It’s time to eat your heart out (literally) in one of the west coast’s best foodie scenes. Whether brunching, lunching, dining, or noshing in between at one of Portland’s many happy hours, PDX has something for everyone and every budget.
Our Travel Guides are bringing you the best places to drink, things to do, and neighbourhoods to explore in Portland.
Now, here’s our list of places to stuff your face and/or slowly indulge in scrumptious things in this foodies’ paradise.
Nurse your hangover: TILT
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Work your way through these killer sandwiches at the place that’s “designed for the American workforce.” Don’t let the metal cafeteria serving trays fool you, the food still tastes refined and the atmosphere feels relatively sophisticated, given that you’re ordering from a blue-collar inspired menu with burgers on biscuits and traditional creampies.
Address: 1355 NW Everett Street
Neighbourhood: Pearl District
Phone: +1-503-894-9528
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Brunch tapas: Tasty N’ Sons
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Serving meats from the guys at Toro Bravo, any choice on this expansive menu is a good one. Come hungry and come to share, as the dishes come out as ready. The heirloom tomatoes pack a punch and their house bread is also to die for.
Address: 3808 N Williams Avenue C
Neighbourhood: N/Boise
Phone: +1-503-621-1400
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Quaint (m)eatery: The People’s Pig
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From the street, it almost looks like a tea shop in the English countryside (minus the bold signage), but this little joint is anything but. With a meat smoker out back and a killer patio to boot, you will be delighted with any BBQ sandwich you order here.
Address: 3217 N Williams Avenue
Neighbourhood: N/Eliot
Phone: +1-503-282-2800
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Totally tortas: Guero
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This tortas shop serves up delicious juicy, pork-stuffed sandwiches (carnitas) made with their special chilli sauce and local ingredients. Stepping in feels fresh, fun and sunny, and the garden out back is perfect on a warm day.
Address: 200 NE 28th Avenue
Neighbourhood: N/Kerns
Phone: +1 503-887-9258
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Wood oven pizza: Firehouse
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You guessed it, this place is situated in a defunct firehouse, which only adds to the charm of this Italian pizza spot that’s furnished with wooden booths for a cozy feel. Expect super thin crusts and a pair of scissors (yup!) to help you slice.
Address: 711 NE Dekum Street
Neighbourhood: Alberta Arts District/Woodlawn
Phone: +1-503-894-8979
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Upscale prix fixe: Beast
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The menu changes every two weeks so we won’t comment on particulars, but a few very positive surprises are sure-fire at this popular spot on the north end of the city. Worth the jaunt if you’re game for a fixed menu.
Address: 5425 NE 30th Avenue
Neighbourhood: Concordia
Phone: +1-503-841-6968
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Kinda fancy Thai street food: Pok Pok Noi
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The second location of Pok Pok (the city’s first resto by a Michelin starred chef) is on the northeast side of the river and offers (usually) shorter lines than chef Andy Richer’s original locale in the south. You’ll dine along the bar (if not the patio), which makes the dining experience really laid back as you get to know your server, who’s also your mixologist. Make sure to try at least one chicken dish, like the spicy chicken wings, since this spot prepares it in a special way that’s not to be missed.
Address: 1469 NE Prescott Street
Neighbourhood: N/Kerns
Phone: +1-503-287-4149
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Swedish delights: Broder Cafe
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Inspired by the land of hygge, this Swedish neighbourhood spot offers a whole new side to brunch, which must end with dessert, if you ask us. Expect skillets and boards and make sure to order the special potato pancakes to seal the deal. It’s busy on weekends so arrive early, otherwise expect to wait over an hour (don’t worry, they’ll pour a cup of coffee while you wait).
Address: 2508 SE Clinton Street
Neighbourhood: N/Eliot
Phone: +1-503-736-3333
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Fast & delicious: Pok Pok Wing
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From the NYC Michelin chef who brought us Pok Pok and Pok Pok Noi in Portland, this is the fast-food version of this chicken spot fave. Featuring the favourites in a McDonalds-style setting, this is the perfect place if you’re pressed for time.
