Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Just half a mile from our home is this wonderful Thai restaurant is the closet place to get something for dinner. The food is fresh and tastes great. It's one of the best spots in the neighborhood and is open until 10 pm on weekends. Tyler and his crew are very friendly and are in the process of creating a space in back for outdoor dining.
23 locals recommend
Drunken Noodle
5907 N Lombard StJust half a mile from our home is this wonderful Thai restaurant is the closet place to get something for dinner. The food is fresh and tastes great. It's one of the best spots in the neighborhood and is open until 10 pm on weekends. Tyler and his crew are very friendly and are in the process of creating a space in back for outdoor dining.
Any day before 6pm one can get an 11 inch Margherita pizza for $5, and it's a great pie. A pint of beer or glass of wine before 6pm costs $4, and one not ned to buy a drink to get the pizza. Just 5.8 miles form our home, it's a great spot heading home or heading out. Two doors down is What's the Scoop, which is a great spot for ice cream.
173 locals recommend
Life of Pie Pizza
3632 N Williams AveAny day before 6pm one can get an 11 inch Margherita pizza for $5, and it's a great pie. A pint of beer or glass of wine before 6pm costs $4, and one not ned to buy a drink to get the pizza. Just 5.8 miles form our home, it's a great spot heading home or heading out. Two doors down is What's the Scoop, which is a great spot for ice cream.
Recently the chain adopted a non-gmo policy for their food. The food healthy and close to our house--.9 mile--with a full bar and patio open during warm weather.
59 locals recommend
Cha Cha Cha Taqueria
3433 SE Hawthorne BlvdRecently the chain adopted a non-gmo policy for their food. The food healthy and close to our house--.9 mile--with a full bar and patio open during warm weather.
It's simply the best pizza in Portland, and worth the 10.1 mile drive. Our favorite is the classic tartufo, which is three types of cheese with truffle oil drizzled at the finish.
221 locals recommend
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne BlvdIt's simply the best pizza in Portland, and worth the 10.1 mile drive. Our favorite is the classic tartufo, which is three types of cheese with truffle oil drizzled at the finish.
When we want Indian food, we travel 9.7 miles across town to Dwaraka! The husband and wife who own it are very charming and the food is excellent. I especially love the spicy carrot pickle condiment.
16 locals recommend
Dwaraka Indian Cuisine
3962 SE Hawthorne BlvdWhen we want Indian food, we travel 9.7 miles across town to Dwaraka! The husband and wife who own it are very charming and the food is excellent. I especially love the spicy carrot pickle condiment.
Mount Burns loves coffee and it shows in the quality of his hand roasted blends. All of his beans are organic and fair trade and the shop, just 1.4 miles from our home, is a great spot to hang out and have a cup of coffee before strolling the neighborhood of St Johns.
28 locals recommend
St. Johns Coffee Roasters
7304 N Leavitt AveMount Burns loves coffee and it shows in the quality of his hand roasted blends. All of his beans are organic and fair trade and the shop, just 1.4 miles from our home, is a great spot to hang out and have a cup of coffee before strolling the neighborhood of St Johns.
It may be the best restaurant on the peninsula in North Portland. Just 2.9 miles form our home, It's a great place for lovers of meat, though there are options for vegetarians as well. I love the tofu sandwich and Anne likes the meat options. There is a full bar and outside seating in the quaint neighborhood of Kenton.
98 locals recommend
Swift and Union
8103 N Denver AveIt may be the best restaurant on the peninsula in North Portland. Just 2.9 miles form our home, It's a great place for lovers of meat, though there are options for vegetarians as well. I love the tofu sandwich and Anne likes the meat options. There is a full bar and outside seating in the quaint neighborhood of Kenton.
There is an eclectic gathering of food carts surrounding a large covered deck and beer garden. One can find Thai, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Burgers, Chowder, Breakfast, Dessert, Coffee, and more. The beer garden has a selection of beer and hard ciders, and there is also a fire pit and picnic tables outside.
16 locals recommend
Kruger's Farm Market
7316 North Lombard StreetThere is an eclectic gathering of food carts surrounding a large covered deck and beer garden. One can find Thai, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Burgers, Chowder, Breakfast, Dessert, Coffee, and more. The beer garden has a selection of beer and hard ciders, and there is also a fire pit and picnic tables outside.
Sometimes you just need Mexican food at midnight. Just 2.6 miles form our home, Burrito Azteca reminds me of the Mexican restaurants I remember when I lived in southern California. The restaurant is connected to a bar, which remains open until 2 am. The restaurant portion may close in the evening but the full menu is available in the bar, which is well lighted and has a friendly neighborhood feeling. The staff in the restaurant and the bar are very friendly and you don't have to wait long for the food.
