Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
A breakfast/brunch standby--lots of delicious options, and a showplace for local pop art and crafts.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Cup & Saucer Cafe
8237 North Denver AvenueA breakfast/brunch standby--lots of delicious options, and a showplace for local pop art and crafts.
This bistro is the new pulsing heart of Kenton. Lovely, simple atmosphere and divine food. Their brisket reuben outclasses any from the most famous NY delicatessens by miles--truly melt-in-your-mouth. Great happy hour menu!
100 recommandé par les habitants
Swift and Union
8103 N Denver AveThis bistro is the new pulsing heart of Kenton. Lovely, simple atmosphere and divine food. Their brisket reuben outclasses any from the most famous NY delicatessens by miles--truly melt-in-your-mouth. Great happy hour menu!
For our paleo friends or anyone who loves great food. Casey's favorite: salmon tartare salad.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Cultured Caveman
For our paleo friends or anyone who loves great food. Casey's favorite: salmon tartare salad.
Outstanding taco and burrito place. Everything on the menu is great— including chili dogs, hamburgers, everything. Cheep!
40 recommandé par les habitants
King Burrito Mexican Food
2924 N Lombard StOutstanding taco and burrito place. Everything on the menu is great— including chili dogs, hamburgers, everything. Cheep!
A local favorite forever. Fresh, reasonably priced seafood, relaxed atmosphere.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Fishwife | Seafood Restaurant
5328 N Lombard StA local favorite forever. Fresh, reasonably priced seafood, relaxed atmosphere.
Insanely good Indian street food-- best in Portland! Go!
625 recommandé par les habitants
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StInsanely good Indian street food-- best in Portland! Go!
Great sandwiches! Nice outdoor area in back.
19 recommandé par les habitants
East Side Deli on Lombard
4823 N Lombard StGreat sandwiches! Nice outdoor area in back.
Our favorite BBQ place. The dining area isn't much, but great Hawaiian BBQ.
Big Kahuna's BBQ & Catering
7123 N Lombard StOur favorite BBQ place. The dining area isn't much, but great Hawaiian BBQ.
Fast food, Oregon's answer to In & Out. We think Burgerville is better. Local, high quality ingredients, great seasonal shakes, Walla Walla onion rings and healthier offerings. Lots of them around, this is the closest one to home.
75 recommandé par les habitants
Burgerville
1135 NE Martin Luther King Jr BlvdFast food, Oregon's answer to In & Out. We think Burgerville is better. Local, high quality ingredients, great seasonal shakes, Walla Walla onion rings and healthier offerings. Lots of them around, this is the closest one to home.
Happens to be our favorite pho place, though there are many others. Not many good ones close to home, unfortunately.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Pho An Sandy
6236 NE Sandy BlvdHappens to be our favorite pho place, though there are many others. Not many good ones close to home, unfortunately.
Coffee, beer, and excellent quasi-Italian pizza. Owned by a friend of ours, so if you happen to be in the neighborhood...
32 recommandé par les habitants
Fillmore
7201 NE Glisan StCoffee, beer, and excellent quasi-Italian pizza. Owned by a friend of ours, so if you happen to be in the neighborhood...
Coffee and ice cream in an old Victorian house. Casey's been going here since the late 80s, when her friends regularly played violin duets on the front porch and there was a "body" in the bathtub upstairs that scared the bejeebus out of everybody. The atmosphere is practically just the same. Order a double espresso and a "Rasputin's Vice."
56 recommandé par les habitants
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
707 SE 12th AveCoffee and ice cream in an old Victorian house. Casey's been going here since the late 80s, when her friends regularly played violin duets on the front porch and there was a "body" in the bathtub upstairs that scared the bejeebus out of everybody. The atmosphere is practically just the same. Order a double espresso and a "Rasputin's Vice."
Wildly popular sushi place. Huge cuts of fresh sushi, reasonably priced, always packed. Put your name on the list and go around the corner for a drink. Definitely worth the trip and the wait.
