Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Pazzo Ristorante
627 SW Washington StYou can get bite sized cupcakes. My favorites are "What's Up Doc?" (carrot) and "Red Velvet" (so smooth)! Their business model is amazing. This would be a kinder, gentler world if everyone treated their employees the way they are treated here.
Cupcake Jones
307 NW 10th AveYou can get bite sized cupcakes. My favorites are "What's Up Doc?" (carrot) and "Red Velvet" (so smooth)! Their business model is amazing. This would be a kinder, gentler world if everyone treated their employees the way they are treated here.
Popular for breakfast or brunch. Food tastes like your Mom made it from scratch (if your Mom is a good cook!)
108 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mother's Bistro & Bar
121 SW 3rd AvePopular for breakfast or brunch. Food tastes like your Mom made it from scratch (if your Mom is a good cook!)
Be prepared to wait but it's well worth it. You can make your own pancakes on the griddle at your table. All the fixins' are available. Their lavender lemonade is yummy!
73 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Slappy Cakes
4246 SE Belmont StBe prepared to wait but it's well worth it. You can make your own pancakes on the griddle at your table. All the fixins' are available. Their lavender lemonade is yummy!
Crazy flavors like basalmic vinegar, black pepper, bone marrow, and other stuff that just doesn't belong in ice cream. Very popular local establishment.
1078 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StCrazy flavors like basalmic vinegar, black pepper, bone marrow, and other stuff that just doesn't belong in ice cream. Very popular local establishment.
Great food. Always crowded. Parking is terrible in NW. Desserts are humongous.
189 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Papa Haydn
701 NW 23rd AveGreat food. Always crowded. Parking is terrible in NW. Desserts are humongous.
Only "people in the know" are aware of this funky place with its live music. Such a bizarre place (in a good way) to gather with friends. No signs on this old house so you really aren't sure if you are walking into a coffee shop or somebody's private residence. They serve coffee and a limited menu of desserts.
56 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th AveOnly "people in the know" are aware of this funky place with its live music. Such a bizarre place (in a good way) to gather with friends. No signs on this old house so you really aren't sure if you are walking into a coffee shop or somebody's private residence. They serve coffee and a limited menu of desserts.
Want to get dressed up and take your special some one for a fancy dinner? Then, this is your place! Great food in a lovely atmosphere (can you say starched linen napkins)? You will feel like a real grown up when the valet parks your car for you. Let them know if it's a special event. They just might do something unexpected.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chart House
5700 SW Terwilliger BlvdWant to get dressed up and take your special some one for a fancy dinner? Then, this is your place! Great food in a lovely atmosphere (can you say starched linen napkins)? You will feel like a real grown up when the valet parks your car for you. Let them know if it's a special event. They just might do something unexpected.
Very fresh salads, authentic entree's, many gelato flavors. Located in the Pearl District. A park across the street where you will find many locals running or walking their dogs or pushing a stroller.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Via Delizia
1105 NW Marshall StVery fresh salads, authentic entree's, many gelato flavors. Located in the Pearl District. A park across the street where you will find many locals running or walking their dogs or pushing a stroller.
Authentic Lebanese food. This place never disappoints. The hot pita bread is delivered puffed up, full of air. The mezza plate gives you a nice sample of baba ganoush, tabouli, humus and more. Don't think you'll go wrong with anything you order here.
125 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nicholas Restaurant Lebanese and Mediterranean Cuisine
3223 NE BroadwayAuthentic Lebanese food. This place never disappoints. The hot pita bread is delivered puffed up, full of air. The mezza plate gives you a nice sample of baba ganoush, tabouli, humus and more. Don't think you'll go wrong with anything you order here.
Small restaurant in an old house but the wait for a table is not usually long, even without a reservation. Fresh and delicious Thai food.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine
3135 NE BroadwaySmall restaurant in an old house but the wait for a table is not usually long, even without a reservation. Fresh and delicious Thai food.
Vegans/gluten free folks: this is your Nirvana.
Great breakfasts. Plan on a long wait.
165 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jam On Hawthorne
2239 SE Hawthorne BlvdVegans/gluten free folks: this is your Nirvana.
Great breakfasts. Plan on a long wait.
Another well known spot if you're seeking vegan/gluten free fresh delicious food.
202 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne BlvdAnother well known spot if you're seeking vegan/gluten free fresh delicious food.
Our vegan guests recommended this for their non-dairy ice cream.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eb & Bean Local Organic Frozen Yogurt (NE)
1425 NE BroadwayOur vegan guests recommended this for their non-dairy ice cream.
One of the BEST Thai restaurants (and I've been to A LOT of them!) Their Tom Yum soup is yummy.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Thai Bloom!
3800 SW Cedar Hills BlvdOne of the BEST Thai restaurants (and I've been to A LOT of them!) Their Tom Yum soup is yummy.
5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Happy Hour is 9:00 pm until close
Italian, Pizza
115 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Happy Hour is 9:00 pm until close
Italian, Pizza
The peanut butter & pickle burger is wonderful, according to a couple from Idaho who stayed with us.
