If you’ve ever been to Portland, you know what a great town it is. With an abundance of incredible restaurants and bars, fun things to do, and really nice people, you are pretty much guaranteed to have a good time. Here are some of our favorite spots to check out the next time you are in Portland!
TO EAT
Whether a food cart pod or a cook-it-yourself restaurant, the food does not disappoint.
Pine State Biscuit – This tiny store front serves all versions of biscuits. Personally I’m a plain biscuits and gravy person, and they knock it out of the park. Be advised: this place can get busy and seating is limited.
Roscoes – There is one thing you must try: Sloppy Fries. They have roast beef, cheese and gravy. Wash it all down with any of their great beers on tap. You’re welcome.
Waffle Window – Walk up to the little window and order and a yummy waffle snack to go. We were there around Thanksgiving and got to enjoy pumpkin pie…delicious!
Awesome Cone – More on waffles: this food truck has tasty treats such as Pulled Pork with Coleslaw and Chicken and Dumplings IN WAFFLE CONES. It’s a pretty amazing combination.
Slappy Cakes -A fun breakfast spot that has a menu of batters and mix-ins so that you can create the perfect pancake right at your table. With griddles on the table, you can fully customize your pancakes and make each one exactly how you like.
Screen Door – Arguably our favorite weekend brunch spot in Portland. Menu highlights include: 1. breakfast corn dogs with maple syrup dipping cups. 2. fried chicken and waffles ( all stacked with a knife stabbed through to hold it together). The wait is well worth it.
Cricket Cafe – Delicious breakfasts and a menu of different Bloody Mary’s to nurse your hang over. I got the Bloody Sunrise – half tomato juice, half OJ/grapefruit juice with grenadine–and I will never be the same.
TO DRINK
From bloody marys to coffee to beer, Portland has you taken care of.
Coava – A good straight-forward cup of coffee. The sparse interior can make it feel a little intimidating, but the staff was nothing but friendly and helpful.
Stumptown - With five locations around Portland, Stumptown is likely their most well-known roaster and with good reason. Definitely worth stopping by to satisfy your caffeine needs.
Heart Coffee Roasters - A great cafe with great coffee, food, and espresso drinks you can’t beat. While you’re here, a pound of coffee is always a good souvenir to bring back home to the people you left behind.
Spirit of 77 – What all sports bars should be. A huge open space with good beer, good food, free arcade games, and inspiring design elements. Yes PLEASE.
Dig A Pony – Behold the hanging rope bar. The interior here feels classy and fresh. Friendly folks make great drinks.
Bar Bar – Amidst the bars on Mississippi this place stands out with their life-changing burgers and great cocktails.
Prost! – This warm German bar/restaurant on North Mississippi is the place for beer and brats. They have a great patio so if you happen to catch a warm(ish) sunny day while visiting PDX, grab some friends and head over.
Clyde Common – They have every whiskey.
TO SEE
Portland is a beautiful city with lots of quirky things to do. You’ve seen Portlandia right?
Powell’s - What Amoeba is to music, Powell’s is to books. Take a break from the rain to stop by and spend way too much time perusing every book imaginable.
Mt Tabor - Right in the middle of SE Portland, Mt. Tabor is an easily accessed escape to nature. A short hike to the top of Mt. Tabor offers beautiful views of Portland and a refreshing walk through the trees.
Rejuvenation - This store sells new home goods in the front of the store, but the good stuff is in the back. There is any piece of old hardware you could ever want: old doors, windows, lighting, signage, furniture and more. Be sure to block out enough time to take it all in.
Ace Hotel - While this is not my favorite Ace, it is a reasonably priced hotel in a great area. Not to mention the lobby is sandwiched between Clyde Common and Stumptown. While you’re waiting for your coffee, swing in and make use of the vintage photo booth.
Kennedy School - Of all the McMenamin’s, this is the one to visit. Located in an old elementary school, you can watch a movie on couches in the old auditorium (for cheap and while eating pizza and drinking beer), have cocktails at the Boiler Room Bar, or stay in one of their hotel rooms.
