although every once in a while, they’ll play Bizet and Dvorak and more Romantic era composers. 4 stars out 5. Will be back soon!

Recently returned and was disappointed to find food quality and service had both gone way downhill again– it’s unfortunate, because this place has great potential

Nowhere does classy like Korsacoffee!
Back in the 90’s, a great idea emerged among those in the know when Portland was just a cool undiscovered city full of colorful neighborhoods. You take a beautiful Victorian mansion, fix it up, and turn it into a coffee house. Go a step further and name your place after an obscure composer and there you have it. I mean why not!!!
Basically if you live here you have been here. It’s one of the few SE staples that has survived the modern coffee place and doesn’t try to fool you with a wooden sign and box store furniture. RImsky’s gives it to you straight and I just love it. This is one of the best desert and coffee places anywhere in the city.
Menu has a delectable mix of fresh in-​house made pie and cake desert combos, and some good ice cream concoctions as well. It’s a great date spot, and a fun place to take kids and expose them to a little something fun, and a little classical music education as well. The beautiful grand piano that’s a permanent fixture in the main room is a gathering place for kids piano recitals, on-​looking parents filled with smiles of love.
There’s some serious creative goodness here. Be prepared for some quirky fun. At least two of the tables are extra special. One slowly turns you around, and one goes up and down. See if you can spot ‘em! Then there’s the stairs leading up to the most creatively designed bathroom in Portland. This you must see for yourself! It’s just special.
Negatives? It can get busy, and a tad loud, so be ready or go early. Nothing they can do, there’s a lot of tables, and when it gets packed it’s hard to get around. Main trouble is that they have their own style of running the place and you might say employees march to the beat of their own drum! Not that service is bad, but they don’t do «management» here, so it can seem a little off at times if that makes sense.
Overall, just a fantastic place and I’m so happy we have it here. It’s a reminder of what makes us special here in Portland, and why you will always remember a place like this.

Fun little joint!
Seating is tough and hard to come by since there’s no formal host, first come first serve kind of basis!
Quirky little hole in the wall with great, affordable desserts.
Good place for first dates, casual outings, or if you just have a sweet tooth! Our waitress was fun and quirky and the desserts were delicious.
They occasionally have live music as well.
Be sure to check out the interesting bathroom upstairs!

Classical music fans will SQUEAL at this aptly-​named café. But this classically-​trained Unilocaling musician can’t even give four stars… here’s why:
This is more of a café lounge, because RK House is only open in the evenings starting at 7PM every day. Their selections are coffee/​tea/​water and desserts. That’s it. So this is your place to go after a dinner date gone well, and you’re looking for a quieter place to talk/​continue your night that isn’t a bar/​club.
Service here is spotty and that’s because of their self-​seating and wait-​until-​a-​server-​arrives-​to-​greet-​you policy. Came here after a delicious dinner nearby, but we probably waited 10 – 15 minutes before our chilled-​out server asked us what we wanted to order. If this is you, take turns checking out their restroom upstairs. It’s a creepy walk that is probably dusty and gaudy in broad daylight… which is why they’re only open at night. But bring a buddy because you won’t want to pee with the crazy clown staring at you and the pulsing candlelight making crazy shadows.
Besides the unique décor (old window curtains and Old Europe-​esque table arrangements) and classical component, I don’t see why RK House is anything great. Their desserts were average… but a sign said they were made in house every night. Pish posh. Our brownie with ice cream could have at least been warm, but it tasted like it was out of a box. Their famous raspberry fool was literally whipped cream and raspberry sauce. So desserts was quite disappointing. We did however love the intimate vibes here, but from the moment we sat down, we saw at least two couples enter and leave because there wasn’t a server around 7:30PM. Oh, and there’s live classical music which is obviosuly a 5-​star thing :)
This place is cool to Snapchat and take pictures at, but it’s not worth anything they have to offer. I’d rather be in a cool bar lounge instead.

This place is so very Portland. The atmosphere is spooky, haunted, and weird. They only serve dessert and coffee/​tea, however, those things are very good. I shared a «Ship goes to pieces against the rocks» with my sister, which is a really complicated way of saying I ate mint ice cream with hot fudge sauce. The hot fudge sauce was excellent.
The bathroom is exceptionally clean, possibly because no one uses it because it is too darn creepy.

