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9 Most Delectable Portland Oregon Food Tours

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It’s no secret that I travel for the food. In fact, I have a whole section of this blog dedicated to my foodie-ventures . Naturally, when I visited my family in Portland, I couldn’t let the week go by without taking some food tours.

Luckily, Portland’s food scene is incredibly diverse and delicious. They’re constantly ranked number one in the food scene for their food carts, pizza, and breweries!

I’ll share the two tours I took in detail and some other great Portland Oregon food tours, so you can decide which is best for you!

Coffee and Donuts

Portland is known for coffee and donuts because of their fresh ingredients, commitment to quality, and independently owned shops. You’ll likely recognize some household names that have expanded beyond Portland, like VooDoo Doughnuts, which you can now find at the Universal theme parks .

1. Underground Donut Tour (the best donut tour in Portland)

I took this tour and as a bonafide sweet tooth, I’ve never had a sugar rush until this tour. Holy (sweet, sweet) cow!

On this donut tour , you’ll try 4 of Portland’s best donut shops including two of the most popular (VooDoo Doughnuts and Blue Star Donuts) and two smaller, but equally amazing donut shops (I’ll let those remain a surprise).

Not only that, but you’ll learn about Portland’s icons around the city like the Portlandia statue, Pioneer Square, and Shemanski Fountain.

What I loved most about this tour was that it prioritized a range of different types of donuts — not just a simple glazed or even artisan donut. But, we got to try mochi donuts (which are an experience if you’ve never tried them), local coffee, and seasme donuts for unique flavors that make the donut scene in Portland so special.

And don’t worry because you’re on the tour, you can skip the line at the most popular spots and get straight to tasting!

If you’re visiting during December, you can also book their special Holiday Donut tour for festive donuts to try!

Cost: $70 per person

Tastings: 4 shops (multiple donuts per shop)

Duration: 2 hours

Accessible?: yes

2. Coffee and Donut Tour (emphasis on the coffee)

From Lost Plate Food Tours, this coffee and donut tour is best if you lean more towards coffee than donuts because coffee is the priority for this tour! That means you’ll try three different coffees, learn techniques from a local barista, and sample donuts along the way.

While the previous tour focuses on Portland’s highlights and a couple gems, this tour is all local gems, off-the-beaten-path spots, and independent shops. If you want to visit VooDoo Doughnuts and Blue Star Donuts without the lines on a tour, this one is not right for you (see the above tour for that!).

Still, this tour is perfect if you’re looking for that local experience. I’d recommend this one if you’ve visited Portland before, are a coffee connoisseur, or want a more in-depth local feel.

This tour only operates on Thursdays and Fridays.

Cost: $59 per person

Tastings: 4-5 shops (3 coffee drinks + donuts)

Duration: 2.5 hours

Accessible?: no

Food Cart Pods

Portland’s food cart pods are one of the most unique things in the city and as someone who has been to a TON of US cities, I can confidently say, you won’t find these anywhere else.

But what is a food cart pod? It’s a collection of food carts, which are similar to food trucks, except that they do not have wheels and are stationary. They’re not trucks at all, in fact! A pod is made of at least 3 carts and in Portland there are over 70 pods! …yes I learned that on a food cart pod food tour 😉

That makes food cart pods one of the most essential activities to do on your Portland itinerary and even better, a food cart pod tour!

3. Food Cart Pods + Brewery (the top Portland food tour)

I absolutely LOVED this food cart pod tour ! At first, I was worried 3 hours was going to feel too long and be too much food, but it was perfect all the way around.

This tour goes to two food cart pods in the Central Eastside neighborhood and a brewery nearby, so it’s certainly a good value.

Not only that, but the tour guide will share so much interesting information about Portland’s food scene that you’ll walk away stuffed with food and knowledge. For example, did you know that Portland doesn’t have a signature dish, but instead a signature way of eating abbreviated as FLOSS (fresh, local, organic, sustainable, and seasonal).

My favorite things we ate were chicken pelmeni, a Ukrainian dumpling, and the Bavarian Queen waffle with strawberry and lemon custard from Smaaken!

You can only do this food cart pod tour Tuesday through Friday, so if you’re visiting on Saturday through Monday, you’ll have to keep reading.

Cost: $99 per person

Tastings: 5-7 carts + brewery

Duration: 3 hours

4. Food Cart Pods + Bikes

Portland is one of the best cities for biking in the US, so why not combine their iconic food scene with biking? This is especially great if you need a little exercise to work up your appetite between stops.

This biking and food cart pod tour comes with a city bike and helmet, so no need to stress on finding one yourself. Plus, it’ll give you a good feel for navigating the city using a public bike, if you want to keep that up during your time in Portland.

You’ll tour through the Southeast side of Portland over the course of four hours traveling 8 – 12 miles and sampling food from 4 food cart pods including the first ever!

What I love most about this tour is that the food stops are chosen by the guide after learning your preferences and favorite foods. That means you know you’ll get to try something you’ll love!

Just FYI, this tour does not run on Mondays.

Cost: $75 per person

Tastings: 4 stops

Duration: 4 hours

Best Walking Food Tours of Portland

Without a focus on food cart pods, you’ll still have an incredible selection of food tours in Portland because let’s face it, it’s harder to find a bad restaurant in this city than a stellar one.

If you want a more traditional walking food tour of Portland stoping at more brick and mortar spots, here are some options.

5. Walking Pizza Tour

You may have missed it, but I mentioned that Portland has some of the best pizza in the country and a pizzeria in Portland (Ken’s Artisan Pizza) was actually named the best pizza in the world behind a shop in Naples, Italy.

On this pizza walking tour , you can decide for yourself where you’ll try 4 different slices and styles while conversing with the pizza makers aka pizzaiolos.

This tour takes place in the Northwest District, which is one of my favorite areas in Portland!

This is also the best tour for anyone with dietary and mobility restrictions as it can accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets, and wheelchairs. Not to mention it’s perfect if you don’t have as much time to spend on a food tour, since it only lasts 2 hours.

A note that this tour does not run on Mondays.

6. Secret Food Tour

I am a big fan of Secret Food Tours . If you’ve never done one, they have food tours around the country and there’s always one “secret” spot on the tour that’s always the most memorable. For example, in New York our secret spot was an Indian taco shop where the tortillas were swapped with roti and naan. I’d travel back to New York just to have more of those tacos!

If I were to go back to Portland, I’d certainly choose this Secret Food Tour .

It’s a traditional walking tour through downtown Portland and the Pearl district and includes samples of some of Portland’s most iconic eats like ramen (Portland has a diverse Asian population!).

Cost: $94 per person

Tastings: 5 stops

7. Brunch on Mississippi Tour

I was thiiiiiis close to booking this tour and now that I’m writing this, I’m certainly regretting not going for it. The only thing holding me back was time and the fact I had two other food tours booked.

All this to say, this Brunch on Mississippi tour looks incredible! It’s run by Portland by Mouth, a local tour operator, so you know they know the best spots and have authentic local connections with the vendors you’ll visit.

