East Side Recs
Food
Best fried chicken in town! For vegetarians or vegans, the dan dan fries are also amazing. Try the fried chicken salad with extra noodles and thank me later :)
17 locals recommend
Basilisk
820 NE 27th AveBest fried chicken in town! For vegetarians or vegans, the dan dan fries are also amazing. Try the fried chicken salad with extra noodles and thank me later :)
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this local torta restaurant has amazing cocktails and food. If you're not so much a bread person, their bowls are also delicious! The habanero carrot salsa is to die for.
73 locals recommend
Güero
200 NE 28th AveFeatured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this local torta restaurant has amazing cocktails and food. If you're not so much a bread person, their bowls are also delicious! The habanero carrot salsa is to die for.
Great Egyptian food in a cute food cart pod that has its own bar! Everything on the menu is delicious, but the lamb shawarma and the fish over rice are particularly delightful. Get the spicy sauce!
Egyptian Bros.
113 SE 28th AveGreat Egyptian food in a cute food cart pod that has its own bar! Everything on the menu is delicious, but the lamb shawarma and the fish over rice are particularly delightful. Get the spicy sauce!
Great Italian dine-in spot, but they also have a little market inside and they sell take-and-bake versions of some of their dishes which are wildly delicious and a great price.
12 locals recommend
Montelupo Italian Market
344 NE 28th AveGreat Italian dine-in spot, but they also have a little market inside and they sell take-and-bake versions of some of their dishes which are wildly delicious and a great price.
A little out of the way, but great Mexican food can be hard to come by in Portland (I've lived here for close to a decade, but I'm originally from California and it is a STRUGGLE sometimes). This place serves *only* birria, but they have a variety of different options of how you can get it. My suggestion is the plato de la plaza, which has one of everything! Save the consomé and make birria ramen with the leftovers :)
Birrieria La Plaza - Birria de Res | Mexican Food Truck & Taqueria
10114 Southeast Division StreetA little out of the way, but great Mexican food can be hard to come by in Portland (I've lived here for close to a decade, but I'm originally from California and it is a STRUGGLE sometimes). This place serves *only* birria, but they have a variety of different options of how you can get it. My suggestion is the plato de la plaza, which has one of everything! Save the consomé and make birria ramen with the leftovers :)
A little far out there, but this might honestly be the best taqueria in the Portland area. It's truly so good, the taco gobernador is insane.
La Tía Juana Taqueria
18488 East Burnside StreetA little far out there, but this might honestly be the best taqueria in the Portland area. It's truly so good, the taco gobernador is insane.
Pizza by the slice or whole pies, either way you'll enjoy yourself. There's also a bar attached, but the slices are the star of the show here in my opinion. If you want a whole pie, the white pie with red sauce added is a power move. Also the one with dates and bacon is amazing!
49 locals recommend
Baby Doll Pizza
2835 SE Stark StPizza by the slice or whole pies, either way you'll enjoy yourself. There's also a bar attached, but the slices are the star of the show here in my opinion. If you want a whole pie, the white pie with red sauce added is a power move. Also the one with dates and bacon is amazing!
Best whole pies in the city. Try the New York Red, you won't be disappointed. Pairs well with a side of Mike's Hot Honey!
221 locals recommend
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne BlvdBest whole pies in the city. Try the New York Red, you won't be disappointed. Pairs well with a side of Mike's Hot Honey!
Drinks
The best dive bar out there. Big Buck Hunter, booze slushies in the summer, a patio, the friendliest bartenders in town, and daily drink specials. What's not to like? Outside food is allowed (and encouraged), and there are tons of restaurants nearby.
10 locals recommend
Standard Tavern
14 NE 22nd AveThe best dive bar out there. Big Buck Hunter, booze slushies in the summer, a patio, the friendliest bartenders in town, and daily drink specials. What's not to like? Outside food is allowed (and encouraged), and there are tons of restaurants nearby.
Bar with an amazing patio shared with Basilisk, Sari Ramyun, Tight Tacos and Boxcar Pizza. Great whiskey selection, delicious house cocktails, and a classy outdoor environment with fire pits and plenty of space to spread out.
13 locals recommend
Paydirt
2724 Northeast Pacific StreetBar with an amazing patio shared with Basilisk, Sari Ramyun, Tight Tacos and Boxcar Pizza. Great whiskey selection, delicious house cocktails, and a classy outdoor environment with fire pits and plenty of space to spread out.
A beer/wine cart in a cute food cart pod with misters in the summer, heaters in the winter, and a great tap list. Open until 10 pm, a great neighborhood haunt with plenty of food options nearby
8 locals recommend
Captured Beer Bus
113 SE 28th AveA beer/wine cart in a cute food cart pod with misters in the summer, heaters in the winter, and a great tap list. Open until 10 pm, a great neighborhood haunt with plenty of food options nearby
Sightseeing
A 45-minute drive east of Portland, this small town is close to many trailheads for hikes of various skill levels, but it's also a beautiful place to just walk around. Check out Thunder Island Brewing, Brigham Fish Market, or grab a soft serve and a burger at the local drive-in!
29 locals recommend
Cascade Locks
A 45-minute drive east of Portland, this small town is close to many trailheads for hikes of various skill levels, but it's also a beautiful place to just walk around. Check out Thunder Island Brewing, Brigham Fish Market, or grab a soft serve and a burger at the local drive-in!