Address: 3120 SE Milwaukie Avenue
Neighbourhood: S/Brooklyn
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BBQ or bust: Matt’s BBQ
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Dubbed Portland’s reigning king of brisket, if you’re a hungry carnivore, this fixed food truck is the place you want to find yourself.
Address: 4233 N Mississippi Avenue
Neighbourhood: N/Boise
Phone: +1-503-504-0870
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Locals’ choice: Blue Star Donuts
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This lesser-known gourmet donuterie is actually the preferred local choice. Great way to start your day, end your day, fill in your day. Just make sure you taste one of these brioche babies while you’re here!
Address: 1155 SW Morrison Street
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Phone: +1-503-265-8410
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Made with love: Mother’s Bistro & Bar
We can’t even begin to describe the cuteness of this brunch spot. Its rustic decor will make you fall in love with brunch in a whole new way, not to mention the delicious food, “just like mom used to make.” Come early or on a weekday to avoid long lines.
Address: 212 SW Stark Street
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Phone: +1-503-464-1122
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Vegan wings: Black Water Bar
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An unlikely place to find a full vegan menu, this dive bar offers an incredible list of pub favourites that you’ll want to try even if you’re not vegan. Like for instance the buffalo or BBQ ‘wings’ – soy protein wrapped around a sugar cane ‘bone’ and smothered in delicious sauce that makes you wonder why we eat chicken at all.
Address: 835 NE Broadway Street
Neighbourhood: NE/Lloyd’s District
Phone: +1-503-281-0439
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Shuffle around the fire pit: Blue Moon Tavern and Grill
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This is one our favourite McMenamins pubs in Portland. It probably has much to do with the giant indoor firepit and the shuffleboard that’s free to play. It’s the perfect place to nosh down a proper beef burger and fries on a cold and wet Portland night (because those are inevitable). #PNWlife forever.
Address: 432 NW 21st Avenue
Neighbourhood: Alphabet District
Phone: +1-503-223-3184
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Something different: Chez Dodo
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Bringing the street food of Mauritius to Portland, you can expect flavours inspired by African, French, Indian, Chinese, and Creole cuisines. Choose from curries, rice noodle dishes or pan-fried yakisoba noodles or the famous giant “shyamosa.” Vegan options available. Step right up!
Address: 427 SW Stark Street
Neighbourhood: Downtown
Phone:+1-503-270-9258
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Breakfast biscuits: Bushel and Peck Bakeshop
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While easy to overlook since it’s right on a large wide boulevard, this bakery is a total trojan horse. Find Bushel and Peck for some of the most delicious breakfast fare in Portland, including housemade biscuits and creative pastries like the sweet potato curry cake.
Address: 3907 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Neighbourhood: NE/Alameda
Phone: +1 503-206-8953
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Hip brunch: Jam on Hawthorne
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Big, filling and delicious breakfasts served in an art-filled cafe in one of Portland’s favourite (read: weird, hipster, artsy) districts. Lots of items are by default vegetarian and it’s easy to make substitutions on all else to make it vegan, gluten-free, etc. There’s a kids play area in the restaurant so it’s great for families, though it doesn’t feel like a jungle gym and is generally a lively yet peaceful dining experience.
Address: 2239 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Neighbourhood: SE/Hawthorne
Phone: +1-503-234-4790
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Totally guilt-free: Ex Novo
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Treat yourself to a meal even if you’re not into beer, at Ex Novo, a non-profit brewery in NE Portland. That’s right, all profits from this spot go to charity. So there’s no shame if you get carried away with your appetite. A seasonal menu of locally-sourced ingredients includes delish square pizza pies and salads like the brussel sprout caesar, perfectly paired with any of their fine selection of tap beers.
Address: 2326 N Flint Avenue
Neighbourhood: N/Eliot
Phone: +1-503-894-8251
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Portlandia fave: Olympia Provisions
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No visit to Portland would be weird enough if it didn’t include a spot that was featured in Portlandia. Featured in season 5’s spoof “Dream of the 1890s” music video, this spot also actually has good food – particularly, charcuterie (as it established the city’s first salumeria).
Address: 107 SE Washington Street
Neighbourhood: SE
Phone:+1 503-954-3663
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We could go on, but then you’d still be reading instead of eating. Go, friends, and don’t come back till you’re full!
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