Portland Restaurant SUGGESTIONS
Best Restaurants: Downtown Portland & Beyond By The Oregonian, Yelp & My Chauffeur
My Chauffeur Recommends:
For chicken - Tad's Chicken & Dumplings $$$ Read More
Seafood - Paiche $$$ (Peruvian) Read More
Oysters - Holdfast Dining (Oregon Coast Oysters, Sea Salt & Beer)
Mediterranian - Nicholas Restaurant
Prix Fixe - Castagna $$$$ (American High-End, 2 choices available: Chef's menu (165) & Dinner menu (100)
Views - Departure $$$ Read More
Breakfast - Besaw's (The Century Old Cafe In Portland That Serves One Of The Best Breakfasts Around) Read More
Those with 'Prix Fixe' menus include: Andina, Brazil Grill, The Heathman, Hubers, Mortons, Portland City Grill, Portland Spirit, Castagna & Wildwood. Click here for casual outside patio dining.
$ Eat well for $10-$15
$$ Most entrees under $20
$$$ Most entrees $20 and up
$$$$ Most entrees $30 and up
The Hottest Restaurants in Portland Right Now (this month) - Mapped
31 Restaurants Every Portlander Should Try (Mapped)
N Mississippi/Williams Neighborhood
If you were going to ask My Chauffeur for a recommendation; we would suggest the whole-pig head, fried ears and brainaise from Jackrabbit.
[ Peruvian ]
Andina 1314 N.W. Glisan St.
503-228-9535; andinarestaurant.com $$-$$$
Andina. Photo by Steven Gibbons
The bar of this progressive Peruvian restaurant boils with more energy than the Urubamba River. Acoustic music shoots out of the corner, a sea of daters and friends share design-intensive tapas and much chatter, and everyone seems to be swirling glasses of interest. The bar and casually elegant dining room share a menu with a staggering number of small plates, from ceviches to a classic papas a la huancaina, plus a small list of big-portioned mains. Seafood abounds throughout, a reminder of Peru's 1,500-mile Pacific coast.
Recommended: Start with piquillo peppers stuffed with quinoa, or beautifully grilled asparagus spears. Other keepers: pork tenderloin with cheese ravioli; quinoa cooked up like risotto; slow-cooked lamb shank shrouded with raw red onion and chiles; delicately tangy goat-cheese lemon cake sided by a pretty, leaf-shaped swath of berry sauce. Sacsayhuaman, full of passion fruit and sending forth a delirious chile glow, remains one of the city's great cocktails.
Paiche $$$ (Peruvian) Read More
[ American ]
Blueplate 308 S.W. Washington St.
503-295-2583; eatatblueplate.com $
This downtown hole in the wall elicits nostalgia for old-time soda fountains. Jeff Reiter, former Park Kitchen sous chef, wields the spatula in a modest kitchen with impressive results, from slow-cooked brisket to properly gooey mac and cheese.
Recommended: The fabulous soda-fountain selections are the real draw. Look for the "Toulouse Lautrec" with anise, coriander and mint, in the forbidden spirit of absinthe, and the "Painted Desert," decked out in the colors of sunset and flavored with honey, saffron and pomegranate. (When the holidays draw near, think pumpkin pie milkshakes!)
Veritable Quandary 1220 S.W. First Ave.
503-227-7342; veritablequandary.com $$
Veritable Quandary accurately calls itself a local landmark since 1971, but it's been a landmark longer than it's been an interesting restaurant. Over more than a decade running the VQ kitchen, chef Annie Cuggino has changed things. Over time, and especially in the past few years, she's developed a cuisine that's still bar-muscular but steadily intriguing, with big portions and bigger flavors. Meals extend from accurately named giant prawns with bacon and avocado to chocolate souffle with a cap that rises heavenward as hot chocolate sauce infiltrates its core. The kitchen hits its peak in a Saturday-night $65 tasting menu, heavy with skill and protein, that can be paired with an imaginatively chosen six-wine accompaniment for $30 more.
Eat and drink: Grilled scallop on pureed root vegetables; bacon-wrapped giant prawns; seafood stew; steak with gorgonzola; pancetta-wrapped rabbit; chocolate souffle with Nocello liqueur.
Castagna $$$$ (American High-End, 2 choices available: Chef's menu (165) & Dinner menu (100)
[ Classic American ]
Hubers - Portland's Oldest Restaurant
411 SW 3rd ave.
503-228-5686; hubers.com $$
Nothing says "classic Portland" like Huber's. "Turkey is king" and tastes exactly "how you always wanted your mom to make it" at this "historic" Downtowner (opened in 1879 and in the Oregon Pioneer Building since 1910) serving roasted birds with "holiday" trimmings and other midpriced American fare; it's like "stepping back in time" when you sit in the "delightful, clubby" wood-paneled bar & elegant, historic dining room. And for a "cool show", order an "expertly prepared" Spanish coffee – "it is a favorite."
[ Brazilian ]
Brazil grill 1201 S.W. 12th Ave.
503-222-0002;
brazilgrillrestaurant.com $$$
This all-you-can-eat destination for serious carnivores is the only devoted outpost of Brazilian churrasco, the traditional preparation of spit-roasted meats. Waiters with bared swords, each skewering one of a dozen different meats, prowl an expansive dining room, stopping at a signal from a table to slice off a serving. You pay a flat fee -- and the food keeps on coming.
Recommended: Marinated lamb loin, roasted pineapple; lively cocktails of Brazilian sugar cane liquor.
[ Pacific Northwest ]
Noble Rot
$$
“When I was a kid, you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” remembers Noble Rot chef and Oregon native Leather Storrs of fine dining in the 1980s and ’90s. A nice meal meant a reservation at the west side’s Heathman Hotel or Ringside steak house. That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
In 2002, a boisterous little wine cave with a roll-up garage door dubbed Noble Rot** delivered the coup de grace to west side supremacy. Owners Kimberly Bernosky and Courtney Storrs took the staid wine bar concept out at the knees, with seriously eclectic wine flights and Leather Storrs’s comfort roster of onion tarts and fancy mac. See Rooftop Bars With a View.
Today, East 28th Avenue Restaurant Row’s disruptive vision of intimate dining surrounded by concrete grit and house pickles is the city’s default. “Because rents were cheaper and we were on the east side, it allowed us to be freer and not feel like we needed to ape Paley’s or Zefiro,” says Leather. “It was like, ‘What the hell, let’s just do it.’ We just caught lightning.” —Portland Monthly
**Noble Rot moved to its current location on East Burnside in 2009.
Clyde Common 1014 S.W. Stark St.
503-228-3333; clydecommon.com $$
At this slick storefront on the ground floor of the retro-hip Ace Hotel, the tattooed and tailored sit side by side at communal tables and converse over a menu that roams from chicken-fried chicken livers to popcorn, with an emphasis on edgy organ meats. Sure, you'll find ravioli here, but it's probably filled with beef hearts. Chef Jason Barwikowski is a promising talent who spins the likes of tongue and blood sausage into dishes with a playful rusticity. Detractors find the food and desserts uneven -- interesting, but still finding their way. Both would be correct. But everyone seems to agree on one thing: The Clyde is anything but common.
Recommended: Focaccia, soft and salty and sitting in an olive-oil soak -- you can't stop eating it. Watch for duck pate or fried anchovies on the frequently changing menu, along with good hanger steaks, burgers and whole roasted fish. Check out the daily fish or meat boards -- little bites and condimentia served with icy vodka or aquavit. The modestly sized, largely European-dominated wine list is carefully chosen with reasonable value.
Higgins 1239 S.W. Broadway
503-222-9070; higginsportland.com $$$
The original farm-to-table spot. Greg Higgins has done more to ennoble the humblest Northwest ingredients than anybody since Portland native son James Beard. And the restaurant that bears his name is at once an elegant gallery of local bounty and an earthy, no-fuss joint where great food and drink are served up Portland-casual style. The white-tablecloth restaurant in front boasts some of the town's best service and inspired seasonal menus. In the woody bar around back, a bistro menu allows you to enjoy an entire meal -- with drinks -- for less money than you might spend on an entree up front.
Recommended: The ever-present house charcuterie sampler, the pastrami-and-cheddar sandwich and the hamburger on a rosemary bun are worth every penny of their quite reasonable prices. The winter-slipping-into-spring menu is a good example of changing ideas: potato-bacon dumplings in a delicate morel sauce; perfectly fried razor clams; a "whole pig" platter of pork, with different cuts receiving individual preparations; and a lovely dessert of almond tart served with fig compote. The draft beer list rivals those of a lot of brewpubs, and the wines are nicely varied and fairly priced.
Wildwood Restaurant
1221 NW 21st Avenue
wildwoodrestaurant.com $$$
What's so special: The only place to wine and dine on high-class cuisine by award winning chef Corey Screiber, featuring fare straight from the Oregon soil. Support local farms and tantalize your taste buds with such dishes as Grilled Pacific Ahi Tuna, Mesquite Roasted Sweet Briar Farms Pork Chops, or Stumptown Espresso Crème Caramel.
The Heathman Hotel Restaurant [ Northwest/French ] 1001 S.W. Broadway
503-790-7752; heathmanrestaurantandbar.com $$-$$$
Chef Philippe Boulot's polished, French-rooted cuisine shouts Pacific Northwest sourcing. But he's an eclectic fellow, reaching for a rustic Mediterranean-island-style octopus salad or jumping to Italy to capture a bagna cauda, the lusty "dip" heated enough to cloud seared, rare Ahi tuna strips served with fingerling potatoes, wilted leeks and Oregon truffle.
Recommended: Start with oven-roasted red and gold beets topped with baby spinach with a sheen of shallot-balsamic vinaigrette; the accompanying fourme d'ambert blue cheese is a briny, cool-creme counterpoint. American-style Kobe beef is sliced to fan out over a rough-cut tossing of potatoes, spinach and watercress with hearts of palm salad and sweet onion-soy vinaigrette. Two can share one dessert, and make it the upside-down apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Wines are in shrewdly selected abundance, from celebrated Bordeaux blends to the little-known but proud Cornas to Oregon's pinots.
Portland Spirit Downtown Dinner Cruise Quite simply, a Portland Spirit dinner cruise is the perfect night out. A vibrant setting enhanced by dazzling city sights and city lights. An evening filled to the brim with festive cuisine, locally sourced and prepared fresh on board, entertainment, and live performances. For a party of two to a small group of friends or co-workers, or a grand affair for up to 300+ guests, this is the ultimate Portland experience.
View an interactive map of the Portland Dinner Cruise route.
Sample Menus
Portland: Nightly year-round
Boarding 6:30pm
Cruising 7:00pm-9:30pm
$68 Adults
$63 Seniors and Children
[ French ] - Every city needs a French bistro and Portland is lucky to have 2.
Carafe 200 S.W. Market St.
503-248-0004; carafebistro.com $$
Chef/owner Pascal Sauton isn't trying to rewrite le grand cuisine, and in today's climate of showoff chefs, that's reassuring. Here, French countryside cooking stays true to tradition, but because Sauton is obsessive about his handpicked ingredients (Ayers Creek beans, Cattail Creek lamb, etc.), the flavors are bright and alive. All the main courses stay under $20, a real feat these days, and a nightly prix fixe offers three courses for $20.
Recommended: Steak tartare; pork rillettes; mussels; frisee aux lardons; burger; steak frites with bearnaise; lamb merguez sandwich; profiteroles. French wines by the carafe are as easy to pay for as they are to drink.
Le Pigeon (Gabriel Rucker - James Beard's "The best young chef in America"
[ Steakhouse ]
El Gaucho 319 S.W. Broadway
503-227-8794; elgaucho.com
$$$$ -- and then some
If you can look a $50 entree in the eye and not blink, El Gaucho will give both you and your steak meticulous pampering and attention. This includes tableside preparation and carving, more tuxedos than a penguin colony and, indeed, some remarkable beef. It arrives gently seared and moist, with a mouth-filling, aged richness. Everything else, of course, is supporting cast, but some of the other dishes, including some appetizers and flambe desserts, considerably enhance the experience. The service, plus a complimentary cheese, fruit and nuts plate, encourages luxurious lingering.
Recommended: Steaks, especially filet mignon and porterhouse; Wicked Shrimp; steak tartare. Also, don't miss the Caesar salad, bananas Foster and cherries jubilee -- all prepared tableside. In addition to a substantial wine list, you'll find a Captain's Reserve list that goes deep into three figures. Possibly reflecting Seattle ownership, Washington reds seem to outweigh Oregon varietals, although there are some nice pinot noirs.
Ringside 2165 W. Burnside St.
503-223-1513; ringsidesteakhouse.com $$$$
A local institution since 1944, this classic restaurant still wows with its steaks and sides — James Beard himself called their onion rings the best he'd ever had.
Morton's 213 S.W. Clay St.
503-248-2100; mortons.com $$$$
It doesn't quite match the vertiginous luxury of El Gaucho or the old-school local vibe of RingSide, but it's the best of the national steakhouse chains in town. From the ritualistic presentation of ingredients before the meal until the moment you reel out into the street sated and happy, you get first-rank treatment.
Recommended: Steaks are superior (consider the Diane and Oscar treatments); lobster cocktail; smoked salmon; dessert souffles. They call the hot chocolate cake "legendary" for good reason. The bar is very well-stocked; the wine list is like a volume of tax law.
Portland City Grill 111 S.W. Fifth Ave., 30th floor
503-450-0030; portlandcitygrill.com $$$
The check may be expansive, but so are the menu and the eye-popping, sky-high view. Options range from upscale steaks to a full sushi bar and a range of Asian-inflected dishes. And yes, that is Mount Hood behind your pinot noir.
Recommended: Sushi, from a list wide and deep; steaks and grilled meats, such as ginger-hoisin-glazed lamb chops; baked-to-order cookies; chocolate mousse. Have a cocktail: This is, after all, the city's most bustling after-work nosh-and-cruise spot; wines by the glasses, mysteriously served in a tiny carafe, as if the gulps and sips were especially chosen for you.
[ Seafood/Clam Chowder ]
Jake's Famous Crawfish (McCormick and Schmicks) 401 S.W. 12th Ave.
503-226-1419; mccormickandschmicks.com $$$
This Portland institution has served locals and visitors since 1892, and it's still a favorite place to take out-of-towners. Jake's prides itself on the freshness of its fish, and the daily list of sea creatures is ample evidence. Most evenings the bar is as crowded as the bouillabaisse.
Recommended: Fine cured lox; delicious smoked, cedar-planked salmon; simple grilled fish; the fabulous -- and fabulously rich -- banana cream pie. Beware of dishes that tend to be over-sauced, for the ingredients can get masked.
Braddow Bowls Food Truck (Hawaiian)
425 SW College St.
Happy Fish n Chips Food Truck
1830 SW Park Ave.
My Brother's Crawfish (Southern, Creole/Cajun)
8320 SE Harrison St.
Jacqueline (Cocktail Bar, American)
2039 SE Clinton St.
Powell's Seafood Restaurant (Chinese)
6633 SE Powell Blvd.
ABC Seafood Market
6509 SE Powell Blvd.
Holdfast Dining (Oregon Coast Oysters, Sea Salt & Beer)
537 SE Ash St.
Eat: An Oyster Bar
North Portland
3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR
Cajun/Creole
The Parish
Pearl District
231 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR
Seafood, American (New), Southern
Salty’s On The Columbia River
Portland
3839 NE Marine Dr, Portland, OR
Buffets, American (New), American (Traditional)
Southpark Seafood
Southwest Portland
901 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR
Seafood, American (New)
Dan & Louis Oyster Bar
Southwest Portland
208 SW Ankeny St, Portland, OR
Seafood, Lounges
Image: Kelly Clarke
Heathman Hotel - Headwaters
Southwest Portland
1001 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
Seafood, Lounges
Breaking News - First Look At Headwaters, Opening October 14, 2016
Clam Chowder: Ds Bar, EaT: An Oyster Bar, Breakside Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Ecliptic Brewing, Farm House Cafe, Fifth Quadrant, Lompoc Tavern**, RingSide Fish House, Wild Wood Cafe, Widmer Brothers Pub and Year of the Fish.
** Lompoc Tavern won the Annual Chowder Challenge 6 out of 8 times.
[ Lebanese ]
Karam Lebanese Cuisine 316 S.W. Stark St.
503-223-0830; karamrestaurant.com $$
Yearning for a Lebanese mamma to make your lunch? Head downtown to Karam, where artichoke stew and kafta casserole are simmering in the kitchen and sometimes delivered to your table by the chef herself. Though homey, this is Portland's most ambitious Middle Eastern cooking. Whether you order the unusual or stick to faves like chicken shawarma or lamb kebabs, Emelin Karam's home cooking is all about honest values: great flavors, big portions and incredible prices.
Recommended: The real heat comes with steaming fresh pita bread, which arrives still warm and puffy from the oven, perfect for dipping into terrific hummus or sopping up broths from complex stews. The massive menu has lots of dishes you don't see elsewhere: three ways with goat, fresh pumpkin kibbeh, even molokhie, a traditional dish layered with bread, rice, cilantro, mallow leaves and lamb.
Weekly Yelp
Portland
Passport to Lebanon Middle Eastern flavors in Southeast Portland – Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant Craving authentic baba ghanoush? We've got good news and bad news. The bad news is flights from Portland to Beiruit take over 24 hours. The good news? PDX is bursting at the seams with top-notch Lebanese cuisine. Here are some of our favorites! Al-Amir Restaurant 151 reviews Southwest Portland
223 SW Stark St, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“That the food is superb is a given, but it's the reception you get when you eat there. Even when this place is humming and crowded they manage to make you feel as if you are their dearest family member that has just come home from a long absence away.”
Dave C., Camas, WA
Habibi Restaurant 419 reviews Southwest Portland
1012 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR
Lebanese, Mediterranean
“Their tender lamb shawarma was love at first bite. I am also a fan of their slightly smoky baba ghannouj and the vegetarian grape leaves. Bonus points for offering an all-day happy hour with a pretty large selection.”
Jessica K., Portland, OR
Nicholas Restaurant 726 reviews Central Eastside
318 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR
Mediterranean, Lebanese
“The only restaurant I can go to for dinner, eat leftovers for lunch the next day, and then seriously consider going back for dinner again the next night. The food is so good I could easily eat it several meals in a row, or maybe even every day.”
Heather F., Portland, OR
Oasis Lebanese Cuisine 100 reviews 22293 NW Imbrie Dr, Hillsboro, OR
Lebanese
“The beef was delivered with crisp veggies, a garlic dressing that I'm sure is housemade, wrapped in another succulently warm pita. It was so good that by the end I was getting full and my stomach kept saying ‘no!' while my mouth said ‘shut up, stomach’.”
Matt S., Hillsboro, OR
Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant 140 reviews Southeast Portland
1318 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“We went with friends and ordered multiple plates for the whole table to share. Highlights were the yogurt, the lamb, the dolmas, and the tomato and cucumber salad. The bread is as fresh as it can be, coming straight from the oven and still puffed up.”
Jimmi H., Portland, OR
Salam Restaurant 98 reviews 1002 NE Orenco Station Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR
Lebanese, Persian/Iranian
“Salam is a gem. The gormeh sabzi, eggplant stews, and rice are excellent. The lentil soup and house salad are great. The rice pudding is laden with saffron, and is out of this world.”
Haroun K., Portland, OR
Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine 272 reviews Montavilla
8005 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“Ya Hala made me wanna holla holla. I tried the server-recommended butternut squash homous with smooth garbanzo bean dip flavored with a healthy dose of sweet butternut squash and served with a warm and puffy pita.”
Michael S., Vancouver, WA
Zaatar 39 reviews Pearl District
1037 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR
Lebanese, Cocktail Bars
“The vegetarian mezza plate was fantastic. The baba ghanoush was smoky and lemony and creamy, with a hint of smoked paprika. My husband had to fight me for the last bites of cauliflower.”
Leslie W., Portland, OR
[ Deli ]
Kenny & Zuke's 1038 S.W. Stark St.
503-222-3354; kennyandzukes.com $
Owners Ken Gordon and Nick Zukin lavish attention on curing and smoking their meats and making everything they can from scratch. This is pastrami unlike any other, not only in its smoky taste and sheer flavorfulness but also in its equally original texture. Not everything scales the heights of the pastrami, but there's plenty here not to miss -- from superb bialys to benchmark Reubens.
Recommended: Pastrami on rye enshrined in house-made rye bread; the Reuben; the pastrami and egg salad sandwich; the stunning pastrami burger, topped with thick-sliced pastrami and a crown of melted cheese. Good matzo-ball soup with suitably dense matzos. Excellent coleslaw and applesauce. Impressive nonalcoholic drink list; a few wines and beers are well-selected and better than what one might expect in this sort of restaurant. Editor's note: Freelance contributor Michael C. Zusman owns a small minority interest in Kenny & Zuke's.
[ Mexican ]
[ Burritos/Tacos ]
Taqueria Nueve
$$
It used to be you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
First came Taqueria Nueve* in 2000, a funky, fusion-free Mexican spot from Paley’s Place alum Billy Schumaker at 28 NE 28th Ave. Neighbors wolfed wild boar tacos and sipped margaritas bright with actual fresh-squeezed limes (!).
hot sauces, folks. The Weekly Yelp
La Cocina Restaurant
108 reviews
Northeast Portland
3939 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland, OR
Mexican
“The La Cocina salad came out first. Everything tasted so fresh!... Next came my burrito. I love me some pastor burrito, and this was really good... I'll definitely become a regular. I'm actually salivating as I write this.”
hannah k., Portland, OR
King Burrito
244 reviews
North Portland
2924 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“King makes their burritos like those I used to get in San Francisco's Mission District. They're messy, they're big, they're simple, they're loaded with meat, beans and veg, and they are perfectly but not overly sauced and spiced.”
Sean R., Portland, OR
Taqueria Los Gorditos
296 reviews
Southeast Portland
1212 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“Best burritos! I am a meat-eater, but their vegan/veg burritos are the best! Love the tofu, soyrizo, and soy curls. So good! Nice service, friendly, and you can eat next door at Apex while enjoying a beer.”
Kristen M., Portland, OR
Nayar Taqueria
61 reviews
Southeast Portland
5901 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR
Mexican, Comfort Food, Vegetarian
“I got the al pastor burrito, and it was quite honestly the best burrito I've ever had. Absolutely delicious. Every single bite. The people working there are friendly and charming — exactly the kind of people who you like to give your business to.”
Kathleen K., Portland, OR
Taqueria Lindo Michoacan
69 reviews
Southeast Portland
4035 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Food Stands
“I got the super sized veggie burrito, and it was delicious. It was the size of a foot long sandwich... The burrito had the usual veggie burrito filling, so nothing super unique or anything but still tasty... I'm already a fan.”
Katherine M., Portland, OR
El Nutri Taco
94 reviews
Northeast Portland
2124 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegan
“Big fan of this place. As others have said, the veggie/vegan burrito menu is really impressive and delicious... They have good horchata and very friendly staff... The insides of the restaurant are consistently well kept and very clean.”
AJ D., Portland, OR
Tienda Santa Cruz
233 reviews
St. Johns
8630 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Bakeries, Grocery
“Amazing authentic comida mexicana muy rica! Very affordable (many options under $8 or so). Huge burritos under $5 and very, very good! Must have for cheap, delicious Mexican food. Worth every penny. Get some pan dulce in the store after!”
Silvia P., Portland, OR
Ole Frijole
63 reviews
Northeast Portland
4125 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“Best veggie burrito in PDX! Order the veggie fajita option. Light on the dairy (and probably amazing without it), heavy on the beans, rice, and grilled veggies. Big enough to warrant leftovers but too delicious to make that a reality.”
Renee Z., Portland, OR
[ Mexican Mole ]
Hot, chocolatey, nutty, spicy, and... savory? Si señor – it's Mexican mole. This earthy sauce is pretty much good on everything, but it can be a little hard to find this side of Oaxaca. That's why your Weekly Yelp is making a mountain of deliciousness out of Portland's mole holes!
Mi Mero Mole metes out an impressive number of rotating guisados, and Andy D notes, "The menu lists over 30, with six to eight available each day," some of which are stoked with the namesake sauce. Meanwhile, Douglas C fondly remembers Autentica's Platillo Mexicano (cheese enchiladas covered in mole) as "to-die-for." He admits, "Once the enchiladas where gone, I sat there and ate the rest of the mole with a spoon. It was that good." And Jessica K recalls, "I dreamed that I wrestled a burrito bigger than my head. I woke up and realized I had, in fact, eaten a freakishly large, spicy green mole chicken burrito wrapped in a fantastic tortilla of yumminess" from Santería. That's a lunch fit for a luchador!
"Maybe in California it's about grande, greasy burritos filled with a pound of artery-clogging meat," but Brian N finds the star of the veggie-heavy plate at Verde Cocina. "It isn't the pork in the tortilla, but everything around it – grilled apples, kale and bean salad, warm tortillas and mole." Lucas Z has nothing but praise for the chocolate-y goodness at Amelia's, where the sauce is "homemade and tastes as if you were in Mexico." He suggests the daily special, whatever it be! And Lisa T lusts for Mextiza's "Cameron en Pipián." Made with prawns simmered in a traditional tomato and nut mole sauce, it's "rich, creamy and wonderful." Pair it with "El Zacatecano mezcal" and todo es bueno en el mundo!
Adam A checks in for his favorite "chicken with mole and fresh homemade flour tortillas" at La Costita. One bite and he exclaims, "What a meal! It has great spices, creaminess from the mole, tender chicken," and fluffy rice. Whitney O gets sauced with Agave Azul's "beef in mole." Think "spicy, yet chocolatey, just like it's supposed to be. The best Mexican food" in town? It's a-mole. And Sandra W goes googley-eyed over the mole with pollo at Nuestra Cocina: "A nearly boneless, generous portion of seasoned grilled chicken," sitting in a handmade pumpkin seed mole. We'll go mano-a-mano with that meal!
[ Eclectic ]
Mother's Bistro & Bar 212 S.W. Stark St.
503-464-1122; mothersbistro.com $$
You make the trek home to the family hearth after a long absence and you don't want trendy, edgy or experimental. You want familiar, homey, comforting. You want, in short, the sort of fare that Mother's have been serving with reliable skill and care for years. Chef-owner Lisa Schroeder is a busy presence in the kitchen, dining room and even the swank Velvet Lounge bar. Her gracious touch, like the parlor-style furnishings and setting, gives you the essence of the place: It's all designed to make you feel at home.
Recommended: The standards always satisfy: matzo soup, pot-roast plate, chicken and dumplings, chopped liver, mac and cheese. But wandering in the less familiar portions of the menu can pay off, too: fried calamari with a garlicky sweet-and-sour sauce, a perfect Parisian bistro-style steak frites, Asian-accented pulled pork. Cocktail service has grown more sophisticated.
[ Japanese ]
Murata 200 S.W. Market St.
503-227-0080 $$ (regular menu), $$$$ (kaiseki)
Besides consistent, impressively fresh sashimi and sushi -- like unexpected rolls and geoduck -- Murata sets out a range of Japanese specialties, including seafood-dense nabe stews for two, unusual grilled fish dishes and a kasu cod that makes "melting in your mouth" not a cliche but a literal description. Tempura is equal parts air and crispness, and it lures with nonstandard elements such as soft-shell crab.
Recommended: Tempura, especially king-crab tempura; black cod in sake paste; grilled salmon collar; sushi; nabe stews (for more than one); and, if you're feeling expansive, multicourse kaiseki banquets. Limited but adequate beer and sake selection.
[ Asian ]
[ Southeast Asian ]
Ping editor's pick
102 N.W. Fourth Ave.
503-229-7464 ; pingpdx.com $-$$
Photo by Lee Emmert
It has the soul of the 1917 Hung Far Low Building, the look of a Japanese drinking club and the green sensibility of indie Portland. It pays respect to Chinatown's past but looks to the future with food, art and design from local cultures all over Asia, like you'd find today in modern-day Bangkok or Tokyo. But mostly, as customers sit at the sleek counter inhaling pork bone tea, Vietnamese short ribs and black sesame ice cream, Ping feels exciting: the most daring, challenging, intriguing restaurant to open in some time.
Recommended: The menu draws significantly from Singapore and Malaysia, with some rare discoveries from China, like ju pa bao, a sublimely brined pork chop on a tiny, buttery bun. But don't think Chinese-style or family-style eating. This is high-level snacking, Ã la drinking houses all over Asia. Plan to spend $20-$30 a person. Meet friends, have fun over drinks and eat some good food, perhaps pork collar with tangy-tart dipping sauce; skewers of spicy baby octopus; rice soup with pork meatballs, paired with super-heady salted duck egg salad; and kaipatam toast slathered with thick custard jam.
[ Pan-Asian ]
Saucebox 214 S.W. Broadway
503-241-3393; saucebox.com $$-$$$
Sometimes you go to a place because it makes you feel cool. In downtown Portland, Saucebox is it. The vibe: high-energy Hong Kong happy hour. Bruce Carey's restaurants are always detail-oriented, and in the cacophony of Saucebox's sleek black bar and beyond, libations are the thing. The house cocktail menu lists more than a hundred, with rising talent Kyle Billings pouring; a glass "shrine" reverently houses liquors, cordials and infusions; and the daily happy hour and late-night DJ scenes are off the hook.
Recommended: None of this means you should skip dinner. Just order a Saucebox signature, like the Javanese roasted salmon, a pupu platter or even sushi, and enjoy the action from the dining balcony above the bar. The sedate white dining room offers sit-down dinners -- ideal on an expense account, what with $28 entrees. Cocktails put an emphasis on fun. Hit the Thai Basil Gimlet or the chile-infused vodka Kickboxer -- as the passion fruit and raspberry purees meld, the Lava Lamp-like liquid entertains.
[ Thai-Som Tum ]
Som tum: the spicy, tangy, shredded green papaya salad that often plays Fatone to pad Thai's Timberlake. It may not be as popular, but it has a fervent cult following (and plenty of hidden talent). Now it's time for the Weekly Yelp to get in sync with Portland's sizzling som scene!
