Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Get there early for dinner, like 5pm and take advantage of their happy hour. Otherwise, the line can head down the block. Their margaritas will make you hurt the next day, but get the chili salt on the rim!
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¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveGet there early for dinner, like 5pm and take advantage of their happy hour. Otherwise, the line can head down the block. Their margaritas will make you hurt the next day, but get the chili salt on the rim!
You spend three hours waiting in line at the restaurant on SE Division or you can grab take out from their NE location. But it’s all worth it.
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Pok Pok Wing
1469 NE Prescott StYou spend three hours waiting in line at the restaurant on SE Division or you can grab take out from their NE location. But it’s all worth it.
Langbaan is hidden behind the bookcase at PaaDee’s, which contributes to its mystique. It also takes three-months to get a reservation. We know a little secret that might get you in last minute. Ask us.
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Langbaan
1818 SE 28th AveLangbaan is hidden behind the bookcase at PaaDee’s, which contributes to its mystique. It also takes three-months to get a reservation. We know a little secret that might get you in last minute. Ask us.
Our favorite Indian food: a tie between Tiffan Asha and Bollywood. But the Hot Chick Dosa at Tiffan Asha made with fermented crepes....oh la la. If you like it hot, ask for the secret spicey chutney on the side.
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Tiffin Asha
3519 NE Killingsworth StOur favorite Indian food: a tie between Tiffan Asha and Bollywood. But the Hot Chick Dosa at Tiffan Asha made with fermented crepes....oh la la. If you like it hot, ask for the secret spicey chutney on the side.
Ties with Tiffan Asha for our favorite Indian food. The thali meal is fantastic, as well as the Kati Rolls. And Bollywood has the best Chai in Portland. And that’s coming from someone who has lived in India.
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Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StTies with Tiffan Asha for our favorite Indian food. The thali meal is fantastic, as well as the Kati Rolls. And Bollywood has the best Chai in Portland. And that’s coming from someone who has lived in India.
John Gorman’s Toro Bravo and Mediterranean Explorations are a few of our long-standing favorites. Word is people fly in on their private jets just to eat at Toro Bravo (that was years ago). We have his cookbook, and if you're feeling daring you can attempt the 12-page paella recipe.
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Toro Bravo
120 NE Russell StJohn Gorman’s Toro Bravo and Mediterranean Explorations are a few of our long-standing favorites. Word is people fly in on their private jets just to eat at Toro Bravo (that was years ago). We have his cookbook, and if you're feeling daring you can attempt the 12-page paella recipe.
One of the best prix fix meal’s we’ve ever enjoyed in this fine city—DOC on Killingsworth. But you need a reservation.
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DOC food + wine
5519 NE 30th AveOne of the best prix fix meal’s we’ve ever enjoyed in this fine city—DOC on Killingsworth. But you need a reservation.
This right here is all you need to know. Farm-to-table ingredients, intimate neighborhood vibe. Opened by a local well-known pastry chef. Get the biscuit with egg and applewood smoked bacon. Amazing. And this place is tucked away so you won’t see the long lines that you see at Gravy or Screen Door. At least not yet.
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milk glass mrkt
2150 N Killingsworth StThis right here is all you need to know. Farm-to-table ingredients, intimate neighborhood vibe. Opened by a local well-known pastry chef. Get the biscuit with egg and applewood smoked bacon. Amazing. And this place is tucked away so you won’t see the long lines that you see at Gravy or Screen Door. At least not yet.
This is one of the newer restaurants around. Owners used to live around the corner from us. Great burgers. Easy atmosphere. And you can walk there.
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Swift and Union
8103 N Denver AveThis is one of the newer restaurants around. Owners used to live around the corner from us. Great burgers. Easy atmosphere. And you can walk there.
Le Pigeon
738 E Burnside StA local staple and still our favorite place for a burger.
This place is straight out of Dwell. Hippest coffee this side of Rosa Parks Ave. Where you’ll find the most tourists, but worth it.
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Prince Coffee
2181 NW Nicolai StThis place is straight out of Dwell. Hippest coffee this side of Rosa Parks Ave. Where you’ll find the most tourists, but worth it.
Best pastry items in the neighborhood, especially the almond croissants.
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Posies Bakery & Cafe
8208 N Denver AveBest pastry items in the neighborhood, especially the almond croissants.
Never knew Chinese food could taste so good. Three words: Pepper Bath Chicken.
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Danwei Canting
803 SE Stark StNever knew Chinese food could taste so good. Three words: Pepper Bath Chicken.
Do you like ramen? Go here. Our personal favorite: the dumplings. Oh, the dumplings.