This is a perfect option for you if you want to see more of Portland’s historic homes and a cozy neighborhood feel, rather than the modern, downtown vibe. The restaurants and food options look especially enticing and perfectly varied with breakfast sandwiches, pastries, brioche donuts, tacos, and more!

A note that this tour only runs on Thursdays and Fridays.

Cost: $95 per person

Tastings: 6 stops

Other top Portland Oregon food tours

8. foodie bike tour.

If you’re leaning more toward biking and less toward food (the opposite of number 4 above), this is your best bet. This is primarily a bike tour with a sprinkle of food throughout. It’s run by Cycle Portland, so the ratio of bike to food probably doesn’t come as a surprise.

On this foodie bike tour , you’ll bike 7 – 8 miles along Tom McCall Waterfront Park, over a couple of Portland’s 12 bridges, and sample food from 3 stops including coffee, lunch, and ice cream for dessert.

Because of the nature of the tour, there is a minimum age of 10 and it is not accessible. A bike is provided as well as rain gear, if necessary. They can also accommodate dietary restrictions, so be sure to let your guide know.

One thing I love about this tour is that you can book a standard bicycle or an eBike, so if you know you’ll need assistance biking the tour’s distance and duration, you can opt for an electric bike! My asthmatic self appreciates that!

Cost: $95 per person (standard bike) or $109 per person (eBike)

Tastings: 3 stops

9. Guided Ice Cream Tour

If there’s another thing Portland is a master at, it’s ice cream. Basically, take any craft, handmade, artisan food and Portland is doing it best.

Naturally, ice cream is fantastic here. Salt and Straw which started in Portland has become the biggest household name as it’s expanded to the Disney theme parks and beyond. But, Portland has so many other wonderful ice cream shops with just as fantastic flavors.

If you can sample some on an ice cream food tour , it’s definitely a good way to go! On this one you’ll try 4 different shops and a total of 12 different flavors!

Cost: $55 per person (2 person minimum needed for tour to run)

More PNW resources:

• How to spend a weekend in Portland
• Beautiful gardens in Portland to visit
• What to do along the Columbia River Gorge
• 1 day in Seattle itinerary
• Weekend in Seattle itinerary
• Tips for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington
• Washington National Parks road trip itinerary

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• Get Your Guide  – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com  – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com , the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel  – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea  – Check out Resort Pass , which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

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Alanna Koritzke

Recent PhD graduate and hyper-planner of Periodic Adventures, my goal is to share travel inspiration, budget tips, detailed guides, and fun travel stories!

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Forktown Food Tours

Review Highlights

“ The food was unique and delicious and Heidi shared great stories about the people and places we visited. ” in 32 reviews

“ My wife and I attended the Mississippi Ave and Alphabet District Tours while on our vacation a few weeks ago. ” in 12 reviews

“ The weather was amazing, the people on the tour very friendly and Kelsey was funny and extremely informative. ” in 17 reviews

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Portland, OR 97211

Sunderland, Northeast Portland

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Our three-hour walks take small groups through Portland's creative and sustainable food scene. We may sample craft beer, farmstead cheeses, charcuterie, local wine, food cart goodness, and more, all made with the fresh, local ingredients that Oregon is famous for. Forktown loves Portland's local food and its tiny, creative big-hearted enterprises. We value the history and character of its neighborhoods. We aim to create tours that are fun and delicious, and cultivate appreciation for regional food systems. We offer tours in three different Portland neighborhoods. The Alphabet District tour runs Wednesday and Friday afternoons. N. Mississippi Avenue tour runs Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Our newest tour is Downtown & The Pearl Districts runs on Saturdays. Private tours also available. Visit us at www.forktown.com to purchase tickets. …

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193 reviews

Was gifted a Forktown Food Tour and WOW was it amazing! It was the perfect way for locals and visitors to see a different size of Portland. We just moved from Denver a few years ago so always looking for good eats! We decided to check out a neighborhood that we've never explored ourselves and we had such a great time. We took the Mississippi Ave Tour and really enjoyed the different eats that was picked out for us! We started at the food carts and had some delicious BBQ then walked a couple blocks and got to try this delicious glass noodle salad and local wine. Honestly, I was pretty full already from those first two stops but we had two more to go! We ended up going to a local brewery as well as a dairy-free ice cream shop! Being lactose intolerant, I was ECSTATIC to know that this ice cream place was all dairy free! Everyone was pleasantly surprised at the texture of the ice cream and the different flavors that was offered! Being locals we weren't sure what to expect in a group setting but everyone was a joy to be with. Our group consisted of friends celebrating a birthday and a married couple that was visiting for the weekend from Seattle. Our guide Heidi lead us on a delicious trip around Portland and cannot wait to attend her other tours or even possibly her food tours abroad! It was such a pleasure to spend a lovely Saturday with Heidi.

I recently returned from a Tuscan food and wine tour with a group of friends organized and led by Heidi with Forktown Food Tours, it was without a doubt one of the best curated and most thoughtful tours I've ever attended. Heidi is so easy to work with and did an amazing job of anticipating our needs and far exceeded any expectations I had before the trip. Great food, great wine, amazing sites, terrific local tour guides and a wonderful time with some dear friends ... Truely Memories to Last a Lifetime! GRAZIE MILLE Heidi and Forktown Food Tours.

Tuscan Sunset

Lunch after our pasta making class

The Forktown Food tour was Forking Fabulous (surely I'm not the first one to capitalize on such alliteration?). Ariel, our tour guide, immediately won points in my book for being both an artist and a New Mexican native. These traits are not what made her an apt, knowledgeable, or personable tour guide, per say, but they're what made me see my reflection in her mirror. "Hey! I'm an artist (writer) from New Mexico and a food tour guide, too!" With that said, Ariel did an awesome job. She knows her history, her food, her city, and has a fun personality to tie it all together. Our group was a mix of locals and travelers, solo eaters (yours truly) and a group of friends. We all got along great, and enjoyed every stop. What I enjoyed most about this was 1) the location. Mississippi Ave is a gem! Get out of downtown and explore this place! 2) the diversity of dining. I'm not well-versed enough in Korean Mexican food to know what to order at a food cart, same with Thai cuisine (um, Pad Thai? Yes I am that uneducated), so I was glad to have a great dish handed to me. Also, I liked the balance of savory, sweet, and even vegetables, and the fact it moved like a progressive meal (salad, appetizer, main, palate cleanser, dessert). I definitely recommend!

See all photos from Jenny C. for Forktown Food Tours

Clair our lovely tour guide was awesome, not only did we have delicious samplers-appetizers but an in depth history of Portland Oregon. We booked the North Mississippi Avenue Food Tour located across the river from Downtown Portland. Meeting place was across the river a $9 Lyft ride from Benson Hotel located on Broadway and Oak Street. Tour Length: 2.5-3hours light walking tour Alcoholic beverages: 4 drinks, non-alcoholic also available See pictures for some of the awesome treats.

See all photos from Ieda A. for Forktown Food Tours

We visited Portland in August and were lucky enough to be able to book a private tour with Forktown Food Tours. My family and I had such a wonderful time. Heidi was absolutely amazing. She made our time so enjoyable and was so knowledgeable. The food was delicious and the desserts out of this world. We got an overview of Portland's food history along with some valuable local tips on places to visits. Thank you Heidi for making our visit so enjoyable.

