Portland is a city imbued with a unique culinary ethos, blending foraged dining, vibrant vegan soul food, whole-animal butchery, and delectable bacon-topped maple bars. Amid this eclectic mix, visitors can easily find themselves overwhelmed with choices. This comprehensive guide is designed to help travelers navigate the diverse food and drink landscape of Portland with clarity.
Discover Portland’s Culinary Scene
The city boasts an abundance of fresh produce, thanks to the unspoiled Willamette Valley, providing chefs with quality ingredients for various cuisines, from regional Thai to Andean dishes. Portland is especially noted for its distinctive food cart culture, with over 25 elaborate food cart pods, where diners can delight in everything from Texas smoked brisket to duck-filled jianbing.
Navigating Portland’s Culinary Gems
Eater Portland offers a continually updated database of maps that celebrate the city’s classic and emerging food trends, such as wood-fired pizzas and expertly crafted sushi. Here’s a curated selection of top-rated spots from these maps:
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Must-Try Restaurants
Explore Eater Portland’s essential restaurant map, which showcases a range of exceptional dining options across city neighborhoods. For brunch, Mémoire Cà Phê serves a unique fusion of Vietnamese and classic breakfast dishes, while Maurice offers an elegant tea service complete with delightful scones and cheesecakes. Lunchtime highlights include Rangoon Bistro, acclaimed for its Burmese dishes and fried chicken. For dinner, consider making a reservation at Langbaan for its tasting menu or indulge in seafood at Jacqueline or chef Gregory Gourdet’s Kann.
Trending Dining Spots
Portland’s hot restaurant scene is constantly evolving, with many establishments opening their doors within the last six months. Notable newcomers include Chelo, known for seasonal Mexican cuisine, and Lansdowne Social, which provides an inviting atmosphere for its dinner parties. For innovative drinks, visit Side Eye, or enjoy communal Korean dining at Moon Pocha.
Iconic Food Carts
Portland’s food cart culture is one of its defining culinary features, featuring an array of delicious offerings such as seared albacore nigiri from Yoshi’s Sushi and bibim boxes from Kim Jong Grillin’. Head to food cart pods like Prost Marketplace, which hosts popular options like Matt’s BBQ and Desi, or visit the Portland Mercado to sample various Latin American carts, including Tierra del Sol and Principe Maya.
Thriving Coffee Scene
Portland has established itself as a mecca for specialty coffee. Stumptown remains a popular choice, while Push X Pull and Roseline offer unique offerings. The downtown area is home to Deadstock, which specializes in bright roasts perfect for cold drinks. Additionally, numerous immigrant-owned cafes showcase distinct coffee traditions from around the world.
Sandwich Highlights
Known for its artisanal sandwiches, Portland boasts various options, including the renowned Lardo. Other top contenders include Sammich’s Italian beef, Jojo’s fried chicken sandwich, and Binh Minh’s banh mi, showcasing a diverse range of flavors and techniques.
Pizza Culture
Portland’s reputation as a premier pizza destination is well-earned, thanks to its access to high-quality ingredients and a passion for baking. Diners can enjoy creations from Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty, Hapa Pizza, and longstanding favorites like Apizza Scholls and Red Sauce.
Craft Beer Haven
Portland’s craft beer scene is home to an impressive number of breweries, each showcasing unique brews. Little Beast and Upright Brewing cater to farmhouse ale aficionados, while the German-style beers at Zoiglhaus and Occidental appeal to those with specific tastes.
Outstanding Brunch Offerings
Brunch in Portland is celebrated for its creativity, with establishments like Jojo and Hey Love offering inventive dishes. If you’re looking for classic experiences, visit the Tin Shed Garden Cafe or Fuller’s Diner.
A Culinary Land of Diversity
Portland embraces a rich diversity of cuisines, notably Southeast Asian options such as Thai and Vietnamese, making dining at places like Hat Yai and Rose VL Deli essential. The city also excels in ramen and burgers, with options available for vegans and vegetarians throughout.
Portland’s Culinary Neighborhoods
Portland is divided into six primary quadrants—North, South, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast—each encompassing various neighborhoods with distinct culinary identities:
North Portland
North Portland, often referred to as the “fifth quadrant,” covers everything north of Burnside. To explore the area, start on Williams Avenue with coffee from Either/Or and pastries from Jinju Patisserie. For meal options, consider Kayo’s Ramen Bar or Mexican eateries like Tienda Santa Cruz and El Coyote for dinner.
North Mississippi and Albina
North Mississippi is a vibrant area filled with dining options such as Sweedeedee, featuring Spanish tortillas and pastries. Take time to enjoy lunch at Matt’s BBQ cart or DesiPDX before a dinner stop at Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty for artisanal pizzas.
Downtown Portland
The downtown scene is buzzing with food carts and hotels. Noteworthy spots include Midtown Beer Garden food cart pod and Maurice for European fare.
Southeast Division and Clinton
This area is known for new establishments like Oma’s Hideaway alongside classic favorites such as Reel M Inn for fried chicken. End your day with dessert from Pinolo Gelato or Lauretta Jean’s.
Northwest Portland
Northwest is seeing numerous new openings, offering vibrant dining experiences. Notable newcomers include Bhuna and República, alongside established favorites like Kachka.
Central Eastside and Buckman
This neighborhood is space-laden with culinary gems like Le Pigeon and Olympia Provisions. Food cart pods like Cartopia provide a classic Portland experience with a variety of options.
East Portland and Gresham
East of 82nd, the area has a vibrant mix of cuisine, particularly Mexican offerings from eateries like Birrieria PDX and La Tía Juana.
Reservations to Consider
Kann
Known for its exceptional Haitian cuisine, Kann receives high demand for reservations, which open on the first of each month for the following month’s slots.
Langbaan
Langbaan serves traditional Thai fare and is renowned for its exclusivity, with reservations available a month in advance.
Le Pigeon
Le Pigeon, celebrated for its imaginative French dishes, typically requires reservations made a few weeks in advance.
Stay Updated
For the latest culinary news and dynamics in Portland, Eater Portland provides timely updates on restaurant openings and culinary trends. Follow us on social media platforms for ongoing highlights and insights.
Connect with Us
For inquiries or feedback, reach out to the Eater Portland staff. Your suggestions and insights are always welcome.
Additional reporting contributed by Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Janey Wong, and Rebecca Roland.
