Portland, Oregon is one of my favorite cities. A huge reason for its high ranking on my list is the abundance of great food. Here are some of my favorite places to grab a bite.

Although I had just visited for a week to round out the month of January, I went back to Portland for a weekend trip at the beginning of March. It was another great opportunity to try some new restaurants.

Little Bites:

• Pine State Biscuits – Although you should definitely get some variation of biscuits and gravy, they also serve pancakes, grits, and pot pies. This is a great meal for a morning after a late night out. 
• Kachka – This Russian place is a great start for happy hour. Their Moscow Mules are legit (made with real ginger) and you can’t beat the $5 price tag. I also really enjoy the  Siberian Pelmeni (veal, beef, and pork dumplings), which is a good starter for two people.
• Toro Bravo – Super traditional and authentic Spanish food. Definitely reminded my of my time in Spain! Stop in for some tapas and sangria. Don’t pass up the griddled prawns, grilled asparagus, or the Barcelona kiss. If you are feeling pretty hungry, the Paella Toro looks amazing.

Big Bites: 

•  Trinket – Only open until 3:30pm, this is a great place to get brunch. I really like the avocado, eggs, and toast if you are looking for a bit of a lighter way to start your morning. The duck eggs benedict and savory waffle both looked good as well though! Like with most brunch places in Portland, be ready for a wait.
• Nostrana – If you like Italian food, this place is for you. Although a little on the pricier side, it is super tasty. The pizzas are to die for. I have also heard great things about Lucca if you want another Italian option! 
• Irving St. Kitchen – Although they are open all day, I can only speak to their brunch menu. The Skuna Salmon Gravlax benedict (over buttermilk biscuits with tabasco hollandaise) was really good. They also have a pretty wide menu variety, everything from chicken and waffles, to pastries, to salads. Also, I love the ambiance of this place – they have the best lighting fixtures!
• Clyde Common – You can pop in here for any meal of the day, but I tried off their lunch menu. I had the Clyde burger (good, but not amazing) and the Pacific Standard cocktail (vodka, lemon, ginger, honey, soda – really refreshing!). This is a great place for happy hour as well, so check it out!

Sweet Tooth: 

• Petunia’s Pies and Pastries – 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Try the salted carmel cookie bar. 
• Salt and Straw – This is the best ice cream ever. With super unique flavors on rotation, you will never get bored with it. I highly recommend trying a few, especially the olive oil – I ordered a whole scoop! 
• Blue Star Donuts – ‘Donuts for Grown Ups’ is right. Be ready for some unique flavors that pack a tasty punch! I like the Hard Apple Cider Fritter. Make sure to go early if you want the best selection. They close when the donuts run out, typically around 2 or 3pm daily. 

Craft Cocktails:

• Expatriate – A little off the beaten path, this place is definitely worth the detour. Hands down the best cocktail I have had in Portland was the DORLÉAC (Monopolowa Vodka, Aperol, Fresh Lemon,  Nikolaihoff Elderflower, Local Honey, Angostura Bitters). You can also get the Diplomatic Pouch where they craft a cocktail for you after you answer a few questions. 
• Hale Pele – This cute little tiki bar is a great spot for happy hour (it opens at 4pm!). Definitely order the Hawaiian Bread (bread made locally by Lilikoi, buttered, grilled, and served with Guava Jam made with B.G. Reynolds’ Vanilla and Ginger syrups) to munch on while sipping your way to your own private island. 
• Tear Drop – A nice place to end a night of bar hopping. You won’t find any food here, just delicious craft cocktails. The bartenders are great, and will help alter the cocktail to your liking, so don’t be afraid to speak up!
• Pepe Le Moko – Although a little hard to find, this underground bar is worth trying once. You will find it only by the neon sign that says ‘cocktails’ in the window of storefront where you will find a man shucking oysters. Say, what? Yeah, check it out. Be sure to order the Grasshopper (Crèmes de menthe et cacao, vanilla ice cream, Fernet Branca, sea salt) to share with a friend.
• Apex – I’m not a big beer fan, but with 50 beers on tap and tons of room to hang with friends, I heard Apex is a great place to be.
• Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider – If you are looking some great hard cider, try Rev Nat’s. With 12 really unique flavors on tap, there is bound to be something you like. My personal favorite was the Mandarin Moon. 

Added Entertainment: 

• Funhouse Lounge – this is a comedy club that has a full bar and kitchen. Join for a night of trivia or improv. It is really reasonably priced!
• Dig A Pony – this bar offers a night a great dancing! Wear some comfortable shoes and be ready to shake your thing. Check out their website ahead of time to see what theme the night will be.

Well there is a pretty solid list of some of my favorite Portland eateries and that is only scratching the surface! I also reviewed a few other places not mentioned here in this post. Hopefully you have a chance to check some of these places out next time you are in Portland!

-TM

What are your favorite restaurants in Portland? Let us know below.