Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Authentic Mexican cuisine, amazing food, cool atmosphere, and the best margarita on the planet Earth, hands down.
318 locals recommend
¿Por Qué No?
4635 Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardAuthentic Mexican cuisine, amazing food, cool atmosphere, and the best margarita on the planet Earth, hands down.
Breakfast for the masses, but there may be a line. Just two blocks around the corner and well worth the wait. Coffee while you wait to get in.
165 locals recommend
Jam On Hawthorne
2239 SE Hawthorne BlvdBreakfast for the masses, but there may be a line. Just two blocks around the corner and well worth the wait. Coffee while you wait to get in.
Our favorite local coffee house. Just down the hill at the circle. It's in the heart of Ladd's Addition and the coffee, tea, food and ambience are outstanding.
60 locals recommend
Palio Dessert and Espresso
1996 SE Ladd AveOur favorite local coffee house. Just down the hill at the circle. It's in the heart of Ladd's Addition and the coffee, tea, food and ambience are outstanding.
Very highly rated yet expensive. We usually choose the bar next door for the masterful cocktails and best burger and fries anywhere. Just around the corner on foot.
31 locals recommend
Castagna Restaurant
1752 SE Hawthorne BlvdVery highly rated yet expensive. We usually choose the bar next door for the masterful cocktails and best burger and fries anywhere. Just around the corner on foot.
The most amazing artisan gourmet pizza in Portland awaits, as do the finest beer and wine selections at this neighborhood gem. Get there right as they open, as lines do form quickly.
221 locals recommend
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne BlvdThe most amazing artisan gourmet pizza in Portland awaits, as do the finest beer and wine selections at this neighborhood gem. Get there right as they open, as lines do form quickly.
An over the top experience of gourmet seafood inventions and pairings. Tucked into the culinary kaleidoscope of SE Division, Roe is a fantasy dining experience.
14 locals recommend
Roe
515 SW BroadwayAn over the top experience of gourmet seafood inventions and pairings. Tucked into the culinary kaleidoscope of SE Division, Roe is a fantasy dining experience.
Crazy biscuity goodness. They started as a cart, now they're a biscuit-crazed packed-house biscuit-specialty restaurant just on the other side of Ladd's Addition.
145 locals recommend
Pine State Biscuits Division
1100 SE Division StCrazy biscuity goodness. They started as a cart, now they're a biscuit-crazed packed-house biscuit-specialty restaurant just on the other side of Ladd's Addition.
Portland is a foodie town on steroids. A big reason is food carts. An innovation born in the Great Recession, thousands of food carts popped up around town. Cartopia is the original "cart pod," a fancy term for a parking lot oasis of food carts. Check this out for the original version of Portland's inventive cart cuisine, its atmosphere and tastes now world recognized.
63 locals recommend
Cartopia
1207 SE Hawthorne BlvdPortland is a foodie town on steroids. A big reason is food carts. An innovation born in the Great Recession, thousands of food carts popped up around town. Cartopia is the original "cart pod," a fancy term for a parking lot oasis of food carts. Check this out for the original version of Portland's inventive cart cuisine, its atmosphere and tastes now world recognized.
If you can't get into Pok Pok and its northern Thai street food, Bollywood has southern Indian street food. They're so close together but so very different. Bollywood is a guest favorite because it's so consistent and always available.
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StIf you can't get into Pok Pok and its northern Thai street food, Bollywood has southern Indian street food. They're so close together but so very different. Bollywood is a guest favorite because it's so consistent and always available.
You can't get any better, or more local than Nostrana. But you'll have to try hard to get in, because this Italian dream-locale is in high demand. At least give it a try ... If you can get a table here, end your search, and thank your lucky stars.
115 locals recommend
Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison StYou can't get any better, or more local than Nostrana. But you'll have to try hard to get in, because this Italian dream-locale is in high demand. At least give it a try ... If you can get a table here, end your search, and thank your lucky stars.
Xico is a great place to hit for dinner a bit early, but any time will do. The menu is south-of-the-border Oaxacan surprising. It can give you a second wind on a tiring day, or turn a bad mood into a good one. Be ready to try something different and to be inspired.
76 locals recommend
Xico
3715 SE Division StXico is a great place to hit for dinner a bit early, but any time will do. The menu is south-of-the-border Oaxacan surprising. It can give you a second wind on a tiring day, or turn a bad mood into a good one. Be ready to try something different and to be inspired.
