Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
One of our weekly stops, Night Light is more bar than restaurant in vibe, but also has an extensive menu with a diverse variety of choices (grilled cheese, salads, tuna tartare, etc.) and good drinks
65 locals recommend
Night Light Lounge
2100 SE Clinton StOne of our weekly stops, Night Light is more bar than restaurant in vibe, but also has an extensive menu with a diverse variety of choices (grilled cheese, salads, tuna tartare, etc.) and good drinks
Hard to find, but worth it! They feature south western mexican food, have a really good happy hour, and it's a cute little place. Guacamole and nachos are especially good.
La Panza Café
2425 Southeast 26th AvenueHard to find, but worth it! They feature south western mexican food, have a really good happy hour, and it's a cute little place. Guacamole and nachos are especially good.
Popular spot, latin food (ceviche, shrimp, empanadas) & fantastic cocktails. Secret: sit on the side patio, order inside and don't wait for a table, but the patio tables are teeny tiny.
101 locals recommend
Nuestra Cocina
2135 SE Division StPopular spot, latin food (ceviche, shrimp, empanadas) & fantastic cocktails. Secret: sit on the side patio, order inside and don't wait for a table, but the patio tables are teeny tiny.
Burgers, fries and beer. What more could you ask for? Better than fast food joints, not gourmet.
13 locals recommend
Little Big Burger - Hawthorne
2028 SE Hawthorne BlvdBurgers, fries and beer. What more could you ask for? Better than fast food joints, not gourmet.
Solid pizza and salads, and fun upstairs space with a giant TV, couch and free pool. Oh, and $8 cocktails as big as your head. Seriously.
10 locals recommend
Vincente's Gourmet Pizza
1935 SE Hawthorne BlvdSolid pizza and salads, and fun upstairs space with a giant TV, couch and free pool. Oh, and $8 cocktails as big as your head. Seriously.
One of the McMenamins places, usual bar/casual restaurant food, beer, cocktails, wine. Services at McMenamins joints are notoriously bad, this Barley Mill is one of the better spots.
16 locals recommend
McMenamins Barley Mill Pub
1629 SE Hawthorne BlvdOne of the McMenamins places, usual bar/casual restaurant food, beer, cocktails, wine. Services at McMenamins joints are notoriously bad, this Barley Mill is one of the better spots.
Laurel loves it, Tara thinks it's OK. Also a popular spot in Portland, serves tasty Indian food. The owners are very sweet and even made us a complimentary cocktail to celebrate love.
8 locals recommend
Bombay Cricket Club Restaurant
Laurel loves it, Tara thinks it's OK. Also a popular spot in Portland, serves tasty Indian food. The owners are very sweet and even made us a complimentary cocktail to celebrate love.
Happy hour is great (do you sense a theme here?), but short. Guacamole, chips & salsa, pozole, enchiladas. Really sweet owners, and awesome space, including indoor/outdoor patio.
8 locals recommend
Que Pasa Cantina
1408 SE 12th AveHappy hour is great (do you sense a theme here?), but short. Guacamole, chips & salsa, pozole, enchiladas. Really sweet owners, and awesome space, including indoor/outdoor patio.
We almost hate sharing this little gem, but want them to do well and never go away! Seasonal dishes, beautiful wine, incredible charcuterie, bocci ball, and sweet peeps.
Cyril's
815 SE Oak StWe almost hate sharing this little gem, but want them to do well and never go away! Seasonal dishes, beautiful wine, incredible charcuterie, bocci ball, and sweet peeps.
Walk up, order "latin street food" at the counter, and find a spot downstair, upstairs or in the back by the fire pit. There is a separate bar upstairs if you're just looking for a drink.
99 locals recommend
Teote House Cafe
1615 SE 12th AveWalk up, order "latin street food" at the counter, and find a spot downstair, upstairs or in the back by the fire pit. There is a separate bar upstairs if you're just looking for a drink.
Sweet coffee shop, was a book store and has dark, stately tables. Popular for sipping, studying & snacking on sweets. Also has a nice view of the main circle in Ladds, or grab & go and sit on a bench.
