Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
One of the best menus in town. Super accessible. Super comfy. Just go and get the lamb chops.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mediterranean Exploration Company
333 NW 13th AveOne of the best menus in town. Super accessible. Super comfy. Just go and get the lamb chops.
This place has two James Beard awards. Inventive and amazing. Great place to be solo at the bar or reserve a table. Definitely fit for foodies.
112 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Le Pigeon
738 E Burnside StThis place has two James Beard awards. Inventive and amazing. Great place to be solo at the bar or reserve a table. Definitely fit for foodies.
Hands down the best sushi in town. A bit pricier but if you have the budget... go.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Zilla Sake
1806 NE Alberta StHands down the best sushi in town. A bit pricier but if you have the budget... go.
Intimate, full of charm tiny minimal French lunch spot fit for foodies. Not good for a picky eater. Don't go too early if you want quiche. Their black pepper cheesecake was voted top 10.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maurice
921 SW Oak StIntimate, full of charm tiny minimal French lunch spot fit for foodies. Not good for a picky eater. Don't go too early if you want quiche. Their black pepper cheesecake was voted top 10.
Adorable fun spot I'd most recommend for breakfast/brunch spot. Gets crowded. They now take reservations!
359 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Tin Shed Garden Cafe
1438 NE Alberta StAdorable fun spot I'd most recommend for breakfast/brunch spot. Gets crowded. They now take reservations!
Such a fun interior. Delicious Indian food. Note that you must order online though they like many others have outdoor seating. (Salt & Straw is next door.)
625 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StSuch a fun interior. Delicious Indian food. Note that you must order online though they like many others have outdoor seating. (Salt & Straw is next door.)
Great for brunch or lunch. Another really cute homey place with a queue. Go earlier to beat rush. Turntable plays records. Love their nicoise salad.
240 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sweedeedee
5202 N Albina AveGreat for brunch or lunch. Another really cute homey place with a queue. Go earlier to beat rush. Turntable plays records. Love their nicoise salad.
Want to work nearby with people. Outlets are at every table aside from the long community one on the second floor. Take special note of the light fixture shaped as a coffee molecule. Wireless always available.
171 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Case Study Coffee Roasters
1422 NE Alberta StWant to work nearby with people. Outlets are at every table aside from the long community one on the second floor. Take special note of the light fixture shaped as a coffee molecule. Wireless always available.
One of the best farmer's markets in the country and one of my favorite things to do in Portland. Sample cheese, nuts, fruits, kombucha, chocolate, charcuterie and so much more. Beautiful displays. If you are in town on a Saturday it is truly a do not miss. My favorite place to eat breakfast there is Verde Cocina. Best place for coffee there is Nossa Familia (a dear friend owns it). Chefs buy produce there. So fun to amble about.
123 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland Farmers Market at PSU
1803 SW Park AveOne of the best farmer's markets in the country and one of my favorite things to do in Portland. Sample cheese, nuts, fruits, kombucha, chocolate, charcuterie and so much more. Beautiful displays. If you are in town on a Saturday it is truly a do not miss. My favorite place to eat breakfast there is Verde Cocina. Best place for coffee there is Nossa Familia (a dear friend owns it). Chefs buy produce there. So fun to amble about.
I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream. If you don't want to wait in line, either go early, get lucky or don't go. This is a place people are happy to wait in line as part of the experience. Inventive flavors including one by a local chef each month.
1078 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StI scream you scream we all scream for ice cream. If you don't want to wait in line, either go early, get lucky or don't go. This is a place people are happy to wait in line as part of the experience. Inventive flavors including one by a local chef each month.
Casual restaurant and a bar solid for drinks. Fire pit all year round. Outdoor area both up and downstairs. A local fave all times of day.
168 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Radio Room
1101 NE Alberta StCasual restaurant and a bar solid for drinks. Fire pit all year round. Outdoor area both up and downstairs. A local fave all times of day.
