The city of roses, bridges, and Stumptown…
Oh, Portland. After two decades, you’re finally starting to grow on me. Your rivers, your bridges, your fickle weather. The food and drink selection, however, continues to be one of your shiny bits. When friends come into town – whether for business or pleasure – they always want to know where to eat and drink, and I’m happy to share. Some classics, some newbies – here are a few of my favorites from around the city!
Tin Shed (best for breakfast, brunch)
1438 NE Alberta Street
Tin Shed has been a dog-friendly go-to for many in the NE Portland area for over two decades. Though it’s evolved from its tiny collection of indoor tables to a more spacious open (and heated) patio area, you’ll still hit a standard brunch line on a weekend morning (it’s a little easier to grab a seat mid-week) but the coffee is always flowing. My fave breakfast choice is the Everything Nice, offering both sweet and savory on the plate.
Nong’s Khao Man Gai (best for lunch, dinner)
Multiple locations
The bright smile of chef/owner Nong Poonsukwattana burst onto the scene in 2016 when she first opeend her chicken & rice cart. From food cart to brick and mortar, her chicken and rice remains the very best chicken and rice you’ve ever had. Now in two locations, the menu has a few more items, but Nong’s staple dish remains a staple! Be sure to pick up yourself a bottle of the sought-after Nong’s Khao Man Gai Sauce while you’re there!
Frank’s Noodle House (best for lunch, dinner)
Multiple locations
Frank’s has been around for ages, with the original location – a bright yellow house on Northeast Broadway Avenue – still standing despite the ups and downs of the neighborhood around it. Family-owned since forever, the housemade noodles are handmade and long-revered by locals. Make sure to dine-in – the noodles just don’t deliver the razzamatazz with delivery. And don’t forget the kimchi!
Pacific Standard (best for lunch, happy hour, dinner, drinks)
100 NE MLK Way
Former Clyde Common bartenders Banjo Amberg and Jeffrey Morgenthaler opened their own spot, Pacific Standard, as the anchor of the KEX Hotel in 2022. The hotel’s lobby opens up into bar seating and plenty of family-friendly, loungey spots for food and drink. In warmer months, 21+ guests can venture up to the rooftop Sunset Room to enjoy cocktails with a city view.
The Love Shack (best for dinner, drinks)
1645 NW 21st Avenue
From the playful mind of chef Garrett Benedict, already revered for his G-Love restaurant next door, comes this classy tropical cocktail bar in Portland’s Slabtown. With a tropical-inspired decor and a stellar selection of cocktails, the real delight are the bar carts wheeled between tables delivering delish bites to diners.
Scotch Lodge (best for dinner, drinks)
215 SE 9th Avenue
With whisky master Tommy Klus at the helm, Scotch Lodge hit the ground running when it arrived, and it hasn’t stopped since! Every dish by chef Tim Artale is a work of art, with cocktails and vibe to match. Great for a cozy evening with your favorite people.
Kachka (best for dinner, drinks)
960 SE 11th Street
There’s no place like Kachka, with its perfect little pelminis, bits of caviar, and housemade horseradish vodka. Owners Bonnie and Israel Morales have done an incredible job of moving with the ebb and flow of the restaurant business over the years, changing locations, expanding into local markets, collaborating with visiting chefs, supporting staff through lockdown and increased cost-of-living. An evolution of continued success, Kachka remains a tried-and-true restaurant choice.
Old Gold (best for drinks, snacks)
2105 N Killingsworth Avenue
A stellar neighborhood bar, the Old Gold is a NoPo classic. Burgers, sandwiches, and a fully-loaded liquor selection. Stellar whether flying solo at the bar or catching a game with friends.
Rum Club (best for drinks, snacks)
720 SE Sandy Boulevard
For more than a decade, Rum Club has been the place to be. All the best bartenders have passed through its doors, whether mixing the drinks or just enjoying the cocktails and bad ass vibe. Bar snacks are also top notch. Get there early – Rum Club fills up quickly on prime nights. If you know, you know.
Huber’s Cafe (best for turkey dinners, drinks)
411 SW 3rd Avenue
Huber’s Cafe is the oldest restaurant still running in Portland, opening eons ago in 1879. It’s delightfully unpretentious, hidden away from the city’s downtown hustle and bustle. Worn wood of years gone by, the old-school bowties and vests, and the way the bartenders still show off their famous Spanish coffee skills make this a marvelous visit during a Stumptown stay.
Fifty Licks (best for anytime!)
Multiple locations
Skip that other PR-heavy ice cream spot, and head to this homegrown hole-in-the-wall for luscious licks.
~Jennifer Matthewson
*Photo Credit: Jennifer Matthewson / Daily Blender
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[Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2014 and updated in 2024.]