Portland Eats

Anthony
Portland Eats

Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

We love the diverse vegetarian and vegan options that Portland offers! Here are just a few of our favorites.
Harlow is Gluten-free, Vegan, light and airy. It's a taste of LA in Portland, so if that sounds great, enjoy! If that sounds a bit hipster and attitude-y, you're right! The vegan, gluten-free mac and cheese makes up for any trace of attitude, though.
202 locals recommend
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd
202 locals recommend
Harlow is Gluten-free, Vegan, light and airy. It's a taste of LA in Portland, so if that sounds great, enjoy! If that sounds a bit hipster and attitude-y, you're right! The vegan, gluten-free mac and cheese makes up for any trace of attitude, though.
If you like Gluten-free, vegan baked goods, this is your personal Nirvana. This location is actually two-in-one, a large, airy, relaxed cafe (complete with vegan pizza and wine) next to a smaller bakery loaded with sweet treats. The vegan biscuits and gravy breakfast is incredible. Add the vegan sausage. It's so delish.
87 locals recommend
Back To Eden Bakery
2215-2217 NE Alberta St
87 locals recommend
If you like Gluten-free, vegan baked goods, this is your personal Nirvana. This location is actually two-in-one, a large, airy, relaxed cafe (complete with vegan pizza and wine) next to a smaller bakery loaded with sweet treats. The vegan biscuits and gravy breakfast is incredible. Add the vegan sausage. It's so delish.
Portland does Ethiopian really well, and we have lots of recommendations if you want to do an Ethiopian tour - but this is the one we always go back to. It's a bit more upscale and elegant than other Ethiopian joints, but is still affordable and so, so delicious, with a full liquor license. Also tons of meat options for a mixed family. Try the Beyaynetu, which is a combination of their best vegetable dishes.
13 locals recommend
Abyssinian Kitchen
2940 SE 21st Ave
13 locals recommend
Portland does Ethiopian really well, and we have lots of recommendations if you want to do an Ethiopian tour - but this is the one we always go back to. It's a bit more upscale and elegant than other Ethiopian joints, but is still affordable and so, so delicious, with a full liquor license. Also tons of meat options for a mixed family. Try the Beyaynetu, which is a combination of their best vegetable dishes.
This place isn't my favorite, but it's a solid choice for an upscale, vegan meal. It's been a while since I've been here, but I recall the tacos being excellent.
80 locals recommend
Blossoming Lotus
1713 NE 15th Ave
80 locals recommend
This place isn't my favorite, but it's a solid choice for an upscale, vegan meal. It's been a while since I've been here, but I recall the tacos being excellent.
The Sudra serves delicious, vegan, Indian inspired bowls. I love this place, and never order the same thing. You really can't go wrong.
58 locals recommend
The Sudra
28 NE 28th Ave
58 locals recommend
The Sudra serves delicious, vegan, Indian inspired bowls. I love this place, and never order the same thing. You really can't go wrong.
Confession: I've never actually eaten here, as the brewery right next store has amazing food as well. But I really want to try this completely vegan comfort food place, which is a 10 minute walk from the house, so I wanted to put it on the list!
11 locals recommend
Next Level Burger Hawthorne
4121 SE Hawthorne Blvd
11 locals recommend
Confession: I've never actually eaten here, as the brewery right next store has amazing food as well. But I really want to try this completely vegan comfort food place, which is a 10 minute walk from the house, so I wanted to put it on the list!
Bollywood Theater is a fun, swanky Indian restaurant that always has a ton of vegan and non-vegan options. The vibe is just so fun and vibrant, and it's super family (and date) friendly!
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta St
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater is a fun, swanky Indian restaurant that always has a ton of vegan and non-vegan options. The vibe is just so fun and vibrant, and it's super family (and date) friendly!

