Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
This lovely affordable small bistro is just blocks away; it's one of my favorite spots. Food and service are both great. Dine inside or out, lunch/dinner Weds-Sun plus Sun. brunch. Check current hours before you go. Try the sangria!
22 locals recommend
Petisco
1411 NE BroadwayThis lovely affordable small bistro is just blocks away; it's one of my favorite spots. Food and service are both great. Dine inside or out, lunch/dinner Weds-Sun plus Sun. brunch. Check current hours before you go. Try the sangria!
Peet's Coffee
1441 NE BroadwayStrong coffee, good pastries, nice place to start or end the day.
Best bagels in town! Coffee, soup and more. Walking distance.
49 locals recommend
Spielman Bagels and Coffee Roasters
2200 NE BroadwayBest bagels in town! Coffee, soup and more. Walking distance.
Taco Pedaler
2225 NE BroadwayCozy taco joint just up the street. Eat inside or outside.
This is a favorite of mine, especially in the warm months when you can dine on the lovely grapevine covered deck in back. A cut above the rest.
23 locals recommend
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
3135 NE BroadwayThis is a favorite of mine, especially in the warm months when you can dine on the lovely grapevine covered deck in back. A cut above the rest.
Very close by and great for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check for current hours before you go.
26 locals recommend
Milo's City Cafe
1325 NE BroadwayVery close by and great for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Check for current hours before you go.
Great little breakfast joint with the best melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in town. Eat in or take out, minimalist decor. When its sunny, sit outside. This place is "temporarily closed". Hope it will open up again soon. There are other locations on 11th and SE Division, and NE 22nd and Alberta.
37 locals recommend
Pine State Biscuits | Schuyler
125 NE Schuyler StGreat little breakfast joint with the best melt-in-your-mouth biscuits in town. Eat in or take out, minimalist decor. When its sunny, sit outside. This place is "temporarily closed". Hope it will open up again soon. There are other locations on 11th and SE Division, and NE 22nd and Alberta.
Good for breakfast and lunch; just a short walk away. Check for current hours before you go.
26 locals recommend
Cadillac Cafe
1801 NE BroadwayGood for breakfast and lunch; just a short walk away. Check for current hours before you go.
Good Italian food at extremely reasonable prices. 5 minutes' walk up Broadway. Great service and great food and wine.
38 locals recommend
Pastini
2027 SE Division StGood Italian food at extremely reasonable prices. 5 minutes' walk up Broadway. Great service and great food and wine.
Wide menu of tasty and affordable Middle Eastern food. Walking distance away: 15 min. If you go, pick up grocery items at New Seasons, right across the street; open until at least 10 pm.
125 locals recommend
Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
3223 NE BroadwayWide menu of tasty and affordable Middle Eastern food. Walking distance away: 15 min. If you go, pick up grocery items at New Seasons, right across the street; open until at least 10 pm.
This is my all time favorite bakery for snacks, breakfast or lunch. Yummy pastries and coffee as well as soups, sandwiches and salads. Great variety of breads, too. About a 25-30 minute walk. Currently open only until 3 pm, but that could change soon, hopefully.
226 locals recommend
Grand Central Bakery
714 N Fremont StThis is my all time favorite bakery for snacks, breakfast or lunch. Yummy pastries and coffee as well as soups, sandwiches and salads. Great variety of breads, too. About a 25-30 minute walk. Currently open only until 3 pm, but that could change soon, hopefully.
Really good Asian noodle house, with reasonable prices. Walking distance away; very popular. In a charming old Portland style house.
42 locals recommend
Frank's Noodle House
822 Northeast BroadwayReally good Asian noodle house, with reasonable prices. Walking distance away; very popular. In a charming old Portland style house.
This is a vegan and vegetarian's dream restaurant. Food is delicious, beautiful and very healthy. Lots of creative choices in food and beverage. A short walk up Broadway. Eat outside or inside.
80 locals recommend
Blossoming Lotus
1713 NE 15th AveThis is a vegan and vegetarian's dream restaurant. Food is delicious, beautiful and very healthy. Lots of creative choices in food and beverage. A short walk up Broadway. Eat outside or inside.
Many flavors of organic frozen yogurt that change seasonally, plus a crazy array of toppings; just four blocks away.
41 locals recommend
Eb & Bean Local Organic Frozen Yogurt (NE)
1425 NE BroadwayMany flavors of organic frozen yogurt that change seasonally, plus a crazy array of toppings; just four blocks away.