This Portland food tour was absolutely amazing! We tried all the local favorites including smoked fish, food pods, thai food, chocolate and ice cream. The tour guide, Ahna, was knowledgeable about organic food and the local restaurant scene. We highly recommend this food tour for those looking to explore the downtown food scene. Plus they have options for other tours around Portland, so check them out!

See all photos from Josh F. for Forktown Food Tours

We had an amazing time on our tour with Arielle (sp?). Mississippi Ave is a unique area of Portland and I was glad a local recommended a tour on this street. We were a very small group of 4 which I think in a lot of ways made the tour a better experience - there was more time to linger at the stops and ask questions of the knowledgeable guide. Our tour included a well-balanced variety of Thai, Korean-Mexican fusion (a first for me), brewery, ice cream and a local boutique that sells chocolates and artisan salts. We obviously stopped in mostly brick and mortar businesses, but one stop was at a food cart pod - which was a new experience. These were not food trucks, but rather carts all clustered together, not something that our home city offers. This is my 3rd or 4th food tour in a different city and the thing I always try and emphasize to others is that it isn't only about food - in all my experiences you learn a lot about the city you are in. Forktown offered a great experience!

When another option for a company retreat fell through at the last minute, I found Forktown Food tours online. Heidi responded right away to my inquiry. She was not only able to take our group at the last minute, but was more than willing to share a couple of options based on specific requests. Excellent communication, flexibility and follow-up!

We took the Mississippi street food tour with Forktown on a cloudy Saturday in May. There were 12 people on the tour led by our great guide Claire. Like food tours we have taken elsewhere, this was a great opportunity to explore one of the trendy neighborhoods of this great city and one area we might not have gotten to otherwise. Half the fun of a food tour is the people that you meet. In our case, mostly Californians with us as the token couple from the Midwest. Everyone was great and it was a mix of ages as is typical. What was unique about this tour was that alcoholic beverages were included-usually that's an extra charge. We visited 6 different spots up and down this single street so the walking was pretty minimal starting with a Thai restaurant where we had a great glass noodle salad (a first for me) and a glass of Pinot Gris wine (or a non-alcoholic option for those so choosing). Next it was on to a Korean-Mexican food cart for a great taco, then a cool cocktail bar for not one, but TWO different cocktails with a crostini, then a storied brewery for half of a big juicy burger and a small beer (or cider or soda). At this point it was plenty of food but there were two desserty places to go a chocolate tasting and a cookie/ice cream sandwich. A great day, plenty of food and it was fun to explore this funky neighborhood across the river.

Loved their Downtown Portland tour and would definitely recommend! Our tour sampled: ** Nel Centro - Fresh little beet salad with some ricotta cheese and nuts. Fresh and light. I don't like beets and I liked this salad! Paired with prosecco flavored with elderflower liquor that was refreshing. Our tour check in was here so we arrived early and already started off with a glass of wine while we waited to begin. ** South Park Seafood - Cold smoked scallops in a flavorful, slightly spicy sauce paired with in house everything crackers. The husband was impressed and he hates cold seafood. Normally we would have tried ordering something like this! Pleasantly surprised to experience it. Paired with some ale beer. ** Wolf and Bears - Bean sprouted falafel that came with a tahini sauce and a spicy cilantro sauce. Smelled so good. Again wouldn't have usually ordered this (since we are carnivores) but was a tasty delight. ** Grassa - Fresh pasta with tomato sauce and pork. Nicely done and paired with a glass of their house red wine. I love pasta. Would definitely come back to this restaurant. Walking out we saw some regular diners with the pork belly mac and cheese.. just drilling thinking about that future visit. ** Cacao - tried a small bite of two different chocolate bars and a shot sized sample of their dark drinking chocolate. LOVED IT. Had time to purchase some chocolates before leaving the place. Would go to this place again. ** Saint Cupcakes - two mini cupcakes (aka "dots") in carrot cake and salted caramel chocolate; didn't care for the carrot cake as the cake didn't stand out and acted more of a vehicle for the buttercream; of all the places we went to, I was less impressed here. I think the food places may change from time to time depending on their partnerships and the season but that's a good thing to keep the itinerary fresh. The food we sampled were all great choices curated by them and the chefs at each establishment. Portions are generous for a food tour. Just enough to whet your appetite for Portland foodie scene. Felt fed and satiated at the end. Except for the food cart and dessert places, we were offered water and an alcoholic beverage paired with the dishes we sampled. At most of these stops, you had the opportunity to take a Bathroom break. Our tour last almost 3 hours long. Walking distance was about 1.5 miles. Able to wear my 2 inches booties comfortably enough as the ground we covered was fairly flat and there were many seating opportunities. Our guide Ana was friendly, knowledgeable, and good at keep our group on track. She also gave us additional foodie recommendations to try out while we are in town. Hoping to try out one of their other tours in the future!

See all photos from Alyssa P. for Forktown Food Tours

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Portland Food Tour - Secret Food Tours

Discover the essence of Portland's renowned culinary scene by joining our Secret Food Tours. You will gain exclusive insights from local experts immersing yourself in the flavors within the “City of Roses.”

Uncover the must-try dishes that have earned Portland the title of the Food and Drink capital of America, as acclaimed by The Telegraph and The Washington Post. Book your tour now and create unforgettable memories as you indulge in the diverse and vibrant delights this city has to offer.

On our Secret Food Tour: Portland Oregon, you´ll enjoy some of the best food from all over the world. Local food is international food, but with locally grown and produced ingredients!

Portland Downtown is a buzzing area with indie boutiques selling local brands, and a creative dining scene ranging from eclectic food trucks to high-end seafood bistros. Locals love to “Keep Portland weird”.

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Portland Neighborhood Evening Food Tour

Portland neighborhood evening food & drink tour.

Tour currently paused

$85 per person

Approx. 1.5 miles walking

The Essentials:

Explore a local Portland neighborhood on this walking food tour that visits an incredible selection of sit-down restaurants, a wine tasting room, and a brewery. Plenty of food, Oregon wine, a unique cocktail, and local craft beer are all included!

4 sit-down restaurants and one craft brewery.

Small groups of 2-10 people per tour.

Start & End Location

Starts in the heart of the Slabtown neighborhood in NW Portland. Ends 1 block away from the starting location. An email will be sent with detailed meeting location details immediately after booking.

Dietary Requirements

We are happy to welcome vegetarians and pescatarians, but please let us know prior to your tour date as same day requests cannot be guaranteed. This tour is not recommended for gluten free, dairy free, vegan or other special diets.

This tour is currently unavailable. 

Our  Portland Food Carts, Pods & Patio Tour and Downtown Coffee & Donut Tour  are operating regularly!

About This Tour:

What do The Simpsons and a coin toss have to do with Portland’s history? Beyond the amazing food and drink, Portland’s weird and awesome legacy continues to shape life for Portlanders. 

Across 5 tourist-free locations and two historic neighborhoods, every street and every bite has a unique story to tell. Come hear that story through the best medium possible: food and drink. This is not a tasting tour, come hungry and eat loads. If you have one night in Portland, this is it!

