Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Peet's Coffee
Strong coffee, good pastries, nice place to start or end the day.
Spielman Bagels and Coffee Roasters
Best bagels in town! Coffee, soup and more. Walking distance.
Taco Pedaler
Cozy taco joint just up the street. Eat inside or outside.
This is a favorite of mine, especially in the warm months when you can dine on the lovely grapevine covered deck in back. A cut above the rest.
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
This is a favorite of mine, especially in the warm months when you can dine on the lovely grapevine covered deck in back. A cut above the rest.
Very close by and great for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check for current hours before you go.
Milo's City Cafe
Very close by and great for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check for current hours before you go.
Great little breakfast joint with the best melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in town. Eat in or take out, minimalist decor. When its sunny, sit outside. This place is "temporarily closed". Hope it will open up again soon. There are other locations on 11th and SE Division, and NE 22nd and Alberta.
Pine State Biscuits | Schuyler
Great little breakfast joint with the best melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in town. Eat in or take out, minimalist decor. When its sunny, sit outside. This place is "temporarily closed". Hope it will open up again soon. There are other locations on 11th and SE Division, and NE 22nd and Alberta.
Good for breakfast and lunch; just a short walk away. Check for current hours before you go.
Cadillac Cafe
Good for breakfast and lunch; just a short walk away. Check for current hours before you go.
Good Italian food at extremely reasonable prices. 5 minutes' walk up Broadway. Great service and great food and wine.
Pastini
Good Italian food at extremely reasonable prices. 5 minutes' walk up Broadway. Great service and great food and wine.
Wide menu of tasty and affordable Middle Eastern food. Walking distance away: 15 min. If you go, pick up grocery items at New Seasons, right across the street; open until at least 10 pm.
Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
Wide menu of tasty and affordable Middle Eastern food. Walking distance away: 15 min. If you go, pick up grocery items at New Seasons, right across the street; open until at least 10 pm.
This is my all time favorite bakery for snacks, breakfast or lunch. Yummy pastries and coffee as well as soups, sandwiches and salads. Great variety of breads, too. About a 25-30 minute walk. Currently open only until 3 pm, but that could change soon, hopefully.
Grand Central Bakery - Mississippi cafe
This is my all time favorite bakery for snacks, breakfast or lunch. Yummy pastries and coffee as well as soups, sandwiches and salads. Great variety of breads, too. About a 25-30 minute walk. Currently open only until 3 pm, but that could change soon, hopefully.
Really good Asian noodle house, with reasonable prices. Walking distance away; very popular. In a charming old Portland style house.
Frank's Noodle House
Really good Asian noodle house, with reasonable prices. Walking distance away; very popular. In a charming old Portland style house.
Many flavors of organic frozen yogurt that change seasonally, plus a crazy array of toppings; just four blocks away.
9 locals recommend
Eb & Bean NE Broadway
Many flavors of organic frozen yogurt that change seasonally, plus a crazy array of toppings; just four blocks away.
Gourmet NW dining awaits you here; a bit of a splurge dollar-wise. Make a reservation for sure. Also a short 15-20 minute walk away.
29 locals recommend
OX Restaurant
Gourmet NW dining awaits you here; a bit of a splurge dollar-wise. Make a reservation for sure. Also a short 15-20 minute walk away.
Queen of Sheba Restaurant
Yummy and affordable Ethiopian food. About 15-20 minutes walk time away.
Affordable, authentic and hearty Mexican cafe just steps away. Full bar, sports on tv and kids play area, too. Salsa dancing every weekend; often lessons start out the evening. Unfortunately, since covid, the children's play area has been closed. But this is a kid friendly place nevertheless.
Aztec Willie's Taqueria
Affordable, authentic and hearty Mexican cafe just steps away. Full bar, sports on tv and kids play area, too. Salsa dancing every weekend; often lessons start out the evening. Unfortunately, since covid, the children's play area has been closed. But this is a kid friendly place nevertheless.
The best fish tacos around, but go with patience; there is often a line here. Check out their margaritas, too. About a 30-35 minute walk. If weather is nice, check out the roof garden; it's away from the street and nice that way.
44 locals recommend
¿Por Qué No?
The best fish tacos around, but go with patience; there is often a line here. Check out their margaritas, too. About a 30-35 minute walk. If weather is nice, check out the roof garden; it's away from the street and nice that way.
A casual cafe just a short walk away. Coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Sit inside on a rainy day; outside on a sunny one! Travel shows, soccer games, foreign language nights.
Costello's Cafe and Bakery
A casual cafe just a short walk away. Coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Sit inside on a rainy day; outside on a sunny one! Travel shows, soccer games, foreign language nights.
Home of the infamous "must have" pink box, if you are into ultra sweet doughnuts, that is.
20 locals recommend
Voodoo Doughnut
Home of the infamous "must have" pink box, if you are into ultra sweet doughnuts, that is.
