Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
This is an easy morning walk to the local cafe. Good espresso roasted in house, and a pastry case. A place many people sit at and work for hours. They sell the NYT.
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Extracto Coffee Roasters
2921 NE Killingsworth St This is an easy morning walk to the local cafe. Good espresso roasted in house, and a pastry case. A place many people sit at and work for hours. They sell the NYT.
Great, unpretentious (and not overpriced) farm-to-table place with creative cocktails, local beers on tap, and something for everyone. People love love love the burger here.
99 personas locales recomiendan
Wilder
5501 NE 30th AveGreat, unpretentious (and not overpriced) farm-to-table place with creative cocktails, local beers on tap, and something for everyone. People love love love the burger here.
Unusual fusion food of locavore meets SE Asia variety, and swanky cocktails. Naomi Pomeroy, famous chef, etc if you are into that kind of thing.
195 personas locales recomiendan
Expatriate
5424 NE 30th AveUnusual fusion food of locavore meets SE Asia variety, and swanky cocktails. Naomi Pomeroy, famous chef, etc if you are into that kind of thing.
Cha'Ba Thai
3024 NE Alberta Stdarn good thai food
Restaurant and bar with great drinks, and just a beautiful design with outside seating in the back. Another one of the great places we are lucky to have at our little famous hub in the unlikely spot of 30th and Killingsworth.
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Yakuza Izakaya Restaurant
5515 NE 30th AveRestaurant and bar with great drinks, and just a beautiful design with outside seating in the back. Another one of the great places we are lucky to have at our little famous hub in the unlikely spot of 30th and Killingsworth.
Yes, it's totally gringo Mexican food, but it is soooo darn good. This is the only place in Portland that I am willing to stand in line for. They have happy hour but otherwise, if you get a bunch of stuff including the to-die-for side of guacamole and a couple of margaritas, be ready to spend $40 for two. Yes, on Mexican food. But it's worth it! The consolation prize is that if it's too busy, there are a whole lot of other good offerings on Mississippi Ave.
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¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveYes, it's totally gringo Mexican food, but it is soooo darn good. This is the only place in Portland that I am willing to stand in line for. They have happy hour but otherwise, if you get a bunch of stuff including the to-die-for side of guacamole and a couple of margaritas, be ready to spend $40 for two. Yes, on Mexican food. But it's worth it! The consolation prize is that if it's too busy, there are a whole lot of other good offerings on Mississippi Ave.
Near 30th and Alberta you will find great espresso at Cafe Vita, veg and vegan options at Cafe Vitae (not to be confused!), the wonderful Caaba Thai, good Austin style tacos at Stella, classic Mexican at La Bonita, good pizza at Bella Facia, pretty good Iraqi food, a whiskey bar, and a southern style bistro. The next hub down at 22nd has Indian Street food at Bollywood, and the every-popular Salt and Straw ice cream.
NE 30th & Alberta station
Near 30th and Alberta you will find great espresso at Cafe Vita, veg and vegan options at Cafe Vitae (not to be confused!), the wonderful Caaba Thai, good Austin style tacos at Stella, classic Mexican at La Bonita, good pizza at Bella Facia, pretty good Iraqi food, a whiskey bar, and a southern style bistro. The next hub down at 22nd has Indian Street food at Bollywood, and the every-popular Salt and Straw ice cream.
In this area we recommend Random Order Coffee Bar for great pie and good press offerings, the ever-popular Tin Shed for breakfast or brunch, Barista Cafe for espresso, Bamboo Sushi for great sustainable sushi and Petite Provence for real deal French pastries and lovely breakfast and lunch.
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NE Alberta & 15th station
In this area we recommend Random Order Coffee Bar for great pie and good press offerings, the ever-popular Tin Shed for breakfast or brunch, Barista Cafe for espresso, Bamboo Sushi for great sustainable sushi and Petite Provence for real deal French pastries and lovely breakfast and lunch.
As happens so often in Portland these days, this is a new area of trendy spots, anchored by the classic Podnah's Pit if you like barbecue, and the newer Hat Yai southern Thai, and a good taco place with great drinks. Also a bakery with "artisanal toast" that I like in spite of myself. ;)
NE 15th & Killingsworth station
As happens so often in Portland these days, this is a new area of trendy spots, anchored by the classic Podnah's Pit if you like barbecue, and the newer Hat Yai southern Thai, and a good taco place with great drinks. Also a bakery with "artisanal toast" that I like in spite of myself. ;)
Essentials
Full service grocery just .4 mile walk nearby - up NE 32nd place and hang a left on Emerson. They have a healthy, Whole Foods kind of bent but they also sell mainstream brands that WF won't. Hot bar and grab and go deli are good options for budget meals, and they make surprisingly good espresso drinks for being a grocery store.