95 recommandé par les habitants
Saburos | Sushi House Restaurant
1667 SE Bybee BlvdWildly popular sushi place. Huge cuts of fresh sushi, reasonably priced, always packed. Put your name on the list and go around the corner for a drink. Definitely worth the trip and the wait.
Casey's favorite breakfast/brunch spot. The full menu is amazing at any time of day. Order a meal or just a huge pastry and a coffee. We got our wedding cake from here, a "Lemon Grafitti"--you can get it by the slice: it's staggeringly good. The also have cream puffs shaped like swans. On Fridays they do a seafood chowder you'll dream about forever.
385 recommandé par les habitants
Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie
3420 NE Sandy BlvdCasey's favorite breakfast/brunch spot. The full menu is amazing at any time of day. Order a meal or just a huge pastry and a coffee. We got our wedding cake from here, a "Lemon Grafitti"--you can get it by the slice: it's staggeringly good. The also have cream puffs shaped like swans. On Fridays they do a seafood chowder you'll dream about forever.
Best burger in town, hands down. And that's saying something. Great pre or post a movie at the Academy. Also stop at La Bouffe gourmet shop on the way to the theater--incredible international foodie items you can't get anywhere else.
171 recommandé par les habitants
The Observatory
8115 SE Stark StBest burger in town, hands down. And that's saying something. Great pre or post a movie at the Academy. Also stop at La Bouffe gourmet shop on the way to the theater--incredible international foodie items you can't get anywhere else.
Universally regarded as the best Chinese food in town, and we concur. Try the Shandong Prawns or Judy's Noodles. Pure bliss!
33 recommandé par les habitants
Shandong Restaurant
3724 NE BroadwayUniversally regarded as the best Chinese food in town, and we concur. Try the Shandong Prawns or Judy's Noodles. Pure bliss!
Voodoo Doughnuts gets all the hype, but this chain does the simple things right. If you just need a half dozen glazed raised or bismarcks or a couple of fresh croissants as you hit the road, Heavenly Donuts is the ticket.
6 recommandé par les habitants
Heavenly Donuts
1915 N Lombard StVoodoo Doughnuts gets all the hype, but this chain does the simple things right. If you just need a half dozen glazed raised or bismarcks or a couple of fresh croissants as you hit the road, Heavenly Donuts is the ticket.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lombard Pub
3416 N Lombard StBeer and drinks, good bar food, good bands!
Good bar, very old-school Portland, good blues and folk music.
39 recommandé par les habitants
Mock Crest Tavern
3435 N Lombard StGood bar, very old-school Portland, good blues and folk music.
Insane Tiki bar— drive down Interstate St. and look for the neon. It's a dive, and the karaoke is a pretty rugged scene, but it's a lot of fun.
89 recommandé par les habitants
The Alibi Tiki Lounge
4024 N Interstate AveInsane Tiki bar— drive down Interstate St. and look for the neon. It's a dive, and the karaoke is a pretty rugged scene, but it's a lot of fun.
Tap room at Occidental. Great classic German-style beers, next to Cathedral Park under the awesome St. Johns Bridge. Todd keeps a painting studio in this building.
38 recommandé par les habitants
Occidental Brewing Company
6635 N Baltimore AveTap room at Occidental. Great classic German-style beers, next to Cathedral Park under the awesome St. Johns Bridge. Todd keeps a painting studio in this building.
Great beer, good German food. Try the Alt— Widmer's Dusseldorf-style beer which you can only get at the brewery.
45 recommandé par les habitants
The Widmer Brothers Brewery
929 N Russell StGreat beer, good German food. Try the Alt— Widmer's Dusseldorf-style beer which you can only get at the brewery.
One of the oldest continuously operating bars in Portland, reputed to be haunted. Food, good microbrews, full bar.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Blue Moon Tavern & Grill
432 Northwest 21st AvenueOne of the oldest continuously operating bars in Portland, reputed to be haunted. Food, good microbrews, full bar.