A self-admitted "picky psycho about som tum," Bree C attests that a good salad "brings you up with spiciness, swirls happiness around all of your senses, then eases you down smoothly into tangy pleasure." Where does she fill her tum-my? No question: Thai Abode. Meanwhile, Phil M swears by the "namesake dish at SomTum Gai Yang. Max it out on spice – it won't disappoint! The salad is sweet and crunchy, with a fiery build." But Soi9 stoked Sandra W's mouth-flames. The salad was so hot there that even "Mr. Macho Guy, 'I-can-handle-anything'" (aka her hubby) ended up "sweating and twitching" from the heat.
If you crave a Lao/Isaan version (think saltier and spicier), have no fear. Pok Pok's signature salad will, as Anita H warns, "definitely give you a HUGE kick in the pants." For an adventure, try it "Isaan style" with fermented salt crab and dry chilis. Over at Chiang Mai, Sylvia S swears "the menu reads like something out of a Thai restaurant jackpot; featuring lots of interesting, rare options" like som tum with choice of pickled black crab or traditional dried shrimp. And Kesone Thai Lao Bistro offers up Thai and Lao variations as well. Andrew R reports, it's his "ace in the hole… as far as neighborhood restaurants go." Need to cool your palate? "The salad rolls are works of art." We can roll with that.
Down in Sellwood, Jade Bistro And Teahouse serves up some "dirt cheap" som tum that makes Tyler A say yum. "The salad isn't as spicy" as most places, but he reckons it offers a "perfect crunch" to offset the succulent grilled shrimp. A crustacean sensation! When Susan W is faced with som tum at Red Onion, she cries, "Holy moly, Batman! When these guys say 'very spicy,' they are not messing around." Go Laotian for an added kick… Onions always make us cry.
And in SE Portland, Lang Baan (authentic Thai food)
[ Late-Nite ]
It's late and you're staring down tomorrow's impending hangover. Are you seriously considering a greasy meal slapped together with a caulking gun at a fast food joint? Stop right there! This Weekly Yelp is here to save the day (or night) with a list of Portland's bona fide fifth meal grub.
Need to soak up those drinks? Central serves full dinner until 2:30am on weekends and Rick W reports, "The food is amazing. Try the rabbit and kale – it's spicy with just enough fattiness to create an unctuous, undeniably delicious meal. The cocktails are well crafted. And the ambience? Delightfully rustic." For another fancy option downtown, rock with Jeff M to Lúc Lác for their namesake dish. This "tender beef tenderloin, seared with Hennessey, beurre de France, garlic, and black peppercorn, is served over mixed greens with tomato fried rice." And that's offered until the wee hours? How'd we get so Lúc-y?
Sometimes you just need midnight pie. Kade M's go-to at Hammy's is "fresh mozz, bacon, tomato, and basil on a garlic and oil base." They even offer "all sorts of vegan options, like cashew cheese pizza or whatever those crazy veegs are dreaming up these days." Meanwhile, Eric L has "no problem downing four pieces" of Sizzle Pie's "oh-so yummy pizza in one sitting. And these slices are HUGE!" His favorite items? "The Ol' Dirty, Pig Destroyer and Heart Attack Man." Those'll annihilate your hunger. Mary H never suffers a missed connection at Lonesome's: "Not only are these pizzas bomb at 2am when one is bombed, but they also happen to be amazing for dinner with a bottle of red wine and jazz." Need a dining buddy?
"Everyone knows the dirtier the taco shop, the better the food," and Beth N finds her burrito at Javier's. It's "well-seasoned, simple and flavorful." But Nicholas N goes for dogs at his Zach's Shack after-party: "It's within stumbling distance of Tanker and Space Room and is open late!" The "John Popper with jalapeños, cream cheese and Mae Ploy" alongside "a PBR tall boy" always hit the spot for him. And Joanna Y blows it up at Big Bertha's, "the perfect late-night yum-factory in the 'Bar-muda Triangle.' Think classic falafel and lamb gyros with upgraded extras like whole garlic cloves and feta for maximum flavor." We'll toast tomorrow's mimosa to that!
[ Indian ]
Looking for some solid fare from the subcontinent? Don't worry – you don't have to go to Bombay the hard way. Just follow along as your Weekly Yelp dishes up a Delhi-cious buffet of P-town's Indian eats.
Erin N grabs her "takeout container full of yum" directly from Mum's. This little cart dishes out Indian food with a "South African side to it, which is different but tasty." Try the garlic pork – it's the pig's oink! But Robert H touts The Tao of Tea as "a great spot for a date with your yoga crush." Aside from world-class teas, they offer "light and tasty Indian food." Case in point? The besan ka pura: a chickpea crêpe, filled with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cumin. Mandana S is a huge fan of pani puri, which she describes as "sexy little pillows made of angel wings, stuffed with potato crack and topped with liquid love." And Bombay Chaat House carries "the best in all of Portland." Sounds bomb!
Chowing down on a huge portion of tofu dahl at Real Taste of India, Mac M yells, "Holy sh*t! These are some damn fine vittles!" He's talkin' "slow roasted lentils, perfectly cooked basmati rice, flavorful tofu, ginger, and garlic." And Melissa V digs Abhiruchi for dinner: "All of the dishes we ordered, and especially my lamb kharai, were super flavorful and fresh. Plus, they offer hot, fresh naan and super attentive, friendly service." There's naan better than that.
"Appearances can be deceiving," but as far as Christopher J N is concerned, at Gandhi's, "the bills stay safe in your pocket and the tasty food safe in your gullet. Imagine trays full of delicious Indian fare inside a mini food court." Meanwhile, Devon D makes a passage to East India Co for "five-course lunch specials." Set a midday date – you won't "even come close to finishing and will get out of there for $30" for two. When it comes to the dishes, "the tandoori lamb chops steal the show." But Aaron W doubles down on Roshambo's moong dahl – "yellow moong beans with spinach and spices, topped with house-made ghee. It's a hearty, delicious dish and the traditional Indian spices really amplify the experience." Korma-n get it!
[ Cigars ]
Let's be blunt: you don't have to be Fidel Castro (or even wear an ironic Castro hat) to appreciate a fine stogie. In fact, Portland has a fairly robusto cigar scene notwithstanding the '09 smoking ban. And your Weekly Yelp is lighting up a list of spots to puff, puff, pass those oh-so sweet cee-gars.
Need some seriously "fine cigars or quality tobacco smoking paraphernalia"? Frank L reports that Rich's "is your store. No fancy frills, just smokes and a ton of magazines." And the salespeople don't make "you feel like a chump for lack of cigar expertise." Join Jenn A for a smoky treat at 82nd Avenue Tobacco and Pipe. They boast a "friendly and helpful staff," and a "plush cigar lounge" with a flat-screen for in-store puffery. And Lena W admits, "I don't smoke big fancy cigars or pipes, but I do really enjoy mini cigars. Lucky me, Broadway Cigar has a nice little shelf of quality stogies that aren't nearly as intimidating as the big ones in the humidor." That's some sweet leaf.
Often in need of advice, Laura H appreciates that the folks at Timber Valley Tobaccos "are very knowledgeable" about their wares. Plus "they help you find the best deal for what you're looking for." Pearl Specialty may be, according to Melissa P, a "fancy schmancy store full of amazing, delicious booze," but it doesn't stop there. The well-stocked walk-in humidor seals the deal. And 11th Avenue Liquor is "one of the most organized and efficiently run liquor stores" Heather H has ever visited. Aside from the "wide selection of booze and mixers," the cigar offerings are top-shelf. Even aficionados should be able to find some succulent, smoke-sticks here.
Of course, "places where you can smoke cigars indoors," which, in Ethan D's "opinion is the best way to smoke cigars, are few and far between. Places like Greater Trumps are a Godsend." Not only do they "serve alcohol, but you can bring your own cigars from home" to enjoy in the bar. Or, retreat from the hustle of the city with Mark H into the "bar in the basement" of Kells. This smoky spot is where he finds "a great selection of beer, whiskey and cigars." Lastly, Matt W recognizes that El Gaucho's "filet mignon is the best out there," but add in "classy service, romantic atmosphere" and an upscale cigar room hidden in back and he's set. Roll out!
[ Soda Fountains ]
It's a well-settled fact that booze is a healthy part of a complete breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start your day the soft drink way. This Weekly Yelp is digging deep into Portland's beverage scene to find fountains and house-made suds that even a (soda) jerk would love.
"Part novelty and part delicious," Fizz has Shannon H feeling bubbly. Offering an array of ice cream flavors – "salted caramel, anyone?" – she recommends adding a scoop to their fountain pop. The syrups are made with real cane sugar and none of that high-fructose malarkey! Eva A appreciates that Fairley's Pharmacy offers "a less rushed attitude" than most modern script dispensaries. But what really makes it special is the "stuff your typical pharmacy might have had 75 years ago," like a functioning soda fountain! Peter T feels, "visiting Pattie's Home Plate Café is like going into an old-time diner while under the influence of something strong." Why so quirky? The costumes, Avon counter, "a jukebox with 45s that haven't been changed since the mid '60s," and some interesting fizzy beverages.
Craving straightforward sodas? Kaitlin P really loves the house-made ginger and vanilla bubblies up at Firehouse. "The flavors are crisp and not overly sweet," she reckons, and pair well with pizza that's "simple yet full of flavor." Plus Tommy T attests, Pyro Pizza pours up "a great handmade soda selection" courtesy of Give Pizza A Chance, adding that they "rival most sodas out there." With rotating flavors like natural cola, sarsaparilla or root beer, ginger, Thai coffee, and basil-lime, his cup runneth over.
When Megan T needs a "nice change of pace from the standard diet cola," she slurps up a special at Blueplate. Think "homemade sodas from the fountain," like an anise-hibiscus blend, alongside classic American comfort food. Meanwhile, Melissa V makes tracks for the "delicious drinking vinegars" that Whiskey Soda Lounge makes in-house. Her recent choices were "pomegranate and pineapple. Both have that nice, tart, funky edge, and go great with the fish sauce wings," which are also a must-try. Frannie H has fun with one of The Original's "fancy sodas" brewed on site. She digs the "ginger-lemongrass concoction – such a clean and refreshing flavor! It's nice and bubbly and not too sweet." Spike it with booze for a couple bucks more!
[ Food Carts ]
Contrary to the official words of House Stark, we can rightly say that spring is coming. In fact, if you couldn't tell by the weather, it's already here, which means food cart season is right around the corner. This Weekly Yelp has a truckload of info on some of Bridge City's most recent mobile menus.
Bread And Broth (Downtown)
Steve M reminisces, "Back when I was a kid, my grandma used to describe cold blustery weather as 'Soup Weather'," and we get "soup weather an awful lot in Portland." Good thing there's "someone downtown who makes soup as good as both of my grandmas."
Rescue Bagels (Downtown)
"These bagels are seriously the best thing to ever happen to bread," boasts Michelle H. "They're chewy and dense, without a wack texture. Plus, "the option to get a bagel breakfast sando for less than $5" is a real saving grace.
Pizza Box (Inner-SE Industrial)
With a wood-fired oven in the cart, it's no wonder "the crust is cooked perfectly and the ingredients are nice and fresh." Coleen M offers a protip: "It's not fun to stand in the rain to wait for your pie, so grab a drink at the brewery that's right there and then eat your pizza with a microbrew."
Okinoshima (SW 3rd & Stark Pod)
Lawrie M calls this the "best okonomiyaki in Portland. Warm, savory, seafoody goodness perfect for toting back to your office on a rainy day. Your salivating co-workers will be jealous (or think you're a sadist) as you awkwardly chopstick goopy chunks of meat and magic into your gaping maw."
Garden Monsters (Alberta Arts)
Misty B gets all teary-eyed for the "vegan, meaty, and gluten-free offerings" at this salad cart. Her fave? "The steak caesar salad (Caesar the Great). It's dressed perfectly, the croutons are crunchy and well seasoned, the bacon is crisp and smoky, and the steak bites are juicy and full of flavor!" Rawr!
[ Wine Bars ]
Sure, getting sauced on PBR and playing Big Buck Hunter is a great way to spend a Saturday. But what if you're looking to class it up while you smash it up? Well, this Weekly Yelp is taking flight with some of Portland's most di-vine wine bars.
When Kari S needs to find the vine, she heads to ENSO, where the "small batches of wine just taste better." Sip on that alcoholic grape juice in the unpretentious, "hang-with-your-buddies atmosphere." And Mikhail H may keep Kir close to her heart for their "amazing selection of wines," but also finds, "The food that comes out of the tiny kitchen is small but mighty!" Amber A takes her wine junkets to Journeys for the "cozy, homey and relaxing" feel. "If you're really looking to hang out," she recs you "grab a seat in the back room and pull a board game from the game shelf." Play date, anyone?
To sate her cravings, Patti F puts Noble Rot on her list: "Big comfy booths? Check. Amazing view of the city lights? Check. Good happy hour? Check. Great wine selection? Check." A regal repose. Meanwhile, Every Day Wine is anything but ordinary, according to David R. It "aims to keep affordable, really good wines on hand. In addition to wines by the glass, the flights are great ways of going on mini wine tours without prying your butt off the bar stool." Abbie H offers her ode: "I. Love. Red. Wine. It makes me happy. And the knowledge of the people that work at Coppia has helped me understand pairings and my palate." Decant beat that!
For all you "vino fans looking to expand your knowledge and repertoire," Jim S swears by Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro. Why? Simply put, "their commitment to sharing Oregon wines," by offering "weekly free tastings," periodic "cellar tastings sponsoring local wineries, and pairing dinners." Tiffany B sips her cares away at Bar Avignon. It's a "sexy place in SE to have some wine and talk about the end of one's day at a quaint, candlelit table. The wine list is a big one," so get pouring! And Katherine K admits she's "in complete lust with robust, full-bodied, spicy red wines," and Barilé fulfills her every fantasy. Plus, the beer snob husband even gets to come and enjoy "a small, yet diverse tap list." Someone's got her crush on.
[ Old School ]
The Weekly Yelp
Portland's Old-School Eats Boccone Dolce from Papa Haydn – Iryna K Tired from chasing the latest food trends? Rest your weary feet at one of Portland's tried-and-true dining destinations. Here are some of Yelpers' favorite restaurants to have stood the test of time. Alexis Restaurant 93 reviews Old Town - Chinatown
215 W Burnside St, Portland, OR
Greek, Mediterranean
“We both had the avgolemono soup which is a delicious chicken broth, with orzo pasta, egg, and lemon juice. On a previous visit I had the octopus marinated in olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of garlic. It was perfect, not chewy or rubbery but just right.”
Tamara C., Portland, OR
Huber’s Cafe 478 reviews Southwest Portland
411 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR
Lounges, American (Traditional)
“A quick pour of Triple-Sec, and a generous helping of Bacardi 151 preceded the fire. With a quick flick of a lighter the glass was ignited, and a very tall pour of Kahlua proceeded. After the show, it was topped up with coffee and a lovely top of cream.”
Dan N., Forest Grove, OR
Jake’s Famous Crawfish 806 reviews Downtown
401 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Seafood
“Come in prepared to indulge, schmooze, and soak up the atmosphere. I had a delicious pacific salmon sauté, with oyster and shiitake mushrooms in a hazelnut cream sauce. Some raspberries on top and my prosecco on the side cut through the cream beautifully.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Papa Haydn 182 reviews Southeast Portland
5829 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR
American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
“I've been coming to Papa's since 1979 and have never had bad service or bad food. Six of us ordered six different desserts. They were all excellent but the party favorites were the creme brûlée, the boccone dolce, and the coconut macaroons to go.”
Holly D., Portland, OR
RingSide Steakhouse 436 reviews Northwest
2165 W Burnside St, Portland, OR
Steakhouses
“We tried the bone-in filet topped with crab in a béarnaise sauce. Delicious. The topping was very delicate and a perfect complement to the meat. We ordered a side of brussels sprouts, abacony, mustardy, slightly sweet roasty bowl of goodness.”
Jamie C., Vancouver, WA
Roake’s 72 reviews 18019 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Burgers
“Coney dogs, burgers, milkshakes, and fries, oh my! This place hasn't changed much since it opened in '38, but the food is food stuff. Dining room is not much unless you've seen the inside of a sardine can, so call ahead and place your to-go order.”
Josh C., Clackamas, OR
Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen 206 reviews Hazelwood
10519 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Steakhouses, Seafood
“You can get a 20 oz t-bone for less than $30 and it includes soup/salad, a side dish, and a scoop of ice cream. Not to mention the veggies with sour cream sauce and bread with garlic butter that comes to the table before your meal.”
Mike W., Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary 775 reviews Southwest Portland
1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR
American (New), Breakfast & Brunch
“A friend of mine and I came for lunch, and luckily got a seat at the bar without a reservation. I got the duck confit, and holy hell — that dish blew my mind! I was so full about two-thirds of the way in, I still had to polish it off!”
Ophelia Y., Portland, OR
[ Pi ]
The Weekly Yelp
Portland
Pi Day In Portland Happy Pi Day, Portland! – Sarah C Pi day (3.14) is almost upon us, and what better way to make all your food-filled mathematical dreams come true! We're here to help you calculate the most efficient method to overindulge your way through all the sweet and savory pies PDX has to offer! Don't miss this crumbly affair. Banning’s Restaurant & Pie House 158 reviews Southwest Portland
11477 SW Pacific Hwy, Portland, OR
Desserts, American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch
“It's a 24-hour diner, serving exactly the sort of food you expect. Banning's pies are excellent. I'm fond of the pecan and the mudd pies, but both of the apple pies are excellent as well.”
Bryant B., Portland, OR
East Glisan Pizza Lounge 167 reviews Northeast Portland
8001 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR
Lounges, Pizza
“Awesome energy and a stellar pizza there. Go. Go now. The pepperoni isn't any ordinary, run-of-the-mill sort of pepperoni. This is tasty, and made with pesto, and the crust! Oh the crust is crisped to perfection!”
Taylor J., Lake Oswego, OR
Imperial 546 reviews Southwest Portland
410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
American (New), American (Traditional)
“Their dessert chef is a pro, and made a mean brown butter pecan pie. We paired it with their housemade honey ice cream and the flavor combo was out of this world! They serve up big portions too, so split a dessert and take a nap afterwards.”
Meg R., Portland, OR
Lauretta Jean’s 130 reviews Southeast Portland
3402 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Bakeries, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
“I've tried many of the sweet pies and my favorites are the fruit-based, such as the tart cherry or blueberry. The chocolate cream is indulgent and delicious. The crust is great, flaky, and crusty but unwilling to break when you need it most.”
John R., Portland, OR
Pacific Pie Co 293 reviews Central Eastside
1520 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR
Bakeries, Cafes, Australian
“Wow! We had the steak and cheese pie... The crust was flaky and buttery and I love the little animal cut-out they bake onto the top of it. It's so cute I almost didn't want to eat it. But I did eat it... in like under three minutes. So, so good!”
Sabrina M., Portland, OR
Paiku 18 reviews North Portland
7316 N Lombard Ave, Portland, OR
Food Trucks
“I saw they were offering a blueberry/strawberry/rhubarb pie. When our order arrived, there was an extra slice of their chocolate banana pie! Why? Because they didn't feel the two (pretty decent) slices were big enough — wow! Also, thanks, Paiku!”
Tiffany L., Portland, OR
The Pie Spot 216 reviews Northeast Portland
521 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Desserts, Cafes
“Choose from the traditional Bradley apple pie or for something more familiar yet unknown as a pie, the s'mores pie! Love that this place is open late night and totally satisfies a craving of something sweet.”
Jermel-Lynn Q., Portland, OR
Random Order Coffeehouse & Bakery 312 reviews Northeast Portland
1800 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Bars
“I had the chicken pot pie there and it was absolutely delicious. Succulent chicken chunks with all the required vegetables, the lovely inner-gravy, and that wonderful crust. The crust was perhaps the best feature in that it has a wonderful cornmeal taste.”
John R., Portland, OR
7 Rooftop Bars With a View (Discover Portland)
A sampler tray of beer on the rooftop bar at 10 Barrel Brewing. Photo courtesy of 10 Barrel Brewing.
By Jon Shadel
What’s better than drinking? Drinking outside, of course. And what’s better than drinking outside? Sipping a stiff one while lazing on a roof — ideally a lofty vantage from where you can take in the varied scenery of Oregon’s wild nature blending in with the urban fabric of the city.
Since one of Portland’s claims to fame is its hyped craft bar and brewery scene, it’s no surprise that we’ve got plenty of patios and rooftops to choose from. And each offers a different take on the al fresco boozing experience — some with the best views, some with the best brews (or wine, cocktails, etc.). But there are a few that hit that sweet spot.
We’ve undertaken that grueling task of identifying the best locales for hanging out on a roof with a few good friends, visiting every bar with an open rooftop and asking ourselves a few simple questions at each stop: Sweet views? Yep. Great drinks? Mhm. Let’s just say we’ve done the hard work for you.
Altabira City Tavern Where: 1021 N.E. Grand Ave. #600, altabira.com
The view: The unassuming Hotel Eastlund, which stands just a few stories above street level, might seem an unexpected host for one of the city’s best rooftop bars, but Altabira City Tavern, a relative newcomer to the bar scene, offers sweeping views from its sizeable rooftop patio of the sunlit spires of the Oregon Convention Center and the humble skyline of downtown Portland.
Drink this: While its concise tap list may pale in comparison with other bars, Altabira offers a well-curated selection of 16 local craft brews and cider, as well as cocktails and wine.
10 Barrel Brewing Where: 1411 N.W. Flanders St., 10barrel.com
The view: The newest rooftop to open in the city unsurprisingly ranks among the most crowded. This Bend-based brewery first welcomed guests to its rooftop bar in early 2016, and it’s been a buzzing spot on sunny days ever since — offering a modest view of the glossy condos and converted warehouses of the upscale Pearl District.
Drink this: As one of Oregon’s most well-known breweries, opt for a sampler try to try a little bit of everything on the menu. But if you have to settle on just one drink, don’t miss their flagship beer, the Apocalypse IPA.
Noble Rot Where: 1111 E. Burnside St., noblerotpdx.com
The view: This fourth-floor wine bar on East Burnside Street offer sweeping views of downtown and Southeast Portland — especially at night, when it’s just about the only place you can swirl a glass of local pinot while taking in the twinkly lights of the city’s humble skyline backed by the dark silhouette of the West Hills.
Drink this: The ever-changing wine menu features standout labels from around the world. Try a flight to get a taste for what’s on offer at the moment. Their drinks menu also includes cocktails, beer and cider.
Departure Restaurant + Lounge Where: 525 S.W. Morrison St., departureportland.com
The view: The only rooftop bar in Southwest is perched on top of The Nines, a ritzy hotel attracting a primped and perfumed crowd taking to the roof for unmatched views of Pioneer Courthouse Square. It’s here that the Portland’s true scale reveals itself — the height restrictions on buildings means even the density of the downtown center feels intimate, manageable and small, but the buzz of this always-busy, fashionable bar makes clear this is a trendsetting city — or, perhaps more appropriately said, a small town on steroids.
Drink this: The kitchen shines under the watchful eye of Top Chef-contestant Gregory Gourdet, and a menu of fine craft cocktails pairs deliciously with his pan-Asian fare.
Radio Room Where: 1101 N.E. Alberta St., radioroompdx.com
The view: Formerly a gas station, the patio and adjoining second-floor rooftop bar area teem with activity on summer weekends, when locals from this artsy, fiercely independent enclave in Northeast Portland turn out in droves to sip drinks from a concise menu of craft beer, cocktails and wine. Bell towers of St. Andrew Catholic Church, an icon of the neighborhood, dominate the westward view from the top—a great spot to soak in the last few rays of sun on a sunny evening.
Drink this: The drink menu is no showstopper, but it is nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. The craft cocktails creations are the clear standout, specifically the Lavender Gin Fizz, a twist on the classic, but shaken with lavender bitters.
The Society Hotel Where: 203 N.W. 3rd Ave., thesocietyhotel.com
The view: This hybrid boutique hotel and upscale hostel, which is housed in a Victorian-era brick building in Old Town/Chinatown, doesn’t really have a top-floor bar. Why is it on the list? Well, it does have a rooftop terrace with commanding views of central Portland. To enjoy alfresco drinks here, guests can order cocktails from the cafe in the lobby, where you’ll also find rotating local beers on tap as well as a full espresso bar.
Drink this: This third-wave cafe meets craft bar means you’ve got plenty of options, but you can’t go wrong with the menu of cocktails, which are the minimum purchase required to gain access to the rooftop area.
Portland City Grill 111 S.W. Fifth Ave., 30th floor
503-450-0030; portlandcitygrill.com $$$
The check may be expansive, but so are the menu and the eye-popping, sky-high view. Options range from upscale steaks to a full sushi bar and a range of Asian-inflected dishes. And yes, that is Mount Hood behind your pinot noir.
Recommended: Sushi, from a list wide and deep; steaks and grilled meats, such as ginger-hoisin-glazed lamb chops; baked-to-order cookies; chocolate mousse. Have a cocktail: This is, after all, the city's most bustling after-work nosh-and-cruise spot; wines by the glasses, mysteriously served in a tiny carafe, as if the gulps and sips were especially chosen for you. And lastly, the happy hour menu (until 6pm) if full of great food deals.
[ TEA ]
The Weekly Yelp Photo by Simon K – Smith Teamaker Portland Spills The Tea The Local Yelp - Portland
We have a tea-lightful list for you this week. Whether you like it hot, cold, bubbly, or in a latte we’ve got Portland's top-notch teas. Snuggle up with a big cup and bookmark these beauties!
Jasmine Pearl Tea Company 72 reviews Tea Rooms, Coffee & Tea Northeast Portland, 724 NE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR Chris O. wrote: “The selections very good from black to oolong, to green, white, and even herbal infusions. I also saw some teas I hadn't seen before which was a nice surprise. All the teas are out in tins that you can open to see and smell. This is very helpful.”
Smith Teamaker 80 reviews Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms Northwest, 1626 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR Amiee H. wrote: “I tried the tea flight, which is four different teas for $10... The tea flight is served on a platter, you get one large cup of each tea, a small sample of what the tea leaves look like, a little description card of the tea, and two little almond cookies.”
Stash Tea Retail Store & Tea Bar 32 reviews Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms North Portland, 3972 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR Jessica S. wrote: “My purchases today entailed: Mangosteen Green Tea, Coconut Mango Oolong, and Organic Lavender Tulsi Herbal Tea. All three different in their own respects but equally delicious when steeped and sipped out of whatever container suits your sipping pleasures.”
Tea Bar 40 reviews Bubble Tea, Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms Southeast Portland, 4330 SE Division St, Portland, OR Isaac H. wrote: “As far as boba tea in PDX, this is by far my favorite. The tapioca pearls are always well balanced, chewy, and just the right amount of sweetness... I recommend the vanilla rose, but if you like green tea, the matcha boba is also amazing as well.”
Tea Chai Te 284 reviews Coffee & Tea, Bubble Tea, Kombucha Alphabet District, 734 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Mellissa B. wrote: “They have over 120 different kinds of tea blends including Chai, green, black, white, oolong, and herbal remedy types... Teas are brewed less sweet than other places around town (thank you!), so speak up if you're a sugar fiend and they'll help you out.”
[ SANDWICHES ]
The Weekly Yelp
Photo by Gabe H – Shut Up And Eat's Italian Grinder Happy Sandwich Day! The Local Yelp - Portland
It can be simple or elaborate. Any way you slice it, there's nothing like some good ol' sandwich satisfaction.
Block And Board 59 reviews Beer, Wine & Spirits, Butcher, Sandwiches Southwest Portland, 8421 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR Michael M. wrote: “Two words: Bánh mì. I don't know what kind of black magic sorcery they use to make that pork taste so good, but that is a bomb sandwich... Top it off with a veggie and pickle mix and a fresh baked baguette... This was a top-notch gourmet sandy.”
Brass Tacks Sandwiches 162 reviews Sandwiches North Portland, 3535 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR Katherine V. wrote: “Warm ciabatta bread filled with lots of turkey and big chucks of perfectly-ripe avocado were in total harmony with the well-seasoned tomato jam. Best turkey sandwich I've had in a long time. Also, very fulling. Also — also! — comes with potato chips.”
Charlie’s Deli 103 reviews Delis, Sandwiches, Food Delivery Services Old Town - Chinatown, 22 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR Jenny P. wrote: “If eating an entire reuben from Charlie's is wrong, I don't wanna be right... There is nothing else I could think as I was enjoying the perfect texture, crazy good sauerkraut and better yet- flavorful dressing that was NOT gloppy and too much.” Start Order Make Reservation
Kingsland Kitchen 90 reviews Sandwiches, British, Breakfast & Brunch Southwest Portland, SW Oak 5th, Portland, OR James M. wrote: “I got the 'Little Britain' sandwich and it was one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had... The sandwich has a fried egg, banger pork sausage, applewood smoked bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, tomato, and HP brown sauce.”
Meat Cheese Bread 337 reviews Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch Southeast Portland, 1406 SE Stark St, Portland, OR Christy H. wrote: “I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with aioli and broccolini. It was amazingly full of flavor, juice like you wouldn't believe, and it was a total mess of yumminess! Loved this one but you may not want to get it on the first date.”
PBJ’s Grilled 176 reviews Sandwiches, American (Traditional) Central Eastside, SE 12th Ave & SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR Katherine C. wrote: “The grilled spicy peanut, coconut shrimp, basil, and orange marmalade sandwich was to die for. Deliciously oily with a wonderful combination of flavors. Sandwich is big enough for two meals for me. This is a creative food cart creation at its best.”
Shut Up and Eat 622 reviews Sandwiches, Italian Creston-Kenilworth, 3848 SE Gladstone St, Portland, OR David F. wrote: “Shut Up And Eat is home to my current favorite sandwich, the Broad St. Bomber. The steak is chopped into pieces that are just the right size... The cheesy goodness is evenly melted throughout, and I highly recommend getting hot and sweet peppers.”
Taste Tickler 202 reviews Sandwiches, Asian Fusion Northeast Portland, 1704 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR Shannon T. wrote: “Their mighty sandwiches will make your hands feel small. It's not some small wimpy sandwich that you can easily take a bite out of. It's massive and often overflowing. Lots of meat, lots of bread, lots of veggies, lots of cheese... A lot of everything!”
