Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Delicious pastries, great coffee, indoor and outdoor seating. Dessert options. Walking distance!
385 locals recommend
Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie
3420 NE Sandy BlvdDelicious pastries, great coffee, indoor and outdoor seating. Dessert options. Walking distance!
Great tea and snacks, wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff.
91 locals recommend
Townshend's Alberta Street Teahouse
2223 NE Alberta StGreat tea and snacks, wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff.
A great tapas restaurant with creative dishes, friendly staff, and a good selection of drinks. Perfect for a date night!
42 locals recommend
Urdaneta
3033 NE Alberta StA great tapas restaurant with creative dishes, friendly staff, and a good selection of drinks. Perfect for a date night!
Sip Juice Bar
2210 NE Alberta StHealthy, tasty juices and smoothies!
Hearty breakfast/brunch options, good coffee, and freshly made biscuits!
290 locals recommend
Pine State Biscuits
2204 NE Alberta StHearty breakfast/brunch options, good coffee, and freshly made biscuits!
CLOSED as of 11/18
Great happy hour from 4-6 pm each day, with DELICIOUS fried brussels sprouts and good drinks!
40 locals recommend
Bernie's Southern Bistro
CLOSED as of 11/18
Great happy hour from 4-6 pm each day, with DELICIOUS fried brussels sprouts and good drinks!
First sustainable sushi restaurant in the US! Good happy hour on week days from 4:30-6 pm.
471 locals recommend
Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th AveFirst sustainable sushi restaurant in the US! Good happy hour on week days from 4:30-6 pm.
Great food, great price. Owned by people of color and supporting 100% renewable energy for their electricity usage!
35 locals recommend
El Nutri Taco
2124 NE Alberta StGreat food, great price. Owned by people of color and supporting 100% renewable energy for their electricity usage!
Forget Voodoo, this is the place to go for donuts. They use a cardamom-spice cake base, and cover it in delicious toppings like nutella, local honey and salt, cinnamon sugar, peanut butter, bacon jam, and an inventive seasonal flavor that rotates monthly. Their chai is amazing as well, in many different varieties. (My favorite is the emmylou, a lavender-chamomile-fennel chai with no caffeine)
219 locals recommend
Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai
4759 NE Fremont StForget Voodoo, this is the place to go for donuts. They use a cardamom-spice cake base, and cover it in delicious toppings like nutella, local honey and salt, cinnamon sugar, peanut butter, bacon jam, and an inventive seasonal flavor that rotates monthly. Their chai is amazing as well, in many different varieties. (My favorite is the emmylou, a lavender-chamomile-fennel chai with no caffeine)
Great pies, great service, great drink specials. Has lots of ostriches and Elvis references.
131 locals recommend
Random Order Pie Bar
1800 NE Alberta StGreat pies, great service, great drink specials. Has lots of ostriches and Elvis references.
Great desserts that are big enough to split at a reasonable price! I've never had savory food here, but I hear that is good as well.
189 locals recommend
Papa Haydn
701 NW 23rd AveGreat desserts that are big enough to split at a reasonable price! I've never had savory food here, but I hear that is good as well.
Delicious food with a heartwarming backstory- Nong, the owner, immigrated from Thailand in 2003 with $70 and 2 suitcases, starting up an 8'x8' food cart with the little money she had. She now has 2 food carts and a brick-and-mortar restaurant, selling bottles of her sauce to eager customers. The star of the menu is a simple chicken-and-rice dish, which bursts with flavor. A must-try!
126 locals recommend
Nong's Khao Man Gai
609 SE Ankeny StDelicious food with a heartwarming backstory- Nong, the owner, immigrated from Thailand in 2003 with $70 and 2 suitcases, starting up an 8'x8' food cart with the little money she had. She now has 2 food carts and a brick-and-mortar restaurant, selling bottles of her sauce to eager customers. The star of the menu is a simple chicken-and-rice dish, which bursts with flavor. A must-try!
Arguably the best ice cream in Portland (although Fifty Licks and Ruby Jewel give it a run for its money), Salt & Straw has great monthly rotating flavors as well as solid regulars. My favorites are honey lavender, arbequina olive oil, and strawberry balsamic.
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StArguably the best ice cream in Portland (although Fifty Licks and Ruby Jewel give it a run for its money), Salt & Straw has great monthly rotating flavors as well as solid regulars. My favorites are honey lavender, arbequina olive oil, and strawberry balsamic.
This is hands down the best ramen I've had in Portland. I always go for the tonkotsu with an extra egg.
31 locals recommend
Marukin Ramen
126 SW 2nd AveThis is hands down the best ramen I've had in Portland. I always go for the tonkotsu with an extra egg.
Cuốn - Vietnamese Street Food
600 SW 4th AveGreat rolls, bahn mi, pho, vermicelli bowls... everything!
Coffee! Not to be confused with Vita Cafe (one block east), which has great vegan and vegetarian food.