Gourmet NW dining awaits you here; a bit of a splurge dollar-wise. Make a reservation for sure. Also a short 15-20 minute walk away.
192 locals recommend
OX Restaurant
2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdGourmet NW dining awaits you here; a bit of a splurge dollar-wise. Make a reservation for sure. Also a short 15-20 minute walk away.
Yummy and affordable Ethiopian food. About 15-20 minutes walk time away.
26 locals recommend
Queen of Sheba Restaurant
2413 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdYummy and affordable Ethiopian food. About 15-20 minutes walk time away.
Affordable, authentic and hearty Mexican cafe just steps away. Full bar, sports on tv and kids play area, too. Salsa dancing every weekend; often lessons start out the evening. Unfortunately, since covid, the children's play area has been closed. But this is a kid friendly place nevertheless.
18 locals recommend
Aztec Willie's Taqueria
1501 NE BroadwayAffordable, authentic and hearty Mexican cafe just steps away. Full bar, sports on tv and kids play area, too. Salsa dancing every weekend; often lessons start out the evening. Unfortunately, since covid, the children's play area has been closed. But this is a kid friendly place nevertheless.
The best fish tacos around, but go with patience; there is often a line here. Check out their margaritas, too. About a 30-35 minute walk. If weather is nice, check out the roof garden; it's away from the street and nice that way.
342 locals recommend
¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveThe best fish tacos around, but go with patience; there is often a line here. Check out their margaritas, too. About a 30-35 minute walk. If weather is nice, check out the roof garden; it's away from the street and nice that way.
A casual cafe just a short walk away. Coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Sit inside on a rainy day; outside on a sunny one! Travel shows, soccer games, foreign language nights.
25 locals recommend
Costello's Travel Caffe
2222 NE BroadwayA casual cafe just a short walk away. Coffee, pastries, breakfast, lunch, desserts and more. Sit inside on a rainy day; outside on a sunny one! Travel shows, soccer games, foreign language nights.
Home of the infamous "must have" pink box, if you are into ultra sweet doughnuts, that is.
125 locals recommend
Voodoo Doughnut - Davis
1501 NE Davis StHome of the infamous "must have" pink box, if you are into ultra sweet doughnuts, that is.
One of the best breakfast/brunch spots in Portland. After you eat, check out the vinyl record store next door, or Cherry Sprout Grocery right across the street.
240 locals recommend
Sweedeedee
5202 N Albina AveOne of the best breakfast/brunch spots in Portland. After you eat, check out the vinyl record store next door, or Cherry Sprout Grocery right across the street.
Podnah's BBQ
1625 NE Killingsworth StGreat BBQ, though it's pretty noisy (you've been warned.)
Good affordable healthy interesting food (in spite of the name.) Walking distance: 20 min. No wait on Sunday morning for brunch (unlike most Portland brunch spots.) Also open for lunch and dinner.
142 locals recommend
Grain & Gristle
1473 NE Prescott StGood affordable healthy interesting food (in spite of the name.) Walking distance: 20 min. No wait on Sunday morning for brunch (unlike most Portland brunch spots.) Also open for lunch and dinner.
Yummy baked goods plus real breakfast and lunch. Sit in or outside. Walking distance: 30 min. Two locations now; the one on Burnside and MLK is a bit closer, but I prefer the ambiance of the original, on SE 28th and Ankeny.
144 locals recommend
Crema Bakery & Cafe
2728 SE Ankeny StYummy baked goods plus real breakfast and lunch. Sit in or outside. Walking distance: 30 min. Two locations now; the one on Burnside and MLK is a bit closer, but I prefer the ambiance of the original, on SE 28th and Ankeny.
Great coffee, one of a kind place. Short walk away; quiet refuge. Best for takeout. 2 close locations: one just up NE Broadway at about 19th; one on NE 15th at Brazee.
26 locals recommend
Saint Simon Coffee Co.
2005 NE BroadwayGreat coffee, one of a kind place. Short walk away; quiet refuge. Best for takeout. 2 close locations: one just up NE Broadway at about 19th; one on NE 15th at Brazee.
Their croissants, traditional or fancy, are the BEST in Pdx. Get there early for best selection; they usually sell out fast. Closes at 1pm. Just a 10 minute walk up Broadway to 21st.