[ MEDITERRANEAN ]
$$
It used to be you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
In 2002, Navarre redefined “local” eating with a checklist of inspired European small plates conjured from chef John Taboada’s weekly farm box.
[ HOTEL RESTAURANTS ]
The Woodlark Hotel will unveil a new look for a key downtown block.
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THE PEARL
PAGE 2
Portland Restaurant SUGGESTIONS
Best Restaurants: Downtown Portland & BeyondPage 2
Food + Drink: Eclectic
Mother's Bistro & Bar212 S.W. Stark St.
503-464-1122; mothersbistro.com $$
You make the trek home to the family hearth after a long absence and you don't want trendy, edgy or experimental. You want familiar, homey, comforting. You want, in short, the sort of fare that Mother's have been serving with reliable skill and care for years. Chef-owner Lisa Schroeder is a busy presence in the kitchen, dining room and even the swank Velvet Lounge bar. Her gracious touch, like the parlor-style furnishings and setting, gives you the essence of the place: It's all designed to make you feel at home.
Recommended: The standards always satisfy: matzo soup, pot-roast plate, chicken and dumplings, chopped liver, mac and cheese. But wandering in the less familiar portions of the menu can pay off, too: fried calamari with a garlicky sweet-and-sour sauce, a perfect Parisian bistro-style steak frites, Asian-accented pulled pork. Cocktail service has grown more sophisticated.
Food + Drink: Japanese
Murata200 S.W. Market St.
503-227-0080 $$ (regular menu), $$$$ (kaiseki)
Besides consistent, impressively fresh sashimi and sushi -- like unexpected rolls and geoduck -- Murata sets out a range of Japanese specialties, including seafood-dense nabe stews for two, unusual grilled fish dishes and a kasu cod that makes "melting in your mouth" not a cliche but a literal description. Tempura is equal parts air and crispness, and it lures with nonstandard elements such as soft-shell crab.
Recommended: Tempura, especially king-crab tempura; black cod in sake paste; grilled salmon collar; sushi; nabe stews (for more than one); and, if you're feeling expansive, multicourse kaiseki banquets. Limited but adequate beer and sake selection.
Food + Drink: Asian
[ Southeast Asian ]
Pingeditor's pick
102 N.W. Fourth Ave.
503-229-7464 ; pingpdx.com $-$$
It has the soul of the 1917 Hung Far Low Building, the look of a Japanese drinking club and the green sensibility of indie Portland. It pays respect to Chinatown's past but looks to the future with food, art and design from local cultures all over Asia, like you'd find today in modern-day Bangkok or Tokyo. But mostly, as customers sit at the sleek counter inhaling pork bone tea, Vietnamese short ribs and black sesame ice cream, Ping feels exciting: the most daring, challenging, intriguing restaurant to open in some time.
Recommended: The menu draws significantly from Singapore and Malaysia, with some rare discoveries from China, like ju pa bao, a sublimely brined pork chop on a tiny, buttery bun. But don't think Chinese-style or family-style eating. This is high-level snacking, Ã la drinking houses all over Asia. Plan to spend $20-$30 a person. Meet friends, have fun over drinks and eat some good food, perhaps pork collar with tangy-tart dipping sauce; skewers of spicy baby octopus; rice soup with pork meatballs, paired with super-heady salted duck egg salad; and kaipatam toast slathered with thick custard jam.
Food + Drink: Pan-Asian
Saucebox214 S.W. Broadway
503-241-3393; saucebox.com $$-$$$
Sometimes you go to a place because it makes you feel cool. In downtown Portland, Saucebox is it. The vibe: high-energy Hong Kong happy hour. Bruce Carey's restaurants are always detail-oriented, and in the cacophony of Saucebox's sleek black bar and beyond, libations are the thing. The house cocktail menu lists more than a hundred, with rising talent Kyle Billings pouring; a glass "shrine" reverently houses liquors, cordials and infusions; and the daily happy hour and late-night DJ scenes are off the hook.
Recommended: None of this means you should skip dinner. Just order a Saucebox signature, like the Javanese roasted salmon, a pupu platter or even sushi, and enjoy the action from the dining balcony above the bar. The sedate white dining room offers sit-down dinners -- ideal on an expense account, what with $28 entrees. Cocktails put an emphasis on fun. Hit the Thai Basil Gimlet or the chile-infused vodka Kickboxer -- as the passion fruit and raspberry purees meld, the Lava Lamp-like liquid entertains.
Food + Drink: Thai-Som Tum
Som tum: the spicy, tangy, shredded green papaya salad that often plays Fatone to pad Thai's Timberlake. It may not be as popular, but it has a fervent cult following (and plenty of hidden talent). Now it's time for the Weekly Yelp to get in sync with Portland's sizzling som scene!
A self-admitted "picky psycho about som tum," Bree C attests that a good salad "brings you up with spiciness, swirls happiness around all of your senses, then eases you down smoothly into tangy pleasure." Where does she fill her tum-my? No question: Thai Abode. Meanwhile, Phil M swears by the "namesake dish at SomTum Gai Yang. Max it out on spice – it won't disappoint! The salad is sweet and crunchy, with a fiery build." But Soi9 stoked Sandra W's mouth-flames. The salad was so hot there that even "Mr. Macho Guy, 'I-can-handle-anything'" (aka her hubby) ended up "sweating and twitching" from the heat.
If you crave a Lao/Isaan version (think saltier and spicier), have no fear. Pok Pok's signature salad will, as Anita H warns, "definitely give you a HUGE kick in the pants." For an adventure, try it "Isaan style" with fermented salt crab and dry chilis. Over at Chiang Mai, Sylvia S swears "the menu reads like something out of a Thai restaurant jackpot; featuring lots of interesting, rare options" like som tum with choice of pickled black crab or traditional dried shrimp. And Kesone Thai Lao Bistro offers up Thai and Lao variations as well. Andrew R reports, it's his "ace in the hole… as far as neighborhood restaurants go." Need to cool your palate? "The salad rolls are works of art." We can roll with that.
Down in Sellwood, Jade Bistro And Teahouse serves up some "dirt cheap" som tum that makes Tyler A say yum. "The salad isn't as spicy" as most places, but he reckons it offers a "perfect crunch" to offset the succulent grilled shrimp. A crustacean sensation! When Susan W is faced with som tum at Red Onion, she cries, "Holy moly, Batman! When these guys say 'very spicy,' they are not messing around." Go Laotian for an added kick… Onions always make us cry.
Food + Drink: Late-Nite
It's late and you're staring down tomorrow's impending hangover. Are you seriously considering a greasy meal slapped together with a caulking gun at a fast food joint? Stop right there! This Weekly Yelp is here to save the day (or night) with a list of Portland's bona fide fifth meal grub.
Need to soak up those drinks? Central serves full dinner until 2:30am on weekends and Rick W reports, "The food is amazing. Try the rabbit and kale – it's spicy with just enough fattiness to create an unctuous, undeniably delicious meal. The cocktails are well crafted. And the ambience? Delightfully rustic." For another fancy option downtown, rock with Jeff M to Lúc Lác for their namesake dish. This "tender beef tenderloin, seared with Hennessey, beurre de France, garlic, and black peppercorn, is served over mixed greens with tomato fried rice." And that's offered until the wee hours? How'd we get so Lúc-y?
Sometimes you just need midnight pie. Kade M's go-to at Hammy's is "fresh mozz, bacon, tomato, and basil on a garlic and oil base." They even offer "all sorts of vegan options, like cashew cheese pizza or whatever those crazy veegs are dreaming up these days." Meanwhile, Eric L has "no problem downing four pieces" of Sizzle Pie's "oh-so yummy pizza in one sitting. And these slices are HUGE!" His favorite items? "The Ol' Dirty, Pig Destroyer and Heart Attack Man." Those'll annihilate your hunger. Mary H never suffers a missed connection at Lonesome's: "Not only are these pizzas bomb at 2am when one is bombed, but they also happen to be amazing for dinner with a bottle of red wine and jazz." Need a dining buddy?
"Everyone knows the dirtier the taco shop, the better the food," and Beth N finds her burrito at Javier's. It's "well-seasoned, simple and flavorful." But Nicholas N goes for dogs at his Zach's Shack after-party: "It's within stumbling distance of Tanker and Space Room and is open late!" The "John Popper with jalapeños, cream cheese and Mae Ploy" alongside "a PBR tall boy" always hit the spot for him. And Joanna Y blows it up at Big Bertha's, "the perfect late-night yum-factory in the 'Bar-muda Triangle.' Think classic falafel and lamb gyros with upgraded extras like whole garlic cloves and feta for maximum flavor." We'll toast tomorrow's mimosa to that!
Food + Drink: Indian
Looking for some solid fare from the subcontinent? Don't worry – you don't have to go to Bombay the hard way. Just follow along as your Weekly Yelp dishes up a Delhi-cious buffet of P-town's Indian eats.
Erin N grabs her "takeout container full of yum" directly from Mum's. This little cart dishes out Indian food with a "South African side to it, which is different but tasty." Try the garlic pork – it's the pig's oink! But Robert H touts The Tao of Tea as "a great spot for a date with your yoga crush." Aside from world-class teas, they offer "light and tasty Indian food." Case in point? The besan ka pura: a chickpea crêpe, filled with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cumin. Mandana S is a huge fan of pani puri, which she describes as "sexy little pillows made of angel wings, stuffed with potato crack and topped with liquid love." And Bombay Chaat House carries "the best in all of Portland." Sounds bomb!
Chowing down on a huge portion of tofu dahl at Real Taste of India, Mac M yells, "Holy sh*t! These are some damn fine vittles!" He's talkin' "slow roasted lentils, perfectly cooked basmati rice, flavorful tofu, ginger, and garlic." And Melissa V digs Abhiruchi for dinner: "All of the dishes we ordered, and especially my lamb kharai, were super flavorful and fresh. Plus, they offer hot, fresh naan and super attentive, friendly service." There's naan better than that.
"Appearances can be deceiving," but as far as Christopher J N is concerned, at Gandhi's, "the bills stay safe in your pocket and the tasty food safe in your gullet. Imagine trays full of delicious Indian fare inside a mini food court." Meanwhile, Devon D makes a passage to East India Co for "five-course lunch specials." Set a midday date – you won't "even come close to finishing and will get out of there for $30" for two. When it comes to the dishes, "the tandoori lamb chops steal the show." But Aaron W doubles down on Roshambo's moong dahl – "yellow moong beans with spinach and spices, topped with house-made ghee. It's a hearty, delicious dish and the traditional Indian spices really amplify the experience." Korma-n get it!
Food + Drink: Cigars
Let's be blunt: you don't have to be Fidel Castro (or even wear an ironic Castro hat) to appreciate a fine stogie. In fact, Portland has a fairly robusto cigar scene notwithstanding the '09 smoking ban. And your Weekly Yelp is lighting up a list of spots to puff, puff, pass those oh-so sweet cee-gars.
Need some seriously "fine cigars or quality tobacco smoking paraphernalia"? Frank L reports that Rich's "is your store. No fancy frills, just smokes and a ton of magazines." And the salespeople don't make "you feel like a chump for lack of cigar expertise." Join Jenn A for a smoky treat at 82nd Avenue Tobacco and Pipe. They boast a "friendly and helpful staff," and a "plush cigar lounge" with a flat-screen for in-store puffery. And Lena W admits, "I don't smoke big fancy cigars or pipes, but I do really enjoy mini cigars. Lucky me, Broadway Cigar has a nice little shelf of quality stogies that aren't nearly as intimidating as the big ones in the humidor." That's some sweet leaf.
Often in need of advice, Laura H appreciates that the folks at Timber Valley Tobaccos "are very knowledgeable" about their wares. Plus "they help you find the best deal for what you're looking for." Pearl Specialty may be, according to Melissa P, a "fancy schmancy store full of amazing, delicious booze," but it doesn't stop there. The well-stocked walk-in humidor seals the deal. And 11th Avenue Liquor is "one of the most organized and efficiently run liquor stores" Heather H has ever visited. Aside from the "wide selection of booze and mixers," the cigar offerings are top-shelf. Even aficionados should be able to find some succulent, smoke-sticks here.
Of course, "places where you can smoke cigars indoors," which, in Ethan D's "opinion is the best way to smoke cigars, are few and far between. Places like Greater Trumps are a Godsend." Not only do they "serve alcohol, but you can bring your own cigars from home" to enjoy in the bar. Or, retreat from the hustle of the city with Mark H into the "bar in the basement" of Kells. This smoky spot is where he finds "a great selection of beer, whiskey and cigars." Lastly, Matt W recognizes that El Gaucho's "filet mignon is the best out there," but add in "classy service, romantic atmosphere" and an upscale cigar room hidden in back and he's set. Roll out!
Food + Drink: Soda Fountains
It's a well-settled fact that booze is a healthy part of a complete breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start your day the soft drink way. This Weekly Yelp is digging deep into Portland's beverage scene to find fountains and house-made suds that even a (soda) jerk would love.
"Part novelty and part delicious," Fizz has Shannon H feeling bubbly. Offering an array of ice cream flavors – "salted caramel, anyone?" – she recommends adding a scoop to their fountain pop. The syrups are made with real cane sugar and none of that high-fructose malarkey! Eva A appreciates that Fairley's Pharmacy offers "a less rushed attitude" than most modern script dispensaries. But what really makes it special is the "stuff your typical pharmacy might have had 75 years ago," like a functioning soda fountain! Peter T feels, "visiting Pattie's Home Plate Café is like going into an old-time diner while under the influence of something strong." Why so quirky? The costumes, Avon counter, "a jukebox with 45s that haven't been changed since the mid '60s," and some interesting fizzy beverages.
Craving straightforward sodas? Kaitlin P really loves the house-made ginger and vanilla bubblies up at Firehouse. "The flavors are crisp and not overly sweet," she reckons, and pair well with pizza that's "simple yet full of flavor." Plus Tommy T attests, Pyro Pizza pours up "a great handmade soda selection" courtesy of Give Pizza A Chance, adding that they "rival most sodas out there." With rotating flavors like natural cola, sarsaparilla or root beer, ginger, Thai coffee, and basil-lime, his cup runneth over.
When Megan T needs a "nice change of pace from the standard diet cola," she slurps up a special at Blueplate. Think "homemade sodas from the fountain," like an anise-hibiscus blend, alongside classic American comfort food. Meanwhile, Melissa V makes tracks for the "delicious drinking vinegars" that Whiskey Soda Lounge makes in-house. Her recent choices were "pomegranate and pineapple. Both have that nice, tart, funky edge, and go great with the fish sauce wings," which are also a must-try. Frannie H has fun with one of The Original's "fancy sodas" brewed on site. She digs the "ginger-lemongrass concoction – such a clean and refreshing flavor! It's nice and bubbly and not too sweet." Spike it with booze for a couple bucks more!
Food + Drink: Food Carts
The Weekly Yelp (Food Carts)
Peek At A Pod: SW 9th & Alder Food Carts
Noodle House – Bryan I
What's more Portland than a Timbers fan drinking kombucha out of a mason jar? Food cart pods! This week, we head downtown to check in on the offerings found at SW 9th and Alder. Here are just some of the Yelpers' faves:
Altengartz
Southwest Portland
SW 10th & Alder, Portland, OR
German, Food Stands
“So delicious. These have to be the best wurst in Portland. Juicy, savory, with the right amount of snap from the casing. Add some sauerkraut and mustard best, lunch, ever. Lunch for $5.50 and you will be so satisfied.”
Alison W., Portland, OR
Bing Mi
Southwest Portland
SW 9th and Alder, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Chinese, Creperies
“Bing Mi sells just one thing and they are good at it... this is a Chinese crepe filled with egg, wonton crackers, a bean sauce, optional sausage, and a plum hoisin sauce. It's a really crispy crepe and the flavors though unusual go well.”
Sudipto G., Portland, OR
The Frying Scotsman
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Fish & Chips, Scottish, Food Trucks
“The haddock was flaky and white, and perfectly cocooned in a light, crispy batter. While it definitely had that fresh-from-the-fryer taste, it wasn't greasy at all. It tasted as fresh as can be, mild, but still the batter's equal in making up the flavor.”
Spencer T., Portland, OR
Gyro House
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Egyptian, Halal, Food Trucks
“The portions are huge, the gyros are fresh, and the ingredients are on point! Filled with falafel or meat of choice, lettuce, shredded carrot, a generous slathering of tzatziki sauce. Make sure to get it 'spicy'... it adds a ton of flavor.”
Tiffany A., Portland, OR
La Camel
Southwest Portland
521 SW 9th Ave, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Moroccan
“I went with the chicken and couscous. I really did think about licking my foil container after. The little bits of cranberry gave me little bits of surprised sweetness. The broth was light and flavorful and tasted like a home-cooked meal. It was perfect!”
Misty S., Portland, OR
Noodle House
Southwest Portland
950 SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Food Stands
“Mmmmm, noodles. Such sweet, chewy, delicious noodles. With lots of tasty veggies and all in a convenient GoBox! Medium spicy has been just enough to tell that the kick is there without killing your mouth... it's definitely in my spicy-range sweet spot.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Savor Soup House
Southwest Portland
1003 SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Sandwiches, Soup
“Their soups are delicious, with new takes on the combinations. I had the tomato soup with orange, and it was tasty. They use local produce, buying from the local farms, so the ingredients are great and fresh.”
Olga I., Portland, OR
808 Grinds
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Hawaiian, Food Trucks
“We opted in for the spam musubi, an oddly delicious nori-wrapped sushi-handroll-like snack filled with a slab of spam, topped with rice and a bit of sesame seeds on the inside. Our service was lightning quick; we were out of there in under three minutes.”
Cedric J., Portland, OR
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Industrial District
1. 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
2. SW Alder & SW 10th
Thai
“Because I eat paleo and don't eat grains, the rice in the chicken rice just doesn't work for me. So, I can pay a little more and get my chicken over veggies and get gluten-free sauce too.”
Beth N., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Wine Bars
Sure, getting sauced on PBR and playing Big Buck Hunter is a great way to spend a Saturday. But what if you're looking to class it up while you smash it up? Well, this Weekly Yelp is taking flight with some of Portland's most di-vine wine bars.
When Kari S needs to find the vine, she heads to ENSO, where the "small batches of wine just taste better." Sip on that alcoholic grape juice in the unpretentious, "hang-with-your-buddies atmosphere." And Mikhail H may keep Kir close to her heart for their "amazing selection of wines," but also finds, "The food that comes out of the tiny kitchen is small but mighty!" Amber A takes her wine junkets to Journeys for the "cozy, homey and relaxing" feel. "If you're really looking to hang out," she recs you "grab a seat in the back room and pull a board game from the game shelf." Play date, anyone?
To sate her cravings, Patti F puts Noble Rot on her list: "Big comfy booths? Check. Amazing view of the city lights? Check. Good happy hour? Check. Great wine selection? Check." A regal repose. Meanwhile, Every Day Wine is anything but ordinary, according to David R. It "aims to keep affordable, really good wines on hand. In addition to wines by the glass, the flights are great ways of going on mini wine tours without prying your butt off the bar stool." Abbie H offers her ode: "I. Love. Red. Wine. It makes me happy. And the knowledge of the people that work at Coppia has helped me understand pairings and my palate." Decant beat that!
For all you "vino fans looking to expand your knowledge and repertoire," Jim S swears by Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro. Why? Simply put, "their commitment to sharing Oregon wines," by offering "weekly free tastings," periodic "cellar tastings sponsoring local wineries, and pairing dinners." Tiffany B sips her cares away at Bar Avignon. It's a "sexy place in SE to have some wine and talk about the end of one's day at a quaint, candlelit table. The wine list is a big one," so get pouring! And Katherine K admits she's "in complete lust with robust, full-bodied, spicy red wines," and Barilé fulfills her every fantasy. Plus, the beer snob husband even gets to come and enjoy "a small, yet diverse tap list." Someone's got her crush on.
The Weekly Yelp Wine Bars
Portland
It's Always Wine O'Clock
Fancy a flight? – Cecilia S
Wine? Why not? Everyone loves a balanced bouquet, a complex concoction, and uncorking to wine down. That's why this week we're featuring cool spots for a glass of grown-up grape juice. Start sippin', and you'll be an oenophile in no time — that's a good thing, trust us!
Boedecker Cellars
Northwest Industrial
2621 NW 30th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries
“Bottles range from $15–$65, and you'll get a quality wine at any price point. A tasting is $10, but that's waived if you buy a bottle. I suggest a quick, informative tasting, and then taking a bottle (or a few) home.”
Heather F., Portland, OR
Carmella’s Wines
Central Eastside
1320 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars
“Excellent glass pour wines... they have an incredible selection of old and new world. The sunset is visible from the bar or the heated patio. I long for the next rainy dark night so I can sip by their wood burning fireplace and enjoy fireside s'mores.”
Henry L., Portland, OR
Coopers Hall
Central Eastside
404 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Wine Bars
“They really deliver with the wine on tap. I tried several different reds. Two really stood out: Gamay Noir from Beaujolais was my favorite, and the Syrah/Viognier blend was so strange and tart that it deserves a shout out.”
Tiffany M., Hillsboro, OR
Frank Wine and Flower
Southwest Portland
3712 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars
“I can tell you that they have a range of wines at a range of prices including very affordable glasses for people like me who just want a nice glass of red wine, and a beautiful place to sit with friends.”
Sarah H., Portland, OR
Pairings Portland Wine Shop & Bar
Northeast Portland
455 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Bars, Beer, Wine & Spirits
“Instead of wandering through wines organized by varietal or region, these wines are organized by what they pair well with. Each box is labeled with items like mac 'n' cheese, salmon, pesto, salad etc.”
Marissa P., Portland, OR
Seven Bridges Winery
North Portland
2303 N Harding Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Wine Tours
For a reliable red wine flight, this is the right spot. Don't be dismayed by the secluded industrial location. Inside, these guys are making some really complex red wine, mostly from eastern OR and WA as opposed to the usual Willamette Valley Pinot.”
Ben C., Portland, OR
SE Wine Collective
Southeast Portland
2425 SE 35th Pl, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, Wineries, American (New)
“If you need a lesson on wine, then this is a good start. You get the opportunity to taste wine from four different resident artisanal wine producers. Everyone involved there is well educated and can teach you a thing or two.”
Chad H., Portland, OR
Taste On 23rd
Alphabet District
2285 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, Tapas/Small Plates
“Quiet and intimate, it's a wonderful place to sip on wines you won't find in
Food + Drink: Caveman Style - Dine prehistorically
Going back to basics and cutting out the grain, dairy, and refined sugar.
The Weekly Yelp
Cultured Caveman
Southeast Portland
4031 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Gluten-Free, Food Trucks
You order choices are Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivore.
“As a recent convert to the paleo lifestyle (It's not a 'diet'), having a place I can go out to and not have to overthink my options is pretty alright. I had the bone broth, kale salad, and the mini meat loaves.”
James S., Portland, OR
Dick’s Kitchen
Southeast Portland
3312 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Burgers, Vegan, Gluten-Free
“Dick's has a reputation for being incredibly 'paleo' friendly, and that reputation is well deserved. Both the Yam No-Fries and the kimchi sides are well worth ordering as both are excellent. They also have a fantastic ginger kombucha on draft.”
Micah S., Portland, OR
Verde Cocina
Hillsdale
6446 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR
Mexican
“When I read the website and saw that not only do they have a few dishes that cater to the paleo diet, but, far more importantly, they use fresh, local ingredients, I had to check it out... I really can't think of one bad thing to say about this place.”
Lorraine S., Portland, OR
Brooklyn House Restaurant
Southeast Portland
3131 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Comfort Food, Modern European, Gluten-Free
“This menu included cocktails and desserts safe for those on... paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan... The food was delicious, and no one had to go hungry or worry that they would have negative reactions to their dining experience. Amazing!”
Sara C., Portland, OR
Timber’s Doghouse PDX
Southeast Portland
28th and SE Division, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Burgers, Food Trucks
“I love that this place has gluten-free, vegetarian, and paleo options. Oh, and double your beef patty pleasure for $2.25 more... In an uncommon move, I'm stamping this with my elite seal after the first visit. The bacon wins again, doesn't it?”
Aaron W., Vancouver, WA
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Industrial District
1. 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
2. SW Alder & SW 10th
Thai
“Because I eat paleo and don't eat grains, the rice in the chicken rice just doesn't work for me. So, I can pay a little more and get my chicken over veggies and get gluten-free sauce too.”
Beth N., Portland, OR
Ecliptic Brewing
North Portland
825 N Cook St, Portland, OR
American (New), Breweries
“This is way better than average pub fare: standouts like lamb burger and faro burger, standards like fish and chips (quality fries and a fillet), and food to please a carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, or gluten-free.”
Michael R., Portland, OR
Canteen
Southeast Portland
2816 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Vegan, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
“Canteen has delicious bowls packed with veggies and sauces and flavor... Every time I eat there, I end up with a desirable level of fullness... I've gotten multiple bowls there, and they've always been packed with flavor.”
Andrew H., Anchorage, AK
Food + Drink: Brunch with Reservations
Believe it or not, spending an hour waiting on the sidewalk is not a requirement for the authentic Portland brunch experience. Check out these Yelper approved brunch destinations, all of which take reservations!
The Weekly Yelp
23 Hoyt
Alphabet District
529 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, American (New), Gastropubs
“The service was relaxed, which I appreciated since that was the mood of my Sunday. Food was top-notch. And the donuts — oh, donuts. They were amazing! Could have stayed there for five hours with just mimosas and donuts... I will definitely be back!”
Nicole J., Lake Oswego, OR
Accanto
Southeast Portland
2838 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Italian, Breakfast & Brunch
“I had the Dutch Bambino with vanilla peaches, basil, and fresh whipped cream. Not too sweet, not too big, just the perfect thing to satisfy someone with wants to go sweet instead of savory first thing in the morning.”
Heather J., Portland, OR
Beast
Northeast Portland
5425 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR
French, American (New)
“The Beast Hash... is served with super tender, melt in your mouth braised pork belly and loin, rattlesnake beans, and sweet corn... new potatoes, and was topped with a poached duck egg and homemade whole grain mustard hollandaise sauce.”
Cory M., Portland, OR
Eclectic Kitchen
Neast Portland
4936 NE Fremont St, Portorthland, OR
Breakfast & Brunch
“Perfect consistency of the biscuit and a flavor explosion in the gravy. I prefer a dense biscuit and a thick but not too thick, flavorful but not too salty gravy. This is so good that it is taking every fiber of my being to not just wolf it down.”
Tony M., Portland, OR
Equinox Restaurant and Bar
North Portland
830 N Shaver St, Portland, OR
American (New), Bars
“The chilaquilles were excellent with two or three crispy fried corn tortillas, black beans, salsa, cotija cheese, and more... The eggs bene was delish, and they cure the canadian bacon in-house. The hollandaise sauce was fabulous and very classic.”
Curtis C., Portland, OR
Pacific Pie Company
Alphabet District
1668 Nw 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Australian, Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch
“My friend suggested we go there after a run for breakfast. I ordered the chicken schnitzel and a chicken pot pie to-go. She ordered the breakfast pie, which she probably would've married! The pie crust is amazing, and you can't go wrong there.”
Arielle S., North Plains, OR
Wild Abandon
Southeast Portland
2411 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional), Modern European
“Brunch was awesome. Nice people, no wait, good coffee, weird, funky altar lights, and every single thing our table ordered was sublime. They also have a great patio when the sun comes out. And the prices will put you in a good mood.”
Dana S., Foster-Powell, Portland, OR
The Woodsman Tavern
Southeast Portland
4537 SE Division St, Portland, OR
American (New)
“Outstanding. We make this one of our regular, once a month stops for... brunch... So far, every egg has been served perfect... The pancakes for brunch on Saturday and Sunday are fabulous. The drinks are always amazing... This is a fabulous restaurant.”
David T., Lake Oswego, OR
PDX MonthlyThree Exceptional New Portland Brunches—Without Lines
VerdigrisIt’s OK, it’s happened, we’ve all done it: you have confused “standing in line” with “having a great brunch.” Verdigris, a dignified little white-walled room on NE Fremont Street, is here to sort out the category error. This is a place where you can—wait for it—make a reservation for brunch, for a party of any size. You can then enjoy such refined (but generous) offerings as ricotta pancakes with fig compote and chantilly like the civilized human you are. The 60-minute eggs with ham is something of a house signature, while the duck fat hash browns could well become an addiction. 1315 NE Fremont St, verdigrisrestaurant.com —ZD
ExpatriateThese are the waffles prophecy foretold: divinely crunchy, crowned with spicy chicken and pickle-craft, or, if you like, a frozen wonder of black sesame ice cream. They’re dispatched in a Hemingway-meets-Chinatown setting for Expatriate’s weekend brunch, while a High Fidelity–caliber record collection spins on two turntables. And if you think you’re bored with Bloody Marys, think again. Like everything here—fantastic, condiment-crazed congee to a suave, shrimp-toasty burrito—Expat’s Bloody ripples with spice and adventure. 5424 NE 30th Ave, expatriatepdx.com —KB
Whiskey Soda LoungeOn weekends only, in a colorful setting of Cambodian pop and Asian ephemera, Thailand’s little-known a.m. flavors make a rare appearance in Portland (or America, for that matter). Andy Ricker, founder of neighboring Pok Pok, concentrates on his ongoing traveling breakfast rituals: sweet pork-laden buns; jok creamed with bouncy pork, crullers and pandan coconut custard for dipping; stir-your-own coddled eggs with finger-size “soldier” toast, and, of course, drip-brewed Vietnamese coffee. 3131 SE Division St, whiskeysodalounge.com —KB
This article appeared in the November 2016 issue of Portland Monthly.
Tin Shed Cafe (1438 NE Alberta-Alberta Arts District) - Famous place for Brunch. Does NOT take reservations-Lines after 8AM.
Screen Door - Southern Comfort Foods
Food + Drink: A Romantic Brunch
How about taking your sweetheart to brunch at one of these romantic spots:
Sweedeedee (5202 N. Albina): A sun-filled brunch spot with a Scandinavian-hipster vibe. Take your pick of hearty eggs and potatoes cooked to order or lighter granola fare. And don't forget to take some baked goods to go. (Photo: Cheryl Juetten)
Tasty n Alder (580 SW 12th Ave.): A downtown favorite for its extensive menu served up in a moody, romantic dining room. Try the frittata served in a cast iron skillet with caramelized onions, tomato, braised escarole and fontina.
