[5] In 2008, The Oregonian's Benjamin Brink wrote: "The cafe quickly became a community gathering place, full of young families, longtime residents and students from the nearby colleges bent over laptops.

[7] Eater Portland's Brooke Jackson-Glidden described Bipartisan Cafe as "an eclectic space decorated with American historical memorabilia".

[9] There are also posters of Norman Rockwell's 1943 painting series Four Freedoms[10] and other political memorabilia such as ballots, bumper stickers,[11] campaign buttons and pins,[12] and a voting machine from Palm Beach, Florida, that was used in the 2000 United States presidential election.

Sebellin-Ross of The Oregonian wrote, "Bipartisan Cafe has a maroon sofa and soft chairs permanently contoured by a parade of bodies, and a fat hole in the middle of the floor looking into the basement.

[30] Bipartisan has hosted political candidates for public office, including Ben Cannon in 2006,[31][32] Jefferson Smith in 2012,[33] Ted Wheeler in 2016,[34] and Jo Ann Hardesty in 2018.

The newspaper noted Emerson's desire to pay $15 per hour, which he said he was unable to offer because the restaurant operated "on a narrow 5 percent profit margin".

To compensate, Emerson said he had hired more workers to reduce stress, provided free food to employees, and worked to accommodate staff members' schedule conflicts.

[45] As of February 2022[update], unvaccinated patrons could enter the restaurant for take-out orders but proof of vaccination was required for indoor dining for people aged 12 and older.

[47] The book series Walking Portland (2012–2013) describes Bipartisan Cafe as a "stellar" family-friendly coffee shop with "fantastic" pies and pastries.

The magazine called the business the "unofficial community center" that "practically demands that you slow down and share a slice of pie and a steaming mug of Water Avenue Coffee with a friend".

[49] The same year, The Oregonian's Seth Lorinczi said "the pies are benchmark; the crust thin, flaky and unadorned, the fillings fresh and abundant".

"[50] In 2010, Patrick Alan Coleman of Portland Mercury wrote: "The huge selection of pies is what makes this Montavilla hangout so popular for politicos of all stripes.

"[51] In 2008, Willamette Week included Bipartisan Cafe in an overview of the best places to drink coffee in Portland and said "the standout collection of political ephemera and housemade pies ... almost overshadow the perfect neighborliness" of the venue.