45 locals recommend
Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting
2909 NE Alberta StCoffee! Not to be confused with Vita Cafe (one block east), which has great vegan and vegetarian food.
Via Chicago
2013 NE Alberta StDeep. Dish. Pizza. All you can eat on Tuesday evenings for $13!
Little Big Burger - NE Alberta St
2038 NE Alberta StYou gotta try the truffle fries.
The Waffle Window
3610 SE Hawthorne BlvdSweet or savory, take your pick!
Gumba
1733 NE Alberta StHomemade pastas and a super friendly staff.
Stella Taco
3060 SE Division StChips and warm queso, plus Texan-style tacos
Bella Pizza
2934 NE Alberta StGreat happy hour deals!
Cha'Ba Thai
3024 NE Alberta StClose, fast, delicious!
Chiang Mai
Best pad thai and best waitstaff
Delicious northern Thai specialties (not many noodle dishes). The original location in San Francisco is Michelin starred, so this is a bit more expensive (~$16-22 per person). Try the Hat Yai chicken, the 24-hour beef noodle soup, and the Thai iced tea! Make sure to make a reservation.
51 locals recommend
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine
3354 SE Hawthorne BlvdDelicious northern Thai specialties (not many noodle dishes). The original location in San Francisco is Michelin starred, so this is a bit more expensive (~$16-22 per person). Try the Hat Yai chicken, the 24-hour beef noodle soup, and the Thai iced tea! Make sure to make a reservation.
This is by far the best sushi place in Portland, especially when comparing price to portion size. They don't take reservations, but do do take-out. Make sure to get plenty of the salmon belly nigiri.
95 locals recommend
Saburos | Sushi House Restaurant
1667 SE Bybee BlvdThis is by far the best sushi place in Portland, especially when comparing price to portion size. They don't take reservations, but do do take-out. Make sure to get plenty of the salmon belly nigiri.
Kachka
960 SE 11th AveTry out some Russian food! Fantastic dumplings and cocktails.
HK Cafe
4410 SE 82nd AveThe best Dim Sum in Portland! Also does take-out.
Pambiche
2811 NE Glisan StCuban fare! Great food in general, and you've got to try the desserts.
Go eat the soup dumplings, and while you're at it, have some of the chow fun and the eggplant.
59 locals recommend
XLB
4090 N Williams AveGo eat the soup dumplings, and while you're at it, have some of the chow fun and the eggplant.
Great for vegetarian and vegan fare, as well as deliciously well-seasoned meat dishes. Ideal for larger parties (4+).
24 locals recommend
Enat Kitchen
300 N Killingsworth StGreat for vegetarian and vegan fare, as well as deliciously well-seasoned meat dishes. Ideal for larger parties (4+).
You HAVE to go for Gnocchi Thursdays. Can't make a wrong choice on their gnocchi menu!
115 locals recommend
Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison StYou HAVE to go for Gnocchi Thursdays. Can't make a wrong choice on their gnocchi menu!
Shalom Y'all SE - Eastside Location
117 SE Taylor StKayo's Ramen Bar
3808 N Williams AveRamen perfection, with a variety of other dishes as well.
Departure Restaurant + Lounge
525 SW Morrison StAmazing views and Asian fusion cuisine.
Beast
5425 NE 30th AveUpscale dining in an intimate atmosphere
Yakuza Izakaya Restaurant
5515 NE 30th AveGood happy hour and tasty dishes!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great locally owned music lounge, with jam sessions on Wednesdays for any jazz players!
12 locals recommend
Solae's Lounge
1801 NE Alberta StGreat locally owned music lounge, with jam sessions on Wednesdays for any jazz players!
Expatriate
5424 NE 30th AveNeighborhood bar
The Society Hotel
203 NW 3rd AveGreat rooftop bar downtown
Altabira City Tavern
1021 NE Grand AveAmazing rooftop view, decent food and drinks
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi AveGreat groups come through here all the time
Radio Room
1101 NE Alberta StGreat food, drink, and atmosphere! Their beignets are delicious.
This is my go-to for a good drink and a great burger. They have a good menu and a fantastic waitstaff.
99 locals recommend
Wilder
5501 NE 30th AveThis is my go-to for a good drink and a great burger. They have a good menu and a fantastic waitstaff.
Les Caves: a Winery Bar
1719 Northeast Alberta StreetCC Slaughters Nightclub and Lounge
219 NW Davis StLGBTQ Centric!
Killingsworth Dynasty
832 N Killingsworth StWhite Owl Social Club
1305 SE 8th AveEssentials
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveSuper friendly and helpful staff
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
1500 NE Alberta StGreat locally-owned coop grocery store
Good for a late-night booze run, or some essentials if you're in a pinch.
87 locals recommend
Food King Market
2909 NE Prescott StGood for a late-night booze run, or some essentials if you're in a pinch.
QFC
6411 SE Milwaukie AveSafeway
6901 NE Sandy BlvdGetting Around
The southwest corner is where you can take the 17 bus line directly into downtown! I would recommend using Google maps, and getting the Trimet app to purchase tickets if you can. If not, make sure you have cash and bring $5 for a day pass (or $2.50 for a 2.5 hour pass).