What You'll Do:

Learn how to pair wine and cheese from master wine experts, sampling the finest of Oregon’s wine to start the evening.

Dig into some housemade pasta tossed in truffle butter, seasoned with sea salt and cracked pepper, then topped with grana cheese.

Walk through neighborhoods that hold relics from Lewis and Clark and the industrialization of Oregon up to it’s modern gastro-scene.

Try freshly-steamed Chinese bao buns alongside Korean kimchi and house cocktails in an Asia-facing port-city with deep roots in fusion cuisine.

Save room for a made-from-scratch crepe from the best creperie in Portland, in a blink-and-you-miss-it mom and pop shop.

Cap off the evening with a cheers at a neighborhood craft beer hall.

Featured In:

A New Path in Portland Dining

“In Portland’s Alphabet District, it’s not unusual to see lines for a restaurant table or an ice cream cone. But the focus of Lost Plate Food Tours is to give its guests an alternative to the well-known spots, focusing instead on hidden gems that serve up some of the city’s best food and drinks. From the first glass of wine to the final beer, our group enjoyed an extraordinary dining experience in six different neighborhood spots on our Evening Food & Drink Tour.”

Jewish Journal

Written by Paulina Berkovich August 2019

Customer Reviews:

Incredible Experience!

“All the food was incredible and left us all in awe every time. Drinks were also amazing! Our tour guide was so great and the group got along so well, we all stayed together after the tour was finished! Amazing experience.”

A great taste of Portland!!

“A great a taste of what Portland has to offer!! Michelle was an amazing host for the city & had the best food picked out for us! Always heard Portland was a beer town but the food surpassed all our expectations. Highly recommend the tour!! Great experience, would tour with them again.”

February 2020

Favorite Part of the Whole Trip

“I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Portland! We did the evening tour, and I was not disappointed. Our guide was absolutely wonderful, so knowledgeable and passionate about the city, it’s history and everything is has to offer. All of the places we visited were fantastic. It was great to see the culture and true Portland gems that weren’t “touristy.” The tour was my favorite part of the whole trip – thanks Lost Plate!”

Fun Tour, Great Experience

“Joined a lovely group led by Michelle. I chose tour because it was in the evening, but there are other great reasons to do it. It was fun and educational and I learned a lot about Portland cuisine. And the food and drink was great, particularly the pasta and the wine. Loved the neighborhood so much I went back the following night to eat.”

August 2019

Frequently Asked Questions:

Should i sign up for multiple lost plate tours are they all different.

We have many happy customers who do more than one of our tours in Portland! We have designed our tours to focus only on very different parts of the city and different cuisines. This means that each dish, story, and vibe is unique to each tour and there aren’t any repeats.

Most people are very surprised how broad the culinary scene is in Portland, and our tours are a good way to discover those differences. We cover everything from food carts to private kitchen experiences, morning coffees to wine tastings. We encourage you to pick the tours that best fit your itinerary and we offer a 10% discount if booking more than one tour.

Will I need to walk very far?

This tour covers about 1.5 miles by foot, so we recommend leaving the heels at home. This distance is split up between 5 stops, so it’s roughly a 10 minute walk between each stop and a great chance to digest a bit before the next course. We also find that exploring by foot is the best way to see this neighborhood and find relics dotted throughout. If this sounds like a too much walking, our other tours in Portland cover less distance.

How many drinks are included?

This tour includes a wine tasting flight, a craft cocktail, and a local craft beer. At stops which do not have alcohol, we will provide water or you are welcome to purchase your own drink if time permits. It’s definitely plenty to drink, and shows off the variety of tasty beverages found throughout the city.

Are there non-alcoholic options?

Not a drinker? No problem! Please let us know if you will not be drinking prior to the tour and we will make sure to provide tasty non-alcoholic options for you.

Are children allowed on this tour?

All of the places we visit during this tour do allow minors, however we recommend leaving the kids at home for this one. Our other tours in Portland are a much better fit for the little ones. Our general recommendation for this tour is that guests are 21 years of age or over, but feel free to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

What if I’m vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies?

Our tours have been designed to accommodate as many diets as possible while still remaining stupid delicious. We are happy to welcome vegetarians and pescatarians, but please let us know prior to your tour date as same day requests cannot be guaranteed. This tour is not recommended for gluten free, dairy free, vegan or other special diets.

When booking online, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or special requests. Please use this field to let us know about your requests and we will follow up if there are any problems or questions.

How many people will be on my tour?

Our minimum is 2 and maximum is 12. There’s no flag to follow, or megaphone, or tacky uniforms. It’s small enough to be intimate, but big enough to get away with trying several dishes at each stop. You’ll get plenty of face-time with the experts. Bottom line is, you’ll follow the guide through a super-local experience and make friends along the way. It is awfully common for our guests to continue the evening together after the tour is over for a few more rounds.

Where does the tour start and end?

This tour starts at 5pm at our first stop in the Slabtown neighborhood in Northwest Portland (the popular NW 23rd street is nearby). You’ll get the exact address, directions, and transportation details immediately after booking.

The end location is approx. 1 block away from the start location. Our last stop is at a brewery, where you are able to stay as long as you like!

How long does the tour last?

This tour lasts about 3 hours and ends at a brewery. It’s not uncommon for guests to stay out and keep the pints going afterwards.

If you have any concerns about timing or meeting up based on your itinerary, let us know and we’ll see what we can do to make this as hassle-free as possible.

Can I bring my pet on a tour?

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed inside food and drink establishments in Portland. While we would love to meet your furry friend, pets are not able to join our tours for the comfort and safety of all guests and vendors.

Can I smoke on the tour?

For the safety and comfort of our guests and guides, all tours are smoke-free. This includes nicotine, cannabis, and vape devices.

Can I drink alcohol on the tour?

This tour does include alcohol, but please keep in mind Oregon law prohibits the serving of alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals. If you arrive to the tour visibly intoxicated, you will be kindly asked to leave. We want everyone to have a comfortable and pleasant experience, so please save your shenanigans for after the tour. All Lost Plate tours are a family-friendly experience and we appreciate your understanding.

Do you offer private tours or tours for special events/groups?

Yes we do! If you would like to book a special tour for your organization or group, just contact us and we’ll take care of you.

Do you offer discounts?

We sure do! If you decide to do more than one tour with us we are happy to offer you a 10% discount off your total amount. It doesn’t matter if the tour is in the same city or a different city, we want to keep feeding you as long as you let us. Our online booking system will automatically deduct the discount from your total if booking online. If you decide to add more tours later, your original confirmation email will include a promo code to use on those bookings.

What is your cancellation policy?

Bookings cancelled 2 days (48 hours) or more before your tour are fully refundable (100% refund). Bookings cancelled within 48 hours notice are not refundable. Cancellations must be communicated by email to [email protected] or by phone. If you would like to reschedule your tour with less than 48 hours notice, we will need to charge 50% of your total since we are unable to fill your spots at short notice.

Ask us anything, we love a good question.

Portland Evening Food & Drink Tour

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Portland Food Tours

One of the most fun things to do in portland.