86 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Killer Burger
4644 NE Sandy BlvdThe peanut butter & pickle burger is wonderful, according to a couple from Idaho who stayed with us.
Byways Cafe
Pok Pok NW
1639 NW Marshall StA fan favorite for Asian Chicken Wings.
New York style pizza. Open late on weekends (3 am). Across the street from Powell's. Good place for people watching.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sizzle Pie West Portland
949 W Burnside StNew York style pizza. Open late on weekends (3 am). Across the street from Powell's. Good place for people watching.
Tasty n Daughters
4537 SE Division StRicotta pancakes.
Food cart with "the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had" according to a recent guest.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fried Egg I'm In Love
3549 SE Hawthorne BlvdFood cart with "the best Eggs Benedict I've ever had" according to a recent guest.
Shopping
Oregon is tax free! They have everything--Forever 21, Gap, Coach, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body works, Made in Oregon. Apple store is across the street. Niketown is close by.
121 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pioneer Place
700 SW 5th AveOregon is tax free! They have everything--Forever 21, Gap, Coach, Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body works, Made in Oregon. Apple store is across the street. Niketown is close by.
Unique handcrafted gifts--candles, jewelry, clothing, household items. Open Saturday and Sunday.
425 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Portland Saturday Market
2 SW Naito PkwyUnique handcrafted gifts--candles, jewelry, clothing, household items. Open Saturday and Sunday.
To call it a Bookstore is such an understatement. Great place to hang out for a snack or hot drink and get lost in a book.
976 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isixeko sasePowell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StTo call it a Bookstore is such an understatement. Great place to hang out for a snack or hot drink and get lost in a book.
Arts & Culture
Beautiful building with featured artwork that changes periodically.
785 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park AveBeautiful building with featured artwork that changes periodically.
Drinks & Nightlife
Happy Hour. The view is amazing but it gets crowded so plan ahead.
283 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveHappy Hour. The view is amazing but it gets crowded so plan ahead.
Essentials
They've got everything! Walking distance from our house. A good place to pick up food and a new pair of socks or underpants at the same time.
616 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdThey've got everything! Walking distance from our house. A good place to pick up food and a new pair of socks or underpants at the same time.
Lots of fresh, organic food. Try their soups or salad bar. There is a counter where locals hang out to eat. Fan of quinoa or kale? Then get your dreadlocks down there. This is your place, mon.
630 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whole Foods Market
1210 NW Couch StLots of fresh, organic food. Try their soups or salad bar. There is a counter where locals hang out to eat. Fan of quinoa or kale? Then get your dreadlocks down there. This is your place, mon.
Entertainment & Activities
If you haven't tried an Escape Room, you haven't really lived! One of the best! See if you can solve the clues and get out before your hour is up. About 30 bucks per person and well worth it.
Hour to Midnight - Room Escape Games
11525 NE Halsey StIf you haven't tried an Escape Room, you haven't really lived! One of the best! See if you can solve the clues and get out before your hour is up. About 30 bucks per person and well worth it.
Great for hiking. Photo opportunities everywhere here. Short drive east on I-84.
974 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Multnomah Falls station
Great for hiking. Photo opportunities everywhere here. Short drive east on I-84.
You will have to pedal so be sure you have people with you who will do their part to get you down the tracks and back. After you've burned up some calories, get yourself to the Tillamook factory for some honkin' big scoops of ice cream. Buy some cheese for the trip home.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oregon Coast Railriders Bay City
5400 Hayes Oyster DrYou will have to pedal so be sure you have people with you who will do their part to get you down the tracks and back. After you've burned up some calories, get yourself to the Tillamook factory for some honkin' big scoops of ice cream. Buy some cheese for the trip home.
Only open on weekends. Good, clean fun. Improv Comedy at it's finest. The performers think fast on their feet, taking suggestions from the crowd.
ComedySportz Portland
1963 NW Kearney StOnly open on weekends. Good, clean fun. Improv Comedy at it's finest. The performers think fast on their feet, taking suggestions from the crowd.
Getting Around
5:30a to 9:30p - Round trip = $4.70.
Such a great view of the city. Take the tram up to Oregon Health Science University. They actually have some healthy, delicious food in their cafeteria. Who knew?!
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Portland Aerial Tram
3303 South Bond Avenue5:30a to 9:30p - Round trip = $4.70.
Such a great view of the city. Take the tram up to Oregon Health Science University. They actually have some healthy, delicious food in their cafeteria. Who knew?!
Less than a mile to get on MAX from our house and go downtown or to the airport or south to Clackamas shopping mall. $2.50 per trip or only five bucks for an all day ticket. Take advantage of public transportation and save yourself a lot of money and hassle to park downtown.
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Gateway/NE 99th station
Less than a mile to get on MAX from our house and go downtown or to the airport or south to Clackamas shopping mall. $2.50 per trip or only five bucks for an all day ticket. Take advantage of public transportation and save yourself a lot of money and hassle to park downtown.