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Portland is one of those cities where you can go anywhere and find something delicious. From tacos to pizza, burgers to barbecue, it’s easy to find a good meal no matter how much money you want to spend. But sometimes, you don’t want to spend anything. In fact, you’d rather save some cash and enjoy a meal out without spending too much. For me, that’s why I love eating out in Portland. Here, you can find cheap eats everywhere. And because there are so many options, you never feel like you’re missing out on anything great.
Here are 32 fun places to eat in the city that makes us proud to call ourselves part of the Pacific Northwest.
1. Blue Star Donuts – $2.50 for a dozen glazed doughnuts.
This place is legendary. They make amazing doughnuts and they do them fast. It’s perfect for a quick bite to eat or a stop on your way somewhere else.
2. Bollywood Theater – $3.25 for a bowl of pho.
I think we could all use a little more pho in our lives. This restaurant serves up authentic Vietnamese soup with noodles in a variety of flavors.
3. Bulla – $5.95 for a burger.
The best burgers in town. The patties are made from 100% ground chuck and served on a pretzel bun.
4. Cafe Campagne – $6.00 for an omelet.
If you’re looking for a breakfast spot, this is the place to be. Their omelets are huge and come with everything you need for a filling start to your day.
5. Caffe Vita – $7.00 for a sandwich.
Caffe Vita has been serving up their sandwiches since 1963. They have locations all over town but my personal favorite is still the original location on SW Stark Street.
6. City Market – $8.00 for a chicken pot pie.
If you’re craving a comforting dinner, look no further than City Market. You get a generous portion of chicken pot pie filled with vegetables and crusty bread.
7. Columbia Gorge Chocolates – $9.00 for a chocolate truffle.
You’ve got to try these chocolates when you visit Portland. They’re sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy…everything you would expect from a chocolate dessert.
8. Coava Coffee Roasters – $10.00 for a latte.
They serve up some of the best coffee around. Plus, they donate 10 cents from every latte sold to charity.
9. Crumpet Shop – $11.00 for a crumpet.
Crumpets are small yeast rolls similar to English muffins. At Crumpet Shop, they top theirs with butter and cinnamon sugar.
10. Dejamoi – $12.00 for a plate of sushi.
DeJamoi is a Japanese restaurant located in the Pearl District. They offer traditional sushi as well as vegan and gluten-free dishes.
11. El Gaucho Grill & Bar – $13.00 for a steak.
El Gaucho is a meat lover’s paradise. Steaks, chops, seafood…you name it.
12. Fat Cat Pizza – $14.00 for a slice of pepperoni pizza.
Fat Cat is another pizzeria that serves up New York style pies. My personal favorite is the pepperoni pizza.
13. Fiddlehead – $15.00 for a salad.
Fiddlehead offers fresh salads made with local ingredients. Every ingredient used will either be picked that morning or grown right here in Oregon.
14. Flour + Water Bakery – $16.00 for a loaf of bread.
Flour + Water is a bakery that specializes in using only organic flour and baking their own bread daily. All of their loaves are baked in a wood oven.
15. Frasca Food and Wine – $17.00 for a glass of wine.
Frasca Food and Wine is a upscale Italian eatery in the Pearl District. With menu items like braised rabbit and rosemary gnocchi, you’ll find something delicious regardless of what you order.
16. Gari – $18.00 for a bowl of ramen.
Gari Ramen is a noodle shop featuring homemade ramen broth and noodles. There are different varieties of ramen including pork bone, chicken miso, and spicy tuna.
17. Green Elephant – $20.00 for a green curry dish.
Green Elephant is a Thai restaurant in the Pearl District. It features modern interpretations of classic Thai dishes.
18. Huckleberry Café – $21.00 for a cupcake.
Huckleberry Cafe is a quaint little café in the heart of downtown Portland. The outside seating area attracts people who want to enjoy a nice cup of coffee or pastry.
19. Kaffee Klatsch – $22.00 for an espresso drink.
Kaffee Klatsch is a cozy cafe in the Old Town neighborhood of Portland. They feature pastries, bagels, sandwiches, and other breakfast foods.
20. Lardo – $23.00 for a panino.
Lardo is a sandwich shop serving up tasty cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, and mortadella.
Fun Places to Eat in Portland
I’ve been living in Portland for almost three months now, and it’s safe to say I love the place. There are tons of great restaurants here, and I’m always looking forward to trying out new spots. But there are some places that stand above the rest. These are the ones I return to again and again.
Tusk
website | neighborhood: Buckman, SE Portland (get directions) | cuisine: Middle Eastern | dinner only
Among Portland’s best modern Middle Eastern restaurants, Tusk has the creamiest hummus, perfectly cooked vegetables, and great cocktails to go along with its Palm Springs aesthetic.
Since it’s one of Portland’s most popular restaurants, Tusk does not take reservations for parties under six. If you want to sit on the covered outdoor patio, go during off hours.
Ava Gene’s
Location: Richmond, SE Portland (get directions) Cuisine: Italian | dinner only
My favorite restaurant in PDX is Ava Gene’s. It’s owned by the same company that owns Tusk, so it’s no wonder I love it there.
You might be familiar with owner and chef Joshua McFadden. He wrote a cookbook called Six Seasons that discusses farming seasons and how to use fresh ingredients to cook. You’ll find a lot of beautiful salads, handmade pastas, and an extensive wine list on Ava Gene’s Italian menu.
There is a temporary closure of Ava Genes.