NE 29th & Skidmore station
The southwest corner is where you can take the 17 bus line directly into downtown! I would recommend using Google maps, and getting the Trimet app to purchase tickets if you can. If not, make sure you have cash and bring $5 for a day pass (or $2.50 for a 2.5 hour pass).
4600 NE Grand Ave
4600 Northeast Grand AvenueEasy bike rental with the Nike bike app.
Parks & Nature
Half-mile track around the perimiter, off-leash area for dogs, playground, picnic tables, baseball field, grassy areas. This is my go-to green space!
56 locals recommend
Wilshire Park
4116 NE 33rd AveHalf-mile track around the perimiter, off-leash area for dogs, playground, picnic tables, baseball field, grassy areas. This is my go-to green space!
There's a beautiful fountain and rose garden, as well as grassy areas, a tennis court, a playground, a water play area, and a track around the outside.
151 locals recommend
Peninsula Park
Peninsula ParkThere's a beautiful fountain and rose garden, as well as grassy areas, a tennis court, a playground, a water play area, and a track around the outside.
Closeby, with basketball hoops, a dog park, baseball diamond, and lots of open grassy space.
139 locals recommend
Alberta Park
1905 NE Killingsworth StCloseby, with basketball hoops, a dog park, baseball diamond, and lots of open grassy space.
This is one of the only fenced dog parks I've come across in Portland! They have separate small dog, big dog, and mixed size areas, which is awesome. There's also a few softball/baseball diamonds, a playground, and lots of trees for shade.
14 locals recommend
Normandale Park
Northeast Halsey StreetThis is one of the only fenced dog parks I've come across in Portland! They have separate small dog, big dog, and mixed size areas, which is awesome. There's also a few softball/baseball diamonds, a playground, and lots of trees for shade.
Lots of trails, playgrounds, a partially fenced dog park, and if you can get to the top, decent views!
405 locals recommend
Mt Tabor Dog Park
2219 SE Lincoln StLots of trails, playgrounds, a partially fenced dog park, and if you can get to the top, decent views!
A city park with 30 miles of trails in a fairly densely wooded area. Lots of beautiful adventures to be had!
940 locals recommend
Forest Park
A city park with 30 miles of trails in a fairly densely wooded area. Lots of beautiful adventures to be had!
Track, soccer field, softball/baseball diamond, lots of open space, and a huge open off-leash dog area!
49 locals recommend
Fernhill Park
Fernhill ParkTrack, soccer field, softball/baseball diamond, lots of open space, and a huge open off-leash dog area!
Arts & Culture
Lots of cool groups and performances come through here- check out this month's listings!
136 locals recommend
Alberta Rose Theatre
3000 NE Alberta StLots of cool groups and performances come through here- check out this month's listings!
If you go on Fridays after 5 pm, admission is only $5! Currently (March 2018), they have a really great exhibit on Laika, the animation studio behind Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, Boxtrolls, and ParaNorman.
785 locals recommend
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveIf you go on Fridays after 5 pm, admission is only $5! Currently (March 2018), they have a really great exhibit on Laika, the animation studio behind Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, Boxtrolls, and ParaNorman.
Revolution Hall
1300 SE Stark StAlways something happening at this venue!
Entertainment & Activities
Bowling, scrabble, pingpong, pinball, shuffleboard, corn hole, darts, karaoke- this place has it all!
23 locals recommend
Punch Bowl Social Portland
340 SW Morrison StBowling, scrabble, pingpong, pinball, shuffleboard, corn hole, darts, karaoke- this place has it all!
This is a great venue to see a movie, that sells good food and drinks that you can consume in your spacious movie chairs. Shows some great independent films as well as more well known ones.
231 locals recommend
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy BlvdThis is a great venue to see a movie, that sells good food and drinks that you can consume in your spacious movie chairs. Shows some great independent films as well as more well known ones.
Not the cheapest ($17 for a day pass, $8 to rent gear), but a great way to spend anywhere from an hour to a whole day getting a workout for your body and your mind. They also have a small gym and yoga classes.
18 locals recommend
Portland Rock Gym
21 Northeast 12th AvenueNot the cheapest ($17 for a day pass, $8 to rent gear), but a great way to spend anywhere from an hour to a whole day getting a workout for your body and your mind. They also have a small gym and yoga classes.
A great zoo with occasional concerts and family events! 64 acres, featuring Asian elephants, polar bears, and other animal exhibits with an emphasis on conservation.
524 locals recommend
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon RdA great zoo with occasional concerts and family events! 64 acres, featuring Asian elephants, polar bears, and other animal exhibits with an emphasis on conservation.
$4 gets you all day play with access to a bunch of board games! The staff is very friendly and they have good drinks too.
15 locals recommend
Game Knight Lounge
3037 N Williams Ave$4 gets you all day play with access to a bunch of board games! The staff is very friendly and they have good drinks too.
Lloyd Center Ice Rink
953 Lloyd CenterPips & Bounce
833 SE Belmont StPing pong, food, and drinks- what's not to love?