Sandy’s guidebook
Food scene
Excellent Indian street food with rich flavor, in a cool atmosphere with side walls open to the outdoors on warm days plus outdoor seating at Alberta Street location. Yes, get the Pork Vindaloo and the Dahi Papri Chaat - you will be hooked!
625 recommandé par les habitants
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StExcellent Indian street food with rich flavor, in a cool atmosphere with side walls open to the outdoors on warm days plus outdoor seating at Alberta Street location. Yes, get the Pork Vindaloo and the Dahi Papri Chaat - you will be hooked!
This is our favorite local pizza place. A fun dive-bar vibe if you dine in, or great for take out.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Blind Onion Pizza & Pub
3345 NE BroadwayThis is our favorite local pizza place. A fun dive-bar vibe if you dine in, or great for take out.
Killer Burger - need I say more? Seriously, the best. Greasy, but worth it! I just get the classic cheese burger, but you can be adventurous and go for their unique toppings. The location on Sandy Blvd. is near my home and great for take-out. If you are downtown, there is a location on SW 3rd Street just off the Morrison bridge.
86 recommandé par les habitants
Killer Burger
4644 NE Sandy BlvdKiller Burger - need I say more? Seriously, the best. Greasy, but worth it! I just get the classic cheese burger, but you can be adventurous and go for their unique toppings. The location on Sandy Blvd. is near my home and great for take-out. If you are downtown, there is a location on SW 3rd Street just off the Morrison bridge.
Downtown Portland - SW 2nd. Many of Portland's local signature eateries have a satellite location at Pine Street Market. Beautiful interior, hip vibe without the attitude, modern collection of restaurants. It is loosely akin to a food court because the restaurants are all in one very large space, but each is thoughtfully designed and artful. It's a great stop for groups grabbing a bite and drinks (there are a couple great bars inside), and it is a great space to bring your kiddos. Highly recommended.
115 recommandé par les habitants
Pine Street Market
126 SW 2nd AveDowntown Portland - SW 2nd. Many of Portland's local signature eateries have a satellite location at Pine Street Market. Beautiful interior, hip vibe without the attitude, modern collection of restaurants. It is loosely akin to a food court because the restaurants are all in one very large space, but each is thoughtfully designed and artful. It's a great stop for groups grabbing a bite and drinks (there are a couple great bars inside), and it is a great space to bring your kiddos. Highly recommended.
It's a food cart on 2nd street. (The photo here is not accurate, but it auto-populated and I cannot get it off!). Classic Orthodox lamb platters and gyros. Above and beyond the best Greek food in Portland, and I have been searching high and low... This is downtown with limited hours: seems to be open until mid afternoon Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays.
A Taste of Greek
321 SW 2nd AveIt's a food cart on 2nd street. (The photo here is not accurate, but it auto-populated and I cannot get it off!). Classic Orthodox lamb platters and gyros. Above and beyond the best Greek food in Portland, and I have been searching high and low... This is downtown with limited hours: seems to be open until mid afternoon Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays.
Famed Pok Pok, with low key, small local location near our house - without the long lines! Thai street food.
201 recommandé par les habitants
Pok Pok Wing
1469 NE Prescott StFamed Pok Pok, with low key, small local location near our house - without the long lines! Thai street food.
Excellent Thai street food, with lovely outdoor seating, on Mississippi Street.
65 recommandé par les habitants
Mee-Sen Thai Eatery
3924 N Mississippi AveExcellent Thai street food, with lovely outdoor seating, on Mississippi Street.
The tacos are fine. The margaritas excellent. Atmosphere funky and great people watching, with nice outdoor seating. Budget in time to stand in a long line unless you go during off hours.
342 recommandé par les habitants
¿Por Qué No?
3524 N Mississippi AveThe tacos are fine. The margaritas excellent. Atmosphere funky and great people watching, with nice outdoor seating. Budget in time to stand in a long line unless you go during off hours.
Passable Americanized Thai food, a take-out option, if you are just looking for basics such as chicken fried rice, peanut chicken satay, and dishes your children might prefer over the Thai street food restaurants. The Panang Curry with Chicken has nice flavor.