Best soup noodles in town. Everything is made from scratch. No MSG. Often sells out by noon. Two soups, change daily. If you have a car, go. Snail noodle soup folks. Just take a breath, order it and enjoy the goodness.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
HA & VL Vietnamese Noodle Soup
2738 SE 82nd AveBest soup noodles in town. Everything is made from scratch. No MSG. Often sells out by noon. Two soups, change daily. If you have a car, go. Snail noodle soup folks. Just take a breath, order it and enjoy the goodness.
Order the aebleskivers (danish pancakes with lingonberry and lemon curd) and a Swedish hash (trout is my fave). Another truly delicious breakfast spot.
94 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Broder Nord
3765 North Mississippi AvenueOrder the aebleskivers (danish pancakes with lingonberry and lemon curd) and a Swedish hash (trout is my fave). Another truly delicious breakfast spot.
Argentinian steakhouse. Can be quite a wait. Cocktails available in adjacent place next door. They have a clam bone marrow soup that will light up your world if you are into that sort of thing. Chimichurri goodness.
192 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
OX Restaurant
2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdArgentinian steakhouse. Can be quite a wait. Cocktails available in adjacent place next door. They have a clam bone marrow soup that will light up your world if you are into that sort of thing. Chimichurri goodness.
Get the porkball banh mi sandwich with dirty fries. Ask for extra aioli. My other favorite sandwich in town.
167 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lardo
1212 SE Hawthorne BlvdGet the porkball banh mi sandwich with dirty fries. Ask for extra aioli. My other favorite sandwich in town.
Great margaritas and yummy queso. Not your place to get fajitas but great tacos. Currently only open as pop up at sister BBQ restaurant Podnahs on same block on Tuesday nights.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Taq
1625 NE Killingsworth StGreat margaritas and yummy queso. Not your place to get fajitas but great tacos. Currently only open as pop up at sister BBQ restaurant Podnahs on same block on Tuesday nights.
These are fantastic artisan donuts. Picture a creme brulee donut with a shot of Cointreau attached. Many talk about Voodoo but it's all about kitschy. If you are foodie go to BlueStar. There’s one nearby on Mississippi St.
403 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Star Donuts
3325 SE Division StThese are fantastic artisan donuts. Picture a creme brulee donut with a shot of Cointreau attached. Many talk about Voodoo but it's all about kitschy. If you are foodie go to BlueStar. There’s one nearby on Mississippi St.
Former food truck. Now restaurant. Italian scratch cooking. If you are searching for a good bowl of pasta… this place is king. And keep an eye open for when Les Caves (on same block) opens again... subterranean wine spot.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gumba
1733 NE Alberta StFormer food truck. Now restaurant. Italian scratch cooking. If you are searching for a good bowl of pasta… this place is king. And keep an eye open for when Les Caves (on same block) opens again... subterranean wine spot.
This actually may be my true favorite sandwich in town. The jalapeno and corn sausage sandwich will rule your world if you eat that type of thing. Once they sell out for the day, it's over. Food truck with bench seating outside. Amaze.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Matt's BBQ
4233 N Mississippi AveThis actually may be my true favorite sandwich in town. The jalapeno and corn sausage sandwich will rule your world if you eat that type of thing. Once they sell out for the day, it's over. Food truck with bench seating outside. Amaze.
My favorite cold brew in town. This legal drug brings a smile always to my face as I get amped on the goodness.
296 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Extracto Coffee Roasters
2921 NE Killingsworth StMy favorite cold brew in town. This legal drug brings a smile always to my face as I get amped on the goodness.
Another place where I like to work while drinking coffee. Room in back has couches and even a desk which every once in a while you may be lucky enough to grab. Friendly total hipster vibe in terms of staff. This street turns into Mississippi St which is another great one to walk. On the other side of Alberta is the great little restaurant I mentioned too called Sweedeedee.
197 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Albina Press
4637 N Albina AveAnother place where I like to work while drinking coffee. Room in back has couches and even a desk which every once in a while you may be lucky enough to grab. Friendly total hipster vibe in terms of staff. This street turns into Mississippi St which is another great one to walk. On the other side of Alberta is the great little restaurant I mentioned too called Sweedeedee.