13 locals recommend
Twisted Croissant
2129 NE BroadwayTheir croissants, traditional or fancy, are the BEST in Pdx. Get there early for best selection; they usually sell out fast. Closes at 1pm. Just a 10 minute walk up Broadway to 21st.
I have not been here, because Im a wine person more than a beer person. But its a short walk away, so check it out. Pdx is know for its many beer choices.
Hop Haven - Beer Bar and Bottle Shop
2130 NE BroadwayI have not been here, because Im a wine person more than a beer person. But its a short walk away, so check it out. Pdx is know for its many beer choices.
This is a very nice sushi restaurant just a 10 minute walk away.
6 locals recommend
Bluefin Tuna & Sushi
1337 Northeast BroadwayThis is a very nice sushi restaurant just a 10 minute walk away.
This is a short walk away, and has good pub food and a full bar. On the corner of NE 15th and Broadway, upstairs.
18 locals recommend
McMenamins Broadway Pub
1504 NE BroadwayThis is a short walk away, and has good pub food and a full bar. On the corner of NE 15th and Broadway, upstairs.
Shopping
Long time independent bookstore with a wide ranging selection of books and a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
18 locals recommend
Broadway Books
1714 NE BroadwayLong time independent bookstore with a wide ranging selection of books and a knowledgeable and helpful staff.
A must see for every Portland visitor. The biggest and BEST independent bookstore ANYWHERE, bar none. Long hours, amazing selection and coffee shop on site. A book lover's Mecca.
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StA must see for every Portland visitor. The biggest and BEST independent bookstore ANYWHERE, bar none. Long hours, amazing selection and coffee shop on site. A book lover's Mecca.
Taste away in this lovely little store with its beautiful blue tile facade (it used to be a Middle East rug store.) Short walk away. And it's right next door to a gluten free bakery.
9 locals recommend
Creo Chocolate
122 NE BroadwayTaste away in this lovely little store with its beautiful blue tile facade (it used to be a Middle East rug store.) Short walk away. And it's right next door to a gluten free bakery.
Art, crafts, street food, music, jugglers, and more right on the river downtown in the Historic District. Open March through Christmas Eve, all day on Saturday and Sunday only. Walk there from Bamboo Garden Apt (25 min) or take mass transit (bus or trolley), as parking is pretty difficult. Happens rain or shine (it's under cover mostly.) Arts and crafts, food and music. Right on the Riverbank downtown.
425 locals recommend
Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyArt, crafts, street food, music, jugglers, and more right on the river downtown in the Historic District. Open March through Christmas Eve, all day on Saturday and Sunday only. Walk there from Bamboo Garden Apt (25 min) or take mass transit (bus or trolley), as parking is pretty difficult. Happens rain or shine (it's under cover mostly.) Arts and crafts, food and music. Right on the Riverbank downtown.
Arts & Culture
Huge complex that is home to the Portland Trailblazer basketball team as well as host to many concerts by nationally and internationally known musicians. 15 minutes walk away. Part of what is known here as "The Rose Quarter".
204 locals recommend
Moda Center
1 N Center Ct StHuge complex that is home to the Portland Trailblazer basketball team as well as host to many concerts by nationally and internationally known musicians. 15 minutes walk away. Part of what is known here as "The Rose Quarter".
If you are into local Oregon history, this is a place for you. Downtown across from the Art Museum and close to restaurants and shopping. Take the MAX train from 7th St stop and get off at Pioneer Square, then walks a few blocks.
86 locals recommend
Oregon Historical Society Museum
1200 SW Park AveIf you are into local Oregon history, this is a place for you. Downtown across from the Art Museum and close to restaurants and shopping. Take the MAX train from 7th St stop and get off at Pioneer Square, then walks a few blocks.
On the small side but always interesting. There are two buildings; the original one and now a second one next door which specializes in contemporary art.
785 locals recommend
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveOn the small side but always interesting. There are two buildings; the original one and now a second one next door which specializes in contemporary art.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to taste locally made ciders of all kinds. Snacks, too. Funky weird Portland at its best.
15 locals recommend
Reverend Nat's Hard Cider
2425 Southeast 35th PlaceGreat place to taste locally made ciders of all kinds. Snacks, too. Funky weird Portland at its best.
Late night very hip hangout with full bar, dj’s and vegan snacks. Very short walk away.
