The “City of Roses” has a little of this and a little of that so you can easily find something to satisfy your needs.
Portland is a relaxed and diverse city located just 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 20 miles from Mount Hood ski resort. The “City of Roses” has a little of this and a little of that so you can easily find something to satisfy your needs. Portland is comprised of districts each individual and exceptional but the easiest way to divide Portland is the east and west sides of the Willamette River. Portland has an award winning transit system so take advantage of its ease and eco-friendly way to get around the city but keep in mind Portland was built with walking in mind so walking from one place to another is a great way to take in the city and stretch your legs.
Portland is home to some top notch restaurants so deciding which to try is not an easy task. These are the places I frequent and never let me down.
Bluehour
250 NW 13th Ave Portland, OR 97209
503.226.3394
Bluehour is a stylish Mediterranean restaurant, well known for an elegant dining room and modern lounge style bar for small meals and drinks. Gourmet Magazine describes Bluehour as “the most sophisticated, contemporary cuisine in town.” This is an all in one for after work drinks, socialising with locals and visitors and formal dining.
Andina
1314 NW Glisan Portland, OR 97209
503.228.9535
Andina is an inviting Peruvian restaurant and bar and has been well known for their tapas, mojitos and live music since opening. The space is a large open atrium and is separated into a formal dining area, lounge and bar and private rooms for hire which can seat up to 60.
Paragon
1309 NW Hoyt St Portland, Or 97209
503.833.5060
For the best cocktails in town and delicious American Brassiere style cuisine Paragon is highly recommended. A local favourite for after work drinks and a chill in-house DJ Saturday nights, Paragon’s cosy gallery-like ambiance will not disappoint you.
Ringside Steakhouse
2165 W Burnside Portland, OR 97210
503.223.1513
Ringside is locally owned and has been rated one of America’s top Steakhouse’s and won Wine Spectators Award of Excellence. If you want a great late night meal hit up the Happy Hour after 9:45pm and enjoy a variety of small bites for $2.25.
Jake’s Famous Crawfish
401 SW 12th Ave. and Stark (cross street) Portland, OR 97205
503.226.1419
Jake’s is the spot to try authentic North West American seafood. Every meal is perfectly prepared with fresh Pacific NW ingredients. The ambience is welcoming, full of energy and ideal for any occasion.
When you are in a hurry or on a budget quality and choice of food is not an issue. Here are a handful of places to grab a quick bite.
Cha Cha Cha (Mexican)
1208 NW Glisan St. Portland, OR 97209
503.221.2111 |
Elephants Delicatessen (American, nice deli, coffee, bar)
115 NW 22nd Ave Portland, OR 97210
503.299.6304 |
Escape from New York Pizza (Pizza)
622 NW 23rd Ave Portland, OR 97210
503.227.5423 |
Hot Lips Pizza (local and seasonal pizza toppings)
633 SW 19th Ave Portland, OR 97205
503.517.9354 |
Near Merlo Field...
Nicola’s (Italian)
4826 N Lombard Portland, Or 97203
503.285.1119 |
Widmer Gausthaus (American/German)
929 N Russel Portland, OR 97227
503.281.3333 |
St. John’s Pub (American pub food)
8203 N Ivanhoe Porltand, Or 97203
503.283.8520 |
Little Red Bike Cafe (sandwiches)
4823 N Lombard St Portland, OR 97203
503.289.0120 |
Mio Sushi (Sushi)
2731 N Killingsworth St Portland, Or 97217
503.286.5123 |
King Burrito (Mexican)
2924 N. Lombard St. Portland, Or 97217
503.283.9757 |
Want to try out some of the Portland beers you have been hearing about? Stroll in to the following places day or night...