Pip's Original is the real magic that happens when you face local competition like world-famous gonzo doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut and gourmet doughnuts at Blue Star Donuts with a complement, not compete attitude: seasonal, fried-to-order mini doughnuts. Pair a dozen with a creative lineup of chais, like Ginger Rodgers, loaded with ginger and made with raw spices. It's mostly a spot to grab-and-go, but there's plenty of seating among the throngs of devotees waiting in line. - Eater Portland OR
219 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai
4759 NE Fremont StPip's Original is the real magic that happens when you face local competition like world-famous gonzo doughnuts at Voodoo Doughnut and gourmet doughnuts at Blue Star Donuts with a complement, not compete attitude: seasonal, fried-to-order mini doughnuts. Pair a dozen with a creative lineup of chais, like Ginger Rodgers, loaded with ginger and made with raw spices. It's mostly a spot to grab-and-go, but there's plenty of seating among the throngs of devotees waiting in line. - Eater Portland OR
Australian coffee shop's first US location with insanely good breakfast food. Not your normal brunch so picky eaters need more basic food. Interesting menu with beautifully prepared plates that will make you say wow. Beware though. They charge same amount for second cup of coffee as first.
150 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Proud Mary Cafe
2012 NE Alberta StAustralian coffee shop's first US location with insanely good breakfast food. Not your normal brunch so picky eaters need more basic food. Interesting menu with beautifully prepared plates that will make you say wow. Beware though. They charge same amount for second cup of coffee as first.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great ambience and vibe with some beats. Fun place to kick back and have a conversation. Tons of outdoor seating too. Order at bar and grab a seat.
51 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Knock Back
2315 NE Alberta StGreat ambience and vibe with some beats. Fun place to kick back and have a conversation. Tons of outdoor seating too. Order at bar and grab a seat.
Sexy place for a cocktail and some tasty small eats. Great music. Asian fusion.
195 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Expatriate
5424 NE 30th AveSexy place for a cocktail and some tasty small eats. Great music. Asian fusion.
Actually known around the country as one of the best cocktail bars.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Teardrop Lounge
1015 NW Everett StActually known around the country as one of the best cocktail bars.
Casual fun place to check out. The McMenamins are a Portland institution in that they take old cool places and turn them into hotels, bars, and fun places to hang out. This used to be an elementary school.
538 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveCasual fun place to check out. The McMenamins are a Portland institution in that they take old cool places and turn them into hotels, bars, and fun places to hang out. This used to be an elementary school.
Old school watering hole with live music (a little cover), covered patio and variety of comfort foods.
137 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alberta Street
1036 NE Alberta StOld school watering hole with live music (a little cover), covered patio and variety of comfort foods.
Sunday night only. Meet the nation's only striperaoke. Strip club where the audience does karaoke while the strippers strip. It is a riot. Super seedy place otherwise. You will laugh and laugh and laugh.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Devils Point
5305 SE Foster RdSunday night only. Meet the nation's only striperaoke. Strip club where the audience does karaoke while the strippers strip. It is a riot. Super seedy place otherwise. You will laugh and laugh and laugh.
Desserts with delicious drinks while listening to music sometimes played by members of the symphony in a super old funky house. You must check out the bathroom.
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th AveDesserts with delicious drinks while listening to music sometimes played by members of the symphony in a super old funky house. You must check out the bathroom.
The Box Social
3971 N Williams AveAnother great drinking lounge with small bites.
A pre-Prohibition era museum you can drink in... retro speakeasy with drinks and snacks. Super stylish digs. Seats 38 only. No reservations. Walk in only. Can't accommodate parties larger than six. Almost everything inside was made before 1930.
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bible Club PDX
6716 SE 16th AveA pre-Prohibition era museum you can drink in... retro speakeasy with drinks and snacks. Super stylish digs. Seats 38 only. No reservations. Walk in only. Can't accommodate parties larger than six. Almost everything inside was made before 1930.