Portland’s abundant terroir provides the backbone of incredible fresh ingredients for chefs and home cooks alike. Sprinkle in gorgeous geography and liberal, creative people – there are few places that can rival the culinary innovation that has become synonymous with Portland.

When you visit the Rose City, why not join us for a Portland walking food tour. While we explore Portland’s charming neighborhoods, we will sample culinary delights from an array of local eateries, while learning lots of fun facts about local chefs, Portland history and what makes Oregon special.

What makes our food tours special?  Great question!

First off, the stops in our food tours are top notch.  We have selected some of the places that we have been enjoying for years to feature on our tours.  From upscale markets and specialty shops, like Providore Fine Foods and The Meadow , to Staccato Gelato’s made from scratch, hyper local gelato.  And then there are the James Beard nominated restaurants Nostrana and Kachka and the critically acclaimed patisserie, Jinju .  You can rest assured you will be sampling some of Portland’s finest bites.

Of course it is not all about the food.  Our time will be woven between eating and strolling through Portland’s unique neighborhoods.  We will take time to admire the murals and architecture of vintage homes while we talk about all things Portland, both past and present.

With five or six stops on each food tour, we assure you that you that you will get a true bite of Portland.  In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if your food tour is the highlight of your day whether you are visiting or you are a Portland resident!

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The Vibrant Kerns Hood - East Burnside and more

In this Portland food tour, we will explore the charming streets of the Kerns neighborhood where we will sample some of the tastiest bites that Portland has to offer.

• 3-3.5 hours
• Thurs, Fri, Sat

The Bustling Buckman Hood - Hawthorne, the Goat Blocks and more

Come on and let’s explore the bustling streets of the Buckman neighborhood. All the while this Portland culinary tour will take us to some of Portland’s distinctive foodie  offerings.

Brunch on Mississippi ---

In this Portland food tour, we will explore the historic North Mississippi hood.  And when better to do it than brunch time? 

Phone: 503 928 4480

Email: [email protected]

Come Eat with Us!

Portland Adventures: The Ultimate Foodie Walking Tours

• Downtown Portland Food Tour

Explore the taste of downtown Portland in the morning or the afternoon.  On this urban foodie adventure you may enjoy  farm-to-table restaurants, food halls, food carts and more!

• Coffee, Donuts & Chocolate Tour

Start your day in Portland the right way with locally roasted coffee and carefully crafted treats.  We will explore local favorites and introduce you to Portland's famous coffee, donuts, and chocolate.

• Alberta Arts District Food Tour

Embrace adventures and discovery unique cuisine in the Alberta Arts District. This colorful street is known for its locally owned shops, bars, and restaurants. Experience a favorite local hangout!

• Alphabet District Food Tour

Embrace adventures and discovery unique cuisine in the Alphabet District. The unique collection renowned fine dining and exceptional shopping is a must see on any trip to Portland!

Our team of culinary enthusiasts look forward to hearing from you.

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operated by Epicurean Adventure Travel LLC. 

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An Eater’s Guide to Portland, Oregon

The word on the street on where to drink and eat in the City of Roses

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Table of Contents

- Welcome to the Land of Craftsman Cuisine - Where to Start: Eater Portland's Top Maps - Portland Food Neighborhoods to Know - Portland Glossary of Terms - Reservations to Make in Advance - Follow the News - Get in Touch

In the rough-and-tumble city of foraged dining, vegan soul food, whole-animal butchery, and bacon-topped maple bars, there are a lot of opinions about what to eat. This guide slices through the designer flannel to help tourists find the best Portland food and drink out there.

Welcome to the Land of Craftsman Cuisine

Straight up, Portland has something most other cities do not: the natural bounty of the Willamette Valley, unblemished by pollution. This gives Portland chefs a huge arsenal of ingredients to play with — whether the cuisine of choice is regional Thai or Andean . The city is known for its inventive and daring food cart culture , which span more than 25 distinct “pods;” standing in parking lots or seated at outdoor fire pits, people dine on Texas smoked brisket and duck-stuffed jianbing. That food cart scene is just as reliant on Oregon grown produce, whether it’s the neighborhood-grown vegetables on a Tuscan sandwich or the blue corn masa used for tetelas .

Where to Start: Eater Portland's Top Maps

Eater publishes and updates a rather massive database of maps — each focusing on classic foods or dining trends, from wood-fired pizzas to deftly prepared sushi . For those who want to get to Portland’s culinary heart through its ribcage, we’ve compiled the crème de la crème, the top listings, from each of these maps here:

Essential Restaurants

Eater Portland’s map of essential restaurants and carts includes a number of exceptional restaurants, cafes, and carts in most of the city’s neighborhoods. Spend a day eating your way through the map’s greatest hits. For brunch, sit down at one of the sunny window tables at Cafe Olli , for something as simple as a Danish and a latte or a hearty plate of baked eggs with chickpeas and leeks; on the west side of the river, slide onto the banquettes at Maurice for pots of tea, rosemary scones, fluffy quiche, and black pepper cheesecake. For lunch, Rose VL Deli is a treasure trove of layered, fragrant Vietnamese noodles — Saturday provides the restaurant’s best selection of noodles and soups, including its breathtaking cao lau, combining thick, udon-esque noodles with herbs, a pristine and garlicky broth, and a handful of torn herbs and vegetables. For dinner, splurge on a tasting menu at the regional Thai spot Langbaan , the eclectic pseudo-wine bar Arden , or the kaleidoscopic French-ish stalwart Le Pigeon .

Hot Restaurants

Portland’s heatmap is a guide to what’s new and notable in the city, with most restaurants included being less than six months old. Head to Seventeen Hot Pot for Chongqing-style tableside hot pot made with broths rich in bone marrow and Sichuan peppercorn, or try Bajala in Nob Hill for batter-fried sturgeon tacos and octopus al pastor. Silk Road may be one of the most stunning restaurants in town right now — its homemade dumplings set against a 1920s-style backdrop, while the Southern-influenced Moonshot Tavern is serving inventive cocktails to pair with its pasta menu.

Portland’s cart culture is perhaps the most iconic element of the local food scene, from the seared albacore nigiri at Yoshi’s Sushi to the hangover-cure-worthy bibim boxes at downtown Portland’s Kim Jong Grillin’ . In terms of efficiency, it’s best to visit a food cart pod with a large number of noteworthy carts, like Prost Marketplace, home to icons like Matt’s BBQ and Desi ; in Southeast Portland, it might be the Portland Mercado , home to a number of Latin American carts — including Oaxacan spot Tierra del Sol and Yucatecan cart Principe Maya . Alternatively, picking a food cart parked next to a brewery or bar — Mole Mole at Baerlic Beer Co. , Erica’s Soul Food at Workers Tap — is another strong option.

Portland’s identity as a specialty coffee haven has not dissipated in the last decade. Stumptown remains tried and true, even after the corporate switcheroos , but lovers of fine coffee need to make the effort to visit Push X Pull or Proud Mary . For those staying downtown or near Old Town, Deadstock is the place to be for bright roasts well-suited to iced drinks and espresso. Portland is also nationally significant for its immigrant and first-generation cafes and roasters, who are highlighting the beans and coffee traditions of their ancestral countries: Portland Cà Phê showcases the brooding flavor profile of Vietnamese-grown beans, places like Less and More or Kalesa lean on East Asian ingredients and flavors for inventive lattes, and cafes like Electrica and La Perlita explore the nuances of Mexican roasts.