Veritable Quandary (1220 SW First Ave.): A Portland institution since 1970, their menu features variations on New Orleans cuisine while using fresh local ingredients. Their weekend brunch amid their oasis-like gardens is a true Portland experience.
Food + Drink: Pizza
If there's one universal truth, it would be the fact that pizza is always good, at any time, for any meal. Go ahead — shove that cold slice to the side and nestle up to a piping hot pie from one of these great local spots.
17 Essential Pizzerias Around Portland (Mapped)
The Crown - Downtown's New Lunchtime Pizza To-Go (at Hotel Lucia)
You can now eat Gluten-free Vegan pizza at Back to Eden Bakery
The Weekly Yelp
In Pizza We Crust
Thick serves up deep dish pizza by the slice – Michael C
Apizza Scholls
Southeast Portland
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The crust is unlike anything you've ever had. Charred, crispy, and chewy at the same time. It's more substantial than some other wood fired places I've been to... We got the new york white and the margherita. You really don't need more.”
Scott H., Portland, OR
Handsome Pizza
North Portland
2730 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The standards are great (I'm particularly fond of the Rico Suave), but the specials are always so innovative and take advantage of the best ingredients Portland has to offer. I've tried about half a dozen different pies and fell in love with every one.”
Heather J., Portland, OR
Hogan’s Goat Pizza
Northeast Portland
5222 NE Sacramento St, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The best gluten-free pizza I have ever had. I'm not talking about your chewy, mealy crust that punishes you for going gluten free. I'm talking the thin, fluffy but crispy on the bottom crust that perfectly balanced the high end quality toppings.”
Dan W., Portland, OR
Oven & Shaker
Pearl District
1134 NW Everett St, Portland, OR
Pizza, Italian, Gastropubs
“The pizza was awesomely priced for happy hour at $7 for a margherita pizza, and $10 for the salami. The salami had a killer combination of spice from the meat and sweet from honey that had generously been drizzled over from edge to edge.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Pinky’s
North Portland
3990 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR
Pizza, Cocktail Bars
“The Casanova was freakin' awesome! The crust was perfect... and the mushrooms and artichoke were flavorful. But the real clincher for me were the red onions, which were slightly caramelized while still crunchy.”
David M., Portland, OR
SFNY West Pizza
Northwest
2241 W Burnside, Portland, OR
Pizza
“We had half margherita, half Hawaiian Canadian bacon and pineapple as well as the half pesto chicken and half pesto veggie. The Hawaiian did not skimp on ham nor pineapple and ingredients were very fresh for all the pizzas.”
Cvetiliana B., Portland, OR
Sizzle Pie
Industrial District
624 E Burnside, Portland, OR
Pizza, Salad, Sandwiches
“I'm an instant fan of any joint that rolls out the red carpet for vegetarians. My husband cannot tolerate any dairy and I'm an 18 year vegetarian, so I love knowing Sizzle Pie can be trusted.”
Karey R., Portland, OR
Thick
Southwest Portland
SW Washington and 9th Ave, Portland, OR
Pizza, Food Trucks
“The tomato sauce highlights the fruity flavors of tomato instead of drowning them in too many herbs... the whole slice has a really nice fresh feeling while still being very satisfying. Add a little home-cured sausage to it and it's a real mouthful!”
Todd V., Portland, OR
PDX Monthly
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
North Mississippi
4039 N Mississippi Ave 503-281-4060
Pizza, Ice Cream
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty Perfects the Portland Pizza -After nearly seven years, the N Mississippi Avenue spot has gone from solid to sensational. Peak Northwest flavors ooze across a Lovely’s pie—farm egg, chanterelles, mustard flowers, and buttery Sleeping Beauty cheese from Washington’s Cascasdia Creamery. Read More 17 Essential Pizzerias Around Portland (Mapped)
Food + Drink: Hot DogIn the Case of the Delicious Street Food, the prime suspect is always the hot dog! This American standard has grown beyond its ballpark roots, and friendly folks serve up frankfurters all across Portland. This week, some Yelpers' favorites.
The Weekly Yelp
Hot Diggity Dog!
The ballpark treat with a Portland twist – Cristen T
Beez Neez Gourmet Sausages
Southwest Portland
SW 3rd Ave & SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Food Stands
“The accoutrements on offer seem selected by someone who knows my very soul. Not just caramelized onions and a whole roasted jalapeño, but a plethora of pickled vegetables and housemade sauces. These are things that make my knees weak.”
Nick Z., Portland, OR
Dog Town Food Cart
Southeast Portland
2880 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Hot Dogs
“It's not the traditional Sonoran dog from Tucson... the owners opted for fry bread. Bacon-wrapped hot dog, pinto beans, salsa verde, avocado cream, pico de gallo, and grilled onions. Nice balance of heavier ingredients with light, fresh toppings.”
Aaron W., Vancouver, WA
East Side Delicatessen
North Portland
4823 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Delis, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
“The boyfriend and I ordered hot dogs with various toppings and these were some of the best I've ever had... Plus they have all the amazing sides you could ever want.”
April C., Portland, OR
The Fried Onion
Industrial District
SE 3rd & Alder, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Food Stands
“No hyperbole, this is the best dog I've eaten anywhere. I've been to places in NYC and Chicago guided by lifetime locals... great, but not as good as this... Some of the best street food you'll ever put in your mouth.”
Scott U., Portland, OR
Meaner Wiener
190 W Main St, Hillsboro, OR
Hot Dogs, Fast Food
“Not only were the sausages delicious and big, they have no preservatives! They offer different sauces you can add yourself, such as mustard, ketchup, mayo, guacamole, spicy mayo, Sriracha, BBQ sauce, wasabi sauce plus relish, sauerkraut and jalapeños!”
Andy S., Portland, OR
Otto’s Sausage Kitchen & Meat Market
Woodstock
4138 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR
Meat Shops, Delis
“Pair the Otto hotdog with a potato bun buttered with Moutarde mustard and you have the perfect meal. But add to that meal the world's best sauerkraut from Sonoma Brinery and you've really got something to write home about.”
Robert B., Bend, OR
We Be Weiners
Southeast Portland
Portland State University, Portland, OR
Food Stands
“I got the Porklandia, which had cheese on the inside, wrapped in bacon, and had crunchy onion bits on top. Absolutely delicious. They've got just about any hot dog you could want as well as tater tots. I will definitely be back.”
Kevin J., Portland, OR
Zach’s Shack
Southeast Portland
4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Fast Food, Hot Dogs
“The Chicago dog was everything it was supposed to be. Neon green relish, sport peppers, celery salt, poppy bun, tomatoes, and pickle spears. It was a pretty large hot dog as well. For $4.50, it better be bigger than the Oscar Meyers you get at Freddie's.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Eat & Sip Chocolate
Courtesy of Discover Portland
Portland boasts some of America’s finest chocolatiers, and they’re putting an artisan spin on classic treats. One of our favorite ways of experiencing the scene is by sipping delicious drinking chocolates — but don’t mistake these for your mom’s hot cocoa. Drinking chocolate, made from chopped chocolate bits slowly melted and blended with cream, offers a denser and richer mouthfeel than its powdery cousin.
Here are some great spots to indulge your sweet tooth and experience Portland’s decedent drinking chocolates:
Editor’s Note: In recent years, Portland’s craft chocolate scene has exploded — earning national recognition for its decadent treats. With so many excellent chocolatiers based here — such as Woodblock (Website), Pitch Dark Chocolate and many others — it can be hard to get your bearings. That's why we sought out the expertise of Cristina Yen, the owner of A Yen For Chocolate, to give us this chocolate-lover’s tour of town.
You may know Portland for its coffee, wine and beer scenes, but the city’s culinary obsessions go far beyond craft beverages. From bean-to-bar cacao importers to unique chocolate artisans, Portland has chocolate in nearly every form. Whether you're new here or just new to the chocolate scene, let me tell you about a few of my favorite spots.
Handcrafted Bean to Bar Chocolate Experiences!
1. Creo ChocolateCreo Chocolate (122 N.E. Broadway) is a bean-to-bar chocolate factory owned and operated by the Straub family. Their shop has an open kitchen where you can witness first-hand the entire bean-to-bar process unfold.
Creo has a family-friendly atmosphere. The café’s interior vaulted ceilings feature large skylights, giving the shop a spacious feel. Tables and chairs line walls adorned with pictures of the Straub’s trip to Ecuador where they met Samuel and Anna, the farmers of Creo cacao. Humble and warmhearted, the Straubs are generous with their time and conversation, and if you ask them, they will happily recount their journey from once being strawberry farmers in Washington to the grand opening of Creo in 2015.
While less than one year old, Creo should be on every chocolate-lovers' itinerary. They offers 3 tour options: (Reservations Required)
2. Cup & Bar The delicious drinking chocolate from Cup & Bar. Photo courtesy of Cup & Bar.
Cup & Bar (118 N.E. M.L.K. Blvd.) may appear to be just another specialty coffee shop in a city with dozens to boot (click here to read the Discover Portland coffee guide). But this shop also hosts Ranger Chocolate, makers of Peruvian bean-to-bar chocolate.
Upon entering the shop, the resident chocolatiers greet café guests by offering a sample of the divine tempered chocolate. With the first taste, it becomes immediately clear why this new café has received buzz from the local media for its delicious coffee and chocolate pairings.
Industrial and hip, the shop has vaulted warehouse ceilings with concrete floors and walls. It's at once chic -- and comfortable. I imagine myself hosting meetings here or working with my laptop for hours on end, sipping coffee while snacking on some of the best chocolate the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Menu Highlights: 70 percent Peru, 80 percent Chulucanas and Cabernet Franc.
3. Alma Chocolate
Alma Chocolate (140 N.E. 28th Ave.) is a chocolatier, meaning they make confections from chocolate rather than importing cacao and making the chocolate itself. A small shop with just a few seats for customers, they are located on the popular N.E. 28th Ave strip. The shop itself fits its location – quaint and “neighborhoody.” Bon Appétit magazine says that their “artisans work magic with chocolate, caramel and spice.” Named after Sarah Hart’s grandmother, Alma is also known for religious icons made from single-estate 74 percent dark chocolate from Hacienda El Vesia in the Dominican Republic.
Menu Highlights: Sea Salt Hazelnut Crunch Bar, Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar and Deux Pistachio Bon Bon.
4. CacaoCacao has two locations in Portland. The first (414 S.W. Salmon St.) is conveniently located adjacent to The Heathman Hotel, and the second (414 S.W. 13th Ave.), their flagship store, is just a ten-minute walk away from the first location. You’ll tickle your chocolaty senses at either location, but I recommend you stop at their flagship shop in the trendsetting West End neighborhood for a mind blowing collection of chocolates and an atmospheric place to relax with their signature drinking chocolates.
Cacao is primarily a retail shop featuring handpicked chocolates from around the world, premium solid chocolate bars from small producers and select treats from local chocolatiers. They also have a small cafe-style menu with chocolate and espresso drinks as well as snacks such as shortbread cookies and locally made Salt & Straw ice cream. Past the tables and shelves displaying all these delicious goodies are a couple of large tables big enough to seat six people each — perfect for lounging with their "Shot in a Shot" (a shot of espresso poured in a shot of cacao).
Menu Highlights: The “Shot in a Shot” is a magical combination of drinking chocolate and espresso. Though they have several types of drinking chocolate to choose from (bitter, spicy, and cinnamon milk), I recommend the bitter chocolate with a dash of cinnamon.
5. The Meadow
Describing The Meadow (805 N.W. 23rd Ave.), a one-of-a-kind chocolate and salt block boutique, to newbies often proves to be a challenge. I am often tempted to call the store an Anthropologie for foodies — with lots of natural treats, salt block displays and a big bookcase full of chocolate bars.
But that description doesn’t quite do it justice. No, stepping inside this cute shop is like wandering into a perfectly curated wonderland of culinary luxuries.
With two locations, The Meadow is Portland’s retail authority on finishing salts, bitters, gourmet items for your kitchen and, of course, chocolate. They also carry Oregon and European wines and vermouths in addition to offering a full-service floristry.
Menu Highlights: Bonnat 70 percent Côte d’Ivoire, Rogue Chocolatier Porcelana, Domori Lattesal and the Finishing Salt Starter Set.
Food + Drink: German
The Weekly Yelp
Achtung! Portland's Best German Eats
German food is delish – Roger M
Alpinin' for authentic brats? Bet your bottom Deutschmark that there are some grand ol' German joints around town where you can sink a stein and snag a schnitzel. Check out these Yelpers' favorites!
Altengartz
Southwest Portland
SW 10th & Alder, Portland, OR
German, Food Stands
“So delicious. These have to be the best wurst in Portland. Juicy, savory, with the right amount of snap from the casing. Add some sauerkraut and mustard for the best lunch ever. Lunch for $5.50 and you will be so satisfied.”
Alison W., Portland, OR
Bavarian Sausage Delicatessen
Southwest Portland
8705 SW Locust St, Tigard, OR
Meat Shops, German
“My deliciously smoked and perfectly grilled sausage came on a small little circular toasted bun, with some packets of yellow mustard and a scoop of potato salad. I also ordered a side of sauerkraut. This sausage was one of the best I've ever had.”
Tiffany A., Portland, OR
Grüner
Southwest Portland
527 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR
German, Italian, Diners
“We started with some beet-pickled deviled eggs, and they were really good. The filling was light and fluffy. For my main dish, I had the Quark Spatzle with braised chicken. The flavor of everything was so good that I ended up noshing every single noodle.”
Becca J., Hillsboro, OR
Gustav’s Pub & Grill
Southwest Portland
10350 SW Greenburg Rd, Portland, OR
German, Pubs
“I opted for the smoked German bier links with warm potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut — while my hunny went with the reuben sandwich. Lemme tell ya that sammich was stacked like a hay bale. All the flavors on my plate were on point.”
Nadia P., Portland, OR
Otto & Anita’s European Restaurant
Southwest Portland
3025 SW Canby St, Portland, OR
German, American (New)
“I have lived in Portland since November of 2005, and until recently, I had never discovered their amazing dill pickle soup! One bite and I was head over heels in love. A bowl is quite large, and only $4.”
Bronwyn E., Portland, OR
Stammtisch
Northeast Portland
401 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR
German
“The real star of the show was the currywurst. It arrived on a ship of french fries and drizzled in a curry ketchup sauce that was incredibly balanced and bursting with worldly flavors. In a perfect world all ketchup would have curry spices added to it.”
Jacob M., Portland, OR
Swiss Hibiscus
Northeast Portland
4950 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR
“I am a fan of the Emince Zurichoise, creamy porky comfort food that I wasn't even aware I was missing from my life. The spätzli is ridiculous — tiny little dumplings of happiness made crispy on the outside in seasoned butter.”
Jennifer B., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Hawaiian
The Weekly Yelp
Portland's Big Island Bites
Koa's Hawaiian BBQ – Leah Y
The beautiful Hawaiian islands might be over 2,500 miles away, but that doesn't mean you can't find the proper grinds to fill your opu in Portland. This Weekly Yelp is all about locating that perfect plate of tropical treats. You know, da kine!
Ate-Oh-Ate
Buckman
2454 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
Hawaiian, Burgers, Sandwiches
“The loco moco was a punch in the mouth of true flavor! With your choice of brown or white rice, a hardy burger patty well-seasoned, and a egg cooked over easy to top everything off, not to mention the brown gravy that brings the whole dish together.”
Bryson B., Portland, OR
Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille
Southwest Portland
515 SW Carolina St, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“We ordered the loco moco with eggs over easy and the combo plate of kalbi ribs and kalua pork. The gravy was perfect. Eggs running over the beef patties. The kalbi ribs had a great marinade. The kalua pork had the right touch of smokiness.”
Nicole B., Portland, OR
Hale Pele
Northeast Portland
2733 NE Broadway, Portland, OR
Lounges, Hawaiian, Tapas Bars
“There is a massive tome of inventive drinks, all rated by how strong they are. There are quite a few drinks that even come to the table on fire where the wait staff will do their best to set your eyebrows on fire; it's quite a show.”
Joshua Y., Beaverton, OR
Kanoa’s Kalua Pig
Southwest Portland
SW 3rd and Stark, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Hawaiian
“I've had the shoyu chicken and the kalua pig, and both are made as close to perfection as I could possibly imagine. The portion size was good for lunch, the sauces are excellent, and the rice is cooked exactly as it should be.”
Kyle R., Portland, OR
Koa’s Hawaiian BBQ
Woodstock
Se 48th and Woodstock, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“I ordered a combo plate with teriyaki chicken and kalua pork because gluttony is kinda my thing, plus it came with a large scoop of rice and a side of macaroni-potato salad. Yes, I ate it all and yes, I needed a nap afterward.”
Allen K., Portland, OR
Ohana Hawaiian Cafe
Northeast Portland
6320 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“I'm from Hawaii, and this is even better than some food from home. They have it all — poi, spam musubi, plate lunch, POG, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, haupia, kalua pork, poke... and it's all really good. I'm still kind of in shock that this exists here.”
Mike B., Portland, OR
Ono Shave Ice
Southwest Portland
Portland, OR
Shaved Ice, Food Trucks
“This isn't a snow cone or Italian ice... Shave ice is much more fine and oh so sweet and they give you quite a bit for only $4. They have it with ice cream for $4.50 and Hawaiian style for $6 which had ice cream, mochi, azuki bean, and snow cap.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
808 Grinds Cafe
Southwest Portland
10100 SW Park Way, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“The star of the show for me and my sweet tooth is their haupia and okinawa sweet potato pie. I want to cry when I look at it, it's that good. I'm not sure if that's the fat wahine in me or what but dang that stuff is good.”
Kailes B., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Gelato
The Weekly Yelp
O-M-Gelato!
Pinolo Gelato – Nhan T
Ice cream is nice cream, yet any gelato fan will tell you this frosty Italian import takes all that's wonderful about your Rocky Road and kicks it up a notch. Smoother, more dense, and oh-so-velvety, gelato's coming to a cone near you, and the Weekly's got the scoop!
Affogato
North Portland
8712 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Coffee & Tea
“The Salted Caramel gelato was the obvious choice for me, but the 'Lime In The Coconut' flavor was tempting as well. I really savored this gelato. The waffle cone was not too soft and not too crisp and complemented the gelato to a tee.”
Kerri L., Portland, OR
Alotto Gelato
Alphabet District
931 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Coffee & Tea
“It is locally owned, with great service, and the best quality ingredients known to mankind. In the summertime, they're famous for fresh seasonal berries, and I have always found them to pair extremely well with the chocolate frosted yellow cake gelato.”
Jacob M., Portland, OR
Atlas Scoops
Southeast Portland
8005 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR
Gelato, Food Trucks
“My daughter got lemon, which must have been pretty good cause she passed up chocolate! I got honey lavender and mint chip. The honey lavender was really good. The shining star was the mint chip, made with real mint leaves!”
Paulette L., Lake Oswego, OR
Bacchi’s Italian Delicatessen
Northeast Portland
6633 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Italian, Sandwiches
“The real star was the gelato. It was smooth and dense. I'll definitely be back for that. We were told that the flavors change weekly. The service was friendly and seems to be family ran.”
Chris W., Montavilla, Portland, OR
Bassotto Gelateria
Northeast Portland
1760 NE Dekum St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Cafes
“A slice of Italy on Dekum street. I chatted with the friendly owner Don, and he definitely knows how to make some authentic gelato. I tried all the flavors, and went with the hazelnut chocolate and eggnog. They were two scoops of creamy deliciousness.”
Sudipto G., Portland, OR
Pinolo Gelato
Southeast Portland
3707 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
“His raspberry gelato tastes like a fresh picked summer raspberry from my backyard. I literally had warm, pleasant flash backs of childhood summertime while sampling it. Pair it with the lemon gelato!”
Brit G., Troutdale, OR
Spella Caffe
Southwest Portland
520 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR
Coffee & Tea
“Spella is tiny. Seriously, it's probably the smallest business of any type you'll ever go to. They honestly make the best espresso in Portland. If you're looking for a little extra treat, get an affogato — espresso poured over authentic Italian gelato!”
Alex B., Portland, OR
Staccato Gelato
Northeast Portland
232 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Donuts
“For under $4, we chose the three scoop option. We tried a few flavors, including honey lavender, chocolate, root beer, tiramisu, and salted caramel. They were all amazing. My favorite was honey lavender, a perfect combination.”
Tiffany L., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: DIVE BARS
The Weekly Yelp
The Portland Dive Bar Guide
Scooter McQuade's – Ken H
Trying to map an escape-route to your nearest dive bar? Here are some My Chauffeur' favorites!
Billy Ray’s
Northeast Portland
2216 NE M L King Blvd, Portland, OR
Dive Bars
“Billy Ray's is always a party, even if you're the only one there. The music there is awesome, there's pinball, and a huge back area. The drinks are cheap, and they only take cash.”
Michelle U., Portland, OR
Club 21
Northeast Portland
2035 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars, American (Traditional)
“The food is good. Fried chicken on Texas toast for the man and beef on Texas toast with the works for me. They are set up like a poor man's Dave And Buster's with arcade games everywhere in some sort of hunting lodge/castle thing, but somehow it works.”
Paige H., Portland, OR
Donnie Vegas
Northeast Portland
1203 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars
“'Taptails? What the hell are taptails?' was my thought coming into DV with a big group of people. Two minutes later, question answered — cocktails on tap! Hu-duh. They have about five options and I went with the Moscow Mule — Yum!”
Jesy B., Portland, OR
Joe’s Cellar
Alphabet District
1332 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR
American (Traditional), Diners, American (New)
“Low, black ceilings give the place a cozy feel, while the 70's plywood walls add more to the overall ambiance. Assorted beer mirrors adorn the walls, sprinkled among the TVs. Complementary popcorn. A comfortable, central bar. What more could you need?”
Timothy R., Portland, OR
Roscoe’s
Montavilla
8105 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars, Pubs
“This might be the best tap list in Portland. I could have spent the next 16 hours sitting around sampling the epic beers they serve. The food and service is too good to call it a dive bar; Roscoe's is something completely different.”
Robert M., Wilsonville, OR
Scooter McQuade’s Restaurant & Bar
Downtown
1321 SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Bars
“Jello Shots, Jello Shots, and more Jello Shots. Cheap everything. Cheap hot dogs on Mondays. This is the crazy good dive bar your mother might have warned you about if she knew about this place.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge
Northeast Portland
4830 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR
Bars, Karaoke, American (Traditional)
“My favorite portion of the bar is an area that looks like your rad uncle's rec room. It houses two pool tables and pinball. A huge dance floor is smack dab in the middle and includes a stage that hosts karaoke Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.”
Allisun W., Portland, OR
Yur’s Bar & Grill
Northwest
717 NW 16th Ave, Portland, OR
American (Traditional), Dive Bars
The beer selection is huge and they do a great job of rotating seasonal beers and other variety selection when appropriate. Free popcorn is a great snack to nibble if your just having a beer or two.”
Joe M., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Margarita Madness
The Weekly YELP
Margarita Madness
Nuestra Cocina – Chris M
Margaritas! On the rocks or blended, classic, or fruity; however you like them, everyone has a great tequila story (if they can remember it). Here's some of the places you can find a great margarita here in Portland.
The Conquistador
Southeast Portland
2045 Se Belmont St, Portland, OR
Latin American, Lounges, Vegetarian
“Where do I begin? I usually turn my nose up at flavored margaritas, as opposed to regular lime, but this place does not mess around. All of their margaritas are amazing, the coconut is killer.”
Racquel R., Portland, OR
The Goose
Southeast Portland
2725 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
Tex-Mex, Mexican, Bars
I grew up 90 miles from the border of Mexico and this place felt like home! Oh my god, the tacos were so delicious. Plus the margaritas... Don't even get me started. Blood orange and ginger?! Kiwi, rose! Yes. Just yes.”
Alison T., Portland, OR
Mi Mero Mole
Southeast Portland
5026 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
“I decided to go with the diablo margarita which is spicy. Days later I am still thinking back on this drink very fondly and trying to figure out when I can go obtain another one. If you are a fan of spicy, I'd say it's a must order.”
Krystal F., Portland, OR
Nayar Taqueria
Southeast Portland
5919 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegetarian
“Their margaritas are amazing. They use fresh lime juice and puréed raspberries. The owners are super friendly and genuinely interested in making sure you're happy. I'm so glad to have this place in my neighborhood.”
Caitlin L., Portland, OR
Nuestra Cocina
Southeast Portland
2135 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Latin American
“We were able to get a seat at the bar and indulge in some great jalapeño salsa and margaritas. The bartender there was incredibly nice and made awesome drinks. I highly recommend their spicy margarita, as it is the drink that dreams are made of.”
Breanne G., Portland, OR
Rocio’s
Creston-Kenilworth
2850 SE Gladstone St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“The margaritas are the best I've ever had. We asked about their mix, which is just fresh lime juice and agave syrup, but they also do a very generous pour of tequila. The large margarita is in a 16 oz glass and is only $8, so is a pretty good deal.”
Mary M., Southeast Portland, Portland, OR
Torta-landia
Southeast Portland
4144 SE 60th Ave, Portland, OR
Mexican, Pubs
“The house margarita is delicious and if you go during happy hour (3–6pm & 9pm–Close) they are $5.50 or $20 for a pitcher. The margarita pitchers, hot chips, and trivial pursuit cards make this place a great hang out for friends.”
BJ D., Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina
Southeast Portland
1408 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Mexican
“We had a pitcher of the 'skinny margarita'. It was tangy and not too sweet. I like my margaritas tangy and limey and this was perfect! The pitcher had a lot of ice, but we easily filled five margaritas so that turned out fine.”
Lindsay A., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: BURGERS
Burger Stevens Food Cart—slinging the Pioneer Ranch beef in Pioneer Courthouse Square (pictured right) that tastes "like McDonald’s if they ever had a soul."
My Chauffeur DT Picks for Cheap Micro Brews during Happy Hour
- See more Portland Best Restaurants -
- More Downtown Dining by TravelPortland -
- More in Portland's Best New Restaurants in 2016 -
- See more Portland Best Restaurants from oregonlive.com.
- More Downtown Dining by TravelPortland -
TOP
Best Restaurants: Downtown Portland & Beyond By The Oregonian, Yelp & My Chauffeur
My Chauffeur Recommends:
For chicken - Tad's Chicken & Dumplings $$$ Read More
Seafood - Paiche $$$ (Peruvian) Read More
Oysters - Holdfast Dining (Oregon Coast Oysters, Sea Salt & Beer)
Mediterranian - Nicholas Restaurant
Prix Fixe - Castagna $$$$ (American High-End, 2 choices available: Chef's menu (165) & Dinner menu (100)
Views - Departure $$$ Read More
Breakfast - Besaw's (The Century Old Cafe In Portland That Serves One Of The Best Breakfasts Around) Read More
Those with 'Prix Fixe' menus include: Andina, Brazil Grill, The Heathman, Hubers, Mortons, Portland City Grill, Portland Spirit, Castagna & Wildwood. Click here for casual outside patio dining.
$ Eat well for $10-$15
$$ Most entrees under $20
$$$ Most entrees $20 and up
$$$$ Most entrees $30 and up
- Peruvian
- American / Classic American
- Brazilian
- Pacific Northwest
- French
- Steakhouse
- Seafood/Clam Chowder
- Lebanese
- Deli
- Mexican
- Burritos
- Mole
- Portland Old School
- Pi
- Rooftop Bars With a View
- TEA
- Sandwiches
- Mediterranean
- Hotel Restaurants
- Cheeses (site re-direct; )
- Pearl District Spots
- Greek - Greek feast at Eleni's in the Pearl (112 NW 9th Ave)
- 15 Essential Cheap Eats Destinations (Mapped)-(New Site)
- Eclectic
- Japanese
- Late-Nite
- Indian
- Cigars
- Soda Fountains
- Food Carts
- Wine Bars
- Caveman Style - Dine prehistorically
- Brunch
- Brunch with Reservations
- A Romantic Brunch
- Pizza
- Hot Dogs
- Chocolatiers
- German
- Hawaiian Bites
- Gelato
- Ice Cream (New Site) - The 18 Portland Ice Cream Shops That Rule - Mapped
- Boozy Ice Cream (http://www.gojackrabbitgo.com)
- Dive Bars
- Margarita Madness
- Coffe (New Site)- If you were to make a list of the best coffee destinations in America, you’d simply have to include cities like Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle. But when it came to ranking them, one would clearly claim the top prize — Portland, Oregon. Read More
- Burgers
- Beer (new page)
- DT Picks for 'Cheapest' Micro Brews during Happy Hour & your B-Day (new page)
- 15 Happiest Happy Hours (new site)
The Hottest Restaurants in Portland Right Now (this month) - Mapped
31 Restaurants Every Portlander Should Try (Mapped)
N Mississippi/Williams Neighborhood
If you were going to ask My Chauffeur for a recommendation; we would suggest the whole-pig head, fried ears and brainaise from Jackrabbit.
[ Peruvian ]
Andina 1314 N.W. Glisan St.
503-228-9535; andinarestaurant.com $$-$$$
Andina. Photo by Steven Gibbons
The bar of this progressive Peruvian restaurant boils with more energy than the Urubamba River. Acoustic music shoots out of the corner, a sea of daters and friends share design-intensive tapas and much chatter, and everyone seems to be swirling glasses of interest. The bar and casually elegant dining room share a menu with a staggering number of small plates, from ceviches to a classic papas a la huancaina, plus a small list of big-portioned mains. Seafood abounds throughout, a reminder of Peru's 1,500-mile Pacific coast.
Recommended: Start with piquillo peppers stuffed with quinoa, or beautifully grilled asparagus spears. Other keepers: pork tenderloin with cheese ravioli; quinoa cooked up like risotto; slow-cooked lamb shank shrouded with raw red onion and chiles; delicately tangy goat-cheese lemon cake sided by a pretty, leaf-shaped swath of berry sauce. Sacsayhuaman, full of passion fruit and sending forth a delirious chile glow, remains one of the city's great cocktails.
