Oliver’s guidebook
Our favorite cafes!
Here is a list of some of our local cafes that you should definitely try!
Chill, two-story spot for locally sourced espresso drinks plus pastries, with motorcycles on hand.
22 locals recommend
Two Stroke Coffee Co.
8517 N Lombard StChill, two-story spot for locally sourced espresso drinks plus pastries, with motorcycles on hand.
This is in a group of food carts only about a ten minute walk from our house. Great spot if you want to walk to get a coffee as they are normally open early everyday!
The Grind Coffee
7316 North Lombard StreetThis is in a group of food carts only about a ten minute walk from our house. Great spot if you want to walk to get a coffee as they are normally open early everyday!
Cafe & roastery offering a variety of freshly ground single-origin & blended coffees & espressos.
28 locals recommend
St. Johns Coffee Roasters
7304 N Leavitt AveCafe & roastery offering a variety of freshly ground single-origin & blended coffees & espressos.
They only have drip coffee, but this is a must if you like bagels! People come from all over Portland to get a bagel and their coffee is good!
19 locals recommend
Bernstein's Bagels
816 N Russell StThey only have drip coffee, but this is a must if you like bagels! People come from all over Portland to get a bagel and their coffee is good!
This is another coffee cart that is a 10 minute walk from the house. They offer a CBD latte which apparently is pretty good!
Daydreamer Coffee
7315 N Fessenden StThis is another coffee cart that is a 10 minute walk from the house. They offer a CBD latte which apparently is pretty good!
Our favorite restaurants!
We love St. Johns because the food scene is casual, yet so many great options!
Contemporary, locally focused Italian spot featuring handmade pasta, sandwiches & patio dining.
47 locals recommend
Gabagool
7955 N Lombard StContemporary, locally focused Italian spot featuring handmade pasta, sandwiches & patio dining.
Buzzy Indian vegan restaurant spot serving traditional fare plus specialty cocktails in cozy digs.
58 locals recommend
The Sudra
28 NE 28th AveBuzzy Indian vegan restaurant spot serving traditional fare plus specialty cocktails in cozy digs.
Simple cafe offering vegan versions of BBQ plates & Southern soul food favorites.
24 locals recommend
Homegrown Smoker
8638 N Lombard StSimple cafe offering vegan versions of BBQ plates & Southern soul food favorites.
Quaint Thai standby with sidewalk benches serving street eats, traditional dishes & seasonal picks.
30 locals recommend
Thai Cottage
8620 N Lombard StQuaint Thai standby with sidewalk benches serving street eats, traditional dishes & seasonal picks.
Sila Thai
7316 North Lombard StreetThis is a food cart that just came to town and is meant to be really good!
Super friendly Jamaican house...literally set up in an old Portland home. Amazing jerk chicken that you have to get!
Jamaica House
8307 N Ivanhoe StSuper friendly Jamaican house...literally set up in an old Portland home. Amazing jerk chicken that you have to get!
Laid-back spot with a curving bar & heated patio, plus Ping-Pong tables & a bocce court. They have great tomato soup and sandwiches if you're looking for a casual pub spot.
61 locals recommend
Leisure Public House
8002 N Lombard StLaid-back spot with a curving bar & heated patio, plus Ping-Pong tables & a bocce court. They have great tomato soup and sandwiches if you're looking for a casual pub spot.
New brewery that just came to St. Johns that serves good pub food and long list of beers!
98 locals recommend
StormBreaker Brewing
832 N Beech StNew brewery that just came to St. Johns that serves good pub food and long list of beers!
MAMA SAN SOUL SHACK is a North Portland eatery and drinking spot that serves ASIAN SOUL FOOD to dine in or take out. We blend the cuisines of the Southern United States and the continent of Asia to create fresh and delicious rice bowls, burgers, fried chicken and boozy slushies. We’re kitchie Soul babies who love to color outside the lines.
17 locals recommend
Mama San Soul Shack
8037 N Lombard StMAMA SAN SOUL SHACK is a North Portland eatery and drinking spot that serves ASIAN SOUL FOOD to dine in or take out. We blend the cuisines of the Southern United States and the continent of Asia to create fresh and delicious rice bowls, burgers, fried chicken and boozy slushies. We’re kitchie Soul babies who love to color outside the lines.