Great music and comedy, intimate, very hip venue; if anybody you like is playing there, GO.
436 recommandé par les habitants
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi AveGreat music and comedy, intimate, very hip venue; if anybody you like is playing there, GO.
Great German beer and light food— try the currywurst!
192 recommandé par les habitants
Prost! Portland
4237 N Mississippi AveGreat German beer and light food— try the currywurst!
Lucky Labrador Tap Room
1700 N Killingsworth StGreat beer place, that's all!
Irish-style place with music in two rooms, good fish & chips and shepherd's pie.
137 recommandé par les habitants
Alberta Street
1036 NE Alberta StIrish-style place with music in two rooms, good fish & chips and shepherd's pie.
Well, we don't really go here any more, but it's a 90s alt-Portland institution. The last time I was there my guitarist spotted a friend from Austin who was in the movie Slacker. That sort of place. The Long Island iced teas and bloody Marys were always popular. Probably the same dive it always was, but NO PROMISES. You can always retreat to the Bar Of The Gods across the street if it sucks. ***If you sit near the door your drinks will glow in the dark.
38 recommandé par les habitants
Space Room & Genie's
4800 SE Hawthorne BlvdWell, we don't really go here any more, but it's a 90s alt-Portland institution. The last time I was there my guitarist spotted a friend from Austin who was in the movie Slacker. That sort of place. The Long Island iced teas and bloody Marys were always popular. Probably the same dive it always was, but NO PROMISES. You can always retreat to the Bar Of The Gods across the street if it sucks. ***If you sit near the door your drinks will glow in the dark.
Anglophile Sci-Fi Heaven. Real, superb, British-style fish and chips (there is a sign that warns vegetarians that EVERYTHING is fried in lard, including the Mars bars, ) traditional sides like mushy peas and Bird's custard, a zillion UK and local beers on tap, strange, strong, delicious blue drinks with "Wolf" in the name, nerd trivia night on Thursdays and music on the weekends. The bar section is called the Tardis Room, but the whole place is decorated with wild, seedy British Sci-Fi abandon. The pool table is free to play. Needless to say, love, love, LOVE.
12 recommandé par les habitants
The Fish & Chip Shop
1218 N Killingsworth StAnglophile Sci-Fi Heaven. Real, superb, British-style fish and chips (there is a sign that warns vegetarians that EVERYTHING is fried in lard, including the Mars bars, ) traditional sides like mushy peas and Bird's custard, a zillion UK and local beers on tap, strange, strong, delicious blue drinks with "Wolf" in the name, nerd trivia night on Thursdays and music on the weekends. The bar section is called the Tardis Room, but the whole place is decorated with wild, seedy British Sci-Fi abandon. The pool table is free to play. Needless to say, love, love, LOVE.
Funky, classically "Portland" bar with wild decor, stiff drinks and pinball. Across 28th and up a block from Laurelhurst theater--great for a pre or post movie drink.
47 recommandé par les habitants
Beulahland
118 NE 28th AveFunky, classically "Portland" bar with wild decor, stiff drinks and pinball. Across 28th and up a block from Laurelhurst theater--great for a pre or post movie drink.
Parks & Nature
In the Columbia Gorge, 40 minutes east of Portland, on the Washington side, across the BRIDGE OF THE GODS at Cascade Locks. Spectacular trail to the top of this insane monolith.
43 recommandé par les habitants
Beacon Rock State Park
34841 Washington 14In the Columbia Gorge, 40 minutes east of Portland, on the Washington side, across the BRIDGE OF THE GODS at Cascade Locks. Spectacular trail to the top of this insane monolith.
On the Historic Columbia River Highway. You're basically hiking into a crack in the wall of the gorge, with a stream and a waterfall at the end. Slightly precarious getting over a tangle of fallen timber at the entrance, and do prepare to get wet— towards the end the walls of the gorge go right up to the water's edge. Great excursion for hot days.