60 locals recommend
Palio Dessert and Espresso
1996 SE Ladd AveSweet coffee shop, was a book store and has dark, stately tables. Popular for sipping, studying & snacking on sweets. Also has a nice view of the main circle in Ladds, or grab & go and sit on a bench.
Bagels are made in-store and they have a lot of ways to eat them - hummus, toasted, flavored cream cheeses. Also serve coffee drinks. Not a ton of seating, and can be busy on the weekends.
49 locals recommend
Spielman Bagels and Coffee Roasters
2200 NE BroadwayBagels are made in-store and they have a lot of ways to eat them - hummus, toasted, flavored cream cheeses. Also serve coffee drinks. Not a ton of seating, and can be busy on the weekends.
Traditional Mexican food - hefty burritos, delicious tacos, homemade salsas. Yum! Grab a meal and head next door to Apex to muddle your way through their ginormous beer list.
45 locals recommend
Taqueria Los Gorditos
1212 SE Division StTraditional Mexican food - hefty burritos, delicious tacos, homemade salsas. Yum! Grab a meal and head next door to Apex to muddle your way through their ginormous beer list.
Yummy affordable tacos amongst other food stalls (not quite restaurants, not quite food carts). Their salsas are particularly good, and they have giant beers.
15 locals recommend
Uno Mas
2329 NE Glisan StYummy affordable tacos amongst other food stalls (not quite restaurants, not quite food carts). Their salsas are particularly good, and they have giant beers.
We weren't thrilled with Double Dragon when it first opened, but now we're happy campers! An expanded menu & unique cocktails makes this place a must-do when in Portland. Think Vietnamese + urban PDX.
66 locals recommend
Double Dragon
1235 SE Division StWe weren't thrilled with Double Dragon when it first opened, but now we're happy campers! An expanded menu & unique cocktails makes this place a must-do when in Portland. Think Vietnamese + urban PDX.
A heart attack on a plate, but that's what Portlanders go for. Walk up counter, long lines on the weekend (go during the week), and biscuits covered in richy richiness.
145 locals recommend
Pine State Biscuits Division
1100 SE Division StA heart attack on a plate, but that's what Portlanders go for. Walk up counter, long lines on the weekend (go during the week), and biscuits covered in richy richiness.
Popular spot, so go early! Our favorites: chile relleno, enchiladas verdes, garlic/chile prawns. Not cheap, but not expensive either. Good sangria.
23 locals recommend
Taqueria Nueve
727 SE Washington StPopular spot, so go early! Our favorites: chile relleno, enchiladas verdes, garlic/chile prawns. Not cheap, but not expensive either. Good sangria.
Looking for a nice night out? Desire fresh dishes with a perfect combinations of flavors? Go here! Easy bus ride from our place, lovely outdoor tables. Reservations recommended.
19 locals recommend
Veritable Quandary
1220 Southwest 1st AvenueLooking for a nice night out? Desire fresh dishes with a perfect combinations of flavors? Go here! Easy bus ride from our place, lovely outdoor tables. Reservations recommended.
Famous home of the Thanksgiving dinner, every night of the year, and the acrobatic Spanish coffee routine. Dark wood, old school Portland, fun on a chilly evening.
46 locals recommend
Huber's Cafe
411 SW 3rd AveFamous home of the Thanksgiving dinner, every night of the year, and the acrobatic Spanish coffee routine. Dark wood, old school Portland, fun on a chilly evening.
OK, we're adding Pok Pok because everyone asks about it. We have this rule about not standing in insane lines for food, and it's not our favorite spot in Portland. That said, it's pretty famous.
460 locals recommend
Pok Pok
3226 SE Division StOK, we're adding Pok Pok because everyone asks about it. We have this rule about not standing in insane lines for food, and it's not our favorite spot in Portland. That said, it's pretty famous.
Delicious, cheap pasta - it's our go-to local place for yummy bolognese and puttanesca. We like sitting in the back room/bar area.
33 locals recommend
La Buca
40 NE 28th AveDelicious, cheap pasta - it's our go-to local place for yummy bolognese and puttanesca. We like sitting in the back room/bar area.
