It’s official. I’m an Oregonian! If you’re interesting in reading about my relocation check out my blog post HERE. The best part of moving to a new city? Exploring! Back in 2015 when I moved to Austin I kept a spreadsheet of must-try places. Keeping true to my list-making (Enneagram 1) self, I’ve been creating a longgggg & in-depth Portland Master Sheet of places I want to eat, drink & shop at around town, hikes & day trips to explore in Oregon, and places I want to travel to across the state. I’ll be using this corner of my site as a running list to where I’m currently eating & drinking around Portland. Along with a long list (for now) of my “On The List” places I’m wanting to try next. If you’re local and wanting dinning inspiration, bookmark this! Planning a trip to Portland? Hit some of these spots! PSA don’t read this when you’re hungry!
Places of note….
COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE & BRUNCH
The Red Gate | NE Portland | The Bubble Waffle might be one of their most popular dishes, but the Vegan Bing is what you should order to be sent straight to flavor town. The Bing is an Asian-style crepe which is a popular street food in Beijing. Don’t get it confused with a French cape. The crepe is thick and doughy. You can order it both sweet and/or spicy. The tofu on the Vegan Bing was cooked crisp to perfection and tasted incredible when taking the perfect bite of the delicious doughy crepe, the sweet flavor from the house sauce, and topped with the fresh tasting scallions & cilantro. They also have great coffee & bubble tea.
Mother’s Bistro | Downtown Portland | Appropriately, Mother’s Bistro is dubbed our Mother’s Day spot. The interior is so charming & adorable! I’m a big fan of the French Press Coffee menu. A great gathering place to connect with your family & loved ones. Be sure to make a reservation!
Pips Original Doughnuts | NE Portland | One of the more touristy spots to visit — but I always stop when I’m around that part of town! Their seasonal flavors are always unique, creative & sinfully delicious. The good ‘ol Nutella doughnuts are my absolute favorite. Don’t forget to grab your dozen free doughnuts on your birthday or 7 days after!
LUNCH/DINNER
Gabagool | N Portland | It’s all about ambiance here! Sitting out front on the patio and looking into the restaurant through the open garage doors makes for an overall lovely feeling while dining. You really can’t go wrong when ordering any of their homemade pasta.
Decarli Restaurant | Central Beaverton | Be sure to make a reservation. A beautiful atmosphere for a dinner with the family. The menu is full of quality and creativity.
John Street Cafe | St Johns | Order the Black Currant and Filbert Pancake… there’s hazelnuts inside and the flavor is everything you didn’t realize you needed from a pancake. The Black Bean Omelet is also ridiculously tasty.
Xico | SE Portland | I’m still dreaming about the Tamales I ordered on our first visit to Xico three years ago! We had the best waiter and the indoor dining room has such a great vibe. Dreaming of visiting and ordering a margarita on the patio in summer.
Tehuana Oaxacan Cuisine | N Portland rated 5 stars on Yelp and I know why. They have great vegetarian options and all the items on the menu are full of flavor. The food truck park that it’s located at is a nice one and there’s an alcoholic truck on site.
Aunt Tillie’s Deli & Pub | NE Portland | The tuna sandwiches are out of this world! If you’re wanting a TRUE deli sandwich, this is your place.
DRINKS & DESSERT
Stormbreaker | St Johns | My favorite brewery patio on a sunny day! They’re also dog friendly!
Kennedy School McMenamins | NE Portland | Recommend for anyone visiting from out of town. This was the first McMenamins that we visited and is our favorite to date (probably because it holds such great memories). It’s just too neat not to visit! Roam around the halls and visit the different bars/restaurants—or the movie theater! I LOVE The Broiler Room & Detention Bar.
Salt and Straw | NE & NW Portland & Lake Oswego | A natural place to visit if you’re on the West Coast. The flavors are far from boring! The Honey & Lavender would have to be my favorite staple menu item.