Favorite Restaurants

There are just our favorite restaurants, regardless of cuisine, that we keep coming back to. We're voracious eaters and lovers of all types of cuisine, but these are obviously just our opinions. Yelp tends to agree with us though. All price points and styles - just great food.
I love Kachka with all my heart and soul. It's Russian and sexy (as a Russian myself, I can say those words don't often go together in cuisine), and the vodka selection is amazing. We definitely recommend going with their tasting menu of all their appetizers - go hungry!
119 locals recommend
Kachka
960 SE 11th Ave
119 locals recommend
I love Kachka with all my heart and soul. It's Russian and sexy (as a Russian myself, I can say those words don't often go together in cuisine), and the vodka selection is amazing. We definitely recommend going with their tasting menu of all their appetizers - go hungry!
We love the food at this place. It's not fancy, but consistent and delicious. Pro-tip: DO NOT order from here on Seamless, as they take forever - we've had it take more than 3 hours!! If you want to do take-out, we recommend ordering it yourself and picking up - they're much quicker that way and accurate as to the time estimate.
Hello India
3500 SE Hawthorne Blvd
We love the food at this place. It's not fancy, but consistent and delicious. Pro-tip: DO NOT order from here on Seamless, as they take forever - we've had it take more than 3 hours!! If you want to do take-out, we recommend ordering it yourself and picking up - they're much quicker that way and accurate as to the time estimate.
Forget Pok Pok, with their criminally sweet wings. Farmhouse Kitchen is some of the best Thai we've had in Portland. Everything is good, and they're very kind to children, even when they (cough cough) manage to break their Christmas lights.
51 locals recommend
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
3354 SE Hawthorne Blvd
51 locals recommend
Forget Pok Pok, with their criminally sweet wings. Farmhouse Kitchen is some of the best Thai we've had in Portland. Everything is good, and they're very kind to children, even when they (cough cough) manage to break their Christmas lights.
I'm pretty sure Tusk puts some form of addictive substance in their food, because it's just so insanely good. Mediterranean but unique and fresh and interesting, not cheap but not too expensive, worth every penny.
144 locals recommend
Tusk
2448 E Burnside St
144 locals recommend
I'm pretty sure Tusk puts some form of addictive substance in their food, because it's just so insanely good. Mediterranean but unique and fresh and interesting, not cheap but not too expensive, worth every penny.
It can get loud here, but the food makes up for it. Playful, delicious cuisine with an intensely incredible happy hour (particularly: Oysters!) Great wine list as well.
45 locals recommend
Canard
734 E Burnside St
45 locals recommend
It can get loud here, but the food makes up for it. Playful, delicious cuisine with an intensely incredible happy hour (particularly: Oysters!) Great wine list as well.
Bamboo itself is really great, but their happy hour is unbeatable. Great prices on super fresh, ethically raised fish and sushi, with food for fish haters as well. Their burger is surprisingly good as well.
472 locals recommend
Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th Ave
472 locals recommend
Bamboo itself is really great, but their happy hour is unbeatable. Great prices on super fresh, ethically raised fish and sushi, with food for fish haters as well. Their burger is surprisingly good as well.
This is our go-to sushi restaurant. Their fish is consistently fresh, their rolls creative and excellent, and while not cheap, we find the prices commensurate with the quality.
41 locals recommend
Yama Sushi & Izakaya
2038 SE Clinton St
41 locals recommend
This is our go-to sushi restaurant. Their fish is consistently fresh, their rolls creative and excellent, and while not cheap, we find the prices commensurate with the quality.
Kat has a particular affection for Ethiopian food, but Abyssinian Kitchen is our place. It's upscale but not fancy, and the family that owns it is so lovely. Great options for vegans and meat-eaters alike, as well as gluten-free injera (the bread used to scoop up the delicious food) and a full bar.
13 locals recommend
Abyssinian Kitchen
2940 SE 21st Ave
13 locals recommend