1022 personas locales recomiendan
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveFull service grocery just .4 mile walk nearby - up NE 32nd place and hang a left on Emerson. They have a healthy, Whole Foods kind of bent but they also sell mainstream brands that WF won't. Hot bar and grab and go deli are good options for budget meals, and they make surprisingly good espresso drinks for being a grocery store.
Only 1.5 miles away, and this Whole Foods is in a residential area still, but within a little complex with a Starbucks, UPS store, and store for birders, as well as a few little pubs and restaurants along Fremont heading west from Whole Foods.
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Whole Foods Market
1210 NW Couch StOnly 1.5 miles away, and this Whole Foods is in a residential area still, but within a little complex with a Starbucks, UPS store, and store for birders, as well as a few little pubs and restaurants along Fremont heading west from Whole Foods.
Entertainment & Activities
Iconic McMenamin's conversion of old schoolhouse into a hotel, several differently-themed small bars, movie house (with pizza and beer, on cozy sofas...for cheap!). Also a soaking pool and espresso bar in the gift shop. It's only 2 blocks away and worth a stroll through it if you are unfamiliar with the McMenamin's wonderful way of converting and celebrating old buildings.
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McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveIconic McMenamin's conversion of old schoolhouse into a hotel, several differently-themed small bars, movie house (with pizza and beer, on cozy sofas...for cheap!). Also a soaking pool and espresso bar in the gift shop. It's only 2 blocks away and worth a stroll through it if you are unfamiliar with the McMenamin's wonderful way of converting and celebrating old buildings.
Second run movies for $4. And pizza and beer. Located in an area right on Burnside with lots of restaurants (and close to the beautiful Laurelhurst Park), so you could make an exploratory trip of the area.
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Laurelhurst Theatre
2735 E Burnside StSecond run movies for $4. And pizza and beer. Located in an area right on Burnside with lots of restaurants (and close to the beautiful Laurelhurst Park), so you could make an exploratory trip of the area.
If you are looking for what's on with the symphony, dance performance, big name lectures and similar events, check their web site. One place manages bookings for the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Newmark Theatre and other major venues.
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Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
1111 SW BroadwayIf you are looking for what's on with the symphony, dance performance, big name lectures and similar events, check their web site. One place manages bookings for the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, the Newmark Theatre and other major venues.
This is our fantastic vintage theatre with new releases and classics like Lawrence of Arabia or 2001 A Space Odyssey. They occasionally host screenings of films like this using their 70-mm old-school projector. Like most Portland theaters, they sell beer, wine, ice cream, pizza...
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Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy BlvdThis is our fantastic vintage theatre with new releases and classics like Lawrence of Arabia or 2001 A Space Odyssey. They occasionally host screenings of films like this using their 70-mm old-school projector. Like most Portland theaters, they sell beer, wine, ice cream, pizza...
Parks & Nature
Just walk/run down Ainsworth 10 blocks to Alberta, and you can run the cedar chip path for a short job. There is a playground, tennis courts and off leash dog area. This park is about 5 acres.
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Parque Alberta
1905 NE Killingsworth St Just walk/run down Ainsworth 10 blocks to Alberta, and you can run the cedar chip path for a short job. There is a playground, tennis courts and off leash dog area. This park is about 5 acres.
This is our nearest local park, just 6 blocks east. It is about 30 acres of rolling open space. There are tennis courts, a few picnic tables, a huge playground and lots of dogs in the dog area running like mad.
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Fernhill Park
Fernhill ParkThis is our nearest local park, just 6 blocks east. It is about 30 acres of rolling open space. There are tennis courts, a few picnic tables, a huge playground and lots of dogs in the dog area running like mad.
This park (a 1.75 mile walk) just down Ainsworth Street has a lovely 100-year-old formal rose garden and fountain. It's my personal favorite, even more than Washington Park rose garden.
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Peninsula Park
Peninsula ParkThis park (a 1.75 mile walk) just down Ainsworth Street has a lovely 100-year-old formal rose garden and fountain. It's my personal favorite, even more than Washington Park rose garden.