Flaming Spanish Coffee in Portland's oldest restaurant is always a delicious kick.
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Huber's Cafe
411 SW 3rd AveFlaming Spanish Coffee in Portland's oldest restaurant is always a delicious kick.
Open 7am - 2:30am every day. Happy hour 3-6pm. Great music acts all the time downstairs. Woody bar upstairs and restaurant too.
249 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Doug Fir Lounge
301 E Burnside StOpen 7am - 2:30am every day. Happy hour 3-6pm. Great music acts all the time downstairs. Woody bar upstairs and restaurant too.
Brand new. Elvis-inspired decor. Cheap drinks and top notch burgers. Described by Eater as... upstairs is ethereal, with whitewashed tin and columns, the downstairs is as dark as Lemmy from Motorhead's heart, with running fountains trickling forth from even the darkest recesses.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Elvis Room
203 Southeast Grand AvenueBrand new. Elvis-inspired decor. Cheap drinks and top notch burgers. Described by Eater as... upstairs is ethereal, with whitewashed tin and columns, the downstairs is as dark as Lemmy from Motorhead's heart, with running fountains trickling forth from even the darkest recesses.
Decent food and drinks. Totally splendid view whether during happy hour or when it's completely dark out and lights from the city are everywhere.
283 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveDecent food and drinks. Totally splendid view whether during happy hour or when it's completely dark out and lights from the city are everywhere.
Sightseeing
Biggest independent bookstore in the world. Over 1M books. A true Portland institution.
976 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isixeko sasePowell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StBiggest independent bookstore in the world. Over 1M books. A true Portland institution.
Beautiful view of the city by tram. Great way to get there too is via the 4T trail which includes a train up to the zoo, a trail to OHSU, an aerial tram down to the waterfront and then a trolley back to the train. https://4ttrail.wordpress.com/
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland Aerial Tram
3303 South Bond AvenueBeautiful view of the city by tram. Great way to get there too is via the 4T trail which includes a train up to the zoo, a trail to OHSU, an aerial tram down to the waterfront and then a trolley back to the train. https://4ttrail.wordpress.com/
Last month is October this season for it to operate in the Gorge. Nov-April in Portland. May-Oct in Cascade Locks.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
299 NW Portage RdLast month is October this season for it to operate in the Gorge. Nov-April in Portland. May-Oct in Cascade Locks.
This is a gorgeous bridge to behold. 40 miles east of Portland in Columbia River Gorge. Often mentioned in relation to Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). If you go out this way, cute town of Hood River sometimes allows you to see marvelous kiteboarding. Also consider going for a soak in a big clawfoot bathtub and a wrap at the quirky Carson Hot Springs. It's a steal at around $26. BUT definitely not upscale.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ibridge yezulu
This is a gorgeous bridge to behold. 40 miles east of Portland in Columbia River Gorge. Often mentioned in relation to Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). If you go out this way, cute town of Hood River sometimes allows you to see marvelous kiteboarding. Also consider going for a soak in a big clawfoot bathtub and a wrap at the quirky Carson Hot Springs. It's a steal at around $26. BUT definitely not upscale.
Cable-staying bridge only for foot traffic and city transpo. Gorgeous. Car-free.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Itilikhamu Crossing Bridge
Tilikum CrossingCable-staying bridge only for foot traffic and city transpo. Gorgeous. Car-free.
Parks & Nature
Portland is aka as The City of Roses. We have a festival, a night parade, a day parade, and more. Over 500 varieties here. Absolutely splendid place to visit when roses are in season and the tours tend to be fantastic.
627 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
International Rose Test Garden
400 SW Kingston AvePortland is aka as The City of Roses. We have a festival, a night parade, a day parade, and more. Over 500 varieties here. Absolutely splendid place to visit when roses are in season and the tours tend to be fantastic.