23 recommandé par les habitants
Oneonta Gorge
On the Historic Columbia River Highway. You're basically hiking into a crack in the wall of the gorge, with a stream and a waterfall at the end. Slightly precarious getting over a tangle of fallen timber at the entrance, and do prepare to get wet— towards the end the walls of the gorge go right up to the water's edge. Great excursion for hot days.
Very short but steep and stunningly picturesque trail with a waterfall at the end. Casey and Todd got married here.
Shepperd's Dell Falls
East Historic Columbia RiverVery short but steep and stunningly picturesque trail with a waterfall at the end. Casey and Todd got married here.
Fairly short, not too strenuous, with a great waterfall and stunning, Lord Of The Rings-like landscape— you'll know it when you see it; be sure to make the complete loop
Wahclella Falls Trailhead
Wahclella Falls TrailFairly short, not too strenuous, with a great waterfall and stunning, Lord Of The Rings-like landscape— you'll know it when you see it; be sure to make the complete loop
Beautiful park with tall trees, tennis courts, indoor Olympic size pool.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Columbia Park
Beautiful park with tall trees, tennis courts, indoor Olympic size pool.
Bird sanctuary on a beautiful stretch of road in Forest Park. Lots of forest hiking trails nearby.
42 recommandé par les habitants
Portland Audubon
5151 NW Cornell RdBird sanctuary on a beautiful stretch of road in Forest Park. Lots of forest hiking trails nearby.
Visitor center situated in the path of the 1980 eruption! Spectacular view directly into the crater. Road to VC passes through standing dead forests resulting from the eruption. Walking paths, trails. 1 hour 45 minute drive from the house.
30 recommandé par les habitants
Johnston Ridge Observatory
24000 Spirit Lake HwyVisitor center situated in the path of the 1980 eruption! Spectacular view directly into the crater. Road to VC passes through standing dead forests resulting from the eruption. Walking paths, trails. 1 hour 45 minute drive from the house.
Essentials
It's listed as a pharmacy, but it's got everything— groceries, clothes, sporting goods, housewares, etc etc. This is where you go when you need salsa, champagne, sneakers, batteries, bug spray, a beach towel AND a squirt gun, stat!
30 recommandé par les habitants
Fred Meyer Pharmacy
7404 N Interstate AveIt's listed as a pharmacy, but it's got everything— groceries, clothes, sporting goods, housewares, etc etc. This is where you go when you need salsa, champagne, sneakers, batteries, bug spray, a beach towel AND a squirt gun, stat!
Smaller grocery store run by the New Seasons people. Produce, deli, meat, top quality everything.
110 recommandé par les habitants
Green Zebra Grocery
3011 N Lombard StSmaller grocery store run by the New Seasons people. Produce, deli, meat, top quality everything.
Great, fancy grocery store, not unlike Whole Foods, but not run by evil people.
1022 recommandé par les habitants
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveGreat, fancy grocery store, not unlike Whole Foods, but not run by evil people.
Great, fancy grocery store, not unlike Whole Foods, but not run by evil people.
1022 recommandé par les habitants
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveGreat, fancy grocery store, not unlike Whole Foods, but not run by evil people.
Fiji Emporium
7814 N Interstate AveSmall Indian/international grocery.
Kenton Liquor Store
8221 N Denver AveClosest liquor store to home.
Kenton Laundro Mat
8119 N Denver AveClosest "laundro mat" to home.
Yep. It's really true. It's really, really legal here, and it's no big deal. Kind Heart is our little local pot store, and there is an old school head shop next door that has accessories. The Kind Heart folks are super nice and very professional. You will marvel at how stress-free the process is. They check your ID in reception and then buzz you into the sales area. Behind the counter is a big board that lists all the varieties currently in stock (it rotates,) with their THC and CBD percentages. Everything has been tested in a lab and certified so you know what you're getting. The staff will cheerfully answer any question from the simplest to the most arcane. There is usually something on special, but even without it the prices are very reasonable. Cash only. We aren't huge partakers, but when we do, "Blueberry Pie" is our favorite--light and bright and good for walking around. If you want an easy cookie recipe, let us know.