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AFURI IZAKAYA SE PORTLAND
923 SE 7th AveDo you like ramen? Go here. Our personal favorite: the dumplings. Oh, the dumplings.
Back in the 90s, Portland was the land of hippie vegetarian places, now it’s all meat. But Prasad in the Pearl or Harlow on Hawthorne (same owner) have great vegetarian food. I love their bowls and their hot turmeric/ginger tea when I'm sick.
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Prasad
925 NW Davis StBack in the 90s, Portland was the land of hippie vegetarian places, now it’s all meat. But Prasad in the Pearl or Harlow on Hawthorne (same owner) have great vegetarian food. I love their bowls and their hot turmeric/ginger tea when I'm sick.
When we want to saddle up to a bar for a great, easy meal, we head to G & G. Like its namesake suggests, it's a meaty place, but even the salads are good.
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Grain & Gristle
1473 NE Prescott StWhen we want to saddle up to a bar for a great, easy meal, we head to G & G. Like its namesake suggests, it's a meaty place, but even the salads are good.
Love this place for lunchtime Pho. But in the evening the umbrella-covered ceiling really pops. Get there early or the line gets long.
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Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
835 SW 2nd AveLove this place for lunchtime Pho. But in the evening the umbrella-covered ceiling really pops. Get there early or the line gets long.
Brunch exists so you can experience dishes that you could never recreate at home. One of those dishes is Tasty n Sons' Shakshuka. Oh yes.
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Tasty n Daughters
4537 SE Division StBrunch exists so you can experience dishes that you could never recreate at home. One of those dishes is Tasty n Sons' Shakshuka. Oh yes.
It's been years since we've been to the 30th floor of big pink. We used to scramble to get there early for happy hour to get the window seat. There isn't a restaurant in PDX with a better view.
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Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th AveIt's been years since we've been to the 30th floor of big pink. We used to scramble to get there early for happy hour to get the window seat. There isn't a restaurant in PDX with a better view.
All of our guests love to go to Screen Door for the waffle piled high with fried chicken and the best grits this side of the Mississippi—and that's coming from someone who grew up in the South. Get there early or really late. The line can get long.
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Screen Door
2337 E Burnside StAll of our guests love to go to Screen Door for the waffle piled high with fried chicken and the best grits this side of the Mississippi—and that's coming from someone who grew up in the South. Get there early or really late. The line can get long.
It's like walking into an instagram feed. Great selection of indoor plants and pots.
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Pistils Nursery
3811 N Mississippi AveIt's like walking into an instagram feed. Great selection of indoor plants and pots.
Drinks & Nightlife
This old prohibition-style bar sits on the top of Wonder Ballroom not far from us. Super cozy and they have great late-night popcorn.
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The Secret Society
116 NE Russell StThis old prohibition-style bar sits on the top of Wonder Ballroom not far from us. Super cozy and they have great late-night popcorn.
Best neighborhood bar, especially if you like whiskey and flavored popcorn. Good burgers too. Owner opened two more bars after Old Gold and is killing it.
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The Old Gold
2105 N Killingsworth StBest neighborhood bar, especially if you like whiskey and flavored popcorn. Good burgers too. Owner opened two more bars after Old Gold and is killing it.
Backyard Social
1914 N Killingsworth StNothing beats a summer cocktail in this backyard.
You need a membership to get in, but there are ways around it. Just ask us. Sure, it can be a bit too highbrow for some, but the floor-to-ceiling shelves of unique and high-end whiskeys will blow your mind.
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Multnomah Whiskey Library
1124 SW Alder StYou need a membership to get in, but there are ways around it. Just ask us. Sure, it can be a bit too highbrow for some, but the floor-to-ceiling shelves of unique and high-end whiskeys will blow your mind.
Sapphire Hotel Bar
5008 SE Hawthorne BlvdFor years, we went here to enjoy a good drink in a dark bar.
Back in the day, when Portland was still a working-class town, smokey bars dotted every corner. You could board a makeshift school bus to take the Bar Fly Bus Tour of the best dive bars in the city (because that's all we had). If you want to know what Portland was like in the 90s, go to Barlow Tavern—an unassuming, dark, wood throwback to quieter days.
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Barlow Tavern
6008 N Greeley AveBack in the day, when Portland was still a working-class town, smokey bars dotted every corner. You could board a makeshift school bus to take the Bar Fly Bus Tour of the best dive bars in the city (because that's all we had). If you want to know what Portland was like in the 90s, go to Barlow Tavern—an unassuming, dark, wood throwback to quieter days.
Expatriate
5424 NE 30th AveWe love this place for an intimate drink or pint before a show at the Crystal Ballroom, or to duck in from the rain after shopping at Powell's.
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303 Southwest 12th AvenueWe love this place for an intimate drink or pint before a show at the Crystal Ballroom, or to duck in from the rain after shopping at Powell's.