This city’s top sandwich shops excel at the artisan sandwich, and while the longtime ruling king is definitively Lardo , now there are a number of viable contenders: Sammich’ s Italian beef, Pasture ’s pastrami, Jojo’ s fried chicken sandwiches, Demarco ’s Italian hero, An Xuyen ’s banh mi — the options are relatively endless.

There’s no getting around it now — Portland is one of the country’s great pizza cities , whether you like it or not. The city’s access to fresh, whole-grain flours , its penchant for sourdough and baking , and its passion for Oregon-grown produce makes the city’s pies worth a second look. For a taste of what we could call “Portland pizza,” Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty should be stop one, thanks to its sturdy and flavorful crusts topped with truly of-the-moment toppings ( Chef’s Table agrees ). The city is also home to a cool range of cultural crossover pizzerias — pop by Hapa Pizza for toppings inspired by banh mi and pho, or Reeva for the “pizzaleada,” a pizza version of the Honduran baleada. For something square, Ranch Pizza tops towering Sicilian-esque squares with dense layers of pepperoni or dollops of ricotta. Other common pizza crawl stops include Ken’s Artisan , Scottie’s , Apizza Scholls , and Red Sauce .

With a wild number of breweries , Portland-based brewers come close to perfecting the art of craft beer. Brett and farmhouse fans adore Little Beast and Upright Brewing , while German-style beer aficionados may prefer Zoiglhaus or Occidental . But the brewpub beer snobs absolutely cannot miss, both for its food and its beer, is Breakside Brewery .

Brunch here is a blood sport. While many restaurants offer the standard array of Benedicts and scrambles, some Portland restaurants and food carts have become true innovators in the art of the leisurely morning meal: Mama Bird piles grilled chicken onto buttermilk waffles before adding chili hot honey, while Street Disco serves bacon, egg, and cheese croquettes alongside elote frittatas. Still, for a more classic breakfast , places like Tin Shed Garden Cafe — or even diners like Cameo Cafe or Fuller’s — may be a better fit. For more recommendations, check out our one-stop shop for breakfast maps, recommendations, and news.

Everything Else

Portland is a national hotspot for Southeast Asian cuisine, from Thai to Vietnamese ; it is absolutely essential to visit Hat Yai and Rose VL Deli (or its sibling, James Beard Award semifinalist Ha VL ) while in town. Portland fares rather well for ramen and for burgers , and Eater has those guides covered. Oh, and of course, those who abstain from meat will be well-fed in Portland , with several vegan options for dinner or even brunch . For another quick-and-dirty guide to the must-visits in Portland, check out our Portland dining starter pack .

Portland Food Neighborhoods to Know

Portland is broken up into six general “quadrants” ( yes, we’re in on the joke ) — North, South, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast — but the city is defined by its many small neighborhoods within these six larger regions:

North Portland

North Portland, colloquially known as the “fifth quadrant,” consists of everything above Burnside, from North Williams to the east and the Willamette River to the west. There are several noteworthy neighborhoods within North Portland — we’ve focused on North Mississippi into its own section below — but for a rough primer, here’s a good way to eat through North Portland: Start on Williams with coffee at Either/Or and a croissant from Jinju Patisserie . From there, you can either head south to Kayo’s Ramen Bar for lunch, or head north to St. Johns for Mexican food ( Tienda Santa Cruz for caldos or burritos; El Coyote for carnitas tacos). For dinner, either eat sourdough pizza and house-made ice cream at Gracie’s , or enjoy the ceviches at Peruvian stunner Casa Zoraya . North Portland is also home to arguably the city’s best bagel, found at Bernstein’s .

North Mississippi and Albina

A local favorite, North Mississippi is a pseudo-bohemian wonderland of food carts, whiskey, and pizza. Visitors should start the day with breakfast at Sweedeedee on Albina for Spanish tortillas and cultured butter corn cakes, and as many of the morning pastries as possible. After shopping through Mississippi’s numerous boutiques, pop by Prost Marketplace for a lunch of Portland’s best brisket, found glistening with fat at the humble Matt’s BBQ cart, or chai-cardamom chicken at Desi PDX . For a taste of Oregon pinot, stop by Stem for a flight; or, for something less boozy, sit down to a pot of rose tea at Tea Chai Té . Your dinner stop should be Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty for morel-topped pizzas and peach leaf ice cream. And for post-dinner drinks, the back porches at Bar Bar , Interurban , and the Rambler provide a true taste of rustic Portland homeyness.

Do I really have to eat a Voodoo Doughnut?

That depends on what you're looking for. Voodoo Doughnut's creations are simultaneously trashy and artwork-quality. So if you want to eat a doughnut topped with Oreos named Ol' Dirty Bastard, this is the place. If you're looking for gourmet fried dough, you have better options — without standing in that line. So short answer, probably not.

Portland’s downtown is primarily dominated by food carts and hotels, which is where to find some of the neighborhood’s best meals. The Midtown Beer Garden food cart pod is a strong starting place, cart wise: Options here are abundant, including the hulking Japanese-style egg sandwiches at Tokyo Sando , the duck-filled jianbing at Bing Mi , and the hand-pulled noodles at Stretch the Noodle . For something a little different, the deeply European and blissfully understated Maurice is essential eating, and the flavorful Caribbean chicken and rice at Love Belizean is in the lunch rotation for downtown locals. And for leisurely Saudi Arabian dinners followed by green-hued Arabic coffee, Queen Mama’s Kitchen is a strong contender.

Southeast Division and Clinton

The restaurants ruling Division and Clinton are not the same as the ones that ran the street even ten years ago, with a few exceptions. Relative newcomers have turned heads in that neighborhood: Palomar , a Cuban cocktail bar with a nationally celebrated bartender and shockingly meticulous frozen daiquiris; Oma’s Hideaway , a freewheeling bar and restaurant with boozy slushies and a to-die-for game hen; Magna , an exciting Filipino spot with charcoal-grilled skewers and seasonal fare; Quaintrelle , with its colorful tasting menu and top-notch bar. However, there are some tried-and-true favorites that remain in the culinary canon, like quintessential dive bar and nationally significant fried chicken destination Reel M Inn . Wherever you go, end your day with some Pinolo Gelato or a slice of pie at Lauretta Jean’s .

Northwest Portland

The tree-and-boutique-lined streets of Northwest are in the midst of a shake-up: Suddenly, several new restaurants, bars, and cafes are all eyeing Portland’s upper left neighborhood for expansions and openings. In recent years, Northwest Portland has accrued a number of destination-worthy spots, including the casual Kashmiri cafe Bhuna and the acclaimed Mexican tasting menu restaurant República . The longtime standby is the dazzling French restaurant St. Jack , with its breezy take on brasserie staples. For a funky wine list and unforgettable gnocchi, hit up Arden Wine Bar .