54 recommandé par les habitants
Thai Noon Restaurant
2635 NE Alberta StPassable Americanized Thai food, a take-out option, if you are just looking for basics such as chicken fried rice, peanut chicken satay, and dishes your children might prefer over the Thai street food restaurants. The Panang Curry with Chicken has nice flavor.
If you want to snazz it up a bit in terms of atmosphere and finer dining (yet still casually elegant), 23 Hoyt is lovely and has great burgers (among more elaborate dishes). Nice outdoor seating on interesting 23rd street.
24 recommandé par les habitants
23Hoyt
529 NW 23rd AveIf you want to snazz it up a bit in terms of atmosphere and finer dining (yet still casually elegant), 23 Hoyt is lovely and has great burgers (among more elaborate dishes). Nice outdoor seating on interesting 23rd street.
Near our house, for a good look at the eclectic McMenamins properties and to grab a meal. The outdoor courtyard seating (an inside courtyard, not along 33rd street), as part of the main restaurant, is a lovely place to chill out, grab a beer and pub meal. Swing by the tiny Detention Room bar to grab a drink and recall your days in detention.
538 recommandé par les habitants
McMenamins Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd AveNear our house, for a good look at the eclectic McMenamins properties and to grab a meal. The outdoor courtyard seating (an inside courtyard, not along 33rd street), as part of the main restaurant, is a lovely place to chill out, grab a beer and pub meal. Swing by the tiny Detention Room bar to grab a drink and recall your days in detention.
Incredible Vietnamese street food, but be prepared for long lines during peak hours. A hint: you can bypass the line, walk around to the right to the center bar, and place a to-go order there for take out.
152 recommandé par les habitants
Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
835 SW 2nd AveIncredible Vietnamese street food, but be prepared for long lines during peak hours. A hint: you can bypass the line, walk around to the right to the center bar, and place a to-go order there for take out.
Awesome pastrami reuben sandwiches and boiled bagels, in a casual setting with great people watching on NW 23rd Street.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Kornblatt's
628 NW 23rd AveAwesome pastrami reuben sandwiches and boiled bagels, in a casual setting with great people watching on NW 23rd Street.
If you truly want the best donuts, skip the lines at VooDoo (and the fruit loop toppings), and head over to one of the BlueStar Donuts locations. (There's even one in the airport!)
403 recommandé par les habitants
Blue Star Donuts
3325 SE Division StIf you truly want the best donuts, skip the lines at VooDoo (and the fruit loop toppings), and head over to one of the BlueStar Donuts locations. (There's even one in the airport!)
Coffee Shops
A low-key coffee shop with quick breakfast items, and award winning pies (you can't help but have a slice of banana cream, really!). In the heart of Alberta Street shops. The music is a bit loud, and seating can be difficult to find, but if you go at the right time...
131 recommandé par les habitants
Random Order Pie Bar
1800 NE Alberta StA low-key coffee shop with quick breakfast items, and award winning pies (you can't help but have a slice of banana cream, really!). In the heart of Alberta Street shops. The music is a bit loud, and seating can be difficult to find, but if you go at the right time...
This is a bit of an experience locale. Beautiful facility on SE Grand Ave. For the more perfect cup, pour over is the thing here.
9 recommandé par les habitants
1300
1300 Southeast Grand AvenueThis is a bit of an experience locale. Beautiful facility on SE Grand Ave. For the more perfect cup, pour over is the thing here.
The vibe is funky, Stumptown Coffee is served with a dose of occasional attitude. Seating can be difficult. Hawthorne location is a great stop when in that quadrant. Mississippi Street location a great stop as well.
93 recommandé par les habitants
The Fresh Pot
4001 N Mississippi AveThe vibe is funky, Stumptown Coffee is served with a dose of occasional attitude. Seating can be difficult. Hawthorne location is a great stop when in that quadrant. Mississippi Street location a great stop as well.
I always like a balance of atmosphere and quality food/drinks, and this place serves up both. It is just beautiful, and worth a stop when you are downtown.
