Rebecca’s guidebook
Our favorite coffee shops
There are so many great coffee shops in Portland, it can be hard to choose! Here are a few that I like to frequent.
It's the closest one! My brother LOVES their cold brew, and I love that they have unsweetened almond milk for my lattes. The people here are the nicest.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coffee ME Up
221 Cumberland AveIt's the closest one! My brother LOVES their cold brew, and I love that they have unsweetened almond milk for my lattes. The people here are the nicest.
Maybe my favorite place in Portland! A little longer of a walk, but well worth it. They only have drip coffee, but it is probably my favorite coffee in town! Their croissants are to die for, as is just about everything else they make. It's a small establishment, with just one little bench inside, but it exudes warmth and deliciousness.
114 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Standard Baking Co
75 Commercial StMaybe my favorite place in Portland! A little longer of a walk, but well worth it. They only have drip coffee, but it is probably my favorite coffee in town! Their croissants are to die for, as is just about everything else they make. It's a small establishment, with just one little bench inside, but it exudes warmth and deliciousness.
I used to go here when I was a tourist, but now it's just a little too far from the house to make the cut. That being said, it is maybe the most well known nationally. It's been written up in Bon Appetit and other magazines, both for the baked goods and the coffee. I love their espresso drinks.
158 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The West End Deli & Catering Inc
545 Spring StI used to go here when I was a tourist, but now it's just a little too far from the house to make the cut. That being said, it is maybe the most well known nationally. It's been written up in Bon Appetit and other magazines, both for the baked goods and the coffee. I love their espresso drinks.
Coffee by Design is my go-to for my coffee beans, and when I am up for a longer walk I love their Diamond Street location. They roast in house. Consistently great coffee.
98 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Coffee By Design
43 Washington AveCoffee by Design is my go-to for my coffee beans, and when I am up for a longer walk I love their Diamond Street location. They roast in house. Consistently great coffee.
I have been here a few times, and it is good. Not my favorite, but you can't beat the location!
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bard Coffee
185 Middle StI have been here a few times, and it is good. Not my favorite, but you can't beat the location!
Our favorite restaurants
Just like the coffee shops, you cannot go wrong! There are too many to write about, so we are just selecting our go to's.
You cannot go wrong here, lunch or dinner. it is a no-nonsense establishment, with simple but delicious take on Chinese cuisine. The soups are amazing, I order almost every time, and I have yet to try something I don't find incredibly tasty. This is definitely our go to spot when we don't want to overthink our meal and want a consistently good and not impossibly long dinner. Plus the drinks here are great, and the whole meal will be super affordable! Only ding is that it closes at 9pm.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Empire
575 Congress StYou cannot go wrong here, lunch or dinner. it is a no-nonsense establishment, with simple but delicious take on Chinese cuisine. The soups are amazing, I order almost every time, and I have yet to try something I don't find incredibly tasty. This is definitely our go to spot when we don't want to overthink our meal and want a consistently good and not impossibly long dinner. Plus the drinks here are great, and the whole meal will be super affordable! Only ding is that it closes at 9pm.
CP has been my favorite restaurant since I started coming to the city a few years ago. Creative and delicious, and if you love foie gras the way I do, you will not be disappointed. Creative drink menu as well as many local beers and ciders. This place can be a go-to destination on weekends and it's on the smaller side, so be prepared to wait if you come at prime dining hours. It's great to hit up off season. Finally, if you stay until closing on the weekends, you can enjoy a late-night treat!
145 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Central Provisions
414 Fore StCP has been my favorite restaurant since I started coming to the city a few years ago. Creative and delicious, and if you love foie gras the way I do, you will not be disappointed. Creative drink menu as well as many local beers and ciders. This place can be a go-to destination on weekends and it's on the smaller side, so be prepared to wait if you come at prime dining hours. It's great to hit up off season. Finally, if you stay until closing on the weekends, you can enjoy a late-night treat!
If you love oysters and fresh seafood (and a damn good martini!), come here!
271 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eventide Oyster Co.
86 Middle StIf you love oysters and fresh seafood (and a damn good martini!), come here!
Veranda Noodle House
245 Commercial StOur go to for take-out thai food!
This is the place that put Portland on the map! Yes, it's worth the hype, in both food, drinks and service, but it is not cheap. Be prepared to come for an experience. (all their bread comes from Standard Baking Company which is located just below them)
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fore Street
Fore StreetThis is the place that put Portland on the map! Yes, it's worth the hype, in both food, drinks and service, but it is not cheap. Be prepared to come for an experience. (all their bread comes from Standard Baking Company which is located just below them)
We love Isa because it is in our neighborhood, and offers an intimate environment with consistently good food that isn't Empire affordable but that doesn't break the bank.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isa
79 Portland StWe love Isa because it is in our neighborhood, and offers an intimate environment with consistently good food that isn't Empire affordable but that doesn't break the bank.