Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Portland’s renowned small batch “farm to cone” ice cream shop with flavors such as “honey balsamic strawberry with cracked pepper”. Long lines though, and we generally prefer Pinolo gelato down the street.
1078 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StPortland’s renowned small batch “farm to cone” ice cream shop with flavors such as “honey balsamic strawberry with cracked pepper”. Long lines though, and we generally prefer Pinolo gelato down the street.
Our favorite Sushi in town, and great for both fish fans and vegetarians, with good veggie sushi options. The Walla Walla roll with or without crab is not to be missed. The major caveat is this place is always super busy, but the easy answer is you are guaranteed a table if you show up at 5:00 when they open. Alternatively, the C-Bar next door is a fantastic bar on its own accord and you can hang there and Yoko's will call you when your table is ready.
68 locals recommend
Baan Thai | Restaurant and Bar
Our favorite Sushi in town, and great for both fish fans and vegetarians, with good veggie sushi options. The Walla Walla roll with or without crab is not to be missed. The major caveat is this place is always super busy, but the easy answer is you are guaranteed a table if you show up at 5:00 when they open. Alternatively, the C-Bar next door is a fantastic bar on its own accord and you can hang there and Yoko's will call you when your table is ready.
Our favorite restaurant in town, serving up fantastic Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting. If interested, you should look to book ASAP. The good news is they book through opentable.com, the bad news is if you are visiting soon you'll have to arrive early or late or sit at the bar. Very romantic spot, and make sure you try several of the garden options, as nobody does vegetable dishes better in Portland. Make sure you get a Pane as well (ideally one with a delicious cheese on top).
236 locals recommend
Ava Gene's
3377 SE Division StOur favorite restaurant in town, serving up fantastic Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting. If interested, you should look to book ASAP. The good news is they book through opentable.com, the bad news is if you are visiting soon you'll have to arrive early or late or sit at the bar. Very romantic spot, and make sure you try several of the garden options, as nobody does vegetable dishes better in Portland. Make sure you get a Pane as well (ideally one with a delicious cheese on top).
Our most visited restaurant in the hood. Family-friendly Italian food with a killer happy hour ($5 spicy spaghetti and $8 pizzas) and the food always comes out in less than 20 minutes. Great decor and friendly vibe.
91 locals recommend
Cibo
3539 SE Division StOur most visited restaurant in the hood. Family-friendly Italian food with a killer happy hour ($5 spicy spaghetti and $8 pizzas) and the food always comes out in less than 20 minutes. Great decor and friendly vibe.
Our favorite Thai restaurant in SE PDX. Yes, even over Pok Pok and despite the fact its vegetarian. The food is bursting with flavor; make sure you start off with the lettuce wrap appetizer.
62 locals recommend
Kati Portland
2932 SE Division StOur favorite Thai restaurant in SE PDX. Yes, even over Pok Pok and despite the fact its vegetarian. The food is bursting with flavor; make sure you start off with the lettuce wrap appetizer.
Delicious Indian street food. The food is amazing and not your traditional Indian.
625 locals recommend
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StDelicious Indian street food. The food is amazing and not your traditional Indian.
We are not really donut people, but if you like donuts this is the place to go.
403 locals recommend
Blue Star Donuts
3325 SE Division StWe are not really donut people, but if you like donuts this is the place to go.
Parks & Nature
Great place to stroll along the Willamette River if you happen to be downtown.
212 locals recommend
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
98 SW Naito PkwyGreat place to stroll along the Willamette River if you happen to be downtown.
The oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States boasts more than 8,000 roses. Very close to the Japanese Garden so you can easily see both.
627 locals recommend
International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston AveThe oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States boasts more than 8,000 roses. Very close to the Japanese Garden so you can easily see both.
A beautiful Japanese style garden, a perfect place to spend a few hours on a beautiful day. Peak hours the park is crowded so try for off hours or mid-week visits. Admission is $10, so take your time exploring and enjoying the tranquil setting
1015 locals recommend
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveA beautiful Japanese style garden, a perfect place to spend a few hours on a beautiful day. Peak hours the park is crowded so try for off hours or mid-week visits. Admission is $10, so take your time exploring and enjoying the tranquil setting
Only Volcano within City Limits in the U.S. Great hiking and biking or simply drive close to the top and get out to check out killer views of downtown and the West Hills.
405 locals recommend
Mt Tabor Dog Park
2219 SE Lincoln StOnly Volcano within City Limits in the U.S. Great hiking and biking or simply drive close to the top and get out to check out killer views of downtown and the West Hills.
Shopping
A book lover's paradise & the largest used and new bookstore in the world! Open 365 days a year. Occupying an entire city block, the City stocks more than a million new and used books.
976 locals recommend
Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StA book lover's paradise & the largest used and new bookstore in the world! Open 365 days a year. Occupying an entire city block, the City stocks more than a million new and used books.
Arts & Culture
This 1914 home is spectacular both inside and outside. The beautiful grounds include what has to be one of the best views of the city, and the interior contains gorgeous ceilings, curved walls, amazing fireplaces, and unique floor designs. This well preserved home is a must see for anyone who values the treasures of a bygone era
622 locals recommend
Pittock Mansion
3229 NW Pittock DrThis 1914 home is spectacular both inside and outside. The beautiful grounds include what has to be one of the best views of the city, and the interior contains gorgeous ceilings, curved walls, amazing fireplaces, and unique floor designs. This well preserved home is a must see for anyone who values the treasures of a bygone era
The seventh oldest museum in the United States, the Portland Art Museum was founded in 1892 and has since amassed a substantial and varied collection. The number of items exceeds 42,000 and only a small portion is displayed in more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space. Highlights include Native American artifacts, graphic arts, English silver, Asian art, photography, and Northwest art. One of the Portland Art Museum's most notable pieces is Vincent Van Gogh's Cart with Black Ox.
785 locals recommend
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveThe seventh oldest museum in the United States, the Portland Art Museum was founded in 1892 and has since amassed a substantial and varied collection. The number of items exceeds 42,000 and only a small portion is displayed in more than 112,000 square feet of gallery space. Highlights include Native American artifacts, graphic arts, English silver, Asian art, photography, and Northwest art. One of the Portland Art Museum's most notable pieces is Vincent Van Gogh's Cart with Black Ox.
Essentials
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdOur go to Grocery Store.
Rite Aid
2440 SE Cesar Estrada Chavez BlvdWalking distance, has most things you might need.
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StHigher-end grocery store; very friendly, great produce.
Bars and Nightlife
Our favorite bar within walking distance, and right in the middle of the action on Division.
69 locals recommend
The Richmond Bar
3203 SE Division StOur favorite bar within walking distance, and right in the middle of the action on Division.
Rum Club
720 SE Sandy BlvdBest cocktails in Portland; where bartenders go to drink.