40 LBS Coffee Bar
824 SW 2nd AveI always like a balance of atmosphere and quality food/drinks, and this place serves up both. It is just beautiful, and worth a stop when you are downtown.
Experiences
A gorgeous, artsy old theater. You can order McMenamins' pizza slices and other pub food, and beer, and dine while you watch a show. I don't normally recommend movie theaters for a vacation, but this one is just beautiful and quite an experience in my opinion due to McMenamins artful touches on a vintage theater.
351 recommandé par les habitants
McMenamins Bagdad Theater and Pub
3702 SE Hawthorne BlvdA gorgeous, artsy old theater. You can order McMenamins' pizza slices and other pub food, and beer, and dine while you watch a show. I don't normally recommend movie theaters for a vacation, but this one is just beautiful and quite an experience in my opinion due to McMenamins artful touches on a vintage theater.
This and other Stumptown Coffee locations host public coffee tastings. Check their website or call for currently offered times.
347 recommandé par les habitants
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
4525 SE Division StThis and other Stumptown Coffee locations host public coffee tastings. Check their website or call for currently offered times.
Local teamaker - enjoy a tasting at this cool tea bar, in a more authentic, old warehouse district in the Pearl District. Check web site for times.
26 recommandé par les habitants
Steven Smith Teamaker
1626 NW Thurman StLocal teamaker - enjoy a tasting at this cool tea bar, in a more authentic, old warehouse district in the Pearl District. Check web site for times.
I like this smaller outpost of Powell's. It is in the heart of interesting Hawthorne Street, and can be combined with a stop at nearby shops Greg's and Presents of Mind, perhaps also a game of pool in the back room at McMenamin's Bagdad.
230 recommandé par les habitants
Powell's Books on Hawthorne
3723 SE Hawthorne BlvdI like this smaller outpost of Powell's. It is in the heart of interesting Hawthorne Street, and can be combined with a stop at nearby shops Greg's and Presents of Mind, perhaps also a game of pool in the back room at McMenamin's Bagdad.
This is a vast property with lots of outposts, mini golf, mini pubs, an outdoor music venue, spa, restaurants. It is a nice suburban place for a visit, burger and beer.
203 recommandé par les habitants
McMenamins Edgefield Winery Tasting Room
2126 SW Halsey StThis is a vast property with lots of outposts, mini golf, mini pubs, an outdoor music venue, spa, restaurants. It is a nice suburban place for a visit, burger and beer.
Walks / Hikes
For an urban walk, along the Willamette River there is a paved walking and cycling path that circles the east side, loops across most of the bridges, continues along the downtown riverfront walking and cycling path of NATO Parkway, and circles you back to where you started. If you start on the east side near Lippmann's party supply (as a reference point), you'll be good to go, and will find interesting cafes and shops at that starting point as well.
14 recommandé par les habitants
Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade
Southeast Hawthorne BoulevardFor an urban walk, along the Willamette River there is a paved walking and cycling path that circles the east side, loops across most of the bridges, continues along the downtown riverfront walking and cycling path of NATO Parkway, and circles you back to where you started. If you start on the east side near Lippmann's party supply (as a reference point), you'll be good to go, and will find interesting cafes and shops at that starting point as well.
Beautiful waterfalls. You can do the trail walk as little or as far as you want, but it is approx. a 7 mile loop, passing by numerous waterfalls.
293 recommandé par les habitants
Parc d'État des chutes Silver
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastBeautiful waterfalls. You can do the trail walk as little or as far as you want, but it is approx. a 7 mile loop, passing by numerous waterfalls.
This is a local favorite, urban park. Views of downtown Portland. You can make it what you want - a light stroll, hefty steep uphill hiking, marathon trail training... There is a playground and basic restroom facilities near the top. A great place to have a picnic - bring your takeout here and settle in. You can enter from multiple sides of this dormant volcano with lush trees and shade.