One of the best breakfast/brunch spots in Portland. After you eat, check out the vinyl record store next door, or Cherry Sprout Grocery right across the street.
22 locals recommend
Sweedeedee
One of the best breakfast/brunch spots in Portland. After you eat, check out the vinyl record store next door, or Cherry Sprout Grocery right across the street.
Podnah's BBQ
Great BBQ, though it's pretty noisy (you've been warned.)
Yummy baked goods plus real breakfast and lunch. Sit in or outside. Walking distance: 30 min. Two locations now; the one on Burnside and MLK is a bit closer, but I prefer the ambiance of the original, on SE 28th and Ankeny.
16 locals recommend
Crema Coffee + Bakery
Yummy baked goods plus real breakfast and lunch. Sit in or outside. Walking distance: 30 min. Two locations now; the one on Burnside and MLK is a bit closer, but I prefer the ambiance of the original, on SE 28th and Ankeny.
Great coffee, one of a kind place. Short walk away; quiet refuge. Best for takeout. 2 close locations: one just up NE Broadway at about 19th; one on NE 15th at Brazee.
Saint Simon Coffee Co.
Great coffee, one of a kind place. Short walk away; quiet refuge. Best for takeout. 2 close locations: one just up NE Broadway at about 19th; one on NE 15th at Brazee.
Their croissants, traditional or fancy, are the BEST in Pdx. Get there early for best selection; they usually sell out fast. Closes at 1pm. Just a 10 minute walk up Broadway to 21st.
Twisted Croissant & Patisserie
Their croissants, traditional or fancy, are the BEST in Pdx. Get there early for best selection; they usually sell out fast. Closes at 1pm. Just a 10 minute walk up Broadway to 21st.
I have not been here, because Im a wine person more than a beer person. But its a short walk away, so check it out. Pdx is know for its many beer choices.
Hop Haven
I have not been here, because Im a wine person more than a beer person. But its a short walk away, so check it out. Pdx is know for its many beer choices.
Bluefin Tuna & Sushi
This is a very nice sushi restaurant just a 10 minute walk away.
This is a short walk away, and has good pub food and a full bar. On the corner of NE 15th and Broadway, upstairs.
McMenamins Broadway Pub
This is a short walk away, and has good pub food and a full bar. On the corner of NE 15th and Broadway, upstairs.
Shopping
Long time independent bookstore with a wide ranging selection of books and a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
Broadway Books
Long time independent bookstore with a wide ranging selection of books and a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
A must see for every Portland visitor. The biggest and BEST independent bookstore ANYWHERE, bar none. Long hours, amazing selection and coffee shop on site. A book lover's Mecca.
174 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
A must see for every Portland visitor. The biggest and BEST independent bookstore ANYWHERE, bar none. Long hours, amazing selection and coffee shop on site. A book lover's Mecca.
Taste away in this lovely little store with its beautiful blue tile facade (it used to be a Middle East rug store.) Short walk away. And it's right next door to a gluten free bakery.
creo chocolate
Taste away in this lovely little store with its beautiful blue tile facade (it used to be a Middle East rug store.) Short walk away. And it's right next door to a gluten free bakery.
Art, crafts, street food, music, jugglers, and more right on the river downtown in the Historic District. Open March through Christmas Eve, all day on Saturday and Sunday only. Walk there from Bamboo Garden Apt (25 min) or take mass transit (bus or trolley), as parking is pretty difficult. Happens rain or shine (it's under cover mostly.) Arts and crafts, food and music. Right on the Riverbank downtown.
61 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
Art, crafts, street food, music, jugglers, and more right on the river downtown in the Historic District. Open March through Christmas Eve, all day on Saturday and Sunday only. Walk there from Bamboo Garden Apt (25 min) or take mass transit (bus or trolley), as parking is pretty difficult. Happens rain or shine (it's under cover mostly.) Arts and crafts, food and music. Right on the Riverbank downtown.
Arts & Culture
Huge complex that is home to the Portland Trailblazer basketball team as well as host to many concerts by nationally and internationally known musicians. 15 minutes walk away. Part of what is known here as "The Rose Quarter".
28 locals recommend
Moda Center
Huge complex that is home to the Portland Trailblazer basketball team as well as host to many concerts by nationally and internationally known musicians. 15 minutes walk away. Part of what is known here as "The Rose Quarter".
If you are into local Oregon history, this is a place for you. Downtown across from the Art Museum and close to restaurants and shopping. Take the MAX train from 7th St stop and get off at Pioneer Square, then walks a few blocks.
Oregon Historical Society
If you are into local Oregon history, this is a place for you. Downtown across from the Art Museum and close to restaurants and shopping. Take the MAX train from 7th St stop and get off at Pioneer Square, then walks a few blocks.
On the small side but always interesting. There are two buildings; the original one and now a second one next door which specializes in contemporary art.