Modern Vietnamese fusion with a skater-hiphop vibe, this place has awesome, knock-you-down excellent fare. It's all new and inventive fusion cuisine, and it's just on the other side of the neighborhood down Elliott Ave.
66 locals recommend
Double Dragon
1235 SE Division StModern Vietnamese fusion with a skater-hiphop vibe, this place has awesome, knock-you-down excellent fare. It's all new and inventive fusion cuisine, and it's just on the other side of the neighborhood down Elliott Ave.
Known for their arepas, but delicious all-around, Teote has a a colorful artistic decor and will tempt you to hang out, not just eat and run. It's so close, and so good!
99 locals recommend
Teote House Cafe
1615 SE 12th AveKnown for their arepas, but delicious all-around, Teote has a a colorful artistic decor and will tempt you to hang out, not just eat and run. It's so close, and so good!
This is a clean modern coffee house with a highly refined, quality excellent cup of coffee. Very calming and cool and worth it.
44 locals recommend
Upper Left Roasters
1204 SE Clay StThis is a clean modern coffee house with a highly refined, quality excellent cup of coffee. Very calming and cool and worth it.
Designed with outdoor seating and hanging out BEFORE there was ever a Covid-19, this is a perfect place to choose from about a dozen different rotating culinary fusion experiences. Food carts are arranged in an innovative and safe giant courtyard for people to mill around and have an extraordinary meal and drink, all within a safe distance from each other as originally designed.
45 locals recommend
Hawthorne Asylum
1080 SE Madison StDesigned with outdoor seating and hanging out BEFORE there was ever a Covid-19, this is a perfect place to choose from about a dozen different rotating culinary fusion experiences. Food carts are arranged in an innovative and safe giant courtyard for people to mill around and have an extraordinary meal and drink, all within a safe distance from each other as originally designed.
If you enjoy seafood and a great place to sit and enjoy it safely, Flying Fish is the place to go. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating and the best seafood selections around, this place is the catch of the day and offers swimmingly scrumptious stuff.
23 locals recommend
Flying Fish Company LLC
3004 E Burnside StIf you enjoy seafood and a great place to sit and enjoy it safely, Flying Fish is the place to go. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating and the best seafood selections around, this place is the catch of the day and offers swimmingly scrumptious stuff.
Everything Else
A favorite for the food, drink, and people watching. Features on Discovery Channel's United States of Bacon, the sandwiches are one of a kind, local brews, expertly mixed drinks at the bar.
167 locals recommend
Lardo
1212 SE Hawthorne BlvdA favorite for the food, drink, and people watching. Features on Discovery Channel's United States of Bacon, the sandwiches are one of a kind, local brews, expertly mixed drinks at the bar.
Always first rate movies. Maybe not the blockbuster, but always the award winners. Half a block away, authentic retro theatre, they serve beer, popcorn, and cinema.
64 locals recommend
Cinemagic
2021 Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardAlways first rate movies. Maybe not the blockbuster, but always the award winners. Half a block away, authentic retro theatre, they serve beer, popcorn, and cinema.
If you're a roller, go no further than this super cool modern redo of an old bowling alley. But call for reservations because it is one major cool hangout for all the classes, and the bowling masses.
51 locals recommend
Central Kitchen & Bowl
808 SE Morrison StIf you're a roller, go no further than this super cool modern redo of an old bowling alley. But call for reservations because it is one major cool hangout for all the classes, and the bowling masses.
Nothing shows off Portland like Waterfront Park. One mile down Hawthorne by bus, car, bike or foot is the Willamette River and its 10 mile bridge laced loop. Rain or shine you just have to go there.
212 locals recommend
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito PkwyNothing shows off Portland like Waterfront Park. One mile down Hawthorne by bus, car, bike or foot is the Willamette River and its 10 mile bridge laced loop. Rain or shine you just have to go there.
A satellite of the main Powell's this will not disappoint. People come to Portland just for Powell's, and this little treat is right up Hawthorne street.
230 locals recommend
Powell's Books on Hawthorne
3723 SE Hawthorne BlvdA satellite of the main Powell's this will not disappoint. People come to Portland just for Powell's, and this little treat is right up Hawthorne street.
This is the mecca of book stores in all of the US of A. You just have to see it to believe it, and you will see why they call it "the city of books." Don't get lost inside, or do.
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StThis is the mecca of book stores in all of the US of A. You just have to see it to believe it, and you will see why they call it "the city of books." Don't get lost inside, or do.