34 locals recommend
El Burrito Azteca
1942 N Rosa Parks WaySometimes you just need Mexican food at midnight. Just 2.6 miles form our home, Burrito Azteca reminds me of the Mexican restaurants I remember when I lived in southern California. The restaurant is connected to a bar, which remains open until 2 am. The restaurant portion may close in the evening but the full menu is available in the bar, which is well lighted and has a friendly neighborhood feeling. The staff in the restaurant and the bar are very friendly and you don't have to wait long for the food.
Mike's favorite breakfast spot is 8.3 miles away on Hawthorne Blvd. The food is solid and there is a full bar for those who want a mimosa or tropical yummy concoction. A friend said it has the best corn beef hash he;s tasted, and he lives in the Bay Area and knows good food. The restaurant expanded into the larger space next door because there was always a long wait. The wait is shorter now but the food is worth it.
165 locals recommend
Jam On Hawthorne
2239 SE Hawthorne BlvdMike's favorite breakfast spot is 8.3 miles away on Hawthorne Blvd. The food is solid and there is a full bar for those who want a mimosa or tropical yummy concoction. A friend said it has the best corn beef hash he;s tasted, and he lives in the Bay Area and knows good food. The restaurant expanded into the larger space next door because there was always a long wait. The wait is shorter now but the food is worth it.
In a nutshell...
They serve food until 4 am
If you order an oyster or mussel shooter, everyone in the place will know because the server will shout the order back to the kitchen
Any food you take home will be wrapped in foil, shaped in the form of some animal the server creates.
It's located 7.0 miles from our home and is a quirky spot where the tables are long and your party may sit next to another party. After-all it's Portland, and people here are friendly.
59 locals recommend
Le Bistro Montage
301 SE Morrison StIn a nutshell...
They serve food until 4 am
If you order an oyster or mussel shooter, everyone in the place will know because the server will shout the order back to the kitchen
Any food you take home will be wrapped in foil, shaped in the form of some animal the server creates.
It's located 7.0 miles from our home and is a quirky spot where the tables are long and your party may sit next to another party. After-all it's Portland, and people here are friendly.
The food is outstanding and the staff have been there for decades. They're friendly and professional and you won't be sorry you went there, It's a $$$-$$$$ meal but it's worth it if you want a special evening out. One can eat at the bar which can be cozy if you're in a booth or lively if you're at the bar or sitting at a table. It's 7.4 miles away.
36 locals recommend
Higgins
1239 SW BroadwayThe food is outstanding and the staff have been there for decades. They're friendly and professional and you won't be sorry you went there, It's a $$$-$$$$ meal but it's worth it if you want a special evening out. One can eat at the bar which can be cozy if you're in a booth or lively if you're at the bar or sitting at a table. It's 7.4 miles away.
Just 6.1 miles away, Piazza Italia is as close to Italy as you can get in Portland. Run by a family from Rome, the food is outstanding and the vibe is trendy but welcoming. The pasta is cooked to perfection.
66 locals recommend
Piazza Italia
1129 NW Johnson StJust 6.1 miles away, Piazza Italia is as close to Italy as you can get in Portland. Run by a family from Rome, the food is outstanding and the vibe is trendy but welcoming. The pasta is cooked to perfection.
Our favorite Chinese restaurant is Shandong, 8.1 miles away in the Hollywood neighborhood. We don't feel there are many good Chinese restaurants in Portland, but we like this place.
33 locals recommend
Shandong Restaurant
3724 NE BroadwayOur favorite Chinese restaurant is Shandong, 8.1 miles away in the Hollywood neighborhood. We don't feel there are many good Chinese restaurants in Portland, but we like this place.
One can hear live music on Fridays and Saturdays here, just 1.4 miles away in St Johns, around the corner from St Johns Coffee Roasters. There is a full bar and wood fired pizza and some awesome truffle fries. The salads are large and the staff is friendly.
7 locals recommend
Girasole Restaurant and Bar
8438 N Lombard StOne can hear live music on Fridays and Saturdays here, just 1.4 miles away in St Johns, around the corner from St Johns Coffee Roasters. There is a full bar and wood fired pizza and some awesome truffle fries. The salads are large and the staff is friendly.
Parks & Nature
The views of the gothic styled St Johns Bridge are magnificent from the park underneath, which sits on the bank of the Willamette River. Located just 1.8 miles from our home, it's a nice place to watch the sunset, or moonset, if you're an early riser. It's my favorite bridge to photograph, and the park is a great place to stroll the large green expanse under the bridge. It's the site of an old plywood factory and shipyard, whose buildings are long gone. One can view photos of what the area looked like before by gazing through glass portals in some steel wave structures in the park.
186 locals recommend
Cathedral Park
The views of the gothic styled St Johns Bridge are magnificent from the park underneath, which sits on the bank of the Willamette River. Located just 1.8 miles from our home, it's a nice place to watch the sunset, or moonset, if you're an early riser. It's my favorite bridge to photograph, and the park is a great place to stroll the large green expanse under the bridge. It's the site of an old plywood factory and shipyard, whose buildings are long gone. One can view photos of what the area looked like before by gazing through glass portals in some steel wave structures in the park.