Buckman and Central Eastside

The Central Eastside neighborhood is spread out, so don’t expect to walk between these dining hotspots. Don’t miss the game-changing charcuterie producer Olympia Provisions , French chef’s counter Le Pigeon , Slavic dinner hall Kachka and its adjoining market, and wine bar and bistro Ok Omens . For a classic (borderline cliche) Portland experience, Central Eastside is home to food cart pods Cartopia and its neighbor, Hawthorne Asylum ; nab peanut-butter-and-jelly fries at Potato Champion at the former and creamy rosé tteokbokki at Mukja within the latter.

Northeast Alberta and Killingsworth

The Northeast Alberta and Killingsworth neighborhoods have their own artsy style and dining scene to match. In many ways, this Northeast Portland area is a kingmaker: Some of the city’s most nationally recognizable names began on the two streets. Killingsworth, farther north, is home to no-joke cocktail bar Expatriate and the original Hat Yai location; farther south on Alberta, Australian brunch and coffee icon Proud Mary sits among homegrown favorites like Basque pintxo and tapas bar Urdaneta , standout deli and butcher shop Pasture , sushi destination Zilla Sake , and pasta hotspot Gumba . Alberta’s food carts are also particularly special — we love pizza cart Paladin Pie , Filipino cart Baon Kainan , and Mexican cart Mole Mole , specifically.

82nd Avenue

82nd is a sprawling thoroughfare stretching up to Highway 30 and down into Clackamas. It’s also home to some of the city’s exemplary Chinese and Vietnamese food, either directly on the street or right off of it. Starting to the north, you can have breakfast at the diner Cameo Cafe , which serves kimchi alongside eggs and bacon and lists mung bean pancakes next to the buttermilks. Lunch could be spent at Pho Oregon , a true Portland institution. The CORE food cart pod and food hall is home to carts and stalls serving everything from mochi flour doughnuts to Burmese mohinga. Fortune BBQ Noodle House is a smart choice for those craving roast duck, and Tèo Bun Bo Hue is the place to be for the namesake soup — within the same strip mall, Jin Jin Deli serves a knockout Vietnamese sate. For dim sum, H.K. Cafe or Excellent Cuisine will serve nicely. Whatever you do, however, be sure to grab a soup or two from Ha VL, the predecessor to Rose VL.

East Portland, the Numbers, and Gresham

“The Numbers” refers to the neighborhoods and suburbs east of 82nd , one of the most diverse communities in Portland. It’s home to some of the city’s best Mexican food, from the quesabirria served at Birrieria La Plaza or Birrieria PDX to the tacos gobernador at La Tía Juana. Outside the world of Mexican cuisine, East Portland is home to standbys like Sayler’s , as well as Southeast Asian carts and markets like Kasoy & Co and Lily Market , respectively.

Portland Glossary of Terms

James Beard:

The ”Dean of American cookery” was born in Portland, and he attended the one-time Washington High School, now home to the Revolution performance hall and  Marthas Cafe . Today, perhaps the most widely acknowledged food awards in the United States bear his name.

Northwest Bounty:

This is the annoying term that everyone seems to use to describe what makes food in Portland different. What makes it annoying is that it’s true: bigger and better ingredients come from the Pacific Northwest, thanks to its soil , rain , and wild waterways . It’s also the foundation of countless Portland restaurants.

When a group of food carts or trucks form a group and stay in one place, they become a food cart pod. In the old days, pods just consisted of a bunch of carts without a real dining area; now, many pods have fire pits, tables, and even stages for live music.

Old Portland:

Potentially the manifestation of nostalgia and gen-x/boomer curmudgeonliness, ‘Old Portland’ refers to the Portland of yore, where dive bars and grunge ruled the land and food was cheap and unpretentious. When referring to places these days, it often refers to specific watering holes, diners, and steakhouses that retain a little bit of that original unfussiness — Reel M Inn , Clyde’s Prime Rib , and Sayler’s are all considered Old Portland holdouts.

Portlandia:

Portlandia , outside of the context of the IFC show , generally refers to gentrified Portland. Ironically, many locals use the term Portlandia to pejoratively describe restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutiques that don’t necessarily represent the city’s identity. However, some people use it to talk about places that, intentionally or not, play into the stereotypes surrounding Portland: hyper-local restaurants , restaurants obsessively fermenting .

Pop-ups refer to culinary events or concepts that are separated from a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant or food cart. Pop-ups aren’t unique to Portland, of course, but they’re a major part of the culinary scene in Portland: Many businesses that started as pop-ups became some of the city’s finest restaurants, from Indonesian standby Gado Gado to vegan comfort food standby Plant Based Papi . Many contemporary pop-ups are based on Instagram , selling food for delivery or single-day pick-up.

Reservations to Make in Advance

This nationally renowned Haitian restaurant can sell out of reservations for the following month minutes after they drop, so set your alarm. The restaurant releases reservations on the first of each month at noon Pacific Time — but that’s for the following month. For example, December reservations will be released on November 1. Really, the move is to keep an eye on Instagram for cancelations. Reservations are available on Resy .

This lauded, luxe omakase is back in business, though it may be even harder to get a seat here than it was back in 2019. It’s hard to tell when the restaurant will release reservations , but typically, reservations for the month would drop around five or six weeks in advance; for example, all reservations for the month of January will be released in late November. Watch Instagram like a hawk to snag one; if you miss it, however, you’re not completely out of options. The website posts cancelation seats online , and those with a particular date in mind can add themselves to the waiting list .

Langbaan serves historic regional Thai dishes — some from ancient royalty’s cookbooks — and is perhaps the hardest Portland restaurant to get into. The hidden restaurant inside of Phuket Cafe books out a month in advance . The restaurant just won the Outstanding Restaurant medal at the 2024 James Beard Awards, making it somehow even more of a hotspot.

Gabriel Rucker’s free-wheeling French fare has earned him a few James Beard Awards, plus a loyal group of local devotees. It doesn’t take too much planning to make a reservation at Le Pigeon , though reservations tend to book up a few weeks ahead of time .

Follow the News

Eater Portland is updated multiple times every weekday with breaking news stories (restaurant openings, closings, etc.), maps, features, and more. Here are a few ways to stay in the loop:

• Keep an eye on the Eater Portland homepage . New stories will always appear near the top and flow down toward the bottom of the page as they get older, while important recent stories will stay pinned right at the top. Also, check out our big sister, Eater.com , for national and international food news.
• Subscribe to our newsletter , which goes out three times each week and includes links to top stories.
• Like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter , and find us on Instagram for updates on new stories and more throughout the day.
• Interested in upcoming restaurant openings? Follow our Coming Attractions tag to see what’s in the works from the city’s restaurateurs.

Get in Touch

Have questions not answered here? Want to send in a tip or a complaint or just say hello? Here are some ways to get in touch with the Eater Portland staff:

• Email us at [email protected]
• Send us a tip, which can be anonymous, over our tipline .
• Talk with us on Facebook and Twitter .