Paiche $$$ (Peruvian) Read More
[ American ]
Blueplate 308 S.W. Washington St.
503-295-2583; eatatblueplate.com $
This downtown hole in the wall elicits nostalgia for old-time soda fountains. Jeff Reiter, former Park Kitchen sous chef, wields the spatula in a modest kitchen with impressive results, from slow-cooked brisket to properly gooey mac and cheese.
Recommended: The fabulous soda-fountain selections are the real draw. Look for the "Toulouse Lautrec" with anise, coriander and mint, in the forbidden spirit of absinthe, and the "Painted Desert," decked out in the colors of sunset and flavored with honey, saffron and pomegranate. (When the holidays draw near, think pumpkin pie milkshakes!)
Veritable Quandary 1220 S.W. First Ave.
503-227-7342; veritablequandary.com $$
Veritable Quandary accurately calls itself a local landmark since 1971, but it's been a landmark longer than it's been an interesting restaurant. Over more than a decade running the VQ kitchen, chef Annie Cuggino has changed things. Over time, and especially in the past few years, she's developed a cuisine that's still bar-muscular but steadily intriguing, with big portions and bigger flavors. Meals extend from accurately named giant prawns with bacon and avocado to chocolate souffle with a cap that rises heavenward as hot chocolate sauce infiltrates its core. The kitchen hits its peak in a Saturday-night $65 tasting menu, heavy with skill and protein, that can be paired with an imaginatively chosen six-wine accompaniment for $30 more.
Eat and drink: Grilled scallop on pureed root vegetables; bacon-wrapped giant prawns; seafood stew; steak with gorgonzola; pancetta-wrapped rabbit; chocolate souffle with Nocello liqueur.
Castagna $$$$ (American High-End, 2 choices available: Chef's menu (165) & Dinner menu (100)
[ Classic American ]
Hubers - Portland's Oldest Restaurant
411 SW 3rd ave.
503-228-5686; hubers.com $$
Nothing says "classic Portland" like Huber's. "Turkey is king" and tastes exactly "how you always wanted your mom to make it" at this "historic" Downtowner (opened in 1879 and in the Oregon Pioneer Building since 1910) serving roasted birds with "holiday" trimmings and other midpriced American fare; it's like "stepping back in time" when you sit in the "delightful, clubby" wood-paneled bar & elegant, historic dining room. And for a "cool show", order an "expertly prepared" Spanish coffee – "it is a favorite."
[ Brazilian ]
Brazil grill 1201 S.W. 12th Ave.
503-222-0002;
brazilgrillrestaurant.com $$$
This all-you-can-eat destination for serious carnivores is the only devoted outpost of Brazilian churrasco, the traditional preparation of spit-roasted meats. Waiters with bared swords, each skewering one of a dozen different meats, prowl an expansive dining room, stopping at a signal from a table to slice off a serving. You pay a flat fee -- and the food keeps on coming.
Recommended: Marinated lamb loin, roasted pineapple; lively cocktails of Brazilian sugar cane liquor.
[ Pacific Northwest ]
Noble Rot
$$
“When I was a kid, you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” remembers Noble Rot chef and Oregon native Leather Storrs of fine dining in the 1980s and ’90s. A nice meal meant a reservation at the west side’s Heathman Hotel or Ringside steak house. That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
In 2002, a boisterous little wine cave with a roll-up garage door dubbed Noble Rot** delivered the coup de grace to west side supremacy. Owners Kimberly Bernosky and Courtney Storrs took the staid wine bar concept out at the knees, with seriously eclectic wine flights and Leather Storrs’s comfort roster of onion tarts and fancy mac. See Rooftop Bars With a View.
Today, East 28th Avenue Restaurant Row’s disruptive vision of intimate dining surrounded by concrete grit and house pickles is the city’s default. “Because rents were cheaper and we were on the east side, it allowed us to be freer and not feel like we needed to ape Paley’s or Zefiro,” says Leather. “It was like, ‘What the hell, let’s just do it.’ We just caught lightning.” —Portland Monthly
**Noble Rot moved to its current location on East Burnside in 2009.
Clyde Common 1014 S.W. Stark St.
503-228-3333; clydecommon.com $$
At this slick storefront on the ground floor of the retro-hip Ace Hotel, the tattooed and tailored sit side by side at communal tables and converse over a menu that roams from chicken-fried chicken livers to popcorn, with an emphasis on edgy organ meats. Sure, you'll find ravioli here, but it's probably filled with beef hearts. Chef Jason Barwikowski is a promising talent who spins the likes of tongue and blood sausage into dishes with a playful rusticity. Detractors find the food and desserts uneven -- interesting, but still finding their way. Both would be correct. But everyone seems to agree on one thing: The Clyde is anything but common.
Recommended: Focaccia, soft and salty and sitting in an olive-oil soak -- you can't stop eating it. Watch for duck pate or fried anchovies on the frequently changing menu, along with good hanger steaks, burgers and whole roasted fish. Check out the daily fish or meat boards -- little bites and condimentia served with icy vodka or aquavit. The modestly sized, largely European-dominated wine list is carefully chosen with reasonable value.
Higgins 1239 S.W. Broadway
503-222-9070; higginsportland.com $$$
The original farm-to-table spot. Greg Higgins has done more to ennoble the humblest Northwest ingredients than anybody since Portland native son James Beard. And the restaurant that bears his name is at once an elegant gallery of local bounty and an earthy, no-fuss joint where great food and drink are served up Portland-casual style. The white-tablecloth restaurant in front boasts some of the town's best service and inspired seasonal menus. In the woody bar around back, a bistro menu allows you to enjoy an entire meal -- with drinks -- for less money than you might spend on an entree up front.
Recommended: The ever-present house charcuterie sampler, the pastrami-and-cheddar sandwich and the hamburger on a rosemary bun are worth every penny of their quite reasonable prices. The winter-slipping-into-spring menu is a good example of changing ideas: potato-bacon dumplings in a delicate morel sauce; perfectly fried razor clams; a "whole pig" platter of pork, with different cuts receiving individual preparations; and a lovely dessert of almond tart served with fig compote. The draft beer list rivals those of a lot of brewpubs, and the wines are nicely varied and fairly priced.
Wildwood Restaurant
1221 NW 21st Avenue
wildwoodrestaurant.com $$$
What's so special: The only place to wine and dine on high-class cuisine by award winning chef Corey Screiber, featuring fare straight from the Oregon soil. Support local farms and tantalize your taste buds with such dishes as Grilled Pacific Ahi Tuna, Mesquite Roasted Sweet Briar Farms Pork Chops, or Stumptown Espresso Crème Caramel.
The Heathman Hotel Restaurant [ Northwest/French ] 1001 S.W. Broadway
503-790-7752; heathmanrestaurantandbar.com $$-$$$
Chef Philippe Boulot's polished, French-rooted cuisine shouts Pacific Northwest sourcing. But he's an eclectic fellow, reaching for a rustic Mediterranean-island-style octopus salad or jumping to Italy to capture a bagna cauda, the lusty "dip" heated enough to cloud seared, rare Ahi tuna strips served with fingerling potatoes, wilted leeks and Oregon truffle.
Recommended: Start with oven-roasted red and gold beets topped with baby spinach with a sheen of shallot-balsamic vinaigrette; the accompanying fourme d'ambert blue cheese is a briny, cool-creme counterpoint. American-style Kobe beef is sliced to fan out over a rough-cut tossing of potatoes, spinach and watercress with hearts of palm salad and sweet onion-soy vinaigrette. Two can share one dessert, and make it the upside-down apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Wines are in shrewdly selected abundance, from celebrated Bordeaux blends to the little-known but proud Cornas to Oregon's pinots.
Portland Spirit Downtown Dinner Cruise Quite simply, a Portland Spirit dinner cruise is the perfect night out. A vibrant setting enhanced by dazzling city sights and city lights. An evening filled to the brim with festive cuisine, locally sourced and prepared fresh on board, entertainment, and live performances. For a party of two to a small group of friends or co-workers, or a grand affair for up to 300+ guests, this is the ultimate Portland experience.
View an interactive map of the Portland Dinner Cruise route.
Sample Menus
Portland: Nightly year-round
Boarding 6:30pm
Cruising 7:00pm-9:30pm
$68 Adults
$63 Seniors and Children
[ French ] - Every city needs a French bistro and Portland is lucky to have 2.
Carafe 200 S.W. Market St.
503-248-0004; carafebistro.com $$
Chef/owner Pascal Sauton isn't trying to rewrite le grand cuisine, and in today's climate of showoff chefs, that's reassuring. Here, French countryside cooking stays true to tradition, but because Sauton is obsessive about his handpicked ingredients (Ayers Creek beans, Cattail Creek lamb, etc.), the flavors are bright and alive. All the main courses stay under $20, a real feat these days, and a nightly prix fixe offers three courses for $20.
Recommended: Steak tartare; pork rillettes; mussels; frisee aux lardons; burger; steak frites with bearnaise; lamb merguez sandwich; profiteroles. French wines by the carafe are as easy to pay for as they are to drink.
Le Pigeon (Gabriel Rucker - James Beard's "The best young chef in America"
[ Steakhouse ]
El Gaucho 319 S.W. Broadway
503-227-8794; elgaucho.com
$$$$ -- and then some
If you can look a $50 entree in the eye and not blink, El Gaucho will give both you and your steak meticulous pampering and attention. This includes tableside preparation and carving, more tuxedos than a penguin colony and, indeed, some remarkable beef. It arrives gently seared and moist, with a mouth-filling, aged richness. Everything else, of course, is supporting cast, but some of the other dishes, including some appetizers and flambe desserts, considerably enhance the experience. The service, plus a complimentary cheese, fruit and nuts plate, encourages luxurious lingering.
Recommended: Steaks, especially filet mignon and porterhouse; Wicked Shrimp; steak tartare. Also, don't miss the Caesar salad, bananas Foster and cherries jubilee -- all prepared tableside. In addition to a substantial wine list, you'll find a Captain's Reserve list that goes deep into three figures. Possibly reflecting Seattle ownership, Washington reds seem to outweigh Oregon varietals, although there are some nice pinot noirs.
Ringside 2165 W. Burnside St.
503-223-1513; ringsidesteakhouse.com $$$$
A local institution since 1944, this classic restaurant still wows with its steaks and sides — James Beard himself called their onion rings the best he'd ever had.
Morton's 213 S.W. Clay St.
503-248-2100; mortons.com $$$$
It doesn't quite match the vertiginous luxury of El Gaucho or the old-school local vibe of RingSide, but it's the best of the national steakhouse chains in town. From the ritualistic presentation of ingredients before the meal until the moment you reel out into the street sated and happy, you get first-rank treatment.
Recommended: Steaks are superior (consider the Diane and Oscar treatments); lobster cocktail; smoked salmon; dessert souffles. They call the hot chocolate cake "legendary" for good reason. The bar is very well-stocked; the wine list is like a volume of tax law.
Portland City Grill 111 S.W. Fifth Ave., 30th floor
503-450-0030; portlandcitygrill.com $$$
The check may be expansive, but so are the menu and the eye-popping, sky-high view. Options range from upscale steaks to a full sushi bar and a range of Asian-inflected dishes. And yes, that is Mount Hood behind your pinot noir.
Recommended: Sushi, from a list wide and deep; steaks and grilled meats, such as ginger-hoisin-glazed lamb chops; baked-to-order cookies; chocolate mousse. Have a cocktail: This is, after all, the city's most bustling after-work nosh-and-cruise spot; wines by the glasses, mysteriously served in a tiny carafe, as if the gulps and sips were especially chosen for you.
[ Seafood/Clam Chowder ]
Jake's Famous Crawfish (McCormick and Schmicks) 401 S.W. 12th Ave.
503-226-1419; mccormickandschmicks.com $$$
This Portland institution has served locals and visitors since 1892, and it's still a favorite place to take out-of-towners. Jake's prides itself on the freshness of its fish, and the daily list of sea creatures is ample evidence. Most evenings the bar is as crowded as the bouillabaisse.
Recommended: Fine cured lox; delicious smoked, cedar-planked salmon; simple grilled fish; the fabulous -- and fabulously rich -- banana cream pie. Beware of dishes that tend to be over-sauced, for the ingredients can get masked.
Braddow Bowls Food Truck (Hawaiian)
425 SW College St.
Happy Fish n Chips Food Truck
1830 SW Park Ave.
My Brother's Crawfish (Southern, Creole/Cajun)
8320 SE Harrison St.
Jacqueline (Cocktail Bar, American)
2039 SE Clinton St.
Powell's Seafood Restaurant (Chinese)
6633 SE Powell Blvd.
ABC Seafood Market
6509 SE Powell Blvd.
Holdfast Dining (Oregon Coast Oysters, Sea Salt & Beer)
537 SE Ash St.
Eat: An Oyster Bar
North Portland
3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR
Cajun/Creole
The Parish
Pearl District
231 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR
Seafood, American (New), Southern
Salty’s On The Columbia River
Portland
3839 NE Marine Dr, Portland, OR
Buffets, American (New), American (Traditional)
Southpark Seafood
Southwest Portland
901 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR
Seafood, American (New)
Dan & Louis Oyster Bar
Southwest Portland
208 SW Ankeny St, Portland, OR
Seafood, Lounges
Image: Kelly Clarke
Heathman Hotel - Headwaters
Southwest Portland
1001 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
Seafood, Lounges
Breaking News - First Look At Headwaters, Opening October 14, 2016
Clam Chowder: Ds Bar, EaT: An Oyster Bar, Breakside Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Ecliptic Brewing, Farm House Cafe, Fifth Quadrant, Lompoc Tavern**, RingSide Fish House, Wild Wood Cafe, Widmer Brothers Pub and Year of the Fish.
** Lompoc Tavern won the Annual Chowder Challenge 6 out of 8 times.
[ Lebanese ]
Karam Lebanese Cuisine 316 S.W. Stark St.
503-223-0830; karamrestaurant.com $$
Yearning for a Lebanese mamma to make your lunch? Head downtown to Karam, where artichoke stew and kafta casserole are simmering in the kitchen and sometimes delivered to your table by the chef herself. Though homey, this is Portland's most ambitious Middle Eastern cooking. Whether you order the unusual or stick to faves like chicken shawarma or lamb kebabs, Emelin Karam's home cooking is all about honest values: great flavors, big portions and incredible prices.
Recommended: The real heat comes with steaming fresh pita bread, which arrives still warm and puffy from the oven, perfect for dipping into terrific hummus or sopping up broths from complex stews. The massive menu has lots of dishes you don't see elsewhere: three ways with goat, fresh pumpkin kibbeh, even molokhie, a traditional dish layered with bread, rice, cilantro, mallow leaves and lamb.
Weekly Yelp
Portland
Passport to Lebanon Middle Eastern flavors in Southeast Portland – Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant Craving authentic baba ghanoush? We've got good news and bad news. The bad news is flights from Portland to Beiruit take over 24 hours. The good news? PDX is bursting at the seams with top-notch Lebanese cuisine. Here are some of our favorites! Al-Amir Restaurant 151 reviews Southwest Portland
223 SW Stark St, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“That the food is superb is a given, but it's the reception you get when you eat there. Even when this place is humming and crowded they manage to make you feel as if you are their dearest family member that has just come home from a long absence away.”
Dave C., Camas, WA
Habibi Restaurant 419 reviews Southwest Portland
1012 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR
Lebanese, Mediterranean
“Their tender lamb shawarma was love at first bite. I am also a fan of their slightly smoky baba ghannouj and the vegetarian grape leaves. Bonus points for offering an all-day happy hour with a pretty large selection.”
Jessica K., Portland, OR
Nicholas Restaurant 726 reviews Central Eastside
318 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR
Mediterranean, Lebanese
“The only restaurant I can go to for dinner, eat leftovers for lunch the next day, and then seriously consider going back for dinner again the next night. The food is so good I could easily eat it several meals in a row, or maybe even every day.”
Heather F., Portland, OR
Oasis Lebanese Cuisine 100 reviews 22293 NW Imbrie Dr, Hillsboro, OR
Lebanese
“The beef was delivered with crisp veggies, a garlic dressing that I'm sure is housemade, wrapped in another succulently warm pita. It was so good that by the end I was getting full and my stomach kept saying ‘no!' while my mouth said ‘shut up, stomach’.”
Matt S., Hillsboro, OR
Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant 140 reviews Southeast Portland
1318 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“We went with friends and ordered multiple plates for the whole table to share. Highlights were the yogurt, the lamb, the dolmas, and the tomato and cucumber salad. The bread is as fresh as it can be, coming straight from the oven and still puffed up.”
Jimmi H., Portland, OR
Salam Restaurant 98 reviews 1002 NE Orenco Station Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR
Lebanese, Persian/Iranian
“Salam is a gem. The gormeh sabzi, eggplant stews, and rice are excellent. The lentil soup and house salad are great. The rice pudding is laden with saffron, and is out of this world.”
Haroun K., Portland, OR
Ya Hala Lebanese Cuisine 272 reviews Montavilla
8005 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Lebanese
“Ya Hala made me wanna holla holla. I tried the server-recommended butternut squash homous with smooth garbanzo bean dip flavored with a healthy dose of sweet butternut squash and served with a warm and puffy pita.”
Michael S., Vancouver, WA
Zaatar 39 reviews Pearl District
1037 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR
Lebanese, Cocktail Bars
“The vegetarian mezza plate was fantastic. The baba ghanoush was smoky and lemony and creamy, with a hint of smoked paprika. My husband had to fight me for the last bites of cauliflower.”
Leslie W., Portland, OR
[ Deli ]
Kenny & Zuke's 1038 S.W. Stark St.
503-222-3354; kennyandzukes.com $
Owners Ken Gordon and Nick Zukin lavish attention on curing and smoking their meats and making everything they can from scratch. This is pastrami unlike any other, not only in its smoky taste and sheer flavorfulness but also in its equally original texture. Not everything scales the heights of the pastrami, but there's plenty here not to miss -- from superb bialys to benchmark Reubens.
Recommended: Pastrami on rye enshrined in house-made rye bread; the Reuben; the pastrami and egg salad sandwich; the stunning pastrami burger, topped with thick-sliced pastrami and a crown of melted cheese. Good matzo-ball soup with suitably dense matzos. Excellent coleslaw and applesauce. Impressive nonalcoholic drink list; a few wines and beers are well-selected and better than what one might expect in this sort of restaurant. Editor's note: Freelance contributor Michael C. Zusman owns a small minority interest in Kenny & Zuke's.
[ Mexican ]
[ Burritos/Tacos ]
Taqueria Nueve
$$
It used to be you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
First came Taqueria Nueve* in 2000, a funky, fusion-free Mexican spot from Paley’s Place alum Billy Schumaker at 28 NE 28th Ave. Neighbors wolfed wild boar tacos and sipped margaritas bright with actual fresh-squeezed limes (!).
hot sauces, folks. The Weekly Yelp
La Cocina Restaurant
108 reviews
Northeast Portland
3939 NE Martin Luther King Blvd, Portland, OR
Mexican
“The La Cocina salad came out first. Everything tasted so fresh!... Next came my burrito. I love me some pastor burrito, and this was really good... I'll definitely become a regular. I'm actually salivating as I write this.”
hannah k., Portland, OR
King Burrito
244 reviews
North Portland
2924 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“King makes their burritos like those I used to get in San Francisco's Mission District. They're messy, they're big, they're simple, they're loaded with meat, beans and veg, and they are perfectly but not overly sauced and spiced.”
Sean R., Portland, OR
Taqueria Los Gorditos
296 reviews
Southeast Portland
1212 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“Best burritos! I am a meat-eater, but their vegan/veg burritos are the best! Love the tofu, soyrizo, and soy curls. So good! Nice service, friendly, and you can eat next door at Apex while enjoying a beer.”
Kristen M., Portland, OR
Nayar Taqueria
61 reviews
Southeast Portland
5901 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR
Mexican, Comfort Food, Vegetarian
“I got the al pastor burrito, and it was quite honestly the best burrito I've ever had. Absolutely delicious. Every single bite. The people working there are friendly and charming — exactly the kind of people who you like to give your business to.”
Kathleen K., Portland, OR
Taqueria Lindo Michoacan
69 reviews
Southeast Portland
4035 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Food Stands
“I got the super sized veggie burrito, and it was delicious. It was the size of a foot long sandwich... The burrito had the usual veggie burrito filling, so nothing super unique or anything but still tasty... I'm already a fan.”
Katherine M., Portland, OR
El Nutri Taco
94 reviews
Northeast Portland
2124 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegan
“Big fan of this place. As others have said, the veggie/vegan burrito menu is really impressive and delicious... They have good horchata and very friendly staff... The insides of the restaurant are consistently well kept and very clean.”
AJ D., Portland, OR
Tienda Santa Cruz
233 reviews
St. Johns
8630 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Bakeries, Grocery
“Amazing authentic comida mexicana muy rica! Very affordable (many options under $8 or so). Huge burritos under $5 and very, very good! Must have for cheap, delicious Mexican food. Worth every penny. Get some pan dulce in the store after!”
Silvia P., Portland, OR
Ole Frijole
63 reviews
Northeast Portland
4125 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“Best veggie burrito in PDX! Order the veggie fajita option. Light on the dairy (and probably amazing without it), heavy on the beans, rice, and grilled veggies. Big enough to warrant leftovers but too delicious to make that a reality.”
Renee Z., Portland, OR
[ Mexican Mole ]
Hot, chocolatey, nutty, spicy, and... savory? Si señor – it's Mexican mole. This earthy sauce is pretty much good on everything, but it can be a little hard to find this side of Oaxaca. That's why your Weekly Yelp is making a mountain of deliciousness out of Portland's mole holes!
Mi Mero Mole metes out an impressive number of rotating guisados, and Andy D notes, "The menu lists over 30, with six to eight available each day," some of which are stoked with the namesake sauce. Meanwhile, Douglas C fondly remembers Autentica's Platillo Mexicano (cheese enchiladas covered in mole) as "to-die-for." He admits, "Once the enchiladas where gone, I sat there and ate the rest of the mole with a spoon. It was that good." And Jessica K recalls, "I dreamed that I wrestled a burrito bigger than my head. I woke up and realized I had, in fact, eaten a freakishly large, spicy green mole chicken burrito wrapped in a fantastic tortilla of yumminess" from Santería. That's a lunch fit for a luchador!
"Maybe in California it's about grande, greasy burritos filled with a pound of artery-clogging meat," but Brian N finds the star of the veggie-heavy plate at Verde Cocina. "It isn't the pork in the tortilla, but everything around it – grilled apples, kale and bean salad, warm tortillas and mole." Lucas Z has nothing but praise for the chocolate-y goodness at Amelia's, where the sauce is "homemade and tastes as if you were in Mexico." He suggests the daily special, whatever it be! And Lisa T lusts for Mextiza's "Cameron en Pipián." Made with prawns simmered in a traditional tomato and nut mole sauce, it's "rich, creamy and wonderful." Pair it with "El Zacatecano mezcal" and todo es bueno en el mundo!
Adam A checks in for his favorite "chicken with mole and fresh homemade flour tortillas" at La Costita. One bite and he exclaims, "What a meal! It has great spices, creaminess from the mole, tender chicken," and fluffy rice. Whitney O gets sauced with Agave Azul's "beef in mole." Think "spicy, yet chocolatey, just like it's supposed to be. The best Mexican food" in town? It's a-mole. And Sandra W goes googley-eyed over the mole with pollo at Nuestra Cocina: "A nearly boneless, generous portion of seasoned grilled chicken," sitting in a handmade pumpkin seed mole. We'll go mano-a-mano with that meal!
[ Eclectic ]
Mother's Bistro & Bar 212 S.W. Stark St.
503-464-1122; mothersbistro.com $$
You make the trek home to the family hearth after a long absence and you don't want trendy, edgy or experimental. You want familiar, homey, comforting. You want, in short, the sort of fare that Mother's have been serving with reliable skill and care for years. Chef-owner Lisa Schroeder is a busy presence in the kitchen, dining room and even the swank Velvet Lounge bar. Her gracious touch, like the parlor-style furnishings and setting, gives you the essence of the place: It's all designed to make you feel at home.
Recommended: The standards always satisfy: matzo soup, pot-roast plate, chicken and dumplings, chopped liver, mac and cheese. But wandering in the less familiar portions of the menu can pay off, too: fried calamari with a garlicky sweet-and-sour sauce, a perfect Parisian bistro-style steak frites, Asian-accented pulled pork. Cocktail service has grown more sophisticated.
[ Japanese ]
Murata 200 S.W. Market St.
503-227-0080 $$ (regular menu), $$$$ (kaiseki)
Besides consistent, impressively fresh sashimi and sushi -- like unexpected rolls and geoduck -- Murata sets out a range of Japanese specialties, including seafood-dense nabe stews for two, unusual grilled fish dishes and a kasu cod that makes "melting in your mouth" not a cliche but a literal description. Tempura is equal parts air and crispness, and it lures with nonstandard elements such as soft-shell crab.
Recommended: Tempura, especially king-crab tempura; black cod in sake paste; grilled salmon collar; sushi; nabe stews (for more than one); and, if you're feeling expansive, multicourse kaiseki banquets. Limited but adequate beer and sake selection.
[ Asian ]
[ Southeast Asian ]
Ping editor's pick
102 N.W. Fourth Ave.
503-229-7464 ; pingpdx.com $-$$
Photo by Lee Emmert
It has the soul of the 1917 Hung Far Low Building, the look of a Japanese drinking club and the green sensibility of indie Portland. It pays respect to Chinatown's past but looks to the future with food, art and design from local cultures all over Asia, like you'd find today in modern-day Bangkok or Tokyo. But mostly, as customers sit at the sleek counter inhaling pork bone tea, Vietnamese short ribs and black sesame ice cream, Ping feels exciting: the most daring, challenging, intriguing restaurant to open in some time.
Recommended: The menu draws significantly from Singapore and Malaysia, with some rare discoveries from China, like ju pa bao, a sublimely brined pork chop on a tiny, buttery bun. But don't think Chinese-style or family-style eating. This is high-level snacking, Ã la drinking houses all over Asia. Plan to spend $20-$30 a person. Meet friends, have fun over drinks and eat some good food, perhaps pork collar with tangy-tart dipping sauce; skewers of spicy baby octopus; rice soup with pork meatballs, paired with super-heady salted duck egg salad; and kaipatam toast slathered with thick custard jam.
[ Pan-Asian ]
Saucebox 214 S.W. Broadway
503-241-3393; saucebox.com $$-$$$
Sometimes you go to a place because it makes you feel cool. In downtown Portland, Saucebox is it. The vibe: high-energy Hong Kong happy hour. Bruce Carey's restaurants are always detail-oriented, and in the cacophony of Saucebox's sleek black bar and beyond, libations are the thing. The house cocktail menu lists more than a hundred, with rising talent Kyle Billings pouring; a glass "shrine" reverently houses liquors, cordials and infusions; and the daily happy hour and late-night DJ scenes are off the hook.
Recommended: None of this means you should skip dinner. Just order a Saucebox signature, like the Javanese roasted salmon, a pupu platter or even sushi, and enjoy the action from the dining balcony above the bar. The sedate white dining room offers sit-down dinners -- ideal on an expense account, what with $28 entrees. Cocktails put an emphasis on fun. Hit the Thai Basil Gimlet or the chile-infused vodka Kickboxer -- as the passion fruit and raspberry purees meld, the Lava Lamp-like liquid entertains.
[ Thai-Som Tum ]
Som tum: the spicy, tangy, shredded green papaya salad that often plays Fatone to pad Thai's Timberlake. It may not be as popular, but it has a fervent cult following (and plenty of hidden talent). Now it's time for the Weekly Yelp to get in sync with Portland's sizzling som scene!
A self-admitted "picky psycho about som tum," Bree C attests that a good salad "brings you up with spiciness, swirls happiness around all of your senses, then eases you down smoothly into tangy pleasure." Where does she fill her tum-my? No question: Thai Abode. Meanwhile, Phil M swears by the "namesake dish at SomTum Gai Yang. Max it out on spice – it won't disappoint! The salad is sweet and crunchy, with a fiery build." But Soi9 stoked Sandra W's mouth-flames. The salad was so hot there that even "Mr. Macho Guy, 'I-can-handle-anything'" (aka her hubby) ended up "sweating and twitching" from the heat.
If you crave a Lao/Isaan version (think saltier and spicier), have no fear. Pok Pok's signature salad will, as Anita H warns, "definitely give you a HUGE kick in the pants." For an adventure, try it "Isaan style" with fermented salt crab and dry chilis. Over at Chiang Mai, Sylvia S swears "the menu reads like something out of a Thai restaurant jackpot; featuring lots of interesting, rare options" like som tum with choice of pickled black crab or traditional dried shrimp. And Kesone Thai Lao Bistro offers up Thai and Lao variations as well. Andrew R reports, it's his "ace in the hole… as far as neighborhood restaurants go." Need to cool your palate? "The salad rolls are works of art." We can roll with that.
Down in Sellwood, Jade Bistro And Teahouse serves up some "dirt cheap" som tum that makes Tyler A say yum. "The salad isn't as spicy" as most places, but he reckons it offers a "perfect crunch" to offset the succulent grilled shrimp. A crustacean sensation! When Susan W is faced with som tum at Red Onion, she cries, "Holy moly, Batman! When these guys say 'very spicy,' they are not messing around." Go Laotian for an added kick… Onions always make us cry.
And in SE Portland, Lang Baan (authentic Thai food)
[ Late-Nite ]
It's late and you're staring down tomorrow's impending hangover. Are you seriously considering a greasy meal slapped together with a caulking gun at a fast food joint? Stop right there! This Weekly Yelp is here to save the day (or night) with a list of Portland's bona fide fifth meal grub.
Need to soak up those drinks? Central serves full dinner until 2:30am on weekends and Rick W reports, "The food is amazing. Try the rabbit and kale – it's spicy with just enough fattiness to create an unctuous, undeniably delicious meal. The cocktails are well crafted. And the ambience? Delightfully rustic." For another fancy option downtown, rock with Jeff M to Lúc Lác for their namesake dish. This "tender beef tenderloin, seared with Hennessey, beurre de France, garlic, and black peppercorn, is served over mixed greens with tomato fried rice." And that's offered until the wee hours? How'd we get so Lúc-y?
