The đặc biệt waffle. | Brenna Houck/Eater Portland Part of a wave of Vietnamese cafes that have traipsed onto Portland’s dining scene in recent years, Mémoire Cà Phê captivated Eater editors’ attention in 2024 and scored itself a spot among the nation’s best new restaurants. Si nce then, the brunch-y coffee shop has kept up the energy in its tight quarters along Northeast Alberta. If you’re looking for a sweet breakfast and creative coffee that will make your hair stand up, this is your spot. What to order The đặc biệt waffle ($17) features a tender pandan waffle with layers of fresh arugula, salty and thick slices of pork belly, a fried egg that’s still jammy in the center, and lots of nice crunchy fried garlic and scallions. It’s a balance of sweet and savory with added heat from a slightly spiced syrup.  The cà phê trứng ($7) is Mémoire’s version of the Vietnamese egg coffee, with a dense layer of egg cream dusted with cinnamon. It’s sweet, rich, and will leave you feeling well-caffeinated.   If you’re looking for a pastry for the table while waiting for your order to arrive, split one of the pound cakes or a gluten-free doughnut ($3.50) in flavors like marionberry and ube. The doughnuts are moist and sticky-sweet (and also available at Better Days Cafe). I preferred the yuzu olive oil cake with its citric sharpness.  Take note The space here is compact — just a few bar seats around the windows and one each of three-, four-, and five-top tables for groups — so if you’re planning to bring a whole crew, you may want to look elsewhere. Best for Brunch with gluten-free diners craving something sweet.  Insider tip The chicken and waffles are available only on Friday and Saturday.  Street parking in this neighborhood is competitive, so you may need to walk a few blocks from a residential side street or consider taking the bus. ...read more read less