Pub food, beer & 2nd-run movies star in a historic domed building with a patio & comfy couches.
98 locals recommend
McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub
8203 N Ivanhoe StPub food, beer & 2nd-run movies star in a historic domed building with a patio & comfy couches.
Simple operation with booths & a counter specializing in traditional Mexican dishes. Some say this is the best cheap Mexican food in town and their fish taco doesn't no disappoint!
18 locals recommend
Rose City Taqueria
7007 N Fessenden StSimple operation with booths & a counter specializing in traditional Mexican dishes. Some say this is the best cheap Mexican food in town and their fish taco doesn't no disappoint!
This is literally a hole in the wall Mexican spot in the back of a Mexican grocery store. They have the best veggie burrito in all of Portland and their little tacos are amazing!
Taqueria Santa Cruz
891 NE Hogan DrThis is literally a hole in the wall Mexican spot in the back of a Mexican grocery store. They have the best veggie burrito in all of Portland and their little tacos are amazing!
Our favorite breweries, pubs, and dive bars!
There are more pubs, bars, and dive bars in St. Johns than you can imagine! Have fun!
Laid-back spot with a curving bar & heated patio, plus Ping-Pong tables & a bocce court.
61 locals recommend
Leisure Public House
8002 N Lombard StLaid-back spot with a curving bar & heated patio, plus Ping-Pong tables & a bocce court.
Loungey hangout serving drinks & eclectic fare plus frequent live music & open-mike events.
35 locals recommend
Slim's Restaurant & Lounge
8635 N Lombard StLoungey hangout serving drinks & eclectic fare plus frequent live music & open-mike events.
This is a great "Portland as you get" food cart pod with a beer porch attached. So many food options and tons of beer on tap!
51 locals recommend
The St Johns Beer Porch
7316 N Lombard StThis is a great "Portland as you get" food cart pod with a beer porch attached. So many food options and tons of beer on tap!
Bar adorned in old beer signs & antlers, with a heated patio, shuffleboard & Southern-themed menu.
43 locals recommend
The Fixin' To
8218 N Lombard StBar adorned in old beer signs & antlers, with a heated patio, shuffleboard & Southern-themed menu.
Pub food, beer & 2nd-run movies star in a historic domed building with a patio & comfy couches.
98 locals recommend
McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub
8203 N Ivanhoe StPub food, beer & 2nd-run movies star in a historic domed building with a patio & comfy couches.
Rock N Roo Taproom
8927 N Lombard StAustralia inspired tap house with lots of options on tap!
Huge selection of beers on tap and you can grab a slice of pizza next door!
6 locals recommend
Hoplandia
8600 N Ivanhoe StHuge selection of beers on tap and you can grab a slice of pizza next door!
This a cool cozy small house that has a number of taps. Great little outdoor patio and cozy in the winter.
15 locals recommend
Lombard House
7337 N Lombard StThis a cool cozy small house that has a number of taps. Great little outdoor patio and cozy in the winter.
If you're looking for a great dive bar breakfast to soak up a hangover go here!
35 locals recommend
Slim's Restaurant & Lounge
8635 N Lombard StIf you're looking for a great dive bar breakfast to soak up a hangover go here!
Cool industrial brewery under the St. Johns Bridge with all their beers on tap! There is a restaurant they run across the way where you can grab a bite to eat as well!
38 locals recommend
Occidental Brewing Company
6635 N Baltimore AveCool industrial brewery under the St. Johns Bridge with all their beers on tap! There is a restaurant they run across the way where you can grab a bite to eat as well!
Awesome downtown St. Johns location with good bar food everything they make on tap!
98 locals recommend
StormBreaker Brewing
832 N Beech StAwesome downtown St. Johns location with good bar food everything they make on tap!
Beer bar serving local crafts brews in a cozy space with colorful wall murals & counter seating.
19 locals recommend
The Garrison
8773 N Lombard StBeer bar serving local crafts brews in a cozy space with colorful wall murals & counter seating.
Our favorite breakfast spots!
The breakfast scene in St. Johns has something for everyone!