It's the largest park within a city in the United States. It really is a forest, and it's just a couple of minutes away from our house by car. Numerous trails for hiking run throughout the park. The Wildwood Trail head is 4.4 miles from our home, just over the St Johns Bridge and up Germantown road.
940 locals recommend
Forest Park
It's the largest park within a city in the United States. It really is a forest, and it's just a couple of minutes away from our house by car. Numerous trails for hiking run throughout the park. The Wildwood Trail head is 4.4 miles from our home, just over the St Johns Bridge and up Germantown road.
The original rose garden in Portland is just 3.3 miles away in Peninsula Park. It's closer to our home and has a more wide open feel than the rose garden in Washington Park.
38 locals recommend
Peninsula Park Community Center
700 N Rosa Parks WayThe original rose garden in Portland is just 3.3 miles away in Peninsula Park. It's closer to our home and has a more wide open feel than the rose garden in Washington Park.
Drinks & Nightlife
Located 1.3 miles from our home is Leisure, a cozy neighborhood bar with a patio, complete with a ping pong table and bocce court. It's a friendly spot where regulars as well as newcomers are welcomed equally. Travis and Nicole are down to earth and friendly, and their food is simple and solid. I like the three mini grilled cheese sandwiches with a bowl of Tomato soup.
61 locals recommend
Leisure Public House
8002 N Lombard StLocated 1.3 miles from our home is Leisure, a cozy neighborhood bar with a patio, complete with a ping pong table and bocce court. It's a friendly spot where regulars as well as newcomers are welcomed equally. Travis and Nicole are down to earth and friendly, and their food is simple and solid. I like the three mini grilled cheese sandwiches with a bowl of Tomato soup.
The brewery is in an industrial park but they focus on German style beers instead of the ho-heavy IPAs that flourish here. If you're here in December through January of early February, their seasonal Lucubrator Doppelbock is amazing. Across the parking lot is a german sausage restaurant that serves their beer as well.
38 locals recommend
Occidental Brewing Company
6635 N Baltimore AveThe brewery is in an industrial park but they focus on German style beers instead of the ho-heavy IPAs that flourish here. If you're here in December through January of early February, their seasonal Lucubrator Doppelbock is amazing. Across the parking lot is a german sausage restaurant that serves their beer as well.
A small beer and wine bar with a large selection of solid beer just .9 mile away, next door to Cha Cha Cha. You can order food to go and bring it into the bar.
17 locals recommend
Chill N Fill
5215 N Lombard StA small beer and wine bar with a large selection of solid beer just .9 mile away, next door to Cha Cha Cha. You can order food to go and bring it into the bar.
Entertainment & Activities
It's the closest theater to our house, just 1.5 miles away. They show first run films on two screens. The second screen is upstairs in a small auditorium, and the main auditorium is downstairs. The theater is old but has been refurbished and has not lost it's charm. The original lighting fixtures still hang from the ceiling.
87 locals recommend
St. Johns Twin Cinema
8704 N Lombard StIt's the closest theater to our house, just 1.5 miles away. They show first run films on two screens. The second screen is upstairs in a small auditorium, and the main auditorium is downstairs. The theater is old but has been refurbished and has not lost it's charm. The original lighting fixtures still hang from the ceiling.
Essentials
For guests staying longer than a few days needing to do laundry, this is a good spot, just 1.3 miles away. It's open from 6 am to 11 pm and is located next to a Safeway market and cross the street from the St John's Pub.
Blue Sky Eco Laundry/Lavanderia - Laundromat Portland & Coin Laundry
8233 N Syracuse StFor guests staying longer than a few days needing to do laundry, this is a good spot, just 1.3 miles away. It's open from 6 am to 11 pm and is located next to a Safeway market and cross the street from the St John's Pub.
If you forgot a cable, need a USB charger or a new set of earbuds, Radio Shack is 2.5 miles away.
RadioShack - Closed
919 SW 5th AveIf you forgot a cable, need a USB charger or a new set of earbuds, Radio Shack is 2.5 miles away.
A great market with locally sourced organic produce, just .5 mile form our home. This market has a deli with fresh food, a soup and salad bar, and packaged to-go items. There is an indoor dining are as well as a covered area with fire pit outside.
1022 locals recommend
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveA great market with locally sourced organic produce, just .5 mile form our home. This market has a deli with fresh food, a soup and salad bar, and packaged to-go items. There is an indoor dining are as well as a covered area with fire pit outside.
Getting Around
The closet place to rent a car is Enterprise Rent-A-Car, just .9 mile away. The rates are less expensive than with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the airport, so consider taking Lyft or Uber from PDX and renting in the neighborhood.
16 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
6903 N Lombard StThe closet place to rent a car is Enterprise Rent-A-Car, just .9 mile away. The rates are less expensive than with the Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the airport, so consider taking Lyft or Uber from PDX and renting in the neighborhood.