Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
XLB
4090 N Williams AveHigh-quality Asian/Chinese and it's super close, love this place
Coco Donuts
33 N Skidmore StClosest coffee shop, great coffee and donuts
British restaurant, you don't see many of those! I like getting breakfast here, as well as their sandwiches for lunch
B.O.R.C. British Overseas Restaurant Corporation
4120 N Williams AveBritish restaurant, you don't see many of those! I like getting breakfast here, as well as their sandwiches for lunch
Breakfast and lunch only, very Instagram friendly...to make your friends jealous of your trip to Portland, though a bit overpriced
44 locals recommend
Poa Café
4025 N Williams AveBreakfast and lunch only, very Instagram friendly...to make your friends jealous of your trip to Portland, though a bit overpriced
One of the best restaurants in Portland! And not super expensive either. Small walk 5-6 long blocks, could also bike there with a Biketown bike. Expect a waiting list - can pop over to Ristretto coffee or other shops on that block while you wait
482 locals recommend
Tasty n Daughters
4537 SE Division StOne of the best restaurants in Portland! And not super expensive either. Small walk 5-6 long blocks, could also bike there with a Biketown bike. Expect a waiting list - can pop over to Ristretto coffee or other shops on that block while you wait
Best ramen in the area! Some of the best in the city if you ask me, very tasty
68 locals recommend
Kayo's Ramen Bar
3808 N Williams AveBest ramen in the area! Some of the best in the city if you ask me, very tasty
MF Tasty Food Truck
3925-3927 N Williams AveMexican food truck - outstanding!
Best Pizza in Portland! 5-6 block walk, they do NOT deliver unfortunately, but it's worth the walk. They have Happy Hour from 11am-5pm and an insane $5 pizza deal during that time
173 locals recommend
Life of Pie Pizza
3632 N Williams AveBest Pizza in Portland! 5-6 block walk, they do NOT deliver unfortunately, but it's worth the walk. They have Happy Hour from 11am-5pm and an insane $5 pizza deal during that time
Pizza - not as good as Life of Pie (5-6 blocks away), but only 1 block away. Since the dispensary (Bridge City Collective) is 1 block away, these two make a good combo when you're feeling high and lazy lol
Rovente Pizzeria - N Williams
4327 N Williams AvePizza - not as good as Life of Pie (5-6 blocks away), but only 1 block away. Since the dispensary (Bridge City Collective) is 1 block away, these two make a good combo when you're feeling high and lazy lol
Jazz, Pizza, Cocktails - this is one of my favorite places in Portland. Outdoor patio is fantastic in the summer
28 locals recommend
The 1905
830 N Shaver StJazz, Pizza, Cocktails - this is one of my favorite places in Portland. Outdoor patio is fantastic in the summer
Lovely's Fifty Fifty
4039 N Mississippi AvePizza and Ice Cream - both some of the best in Portland!
¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveMexican - one of the best in Portland and it's walking distance!
UCHU Sushi
3940 N Mississippi AveSushi - closest to home. I prefer Bamboo Sushi further afield though
Best Ice Cream in Portland! MUST TRY! They are spreading around the country now
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StBest Ice Cream in Portland! MUST TRY! They are spreading around the country now
Some of the best coffee in Portland, very Instagram friendly, combine this with a trip to Salt N Straw
301 locals recommend
Barista
1725 NE Alberta StSome of the best coffee in Portland, very Instagram friendly, combine this with a trip to Salt N Straw
Southern food/biscuits - one of the most popular restaurants in Portland!
290 locals recommend
Pine State Biscuits
2204 NE Alberta StSouthern food/biscuits - one of the most popular restaurants in Portland!
Sushi - my favorite place in Portland for sushi! They try to be as sustainable as possible. Bamboo has four locations in town, one in each quadrant, use Yelp to find
471 locals recommend
Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th AveSushi - my favorite place in Portland for sushi! They try to be as sustainable as possible. Bamboo has four locations in town, one in each quadrant, use Yelp to find
