Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
Golden Hour Coffee opened this spring on Portland’s bustling Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, bringing a warm, sunny and culturally inspired approach to specialty coffee.
The airy cafe glows with soft ambient lighting that lives up to the shop’s name. Roman clay and Topanga tile walls in natural tones reflect the personal heritages of married business partners Honorio De Jesus Martinez and Andrea Martinez — nodding to Oaxacan craft and Southeast Asian influences, respectively.
Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
Through a collaboration with interior designer Candice Cervantes of El Studio Design, the 1,275-square-foot space features leather chairs, hanging plants and custom banquette seating with plush cushions designed to encourage lingering. Behind the scenes, a prep kitchen, walk-in fridge and large freezers support a growing food menu.
“It’s not just a seat, it’s an invitation to stay a while, to gather, to converse,” the Martinezes jointly told Daily Coffee News via email. “Every detail, from the materials to the layout, was chosen to help people slow down, feel held and connect. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about emotional impact.”
Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
Baristas use Mazzer Major V grinders, a Synesso espresso machine and a Fetco batch brewer for traditional and creative espresso-based drinks and batch brews alongside cold brews and teas. Current offerings include a Mango Matcha Latte inspired by mango sticky rice. Forthcoming drinks include a Horchata Shaken Espresso and a Toasted Coconut Matcha Latte with house-made pandan syrup.
Additional food comes from La Casa De Mama, a Portland vegan Mexican bakery that supplies conchas and alfajores, plus bagels, muffins, cookies and gluten-free options.
Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
“One of our goals is to grow our food menu in a way that reflects our cultural backgrounds — bringing in flavors, dishes and memories that feel like home to us and hopefully feel new, exciting and comforting to others,” the Martinezes said. “Just like our drinks, we want our food to be an extension of our heritage and a celebration of the people who came before us.”
Both Portland natives and first-generation children of immigrants — Andrea of Vietnamese and Laotian descent, and Honorio of Mexican descent — the Martinezes came to Golden Hour with different career backgrounds. Honorio worked in banking for over a decade, while Andrea continues as an executive assistant at a large corporation.
Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
“After years in environments where we often felt like we had to shrink parts of ourselves, we were ready to build a space where both we and others could show up fully,” they said. “Our parents worked tirelessly to give us opportunities they never had, and that’s always been at the core of why we started Golden Hour. We wanted to forge a path that honored their journey and create something that might inspire others like us to chase a passion, take up space, and redefine what success can look like.”
After initially rotating suppliers, Golden Hour now exclusively serves coffee from Portland-based Cup Coffee Roasters, a roasting startup focused on underrepresented farmers and eco-conscious producers.
Photo by Amalie Higgens, courtesy of Golden Hour Coffee.
“Cup Coffee Roasters not only share our commitment to quality and storytelling, but they also walk the walk, donating 1% of their revenue to environmental organizations and working to uplift marginalized voices in the coffee world,” the Golden Hour founders said. “For us, this isn’t just a change in beans. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we believe in — that coffee can be a force for good, and that every cup can support people, planet and progress.”
Golden Hour Coffee is located at 3538 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland.
Comments? Questions? News to share? Contact DCN’s editors here. For all the latest coffee industry news, subscribe to the DCN newsletter.
Related Posts