Kat has a particular affection for Ethiopian food, but Abyssinian Kitchen is our place. It's upscale but not fancy, and the family that owns it is so lovely. Great options for vegans and meat-eaters alike, as well as gluten-free injera (the bread used to scoop up the delicious food) and a full bar.
A huge, French-inspired eatery with choices for every eater. Anthony swears the Ruben is the best in the city. Great for families and lots of seating.
80 locals recommend
Elephants Delicatessen
115 NW 22nd Ave
80 locals recommend
A huge, French-inspired eatery with choices for every eater. Anthony swears the Ruben is the best in the city. Great for families and lots of seating.
This is hole in the wall Ethiopian food, but it's just so, so good. I could eat here every night. I have yet to have anything that isn't amazing.
6 locals recommend
Aberus Restaurant
438 NE Killingsworth St
6 locals recommend
This is hole in the wall Ethiopian food, but it's just so, so good. I could eat here every night. I have yet to have anything that isn't amazing.
This is where we go when we want to bring family - it's bustling and impressive, and accessible - also super kid friendly while still feeling elevated. It was the IT restaurant in Portland about 5 years ago, but now that the buzz has chilled (but the food is equally excellent) it's easy to get a reservation.
183 locals recommend
Andina
1314 NW Glisan St
183 locals recommend
This is where we go when we want to bring family - it's bustling and impressive, and accessible - also super kid friendly while still feeling elevated. It was the IT restaurant in Portland about 5 years ago, but now that the buzz has chilled (but the food is equally excellent) it's easy to get a reservation.
Gluten-free folks, run away - they only have salads for us. But for the pizza lovers, this spot can't be beat - perfect pies (not too thin, not too thick) with creative toppings. Either get a reservation or be prepared to be there early, as they do run out and there's often a wait.
221 locals recommend
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd
221 locals recommend
Gluten-free folks, run away - they only have salads for us. But for the pizza lovers, this spot can't be beat - perfect pies (not too thin, not too thick) with creative toppings. Either get a reservation or be prepared to be there early, as they do run out and there's often a wait.
Great pizza, and they have gluten free and vegan options! Very relaxed and easy going, a traditional pizza place which is a rarity in Portland.
49 locals recommend
Baby Doll Pizza
2835 SE Stark St
49 locals recommend
Great pizza, and they have gluten free and vegan options! Very relaxed and easy going, a traditional pizza place which is a rarity in Portland.
Don't be alarmed by the line - it moves fast and there's abundant seating, especially in good weather when the back is open. (Go all the way past the bathrooms to find more seats). Delicious Mexican food, particularly tacos, and a nice beer and wine selection.
318 locals recommend
¿Por Qué No?
4635 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
318 locals recommend
Don't be alarmed by the line - it moves fast and there's abundant seating, especially in good weather when the back is open. (Go all the way past the bathrooms to find more seats). Delicious Mexican food, particularly tacos, and a nice beer and wine selection.
Go through this Mexican grocery store to the back, where you'll find traditional, delicious tacos, including Kat's favorite - lengua. There's nothing fancy about it, but it's also super authentic and did we mention delicious!
42 locals recommend
Tienda Santa Cruz
8630 N Lombard St
42 locals recommend
Go through this Mexican grocery store to the back, where you'll find traditional, delicious tacos, including Kat's favorite - lengua. There's nothing fancy about it, but it's also super authentic and did we mention delicious!
This is a chain, but it's the best of the chains. The truffle fries are magic, and the burgers are the perfect size (somewhere between a slider and a normal burger) to make it so you're not solely eating fries for lunch, if you don't want to.
57 locals recommend
Little Big Burger - Division
3810 SE Division St
57 locals recommend
This is a chain, but it's the best of the chains. The truffle fries are magic, and the burgers are the perfect size (somewhere between a slider and a normal burger) to make it so you're not solely eating fries for lunch, if you don't want to.