Screen Door
2337 E Burnside StBest Breakfast in the city, MUST TRY!
Best donuts in the city, but you'll pay a pretty penny for them. Far superior to the tourist trap known as Voodoo Donuts (you'll wait in line forever and the donuts are not that good)
403 locals recommend
Blue Star Donuts
3325 SE Division StBest donuts in the city, but you'll pay a pretty penny for them. Far superior to the tourist trap known as Voodoo Donuts (you'll wait in line forever and the donuts are not that good)
The Big Egg
3039 Northeast Alberta StreetBreakfast wraps! Personal favorite, the quality is very high
Organic Juice - delicious, in a small white bus/van/food truck, right next to Pine State Biscuits and Townshend Tea
27 locals recommend
Sip Juice Bar
2210 NE Alberta StOrganic Juice - delicious, in a small white bus/van/food truck, right next to Pine State Biscuits and Townshend Tea
TEA - the best in the city hands down! This is the guy who invented Tazo and sold it to Starbucks for a bazillion dollars. There is also a Smith tea room in SE
26 locals recommend
Steven Smith Teamaker
1626 NW Thurman StTEA - the best in the city hands down! This is the guy who invented Tazo and sold it to Starbucks for a bazillion dollars. There is also a Smith tea room in SE
Andina
1314 NW Glisan StPeruvian - one of the best restaurants in Portland!
Organic Vegan...but you'd never know it, everything is incredibly delicious. One of my all-time favorite restaurants. The raw cheesecake is unbelievable!
80 locals recommend
Blossoming Lotus
1713 NE 15th AveOrganic Vegan...but you'd never know it, everything is incredibly delicious. One of my all-time favorite restaurants. The raw cheesecake is unbelievable!
Prasad
925 NW Davis StOrganic Vegan - very tasty and healthy
Organic Vegan - very tasty and healthy. They are inside Portland Rock Gym (PRG) and up the stairs
Prasad East
21 NE 12th AveOrganic Vegan - very tasty and healthy. They are inside Portland Rock Gym (PRG) and up the stairs
Thai - a food cart that did so well, they now expanded into a restaurant and are selling their sauce. So tasty!
126 locals recommend
Nong's Khao Man Gai
609 SE Ankeny StThai - a food cart that did so well, they now expanded into a restaurant and are selling their sauce. So tasty!
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StThe best ice cream in the world!
Best SOUP in the city! Great before/after a hike at Forest Park
82 locals recommend
Food Front Cooperative Grocery
2375 NW Thurman StBest SOUP in the city! Great before/after a hike at Forest Park
Authentic French Bakery...best croissants and baguettes in the city! Great before/after a Forest Park Hike
113 locals recommend
St. Honoré Bakery
2335 NW Thurman StAuthentic French Bakery...best croissants and baguettes in the city! Great before/after a Forest Park Hike
World famous Thai street food. The chef has expanded Pok Pok to Brooklyn and elsewhere. There are often long lines, so get a reservation...or what the locals do is get on the wait list and then have a drink at their sister property nearby Whiskey Soda Lounge. You can also get a smaller version of the Pok Pok menu there, like the famous fish sauce wings.
460 locals recommend
Pok Pok
3226 SE Division StWorld famous Thai street food. The chef has expanded Pok Pok to Brooklyn and elsewhere. There are often long lines, so get a reservation...or what the locals do is get on the wait list and then have a drink at their sister property nearby Whiskey Soda Lounge. You can also get a smaller version of the Pok Pok menu there, like the famous fish sauce wings.
The one the only! Salt N Straw has several locations around town. This would be ideal before/after a meal at Pok Pok. Lines get long...
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StThe one the only! Salt N Straw has several locations around town. This would be ideal before/after a meal at Pok Pok. Lines get long...
Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th AveMy favorite sushi restaurant! And it's right next to Salt N Straw!
Not a theater! This is some of the best indian food in the city, and as usual, it's been updated with a Northwest ethos. A fun and casual spot serving Indian street food-inspired dishes. Very popular for good reason
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StNot a theater! This is some of the best indian food in the city, and as usual, it's been updated with a Northwest ethos. A fun and casual spot serving Indian street food-inspired dishes. Very popular for good reason
The SE Division location of Bollywood. Chez Panisse alum Troy MacLarty has a blockbuster on his hands with Bollywood Theater, his take on Indian street food. Both the original NE Alberta location and the new outpost on Division Street's "restaurant row" are fun, high-energy spots, but Division gets our vote for its plentiful outdoor seating and cool, curated Indian market. The menus are among Portland's most unique, focusing on less-discovered textures and spices like fried vada pavs, refreshing yogurt-topped papri chaat, and spicy Goan-style shrimp. The flavor-packed Kati roll is so popular McLarty has said he makes an average of 50,000 per year.