One of my good friends from high school was in town visiting and got nostalgic for Rimsky so she went – in a conversation with her the following day, she said it wasn’t the same anymore. That is exactly how I felt when my friends and I went a few weeks ago!
I have been coming to Rimsky since high school and, throughout college, met up with old friends there to catch up when I was home on breaks. Rimsky is a coffee house located in a converted Victorian-​style house, it’s very eclectic with an unique décor and some people find it creepy. There are painted faces camouflaged into the wallpaper. The upstairs bathroom has a dummy in a raft that watches you pee, feet coming out of the ceiling, and hands as the toilet paper holder. I guess it could be nerve-​wrecking.
Last time I went when it just opened and they weren’t quite ready for customers. Even though we were the only ones there, it took a while to get our orders taken and drinks/​desserts to come out. I love the one waiter guy that works there, whose name I can’t recall right now, he is funny and outgoing – he has been there for long time. The space started filling up fast and the service got overwhelmed. It might be more efficient to have more than one person taking and producing the orders. It was a weekday right when they first opened though. The vibe seems a little better late night and they have a pianist on the weekends.
They have a very simple menu of coffee, teas, and basic desserts with rotating specials. As far as the desserts go, I like that ice cream and sundaes. If you are looking gourmet desserts, definitely not the place to go – expect homemade quality desserts. Drinks are decent. I just feel like the quirkiness of the establishment has lost its luster for me over the years… its more clean and less clutter than it was before. Something is different.

OMG, this is the spookiest place to eat dessert ever!
I knew I had to go here when my friend showed me pictures of their crazy, underwater bathroom.
One helpful thing to note: THEY’RE CASH ONLY. I wish I’d known that before getting all the way to the front door only to turn around, find a cash machine, and return.
The pianist was nice but played kind of loudly for the small space we were in.
And we were bummed to order the banana split (they claim it’s the best in Portland) and they didn’t have bananas (how does that happen?!)
But the pie I got and the ice cream my friend got were all very good.
And the bathroom still creeped the crap out of us.
Go here. You won’t be sorry (just scared, haha)

If not a place to have coffee… it’s definitely a great attraction.
This place is odd… and it’s suppose to be like that.
The coffee is decent, the deserts are alright.
The Banana splits are awesome.
The Peppermint tea is… whatever.
The servers are awesome and have personality that fit the bill.
The restroom is the highlight. Who would think the bathroom would be cool.
The biggest plus for our party was that it’s open late and they also have live music.
If any restaurant I’ve been too in Portland stays true to the «keep Portland weird» motto… it’s this one.

Origami, a steamship, Oprah, angels, Shrek, a bust of Beethoven, raccoon sticker, beads, Christmas ornaments, journals strewn about and art deco wallpaper. A very long history and the first coffee house in this town according to Wikipedia.
The house stands since 1902, the business since 1980. Quirky, odd, spooky, mysterious and haunted are words that have consistently been used to describe it. Articles have been written about it. Destinations planned. Tables move on their own. Coffee has been drunk and cake and sundaes have been devoured. The bathroom even has a following.
Rimsky-​Korsakoffe is a Portland tradition named after a Russian composer. It is a place that helps keep Portland weird. Just because it has quirks, doesn’t mean it’s bad. This place has been in business for a long time. It means the desserts and the coffee are top notch and you need to find yourself here at some point during your trek to Portland.
It has a relaxed feel with a live acoustic guitar player strumming away at classical tunes. The man has been playing here for 30 years. College students and the young at heart have been coming here for decades and the house still stands. Laughter and small talk. Readers, writers, composers, card players do their own thing. Nothing is rushed, nor is the service on a Friday night. Packed house, two people working. It was a bit hard to pin someone down.
The specials for the night were a chocolate layer cake, a cobbler and carrot cake. The desserts on the menu are well known and the banana split is something to yearn for. My housemate got carrot cake and coffee and I went with the chocolate layer cake over the chocolate pot de crème or brownie sundae. Any of the three would have been worth it.
The red lighting adds an eeriness to the atmosphere and the food has a different cast to it. But the layer cake is simply amazing. I wasn’t a fan of the carrot cake because of added pineapple to it. I’d never seen that before.
Overall we had a great experience at Rimsky-​Korsakoffe (my housemate has been coming here for 23 years, and me, the newbie). I will most definitely return. How I used to walk past this place when I lived in Buckman amazes me. You’d never know a coffee house existed with so much history. Oh and do check out the bathroom, and bring cash. No credit.
Enjoy.