Nobhill |
Pearl District
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Bitter End Pub
1981
W Burnside St Portland, OR 97209
971.222.2000
Bitter End Pub is the unofficial tailgating spot before Portland Timbers games and a meeting place for fan groups. |
Bridgeport Brewery
1318 NW Northrup Street Portland, OR 97209
503.241.3612
Bridgeport is a warm industrial space turned brewery. A nice atmosphere to sample a few local beers and have a light bite to eat. |
North 45
415 NW 21st Ave Portland, OR 97209
503.248.6317
North 45 is a nice comfy pub with a large patio which is great for warm Portland evenings. They serve hard to find beers on tap and a considerable variety of mussels. |
Deschutes Brewery
210 NW 11th Ave Portland, OR 97209
503.296.4906
Deschutes Brewery is located in the heart of the trendy Pearl District. The large space is filled with carved wood statues and serves hearty food and shows sport events on big screens throughout. |
Gypsy
625 NW 21st Ave Portland, OR 97209
503.796.1859
The Gypsy is a “neighbourhood bar” that serves strong drinks in fishbowls while you squeeze into a sparkly booth with friends. |
Henry’s 12th Street Tavern
1339 NW Flanders St Portland, OR 97209
503.222.5910
Henry’s is an easy choice when trying to decide where to go probably due to the extensive beer list, delicious cocktails and great happy hour menu. |
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Downtown |
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Portland City Grill
111 SW 5th Ave. 30th Floor Portland, OR 97204
503.430.0030
PCG is located on the 30th floor of the US Bank building and has spectacular views of Portland. Most people go there for happy hour which is filled with some of the best items off of the Asian-inspired menu. |
Cheerful Tortoise
1939 SW 6th St Portland, OR 97201
503.224.3377
The Cheerful Tortoise is a typical sports bar with multiple locations throughout Portland. The small place is filled with cheering sports fans gathering to support their favorite teams. This location is right around the corner from Portland State University but attracts fans of all ages. |
Kell’s Irish Pub
112 SW Second Portland Or
503.227.4057
Go here for a few pints, check out the cigar cellar, listen to live music and socialise. Kell’s is known as the best place to watch football by local fans and the place to have a few beers after a match. |
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Portland nightlife ranges from posh bars known for locals sipping delicious cocktails to young hipsters gathering to listen to their favourite band. Here are a variety of my recommendations...
Posh Scene
Bluehour
250 NW 13th Ave Portland, OR 97209
503.226.3394
This is an all in one for after work drinks, socialising with locals and visitors and formal dining. |
Vault Martini Bar
226 NW Street St Portland, OR 97209
503.445-8109
Vault serves any kind of Martini under the sun. Walk down after a few cocktails and people watching at Bluehour. |
Departure
525 SW Morrison St Portland, OR 97204
503. 222.9996
Located on the top floor of the Nines Hotel, Departure is known as the trendiest place in Portland with Space Age decor and rooftop bars. The views are worth the trip as you can see the entire city from the deck but go during the week or before 9pm to avoid waiting in a long queue. |
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Younger Crowds
XV
15 SW 2nd Ave Portland, OR 97204
XV is located along the popular 2nd Avenue downtown (across the street from Kell’s) and starts to pick up around 11pm. You can find a little bit of everything at XV, dancing, DJ, Celebs, outdoor seating, and great late night Yam crisps |
Marathon
1735 W Burnside St Portland, OR 97209
Just a walk up the hill from Ringler’s, Marathon is a good laid-back bar before your night begins or the last stop before heading home. |
Thirsty Lion
71 SW 2nd Ave Portland, OR 97255
The Thirsty Lion tends to be where College students hang out when home for the weekend. With a wide range of entertainment from showing sporting events and hosting local bands why not? |
Rontoms
600 E Burnside St Portland, OR 97214
For a taste of the other side of the river...”The East Side” check out Rontoms. It is a laid back hipster scene. Drinks are cheap and the heated patio with ping-pong tables is always full of action. |
Life of Riley Tavern
300 NW 10th Portland, OR 97209
Life of Riley is a well kept dive bar usually packed with your typical Portlander. The upstairs has big screen TV’s and large tables for seated socialising and downstairs is a little louder and filled with pool tables, dart boards and a shuffleboard. |
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside St Portland, OR 97214
A few doors up from Rontoms, Doug Fir is a mixed crowd of Portlanders lounging in the restaurant, bar or patio. DF is known for its intimate live music venue and modern 50’s style decor. |
McMenaman’s Ringler’s Pub
1332 W Burnside St Portland, OR 97209
Ringler’s is always a fun place for a casual night of drinking local Portland beers, a game of pool and dancing. Make sure to wait around for a great happy hour specials on drinks and food! |
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Night Clubs
Candy
904 NW Couch St Portland, OR 97209
After waiting in Iine at this newer Las Vegas inspired club, I was a little confused when I first entered...a lot of dancing, a loud random compilation of music and people surfing the internet? Yes, some people chose to mingle and while others update their Facebook page at the computers placed in some booths. An assortment of club goers fill up this small space every Saturday night but it is known for having an older crowd. |
Aura
525 SW Morrison St Portland, OR 97204
Aura is widely thought of as the best club in Portland. The multi-level club plays an enjoyable variety of music, serves lovely cocktails and unites a diverse group of club-goers every weekend. |
Don’t miss out on a fabulous Brunch done the Portland way. If you do not have time to sit down and enjoy a meal most of the local coffeehouses in Portland serve quick bites and local roasted coffees. The following are my top spots to try and trust me they are amazing...
