Natalie's Guidebook for Portland
Food Scene
Incredible Indian food, like no other. My favorite is the Paneer Mahkani.
625 residents recomanen
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta StIncredible Indian food, like no other. My favorite is the Paneer Mahkani.
Xico
3715 SE Division StCompletely excellent Mexican fare, for a special night out.
seven virtues coffee roaster
3538 SE Hawthorne BlvdVery good bagels and great coffee.
Salt & Straw
2035 NE Alberta StWeird flavors and good classics too. Expect a long line.
Lauretta Jean's
3402 SE Division StExcellent pie. This place is good for romantic dessert.
Harlow
3632 SE Hawthorne BlvdDelicious healthy food and yummy smoothies.
Classic sandwiches, counter service, great spot to bring older folks and kids. Everyone 60+ seems to love this place (so do I).
58 residents recomanen
Grand Central Bakery - Hawthorne cafe
2230 SE Hawthorne BlvdClassic sandwiches, counter service, great spot to bring older folks and kids. Everyone 60+ seems to love this place (so do I).
Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th AveOutstanding sushi, the best. Sustainably harvested.
Portland-famous meaty fare. The outdoor area is a fun hang out.
38 residents recomanen
Olympia Provisions Public House
3384 SE Division StPortland-famous meaty fare. The outdoor area is a fun hang out.
Yummy lunch items, soups, salads and the like. Very upscale desserts too.
104 residents recomanen
St. Honoré Bakery SE Division
3333 SE Division StYummy lunch items, soups, salads and the like. Very upscale desserts too.
World class bakery offering wood baked delicious things. Sweet spot in the quieter part of Hawthorne.
81 residents recomanen
Tabor Bread
4438 SE Hawthorne BlvdWorld class bakery offering wood baked delicious things. Sweet spot in the quieter part of Hawthorne.
A community space, the baristas are all volunteers and the place is set up to be welcoming for all. A kids' book area in the corner. You don't have to buy anything but it supports the space if you do. I meet my knitting group here on Tuesdays.
21 residents recomanen
Taborspace
5441 SE Belmont StA community space, the baristas are all volunteers and the place is set up to be welcoming for all. A kids' book area in the corner. You don't have to buy anything but it supports the space if you do. I meet my knitting group here on Tuesdays.
This place is iconic, on Ladd circle, one of the first fully planned communities in Portland.
60 residents recomanen
Palio Dessert and Espresso
1996 SE Ladd AveThis place is iconic, on Ladd circle, one of the first fully planned communities in Portland.
Incredibly yummy baked goods and delicious breakfast items too. This place is clean and nice, good for a work meeting or just to hang out.
122 residents recomanen
Little T American Baker
2600 SE Division StIncredibly yummy baked goods and delicious breakfast items too. This place is clean and nice, good for a work meeting or just to hang out.
Great for the kids, decently healthy option to satisfy all the people. Plus, dinosaurs on the tables to entertain the wee ones. It's hard to park closeby, it's easier to walk over there.
176 residents recomanen
Laughing Planet
3765 N Mississippi AveGreat for the kids, decently healthy option to satisfy all the people. Plus, dinosaurs on the tables to entertain the wee ones. It's hard to park closeby, it's easier to walk over there.
If you are looking for a cafe to bring your laptop and work, this place is dead quiet during working hours. It's filled with many seriously caffeinated people getting stuff accomplished.
197 residents recomanen
Albina Press
4637 N Albina AveIf you are looking for a cafe to bring your laptop and work, this place is dead quiet during working hours. It's filled with many seriously caffeinated people getting stuff accomplished.
Drinks & Nightlife
Quiet, low lighted spot for a romantic night. Yummy food and drinks.
161 residents recomanen
Sapphire Hotel Bar
5008 SE Hawthorne BlvdQuiet, low lighted spot for a romantic night. Yummy food and drinks.
Classic Portland spot, sometimes a bit of a fun, lively crowd. Great music for dancing. Middle aged crowd.
65 residents recomanen
Laurelthirst Public House
2958 NE Glisan StClassic Portland spot, sometimes a bit of a fun, lively crowd. Great music for dancing. Middle aged crowd.
This place is just cool. Some food carts outside and a fun place to hang out.
68 residents recomanen
Base Camp Brewing Company
930 SE Oak StThis place is just cool. Some food carts outside and a fun place to hang out.
Revolution Hall
1300 SE Stark StExcellent place to see shows.
The Secret Society
116 NE Russell StPrivate karaoke studios, just perfect for a group of friends who can embarrass themselves in good company.
32 residents recomanen
Voicebox
734 SE 6th AvePrivate karaoke studios, just perfect for a group of friends who can embarrass themselves in good company.
Excellent beer selection plus kombucha. You can taste them all first. Bring a growler from the kitchen and fill it up...no waste!
13 residents recomanen
Growler's Taproom
3343 SE Hawthorne BlvdExcellent beer selection plus kombucha. You can taste them all first. Bring a growler from the kitchen and fill it up...no waste!