Sometimes you just need midnight pie. Kade M's go-to at Hammy's is "fresh mozz, bacon, tomato, and basil on a garlic and oil base." They even offer "all sorts of vegan options, like cashew cheese pizza or whatever those crazy veegs are dreaming up these days." Meanwhile, Eric L has "no problem downing four pieces" of Sizzle Pie's "oh-so yummy pizza in one sitting. And these slices are HUGE!" His favorite items? "The Ol' Dirty, Pig Destroyer and Heart Attack Man." Those'll annihilate your hunger. Mary H never suffers a missed connection at Lonesome's: "Not only are these pizzas bomb at 2am when one is bombed, but they also happen to be amazing for dinner with a bottle of red wine and jazz." Need a dining buddy?
"Everyone knows the dirtier the taco shop, the better the food," and Beth N finds her burrito at Javier's. It's "well-seasoned, simple and flavorful." But Nicholas N goes for dogs at his Zach's Shack after-party: "It's within stumbling distance of Tanker and Space Room and is open late!" The "John Popper with jalapeños, cream cheese and Mae Ploy" alongside "a PBR tall boy" always hit the spot for him. And Joanna Y blows it up at Big Bertha's, "the perfect late-night yum-factory in the 'Bar-muda Triangle.' Think classic falafel and lamb gyros with upgraded extras like whole garlic cloves and feta for maximum flavor." We'll toast tomorrow's mimosa to that!
[ Indian ]
Looking for some solid fare from the subcontinent? Don't worry – you don't have to go to Bombay the hard way. Just follow along as your Weekly Yelp dishes up a Delhi-cious buffet of P-town's Indian eats.
Erin N grabs her "takeout container full of yum" directly from Mum's. This little cart dishes out Indian food with a "South African side to it, which is different but tasty." Try the garlic pork – it's the pig's oink! But Robert H touts The Tao of Tea as "a great spot for a date with your yoga crush." Aside from world-class teas, they offer "light and tasty Indian food." Case in point? The besan ka pura: a chickpea crêpe, filled with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cumin. Mandana S is a huge fan of pani puri, which she describes as "sexy little pillows made of angel wings, stuffed with potato crack and topped with liquid love." And Bombay Chaat House carries "the best in all of Portland." Sounds bomb!
Chowing down on a huge portion of tofu dahl at Real Taste of India, Mac M yells, "Holy sh*t! These are some damn fine vittles!" He's talkin' "slow roasted lentils, perfectly cooked basmati rice, flavorful tofu, ginger, and garlic." And Melissa V digs Abhiruchi for dinner: "All of the dishes we ordered, and especially my lamb kharai, were super flavorful and fresh. Plus, they offer hot, fresh naan and super attentive, friendly service." There's naan better than that.
"Appearances can be deceiving," but as far as Christopher J N is concerned, at Gandhi's, "the bills stay safe in your pocket and the tasty food safe in your gullet. Imagine trays full of delicious Indian fare inside a mini food court." Meanwhile, Devon D makes a passage to East India Co for "five-course lunch specials." Set a midday date – you won't "even come close to finishing and will get out of there for $30" for two. When it comes to the dishes, "the tandoori lamb chops steal the show." But Aaron W doubles down on Roshambo's moong dahl – "yellow moong beans with spinach and spices, topped with house-made ghee. It's a hearty, delicious dish and the traditional Indian spices really amplify the experience." Korma-n get it!
[ Cigars ]
Let's be blunt: you don't have to be Fidel Castro (or even wear an ironic Castro hat) to appreciate a fine stogie. In fact, Portland has a fairly robusto cigar scene notwithstanding the '09 smoking ban. And your Weekly Yelp is lighting up a list of spots to puff, puff, pass those oh-so sweet cee-gars.
Need some seriously "fine cigars or quality tobacco smoking paraphernalia"? Frank L reports that Rich's "is your store. No fancy frills, just smokes and a ton of magazines." And the salespeople don't make "you feel like a chump for lack of cigar expertise." Join Jenn A for a smoky treat at 82nd Avenue Tobacco and Pipe. They boast a "friendly and helpful staff," and a "plush cigar lounge" with a flat-screen for in-store puffery. And Lena W admits, "I don't smoke big fancy cigars or pipes, but I do really enjoy mini cigars. Lucky me, Broadway Cigar has a nice little shelf of quality stogies that aren't nearly as intimidating as the big ones in the humidor." That's some sweet leaf.
Often in need of advice, Laura H appreciates that the folks at Timber Valley Tobaccos "are very knowledgeable" about their wares. Plus "they help you find the best deal for what you're looking for." Pearl Specialty may be, according to Melissa P, a "fancy schmancy store full of amazing, delicious booze," but it doesn't stop there. The well-stocked walk-in humidor seals the deal. And 11th Avenue Liquor is "one of the most organized and efficiently run liquor stores" Heather H has ever visited. Aside from the "wide selection of booze and mixers," the cigar offerings are top-shelf. Even aficionados should be able to find some succulent, smoke-sticks here.
Of course, "places where you can smoke cigars indoors," which, in Ethan D's "opinion is the best way to smoke cigars, are few and far between. Places like Greater Trumps are a Godsend." Not only do they "serve alcohol, but you can bring your own cigars from home" to enjoy in the bar. Or, retreat from the hustle of the city with Mark H into the "bar in the basement" of Kells. This smoky spot is where he finds "a great selection of beer, whiskey and cigars." Lastly, Matt W recognizes that El Gaucho's "filet mignon is the best out there," but add in "classy service, romantic atmosphere" and an upscale cigar room hidden in back and he's set. Roll out!
[ Soda Fountains ]
It's a well-settled fact that booze is a healthy part of a complete breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start your day the soft drink way. This Weekly Yelp is digging deep into Portland's beverage scene to find fountains and house-made suds that even a (soda) jerk would love.
"Part novelty and part delicious," Fizz has Shannon H feeling bubbly. Offering an array of ice cream flavors – "salted caramel, anyone?" – she recommends adding a scoop to their fountain pop. The syrups are made with real cane sugar and none of that high-fructose malarkey! Eva A appreciates that Fairley's Pharmacy offers "a less rushed attitude" than most modern script dispensaries. But what really makes it special is the "stuff your typical pharmacy might have had 75 years ago," like a functioning soda fountain! Peter T feels, "visiting Pattie's Home Plate Café is like going into an old-time diner while under the influence of something strong." Why so quirky? The costumes, Avon counter, "a jukebox with 45s that haven't been changed since the mid '60s," and some interesting fizzy beverages.
Craving straightforward sodas? Kaitlin P really loves the house-made ginger and vanilla bubblies up at Firehouse. "The flavors are crisp and not overly sweet," she reckons, and pair well with pizza that's "simple yet full of flavor." Plus Tommy T attests, Pyro Pizza pours up "a great handmade soda selection" courtesy of Give Pizza A Chance, adding that they "rival most sodas out there." With rotating flavors like natural cola, sarsaparilla or root beer, ginger, Thai coffee, and basil-lime, his cup runneth over.
When Megan T needs a "nice change of pace from the standard diet cola," she slurps up a special at Blueplate. Think "homemade sodas from the fountain," like an anise-hibiscus blend, alongside classic American comfort food. Meanwhile, Melissa V makes tracks for the "delicious drinking vinegars" that Whiskey Soda Lounge makes in-house. Her recent choices were "pomegranate and pineapple. Both have that nice, tart, funky edge, and go great with the fish sauce wings," which are also a must-try. Frannie H has fun with one of The Original's "fancy sodas" brewed on site. She digs the "ginger-lemongrass concoction – such a clean and refreshing flavor! It's nice and bubbly and not too sweet." Spike it with booze for a couple bucks more!
[ Food Carts ]
Contrary to the official words of House Stark, we can rightly say that spring is coming. In fact, if you couldn't tell by the weather, it's already here, which means food cart season is right around the corner. This Weekly Yelp has a truckload of info on some of Bridge City's most recent mobile menus.
Bread And Broth (Downtown)
Steve M reminisces, "Back when I was a kid, my grandma used to describe cold blustery weather as 'Soup Weather'," and we get "soup weather an awful lot in Portland." Good thing there's "someone downtown who makes soup as good as both of my grandmas."
Rescue Bagels (Downtown)
"These bagels are seriously the best thing to ever happen to bread," boasts Michelle H. "They're chewy and dense, without a wack texture. Plus, "the option to get a bagel breakfast sando for less than $5" is a real saving grace.
Pizza Box (Inner-SE Industrial)
With a wood-fired oven in the cart, it's no wonder "the crust is cooked perfectly and the ingredients are nice and fresh." Coleen M offers a protip: "It's not fun to stand in the rain to wait for your pie, so grab a drink at the brewery that's right there and then eat your pizza with a microbrew."
Okinoshima (SW 3rd & Stark Pod)
Lawrie M calls this the "best okonomiyaki in Portland. Warm, savory, seafoody goodness perfect for toting back to your office on a rainy day. Your salivating co-workers will be jealous (or think you're a sadist) as you awkwardly chopstick goopy chunks of meat and magic into your gaping maw."
Garden Monsters (Alberta Arts)
Misty B gets all teary-eyed for the "vegan, meaty, and gluten-free offerings" at this salad cart. Her fave? "The steak caesar salad (Caesar the Great). It's dressed perfectly, the croutons are crunchy and well seasoned, the bacon is crisp and smoky, and the steak bites are juicy and full of flavor!" Rawr!
[ Wine Bars ]
Sure, getting sauced on PBR and playing Big Buck Hunter is a great way to spend a Saturday. But what if you're looking to class it up while you smash it up? Well, this Weekly Yelp is taking flight with some of Portland's most di-vine wine bars.
When Kari S needs to find the vine, she heads to ENSO, where the "small batches of wine just taste better." Sip on that alcoholic grape juice in the unpretentious, "hang-with-your-buddies atmosphere." And Mikhail H may keep Kir close to her heart for their "amazing selection of wines," but also finds, "The food that comes out of the tiny kitchen is small but mighty!" Amber A takes her wine junkets to Journeys for the "cozy, homey and relaxing" feel. "If you're really looking to hang out," she recs you "grab a seat in the back room and pull a board game from the game shelf." Play date, anyone?
To sate her cravings, Patti F puts Noble Rot on her list: "Big comfy booths? Check. Amazing view of the city lights? Check. Good happy hour? Check. Great wine selection? Check." A regal repose. Meanwhile, Every Day Wine is anything but ordinary, according to David R. It "aims to keep affordable, really good wines on hand. In addition to wines by the glass, the flights are great ways of going on mini wine tours without prying your butt off the bar stool." Abbie H offers her ode: "I. Love. Red. Wine. It makes me happy. And the knowledge of the people that work at Coppia has helped me understand pairings and my palate." Decant beat that!
For all you "vino fans looking to expand your knowledge and repertoire," Jim S swears by Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro. Why? Simply put, "their commitment to sharing Oregon wines," by offering "weekly free tastings," periodic "cellar tastings sponsoring local wineries, and pairing dinners." Tiffany B sips her cares away at Bar Avignon. It's a "sexy place in SE to have some wine and talk about the end of one's day at a quaint, candlelit table. The wine list is a big one," so get pouring! And Katherine K admits she's "in complete lust with robust, full-bodied, spicy red wines," and Barilé fulfills her every fantasy. Plus, the beer snob husband even gets to come and enjoy "a small, yet diverse tap list." Someone's got her crush on.
[ Old School ]
The Weekly Yelp
Portland's Old-School Eats Boccone Dolce from Papa Haydn – Iryna K Tired from chasing the latest food trends? Rest your weary feet at one of Portland's tried-and-true dining destinations. Here are some of Yelpers' favorite restaurants to have stood the test of time. Alexis Restaurant 93 reviews Old Town - Chinatown
215 W Burnside St, Portland, OR
Greek, Mediterranean
“We both had the avgolemono soup which is a delicious chicken broth, with orzo pasta, egg, and lemon juice. On a previous visit I had the octopus marinated in olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of garlic. It was perfect, not chewy or rubbery but just right.”
Tamara C., Portland, OR
Huber’s Cafe 478 reviews Southwest Portland
411 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR
Lounges, American (Traditional)
“A quick pour of Triple-Sec, and a generous helping of Bacardi 151 preceded the fire. With a quick flick of a lighter the glass was ignited, and a very tall pour of Kahlua proceeded. After the show, it was topped up with coffee and a lovely top of cream.”
Dan N., Forest Grove, OR
Jake’s Famous Crawfish 806 reviews Downtown
401 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Seafood
“Come in prepared to indulge, schmooze, and soak up the atmosphere. I had a delicious pacific salmon sauté, with oyster and shiitake mushrooms in a hazelnut cream sauce. Some raspberries on top and my prosecco on the side cut through the cream beautifully.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Papa Haydn 182 reviews Southeast Portland
5829 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR
American (New), Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts
“I've been coming to Papa's since 1979 and have never had bad service or bad food. Six of us ordered six different desserts. They were all excellent but the party favorites were the creme brûlée, the boccone dolce, and the coconut macaroons to go.”
Holly D., Portland, OR
RingSide Steakhouse 436 reviews Northwest
2165 W Burnside St, Portland, OR
Steakhouses
“We tried the bone-in filet topped with crab in a béarnaise sauce. Delicious. The topping was very delicate and a perfect complement to the meat. We ordered a side of brussels sprouts, abacony, mustardy, slightly sweet roasty bowl of goodness.”
Jamie C., Vancouver, WA
Roake’s 72 reviews 18019 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Burgers
“Coney dogs, burgers, milkshakes, and fries, oh my! This place hasn't changed much since it opened in '38, but the food is food stuff. Dining room is not much unless you've seen the inside of a sardine can, so call ahead and place your to-go order.”
Josh C., Clackamas, OR
Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen 206 reviews Hazelwood
10519 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Steakhouses, Seafood
“You can get a 20 oz t-bone for less than $30 and it includes soup/salad, a side dish, and a scoop of ice cream. Not to mention the veggies with sour cream sauce and bread with garlic butter that comes to the table before your meal.”
Mike W., Portland, OR
Veritable Quandary 775 reviews Southwest Portland
1220 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR
American (New), Breakfast & Brunch
“A friend of mine and I came for lunch, and luckily got a seat at the bar without a reservation. I got the duck confit, and holy hell — that dish blew my mind! I was so full about two-thirds of the way in, I still had to polish it off!”
Ophelia Y., Portland, OR
[ Pi ]
The Weekly Yelp
Portland
Pi Day In Portland Happy Pi Day, Portland! – Sarah C Pi day (3.14) is almost upon us, and what better way to make all your food-filled mathematical dreams come true! We're here to help you calculate the most efficient method to overindulge your way through all the sweet and savory pies PDX has to offer! Don't miss this crumbly affair. Banning’s Restaurant & Pie House 158 reviews Southwest Portland
11477 SW Pacific Hwy, Portland, OR
Desserts, American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch
“It's a 24-hour diner, serving exactly the sort of food you expect. Banning's pies are excellent. I'm fond of the pecan and the mudd pies, but both of the apple pies are excellent as well.”
Bryant B., Portland, OR
East Glisan Pizza Lounge 167 reviews Northeast Portland
8001 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR
Lounges, Pizza
“Awesome energy and a stellar pizza there. Go. Go now. The pepperoni isn't any ordinary, run-of-the-mill sort of pepperoni. This is tasty, and made with pesto, and the crust! Oh the crust is crisped to perfection!”
Taylor J., Lake Oswego, OR
Imperial 546 reviews Southwest Portland
410 SW Broadway, Portland, OR
American (New), American (Traditional)
“Their dessert chef is a pro, and made a mean brown butter pecan pie. We paired it with their housemade honey ice cream and the flavor combo was out of this world! They serve up big portions too, so split a dessert and take a nap afterwards.”
Meg R., Portland, OR
Lauretta Jean’s 130 reviews Southeast Portland
3402 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Bakeries, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
“I've tried many of the sweet pies and my favorites are the fruit-based, such as the tart cherry or blueberry. The chocolate cream is indulgent and delicious. The crust is great, flaky, and crusty but unwilling to break when you need it most.”
John R., Portland, OR
Pacific Pie Co 293 reviews Central Eastside
1520 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR
Bakeries, Cafes, Australian
“Wow! We had the steak and cheese pie... The crust was flaky and buttery and I love the little animal cut-out they bake onto the top of it. It's so cute I almost didn't want to eat it. But I did eat it... in like under three minutes. So, so good!”
Sabrina M., Portland, OR
Paiku 18 reviews North Portland
7316 N Lombard Ave, Portland, OR
Food Trucks
“I saw they were offering a blueberry/strawberry/rhubarb pie. When our order arrived, there was an extra slice of their chocolate banana pie! Why? Because they didn't feel the two (pretty decent) slices were big enough — wow! Also, thanks, Paiku!”
Tiffany L., Portland, OR
The Pie Spot 216 reviews Northeast Portland
521 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Desserts, Cafes
“Choose from the traditional Bradley apple pie or for something more familiar yet unknown as a pie, the s'mores pie! Love that this place is open late night and totally satisfies a craving of something sweet.”
Jermel-Lynn Q., Portland, OR
Random Order Coffeehouse & Bakery 312 reviews Northeast Portland
1800 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Bars
“I had the chicken pot pie there and it was absolutely delicious. Succulent chicken chunks with all the required vegetables, the lovely inner-gravy, and that wonderful crust. The crust was perhaps the best feature in that it has a wonderful cornmeal taste.”
John R., Portland, OR
7 Rooftop Bars With a View (Discover Portland)
A sampler tray of beer on the rooftop bar at 10 Barrel Brewing. Photo courtesy of 10 Barrel Brewing.
By Jon Shadel
What’s better than drinking? Drinking outside, of course. And what’s better than drinking outside? Sipping a stiff one while lazing on a roof — ideally a lofty vantage from where you can take in the varied scenery of Oregon’s wild nature blending in with the urban fabric of the city.
Since one of Portland’s claims to fame is its hyped craft bar and brewery scene, it’s no surprise that we’ve got plenty of patios and rooftops to choose from. And each offers a different take on the al fresco boozing experience — some with the best views, some with the best brews (or wine, cocktails, etc.). But there are a few that hit that sweet spot.
We’ve undertaken that grueling task of identifying the best locales for hanging out on a roof with a few good friends, visiting every bar with an open rooftop and asking ourselves a few simple questions at each stop: Sweet views? Yep. Great drinks? Mhm. Let’s just say we’ve done the hard work for you.
Altabira City Tavern Where: 1021 N.E. Grand Ave. #600, altabira.com
The view: The unassuming Hotel Eastlund, which stands just a few stories above street level, might seem an unexpected host for one of the city’s best rooftop bars, but Altabira City Tavern, a relative newcomer to the bar scene, offers sweeping views from its sizeable rooftop patio of the sunlit spires of the Oregon Convention Center and the humble skyline of downtown Portland.
Drink this: While its concise tap list may pale in comparison with other bars, Altabira offers a well-curated selection of 16 local craft brews and cider, as well as cocktails and wine.
10 Barrel Brewing Where: 1411 N.W. Flanders St., 10barrel.com
The view: The newest rooftop to open in the city unsurprisingly ranks among the most crowded. This Bend-based brewery first welcomed guests to its rooftop bar in early 2016, and it’s been a buzzing spot on sunny days ever since — offering a modest view of the glossy condos and converted warehouses of the upscale Pearl District.
Drink this: As one of Oregon’s most well-known breweries, opt for a sampler try to try a little bit of everything on the menu. But if you have to settle on just one drink, don’t miss their flagship beer, the Apocalypse IPA.
Noble Rot Where: 1111 E. Burnside St., noblerotpdx.com
The view: This fourth-floor wine bar on East Burnside Street offer sweeping views of downtown and Southeast Portland — especially at night, when it’s just about the only place you can swirl a glass of local pinot while taking in the twinkly lights of the city’s humble skyline backed by the dark silhouette of the West Hills.
Drink this: The ever-changing wine menu features standout labels from around the world. Try a flight to get a taste for what’s on offer at the moment. Their drinks menu also includes cocktails, beer and cider.
Departure Restaurant + Lounge Where: 525 S.W. Morrison St., departureportland.com
The view: The only rooftop bar in Southwest is perched on top of The Nines, a ritzy hotel attracting a primped and perfumed crowd taking to the roof for unmatched views of Pioneer Courthouse Square. It’s here that the Portland’s true scale reveals itself — the height restrictions on buildings means even the density of the downtown center feels intimate, manageable and small, but the buzz of this always-busy, fashionable bar makes clear this is a trendsetting city — or, perhaps more appropriately said, a small town on steroids.
Drink this: The kitchen shines under the watchful eye of Top Chef-contestant Gregory Gourdet, and a menu of fine craft cocktails pairs deliciously with his pan-Asian fare.
Radio Room Where: 1101 N.E. Alberta St., radioroompdx.com
The view: Formerly a gas station, the patio and adjoining second-floor rooftop bar area teem with activity on summer weekends, when locals from this artsy, fiercely independent enclave in Northeast Portland turn out in droves to sip drinks from a concise menu of craft beer, cocktails and wine. Bell towers of St. Andrew Catholic Church, an icon of the neighborhood, dominate the westward view from the top—a great spot to soak in the last few rays of sun on a sunny evening.
Drink this: The drink menu is no showstopper, but it is nonetheless a crowd-pleaser. The craft cocktails creations are the clear standout, specifically the Lavender Gin Fizz, a twist on the classic, but shaken with lavender bitters.
The Society Hotel Where: 203 N.W. 3rd Ave., thesocietyhotel.com
The view: This hybrid boutique hotel and upscale hostel, which is housed in a Victorian-era brick building in Old Town/Chinatown, doesn’t really have a top-floor bar. Why is it on the list? Well, it does have a rooftop terrace with commanding views of central Portland. To enjoy alfresco drinks here, guests can order cocktails from the cafe in the lobby, where you’ll also find rotating local beers on tap as well as a full espresso bar.
Drink this: This third-wave cafe meets craft bar means you’ve got plenty of options, but you can’t go wrong with the menu of cocktails, which are the minimum purchase required to gain access to the rooftop area.
Portland City Grill 111 S.W. Fifth Ave., 30th floor
503-450-0030; portlandcitygrill.com $$$
The check may be expansive, but so are the menu and the eye-popping, sky-high view. Options range from upscale steaks to a full sushi bar and a range of Asian-inflected dishes. And yes, that is Mount Hood behind your pinot noir.
Recommended: Sushi, from a list wide and deep; steaks and grilled meats, such as ginger-hoisin-glazed lamb chops; baked-to-order cookies; chocolate mousse. Have a cocktail: This is, after all, the city's most bustling after-work nosh-and-cruise spot; wines by the glasses, mysteriously served in a tiny carafe, as if the gulps and sips were especially chosen for you. And lastly, the happy hour menu (until 6pm) if full of great food deals.
[ TEA ]
The Weekly Yelp Photo by Simon K – Smith Teamaker Portland Spills The Tea The Local Yelp - Portland
We have a tea-lightful list for you this week. Whether you like it hot, cold, bubbly, or in a latte we’ve got Portland's top-notch teas. Snuggle up with a big cup and bookmark these beauties!
Jasmine Pearl Tea Company 72 reviews Tea Rooms, Coffee & Tea Northeast Portland, 724 NE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR Chris O. wrote: “The selections very good from black to oolong, to green, white, and even herbal infusions. I also saw some teas I hadn't seen before which was a nice surprise. All the teas are out in tins that you can open to see and smell. This is very helpful.”
Smith Teamaker 80 reviews Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms Northwest, 1626 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR Amiee H. wrote: “I tried the tea flight, which is four different teas for $10... The tea flight is served on a platter, you get one large cup of each tea, a small sample of what the tea leaves look like, a little description card of the tea, and two little almond cookies.”
Stash Tea Retail Store & Tea Bar 32 reviews Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms North Portland, 3972 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR Jessica S. wrote: “My purchases today entailed: Mangosteen Green Tea, Coconut Mango Oolong, and Organic Lavender Tulsi Herbal Tea. All three different in their own respects but equally delicious when steeped and sipped out of whatever container suits your sipping pleasures.”
Tea Bar 40 reviews Bubble Tea, Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms Southeast Portland, 4330 SE Division St, Portland, OR Isaac H. wrote: “As far as boba tea in PDX, this is by far my favorite. The tapioca pearls are always well balanced, chewy, and just the right amount of sweetness... I recommend the vanilla rose, but if you like green tea, the matcha boba is also amazing as well.”
Tea Chai Te 284 reviews Coffee & Tea, Bubble Tea, Kombucha Alphabet District, 734 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Mellissa B. wrote: “They have over 120 different kinds of tea blends including Chai, green, black, white, oolong, and herbal remedy types... Teas are brewed less sweet than other places around town (thank you!), so speak up if you're a sugar fiend and they'll help you out.”
[ SANDWICHES ]
The Weekly Yelp
Photo by Gabe H – Shut Up And Eat's Italian Grinder Happy Sandwich Day! The Local Yelp - Portland
It can be simple or elaborate. Any way you slice it, there's nothing like some good ol' sandwich satisfaction.
Block And Board 59 reviews Beer, Wine & Spirits, Butcher, Sandwiches Southwest Portland, 8421 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR Michael M. wrote: “Two words: Bánh mì. I don't know what kind of black magic sorcery they use to make that pork taste so good, but that is a bomb sandwich... Top it off with a veggie and pickle mix and a fresh baked baguette... This was a top-notch gourmet sandy.”
Brass Tacks Sandwiches 162 reviews Sandwiches North Portland, 3535 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR Katherine V. wrote: “Warm ciabatta bread filled with lots of turkey and big chucks of perfectly-ripe avocado were in total harmony with the well-seasoned tomato jam. Best turkey sandwich I've had in a long time. Also, very fulling. Also — also! — comes with potato chips.”
Charlie’s Deli 103 reviews Delis, Sandwiches, Food Delivery Services Old Town - Chinatown, 22 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR Jenny P. wrote: “If eating an entire reuben from Charlie's is wrong, I don't wanna be right... There is nothing else I could think as I was enjoying the perfect texture, crazy good sauerkraut and better yet- flavorful dressing that was NOT gloppy and too much.” Start Order Make Reservation
Kingsland Kitchen 90 reviews Sandwiches, British, Breakfast & Brunch Southwest Portland, SW Oak 5th, Portland, OR James M. wrote: “I got the 'Little Britain' sandwich and it was one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had... The sandwich has a fried egg, banger pork sausage, applewood smoked bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, tomato, and HP brown sauce.”
Meat Cheese Bread 337 reviews Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch Southeast Portland, 1406 SE Stark St, Portland, OR Christy H. wrote: “I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with aioli and broccolini. It was amazingly full of flavor, juice like you wouldn't believe, and it was a total mess of yumminess! Loved this one but you may not want to get it on the first date.”
PBJ’s Grilled 176 reviews Sandwiches, American (Traditional) Central Eastside, SE 12th Ave & SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR Katherine C. wrote: “The grilled spicy peanut, coconut shrimp, basil, and orange marmalade sandwich was to die for. Deliciously oily with a wonderful combination of flavors. Sandwich is big enough for two meals for me. This is a creative food cart creation at its best.”
Shut Up and Eat 622 reviews Sandwiches, Italian Creston-Kenilworth, 3848 SE Gladstone St, Portland, OR David F. wrote: “Shut Up And Eat is home to my current favorite sandwich, the Broad St. Bomber. The steak is chopped into pieces that are just the right size... The cheesy goodness is evenly melted throughout, and I highly recommend getting hot and sweet peppers.”
Taste Tickler 202 reviews Sandwiches, Asian Fusion Northeast Portland, 1704 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR Shannon T. wrote: “Their mighty sandwiches will make your hands feel small. It's not some small wimpy sandwich that you can easily take a bite out of. It's massive and often overflowing. Lots of meat, lots of bread, lots of veggies, lots of cheese... A lot of everything!”
[ MEDITERRANEAN ]
$$
It used to be you crossed the river to the east side for Blazers games and the airport. That’s it,” That is, until 2000, when a cluster of low-rent storefronts along 28th Avenue near East Burnside triggered a decisive shift in the city’s dining geography. Upstart chefs traded traditional, rank-and-file gigs in downtown’s big kitchens for their own grittier “shoestring” operations—and dragged the epicenter of PDX dining across the Willamette.
In 2002, Navarre redefined “local” eating with a checklist of inspired European small plates conjured from chef John Taboada’s weekly farm box.
[ HOTEL RESTAURANTS ]
The Woodlark Hotel will unveil a new look for a key downtown block.
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- Lucia's Imperial
- Heathman's Headwaters
- Hilton's Executive Towers Jackrabbit - The whole pig's head (right) is one of Jackrabbit's "Shared Suppers." Alternative suppers include braised rabbit with 80 cloves of garlic, and a $110 pin bone steak with seasonal vegetables and bone marrow dip. In the photo: slow-roasted pig head, fried pigs ear, and chicory salad, served alongside "brainaise" (a Cosentino signature), and pork-fat salsa verde ($50) Image: Benjamin Tepler
- Dossier's
- Opal - From Dossier’s inviting lobby, guests can see into Opal, the newest destination from Portland’s acclaimed Lightning Bar Collective. Windows offer a bartender’s eye view into an architectural jewel box serving up expertly crafted classic cocktails and a food menu of light, sharable fare with plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices.
- Omertà - Tucked behind Opal is Omertà, an intimate 50-seat restaurant dedicated to celebrating the rich tradition of Italian American cuisine, helmed by Chef Mark Barnett. Here, guests can expect to find delicious, classically prepared food served in a setting that is simultaneously elegant, comfortable and unpretentious.
- Bullard at the Woodlark (coming Spring 2018)
THE PEARL
- Bluehour was one of the 1st in the Pearl. It specializes in contemporary "big night out" meals, such as grilled lobster w/brandy sauce & pickled green strawberries, or grilled rib-eye w/kale & duck-fat emulsion.