German spot - we really like it here. Full bar, German beers, good food. There's a TV in the bar, in case you're trying to catch some sort of game. And they have cute outdoor tables for nice days.
76 locals recommend
Stammtisch
401 NE 28th AveGerman spot - we really like it here. Full bar, German beers, good food. There's a TV in the bar, in case you're trying to catch some sort of game. And they have cute outdoor tables for nice days.
A bit of a hike, but one of our favorite spots. Try the white fish spread! Good food, can be a wait, but you can always head to the back bar (Down and Out) for almost the same menu + pinball and pool.
171 locals recommend
The Observatory
8115 SE Stark StA bit of a hike, but one of our favorite spots. Try the white fish spread! Good food, can be a wait, but you can always head to the back bar (Down and Out) for almost the same menu + pinball and pool.
Essentials
Kind of a mix between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but has "main stream" items too. A little on the expensive side, but good selection & quality food. Has a deli, sale bar, and bakery. Locally owned!
974 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StKind of a mix between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but has "main stream" items too. A little on the expensive side, but good selection & quality food. Has a deli, sale bar, and bakery. Locally owned!
Portland landmark and all things organic and natural, and it has a juice cart parked out front as well as Farmer's Market every Wednesday evening. Lots of bulk grains, spices, etc.
113 locals recommend
People's Food Co-op
3029 SE 21st AvePortland landmark and all things organic and natural, and it has a juice cart parked out front as well as Farmer's Market every Wednesday evening. Lots of bulk grains, spices, etc.
Safeway
6901 NE Sandy BlvdConvenient and open late, also has a growler station and a Starbucks.
Fun, outdoor produce market that also sells flowers and locally made baskets and jams, etc. They have both organic and non-organic items.
19 locals recommend
Kruger's Farm Market
2310 Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardFun, outdoor produce market that also sells flowers and locally made baskets and jams, etc. They have both organic and non-organic items.
Huge farmer's market on Saturdays nestled in the Park blocks and within the PSU campus. Runs March through November. Find more markets here: http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org
87 locals recommend
Portland Farmers Market - Office Location
240 N BroadwayHuge farmer's market on Saturdays nestled in the Park blocks and within the PSU campus. Runs March through November. Find more markets here: http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org
Everything Else
ICE CREAM, imaginative and without the line of Salt&Straw. AND they have adult beverage milkshakes. Yum.
87 locals recommend
Fifty Licks Ice Cream
2021 SE Clinton StICE CREAM, imaginative and without the line of Salt&Straw. AND they have adult beverage milkshakes. Yum.
Oh man, the ham & cheese pretzel, hands down, but they also have tons of delicious pastries, cookies, and freshly baked bread. Coffee too! Lines are long on weekends, no lunch items sold on Sundays.
122 locals recommend
Little T American Baker
2600 SE Division StOh man, the ham & cheese pretzel, hands down, but they also have tons of delicious pastries, cookies, and freshly baked bread. Coffee too! Lines are long on weekends, no lunch items sold on Sundays.
Specialty fish shop, but also has free-range, organic meat (beef, lamb, goat), eggs and accouterment. Fresh fish is caught and sold in the same day, or flash frozen. Halibut cheeks = yumminess.
23 locals recommend
Flying Fish Company LLC
3004 E Burnside StSpecialty fish shop, but also has free-range, organic meat (beef, lamb, goat), eggs and accouterment. Fresh fish is caught and sold in the same day, or flash frozen. Halibut cheeks = yumminess.
Middle school by day (and school year), dog park at other times. No water available on site, but there are baggie stations and a very loyal group of dog owners and their pups who meet there frequently
Hosford Middle School
2303 SE 28th PlMiddle school by day (and school year), dog park at other times. No water available on site, but there are baggie stations and a very loyal group of dog owners and their pups who meet there frequently
Home of the Portland Thorns and Timbers. If you're here for soccer season, try to catch a game. Portland soccer fans are amazing, and the energy is incredible. We have Thorns season tickets & love it!
191 locals recommend
Providence Park
1844 SW Morrison StHome of the Portland Thorns and Timbers. If you're here for soccer season, try to catch a game. Portland soccer fans are amazing, and the energy is incredible. We have Thorns season tickets & love it!