Great breakfast or brunch spot that serves some of the best quality food in St Johns! Try their chicken pot pie!
20 locals recommend
Paiku
7425 N Leavitt AveGreat breakfast or brunch spot that serves some of the best quality food in St Johns! Try their chicken pot pie!
Best bagel in all of Portland! You have to try a toasted everything bagel with Mama Lil's cream cheese!
19 locals recommend
Bernstein's Bagels
816 N Russell StBest bagel in all of Portland! You have to try a toasted everything bagel with Mama Lil's cream cheese!
Independently owned local diner style cafe with the best omelettes in town! Great value and the green chili omelette is out of this world!
43 locals recommend
John Street Cafe
8338 N Lombard StIndependently owned local diner style cafe with the best omelettes in town! Great value and the green chili omelette is out of this world!
Things to do in St. Johns!
Have fun being a local!
Beautiful park under the St. Johns Bridge where you can pack a picnic, take a walk or go have a beer at Occidental Brewing with a stunning view of the bridge!
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&propertyid=97&action=viewpark
186 locals recommend
Cathedral Park
Beautiful park under the St. Johns Bridge where you can pack a picnic, take a walk or go have a beer at Occidental Brewing with a stunning view of the bridge!
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?&propertyid=97&action=viewpark
St Johns was once a separate city to Portland so our downtown strip is frozen in time. Lots of great little shops to pickup gifts, have drink, or grab some food!
Downtown St Johns
St Johns was once a separate city to Portland so our downtown strip is frozen in time. Lots of great little shops to pickup gifts, have drink, or grab some food!
Beautiful public golf course just ten minutes from the house. They have two beautiful courses with views of Mt. Hood. They have rental clubs and a driving range as well!
https://www.heronlakesgolf.com/
16 locals recommend
Heron Lakes Golf Club
3500 N Victory BlvdBeautiful public golf course just ten minutes from the house. They have two beautiful courses with views of Mt. Hood. They have rental clubs and a driving range as well!
https://www.heronlakesgolf.com/
Great old school theater playing current releases serving beer / wine and pizza.
http://stjohnscinema.com/
87 locals recommend
St. Johns Twin Cinema
8704 N Lombard StGreat old school theater playing current releases serving beer / wine and pizza.
http://stjohnscinema.com/
The theater is in a dome that was used in the 1905 World's Fair! Great comfy seats and you can bring in your food and drinks!
http://stjohnscinema.com/
98 locals recommend
McMenamins St. Johns Theater & Pub
8203 N Ivanhoe StThe theater is in a dome that was used in the 1905 World's Fair! Great comfy seats and you can bring in your food and drinks!
http://stjohnscinema.com/
one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the country. Walk the paved, half-mile Interlakes Trail and you might spot beavers, painted turtles, pelicans and bald eagles.
https://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/smith-and-bybee-wetlands-natural-area
30 locals recommend
Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
5300 N Marine Drone of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the country. Walk the paved, half-mile Interlakes Trail and you might spot beavers, painted turtles, pelicans and bald eagles.
https://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/smith-and-bybee-wetlands-natural-area
Nature lovers can amble along the trails at Pier Park and picnic under the towering Douglas firs, or grab your binoculars and drive over to the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the country. Walk the paved, half-mile Interlakes Trail and you might spot beavers, painted turtles, pelicans and bald eagles.
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?propertyid=513&action=ViewPark
9 locals recommend
Pier Park Disc Golf Course
9100 N Bruce AveNature lovers can amble along the trails at Pier Park and picnic under the towering Douglas firs, or grab your binoculars and drive over to the Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the country. Walk the paved, half-mile Interlakes Trail and you might spot beavers, painted turtles, pelicans and bald eagles.
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?propertyid=513&action=ViewPark
A block away you’ll find the award-winning Moonstruck Chocolate factory. Pop in for truffles during weekdays and get a bird’s-eye view of the chocolate makers in action.
http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/
7 locals recommend
Moonstruck Chocolate Company
6600 N Baltimore AveA block away you’ll find the award-winning Moonstruck Chocolate factory. Pop in for truffles during weekdays and get a bird’s-eye view of the chocolate makers in action.
http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/