Entertainment & Activities
One of the last cheap theaters around, the tickets are $4 for second-run seats with a decent selection of films. Plus you can drink good beer and pizza/salad in the theater.
329 residents recomanen
Laurelhurst Theatre
2735 E Burnside StOne of the last cheap theaters around, the tickets are $4 for second-run seats with a decent selection of films. Plus you can drink good beer and pizza/salad in the theater.
Rent a ping pong table by the hour. It's popular for younger people. You may want to reserve a table in advance if you plan to go at a popular time.
35 residents recomanen
Pips & Bounce
833 SE Belmont StRent a ping pong table by the hour. It's popular for younger people. You may want to reserve a table in advance if you plan to go at a popular time.
Iconic building, recently remodeled, showing first run movies. Hard to find parking so give yourself extra time if you're driving. Food and drinks.
231 residents recomanen
Hollywood Theatre
4122 NE Sandy BlvdIconic building, recently remodeled, showing first run movies. Hard to find parking so give yourself extra time if you're driving. Food and drinks.
Parks & Nature
A stroll around some unusual, established trees and pond. This park was designed by Olmstead, same person as Central Park in NYC.
437 residents recomanen
Laurelhurst Park
SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark StA stroll around some unusual, established trees and pond. This park was designed by Olmstead, same person as Central Park in NYC.
Only one block away, this 5 acre park has a sweet playground for the kids and a nice spot to park a picnic blanket.
21 residents recomanen
Sewallcrest Park
Only one block away, this 5 acre park has a sweet playground for the kids and a nice spot to park a picnic blanket.
Mt Tabor Dog Park
2219 SE Lincoln StFun place to bike, hike, play, and see views of the city.
Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe
5855 SW Nyberg LnFor a fun kayaking adventure, try these folks.
An intricately designed and world class place, don't miss this place especially in the fall when the colors are the brightest.
1015 residents recomanen
Jardí Japonès de Portland
611 SW Kingston AveAn intricately designed and world class place, don't miss this place especially in the fall when the colors are the brightest.
Really nice hiking trails close to the city, and a creek where we even get salmon and other endangered species.
137 residents recomanen
Tryon Creek State Natural Area
11321 SW Terwilliger BlvdReally nice hiking trails close to the city, and a creek where we even get salmon and other endangered species.
Fun place to swim in the river when it's hot out. Terrific hiking trails, very family friendly place to go for a day trip.
23 residents recomanen
Parc Regional Oxbow
3010 SE Oxbow PkwyFun place to swim in the river when it's hot out. Terrific hiking trails, very family friendly place to go for a day trip.
Essentials
Nice grocery store. The one on Hawthorne is kind of small but has all essentials. Rooftop parking.
1022 residents recomanen
New Seasons Market
5320 NE 33rd AveNice grocery store. The one on Hawthorne is kind of small but has all essentials. Rooftop parking.
This place has everything including home stuff and electronics. Good pharmacy.
616 residents recomanen
Fred Meyer
3805 SE Hawthorne BlvdThis place has everything including home stuff and electronics. Good pharmacy.
Kfit Studio
2725 SE Ash StMy favorite women's only gym. Drop in classes.
My kids love this place, I think it's frightening. Good for the 25 and younger crowd, for a crazy cool workout.
Forge Parkour
311 SE 97th AveMy kids love this place, I think it's frightening. Good for the 25 and younger crowd, for a crazy cool workout.
Fun way to keep up your climbing skills in the winter.
21 residents recomanen
Circuit Bouldering Gym NE
410 NE 17th AveFun way to keep up your climbing skills in the winter.
Arts & Culture
Sala de concerts Arlene Schnitzer
1037 SW BroadwayIconic building in Portland to see a show.
The views, the garden (my aunt prunes the japanese maples), the interesting story. If you like to hike, the nearby trails are great.
622 residents recomanen
Mansió Pittock
3229 NW Pittock DrThe views, the garden (my aunt prunes the japanese maples), the interesting story. If you like to hike, the nearby trails are great.
Super fun science museum, great for the kids. IMAX movies.
15 residents recomanen
OMSI/SE Water MAX Station
Super fun science museum, great for the kids. IMAX movies.
Getting Around
Everything you need to know about the bus/max/streetcar is at tri-met.com or at the tourist info place at Pioneer square downtown.
33 residents recomanen
TriMet Ticket Office
701 SW 6th AveEverything you need to know about the bus/max/streetcar is at tri-met.com or at the tourist info place at Pioneer square downtown.
BIKETOWN
Orange public bikes for rent by the hour.
The country's largest NO CAR bridge, it's fun to walk or bike across over to the South Waterfront and back up to the Hawthorne bridge.
11 residents recomanen
Tilikum Crossing
Tilikum CrossingThe country's largest NO CAR bridge, it's fun to walk or bike across over to the South Waterfront and back up to the Hawthorne bridge.