ON THE LIST
Stumptown Coffee
Super Deluxe Burgers
Open Tandoor
Swagat
Maruti Indian Restaurant
Gumba
Ava Gene’s
Luce
Bella’s Italian Bakery & Market
Bar Mingo
Caffe Mingo
Piazza Italia: try Pappardelle
Bullard @ Woodlark hotel
Laurelhurst Market
Tasty n Daughters
Tusk
Anchor End
Burger Stevens
Tanner Creek Tavern
Chicken and Guns
Tilt
The Observatory
Radar PDX
Raven & Rose
Pine Street Market
Lardo East
Urban Farmer
Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar
Hit The Spot
BeesWing
Saylers
Portland Mercado
Hawthorne Asylum
Du’s Grill
Bamboo Sushi
Sushi Hada Conveyor Belt Sushi and Grill
Rollin’ Fresh
Nodoguro
Farmhouse Kitchen
Departure
SeaSweets
PokeJoy
Pokeeempdx
Stretch The Noodle
Boke Bowl
Prince Coffee
Society Cafe & Lounge
Kure juice bar
Good Coffee @ Woodlark Hotel
Upper Left Roasters
Never Coffee
Insomnia Coffee
Eitherorcafe
Presso Coffee
Coava Coffee Roasters
Figlia Americana
Hotel Deluxe
Lovejoy’s Tea Room
Besaw’s
Pepper Box Cafe
Cafe Broder
Pine Street Biscuits
Nola Doughnuts
The Roxy
Bernstein’s Bagels
Pop Bagel
Smaaken Waffles
Hunnymilk Brunch PDX
Broder Coco Donuts & Coffee
Broder Catering
Milk Glass Mrkt
Twisted Croissant
New Cascadia Traditional
Ken’s Artisan Bakery
Little Bean
Back To Eden Bakery
Boom Crepes
Sugarpine Drive In
Kozy Bar
Puffle Waffle
Cacao
Ruby Jewel – Ice Cream
Eb & Bean
Soro Soro Dessert & Coffee bar
TOUS les JOURS bakery
Pinolo Gelato
1927 S’mores Company
La Rose Patiserie
Ken’s Artisan Pizza
Apizza Scholls
Ranch PDX
pizzeria sul lago
Checkerboard Pizza
Gracie Apizza
Sizzle PieThe Star
Scottie’s Pizza Parlor
Rosita’s Place
Stella Taco
The Meddling Lime
Tope pdx
Al Estilo Michoacan
La Neta @ The Hoxton
MF Tasty (food truck)
Javier’s Tacos
Tehuana Oaxacan Cuisine
The Goose
Rocio’s
Alto Bajo
La Tap
Autentica
Tacos + Tequila
Olympia Provisions Public House
19th Hole pdx
Abigail Hall @ Woodlark Hotel
Xport Bar & Lounge
Scoth Lodge
Multnomah Whiskey Library
Palomar
Hey Love
Interurban
Stammtisch
Avid Cider Co
Straightaway
Scotch Lodge
Barlow Artisanal Bar
Pairings Portland
Cheese & Crack Snack Shop
Breakside Brewery
Wiz Bang Bar
La MouleBistro Agnes
St Jack
Rosa Rosa
Cajan
Le Bistro Montage
Acadia
Jacqueline
King Tide Fish & Shell
Flying Fish Company
Fried Egg I’m in Love
NoPo. Chop Butchery
Nomad
Le Pigeon
Willow
Groceries & Markets
Food Fight! Grocery
The Original Dinerant
Matt’s BBQ
P’s & Q’s Market
Vtopia Cheese Shop & Deli
Next Level Burger
Doe Donuts & Ice Cream
Happy Day Juice
Hail Snail
Shady Pines Vegan Food Court
Ditto! Grilled Cheese
Black Water Bar
Sweet Lemon Vegan Bistro
The Bye & Bye
Secret Pizza Society
The Sudra
Thunderbird Bar
Baby Blue Woodfire & Tasty Pizza
Maruti
Modern Times Beer
Paradox Cafe
Dingers Deli
Veggie GrillIchiza Kitchen
Sushi Love PDX
Avocadomama
Virtuous Pie
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