- DESCHUTES BREWERY Elk Burger or Spicy Fried Chicken and Waffle*
Inspired by the cayenne-infused Nashville-style hot chicken that’s become famous nationwide in recent years, Deschutes’s version is served over a house-made sourdough waffle with smoked provolone, kale-fennel-pecan salad, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Pairs with: The brewery’s spruce-inflected Pinedrop IPA offers a crisp, slightly citrusy balance to the sweet fire of this delicious dish. 210 NW 11th Ave // 503-296-4906 // deschutesbrewery.com - Eleni's - Greek feast at Eleni's in the Pearl (112 NW 9th Ave)
- HOLSTEINS El Caliente Burger*
This two-fisted work of carnal ecstasy derives its mild burn factor from a layer of pickled jalapeños and melted pepper Jack cheese. Crispy pork chicharonnes, mashed avocado, and slightly tangy tequila-cilantro mayo lend depth and texture.
Pairs with: There’s nothing subtle, nor saintly, about Holsteins’s hedonistic Bridgeton Birthday Cake milkshake, which is exactly why we love it! 1139 NW Couch St // 503-616-4321 // holsteinsburgers.com - Irving Street Kitchen is a southern-inspired joint featuring such foods as fried chicken and smoked pork chops w/black garlic applesauce.
- Oven & Shaker where you can order a wood-fired fennel-sausage with chilies pizza and sip on a pineapple trainwreck (rum & pineapple juice cut with spicy ginger syrup).
- ¡Oba! Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Rellenos*
Renowned for its creative Latin American cuisine, ¡Oba! focuses more on bold flavors than searing heat. But this piquant appetizer that’s a favorite during happy hour in the lounge packs some punch and couldn’t be more delicious—the smoked bacon and chorizo–cream cheese filling create quite the flavor fiesta.
Pairs with: What’s ¡Oba!’s spiciest dish? It’s actually a cocktail—the habanero mango martini. This zippy elixir contains habanero-infused Monopolowa vodka, fresh mango, house sour mix, and cilantro. 555 NW 12th Ave // 503-228-6161 // obarestaurant.com - Andina for Peruvian Tapas.
- Metrovina is a top spot for serious diners with an oenophilic (love of wine) bent.
- Via Delizia or Mio Gelato, where you may choose from their menu of panini sandwiches and save the gelato for dessert.
- Prasad Vegan Cafe (925 NW Davis St, )
- Parish, where you can wake up to a plate of braised rabbit hash and a Bloody Mary made with pickled Thai chili pepper & garlic.
- River Pig Saloon - Rare Whiskeys (529 NW 13th) - A concept of the lumbermen (River Pigs) who worked W. Burnside (Skid Road) in the old days. "They were brutes who enjoyed their booze and good times." This watering hole feels connected to those River Pigs. Serves Lunch & Dinner
- Verde Cocina (shown right) Panzita del Puerco con Fuego*
At this cheerful Mexican eatery, chef-owner Noe Garnica isn’t kidding about the con fuego part of this hearty appetizer. It might just be the hottest dish in the Pearl District, thanks to the house-made infierno salsa doused over crispy chunks of pork belly with potatoes, onions, and greens.
Pairs with: Cool off by quaffing a tangy Tamarind Sour with Bulleit bourbon and fresh lime. 524 NW 11th Ave // 503-894-9321 // verdecocinamarket.com
PAGE 2
Portland Restaurant SUGGESTIONS
Best Restaurants: Downtown Portland & BeyondPage 2
Food + Drink: Eclectic
Mother's Bistro & Bar212 S.W. Stark St.
503-464-1122; mothersbistro.com $$
You make the trek home to the family hearth after a long absence and you don't want trendy, edgy or experimental. You want familiar, homey, comforting. You want, in short, the sort of fare that Mother's have been serving with reliable skill and care for years. Chef-owner Lisa Schroeder is a busy presence in the kitchen, dining room and even the swank Velvet Lounge bar. Her gracious touch, like the parlor-style furnishings and setting, gives you the essence of the place: It's all designed to make you feel at home.
Recommended: The standards always satisfy: matzo soup, pot-roast plate, chicken and dumplings, chopped liver, mac and cheese. But wandering in the less familiar portions of the menu can pay off, too: fried calamari with a garlicky sweet-and-sour sauce, a perfect Parisian bistro-style steak frites, Asian-accented pulled pork. Cocktail service has grown more sophisticated.
Food + Drink: Japanese
Murata200 S.W. Market St.
503-227-0080 $$ (regular menu), $$$$ (kaiseki)
Besides consistent, impressively fresh sashimi and sushi -- like unexpected rolls and geoduck -- Murata sets out a range of Japanese specialties, including seafood-dense nabe stews for two, unusual grilled fish dishes and a kasu cod that makes "melting in your mouth" not a cliche but a literal description. Tempura is equal parts air and crispness, and it lures with nonstandard elements such as soft-shell crab.
Recommended: Tempura, especially king-crab tempura; black cod in sake paste; grilled salmon collar; sushi; nabe stews (for more than one); and, if you're feeling expansive, multicourse kaiseki banquets. Limited but adequate beer and sake selection.
Food + Drink: Asian
[ Southeast Asian ]
Pingeditor's pick
102 N.W. Fourth Ave.
503-229-7464 ; pingpdx.com $-$$
It has the soul of the 1917 Hung Far Low Building, the look of a Japanese drinking club and the green sensibility of indie Portland. It pays respect to Chinatown's past but looks to the future with food, art and design from local cultures all over Asia, like you'd find today in modern-day Bangkok or Tokyo. But mostly, as customers sit at the sleek counter inhaling pork bone tea, Vietnamese short ribs and black sesame ice cream, Ping feels exciting: the most daring, challenging, intriguing restaurant to open in some time.
Recommended: The menu draws significantly from Singapore and Malaysia, with some rare discoveries from China, like ju pa bao, a sublimely brined pork chop on a tiny, buttery bun. But don't think Chinese-style or family-style eating. This is high-level snacking, Ã la drinking houses all over Asia. Plan to spend $20-$30 a person. Meet friends, have fun over drinks and eat some good food, perhaps pork collar with tangy-tart dipping sauce; skewers of spicy baby octopus; rice soup with pork meatballs, paired with super-heady salted duck egg salad; and kaipatam toast slathered with thick custard jam.
Food + Drink: Pan-Asian
Saucebox214 S.W. Broadway
503-241-3393; saucebox.com $$-$$$
Sometimes you go to a place because it makes you feel cool. In downtown Portland, Saucebox is it. The vibe: high-energy Hong Kong happy hour. Bruce Carey's restaurants are always detail-oriented, and in the cacophony of Saucebox's sleek black bar and beyond, libations are the thing. The house cocktail menu lists more than a hundred, with rising talent Kyle Billings pouring; a glass "shrine" reverently houses liquors, cordials and infusions; and the daily happy hour and late-night DJ scenes are off the hook.
Recommended: None of this means you should skip dinner. Just order a Saucebox signature, like the Javanese roasted salmon, a pupu platter or even sushi, and enjoy the action from the dining balcony above the bar. The sedate white dining room offers sit-down dinners -- ideal on an expense account, what with $28 entrees. Cocktails put an emphasis on fun. Hit the Thai Basil Gimlet or the chile-infused vodka Kickboxer -- as the passion fruit and raspberry purees meld, the Lava Lamp-like liquid entertains.
Food + Drink: Thai-Som Tum
Som tum: the spicy, tangy, shredded green papaya salad that often plays Fatone to pad Thai's Timberlake. It may not be as popular, but it has a fervent cult following (and plenty of hidden talent). Now it's time for the Weekly Yelp to get in sync with Portland's sizzling som scene!
A self-admitted "picky psycho about som tum," Bree C attests that a good salad "brings you up with spiciness, swirls happiness around all of your senses, then eases you down smoothly into tangy pleasure." Where does she fill her tum-my? No question: Thai Abode. Meanwhile, Phil M swears by the "namesake dish at SomTum Gai Yang. Max it out on spice – it won't disappoint! The salad is sweet and crunchy, with a fiery build." But Soi9 stoked Sandra W's mouth-flames. The salad was so hot there that even "Mr. Macho Guy, 'I-can-handle-anything'" (aka her hubby) ended up "sweating and twitching" from the heat.
If you crave a Lao/Isaan version (think saltier and spicier), have no fear. Pok Pok's signature salad will, as Anita H warns, "definitely give you a HUGE kick in the pants." For an adventure, try it "Isaan style" with fermented salt crab and dry chilis. Over at Chiang Mai, Sylvia S swears "the menu reads like something out of a Thai restaurant jackpot; featuring lots of interesting, rare options" like som tum with choice of pickled black crab or traditional dried shrimp. And Kesone Thai Lao Bistro offers up Thai and Lao variations as well. Andrew R reports, it's his "ace in the hole… as far as neighborhood restaurants go." Need to cool your palate? "The salad rolls are works of art." We can roll with that.
Down in Sellwood, Jade Bistro And Teahouse serves up some "dirt cheap" som tum that makes Tyler A say yum. "The salad isn't as spicy" as most places, but he reckons it offers a "perfect crunch" to offset the succulent grilled shrimp. A crustacean sensation! When Susan W is faced with som tum at Red Onion, she cries, "Holy moly, Batman! When these guys say 'very spicy,' they are not messing around." Go Laotian for an added kick… Onions always make us cry.
Food + Drink: Late-Nite
It's late and you're staring down tomorrow's impending hangover. Are you seriously considering a greasy meal slapped together with a caulking gun at a fast food joint? Stop right there! This Weekly Yelp is here to save the day (or night) with a list of Portland's bona fide fifth meal grub.
Need to soak up those drinks? Central serves full dinner until 2:30am on weekends and Rick W reports, "The food is amazing. Try the rabbit and kale – it's spicy with just enough fattiness to create an unctuous, undeniably delicious meal. The cocktails are well crafted. And the ambience? Delightfully rustic." For another fancy option downtown, rock with Jeff M to Lúc Lác for their namesake dish. This "tender beef tenderloin, seared with Hennessey, beurre de France, garlic, and black peppercorn, is served over mixed greens with tomato fried rice." And that's offered until the wee hours? How'd we get so Lúc-y?
Sometimes you just need midnight pie. Kade M's go-to at Hammy's is "fresh mozz, bacon, tomato, and basil on a garlic and oil base." They even offer "all sorts of vegan options, like cashew cheese pizza or whatever those crazy veegs are dreaming up these days." Meanwhile, Eric L has "no problem downing four pieces" of Sizzle Pie's "oh-so yummy pizza in one sitting. And these slices are HUGE!" His favorite items? "The Ol' Dirty, Pig Destroyer and Heart Attack Man." Those'll annihilate your hunger. Mary H never suffers a missed connection at Lonesome's: "Not only are these pizzas bomb at 2am when one is bombed, but they also happen to be amazing for dinner with a bottle of red wine and jazz." Need a dining buddy?
"Everyone knows the dirtier the taco shop, the better the food," and Beth N finds her burrito at Javier's. It's "well-seasoned, simple and flavorful." But Nicholas N goes for dogs at his Zach's Shack after-party: "It's within stumbling distance of Tanker and Space Room and is open late!" The "John Popper with jalapeños, cream cheese and Mae Ploy" alongside "a PBR tall boy" always hit the spot for him. And Joanna Y blows it up at Big Bertha's, "the perfect late-night yum-factory in the 'Bar-muda Triangle.' Think classic falafel and lamb gyros with upgraded extras like whole garlic cloves and feta for maximum flavor." We'll toast tomorrow's mimosa to that!
Food + Drink: Indian
Looking for some solid fare from the subcontinent? Don't worry – you don't have to go to Bombay the hard way. Just follow along as your Weekly Yelp dishes up a Delhi-cious buffet of P-town's Indian eats.
Erin N grabs her "takeout container full of yum" directly from Mum's. This little cart dishes out Indian food with a "South African side to it, which is different but tasty." Try the garlic pork – it's the pig's oink! But Robert H touts The Tao of Tea as "a great spot for a date with your yoga crush." Aside from world-class teas, they offer "light and tasty Indian food." Case in point? The besan ka pura: a chickpea crêpe, filled with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and cumin. Mandana S is a huge fan of pani puri, which she describes as "sexy little pillows made of angel wings, stuffed with potato crack and topped with liquid love." And Bombay Chaat House carries "the best in all of Portland." Sounds bomb!
Chowing down on a huge portion of tofu dahl at Real Taste of India, Mac M yells, "Holy sh*t! These are some damn fine vittles!" He's talkin' "slow roasted lentils, perfectly cooked basmati rice, flavorful tofu, ginger, and garlic." And Melissa V digs Abhiruchi for dinner: "All of the dishes we ordered, and especially my lamb kharai, were super flavorful and fresh. Plus, they offer hot, fresh naan and super attentive, friendly service." There's naan better than that.
"Appearances can be deceiving," but as far as Christopher J N is concerned, at Gandhi's, "the bills stay safe in your pocket and the tasty food safe in your gullet. Imagine trays full of delicious Indian fare inside a mini food court." Meanwhile, Devon D makes a passage to East India Co for "five-course lunch specials." Set a midday date – you won't "even come close to finishing and will get out of there for $30" for two. When it comes to the dishes, "the tandoori lamb chops steal the show." But Aaron W doubles down on Roshambo's moong dahl – "yellow moong beans with spinach and spices, topped with house-made ghee. It's a hearty, delicious dish and the traditional Indian spices really amplify the experience." Korma-n get it!
Food + Drink: Cigars
Let's be blunt: you don't have to be Fidel Castro (or even wear an ironic Castro hat) to appreciate a fine stogie. In fact, Portland has a fairly robusto cigar scene notwithstanding the '09 smoking ban. And your Weekly Yelp is lighting up a list of spots to puff, puff, pass those oh-so sweet cee-gars.
Need some seriously "fine cigars or quality tobacco smoking paraphernalia"? Frank L reports that Rich's "is your store. No fancy frills, just smokes and a ton of magazines." And the salespeople don't make "you feel like a chump for lack of cigar expertise." Join Jenn A for a smoky treat at 82nd Avenue Tobacco and Pipe. They boast a "friendly and helpful staff," and a "plush cigar lounge" with a flat-screen for in-store puffery. And Lena W admits, "I don't smoke big fancy cigars or pipes, but I do really enjoy mini cigars. Lucky me, Broadway Cigar has a nice little shelf of quality stogies that aren't nearly as intimidating as the big ones in the humidor." That's some sweet leaf.
Often in need of advice, Laura H appreciates that the folks at Timber Valley Tobaccos "are very knowledgeable" about their wares. Plus "they help you find the best deal for what you're looking for." Pearl Specialty may be, according to Melissa P, a "fancy schmancy store full of amazing, delicious booze," but it doesn't stop there. The well-stocked walk-in humidor seals the deal. And 11th Avenue Liquor is "one of the most organized and efficiently run liquor stores" Heather H has ever visited. Aside from the "wide selection of booze and mixers," the cigar offerings are top-shelf. Even aficionados should be able to find some succulent, smoke-sticks here.
Of course, "places where you can smoke cigars indoors," which, in Ethan D's "opinion is the best way to smoke cigars, are few and far between. Places like Greater Trumps are a Godsend." Not only do they "serve alcohol, but you can bring your own cigars from home" to enjoy in the bar. Or, retreat from the hustle of the city with Mark H into the "bar in the basement" of Kells. This smoky spot is where he finds "a great selection of beer, whiskey and cigars." Lastly, Matt W recognizes that El Gaucho's "filet mignon is the best out there," but add in "classy service, romantic atmosphere" and an upscale cigar room hidden in back and he's set. Roll out!
Food + Drink: Soda Fountains
It's a well-settled fact that booze is a healthy part of a complete breakfast. But sometimes it's nice to start your day the soft drink way. This Weekly Yelp is digging deep into Portland's beverage scene to find fountains and house-made suds that even a (soda) jerk would love.
"Part novelty and part delicious," Fizz has Shannon H feeling bubbly. Offering an array of ice cream flavors – "salted caramel, anyone?" – she recommends adding a scoop to their fountain pop. The syrups are made with real cane sugar and none of that high-fructose malarkey! Eva A appreciates that Fairley's Pharmacy offers "a less rushed attitude" than most modern script dispensaries. But what really makes it special is the "stuff your typical pharmacy might have had 75 years ago," like a functioning soda fountain! Peter T feels, "visiting Pattie's Home Plate Café is like going into an old-time diner while under the influence of something strong." Why so quirky? The costumes, Avon counter, "a jukebox with 45s that haven't been changed since the mid '60s," and some interesting fizzy beverages.
Craving straightforward sodas? Kaitlin P really loves the house-made ginger and vanilla bubblies up at Firehouse. "The flavors are crisp and not overly sweet," she reckons, and pair well with pizza that's "simple yet full of flavor." Plus Tommy T attests, Pyro Pizza pours up "a great handmade soda selection" courtesy of Give Pizza A Chance, adding that they "rival most sodas out there." With rotating flavors like natural cola, sarsaparilla or root beer, ginger, Thai coffee, and basil-lime, his cup runneth over.
When Megan T needs a "nice change of pace from the standard diet cola," she slurps up a special at Blueplate. Think "homemade sodas from the fountain," like an anise-hibiscus blend, alongside classic American comfort food. Meanwhile, Melissa V makes tracks for the "delicious drinking vinegars" that Whiskey Soda Lounge makes in-house. Her recent choices were "pomegranate and pineapple. Both have that nice, tart, funky edge, and go great with the fish sauce wings," which are also a must-try. Frannie H has fun with one of The Original's "fancy sodas" brewed on site. She digs the "ginger-lemongrass concoction – such a clean and refreshing flavor! It's nice and bubbly and not too sweet." Spike it with booze for a couple bucks more!
Food + Drink: Food Carts
The Weekly Yelp (Food Carts)
Peek At A Pod: SW 9th & Alder Food Carts
Noodle House – Bryan I
What's more Portland than a Timbers fan drinking kombucha out of a mason jar? Food cart pods! This week, we head downtown to check in on the offerings found at SW 9th and Alder. Here are just some of the Yelpers' faves:
Altengartz
Southwest Portland
SW 10th & Alder, Portland, OR
German, Food Stands
“So delicious. These have to be the best wurst in Portland. Juicy, savory, with the right amount of snap from the casing. Add some sauerkraut and mustard best, lunch, ever. Lunch for $5.50 and you will be so satisfied.”
Alison W., Portland, OR
Bing Mi
Southwest Portland
SW 9th and Alder, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Chinese, Creperies
“Bing Mi sells just one thing and they are good at it... this is a Chinese crepe filled with egg, wonton crackers, a bean sauce, optional sausage, and a plum hoisin sauce. It's a really crispy crepe and the flavors though unusual go well.”
Sudipto G., Portland, OR
The Frying Scotsman
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Fish & Chips, Scottish, Food Trucks
“The haddock was flaky and white, and perfectly cocooned in a light, crispy batter. While it definitely had that fresh-from-the-fryer taste, it wasn't greasy at all. It tasted as fresh as can be, mild, but still the batter's equal in making up the flavor.”
Spencer T., Portland, OR
Gyro House
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Egyptian, Halal, Food Trucks
“The portions are huge, the gyros are fresh, and the ingredients are on point! Filled with falafel or meat of choice, lettuce, shredded carrot, a generous slathering of tzatziki sauce. Make sure to get it 'spicy'... it adds a ton of flavor.”
Tiffany A., Portland, OR
La Camel
Southwest Portland
521 SW 9th Ave, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Moroccan
“I went with the chicken and couscous. I really did think about licking my foil container after. The little bits of cranberry gave me little bits of surprised sweetness. The broth was light and flavorful and tasted like a home-cooked meal. It was perfect!”
Misty S., Portland, OR
Noodle House
Southwest Portland
950 SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Food Stands
“Mmmmm, noodles. Such sweet, chewy, delicious noodles. With lots of tasty veggies and all in a convenient GoBox! Medium spicy has been just enough to tell that the kick is there without killing your mouth... it's definitely in my spicy-range sweet spot.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Savor Soup House
Southwest Portland
1003 SW Alder St, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Sandwiches, Soup
“Their soups are delicious, with new takes on the combinations. I had the tomato soup with orange, and it was tasty. They use local produce, buying from the local farms, so the ingredients are great and fresh.”
Olga I., Portland, OR
808 Grinds
Southwest Portland
SW 9th Ave & SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Hawaiian, Food Trucks
“We opted in for the spam musubi, an oddly delicious nori-wrapped sushi-handroll-like snack filled with a slab of spam, topped with rice and a bit of sesame seeds on the inside. Our service was lightning quick; we were out of there in under three minutes.”
Cedric J., Portland, OR
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Industrial District
1. 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
2. SW Alder & SW 10th
Thai
“Because I eat paleo and don't eat grains, the rice in the chicken rice just doesn't work for me. So, I can pay a little more and get my chicken over veggies and get gluten-free sauce too.”
Beth N., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Wine Bars
Sure, getting sauced on PBR and playing Big Buck Hunter is a great way to spend a Saturday. But what if you're looking to class it up while you smash it up? Well, this Weekly Yelp is taking flight with some of Portland's most di-vine wine bars.
When Kari S needs to find the vine, she heads to ENSO, where the "small batches of wine just taste better." Sip on that alcoholic grape juice in the unpretentious, "hang-with-your-buddies atmosphere." And Mikhail H may keep Kir close to her heart for their "amazing selection of wines," but also finds, "The food that comes out of the tiny kitchen is small but mighty!" Amber A takes her wine junkets to Journeys for the "cozy, homey and relaxing" feel. "If you're really looking to hang out," she recs you "grab a seat in the back room and pull a board game from the game shelf." Play date, anyone?
To sate her cravings, Patti F puts Noble Rot on her list: "Big comfy booths? Check. Amazing view of the city lights? Check. Good happy hour? Check. Great wine selection? Check." A regal repose. Meanwhile, Every Day Wine is anything but ordinary, according to David R. It "aims to keep affordable, really good wines on hand. In addition to wines by the glass, the flights are great ways of going on mini wine tours without prying your butt off the bar stool." Abbie H offers her ode: "I. Love. Red. Wine. It makes me happy. And the knowledge of the people that work at Coppia has helped me understand pairings and my palate." Decant beat that!
For all you "vino fans looking to expand your knowledge and repertoire," Jim S swears by Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro. Why? Simply put, "their commitment to sharing Oregon wines," by offering "weekly free tastings," periodic "cellar tastings sponsoring local wineries, and pairing dinners." Tiffany B sips her cares away at Bar Avignon. It's a "sexy place in SE to have some wine and talk about the end of one's day at a quaint, candlelit table. The wine list is a big one," so get pouring! And Katherine K admits she's "in complete lust with robust, full-bodied, spicy red wines," and Barilé fulfills her every fantasy. Plus, the beer snob husband even gets to come and enjoy "a small, yet diverse tap list." Someone's got her crush on.
The Weekly Yelp Wine Bars
Portland
It's Always Wine O'Clock
Fancy a flight? – Cecilia S
Wine? Why not? Everyone loves a balanced bouquet, a complex concoction, and uncorking to wine down. That's why this week we're featuring cool spots for a glass of grown-up grape juice. Start sippin', and you'll be an oenophile in no time — that's a good thing, trust us!
Boedecker Cellars
Northwest Industrial
2621 NW 30th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries
“Bottles range from $15–$65, and you'll get a quality wine at any price point. A tasting is $10, but that's waived if you buy a bottle. I suggest a quick, informative tasting, and then taking a bottle (or a few) home.”
Heather F., Portland, OR
Carmella’s Wines
Central Eastside
1320 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars
“Excellent glass pour wines... they have an incredible selection of old and new world. The sunset is visible from the bar or the heated patio. I long for the next rainy dark night so I can sip by their wood burning fireplace and enjoy fireside s'mores.”
Henry L., Portland, OR
Coopers Hall
Central Eastside
404 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Wine Bars
“They really deliver with the wine on tap. I tried several different reds. Two really stood out: Gamay Noir from Beaujolais was my favorite, and the Syrah/Viognier blend was so strange and tart that it deserves a shout out.”
Tiffany M., Hillsboro, OR
Frank Wine and Flower
Southwest Portland
3712 SW Bond Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars
“I can tell you that they have a range of wines at a range of prices including very affordable glasses for people like me who just want a nice glass of red wine, and a beautiful place to sit with friends.”
Sarah H., Portland, OR
Pairings Portland Wine Shop & Bar
Northeast Portland
455 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Bars, Beer, Wine & Spirits
“Instead of wandering through wines organized by varietal or region, these wines are organized by what they pair well with. Each box is labeled with items like mac 'n' cheese, salmon, pesto, salad etc.”
Marissa P., Portland, OR
Seven Bridges Winery
North Portland
2303 N Harding Ave, Portland, OR
Wineries, Wine Tours
For a reliable red wine flight, this is the right spot. Don't be dismayed by the secluded industrial location. Inside, these guys are making some really complex red wine, mostly from eastern OR and WA as opposed to the usual Willamette Valley Pinot.”
Ben C., Portland, OR
SE Wine Collective
Southeast Portland
2425 SE 35th Pl, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, Wineries, American (New)
“If you need a lesson on wine, then this is a good start. You get the opportunity to taste wine from four different resident artisanal wine producers. Everyone involved there is well educated and can teach you a thing or two.”
Chad H., Portland, OR
Taste On 23rd
Alphabet District
2285 NW Johnson St, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, Tapas/Small Plates
“Quiet and intimate, it's a wonderful place to sip on wines you won't find in
Food + Drink: Caveman Style - Dine prehistorically
Going back to basics and cutting out the grain, dairy, and refined sugar.
The Weekly Yelp
Cultured Caveman
Southeast Portland
4031 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Gluten-Free, Food Trucks
You order choices are Carnivore, Herbivore or Omnivore.
“As a recent convert to the paleo lifestyle (It's not a 'diet'), having a place I can go out to and not have to overthink my options is pretty alright. I had the bone broth, kale salad, and the mini meat loaves.”
James S., Portland, OR
Dick’s Kitchen
Southeast Portland
3312 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Burgers, Vegan, Gluten-Free
“Dick's has a reputation for being incredibly 'paleo' friendly, and that reputation is well deserved. Both the Yam No-Fries and the kimchi sides are well worth ordering as both are excellent. They also have a fantastic ginger kombucha on draft.”
Micah S., Portland, OR
Verde Cocina
Hillsdale
6446 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR
Mexican
“When I read the website and saw that not only do they have a few dishes that cater to the paleo diet, but, far more importantly, they use fresh, local ingredients, I had to check it out... I really can't think of one bad thing to say about this place.”
Lorraine S., Portland, OR
Brooklyn House Restaurant
Southeast Portland
3131 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Comfort Food, Modern European, Gluten-Free
“This menu included cocktails and desserts safe for those on... paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan... The food was delicious, and no one had to go hungry or worry that they would have negative reactions to their dining experience. Amazing!”
Sara C., Portland, OR
Timber’s Doghouse PDX
Southeast Portland
28th and SE Division, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Burgers, Food Trucks
“I love that this place has gluten-free, vegetarian, and paleo options. Oh, and double your beef patty pleasure for $2.25 more... In an uncommon move, I'm stamping this with my elite seal after the first visit. The bacon wins again, doesn't it?”
Aaron W., Vancouver, WA
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Industrial District
1. 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
2. SW Alder & SW 10th
Thai
“Because I eat paleo and don't eat grains, the rice in the chicken rice just doesn't work for me. So, I can pay a little more and get my chicken over veggies and get gluten-free sauce too.”
Beth N., Portland, OR
Ecliptic Brewing
North Portland
825 N Cook St, Portland, OR
American (New), Breweries
“This is way better than average pub fare: standouts like lamb burger and faro burger, standards like fish and chips (quality fries and a fillet), and food to please a carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, or gluten-free.”
Michael R., Portland, OR
Canteen
Southeast Portland
2816 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Vegan, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
“Canteen has delicious bowls packed with veggies and sauces and flavor... Every time I eat there, I end up with a desirable level of fullness... I've gotten multiple bowls there, and they've always been packed with flavor.”
Andrew H., Anchorage, AK
Food + Drink: Brunch with Reservations
Believe it or not, spending an hour waiting on the sidewalk is not a requirement for the authentic Portland brunch experience. Check out these Yelper approved brunch destinations, all of which take reservations!
The Weekly Yelp
23 Hoyt
Alphabet District
529 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Wine Bars, American (New), Gastropubs
“The service was relaxed, which I appreciated since that was the mood of my Sunday. Food was top-notch. And the donuts — oh, donuts. They were amazing! Could have stayed there for five hours with just mimosas and donuts... I will definitely be back!”
Nicole J., Lake Oswego, OR
Accanto
Southeast Portland
2838 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Italian, Breakfast & Brunch
“I had the Dutch Bambino with vanilla peaches, basil, and fresh whipped cream. Not too sweet, not too big, just the perfect thing to satisfy someone with wants to go sweet instead of savory first thing in the morning.”
Heather J., Portland, OR
Beast
Northeast Portland
5425 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR
French, American (New)
“The Beast Hash... is served with super tender, melt in your mouth braised pork belly and loin, rattlesnake beans, and sweet corn... new potatoes, and was topped with a poached duck egg and homemade whole grain mustard hollandaise sauce.”
Cory M., Portland, OR
Eclectic Kitchen
Neast Portland
4936 NE Fremont St, Portorthland, OR
Breakfast & Brunch
“Perfect consistency of the biscuit and a flavor explosion in the gravy. I prefer a dense biscuit and a thick but not too thick, flavorful but not too salty gravy. This is so good that it is taking every fiber of my being to not just wolf it down.”
Tony M., Portland, OR
Equinox Restaurant and Bar
North Portland
830 N Shaver St, Portland, OR
American (New), Bars
“The chilaquilles were excellent with two or three crispy fried corn tortillas, black beans, salsa, cotija cheese, and more... The eggs bene was delish, and they cure the canadian bacon in-house. The hollandaise sauce was fabulous and very classic.”
Curtis C., Portland, OR
Pacific Pie Company
Alphabet District
1668 Nw 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Australian, Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch
“My friend suggested we go there after a run for breakfast. I ordered the chicken schnitzel and a chicken pot pie to-go. She ordered the breakfast pie, which she probably would've married! The pie crust is amazing, and you can't go wrong there.”
Arielle S., North Plains, OR
Wild Abandon
Southeast Portland
2411 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR
Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional), Modern European
“Brunch was awesome. Nice people, no wait, good coffee, weird, funky altar lights, and every single thing our table ordered was sublime. They also have a great patio when the sun comes out. And the prices will put you in a good mood.”