406 recommandé par les habitants
Mt Tabor Dog Park
2219 SE Lincoln StThis is a local favorite, urban park. Views of downtown Portland. You can make it what you want - a light stroll, hefty steep uphill hiking, marathon trail training... There is a playground and basic restroom facilities near the top. A great place to have a picnic - bring your takeout here and settle in. You can enter from multiple sides of this dormant volcano with lush trees and shade.
Even after the tragic fires a year or two ago in this National Historic area, the Columbia Gorge really offer beautiful scenery and much of it still looks amazing. Drive out the 84 freeway east, and you can stop to view Multnomah Falls by parking in a central parking area (a bit less crowded than taking the historic highway route). Grab an ice cream or light lunch here, or enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner at the outdoor patio or inside the beautiful old lodge restaurant.
974 recommandé par les habitants
Multnomah Falls station
Even after the tragic fires a year or two ago in this National Historic area, the Columbia Gorge really offer beautiful scenery and much of it still looks amazing. Drive out the 84 freeway east, and you can stop to view Multnomah Falls by parking in a central parking area (a bit less crowded than taking the historic highway route). Grab an ice cream or light lunch here, or enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner at the outdoor patio or inside the beautiful old lodge restaurant.
Near the House - 24th & Fremont Shops
If you just want to step out of the house for a neighborhood stroll, consider making your way to 24th and Fremont Street. Garden Fever has lovely gift items, besides garden plants and tools, and is just a breath of fresh air to walk through.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Garden Fever!
3433 NE 24th AveIf you just want to step out of the house for a neighborhood stroll, consider making your way to 24th and Fremont Street. Garden Fever has lovely gift items, besides garden plants and tools, and is just a breath of fresh air to walk through.
This has been a favorite authentic Italian restaurant for ages, with nice outdoor seating.
56 recommandé par les habitants
Lucca
3449 NE 24th AveThis has been a favorite authentic Italian restaurant for ages, with nice outdoor seating.
A fine coffee shop with nice local atmosphere, near the house.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Guilder
2393 NE Fremont StA fine coffee shop with nice local atmosphere, near the house.
Groceries and Provisions
Gourmet grocery market in casual location, near a UPS store, ATM, Starbucks, and small retail shops.
630 recommandé par les habitants
Whole Foods Market
1210 NW Couch StGourmet grocery market in casual location, near a UPS store, ATM, Starbucks, and small retail shops.
Gourmet grocery market, further than Whole Foods Market, but another option.
974 recommandé par les habitants
New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division StGourmet grocery market, further than Whole Foods Market, but another option.
If you are in need of basic provisions, such as forgotten flip-flops, an umbrella, or quick basic clothing - this is a NW one-stop-shopping store to find that needle in a haystack. Caution - it is a huge windowless store akin to a Las Vegas Casino, so good luck and don't get lost in there.
616 recommandé par les habitants
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdIf you are in need of basic provisions, such as forgotten flip-flops, an umbrella, or quick basic clothing - this is a NW one-stop-shopping store to find that needle in a haystack. Caution - it is a huge windowless store akin to a Las Vegas Casino, so good luck and don't get lost in there.
Shopping Boutiques
Fun, eclectic trinkets shop on interesting Mississippi Street.
27 recommandé par les habitants
Flutter
3948 N Mississippi AveFun, eclectic trinkets shop on interesting Mississippi Street.
Another fun, eclectic trinkets shop. This one on SE Belmont Street. Often sells artwork by local artists. Nearby is a Stumptown Coffee location that also displays and sells local artwork. You can't go into Noun without sampling a cupcake at Saint Cupcake, sorry for the temptation!
18 recommandé par les habitants
Noun: a person's place for things
3300 SE Belmont StAnother fun, eclectic trinkets shop. This one on SE Belmont Street. Often sells artwork by local artists. Nearby is a Stumptown Coffee location that also displays and sells local artwork. You can't go into Noun without sampling a cupcake at Saint Cupcake, sorry for the temptation!
One of the original locally owned stores on Alberta Street, with unique treasures for younger children.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Grasshopper
1816 NE Alberta StOne of the original locally owned stores on Alberta Street, with unique treasures for younger children.