Coffee

It's Portland. Coffee and Portland are basically synonyms. This is NOT an exhaustive list, just our go-tos.
This place isn't actually my favorite, but it's closest to our house and it's perfectly good. I just dislike coffee shops that don't have comfy seating, and so I get annoyed by this place.
32 locals recommend
Never Coffee
4243 SE Belmont St
32 locals recommend
This place isn't actually my favorite, but it's closest to our house and it's perfectly good. I just dislike coffee shops that don't have comfy seating, and so I get annoyed by this place.
This is our favorite food truck coffee! Francesca, the owner, is just the sweetest person, and the coffee and snacks are yummy. The hours are a bit weird, but if it's closed, Never is only down the block.
32 locals recommend
Never Coffee
4243 SE Belmont St
32 locals recommend
This is our favorite food truck coffee! Francesca, the owner, is just the sweetest person, and the coffee and snacks are yummy. The hours are a bit weird, but if it's closed, Never is only down the block.
This is probably the best coffee we've had in Portland (gasp! Horror! we picked a favorite!) they take their coffee seriously, and it's actually roasted just a few blocks from our house - you can call and pick some up fresh out of the roaster! The coffee shop itself is near the downtown Powells.
14 locals recommend
Courier Coffee
923 SW Oak St
14 locals recommend
This is probably the best coffee we've had in Portland (gasp! Horror! we picked a favorite!) they take their coffee seriously, and it's actually roasted just a few blocks from our house - you can call and pick some up fresh out of the roaster! The coffee shop itself is near the downtown Powells.
This sweet coffeeshop is inside the Powells books on Hawthorne. The coffee is totally fine, but we particularly love it here as a place to hang out and read books from Powells, thanks to their generous lending policy.
93 locals recommend
The Fresh Pot
4001 N Mississippi Ave
93 locals recommend
This sweet coffeeshop is inside the Powells books on Hawthorne. The coffee is totally fine, but we particularly love it here as a place to hang out and read books from Powells, thanks to their generous lending policy.
Whenever I want to feel fancy and elevated, I go to Good Coffee. Their pours are delicious, and the ambiance is just so swanky - I feel like a cast member of entourage whenever I walk in here (is that too old a reference?)
117 locals recommend
Good Coffee
4747 SE Division St
117 locals recommend
Whenever I want to feel fancy and elevated, I go to Good Coffee. Their pours are delicious, and the ambiance is just so swanky - I feel like a cast member of entourage whenever I walk in here (is that too old a reference?)
This coffee is conveniently located near the river, and is a great stop if you need a break when you're near OMSI or the wonderful antique stores that are in the area. The coffee itself is excellent, and there's usually seating, which is a rarity for Portland coffee shops.
29 locals recommend
Water Avenue Coffee
1028 SE Water Ave
29 locals recommend
This coffee is conveniently located near the river, and is a great stop if you need a break when you're near OMSI or the wonderful antique stores that are in the area. The coffee itself is excellent, and there's usually seating, which is a rarity for Portland coffee shops.
The coffee here is only OK, but it's more than made up for with the excellent food and delightful staff, as well as the comfortable, work friendly environment. This is a place where it's super easy to sit and work for several hours with no one bothering you - just get at least a drink first.
50 locals recommend
Rain or Shine Coffee House
5941 SE Division St
50 locals recommend
The coffee here is only OK, but it's more than made up for with the excellent food and delightful staff, as well as the comfortable, work friendly environment. This is a place where it's super easy to sit and work for several hours with no one bothering you - just get at least a drink first.