A fifty fifty split of organic and conventional groceries for the perfectly formulated eclectic grocery store. It truly is the way all grocery stores should be in both location and selection.
974 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StA fifty fifty split of organic and conventional groceries for the perfectly formulated eclectic grocery store. It truly is the way all grocery stores should be in both location and selection.
They sell and rent Dutch-style bikes to ride around our bike-friendly city. Cool folding bikes are sold and rented here. You may just want to take one home with you as carry-on. 12 blocks away.
24 locals recommend
Clever Cycles
900 SE Hawthorne BlvdThey sell and rent Dutch-style bikes to ride around our bike-friendly city. Cool folding bikes are sold and rented here. You may just want to take one home with you as carry-on. 12 blocks away.
If you are interested in speed and/or distance, Veloce rents high-end road bikes. 12 blocks away.
17 locals recommend
Veloce Bicycles
14925 SW Barrows RdIf you are interested in speed and/or distance, Veloce rents high-end road bikes. 12 blocks away.
Drinks & Nightlife
Well known as one of the best restored grand old theaters in America, you can sit in your seat at this McMenamin's creation and have a beer or some dinner while you watch a flick on the big screen.
351 locals recommend
McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne BlvdWell known as one of the best restored grand old theaters in America, you can sit in your seat at this McMenamin's creation and have a beer or some dinner while you watch a flick on the big screen.
McMennamin's is a local beer brewing legend. Their restaurant's are works of art all with a theme, like this Grateful Dead themed hangout just a few short blocks down Hawthorne.
16 locals recommend
McMenamins Barley Mill Pub
1629 SE Hawthorne BlvdMcMennamin's is a local beer brewing legend. Their restaurant's are works of art all with a theme, like this Grateful Dead themed hangout just a few short blocks down Hawthorne.
Industrial, huge selection of micro brews, great food, dog friendly...what's not to like? This place is awesome. And just down the hill on foot.
43 locals recommend
Lucky Labrador Brew Pub
915 SE Hawthorne BlvdIndustrial, huge selection of micro brews, great food, dog friendly...what's not to like? This place is awesome. And just down the hill on foot.
Rated as the best beer garden in Portland. And it's right at the end of Elliott Avenue! 50 beers on tap, sit next to the bike rack with hundreds of bikes fencing you in. Cash only, ATM on site.
115 locals recommend
APEX
1216 SE Division StRated as the best beer garden in Portland. And it's right at the end of Elliott Avenue! 50 beers on tap, sit next to the bike rack with hundreds of bikes fencing you in. Cash only, ATM on site.
Go for 4 to 7 happy hour, stay for throwback 90s DJ and dancing. Huge windows onto the city with food and drinks and a grooving local scene to match. Great rendezvous, quality fare, great location.
66 locals recommend
Dig A Pony
736 SE Grand AveGo for 4 to 7 happy hour, stay for throwback 90s DJ and dancing. Huge windows onto the city with food and drinks and a grooving local scene to match. Great rendezvous, quality fare, great location.
If it's a dive bar you're looking for, well look no further. 99 steps out our back door is a classic Portland hole, with Trivia Night, video games, sports on TV, pool tables, and the occasional garage band. Owner Steve Potter is a legend, as real as they come, and he can split your sides with his one liners, old school hospitality, and cans of PBR.
8 locals recommend
Hawthorne Hideaway
2221 SE Hawthorne BlvdIf it's a dive bar you're looking for, well look no further. 99 steps out our back door is a classic Portland hole, with Trivia Night, video games, sports on TV, pool tables, and the occasional garage band. Owner Steve Potter is a legend, as real as they come, and he can split your sides with his one liners, old school hospitality, and cans of PBR.
Steps away, this stand-up comedy venue draws A-list comedians from all over the country. It's fantastic and funny, and it's about .7 miles down Hawthorne. Laughing was never easier!
42 locals recommend
Helium Comedy Club
1510 SE 9th AveSteps away, this stand-up comedy venue draws A-list comedians from all over the country. It's fantastic and funny, and it's about .7 miles down Hawthorne. Laughing was never easier!
Doug Fir Lounge is a place to love and hate. Love, because it has so much excellent live music every night, hate because you have to miss so many A-list musicians because you can't go there every night. This super-cool timberland/modern subterranean music venue is home to the quintessential lumbersexual Portland hipster.