Entertainment & Activities
The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is an oddities museum, art gallery and gift shop. It pretty much encapsulates the old, funky Portland of yore. For example, you can climb into a coffin that simulates being buried alive.
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Freaky en rétt Peculiarium
2234 NW Thurman StThe Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is an oddities museum, art gallery and gift shop. It pretty much encapsulates the old, funky Portland of yore. For example, you can climb into a coffin that simulates being buried alive.
See a Rose City Rollers Show. A bunch of b@dass women on wheels doing with what they do best.
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Rose City Rollers
7805 SE Oaks Park WaySee a Rose City Rollers Show. A bunch of b@dass women on wheels doing with what they do best.
As trendy and touristy as McMenamins has become, the Kennedy School is still worth it. We often see a second-run movie in the theater, soak in the soaking pool, or grab a quick drink in the Detention Room.
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McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveAs trendy and touristy as McMenamins has become, the Kennedy School is still worth it. We often see a second-run movie in the theater, soak in the soaking pool, or grab a quick drink in the Detention Room.
We were lucky enough to have Timbers season tickets for a few years. They say the experience of watching a match at Providence Park listening to the chants of the Timber's Army is the closest you'll get to a European soccer experience. It's not to be missed. Just make sure you wear green and yellow and know a few chants before you go.
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Providence Park
1844 SW Morrison StWe were lucky enough to have Timbers season tickets for a few years. They say the experience of watching a match at Providence Park listening to the chants of the Timber's Army is the closest you'll get to a European soccer experience. It's not to be missed. Just make sure you wear green and yellow and know a few chants before you go.
Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukie AveEdgefield is a great place to see a summer show or just walk around the gardens, find the secret bars, see a movie, play a round of golf, or people watch. You won't find many locals here, but its classic McMenamins.
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Edgefield Winery & Tasting Room
2126 SW Halsey StEdgefield is a great place to see a summer show or just walk around the gardens, find the secret bars, see a movie, play a round of golf, or people watch. You won't find many locals here, but its classic McMenamins.
Sightseeing
Paul Bunyan statue
North Denver AvenueBest roadside attraction in Portland. And you can walk there.
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the massive alter carved into a 110-foot granite cliff. Or you can take an elevator to the top of the cliff to walk the 62 acre-garden, or sit in the meditation chapel with sweeping views of the Columbia River. This pace is one-of-a-kind.
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Grotta
8840 NE Skidmore StYou don’t have to be religious to appreciate the massive alter carved into a 110-foot granite cliff. Or you can take an elevator to the top of the cliff to walk the 62 acre-garden, or sit in the meditation chapel with sweeping views of the Columbia River. This pace is one-of-a-kind.
We love this bridge especially when a layer of low fog settles on the ridges of Forest Park.
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St. Johns Bridge
8600 Northwest Bridge AvenueWe love this bridge especially when a layer of low fog settles on the ridges of Forest Park.
If you want views of the city and Mt. Hood, take a ride up the Aerial Tram to OHSU. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, hike down through the forest.
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South Waterfront Lower Tram Terminal station
3303 S Bond AveIf you want views of the city and Mt. Hood, take a ride up the Aerial Tram to OHSU. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, hike down through the forest.
Take the max to the foot of the bridge, grab a coffee and saunter across. It's worth the views. Maybe you'll even see Darth Vadar on a unicycle playing his firey bagpipes.
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Tilikum Crossing brú
Tilikum CrossingTake the max to the foot of the bridge, grab a coffee and saunter across. It's worth the views. Maybe you'll even see Darth Vadar on a unicycle playing his firey bagpipes.
Shopping
I moved to Portland for Powell's in 1996. It's still one of the main reasons I live here. Go. Just go.
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Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside StI moved to Portland for Powell's in 1996. It's still one of the main reasons I live here. Go. Just go.
If you are a world traveler or like the influences of other cultures in your home, go to Cargo. Simply walking into the well-curated retail space will take you to another continent.
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Cargo
81 SE Yamhill StIf you are a world traveler or like the influences of other cultures in your home, go to Cargo. Simply walking into the well-curated retail space will take you to another continent.
Betsy & Iya
1777 NW 24th AveIf you love well-made, handcrafted jewelry, visit Betsy and Iya.
Exotic butterflies, two-headed cows, tarantulas—everything here is real and everything here is dead. Ethically sourced taxidermy, framed butterflies, skulls, bones, and curio from around the world. One of a kind fossils, minerals, crystals and raw stones. This place is our son's favorite museum.
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Paxton Gate
4204 N Mississippi AveExotic butterflies, two-headed cows, tarantulas—everything here is real and everything here is dead. Ethically sourced taxidermy, framed butterflies, skulls, bones, and curio from around the world. One of a kind fossils, minerals, crystals and raw stones. This place is our son's favorite museum.