Dining Experiences

These are places that are truly unforgettable and unique. Some require reservations well in advance, so book early!
This speakeasy Thai restaurant has incredible food and an extraordinary experience. They require reservations months in advance, but you never know your luck - one may pop up! It's spendy, but for a celebration, it's unequivocally worth every cent.
32 locals recommend
Langbaan
1818 SE 28th Ave
32 locals recommend
This speakeasy Thai restaurant has incredible food and an extraordinary experience. They require reservations months in advance, but you never know your luck - one may pop up! It's spendy, but for a celebration, it's unequivocally worth every cent.
This place is sexy, swanky and delicious Russian food - but not your grandma's Russian food. Order the appetizer tastings, and enjoy every last bite, with vodka to wash it down.
119 locals recommend
Kachka
960 SE 11th Ave
119 locals recommend
This place is sexy, swanky and delicious Russian food - but not your grandma's Russian food. Order the appetizer tastings, and enjoy every last bite, with vodka to wash it down.
Full Disclosure: Kat hates this place, even though she's never been, because the two times she's tried, the wait was absurd. But Anthony loves it and thinks it's an incredible exeperience with perfect cocktails made from mermaid magic or something. So if you want to go, we recommend splurging for the $20 for the reservation - note, that DOESN'T INCLUDE A DRINK! But whatever.
126 locals recommend
Multnomah Whiskey Library
1124 SW Alder St
126 locals recommend
Full Disclosure: Kat hates this place, even though she's never been, because the two times she's tried, the wait was absurd. But Anthony loves it and thinks it's an incredible exeperience with perfect cocktails made from mermaid magic or something. So if you want to go, we recommend splurging for the $20 for the reservation - note, that DOESN'T INCLUDE A DRINK! But whatever.
This is such a fun place! It's a converted school that now has a bar, hot tubs, a restaurant, etc. Go for a wander and stay for the drinks!
538 locals recommend
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Ave
538 locals recommend
This is such a fun place! It's a converted school that now has a bar, hot tubs, a restaurant, etc. Go for a wander and stay for the drinks!
This restaurant is truly delicious, with communal seating and elegantly prepared meals to delight and inspire. Francophiles, unite!
112 locals recommend
Le Pigeon
738 E Burnside St
112 locals recommend
This restaurant is truly delicious, with communal seating and elegantly prepared meals to delight and inspire. Francophiles, unite!

Booze - In Portland proper

We love wine, and cocktails, and booze. Always adding to this list.
This place has great food, and tons of different wines to drink and taste, made by local vintners. So delicious.
45 locals recommend
Oui Wine Bar + Restaurant at SE Wine Collective
201 Southeast 3rd Avenue
45 locals recommend
This place has great food, and tons of different wines to drink and taste, made by local vintners. So delicious.
Atmosphere, great bartenders, and creative options - just tell the bartenders the kind of cocktails you enjoy and they'll pour you a custom drink!
64 locals recommend
Vintage Cocktail Lounge
7907 SE Stark St
64 locals recommend
Atmosphere, great bartenders, and creative options - just tell the bartenders the kind of cocktails you enjoy and they'll pour you a custom drink!
Kat thinks it's overrated, Anthony thinks it's legendary. If you go, we recommend springing for the $20 reservation fee so you don't have to wait upwards of 3 hours. (REALLY.)
126 locals recommend
Multnomah Whiskey Library
1124 SW Alder St
126 locals recommend
Kat thinks it's overrated, Anthony thinks it's legendary. If you go, we recommend springing for the $20 reservation fee so you don't have to wait upwards of 3 hours. (REALLY.)
There's nothing that special about this place, but for some reason, I just love it. Classic, fun bar with great, generous cocktails for reasonable prices.
113 locals recommend
The Box Social
3971 N Williams Ave
113 locals recommend
There's nothing that special about this place, but for some reason, I just love it. Classic, fun bar with great, generous cocktails for reasonable prices.
Princess Bride themed cocktails. Need we say more? Inconceivable!
124 locals recommend
Victoria Bar
4835 N Albina Ave
124 locals recommend
Princess Bride themed cocktails. Need we say more? Inconceivable!
delicious, creative food (try the broccolini and the fries!) and an extensive beer and thoughtful spirits and wine list make this place a standby for us.
138 locals recommend
Interurban
4057 N Mississippi Ave
138 locals recommend
delicious, creative food (try the broccolini and the fries!) and an extensive beer and thoughtful spirits and wine list make this place a standby for us.