Mother’s Bistro and Bar
212 SW Stark St. Portland, OR 97204
503.464.1122
Mother’s is well known for the pleasant atmosphere and perfect breakfast. The extensive menu will exceed your cravings whether sweet or savoury to start your day right. If you don’t fancy waiting 30 minutes to be seated make reservations in advance. |
2301 NW Savier St Portland, OR 97210
503.228.2619
American’s love breakfast and customer service and Besaw’s does both well which explains why it is known as one of the best places for breakfast in Portland. The cafe is in a quaint old house and serves Portland’s own Stumptown coffee and a mean smoked salmon eggs Benedict on the weekends. |
GRAVY
3957 N Mississippi Ave Portland, OR 97227
503.287.8800
If you do not mind a loud, small space, waiting for a table and service that is not great but LOVE a yummy breakfast GRAVY is highly recommended. The portions are over the top and so are some of the items on the menu! Besaw’s |
Byway’s Cafe
1212 NW Glisan St Portland, OR 97209
503.221.0011
Byway’s Cafe has that old American diner feel with collected knick-knacks covering the walls. The place is always full despite the average customer service; it must be the famous French toast that keeps everyone coming back! |
Portland’s endless activities can keep you busy for weeks! Here are a few attractions in the city. If you are in the mood to explore a little more head out to the Willamette Valley for wine tasting or head to the coast for a day trip.
Portland Saturday Market
108 W Burnside Portland, OR 97209
503.222.6072
The PSM is a local arts and crafts market which happens every Saturday and Sunday. The 100’s of booths offer selections of homemade candles, clothing, jewellery, art and food. |
Portland Art Museum
1219 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205
503.226.2811
The Portland Art Museum is the seventh oldest museum in the United States and the oldest on the West Coast. Most of the Museum is filled with permanent collections and rotates the remaining space with out of the ordinary exhibits. |
Portland Japanese Gardens
611 SW Kingston Ave Portland, OR 97205
503.223.1321
Said to be one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. The Portland Japanese Gardens is a magnificent place to wander peacefully and learn about the history which inspired the five individual gardens. |
Outrageous Jet Boat
110 S.E. Caruthers Street Portland, Or 97219
503.224.3900
www.portlandspirit.com
Outrageous Jet Boat is a high speed 35 passenger boat that gives a little Portland history while flying past scenic sights along the Willamette River. |
Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott
550 SW Oak Street, Portland, OR 97204
The Nines Portland
525 SW Morrison, Portland, OR 97204
Modera Hotel Portland
515 SW Clay St, Portland, OR 97201
Hospitals |
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Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital
1015 N.W. 22nd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97210
503.413.7711 |
ZoomCare™ Pearl District
202 NW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
971.998.1011 |
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
2801 N. Gantenbein Portland, Oregon 97227
503.413.2200 |
The Portland Clinic
800 SW 13th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97205
503.221.0161 |
Taxi Service
Radio Cab
www.radiocab.net - 503.227.1212
Broadway Cabs
www.broadwaycab.com - 503.317.0667
Around the Town Car Service
www.aroundthetowncs.com - 503.228.9137
Public Transportation/Travel
Trimet (Bus and MAX)
www.Trimet.com
503.238.RIDE (7433)
StreetCar (local, in city transport)
www.streetcar.org
Portland International Airport
www.flypdx.com
Hillsboro Airport (small airport)
www.portofportland.com/HIO_Home.aspx
Portland Union Station (train)
www.amtrak.com
Important Information
Emergency Number (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911
Police Station
1111 S.W. 2nd Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204
503.823.0097
Currency is US Dollars. Exchange rate is £1 to $1.493 (12/5/2010)
Portland, Oregon is 8 hours behind UK time