Dana S., Foster-Powell, Portland, OR
The Woodsman Tavern
Southeast Portland
4537 SE Division St, Portland, OR
American (New)
“Outstanding. We make this one of our regular, once a month stops for... brunch... So far, every egg has been served perfect... The pancakes for brunch on Saturday and Sunday are fabulous. The drinks are always amazing... This is a fabulous restaurant.”
David T., Lake Oswego, OR
PDX MonthlyThree Exceptional New Portland Brunches—Without Lines
VerdigrisIt’s OK, it’s happened, we’ve all done it: you have confused “standing in line” with “having a great brunch.” Verdigris, a dignified little white-walled room on NE Fremont Street, is here to sort out the category error. This is a place where you can—wait for it—make a reservation for brunch, for a party of any size. You can then enjoy such refined (but generous) offerings as ricotta pancakes with fig compote and chantilly like the civilized human you are. The 60-minute eggs with ham is something of a house signature, while the duck fat hash browns could well become an addiction. 1315 NE Fremont St, verdigrisrestaurant.com —ZD
ExpatriateThese are the waffles prophecy foretold: divinely crunchy, crowned with spicy chicken and pickle-craft, or, if you like, a frozen wonder of black sesame ice cream. They’re dispatched in a Hemingway-meets-Chinatown setting for Expatriate’s weekend brunch, while a High Fidelity–caliber record collection spins on two turntables. And if you think you’re bored with Bloody Marys, think again. Like everything here—fantastic, condiment-crazed congee to a suave, shrimp-toasty burrito—Expat’s Bloody ripples with spice and adventure. 5424 NE 30th Ave, expatriatepdx.com —KB
Whiskey Soda LoungeOn weekends only, in a colorful setting of Cambodian pop and Asian ephemera, Thailand’s little-known a.m. flavors make a rare appearance in Portland (or America, for that matter). Andy Ricker, founder of neighboring Pok Pok, concentrates on his ongoing traveling breakfast rituals: sweet pork-laden buns; jok creamed with bouncy pork, crullers and pandan coconut custard for dipping; stir-your-own coddled eggs with finger-size “soldier” toast, and, of course, drip-brewed Vietnamese coffee. 3131 SE Division St, whiskeysodalounge.com —KB
This article appeared in the November 2016 issue of Portland Monthly.
Tin Shed Cafe (1438 NE Alberta-Alberta Arts District) - Famous place for Brunch. Does NOT take reservations-Lines after 8AM.
Screen Door - Southern Comfort Foods
Food + Drink: A Romantic Brunch
How about taking your sweetheart to brunch at one of these romantic spots:
Sweedeedee (5202 N. Albina): A sun-filled brunch spot with a Scandinavian-hipster vibe. Take your pick of hearty eggs and potatoes cooked to order or lighter granola fare. And don't forget to take some baked goods to go. (Photo: Cheryl Juetten)
Tasty n Alder (580 SW 12th Ave.): A downtown favorite for its extensive menu served up in a moody, romantic dining room. Try the frittata served in a cast iron skillet with caramelized onions, tomato, braised escarole and fontina.
Veritable Quandary (1220 SW First Ave.): A Portland institution since 1970, their menu features variations on New Orleans cuisine while using fresh local ingredients. Their weekend brunch amid their oasis-like gardens is a true Portland experience.
Food + Drink: Pizza
If there's one universal truth, it would be the fact that pizza is always good, at any time, for any meal. Go ahead — shove that cold slice to the side and nestle up to a piping hot pie from one of these great local spots.
17 Essential Pizzerias Around Portland (Mapped)
The Crown - Downtown's New Lunchtime Pizza To-Go (at Hotel Lucia)
You can now eat Gluten-free Vegan pizza at Back to Eden Bakery
The Weekly Yelp
In Pizza We Crust
Thick serves up deep dish pizza by the slice – Michael C
Apizza Scholls
Southeast Portland
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The crust is unlike anything you've ever had. Charred, crispy, and chewy at the same time. It's more substantial than some other wood fired places I've been to... We got the new york white and the margherita. You really don't need more.”
Scott H., Portland, OR
Handsome Pizza
North Portland
2730 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The standards are great (I'm particularly fond of the Rico Suave), but the specials are always so innovative and take advantage of the best ingredients Portland has to offer. I've tried about half a dozen different pies and fell in love with every one.”
Heather J., Portland, OR
Hogan’s Goat Pizza
Northeast Portland
5222 NE Sacramento St, Portland, OR
Pizza
“The best gluten-free pizza I have ever had. I'm not talking about your chewy, mealy crust that punishes you for going gluten free. I'm talking the thin, fluffy but crispy on the bottom crust that perfectly balanced the high end quality toppings.”
Dan W., Portland, OR
Oven & Shaker
Pearl District
1134 NW Everett St, Portland, OR
Pizza, Italian, Gastropubs
“The pizza was awesomely priced for happy hour at $7 for a margherita pizza, and $10 for the salami. The salami had a killer combination of spice from the meat and sweet from honey that had generously been drizzled over from edge to edge.”
Randi W., Portland, OR
Pinky’s
North Portland
3990 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR
Pizza, Cocktail Bars
“The Casanova was freakin' awesome! The crust was perfect... and the mushrooms and artichoke were flavorful. But the real clincher for me were the red onions, which were slightly caramelized while still crunchy.”
David M., Portland, OR
SFNY West Pizza
Northwest
2241 W Burnside, Portland, OR
Pizza
“We had half margherita, half Hawaiian Canadian bacon and pineapple as well as the half pesto chicken and half pesto veggie. The Hawaiian did not skimp on ham nor pineapple and ingredients were very fresh for all the pizzas.”
Cvetiliana B., Portland, OR
Sizzle Pie
Industrial District
624 E Burnside, Portland, OR
Pizza, Salad, Sandwiches
“I'm an instant fan of any joint that rolls out the red carpet for vegetarians. My husband cannot tolerate any dairy and I'm an 18 year vegetarian, so I love knowing Sizzle Pie can be trusted.”
Karey R., Portland, OR
Thick
Southwest Portland
SW Washington and 9th Ave, Portland, OR
Pizza, Food Trucks
“The tomato sauce highlights the fruity flavors of tomato instead of drowning them in too many herbs... the whole slice has a really nice fresh feeling while still being very satisfying. Add a little home-cured sausage to it and it's a real mouthful!”
Todd V., Portland, OR
PDX Monthly
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
North Mississippi
4039 N Mississippi Ave 503-281-4060
Pizza, Ice Cream
Lovely’s Fifty Fifty Perfects the Portland Pizza -After nearly seven years, the N Mississippi Avenue spot has gone from solid to sensational. Peak Northwest flavors ooze across a Lovely’s pie—farm egg, chanterelles, mustard flowers, and buttery Sleeping Beauty cheese from Washington’s Cascasdia Creamery. Read More 17 Essential Pizzerias Around Portland (Mapped)
Food + Drink: Hot DogIn the Case of the Delicious Street Food, the prime suspect is always the hot dog! This American standard has grown beyond its ballpark roots, and friendly folks serve up frankfurters all across Portland. This week, some Yelpers' favorites.
The Weekly Yelp
Hot Diggity Dog!
The ballpark treat with a Portland twist – Cristen T
Beez Neez Gourmet Sausages
Southwest Portland
SW 3rd Ave & SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Food Stands
“The accoutrements on offer seem selected by someone who knows my very soul. Not just caramelized onions and a whole roasted jalapeño, but a plethora of pickled vegetables and housemade sauces. These are things that make my knees weak.”
Nick Z., Portland, OR
Dog Town Food Cart
Southeast Portland
2880 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Food Trucks, Hot Dogs
“It's not the traditional Sonoran dog from Tucson... the owners opted for fry bread. Bacon-wrapped hot dog, pinto beans, salsa verde, avocado cream, pico de gallo, and grilled onions. Nice balance of heavier ingredients with light, fresh toppings.”
Aaron W., Vancouver, WA
East Side Delicatessen
North Portland
4823 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Delis, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs
“The boyfriend and I ordered hot dogs with various toppings and these were some of the best I've ever had... Plus they have all the amazing sides you could ever want.”
April C., Portland, OR
The Fried Onion
Industrial District
SE 3rd & Alder, Portland, OR
Hot Dogs, Food Stands
“No hyperbole, this is the best dog I've eaten anywhere. I've been to places in NYC and Chicago guided by lifetime locals... great, but not as good as this... Some of the best street food you'll ever put in your mouth.”
Scott U., Portland, OR
Meaner Wiener
190 W Main St, Hillsboro, OR
Hot Dogs, Fast Food
“Not only were the sausages delicious and big, they have no preservatives! They offer different sauces you can add yourself, such as mustard, ketchup, mayo, guacamole, spicy mayo, Sriracha, BBQ sauce, wasabi sauce plus relish, sauerkraut and jalapeños!”
Andy S., Portland, OR
Otto’s Sausage Kitchen & Meat Market
Woodstock
4138 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR
Meat Shops, Delis
“Pair the Otto hotdog with a potato bun buttered with Moutarde mustard and you have the perfect meal. But add to that meal the world's best sauerkraut from Sonoma Brinery and you've really got something to write home about.”
Robert B., Bend, OR
We Be Weiners
Southeast Portland
Portland State University, Portland, OR
Food Stands
“I got the Porklandia, which had cheese on the inside, wrapped in bacon, and had crunchy onion bits on top. Absolutely delicious. They've got just about any hot dog you could want as well as tater tots. I will definitely be back.”
Kevin J., Portland, OR
Zach’s Shack
Southeast Portland
4611 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Fast Food, Hot Dogs
“The Chicago dog was everything it was supposed to be. Neon green relish, sport peppers, celery salt, poppy bun, tomatoes, and pickle spears. It was a pretty large hot dog as well. For $4.50, it better be bigger than the Oscar Meyers you get at Freddie's.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Eat & Sip Chocolate
Courtesy of Discover Portland
Portland boasts some of America’s finest chocolatiers, and they’re putting an artisan spin on classic treats. One of our favorite ways of experiencing the scene is by sipping delicious drinking chocolates — but don’t mistake these for your mom’s hot cocoa. Drinking chocolate, made from chopped chocolate bits slowly melted and blended with cream, offers a denser and richer mouthfeel than its powdery cousin.
Here are some great spots to indulge your sweet tooth and experience Portland’s decedent drinking chocolates:
Editor’s Note: In recent years, Portland’s craft chocolate scene has exploded — earning national recognition for its decadent treats. With so many excellent chocolatiers based here — such as Woodblock (Website), Pitch Dark Chocolate and many others — it can be hard to get your bearings. That's why we sought out the expertise of Cristina Yen, the owner of A Yen For Chocolate, to give us this chocolate-lover’s tour of town.
You may know Portland for its coffee, wine and beer scenes, but the city’s culinary obsessions go far beyond craft beverages. From bean-to-bar cacao importers to unique chocolate artisans, Portland has chocolate in nearly every form. Whether you're new here or just new to the chocolate scene, let me tell you about a few of my favorite spots.
Handcrafted Bean to Bar Chocolate Experiences!
1. Creo ChocolateCreo Chocolate (122 N.E. Broadway) is a bean-to-bar chocolate factory owned and operated by the Straub family. Their shop has an open kitchen where you can witness first-hand the entire bean-to-bar process unfold.
Creo has a family-friendly atmosphere. The café’s interior vaulted ceilings feature large skylights, giving the shop a spacious feel. Tables and chairs line walls adorned with pictures of the Straub’s trip to Ecuador where they met Samuel and Anna, the farmers of Creo cacao. Humble and warmhearted, the Straubs are generous with their time and conversation, and if you ask them, they will happily recount their journey from once being strawberry farmers in Washington to the grand opening of Creo in 2015.
While less than one year old, Creo should be on every chocolate-lovers' itinerary. They offers 3 tour options: (Reservations Required)
- A free 30 minute tour
- A Make-A-Bar-Tour $15
- A two-hour “Chocolate 101” class that takes you start-to-finish through the chocolate making process. $50
2. Cup & Bar The delicious drinking chocolate from Cup & Bar. Photo courtesy of Cup & Bar.
Cup & Bar (118 N.E. M.L.K. Blvd.) may appear to be just another specialty coffee shop in a city with dozens to boot (click here to read the Discover Portland coffee guide). But this shop also hosts Ranger Chocolate, makers of Peruvian bean-to-bar chocolate.
Upon entering the shop, the resident chocolatiers greet café guests by offering a sample of the divine tempered chocolate. With the first taste, it becomes immediately clear why this new café has received buzz from the local media for its delicious coffee and chocolate pairings.
Industrial and hip, the shop has vaulted warehouse ceilings with concrete floors and walls. It's at once chic -- and comfortable. I imagine myself hosting meetings here or working with my laptop for hours on end, sipping coffee while snacking on some of the best chocolate the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Menu Highlights: 70 percent Peru, 80 percent Chulucanas and Cabernet Franc.
3. Alma Chocolate
Alma Chocolate (140 N.E. 28th Ave.) is a chocolatier, meaning they make confections from chocolate rather than importing cacao and making the chocolate itself. A small shop with just a few seats for customers, they are located on the popular N.E. 28th Ave strip. The shop itself fits its location – quaint and “neighborhoody.” Bon Appétit magazine says that their “artisans work magic with chocolate, caramel and spice.” Named after Sarah Hart’s grandmother, Alma is also known for religious icons made from single-estate 74 percent dark chocolate from Hacienda El Vesia in the Dominican Republic.
Menu Highlights: Sea Salt Hazelnut Crunch Bar, Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar and Deux Pistachio Bon Bon.
4. CacaoCacao has two locations in Portland. The first (414 S.W. Salmon St.) is conveniently located adjacent to The Heathman Hotel, and the second (414 S.W. 13th Ave.), their flagship store, is just a ten-minute walk away from the first location. You’ll tickle your chocolaty senses at either location, but I recommend you stop at their flagship shop in the trendsetting West End neighborhood for a mind blowing collection of chocolates and an atmospheric place to relax with their signature drinking chocolates.
Cacao is primarily a retail shop featuring handpicked chocolates from around the world, premium solid chocolate bars from small producers and select treats from local chocolatiers. They also have a small cafe-style menu with chocolate and espresso drinks as well as snacks such as shortbread cookies and locally made Salt & Straw ice cream. Past the tables and shelves displaying all these delicious goodies are a couple of large tables big enough to seat six people each — perfect for lounging with their "Shot in a Shot" (a shot of espresso poured in a shot of cacao).
Menu Highlights: The “Shot in a Shot” is a magical combination of drinking chocolate and espresso. Though they have several types of drinking chocolate to choose from (bitter, spicy, and cinnamon milk), I recommend the bitter chocolate with a dash of cinnamon.
5. The Meadow
Describing The Meadow (805 N.W. 23rd Ave.), a one-of-a-kind chocolate and salt block boutique, to newbies often proves to be a challenge. I am often tempted to call the store an Anthropologie for foodies — with lots of natural treats, salt block displays and a big bookcase full of chocolate bars.
But that description doesn’t quite do it justice. No, stepping inside this cute shop is like wandering into a perfectly curated wonderland of culinary luxuries.
With two locations, The Meadow is Portland’s retail authority on finishing salts, bitters, gourmet items for your kitchen and, of course, chocolate. They also carry Oregon and European wines and vermouths in addition to offering a full-service floristry.
Menu Highlights: Bonnat 70 percent Côte d’Ivoire, Rogue Chocolatier Porcelana, Domori Lattesal and the Finishing Salt Starter Set.
Food + Drink: German
The Weekly Yelp
Achtung! Portland's Best German Eats
German food is delish – Roger M
Alpinin' for authentic brats? Bet your bottom Deutschmark that there are some grand ol' German joints around town where you can sink a stein and snag a schnitzel. Check out these Yelpers' favorites!
Altengartz
Southwest Portland
SW 10th & Alder, Portland, OR
German, Food Stands
“So delicious. These have to be the best wurst in Portland. Juicy, savory, with the right amount of snap from the casing. Add some sauerkraut and mustard for the best lunch ever. Lunch for $5.50 and you will be so satisfied.”
Alison W., Portland, OR
Bavarian Sausage Delicatessen
Southwest Portland
8705 SW Locust St, Tigard, OR
Meat Shops, German
“My deliciously smoked and perfectly grilled sausage came on a small little circular toasted bun, with some packets of yellow mustard and a scoop of potato salad. I also ordered a side of sauerkraut. This sausage was one of the best I've ever had.”
Tiffany A., Portland, OR
Grüner
Southwest Portland
527 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR
German, Italian, Diners
“We started with some beet-pickled deviled eggs, and they were really good. The filling was light and fluffy. For my main dish, I had the Quark Spatzle with braised chicken. The flavor of everything was so good that I ended up noshing every single noodle.”
Becca J., Hillsboro, OR
Gustav’s Pub & Grill
Southwest Portland
10350 SW Greenburg Rd, Portland, OR
German, Pubs
“I opted for the smoked German bier links with warm potato salad, red cabbage, sauerkraut — while my hunny went with the reuben sandwich. Lemme tell ya that sammich was stacked like a hay bale. All the flavors on my plate were on point.”
Nadia P., Portland, OR
Otto & Anita’s European Restaurant
Southwest Portland
3025 SW Canby St, Portland, OR
German, American (New)
“I have lived in Portland since November of 2005, and until recently, I had never discovered their amazing dill pickle soup! One bite and I was head over heels in love. A bowl is quite large, and only $4.”
Bronwyn E., Portland, OR
Stammtisch
Northeast Portland
401 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR
German
“The real star of the show was the currywurst. It arrived on a ship of french fries and drizzled in a curry ketchup sauce that was incredibly balanced and bursting with worldly flavors. In a perfect world all ketchup would have curry spices added to it.”
Jacob M., Portland, OR
Swiss Hibiscus
Northeast Portland
4950 NE 14th Ave, Portland, OR
“I am a fan of the Emince Zurichoise, creamy porky comfort food that I wasn't even aware I was missing from my life. The spätzli is ridiculous — tiny little dumplings of happiness made crispy on the outside in seasoned butter.”
Jennifer B., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Hawaiian
The Weekly Yelp
Portland's Big Island Bites
Koa's Hawaiian BBQ – Leah Y
The beautiful Hawaiian islands might be over 2,500 miles away, but that doesn't mean you can't find the proper grinds to fill your opu in Portland. This Weekly Yelp is all about locating that perfect plate of tropical treats. You know, da kine!
Ate-Oh-Ate
Buckman
2454 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
Hawaiian, Burgers, Sandwiches
“The loco moco was a punch in the mouth of true flavor! With your choice of brown or white rice, a hardy burger patty well-seasoned, and a egg cooked over easy to top everything off, not to mention the brown gravy that brings the whole dish together.”
Bryson B., Portland, OR
Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille
Southwest Portland
515 SW Carolina St, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“We ordered the loco moco with eggs over easy and the combo plate of kalbi ribs and kalua pork. The gravy was perfect. Eggs running over the beef patties. The kalbi ribs had a great marinade. The kalua pork had the right touch of smokiness.”
Nicole B., Portland, OR
Hale Pele
Northeast Portland
2733 NE Broadway, Portland, OR
Lounges, Hawaiian, Tapas Bars
“There is a massive tome of inventive drinks, all rated by how strong they are. There are quite a few drinks that even come to the table on fire where the wait staff will do their best to set your eyebrows on fire; it's quite a show.”
Joshua Y., Beaverton, OR
Kanoa’s Kalua Pig
Southwest Portland
SW 3rd and Stark, Portland, OR
Food Stands, Hawaiian
“I've had the shoyu chicken and the kalua pig, and both are made as close to perfection as I could possibly imagine. The portion size was good for lunch, the sauces are excellent, and the rice is cooked exactly as it should be.”
Kyle R., Portland, OR
Koa’s Hawaiian BBQ
Woodstock
Se 48th and Woodstock, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“I ordered a combo plate with teriyaki chicken and kalua pork because gluttony is kinda my thing, plus it came with a large scoop of rice and a side of macaroni-potato salad. Yes, I ate it all and yes, I needed a nap afterward.”
Allen K., Portland, OR
Ohana Hawaiian Cafe
Northeast Portland
6320 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“I'm from Hawaii, and this is even better than some food from home. They have it all — poi, spam musubi, plate lunch, POG, lau lau, lomi lomi salmon, haupia, kalua pork, poke... and it's all really good. I'm still kind of in shock that this exists here.”
Mike B., Portland, OR
Ono Shave Ice
Southwest Portland
Portland, OR
Shaved Ice, Food Trucks
“This isn't a snow cone or Italian ice... Shave ice is much more fine and oh so sweet and they give you quite a bit for only $4. They have it with ice cream for $4.50 and Hawaiian style for $6 which had ice cream, mochi, azuki bean, and snow cap.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
808 Grinds Cafe
Southwest Portland
10100 SW Park Way, Portland, OR
Hawaiian
“The star of the show for me and my sweet tooth is their haupia and okinawa sweet potato pie. I want to cry when I look at it, it's that good. I'm not sure if that's the fat wahine in me or what but dang that stuff is good.”
Kailes B., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Gelato
The Weekly Yelp
O-M-Gelato!
Pinolo Gelato – Nhan T
Ice cream is nice cream, yet any gelato fan will tell you this frosty Italian import takes all that's wonderful about your Rocky Road and kicks it up a notch. Smoother, more dense, and oh-so-velvety, gelato's coming to a cone near you, and the Weekly's got the scoop!
Affogato
North Portland
8712 N Lombard St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Coffee & Tea
“The Salted Caramel gelato was the obvious choice for me, but the 'Lime In The Coconut' flavor was tempting as well. I really savored this gelato. The waffle cone was not too soft and not too crisp and complemented the gelato to a tee.”
Kerri L., Portland, OR
Alotto Gelato
Alphabet District
931 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Coffee & Tea
“It is locally owned, with great service, and the best quality ingredients known to mankind. In the summertime, they're famous for fresh seasonal berries, and I have always found them to pair extremely well with the chocolate frosted yellow cake gelato.”
Jacob M., Portland, OR
Atlas Scoops
Southeast Portland
8005 SE 13th Ave, Portland, OR
Gelato, Food Trucks
“My daughter got lemon, which must have been pretty good cause she passed up chocolate! I got honey lavender and mint chip. The honey lavender was really good. The shining star was the mint chip, made with real mint leaves!”
Paulette L., Lake Oswego, OR
Bacchi’s Italian Delicatessen
Northeast Portland
6633 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Italian, Sandwiches
“The real star was the gelato. It was smooth and dense. I'll definitely be back for that. We were told that the flavors change weekly. The service was friendly and seems to be family ran.”
Chris W., Montavilla, Portland, OR
Bassotto Gelateria
Northeast Portland
1760 NE Dekum St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Cafes
“A slice of Italy on Dekum street. I chatted with the friendly owner Don, and he definitely knows how to make some authentic gelato. I tried all the flavors, and went with the hazelnut chocolate and eggnog. They were two scoops of creamy deliciousness.”
Sudipto G., Portland, OR
Pinolo Gelato
Southeast Portland
3707 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Gelato, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
“His raspberry gelato tastes like a fresh picked summer raspberry from my backyard. I literally had warm, pleasant flash backs of childhood summertime while sampling it. Pair it with the lemon gelato!”
Brit G., Troutdale, OR
Spella Caffe
Southwest Portland
520 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR
Coffee & Tea
“Spella is tiny. Seriously, it's probably the smallest business of any type you'll ever go to. They honestly make the best espresso in Portland. If you're looking for a little extra treat, get an affogato — espresso poured over authentic Italian gelato!”
Alex B., Portland, OR
Staccato Gelato
Northeast Portland
232 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Donuts
“For under $4, we chose the three scoop option. We tried a few flavors, including honey lavender, chocolate, root beer, tiramisu, and salted caramel. They were all amazing. My favorite was honey lavender, a perfect combination.”
Tiffany L., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: DIVE BARS
The Weekly Yelp
The Portland Dive Bar Guide
Scooter McQuade's – Ken H
Trying to map an escape-route to your nearest dive bar? Here are some My Chauffeur' favorites!
Billy Ray’s
Northeast Portland
2216 NE M L King Blvd, Portland, OR
Dive Bars
“Billy Ray's is always a party, even if you're the only one there. The music there is awesome, there's pinball, and a huge back area. The drinks are cheap, and they only take cash.”
Michelle U., Portland, OR
Club 21
Northeast Portland
2035 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars, American (Traditional)
“The food is good. Fried chicken on Texas toast for the man and beef on Texas toast with the works for me. They are set up like a poor man's Dave And Buster's with arcade games everywhere in some sort of hunting lodge/castle thing, but somehow it works.”
Paige H., Portland, OR
Donnie Vegas
Northeast Portland
1203 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars
“'Taptails? What the hell are taptails?' was my thought coming into DV with a big group of people. Two minutes later, question answered — cocktails on tap! Hu-duh. They have about five options and I went with the Moscow Mule — Yum!”
Jesy B., Portland, OR
Joe’s Cellar
Alphabet District
1332 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR
American (Traditional), Diners, American (New)
“Low, black ceilings give the place a cozy feel, while the 70's plywood walls add more to the overall ambiance. Assorted beer mirrors adorn the walls, sprinkled among the TVs. Complementary popcorn. A comfortable, central bar. What more could you need?”
Timothy R., Portland, OR
Roscoe’s
Montavilla
8105 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
Dive Bars, Pubs
“This might be the best tap list in Portland. I could have spent the next 16 hours sitting around sampling the epic beers they serve. The food and service is too good to call it a dive bar; Roscoe's is something completely different.”
Robert M., Wilsonville, OR
Scooter McQuade’s Restaurant & Bar
Downtown
1321 SW Washington St, Portland, OR
Bars
“Jello Shots, Jello Shots, and more Jello Shots. Cheap everything. Cheap hot dogs on Mondays. This is the crazy good dive bar your mother might have warned you about if she knew about this place.”
Andrew H., Portland, OR
Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge
Northeast Portland
4830 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR
Bars, Karaoke, American (Traditional)
“My favorite portion of the bar is an area that looks like your rad uncle's rec room. It houses two pool tables and pinball. A huge dance floor is smack dab in the middle and includes a stage that hosts karaoke Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.”
Allisun W., Portland, OR
Yur’s Bar & Grill
Northwest
717 NW 16th Ave, Portland, OR
American (Traditional), Dive Bars
The beer selection is huge and they do a great job of rotating seasonal beers and other variety selection when appropriate. Free popcorn is a great snack to nibble if your just having a beer or two.”
Joe M., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: Margarita Madness
The Weekly YELP
Margarita Madness
Nuestra Cocina – Chris M
Margaritas! On the rocks or blended, classic, or fruity; however you like them, everyone has a great tequila story (if they can remember it). Here's some of the places you can find a great margarita here in Portland.
The Conquistador
Southeast Portland
2045 Se Belmont St, Portland, OR
Latin American, Lounges, Vegetarian
“Where do I begin? I usually turn my nose up at flavored margaritas, as opposed to regular lime, but this place does not mess around. All of their margaritas are amazing, the coconut is killer.”
Racquel R., Portland, OR
The Goose
Southeast Portland
2725 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
Tex-Mex, Mexican, Bars
I grew up 90 miles from the border of Mexico and this place felt like home! Oh my god, the tacos were so delicious. Plus the margaritas... Don't even get me started. Blood orange and ginger?! Kiwi, rose! Yes. Just yes.”
Alison T., Portland, OR
Mi Mero Mole
Southeast Portland
5026 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
“I decided to go with the diablo margarita which is spicy. Days later I am still thinking back on this drink very fondly and trying to figure out when I can go obtain another one. If you are a fan of spicy, I'd say it's a must order.”
Krystal F., Portland, OR
Nayar Taqueria
Southeast Portland
5919 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR
Mexican, Vegetarian
“Their margaritas are amazing. They use fresh lime juice and puréed raspberries. The owners are super friendly and genuinely interested in making sure you're happy. I'm so glad to have this place in my neighborhood.”
Caitlin L., Portland, OR
Nuestra Cocina
Southeast Portland
2135 SE Division St, Portland, OR
Mexican, Latin American
“We were able to get a seat at the bar and indulge in some great jalapeño salsa and margaritas. The bartender there was incredibly nice and made awesome drinks. I highly recommend their spicy margarita, as it is the drink that dreams are made of.”
Breanne G., Portland, OR
Rocio’s
Creston-Kenilworth
2850 SE Gladstone St, Portland, OR
Mexican
“The margaritas are the best I've ever had. We asked about their mix, which is just fresh lime juice and agave syrup, but they also do a very generous pour of tequila. The large margarita is in a 16 oz glass and is only $8, so is a pretty good deal.”
Mary M., Southeast Portland, Portland, OR
Torta-landia
Southeast Portland
4144 SE 60th Ave, Portland, OR
Mexican, Pubs
“The house margarita is delicious and if you go during happy hour (3–6pm & 9pm–Close) they are $5.50 or $20 for a pitcher. The margarita pitchers, hot chips, and trivial pursuit cards make this place a great hang out for friends.”
BJ D., Portland, OR
Que Pasa Cantina
Southeast Portland
1408 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR
Mexican
“We had a pitcher of the 'skinny margarita'. It was tangy and not too sweet. I like my margaritas tangy and limey and this was perfect! The pitcher had a lot of ice, but we easily filled five margaritas so that turned out fine.”
Lindsay A., Portland, OR
Food + Drink: BURGERS
Burger Stevens Food Cart—slinging the Pioneer Ranch beef in Pioneer Courthouse Square (pictured right) that tastes "like McDonald’s if they ever had a soul."
- BrunchBOX (620 SW 9TH)
- 17 Burger Joints Better Than Your Backyard - From all-American to Chinese street-style to a Mexican hamburguesa, here's where to score some of the city's top burgers.
My Chauffeur DT Picks for Cheap Micro Brews during Happy Hour
- See more Portland Best Restaurants -
- More Downtown Dining by TravelPortland -
- More in Portland's Best New Restaurants in 2016 -
- See more Portland Best Restaurants from oregonlive.com.
- More Downtown Dining by TravelPortland -
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