Lovely and serene, just as you would expect. This is carved into the forest in Forest Park, is large, and has quite a network of meandering parks. Well worth a visit, anytime of year as it's been planned to show off different scenes in every season.
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Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston AveLovely and serene, just as you would expect. This is carved into the forest in Forest Park, is large, and has quite a network of meandering parks. Well worth a visit, anytime of year as it's been planned to show off different scenes in every season.
Waterfalls, hiking trails and great viewpoints. The gorge is a great nearby escape form the city. Be warned that in summer in recent years, the demand for parking at Multnomah Falls and traffic along the scenic drive is tremendous -- but there are remote parking spots and you can shuttle. A weekday and off-season should be better. Head all the way to Hood River (one hour east) for a lovely little small town -- brew pubs, shopping, waterfront park and lots of windsurfers to watch.
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Área Escénica Nacional del Desfiladero del Río Columbia
Waterfalls, hiking trails and great viewpoints. The gorge is a great nearby escape form the city. Be warned that in summer in recent years, the demand for parking at Multnomah Falls and traffic along the scenic drive is tremendous -- but there are remote parking spots and you can shuttle. A weekday and off-season should be better. Head all the way to Hood River (one hour east) for a lovely little small town -- brew pubs, shopping, waterfront park and lots of windsurfers to watch.
Did you know that Portland has a 5,000 acre park right in the city? If you want to hike, sure, get out to wilderness, but if you don't feel like driving far and want a cool escape or a great trail run, this is a great option. You can even park right on NW 23rd and make your way through neighborhoods in the west hills and into the park. Pick up maps at REI.
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Forest Park
Did you know that Portland has a 5,000 acre park right in the city? If you want to hike, sure, get out to wilderness, but if you don't feel like driving far and want a cool escape or a great trail run, this is a great option. You can even park right on NW 23rd and make your way through neighborhoods in the west hills and into the park. Pick up maps at REI.
Drinks & Nightlife
This is THE place to see indie music, both local and whoever's passing through town.
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Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi AveThis is THE place to see indie music, both local and whoever's passing through town.
This is a close 10-minute walk, so a good option. Check online for what's on. They have a mix of music (all types), confessional storytelling, and other special events.
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Alberta Rose Theatre
3000 NE Alberta StThis is a close 10-minute walk, so a good option. Check online for what's on. They have a mix of music (all types), confessional storytelling, and other special events.
Other than Mississippi Studios, in my mind Doug Fir is the place to catch current headliners in the indie music scene. It's a really cool space, architecturally. You can have dinner there before a show too. Check online for a full calendar: there is music nearly every day of the week.
250 personas locales recomiendan
Doug Fir Lounge
301 E Burnside StOther than Mississippi Studios, in my mind Doug Fir is the place to catch current headliners in the indie music scene. It's a really cool space, architecturally. You can have dinner there before a show too. Check online for a full calendar: there is music nearly every day of the week.
Sightseeing
It's a 3.5 mile loop to walk east bank, over steele bridge, along the westside waterfront, and back over the hawthorne. Do any combo of walking, both sides of the river, and taking in bridges. The Tillikum bridge is the U.S.'s first no-car bridge (only people on foot, by bike, and light rail), and takes you to south waterfront paths as well. This whole area is great to tour by bike. You can find one of the Biketown stations or rent by the day from shops.
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Eastbank Esplanade
Eastbank EsplanadeIt's a 3.5 mile loop to walk east bank, over steele bridge, along the westside waterfront, and back over the hawthorne. Do any combo of walking, both sides of the river, and taking in bridges. The Tillikum bridge is the U.S.'s first no-car bridge (only people on foot, by bike, and light rail), and takes you to south waterfront paths as well. This whole area is great to tour by bike. You can find one of the Biketown stations or rent by the day from shops.
The drive -- or bike ride (only 25 miles) -- through Troutdale and up the old Columbia River Highway is lovely and gets you out of the city fast. Stand around on this high point for great views east and west down the gorge, overlooking the Columbia River.
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Crown Point State Scenic Corridor
40700 Crown Point HwyThe drive -- or bike ride (only 25 miles) -- through Troutdale and up the old Columbia River Highway is lovely and gets you out of the city fast. Stand around on this high point for great views east and west down the gorge, overlooking the Columbia River.