Parks & Nature
You'll always see a family or couple getting their pictures taken under the St. Johns Bridge at Cathedral Park. The giant cement aches that hold up the bridge create an iconic frame. In the summer, you can even catch the Pirate Festival.
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Cathedral Park
You'll always see a family or couple getting their pictures taken under the St. Johns Bridge at Cathedral Park. The giant cement aches that hold up the bridge create an iconic frame. In the summer, you can even catch the Pirate Festival.
Did you know that Forest Park is one of the largest municipal city parks in the country? I had the fortunate luxury of living in the last house on the road into Forest Park. For years, I could run or even ski out my back door into the forest, yet walk into town. Hike the Wildwood Trail or run the 12 mile Leif Erikson Trail. These days, we like heading up Germantown road to enjoy the quieter, less populated trails.
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Skógarholt
Did you know that Forest Park is one of the largest municipal city parks in the country? I had the fortunate luxury of living in the last house on the road into Forest Park. For years, I could run or even ski out my back door into the forest, yet walk into town. Hike the Wildwood Trail or run the 12 mile Leif Erikson Trail. These days, we like heading up Germantown road to enjoy the quieter, less populated trails.
Even just driving through the gorge is worth the views. Besides Powell's, it's the reason why we moved here in the 90s. We're still mourning the summer fires, but if you can find an open trail, it's worth whatever effort it takes to get there.
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Columbia Gorge
Even just driving through the gorge is worth the views. Besides Powell's, it's the reason why we moved here in the 90s. We're still mourning the summer fires, but if you can find an open trail, it's worth whatever effort it takes to get there.
Walk among rhododendrons of all colors and towering oaks and maples that wrap around peaceful ponds and lakes. These gardens are a local favorite for portrait photographers. Grab a bag of duck food at the local produce stand up the street and head here for some tranquil beauty. Just watch out for the Geese!
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Kristalbrunnur Rhododendron Garden
5801 SE 28th AveWalk among rhododendrons of all colors and towering oaks and maples that wrap around peaceful ponds and lakes. These gardens are a local favorite for portrait photographers. Grab a bag of duck food at the local produce stand up the street and head here for some tranquil beauty. Just watch out for the Geese!
Arts & Culture
Did you know that these gardens are proclaimed the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan? And they're well worth it. Our son loves to go here, but go early if you want to avoid the crowds. It can get busy and not-so-serene. And don't feed the fish!
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Portland Japanska garðurinn
611 SW Kingston AveDid you know that these gardens are proclaimed the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan? And they're well worth it. Our son loves to go here, but go early if you want to avoid the crowds. It can get busy and not-so-serene. And don't feed the fish!
The street art scene in Portland is prolific. Incredible murals are tucked away into every back alley or empty wall space. We highly recommend either a self-guided tour or a tour through the Portland Street Art Alliance.
Western Arts Alliance
715 SW Morrison StThe street art scene in Portland is prolific. Incredible murals are tucked away into every back alley or empty wall space. We highly recommend either a self-guided tour or a tour through the Portland Street Art Alliance.
It rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest, and there are only so many coffee shops and brewpubs. The Art Museum curates some fantastic exhibits, like the current Laika exhibit. Well worth the $20 ticket.
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Portland Listasafn
1219 SW Park AveIt rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest, and there are only so many coffee shops and brewpubs. The Art Museum curates some fantastic exhibits, like the current Laika exhibit. Well worth the $20 ticket.
We have to hand it to the Oregon Symphony, they've done a great job infusing new life into what could be dismissed as old-school music, with programs such as Brahms vs. Radiohead, Pirates of the Carribbean, and our local indie band, Blind Pilot playing with the symphony.
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Arlene Schnitzer tónlistarhús
1037 SW BroadwayWe have to hand it to the Oregon Symphony, they've done a great job infusing new life into what could be dismissed as old-school music, with programs such as Brahms vs. Radiohead, Pirates of the Carribbean, and our local indie band, Blind Pilot playing with the symphony.
If you happen to be in town during Wordstock or The Moth or Literary Arts Lecture Series, we highly recommend supporting this fantastic organization.
Literary Arts
925 SW Washington StIf you happen to be in town during Wordstock or The Moth or Literary Arts Lecture Series, we highly recommend supporting this fantastic organization.
A great place to see a show. Right now the owners are trying to save this piece of Portland history from being bought and demolished. Fingers crossed.
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Alberta Rose Theatre
3000 NE Alberta StA great place to see a show. Right now the owners are trying to save this piece of Portland history from being bought and demolished. Fingers crossed.