Guidebook for Portland

Lorrie
Guidebook for Portland

Food Scene

Pazzo Ristorante
627 SW Washington St
You can get bite sized cupcakes. My favorites are "What's Up Doc?" (carrot) and "Red Velvet" (so smooth)! Their business model is amazing. This would be a kinder, gentler world if everyone treated their employees the way they are treated here.
Cupcake Jones
307 NW 10th Ave
You can get bite sized cupcakes. My favorites are "What's Up Doc?" (carrot) and "Red Velvet" (so smooth)! Their business model is amazing. This would be a kinder, gentler world if everyone treated their employees the way they are treated here.
Popular for breakfast or brunch. Food tastes like your Mom made it from scratch (if your Mom is a good cook!)
108 locals recommend
Mother's Bistro & Bar
121 SW 3rd Ave
108 locals recommend
Popular for breakfast or brunch. Food tastes like your Mom made it from scratch (if your Mom is a good cook!)
Be prepared to wait but it's well worth it. You can make your own pancakes on the griddle at your table. All the fixins' are available. Their lavender lemonade is yummy!
73 locals recommend
Slappy Cakes
4246 SE Belmont St
73 locals recommend
Be prepared to wait but it's well worth it. You can make your own pancakes on the griddle at your table. All the fixins' are available. Their lavender lemonade is yummy!
Crazy flavors like basalmic vinegar, black pepper, bone marrow, and other stuff that just doesn't belong in ice cream. Very popular local establishment.
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta St
1078 locals recommend
Crazy flavors like basalmic vinegar, black pepper, bone marrow, and other stuff that just doesn't belong in ice cream. Very popular local establishment.
Great food. Always crowded. Parking is terrible in NW. Desserts are humongous.
189 locals recommend
Papa Haydn
701 NW 23rd Ave
189 locals recommend
Great food. Always crowded. Parking is terrible in NW. Desserts are humongous.
Only "people in the know" are aware of this funky place with its live music. Such a bizarre place (in a good way) to gather with friends. No signs on this old house so you really aren't sure if you are walking into a coffee shop or somebody's private residence. They serve coffee and a limited menu of desserts.
56 locals recommend
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th Ave
56 locals recommend
Only "people in the know" are aware of this funky place with its live music. Such a bizarre place (in a good way) to gather with friends. No signs on this old house so you really aren't sure if you are walking into a coffee shop or somebody's private residence. They serve coffee and a limited menu of desserts.
Want to get dressed up and take your special some one for a fancy dinner? Then, this is your place! Great food in a lovely atmosphere (can you say starched linen napkins)? You will feel like a real grown up when the valet parks your car for you. Let them know if it's a special event. They just might do something unexpected.
31 locals recommend
Chart House
5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd
31 locals recommend
Want to get dressed up and take your special some one for a fancy dinner? Then, this is your place! Great food in a lovely atmosphere (can you say starched linen napkins)? You will feel like a real grown up when the valet parks your car for you. Let them know if it's a special event. They just might do something unexpected.
Very fresh salads, authentic entree's, many gelato flavors. Located in the Pearl District. A park across the street where you will find many locals running or walking their dogs or pushing a stroller.
13 locals recommend
Via Delizia
1105 NW Marshall St
13 locals recommend
Very fresh salads, authentic entree's, many gelato flavors. Located in the Pearl District. A park across the street where you will find many locals running or walking their dogs or pushing a stroller.
Authentic Lebanese food. This place never disappoints. The hot pita bread is delivered puffed up, full of air. The mezza plate gives you a nice sample of baba ganoush, tabouli, humus and more. Don't think you'll go wrong with anything you order here.
125 locals recommend
Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
3223 NE Broadway
125 locals recommend
Authentic Lebanese food. This place never disappoints. The hot pita bread is delivered puffed up, full of air. The mezza plate gives you a nice sample of baba ganoush, tabouli, humus and more. Don't think you'll go wrong with anything you order here.
Small restaurant in an old house but the wait for a table is not usually long, even without a reservation. Fresh and delicious Thai food.
23 locals recommend
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
3135 NE Broadway
23 locals recommend
Small restaurant in an old house but the wait for a table is not usually long, even without a reservation. Fresh and delicious Thai food.
Vegans/gluten free folks: this is your Nirvana. Great breakfasts. Plan on a long wait.
165 locals recommend
Jam On Hawthorne
2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd
165 locals recommend
Vegans/gluten free folks: this is your Nirvana. Great breakfasts. Plan on a long wait.
Another well known spot if you're seeking vegan/gluten free fresh delicious food.
202 locals recommend
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd
202 locals recommend
Another well known spot if you're seeking vegan/gluten free fresh delicious food.
Our vegan guests recommended this for their non-dairy ice cream.
41 locals recommend
Eb & Bean Local Organic Frozen Yogurt (NE)
1425 NE Broadway
41 locals recommend
Our vegan guests recommended this for their non-dairy ice cream.
One of the BEST Thai restaurants (and I've been to A LOT of them!) Their Tom Yum soup is yummy.
52 locals recommend
Thai Bloom!
3800 SW Cedar Hills Blvd
52 locals recommend
One of the BEST Thai restaurants (and I've been to A LOT of them!) Their Tom Yum soup is yummy.
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm Happy Hour is 9:00 pm until close Italian, Pizza
115 locals recommend
Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St
115 locals recommend
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm Happy Hour is 9:00 pm until close Italian, Pizza
The peanut butter & pickle burger is wonderful, according to a couple from Idaho who stayed with us.
86 locals recommend
Killer Burger
4644 NE Sandy Blvd
86 locals recommend
The peanut butter & pickle burger is wonderful, according to a couple from Idaho who stayed with us.
9 locals recommend
Byways Cafe
9 locals recommend
A fan favorite for Asian Chicken Wings.
14 locals recommend
Pok Pok NW
1639 NW Marshall St
14 locals recommend
A fan favorite for Asian Chicken Wings.
New York style pizza. Open late on weekends (3 am). Across the street from Powell's. Good place for people watching.
26 locals recommend
Sizzle Pie West Portland
949 W Burnside St
26 locals recommend
New York style pizza. Open late on weekends (3 am). Across the street from Powell's. Good place for people watching.
Ricotta pancakes.
482 locals recommend
Tasty n Daughters
4537 SE Division St
482 locals recommend
Ricotta pancakes.
Food cart with "the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had" according to a recent guest.
65 locals recommend
Fried Egg I'm In Love
3549 SE Hawthorne Blvd
65 locals recommend
Food cart with "the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had" according to a recent guest.