13 locals recommend
Black Water Bar
835 NE BroadwayLate night very hip hangout with full bar, dj’s and vegan snacks. Very short walk away.
Live music most nights. Good affordable pub food and lots of local brews to choose from.
65 locals recommend
Laurelthirst Public House
2958 NE Glisan StLive music most nights. Good affordable pub food and lots of local brews to choose from.
This is a lively, women run, often packed bar and restaurant that features Women's sports on its viewing screens. Food is mostly pub style, but good; beverages are wide ranging. If you are into women's sports, this is the place for you! a 10 minute walk up NE Broadway to 24th.
The Sports Bra
This is a lively, women run, often packed bar and restaurant that features Women's sports on its viewing screens. Food is mostly pub style, but good; beverages are wide ranging. If you are into women's sports, this is the place for you! a 10 minute walk up NE Broadway to 24th.
This is a small but mighty live blues bar not far away; maybe a 25-30 minute walk. Cover usually $5-10. Open Thurs-Sun. Doors open at 5 pm on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and at 4pm on Sun. Music til 11 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and until 8 on Sundays. Pub food/comfort food. "Old Fashioned country food with a modern flair."
23 locals recommend
Blue Diamond Bar & Grill
2016 Northeast Sandy BoulevardThis is a small but mighty live blues bar not far away; maybe a 25-30 minute walk. Cover usually $5-10. Open Thurs-Sun. Doors open at 5 pm on Thurs, Fri, Sat, and at 4pm on Sun. Music til 11 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and until 8 on Sundays. Pub food/comfort food. "Old Fashioned country food with a modern flair."
This is a 20-25 min walk away; it boasts handcrafted chocolates and a wine bar that features Oregon wines.
11 locals recommend
Cup and Bar
118 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdThis is a 20-25 min walk away; it boasts handcrafted chocolates and a wine bar that features Oregon wines.
Essentials
The best grocery store anywhere...with strong emphasis on locally grown, sustainable and organic food. Great cafe, too, for lunch or dinner. And you can ask to taste ANYTHING in the store, really! Open until 10 pm.
974 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StThe best grocery store anywhere...with strong emphasis on locally grown, sustainable and organic food. Great cafe, too, for lunch or dinner. And you can ask to taste ANYTHING in the store, really! Open until 10 pm.
Hip laundromat open until 10 pm everyday. 15 minute walk away on NE 24th and Broadway.
103 locals recommend
Spin Laundry Lounge
750 N Fremont StHip laundromat open until 10 pm everyday. 15 minute walk away on NE 24th and Broadway.
Entertainment and Spas
The best art and foreign films in town, plus light dinners and a full bar; you can even drink and dine while watching your film. Live jazz on Fri and Sat nights. Theaters are small; book online to be sure to get a seat. Go for happy hour before your film; it's a great deal. Right across the street from Powell's Books.
136 locals recommend
Living Room Theater
341 SW 10th AveThe best art and foreign films in town, plus light dinners and a full bar; you can even drink and dine while watching your film. Live jazz on Fri and Sat nights. Theaters are small; book online to be sure to get a seat. Go for happy hour before your film; it's a great deal. Right across the street from Powell's Books.
This is a beautiful and classy full service spa that used to be very close by, but now is across the river in the Slabtown neighborhood. Treat yourself to a 60 or 90 minute massage with a sauna finish. Then come back and take a nap; you will need it!
22 locals recommend
Root Whole Body
2122 NW Quimby StThis is a beautiful and classy full service spa that used to be very close by, but now is across the river in the Slabtown neighborhood. Treat yourself to a 60 or 90 minute massage with a sauna finish. Then come back and take a nap; you will need it!
Parks & Nature
Quiet and peaceful and beautiful, no matter what season it is. If you go, take in the Rose Garden as well, it's close by.
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveQuiet and peaceful and beautiful, no matter what season it is. If you go, take in the Rose Garden as well, it's close by.
Great place to take a walk along the river and take in the downtown walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, boating and you-name-it scene. If it's really hot, cool off in the Salmon Springs fountain. You can connect to it by starting on the Eastside Esplanade...just a short walk from here: 10 min. Make the whole loop or do just part of it.
212 locals recommend
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito PkwyGreat place to take a walk along the river and take in the downtown walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, boating and you-name-it scene. If it's really hot, cool off in the Salmon Springs fountain. You can connect to it by starting on the Eastside Esplanade...just a short walk from here: 10 min. Make the whole loop or do just part of it.