Kind Heart Collective
8217 N Denver AveYep. It's really true. It's really, really legal here, and it's no big deal. Kind Heart is our little local pot store, and there is an old school head shop next door that has accessories. The Kind Heart folks are super nice and very professional. You will marvel at how stress-free the process is. They check your ID in reception and then buzz you into the sales area. Behind the counter is a big board that lists all the varieties currently in stock (it rotates,) with their THC and CBD percentages. Everything has been tested in a lab and certified so you know what you're getting. The staff will cheerfully answer any question from the simplest to the most arcane. There is usually something on special, but even without it the prices are very reasonable. Cash only. We aren't huge partakers, but when we do, "Blueberry Pie" is our favorite--light and bright and good for walking around. If you want an easy cookie recipe, let us know.
Sightseeing
Just a stunning bridge, site of a recent Greenpeace protest... google it.
67 recommandé par les habitants
St. Johns Bridge
8600 Northwest Bridge AvenueJust a stunning bridge, site of a recent Greenpeace protest... google it.
Spectacularly situated... I don't know what the building is for, actually... but it's very cool, and you can continue down the Historic Columbia River Highway to visit the various falls and trails.
44 recommandé par les habitants
Crown Point State Scenic Corridor
40700 Crown Point HwySpectacularly situated... I don't know what the building is for, actually... but it's very cool, and you can continue down the Historic Columbia River Highway to visit the various falls and trails.
Entertainment & Activities
The "Portland Meadows" horse track is also nearby--take your pick for thrilling, speedy action.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Portland International Raceway
1940 N Victory BlvdThe "Portland Meadows" horse track is also nearby--take your pick for thrilling, speedy action.
Very cool old school movie theater showing a wide variety of independent and art films, classics, and new movies. We saw "The Aristocrats" here on our first date.
231 recommandé par les habitants
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy BlvdVery cool old school movie theater showing a wide variety of independent and art films, classics, and new movies. We saw "The Aristocrats" here on our first date.
Cool theater in the increasingly-hip Montavilla enclave. One of the last $4 theaters. Variety of new movies and classics. Beer, wine, pizza, and lots of cool shops, bars and cafes on the strip. Even a rent-a-hot-tub place (we have not tried it--you'll have to scope it out!)
159 recommandé par les habitants
Academy Theater
7818 SE Stark StCool theater in the increasingly-hip Montavilla enclave. One of the last $4 theaters. Variety of new movies and classics. Beer, wine, pizza, and lots of cool shops, bars and cafes on the strip. Even a rent-a-hot-tub place (we have not tried it--you'll have to scope it out!)
Stunning old theater, one of the first places anywhere where you could drink a beer while watching a movie. Restaurant/bar attached. Right in the heart of Hawthorne St, lots of other things to see.
351 recommandé par les habitants
McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne BlvdStunning old theater, one of the first places anywhere where you could drink a beer while watching a movie. Restaurant/bar attached. Right in the heart of Hawthorne St, lots of other things to see.
Lots of 80s and newer video games and pinball. Beer and ??? available. Bands sometimes. A fun hang. Be sure to check out the restroom even if there is no need.
139 recommandé par les habitants
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
115 NW 5th AveLots of 80s and newer video games and pinball. Beer and ??? available. Bands sometimes. A fun hang. Be sure to check out the restroom even if there is no need.
One of the great independent theaters in town. Beer, wine, pizza. 4(?) screens, new releases and classics.
329 recommandé par les habitants
Laurelhurst Theatre
2735 E Burnside StOne of the great independent theaters in town. Beer, wine, pizza. 4(?) screens, new releases and classics.