The Ultimate Visitor’s Guide to Portland

• Whatever Happened to Portland?
• The 38 Essential Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland
• The Hottest New Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland, June 2024
• A Guide to Portland’s Most Outstanding Food Carts
• 23 Longstanding Restaurants Keeping Old Portland Alive
• Iconic Portland Dishes That Are Actually Worth Eating
• The Essential Portland Cocktail Bars Where You Can Sip Something Exceptional
• Sip Coffee at These Charming Cafes in Portland and Beyond
• 19 Portland Breweries Showcasing the Evolution of Craft Brewing
• Where to Find a Real-Deal Breakfast in Portland
• Outstanding Bakeries in Portland and Beyond
• 16 Essential Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Portland
• Where to Find Stunning Thai Food in Portland and the Surrounding Suburbs
• Where to Find Exceptional Pizzas in Portland and Beyond
• 13 Real-Deal Fried Chicken Spots in Portland
• Where to Find Soul-Soothing Ramen in Portland and Beyond
• 10 Chicken-and-Jojo Champs in Portland
• 8 Standout Barbecue Restaurants and Carts in Greater Portland

Top 10 fun things to do around Portland, Oregon, from a local’s perspective

P ORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Whether it’s the recent NCAA Women’s Regionals held at the Moda Center or Portland’s annual Rose City Comic-Con at the Oregon Convention Center in the fall, it’s not uncommon for swarms of people to find themselves with a weekend to fill in a city famous for its food, Pacific Northwest beauty and quirky attitude.

So what is there to do around Portland for fun? And in particular, what do the locals enjoy most? Look no further for a multitude of ideas to make the most out of your stay in the Rose City. Here are the top 10 fun things to do in Portland, from a local’s perspective.

10. Go to a movie at a historical theater

Portland is a city that loves movies , boasting a high volume of neighborhood theaters, such as The Hollywood Theatre — a favorite pitstop of Quentin Tarantino — The Clinton Street Theater , The Laurelhurst Theater and The Academy Theater . Many of these mom-and-pop outfits and occasionally, non-profit organizations, offer ticket prices that are less expensive than the typical national chain, screen films that are rare and often serve amenities such as alcoholic beverages.

9. Visit a gaming bar or arcade

Portland’s annual Retro Game Expo is a testament to the city’s strong gaming culture to the point that it has more than one bar themed after videogames. That includes Ground Kontrol , which offers quarter-operated arcade cabinet fun, and Retro Game Bar , a place where you can access and play practically every videogame console generation in a living-room style environment for a cover charge. QuarterWorld Arcade on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard offers even more gaming fun with beer on tap.

For a more family-friendly destination — full of arcade games, VR experiences and prizes — but minus the adult beverages, check out one of the many Wunderland locations . There are also a number of fine used videogame stores, such as Hawthorne Game Exchange , Video Game Wizards and TOTL Games .

8. Go see a comedy show

While marquee-grabbing comedy acts will often perform at huge venues in Portland while on tour, such as when Trevor Noah performed at the Moda Center in 2021, there are a large number of comedy theaters that operate all year round. The Funhouse Lounge offers a variety of shows — including standup, improv and sketch comedy — from talent both local and from abroad. The Curious Comedy Theater and Kick Stand Comedy are also solid choices for all your comedy needs, particularly improv, with a seasoned cast and welcoming to newcomers alike. Helium Comedy Club is also a great pick for standup fanatics, among many other comedy venues. Check out an even more extensive list of comedy clubs in Portland here .

7. Shop at one of Portland’s many famous strips

While malls like The Lloyd Center and Pioneer Place are both excellent choices for getting your shopping done in Portland, there are numerous walkable strips that offer an open-air experience that can be preferable on a nice day. What’s more, you can find many of Portland’s iconic and revered restaurants, breweries, bars and music venues at these places.

Examples include North Mississippi Avenue (home of music venue Mississippi Studios), Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard (where the locally-owned Hawthorne Game Exchange can be found), Northwest 23rd (where the legendary ice cream parlor Salt and Straw can be found) and Northeast Alberta Street , known as a top arts district in Portland.

6. Burnside Street — the heart of Portland

West Burnside Street , from the base of the Burnside Bridge and moving westward, offers a condensed “best-of” experience for many of Portland’s top destinations, such as being within walking distance from the cherry blossom-filled Tom McCall Waterfront Park (and the adjacent East Park Esplanade connected by bridges), Voodoo Doughnuts and Powell’s Books (more on that later). Though it’s more spread out and may require biking or a car to fully enjoy, central East Burnside is also home to many iconic Portland locations, including the grassroots-built Burnside Skate Park that has been featured in the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater videogame series, the aforementioned Laurelhurst Theater, the popular restaurant Screen Door , and the unmissable and sprawling record store Music Millennium , whose owner originated the phrase “Keep Portland Weird.”

5. Get a birds-eye view of Portland from local parks on a hill

Portland boasts a high number of parks, but a few of them are also high up in elevation, offering you breathtaking views of the city for not much effort. For instance, Rocky Butte in Northeast Portland — a former jail — gives a surprisingly deep viewpoint of distant mountains in Oregon and neighboring Washington state alike. Another popular place for amazing views and a wonderful array of trees is Mount Tabor Park . Both locations can be reached by car but some walking is involved. You can also find some great views perched atop the upper portion of The Grotto , the 100-year-old Catholic sanctuary open to the public in Northeast Portland that offers acres of botanical gardens and beautiful rock formations nestled in a cliff.

4. Powell’s Books

Touted as the world’s largest independent used bookstore, Powell’s Books on West Burnside Street takes up an entire city block and has three floors bursting at the seams with literature of every genre, including comic books, kids books, non-fiction, novels and science books. Even if you’re not a big reader, Powell’s is a spectacle you have to see to believe and includes an excellent coffee shop if you just need to find a home base to explore downtown on foot. They have another, smaller location on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard and even a shop at Portland International Airport (PDX) if you need reading material on the plane.

3. Visit one of Portland’s revered museums

From the culturally diverse and eye-wateringly beautiful exhibits at the Portland Art Museum to the mind-expanding Oregon Museum of Science and Industry , there’s no shortage of museums of all sorts for the whole family to enjoy. The Japanese American Museum of Oregon also offers an eye-opening look at the Pacific Northwest’s dark history of how Japanese people were treated in the U.S. in World War II.

2. Washington Park

The Oregon Zoo , International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden , among other attractions, can all be found in a fairly contained area of Southwest Portland known as Wahington Park. Touted on Portland Parks and Recreation’s website as “the crown jewel of Portland,” the 410-acre destination draws 3.5 million visitors each year. If you’re really into roses, we must also give a shout-out to North Portland’s Peninsula Park Rose Garden , though it is located in a completely different part of the city.

1. Forest Park

Not far from Washington Park is Forest Park , a huge expanse of lush green trees and an elaborate network of hilly trails where you can find all kinds of forest creatures — from slugs to songbirds. Nestled to the northwest of the heart of downtown Portland, it offers a short drive from the hustle and bustle of the city for a slice of heavenly nature where you can choose your own adventure on the distance and difficulty of where you want to go. With 5,156 acres total and over 70 miles of meandering trails, it’s likely this destination – known as the “lungs of Portland” – contains an entire lifetime’s worth of exploration.

The book The Zinester’s Guide to Portland by Shawn Granton is another great reference for exploring Portland.

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