Our Recommendations

We love Portland and want you to have the best experience possible while you are visiting! Here are a few of our recommendations for things to try while you're here.

Food

Portland is an amazing hub for food, you really can't go wrong! Below are just a few of our favorite go-to spots.

Jinju Patisserie

James Beard winning bakery in a fun & walkable neighborhood.

The Tin Shed

A fun, garden-cafe style spot. Great food and Portland experience. Dog friendly!

Posie's Cafe

A cozy café with good coffee, baked goods, and lunch bites. It’s in our neighborhood, so it’s extra close to our hearts!

Breakfast & Baked Goods

Prost Marketplace Foodcarts

This pod features an changing lineup foods-- tacos, Thai, gyros, BBQ, and more. Grab a drink and enjoy casual, open-air dining in true Portland fashion.

Hawthorne Asylum Carts

A favorite food cart pod in PDX. Tons of food options in a classic Portland atmosphere.

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

A local favorite serving Mexican food in a colorful, laid-back space. Great for a casual lunch or dinner.

Casual Bites & Food Carts

Tusk

Vibrant atmosphere and a menu that expertly blends Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Northwest flavors.

Janken

A sleek, high-end spot downtown offering a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine in a stunning, plant-filled space.

Eem

Thai barbecue meets tiki bar, this award-winning restaurant blends smoky meats, curries, and tropical cocktails in a lively setting.

Monty's Red Sauce

A cozy, modern Italian-American restaurant with a nostalgic twist.

Phuket Cafe

Creative Thai dishes with local ingredients, served in a fun, colorful, and bustling atmosphere.

Andina

Upscale tapas & entrees that blend traditional Peruvian cuisine with fresh Pacific Northwest ingredients. A warm, bustling environment with top scale service and experience.

Top Spots

Treats

Salt & Straw

An iconic Portland ice cream famous for its wildly creative (and delicious) flavors. Expect a line, but it moves fast and is well worth the wait.

Blue Star Donuts

In our opinion, this is Portland’s better donut option. They are brioche-based donuts made with unexpected flavors like blueberry bourbon basil and Mexican hot chocolate. Skip the long Voodoo line and grab one of these instead.

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

For a true Portland experience, this late-night dessert and coffee house in a creaky old Victorian home serves up dessert, coffee, and live classical music in a funky, candle-lit setting. Expect “Portlandia-level” service with zero irony.

Grab a Drink

Portland is a leader in an innovative and inclusive drinking culture. Explore our favorite places offering standout cocktails and thoughtful zero-proof alternatives.

RonToms

Crafted cocktails in a bar complete with indoor and outdoor fireplaces and warm atmosphere. Lots of space for larger groups.

The Old Gold

Indoor/outdoor whiskey bar with amazing food. Craft alcoholic and zero-proof cocktails.

BarBar

Dog-friendly, covered patio bar with good drinks and the best burger in town.

Cocktail Bars

Dive Bars

The Alibi

If you've been looking for a tiki bar that hasn't been updated in 50 years and offers nightly karaoke, you found your spot!

Advice Booth

Advice Booth is a women-owned neighborhood bar that feels like your best friend's cool basement in the 70's. Pinball, board games, photobooth, and jello shots with pop rocks!

*bonus points because Andy & Delaney had their first date here*

Crowbar

Narrow, dimly lit bar with a hip vibe, whiskey shelf, pinball & a jukebox.

Experience Portland’s blend of breathtaking scenery and artistic charm. Here are the activities and spots we recommend when you want a true feel for the city in a short visit.

Explore Portland

Forest Park

For a nature break without leaving the city, Forest Park offers miles of lush, tree-lined trails perfect for an easy walk or jog. Our favorite trails are Lower and Upper Macleay and Leif Erikson.

International Rose Garden

Portland is called the Rose City for a reason! Explore Washington Park and the amazing (free) rose garden overlooking the city.

Japanese Gardens

Serene 5.5-acre space with a waterfall, teahouse & mountain view. Proclaimed to be the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Get tickets online here.

Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style château in the West Hills offering a beautiful overlook of the city and a path with stunning landscaping.

Powell's City of Books

Powell’s Books on Burnside Street, better known as the City of Books, occupies four stories on a full city block in downtown Portland’s Pearl District, making it the largest independent bookstore in the world!