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StThe SE Division location of Bollywood. Chez Panisse alum Troy MacLarty has a blockbuster on his hands with Bollywood Theater, his take on Indian street food. Both the original NE Alberta location and the new outpost on Division Street's "restaurant row" are fun, high-energy spots, but Division gets our vote for its plentiful outdoor seating and cool, curated Indian market. The menus are among Portland's most unique, focusing on less-discovered textures and spices like fried vada pavs, refreshing yogurt-topped papri chaat, and spicy Goan-style shrimp. The flavor-packed Kati roll is so popular McLarty has said he makes an average of 50,000 per year.
It's on the "what to see in Portland" list because of it's unusually flavored dougnuts and Keep Portland Weird ethos. You can buy a donut in the shape of a person with a pretzel stick in the heart and raspberry filling oozing out (amongst many other creative designs). But if you are looking for a gourmet doughnut that tastes amazing, you will find it at Blue Star or Pip's
366 locals recommend
Voodoo Doughnut
8145 SE 82nd AveIt's on the "what to see in Portland" list because of it's unusually flavored dougnuts and Keep Portland Weird ethos. You can buy a donut in the shape of a person with a pretzel stick in the heart and raspberry filling oozing out (amongst many other creative designs). But if you are looking for a gourmet doughnut that tastes amazing, you will find it at Blue Star or Pip's
The donuts and chai are some of the best you'll have in your life. I recommend getting the chai sampler and the donuts are small so order one of each as well.
219 locals recommend
Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai
4759 NE Fremont StThe donuts and chai are some of the best you'll have in your life. I recommend getting the chai sampler and the donuts are small so order one of each as well.
Supposed Vegan paradise, but I think Blossoming Lotus and Prasad are way better. Well known for their brussels sprouts and BBQ tofu bowls. If you're vegan and on Alberta already, then it's a good pick.
266 locals recommend
Bye and Bye
1011 NE Alberta StSupposed Vegan paradise, but I think Blossoming Lotus and Prasad are way better. Well known for their brussels sprouts and BBQ tofu bowls. If you're vegan and on Alberta already, then it's a good pick.
A smaller version of the classic SE Division location. Great if you just want the amazing food, without the huge wait. If you're a tourist, you may want to head down to SE Division for half a day and check out the food scene down there, including the original location.
201 locals recommend
Pok Pok Wing
1469 NE Prescott StA smaller version of the classic SE Division location. Great if you just want the amazing food, without the huge wait. If you're a tourist, you may want to head down to SE Division for half a day and check out the food scene down there, including the original location.
Best BBQ in the city. It's even ranked as one of the best BBQ joints in the entire country! Texas-style BBQ
264 locals recommend
Podnah's BBQ
1625 NE Killingsworth StBest BBQ in the city. It's even ranked as one of the best BBQ joints in the entire country! Texas-style BBQ
Drinks & Nightlife
Local dive bar - very clean - FANTASTIC outdoor patio in the back, you would NEVER guess that from the exterior. Hidden gem for sure. If it's cold/raining, then the indoor area is a bit dark, but they have shuffle board, pinball, pool
102 locals recommend
Vendetta
4306 N Williams AveLocal dive bar - very clean - FANTASTIC outdoor patio in the back, you would NEVER guess that from the exterior. Hidden gem for sure. If it's cold/raining, then the indoor area is a bit dark, but they have shuffle board, pinball, pool
Lompoc Brewing/5th Quadrant
3901 North Williams AvenueLocal brewery only 3-4 blocks away!
German beer hall with great atmosphere inside and out. Beautiful patio with patio bar, and you can get food at the surrounding food carts and eat it on the patio with your beer.
192 locals recommend
Prost! Portland
4237 N Mississippi AveGerman beer hall with great atmosphere inside and out. Beautiful patio with patio bar, and you can get food at the surrounding food carts and eat it on the patio with your beer.
One of the best/hippest places in Portland to get a drink. Large outdoor area. Cocktails are suberb. Get your Instagram on
124 locals recommend
Victoria Bar
4835 N Albina AveOne of the best/hippest places in Portland to get a drink. Large outdoor area. Cocktails are suberb. Get your Instagram on
The Box Social
3971 N Williams AveSome of the best cocktails in all of Portland! Mixology supreme!
Get your Portland Hipster on, this place is a classic. Known for their burgers and outdoor firepit. Mississippi Studios (next door) often has live music too
436 locals recommend
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi AveGet your Portland Hipster on, this place is a classic. Known for their burgers and outdoor firepit. Mississippi Studios (next door) often has live music too
StormBreaker Brewing
832 N Beech StYet another brewery in walking distance!
Great place to get a Pok Pok snack or wait for your Pok Pok reservation
90 locals recommend
Whiskey Soda Lounge
3131 SE Division StGreat place to get a Pok Pok snack or wait for your Pok Pok reservation
Other than Mississippi Studios, Doug Fir is the best place to catch current headliners in the indie music scene. It's a really cool space, with unique NW design. Very well-known. You can have dinner there before a show too. Check online for a full calendar: there is music nearly every day of the week.
