AN ABBREVIATED GUIDE TO PORTLAND
COVID UPDATE
I made this guide before the pandemic, and since March of 2020, several of the restaurants and bars here have closed, either permanently or temporarily. I have either removed them or noted them, respectively. I have mostly left the remainder of the guide unchanged, but will do an overhaul when the pandemic is over. The rest of the guide from here on out is as originally written.
So you’re heading to Portland? And you need some recommendations? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know, and probably some stuff you don’t. I’ll try to keep this as updated as possible.
LOGISTICS
WHERE SHOULD I STAY
You’re going to be tempted to stay on the West Side. I get it. That’s where downtown is, that’s where Powell’s is… it’s the city center, right? Sort of. West side has lots of fun stuff worth doing, and you should absolutely visit Powell’s once, but the true heart of Portland is on the east side. It’s bigger and more spread out, but that’s where the locals spend most of their time, and where the spirit of Portland is more evident.
Here are the areas that are most dense with cool stuff:
Try to stay close to one of those areas. Mississippi Ave (the little blue sliver in the upper half) is, IMO, the best balance of density and quality of bars / restaurants / shops, etc.
AIRBNB OR HOTEL?
Whether you do a hotel or an AirBnB depends on what you’re into and what your budget is. West side has most of the more ‘shmancy’ hotels, like the Ace and the Nines, but will be more expensive. East side will have many more AirBnBs at all price points, and its best hotel is the Jupiter/NEXT.
DO I NEED A CAR?
Yes! You should absolutely rent a car and bounce around the city and beyond. Portland is a pretty easy city to drive around in and parking is usually fine, especially on the east side. Plus, there are tons of great outdoorsy things to do outside the city, and you’ll need a car for that.
FOOD+DRINK
DINNER
Ox
Argentinian steakhouse. Multi-year winner of Portland’s Best Restaurant. Carnivore heaven. Dinner only.
Le Pigeon
A Portland institution. The Foie Gras Profiterole is one of the city’s most famous desserts. Dinner only.
Nimblefish
Sushi that is simply and excellently executed with top quality fish. Go for the Omakase for the chef’s tasting experience.
LUNCH & CHEAP EATS
Nong's Khao Man Gai
Chicken & Rice, that’s pretty much all they got. But dear god it’s delicious. Great for lunch.
Hat Yai
They also specialize in mostly one dish: Hat Yai, of course. It also consists of fried chicken, but of the “southern thai with curry sauce” variety.
Blue Star Donuts
No matter what you’ve heard, DO NOT GO TO VOODOO DONUT. It is a tourist trap, their donuts are mediocre at best, and their owner is a jerk. Go to Blue Star instead!
BRUNCH
Sweedeedee
Winner for most instagram-able breakfast / brunch. But is also delicious. Get there early.
Tusk
Modern mediterranean (mostly veg) in a hip, meticulously designed space. Brunch is weekend only.
P's & Q's
Adorable little cafe / market. Their cinnamon roll is to die for, but you better get there before they run out!
Radar
Takes brunch reservations! And the owners are the sweetest people in the world. Brunch is weekend only.
HunnyMilk
Fixed price ($23/person), choose a savory item and a sweet item. Best of both brunch worlds!
BARS
Hey Love
Attached to Jupiter NEXT, this tropical-themed (but not tiki) bar serves highly creative cocktail and food menus, in a beautifully designed and plant-adorned space. Also has brunch!
Multnomah Whiskey Library
The fanciest of fancy bars. One of the best spirit collections in the country. Go for a pre-dinner drink; trying to go later will be futile.
Interurban
Great cocktails and food that’s vastly better than it needs to be (get the Mexican cauliflower). Also good for brunch!
BREWERIES
COFFEE
ACTIVITIES
IN THE CITY
Distillery Row
Central Eastside has tons of distilleries, and for $20 you can get a “passport” that’ll get you free tastings at a dozen of the best ones. Don’t plan on driving home after this activity 🙂
Powell's Books
Largest bookstore in the country. No first-time Portland trip is complete without a visit here.
OMSI
Visiting with kids? The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry has tons of fun science exhibits, a planetarium, and a real submarine you can go inside!
Ground Kontrol
Fun barcade. Grab a Rainier (the PBR of the PacNW), and sit down for a few rounds of Street Fighter or Bubble Bobble.
Washington Park
Large park with variety of activities. Go for a tranquil stroll through the Japanese Garden(pictured), take the kids to the Oregon Zoo or the Children’s Museum, hike through Hoyt Arboretum, or in the late spring / summer, see an immense collection of blooming roses at the International Rose Test Garden.
Portland Art Museum
Portland actually has a pretty great art museum! Check which exhibits are there and see if anything strikes your fancy.
See a Show
Portland has a thriving music scene. Check the schedules for the Doug Fir, Mississippi Studios, or Wonder Ballroom and see if there’s anything you want to check out!
OUTSIDE THE CITY
Columbia Gorge
A long stretch of cliffs overlooking the Columbia river and Washington State. Many beautiful waterfalls and hikes to explore. If you want to go to some of the popular ones like Multnomah Falls (pictured) or Wahkeena, go during the week or get up early on the weekend to beat the crowds.
Mt. Hood
About an hour from the city, Mt. Hood offers an abundance of activities regardless of season. In the winter, go skiing or snowshoeing. In the summer, hike to Elk Meadow, have a picnic/swim at Trillium Lake(pictured), or go for a ride on the alpine slide.
Oregon Coast
If the weather is nice, take a day trip the coast! 60-90 minutes from the city you’ll find lots of cute little beach towns like Manzanita and Pacific City. Hike to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain (pictured) for a great view.
Oregon Wine Country
Head 40 minutes outside the city towards Dundee for a day of wine tasting. Oregon is known for its Pinot Noirs, partly because of wineries like Archery Summit, Penner Ash(pictured), and Erath.