249 locals recommend
Doug Fir Lounge
301 E Burnside StDoug Fir Lounge is a place to love and hate. Love, because it has so much excellent live music every night, hate because you have to miss so many A-list musicians because you can't go there every night. This super-cool timberland/modern subterranean music venue is home to the quintessential lumbersexual Portland hipster.
A way-out piece of Americana. This is an artistic unusual place with quirkiness and funkiness. An indoor/outdoor work of junkyard art turned into a homey and amazing destination that you have to see to believe. Found object fantasticalness!
56 locals recommend
Roadside Attraction
1000 SE 12th AveA way-out piece of Americana. This is an artistic unusual place with quirkiness and funkiness. An indoor/outdoor work of junkyard art turned into a homey and amazing destination that you have to see to believe. Found object fantasticalness!
Arguably Portland's best music venue. Only a bit over a mile from here. Just check the billing to see who's playing. Musician's choose this place, they don't have to choose the musicians. Always a good show, almost every night.
124 locals recommend
Revolution Hall
1300 SE Stark StArguably Portland's best music venue. Only a bit over a mile from here. Just check the billing to see who's playing. Musician's choose this place, they don't have to choose the musicians. Always a good show, almost every night.
This place books only the best and most famous music and entertainment acts. Rather than the big arenas, some acts still choose out of the way old-school theaters and this is one of them. Practically a stone's throw away (OK, a mile away maybe), we always seem to miss the big names when they play the Aladdin. Dang! Maybe there's someone playing you'll be lucky and catch!
66 locals recommend
Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukie AveThis place books only the best and most famous music and entertainment acts. Rather than the big arenas, some acts still choose out of the way old-school theaters and this is one of them. Practically a stone's throw away (OK, a mile away maybe), we always seem to miss the big names when they play the Aladdin. Dang! Maybe there's someone playing you'll be lucky and catch!
Parks & Nature
The only active volcano within a city limits in the USA. Climb to the top and see the panoramic view of the city and the mountains around. Shoot some hoops at the basketball court inside the caldera.
420 locals recommend
Mount Tabor
The only active volcano within a city limits in the USA. Climb to the top and see the panoramic view of the city and the mountains around. Shoot some hoops at the basketball court inside the caldera.
One of the largest forested parks within a city limits in the U.S. Access the park at any number of points and bike, run or walk its magical beautiful expanse and enjoy wild in the city. It's amazing.
90 locals recommend
Forest Park
One of the largest forested parks within a city limits in the U.S. Access the park at any number of points and bike, run or walk its magical beautiful expanse and enjoy wild in the city. It's amazing.
Sightseeing
So hip it hurts! Catch a concert, eat some awesome food and drink, and frequent the quirky specialty shops at this ultimate in cool neighborhoods. It started at Mississippi Studios and grew famous.
217 locals recommend
North Mississippi Avenue
North Mississippi AvenueSo hip it hurts! Catch a concert, eat some awesome food and drink, and frequent the quirky specialty shops at this ultimate in cool neighborhoods. It started at Mississippi Studios and grew famous.
Last Thursday. Nuff said. Or any day. Every last Thursday of the month this street is alive with 'Portlandia' types in a carnival festival art show once a month. You just have to see it to believe it.
117 locals recommend
Northeast Alberta Street
Northeast Alberta StreetLast Thursday. Nuff said. Or any day. Every last Thursday of the month this street is alive with 'Portlandia' types in a carnival festival art show once a month. You just have to see it to believe it.
Shopping
Que up for the best ice cream experience this side of Mount Bellyache! It's well worth the wait, unless you are lucky enough not to have to wait in the drooling line.
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StQue up for the best ice cream experience this side of Mount Bellyache! It's well worth the wait, unless you are lucky enough not to have to wait in the drooling line.
It's Apple. No explanation needed. We're not surprised when guests shop there and rip open their new Apple products and leave the empty boxes behind. No Problem! We're big Apple fans!
9 locals recommend
Apple Pioneer Place
450 SW Yamhill StIt's Apple. No explanation needed. We're not surprised when guests shop there and rip open their new Apple products and leave the empty boxes behind. No Problem! We're big Apple fans!
Arts & Culture
Vital to every historic place like Portland, local historical museums are an underrated source of knowledge and fascinating enjoyment. OHSM is an example of how to put together a museum that not only teaches, but entertains.
86 locals recommend
Oregon Historical Society Museum
1200 SW Park AveVital to every historic place like Portland, local historical museums are an underrated source of knowledge and fascinating enjoyment. OHSM is an example of how to put together a museum that not only teaches, but entertains.