The Best Places to Eat in/near in/near Portland-Metro, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
By Kristen Brooke Beck
Content
Updated
February 19, 2010
Everything listed here is based on my own experience or the strong recommendations of my friends, so this list will grow as I discover more places worthy of mentioning. I'm very picky, and I'm a vegetarian/mostly-vegan, so everything place here has vegetarian options on the menu or will happily make a custom vegetarian version of their dishes for you. When you visit these places, tell them you heard about them from Kristen's Guide. :-)
(Restaruant and market owners, if you want me to check out your establishment and try your food, contact me. If I like it, I'll post it on this list.)
Events
Hood River Fruit Loop
During the harvest season, head over to Hood River (about a one hour drive from the Metro area) and go play in farm country and pick your own food. Delicious and inexpensive. Definitely go during Thanksgiving and Halloween for awesome photo opportunities.
Mt. Hood Organic Farms
They are a part of the Hood River Fruit Loop, but this is our favorite farm. It's beautiful. Just beautiful. The owner is a wonderfully sweet man (who actually remembers his customers even if you only go once per year!) and the fruit is delicious. Head out there, buy some fruit, find a nice place to sit, and relax and enjoy the view. You might even be inspired to start meditating. Bring your camera!
Grocery Stores and Markets
Food Fight!
It's a vegan grocery store. And they're cool!
Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!
Cafe Delirium
A cozy coffee bar in historic downtown Gresham. A great place to cuddle up with a coffee, cocoa, or tea, people watch, or work on your laptop (free wi-fi).
Cat's Moon Coffee (custom roasted from Boring Bark)
OK, so it's not a restaurant. It's a landscaping supply company, a giant dusty yard filled with rocks and tractors, but, get this -- they roast and sell coffee. Not just coffee, but "WOW THIS IS THE BEST COFFEE EVER" coffee. In our family, we drive 30 minutes each way every week just to buy some directly from the store. And, they'll give you a free cup of coffee when you show up to buy a bag. (And they've got awesome landscaping materials, just in case you're looking for some.) If you want to buy it online, you can do that at http://www.catsmooncoffee.com
Sumptown Coffee Roasters
Most Portlanders agree, it's the best coffee in Portland.
Fast Food
BurgerVille
Skip McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Carl's Jr., and all the rest. If you're looking for American fast food, this is the place to go. I don't eat meat, but my hubby tells me they have the best burgers ever. I'm a fan of their veggie burgers (they're a very vegetarian friendly company). Their milkshakes are fabulous. Fries... yummy. And they're one of the most environmentally friendly restaurants around.
American (This and That) Homestyle Meals
The Truffle Hunter
Portions are HUGE. Prices are low. Tastes more homemade than the stuff you make at home. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They're at 225 W Powell Blvd, Gresham. (Website to come soon.)
Byways Cafe
Leave your diet at the door. They're food is so good, they've even been featured on the Food Network. Big breakfasts, and lots of sandwiches for lunch.
Mother's Bistro
Just like mama used to make... if your mom was a gourmet chef. Just look at their menu. Mmmmm... (Vegan friendly.)
4th Street Brewing Company
The food here is great and the staff is friendly. I've got to admit, there weren't many vegetarian items on the menu when I want there, but many items can be customized for vegetarians.
Italian Style Restaurants (e.g. Pizza, Calzones, Pasta, Etc.)
Old Town Pizza
Best pizza joint ever! Tons of personality here. Oh, and the pizza is good too. It's also rumored to be haunted, so bring a psychic.
Pastini
Delicious pasta. Good prices. Nice atmosphere.
Mama Mia Trattoria
This is the perfect little Italian restaurant when you want to have a nice night out with your partner and still bring the kids.
Bellagios Pizza
The atmosphere is, well, like a pizza shop, but the pizza is wow delicious.
French Style Restaurants
La Petite Provence
Delicious. Delicious. Delicious. Did I mention it's delicious? Words can't describe how good the food is. Just go there.
Asian Style Restaurants (e.g. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, etc.)
Bento Plus
OK, I have to admit, I wasn't expect much out of the place when I drove by it the first time, or the second time, or the third... But one day I went in, ordered some vegetarian sushi, fell in love, and immediately called my husband (who is a very picky eater when it comes to Japanese food because he has spent so much time in Japan). Even my picky husband fell in love with it. Now they're one of our regular take-out spots. They're at 2354 E Powell Blvd Gresham.
Typhoon!
Thai food for everyone. And yes, there are dishes that aren't spicy. Make sure you get something from the tea menu (if you can decide which delicious tea to drink).
Asian Thai Bistro
It seems that you either love this place or you hate. I love it! My husband and I crave their food. Great atmosphere. Friendly staff. Vegan friendly. They're at 120 N Main Ave, Gresham.
Namaste Indian Cuisine
I have to admit, I get a bit scared of Indian food sometimes. I never know what to expect. But I'm so happy a dear friend of mine recommended this place. It's delicious. Inexpensive. And it has an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Best Bakeries and Desserts
Two Tarts Bakery
Amazing yummy cookies. So delicious.
Voodoo Doughnuts
You've never had doughnuts like this. Just go. Do it! Trust me. (Caution: Some doughnuts are not rated G.) They even have vegan donuts. Yes!
La Petite Provence
Delicious desserts from a French patisserie. Say good-bye to your diet.
Papa Hayden
Dessert anyone? Skip dinner. Buy dessert. Buy two desserts. MMMMMmmmmmm...
Best Pubs, Bars, Breweries, and Wineries
McMenamins Kennedy School Pubs
McMenamins took an old school and turned it into an awesome bar. You can hang out in detention or spend time with the honor students.
McMenamins Chapel Pub
McMenamins struck up a bit of controversy when they took this old church and turned it into a bar, but it sounds like an awesome idea to me.
4th Street Brewing Company
I've got to admit, I'm not a big beer drinker. In fact, I hate beer (I confess), but my beer drinking buddies swear the beer here is great.
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