Our Picks: Top Places to Eat in Portland, Oregon
Updated: April 19, 2023
Written by
AAA Travel Editor, Katie Broome
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
210 N.W. 11th Ave.
Housed in a former auto body shop in the trendy Pearl District, Deschutes Brewery & Public House is a must-try if you want to dive into the local beer scene and are wondering where to eat in Portland. The brewpub boasts more than 20 beers on tap in addition to a full menu of refined pub grub. Good options include the elk burger topped with beer-brined pickles, an East Coast–style Dungeness crab roll, house-made sausages, and the beer-infused mac ‘n’ cheese. If the dining area is packed, you can grab a drink from the bar side, which also serves the full menu.Read MoreHuber's
411 S.W. 3rd Ave.
One of the oldest restaurants in Portland is also one of its most beloved. Established in 1879, is known for its traditional turkey dinners served with mashed potatoes, baked yams, sage stuffing and cranberry sauce, as well as for its signature Spanish coffee, prepared tableside with rum, triple sec, Kahlúa, whipped cream and some dramatic pyrotechnics. In addition to traditional turkey dishes, the menu offers steaks, seafood, salads, clam chowder and other American fare. We recommend requesting a table or booth in the old bar area, outfitted with mahogany paneling, dim lighting and arched stained-glass skylights.Piazza Italia
1129 N.W. Johnson St.
Locals rave about the authentic Italian cuisine at , which has a casual, cozy atmosphere complete with soccer jerseys tacked to the ceiling and TVs tuned to international soccer games. You’ll most likely have a wait at this popular place—one of the best restaurants in Portland for Italian food—but it’s well worth it for freshly made pastas, bruschetta, baked lasagna, cheese plates and a large wine selection. If there is a wait, you can grab a drink and a snack at the restaurant’s bar located next door.Pine Street Market
126 S.W. 2nd Ave.
If you’re traveling with picky eaters, serious foodies or just a large group, plan to stop at the Pine Street Market, a mainstay in the Portland food hall scene. This European-style food hall houses a handful of food and drink vendors under one roof, with an open layout and a shared seating area. Standouts include the Japanese noodle bowls at Marukin Ramen, cheeseburgers and chili-topped fries at Bless Your Heart Burgers and gourmet soft serve creations from Wiz Bang Bar. Hours vary inside the market, but most vendors are open from 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m.
Salt & Straw
2035 N.E. Alberta St.
Out-the-door lines are a sign that the sweet treats at this Portland-based ice cream company are worth the wait. Everything is made from scratch at Salt & Straw, and their unique flavor combinations are sure to please: roasted strawberry coconut, pear and blue cheese, honey lavender, cinnamon snickerdoodle and rotating seasonal specialties like salted caramel Thanksgiving turkey are among the interesting options. Look for additional Salt & Straw locations in Portland’s southeast (3345 S.E. Division St.) and northwest (838 N.W. 23rd Ave.) neighborhoods.
Screen Door
2337 E. Burnside St.
If there’s one Portland brunch spot you try, make it Screen Door. Waits can be long for their weekend brunch, but as you sink your teeth into their Southern comfort food (think praline bacon, buttermilk-battered fried chicken and sweet potato waffles), you’ll see why crowds flock here. Wait time can be 45 minutes or more on weekends, but you may have better luck on weekday mornings when breakfast is served 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (although some specialty menu items may not be available).Read MoreVoodoo Doughnut
26 S.W. 3rd Ave.
Make the pilgrimage to Voodoo Doughnut for a sugar-filled start to your day. The tiny donut shop turned tourist attraction is open 24 hours and features all sorts of sweet creations with clever (and sometimes risqué) names, from the M&M-covered “Marshall Mathers” doughnut to the Cocoa Puff-topped “Triple Chocolate Penetration.” A few tips: long lines can form seemingly out of nowhere, so plan to arrive before 9 or 10 a.m. to avoid the crowds; it’s cash only, but there’s an ATM inside. Another popular spot for sweet treats is Blue Star Donuts, which has locations in just about every quadrant of the city.
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