85 locals recommend
Portland Art Museum
On the small side but always interesting. There are two buildings; the original one and now a second one next door which specializes in contemporary art.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 Northwest Everett StreetDrinks & Nightlife
Great place to taste locally made ciders of all kinds. Snacks, too. Funky weird Portland at its best.
Reverend Nat's Hard Cider
Great place to taste locally made ciders of all kinds. Snacks, too. Funky weird Portland at its best.
Black Water
Late night very hip hangout with full bar, dj’s and vegan snacks. Very short walk away.
Live music most nights. Good affordable pub food and lots of local brews to choose from.
Laurelthirst Public House
Live music most nights. Good affordable pub food and lots of local brews to choose from.
Especially good for live blues and rock. Open 1pm to 2 am on weekends; 1 pm to midnight on weekdays. 2530 NE 82nd ave. Get there by bus or MAX train.
Duff's Garage
Especially good for live blues and rock. Open 1pm to 2 am on weekends; 1 pm to midnight on weekdays. 2530 NE 82nd ave. Get there by bus or MAX train.
This is a lively, women run, often packed bar and restaurant that features Women's sports on its viewing screens. Food is mostly pub style, but good; beverages are wide ranging. If you are into women's sports, this is the place for you! a 10 minute walk up NE Broadway to 24th.
11 locals recommend
The Sports Bra
This is a lively, women run, often packed bar and restaurant that features Women's sports on its viewing screens. Food is mostly pub style, but good; beverages are wide ranging. If you are into women's sports, this is the place for you! a 10 minute walk up NE Broadway to 24th.
This is a small but mighty live blues bar not far away; maybe a 25-30 minute walk. Cover usually $5-10. Open Thurs-Sun. Doors open at 5 pm on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and at 4pm on Sun. Music til 11 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and until 8 on Sundays. Pub food/comfort food. "Old Fashioned country food with a modern flair."
Blue Diamond Bar & Grill
This is a small but mighty live blues bar not far away; maybe a 25-30 minute walk. Cover usually $5-10. Open Thurs-Sun. Doors open at 5 pm on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and at 4pm on Sun. Music til 11 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and until 8 on Sundays. Pub food/comfort food. "Old Fashioned country food with a modern flair."
This is a 20-25 min walk away; it boasts handcrafted chocolates and a wine bar that features Oregon wines.
Ranger Chocolate Co.
This is a 20-25 min walk away; it boasts handcrafted chocolates and a wine bar that features Oregon wines.
Essentials
The best grocery store anywhere...with strong emphasis on locally grown, sustainable and organic food. Great cafe, too, for lunch or dinner. And you can ask to taste ANYTHING in the store, really! Open until 10 pm.
12 locals recommend
New Seasons Market - Seven Corners
The best grocery store anywhere...with strong emphasis on locally grown, sustainable and organic food. Great cafe, too, for lunch or dinner. And you can ask to taste ANYTHING in the store, really! Open until 10 pm.
Hip laundromat open until 10 pm everyday. 15 minute walk away on NE 24th and Broadway.
Spin Laundry Lounge
Hip laundromat open until 10 pm everyday. 15 minute walk away on NE 24th and Broadway.
Entertainment and Spas
The best art and foreign films in town, plus light dinners and a full bar; you can even drink and dine while watching your film. Live jazz on Fri and Sat nights. Theaters are small; book online to be sure to get a seat. Go for happy hour before your film; it's a great deal. Right across the street from Powell's Books.
7 locals recommend
Living Room Theaters
The best art and foreign films in town, plus light dinners and a full bar; you can even drink and dine while watching your film. Live jazz on Fri and Sat nights. Theaters are small; book online to be sure to get a seat. Go for happy hour before your film; it's a great deal. Right across the street from Powell's Books.
This is a beautiful and classy full service spa that used to be very close by, but now is across the river in the Slabtown neighborhood. Treat yourself to a 60 or 90 minute massage with a sauna finish. Then come back and take a nap; you will need it!
Root Whole Body
This is a beautiful and classy full service spa that used to be very close by, but now is across the river in the Slabtown neighborhood. Treat yourself to a 60 or 90 minute massage with a sauna finish. Then come back and take a nap; you will need it!
Parks & Nature
Quiet and peaceful and beautiful, no matter what season it is. If you go, take in the Rose Garden as well, it's close by.
196 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
Quiet and peaceful and beautiful, no matter what season it is. If you go, take in the Rose Garden as well, it's close by.
Great place to take a walk along the river and take in the downtown walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, boating and you-name-it scene. If it's really hot, cool off in the Salmon Springs fountain. You can connect to it by starting on the Eastside Esplanade...just a short walk from here: 10 min. Make the whole loop or do just part of it.
34 locals recommend
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Great place to take a walk along the river and take in the downtown walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, boating and you-name-it scene. If it's really hot, cool off in the Salmon Springs fountain. You can connect to it by starting on the Eastside Esplanade...just a short walk from here: 10 min. Make the whole loop or do just part of it.