Recently renovated and now has a bonzai tree tiny garden, a beautiful place to have tea in what feels like a tree house, and more. One of the most photographed trees in the world is one of their Japanese maples. You want to go on a tour if you can. One of my favorite things I learned on the tour is to pay attention to the different types of ground you walk on... everything is intentional. When the surface changes too we all tend to slow down. It's about sound, pace, etc.
1015 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveRecently renovated and now has a bonzai tree tiny garden, a beautiful place to have tea in what feels like a tree house, and more. One of the most photographed trees in the world is one of their Japanese maples. You want to go on a tour if you can. One of my favorite things I learned on the tour is to pay attention to the different types of ground you walk on... everything is intentional. When the surface changes too we all tend to slow down. It's about sound, pace, etc.
Small and located in Portland's Chinatown. Beautiful, serene, quiet and well kept. A full city block. Free tai chi class at 10am on Thursday mornings.
405 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett StSmall and located in Portland's Chinatown. Beautiful, serene, quiet and well kept. A full city block. Free tai chi class at 10am on Thursday mornings.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
1210 NW Couch StThis grocery cooperative with a farmer's-market vibe features organic produce & many bulk items.
195 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alberta Cooperative Grocery
1500 NE Alberta StThis grocery cooperative with a farmer's-market vibe features organic produce & many bulk items.
Safeway
6901 NE Sandy BlvdIf you want a basic grocery store, this is the closest.
Arts & Culture
Truly fantastic exhibits including one upstairs on discrimination and resistance that the Department of Justice is sending its staff to visit after holding a local event here and saying it was best exhibit they've seen on the subject. Just opened in this location Summer 2017.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center For Holocaust Education
724 NW Davis StTruly fantastic exhibits including one upstairs on discrimination and resistance that the Department of Justice is sending its staff to visit after holding a local event here and saying it was best exhibit they've seen on the subject. Just opened in this location Summer 2017.
Tidbits: First Thursday of month from 5-8pm, museum is free. Collectors send newly purchased art here due to a tax benefit so the community benefits with really special, rarely seen artwork time to time. One of the current exhibition is Three Generations of Wyeths.
785 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveTidbits: First Thursday of month from 5-8pm, museum is free. Collectors send newly purchased art here due to a tax benefit so the community benefits with really special, rarely seen artwork time to time. One of the current exhibition is Three Generations of Wyeths.
Awesome museum. Currently an exhibit on lost city of Pompeii with some tie ins to eruption of Mount St. Helens. Tip: Love the movie DREAM BIG. Fun place for a rainy day. Also have adult only evenings and science pubs on various topics around town.
646 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
OMSI
1945 SE Water AveAwesome museum. Currently an exhibit on lost city of Pompeii with some tie ins to eruption of Mount St. Helens. Tip: Love the movie DREAM BIG. Fun place for a rainy day. Also have adult only evenings and science pubs on various topics around town.
Shopping
Super cute local dress clothing store with very reasonable pricing and lovely staff.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Frock Boutique
1439 NE Alberta StSuper cute local dress clothing store with very reasonable pricing and lovely staff.
Nice selection of locally made artisan products. It can be pricey.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
MadeHere PDX
4018 N Mississippi AveNice selection of locally made artisan products. It can be pricey.
Marios
833 SW BroadwayHigher end clothing store a block down from Nordstrom's.
Shopping for something to bring back your kids. This is a great little place. They even have a Drag Queen Story Time which is super beyond popular.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green Bean Books
1600 NE Alberta StShopping for something to bring back your kids. This is a great little place. They even have a Drag Queen Story Time which is super beyond popular.
Modern Domestic LLC
422 NE Alberta StWant to buy some fun fabric? Come here.
Gladys Bikes
2905 NE Alberta StPortland's women-focused bike shop.
Love this store for fun gifts for family, friends, colleagues, etc.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Canoe
1233 SW 10th AveLove this store for fun gifts for family, friends, colleagues, etc.
Friendly staff and good deals on Columbia apparel.
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Columbia Factory Store
1323 SE Tacoma StFriendly staff and good deals on Columbia apparel.