Literary Arts
Bookstore & Mendoza Cafe
Filled with over 14,000 books for readers of all ages, interests, and tastes, the Literary Arts Bookstore and Mendoza Cafe hosts author readings, community events, story times, and more each week. We open at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and 9:00 a.m. on weekends for coffee and food, and the bookstore opens at 10:00 a.m. We close at 8:00 p.m. all days except Sunday (7:00 p.m.).
VISIT US AT:
716 SE Grand Ave,
Portland, OR 97214
Browse our bookstore online then pick up in store.
SHIPPING NOW AVAILABLE! Visit our FAQ to learn more.
Filled with over 14,000 books for readers of all ages, interests, and tastes, the Literary Arts Bookstore and Cafe hosts author readings, community events, story times, and more each week. While our inventory leans toward literary fiction, we host events and carry books in all genres and categories. This vibrant hub for the community, contains not only the Bookstore & Cafe, but also has classrooms for writing workshops and seminars, a podcast studio, staff offices, and a flexible event space that has a seated capacity of 75 with additional standing room for 25-40 more.
Literary Arts’ Mendoza Cafe is named in honor of Josie Mendoza, a former Oregon Arts Commissioner and longtime Literary Arts supporter who made a lasting impact on our mission. As part of Named Spaces at Literary Arts, the Mendoza Cafe uplifts Josie’s legacy and commitment to arts, culture, and meaningful literary exchange in Portland and across the state. Â
Opening Hours
Literary Arts is open for coffee and pastries starting at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday! Our bookstore is open from 10:00 a.m. (although you may purchase a book off the shelf at the coffee counter). We close at 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and at 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Cafe Menu
We have a full food and beverage menu, including a rotating selection of beer and wine. Breakfast and lunch, including soup, salad, and sandwiches are available from 8:00 a.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. on weekends through 4:00 p.m., and a selection of “night bites” are available from 4:00 p.m. until close. Click here to view the full menu (updated April 2026).
Map & Directions
Literary Arts is located at 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214 in Portland’s Buckman neighborhood. Just around the corner from the Morrison Bridge, our building’s Central Eastside location makes us easy to find, whether you travel by car or public transit.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
Bus: The closest bus stops to Literary Arts include SE Morrison & Grand, SE Grand & Belmont, and SE M L King & Morrison. Bus routes 15 and 6 will bring you closest to the building. Other nearby bus routes with connections to SE Grand include the 70, 14, 12, and 19.
Max Light Rail & Streetcar: The Max Rail connects to the Portland Streetcar at Oregon Convention Center. Nearby streetcar options include the A & B Loop: Streetcar A (exit at SE M L King & Stark Stop ID 13613) and Streetcar B (exit at SE Grand & Belmont Stop ID 11484).
Bus & Max fares: $2.80 for adults; $1.40 for youth & honored citizens.
Streetcar fares: $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for youth & honored citizens.
For more information on transit schedules, routes, HOP cards, etc. contact TriMet customer service at 503-238-7433 or visit www.trimet.org.
DRIVING AND PARKING
From the north: Follow OR 99-E S/NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, turn left on SE Morrison St, and then take another left on to SE Grand Ave.
From the south: Follow OR 99-E N/Mcloughlin Blvd past Powell, where it becomes SE Grand Ave.
From the east: Heading west on SE Morrison St is the most straightforward route, before turning right on SE Grand Ave.
From the west: For the fastest route, take the Morrison Bridge eastbound across the river, and then make an immediate left on SE Grand Ave. Other nearby bridges that connect to SE Grand include the Burnside Bridge (to the north) and the Hawthorne Bridge (to the south).
Parking
The parking lot located directly behind our building at 721 SE 6th Ave has over 20 parking spaces and is open to the public, with a convenient pay by phone option.
On-street parking in the Central Eastside is either metered (paid + time limit), time limit (free + time limit), or permit parking (free + 2-hour time limit for non-permit holders).
There is 2-hour metered parking available surrounding our building, with the closest metered parking available on SE Morrison, SE Alder, and 6th Street. The closest disability parking is located at 6th and SE Morrison.
FAQ
For information on events and more, click here to view our FAQ.
If you are interested in having your event at the Literary Arts Bookstore, please review and fill out this form for consideration. Thank you!
Get in touch
503-227-2583 (opt. 1 for the Bookstore, opt. 2 for general inquiries, and opt. 3 for the cafe)
General inquiries: la@literary-arts.org
Bookstore inquiries: bookstore@literary-arts.org