Goes on Saturday and Sunday most days of the year. Combination of food, crafts, souvenirs, people watching, and music on the Portland waterfront. It would be a good stop on a bike tour.
425 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyGoes on Saturday and Sunday most days of the year. Combination of food, crafts, souvenirs, people watching, and music on the Portland waterfront. It would be a good stop on a bike tour.
Good-sized park with playground, tennis courts, baseball diamond, and lots of grass (usually full of slack liners and hula hoopers). Movies in the park here, and other parks in PDX: portlandoregon.gov
45 locals recommend
Colonel Summers Park
Good-sized park with playground, tennis courts, baseball diamond, and lots of grass (usually full of slack liners and hula hoopers). Movies in the park here, and other parks in PDX: portlandoregon.gov
Always a fun place to visit! Spend some time sorting through antique (or not-so-antique) items in this used building/remodeling space. You may not find a PDX souvenir, but it's an amazing space.
39 locals recommend
The ReBuilding Center
3625 N Mississippi AveAlways a fun place to visit! Spend some time sorting through antique (or not-so-antique) items in this used building/remodeling space. You may not find a PDX souvenir, but it's an amazing space.
Drinks & Nightlife
Newly established hipster-ish bar, but still smells like old dive bar it once was, in a slightly charming way. Good bartenders who are happy to accommodate TV viewing requests when able. Bar food too.
28 locals recommend
Double Barrel Tavern
2002 SE Division StNewly established hipster-ish bar, but still smells like old dive bar it once was, in a slightly charming way. Good bartenders who are happy to accommodate TV viewing requests when able. Bar food too.
Hilda, the owner, is the main reason we love it here. They also show soccer games on a big screen, have a great happy hour and extensive Belgian beer list. Stoemp is their specialty + kale chips, etc.
16 locals recommend
Thirsty Monk Portland
Hilda, the owner, is the main reason we love it here. They also show soccer games on a big screen, have a great happy hour and extensive Belgian beer list. Stoemp is their specialty + kale chips, etc.
The number of beers, and glasses to go with specific beers, will make your head spin. It has a very large patio which is packed during the summer. They don't serve food, but allow outside food in.
115 locals recommend
APEX
1216 SE Division StThe number of beers, and glasses to go with specific beers, will make your head spin. It has a very large patio which is packed during the summer. They don't serve food, but allow outside food in.
Amazing views of the city - 360 degrees, but pricey and no happy hour drinks. Happy hour food early evening and all day Sunday. Full restaurant also available for a romantic evening.
283 locals recommend
Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveAmazing views of the city - 360 degrees, but pricey and no happy hour drinks. Happy hour food early evening and all day Sunday. Full restaurant also available for a romantic evening.
Entertainment & Activities
Fun way to explore science, often has amazing exhibits that cycle through. The laster show is 'eh,' but maybe fun for kids.
646 locals recommend
OMSI
1945 SE Water AveFun way to explore science, often has amazing exhibits that cycle through. The laster show is 'eh,' but maybe fun for kids.
Sightseeing
Oregon Health & Sciences University is a teaching hospital "on the hill" with a fun ariel tram that connects commuters and patients from the waterfront to the main hospital buildings. $4.35 round trip
OHSU Center for Health & Healing
3303 S Bond AveOregon Health & Sciences University is a teaching hospital "on the hill" with a fun ariel tram that connects commuters and patients from the waterfront to the main hospital buildings. $4.35 round trip
Famous falls outside of Portland with easy, walkup access (paved, lots of people). You can walk up to the bridge (0.5 mi), or all the way to the top (2.6 mi round trip). Bring a light coat for mist.
974 locals recommend
Multnomah Falls station
Famous falls outside of Portland with easy, walkup access (paved, lots of people). You can walk up to the bridge (0.5 mi), or all the way to the top (2.6 mi round trip). Bring a light coat for mist.
It's like being in the middle of a Portlandia episode. Tours of the tiny houses take place on select Sundays.
7 locals recommend
Caravan - The Tiny House Hotel
5009 NE 11th AveIt's like being in the middle of a Portlandia episode. Tours of the tiny houses take place on select Sundays.