249 locals recommend
Doug Fir Lounge
301 E Burnside StOther than Mississippi Studios, Doug Fir is the best place to catch current headliners in the indie music scene. It's a really cool space, with unique NW design. Very well-known. You can have dinner there before a show too. Check online for a full calendar: there is music nearly every day of the week.
Essentials
Get your 420 here! Hard to beat a single block walk to a dispensary!
9 locals recommend
Bridge City Collective
4312 N Williams AveGet your 420 here! Hard to beat a single block walk to a dispensary!
Get your groceries here, only 4 blocks down the street! Recommend bringing a backpack for an easier walk home while laden
974 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StGet your groceries here, only 4 blocks down the street! Recommend bringing a backpack for an easier walk home while laden
Liquor Store - only 1 block away - it's nice inside and with a huge selection!
9 locals recommend
North By Northeast Liquor
4375 N Williams AveLiquor Store - only 1 block away - it's nice inside and with a huge selection!
Sightseeing
Absolutely Beautiful! Wonderful for a stroll and sometimes you can get a good view of Mt. Hood and downtown portland
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveAbsolutely Beautiful! Wonderful for a stroll and sometimes you can get a good view of Mt. Hood and downtown portland
MUST GO - it's a landmark in Portland, the largest used book store in the country
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StMUST GO - it's a landmark in Portland, the largest used book store in the country
Parks & Nature
Forest Park is one of the largest in-city parks in the country! Absolutely beautiful hiking in the forest, especially great if you don't have time to drive out to the Columbia River Gorge
940 locals recommend
Forest Park
Forest Park is one of the largest in-city parks in the country! Absolutely beautiful hiking in the forest, especially great if you don't have time to drive out to the Columbia River Gorge
Worth the drive - one of the largest waterfalls in the country. Very popular. You can also hike either halfway up the waterfall to the bridge, or all the way to the top!
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
Worth the drive - one of the largest waterfalls in the country. Very popular. You can also hike either halfway up the waterfall to the bridge, or all the way to the top!
Everything Else
Walk a 1/2 block to a local spa - facials, manicures, massage, etc.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
4155 N Williams AveWalk a 1/2 block to a local spa - facials, manicures, massage, etc.
McMenamins renovated this old elementary school and turned it into Portland's most unique hotel and property. You'll find rooms fashioned from former classrooms complete with original chalkboards and cloakrooms. On site is a restaurant, multiple bars, a movie theater, soaking pool, gift shop, and a brewery. Extensive original artwork and historical photographs cover the walls, ceilings, doorways and hallways. The soaking pool is very nice, but can get crowded during evenings and weekends.
538 locals recommend
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveMcMenamins renovated this old elementary school and turned it into Portland's most unique hotel and property. You'll find rooms fashioned from former classrooms complete with original chalkboards and cloakrooms. On site is a restaurant, multiple bars, a movie theater, soaking pool, gift shop, and a brewery. Extensive original artwork and historical photographs cover the walls, ceilings, doorways and hallways. The soaking pool is very nice, but can get crowded during evenings and weekends.
Entertainment & Activities
A Northwest institution, McMenamins has a dozen or so locations in and around Portland. The Bagdad Theater & Pub is a combination classic McMenamins pub and gorgeous movie theater. You can drink beer and eat while watching the movie. They have tables in the theater!
351 locals recommend
McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne BlvdA Northwest institution, McMenamins has a dozen or so locations in and around Portland. The Bagdad Theater & Pub is a combination classic McMenamins pub and gorgeous movie theater. You can drink beer and eat while watching the movie. They have tables in the theater!
$4 second-run movies in this great little cinema with a vintage neon marquee. Have your Pizzicato pizza and local beer while you watch good flicks. Then stroll foodie row stretching north and south of East Burnside along 28th Avenue.
329 locals recommend
Laurelhurst Theatre
2735 E Burnside St$4 second-run movies in this great little cinema with a vintage neon marquee. Have your Pizzicato pizza and local beer while you watch good flicks. Then stroll foodie row stretching north and south of East Burnside along 28th Avenue.