Shopping

Oregon is tax free! They have everything--Forever 21, Gap, Coach, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body works, Made in Oregon. Apple store is across the street. Niketown is close by.
121 locals recommend
Pioneer Place
700 SW 5th Ave
121 locals recommend
Oregon is tax free! They have everything--Forever 21, Gap, Coach, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body works, Made in Oregon. Apple store is across the street. Niketown is close by.
Unique handcrafted gifts--candles, jewelry, clothing, household items. Open Saturday and Sunday.
425 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito Pkwy
425 locals recommend
Unique handcrafted gifts--candles, jewelry, clothing, household items. Open Saturday and Sunday.
To call it a Bookstore is such an understatement. Great place to hang out for a snack or hot drink and get lost in a book.
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside St
976 locals recommend
To call it a Bookstore is such an understatement. Great place to hang out for a snack or hot drink and get lost in a book.

Arts & Culture

Beautiful building with featured artwork that changes periodically.
785 locals recommend
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Ave
785 locals recommend
Beautiful building with featured artwork that changes periodically.

Drinks & Nightlife

Happy Hour. The view is amazing but it gets crowded so plan ahead.
283 locals recommend
Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th Ave
283 locals recommend
Happy Hour. The view is amazing but it gets crowded so plan ahead.

Essentials

They've got everything! Walking distance from our house. A good place to pick up food and a new pair of socks or underpants at the same time.
616 locals recommend
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne Blvd
616 locals recommend
They've got everything! Walking distance from our house. A good place to pick up food and a new pair of socks or underpants at the same time.
Lots of fresh, organic food. Try their soups or salad bar. There is a counter where locals hang out to eat. Fan of quinoa or kale? Then get your dreadlocks down there. This is your place, mon.
630 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
1210 NW Couch St
630 locals recommend
Lots of fresh, organic food. Try their soups or salad bar. There is a counter where locals hang out to eat. Fan of quinoa or kale? Then get your dreadlocks down there. This is your place, mon.

Entertainment & Activities

If you haven't tried an Escape Room, you haven't really lived! One of the best! See if you can solve the clues and get out before your hour is up. About 30 bucks per person and well worth it.
Hour to Midnight - Room Escape Games
11525 NE Halsey St
If you haven't tried an Escape Room, you haven't really lived! One of the best! See if you can solve the clues and get out before your hour is up. About 30 bucks per person and well worth it.
Great for hiking. Photo opportunities everywhere here. Short drive east on I-84.
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
974 locals recommend
Great for hiking. Photo opportunities everywhere here. Short drive east on I-84.
You will have to pedal so be sure you have people with you who will do their part to get you down the tracks and back. After you've burned up some calories, get yourself to the Tillamook factory for some honkin' big scoops of ice cream. Buy some cheese for the trip home.
12 locals recommend
Oregon Coast Railriders Bay City
5400 Hayes Oyster Dr
12 locals recommend
You will have to pedal so be sure you have people with you who will do their part to get you down the tracks and back. After you've burned up some calories, get yourself to the Tillamook factory for some honkin' big scoops of ice cream. Buy some cheese for the trip home.
Only open on weekends. Good, clean fun. Improv Comedy at it's finest. The performers think fast on their feet, taking suggestions from the crowd.
ComedySportz Portland
1963 NW Kearney St
Only open on weekends. Good, clean fun. Improv Comedy at it's finest. The performers think fast on their feet, taking suggestions from the crowd.

Getting Around

5:30a to 9:30p - Round trip = $4.70. Such a great view of the city. Take the tram up to Oregon Health Science University. They actually have some healthy, delicious food in their cafeteria. Who knew?!
22 locals recommend
Portland Aerial Tram
3303 South Bond Avenue
22 locals recommend
5:30a to 9:30p - Round trip = $4.70. Such a great view of the city. Take the tram up to Oregon Health Science University. They actually have some healthy, delicious food in their cafeteria. Who knew?!
Less than a mile to get on MAX from our house and go downtown or to the airport or south to Clackamas shopping mall. $2.50 per trip or only five bucks for an all day ticket. Take advantage of public transportation and save yourself a lot of money and hassle to park downtown.
21 locals recommend
Gateway/NE 99th station
21 locals recommend
Less than a mile to get on MAX from our house and go downtown or to the airport or south to Clackamas shopping mall. $2.50 per trip or only five bucks for an all day ticket. Take advantage of public transportation and save yourself a lot of money and hassle to park downtown.