One of the best kept secrets in town. A traditional Asian spa. Don't bother with any other services, just go in and ask for the "Foot Massage." It's only $30, lasts an hour, and they'll rub you all over. It's a clothes-on massage where you lay on a long ottoman-type bench with your feet soaking while they massage your face, head and neck, shoulders and arms, then they'll do your legs and feet, and just when you're totally blissed out and think there can't be any more, they flip you over, cover you with a towel and pummel your back. Not much English is spoken. Just walk in, ask for the foot massage, do what they tell you, pay your thirty bucks, and tip generously in cash (you'll be thrilled to.) Follow with fabulous meal at Shandong, Bulgogi, or Pho An Sandy. Enjoy!
Fly Dragon Spa
1928 NE 42nd AveOne of the best kept secrets in town. A traditional Asian spa. Don't bother with any other services, just go in and ask for the "Foot Massage." It's only $30, lasts an hour, and they'll rub you all over. It's a clothes-on massage where you lay on a long ottoman-type bench with your feet soaking while they massage your face, head and neck, shoulders and arms, then they'll do your legs and feet, and just when you're totally blissed out and think there can't be any more, they flip you over, cover you with a towel and pummel your back. Not much English is spoken. Just walk in, ask for the foot massage, do what they tell you, pay your thirty bucks, and tip generously in cash (you'll be thrilled to.) Follow with fabulous meal at Shandong, Bulgogi, or Pho An Sandy. Enjoy!
In the humble Cully neighborhood, a great trick-up-the-sleeve if you just need to chill out and relax after a long drive, flight, or big night out. Two community rooms full of plump, fluffy chairs and soothing lighting. For $15 an attentive acupuncturist will give you an arms and legs (and face, if you like) acupuncture treatment with any focus you choose. They check on you regularly but not overly often, and you can stay as long as you please.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Working Class Acupuncture
3526 NE 57th AveIn the humble Cully neighborhood, a great trick-up-the-sleeve if you just need to chill out and relax after a long drive, flight, or big night out. Two community rooms full of plump, fluffy chairs and soothing lighting. For $15 an attentive acupuncturist will give you an arms and legs (and face, if you like) acupuncture treatment with any focus you choose. They check on you regularly but not overly often, and you can stay as long as you please.
Shopping
Hip, happening photo supply store for all your imaging-related needs. Digital and film.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Blue Moon Camera & Machine
8417 N Lombard StHip, happening photo supply store for all your imaging-related needs. Digital and film.
This Asian Mall has everything: silk dresses, feng shui supplies, an ENORMOUS grocery with fresh seafood crawling around, big bales of udon noodles, and crates of champagne mangoes, statuary, kites and other treasures. Be sure to go past the grocery and check out the smaller bakery, it's fantastic!
30 recommandé par les habitants
Fubonn Shopping Center
2850 SE 82nd AveThis Asian Mall has everything: silk dresses, feng shui supplies, an ENORMOUS grocery with fresh seafood crawling around, big bales of udon noodles, and crates of champagne mangoes, statuary, kites and other treasures. Be sure to go past the grocery and check out the smaller bakery, it's fantastic!
Fantastic little thrift store a few blocks from the house. Wonderfully curated with very low prices. Great clothing and accessories, and also art, gifts, vintage kitchenware and many other unique finds. Be sure to check out the back patio: you might stumble upon the bird feeder of your dreams or set of lawn darts in perfect condition.
17 recommandé par les habitants
Give & Take Resale
8128 N Denver AveFantastic little thrift store a few blocks from the house. Wonderfully curated with very low prices. Great clothing and accessories, and also art, gifts, vintage kitchenware and many other unique finds. Be sure to check out the back patio: you might stumble upon the bird feeder of your dreams or set of lawn darts in perfect condition.
Village Merchants is the Powell's Books of thrift stores. You can spend an entire afternoon wandering from room to room, uncovering marvel after marvel, and squealing with glee when you check the price tag. You can have it all!
34 recommandé par les habitants
Village Merchants
4035 SE Division StVillage Merchants is the Powell's Books of thrift stores. You can spend an entire afternoon wandering from room to room, uncovering marvel after marvel, and squealing with glee when you check the price tag. You can have it all!