Food · Portland · United States
What to eat in Portland
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Portland, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spicypepper999, CC0
Quick answer
Start with Food cart meals, Craft doughnuts and Marionberry pie. Pick a large pod and try several carts in one meal, then move to another pod across the river; many have beer taps and covered seating. Oregon has no sales tax, so menu prices are only increased by the tip.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Food cart meals
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 8
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at…
- Food experiences
- 4
10 foods to try
Street food · Vegetarian
1.Food cart meals
Food carts are central to Portland eating: Thai chicken and rice, Mexican tacos, Korean fusion, Georgian cheese bread, Polish pierogi and vegan bowls, usually for less than a sit-down meal.
Where: Cart pods in Southeast, North Portland and downtown; carts come and go, so check what is open on the day.
Dessert · Vegetarian
2.Craft doughnuts
Portland is known for doughnuts, from novelty creations covered in cereal or bacon to brioche doughnuts with seasonal glazes like marionberry or blood orange.
Where: Long-established doughnut shops downtown and on the east side; queues build on weekend mornings.
Dessert · Vegetarian
3.Marionberry pie
The marionberry is a blackberry variety developed at Oregon State University and grown in the Willamette Valley; it is baked into pies, cobblers and jams.
Where: Bakeries and diners citywide, and farm stands in summer; marionberry jam is sold everywhere.
Drink · Vegetarian
4.Craft beer
Portland has dozens of breweries and is a centre of American craft brewing, helped by hops grown in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Hazy IPAs, lagers and sours sit alongside classic Northwest IPAs.
Where: Brewpubs in the Pearl, Southeast and North Portland, and taps at most food-cart pods.
Drink · Vegetarian
5.Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Oregon's Willamette Valley, south of Portland, is renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and most city wine lists feature them.
Where: Wine bars and restaurants across the city, or at tasting rooms in Dundee and McMinnville.
Drink · Vegetarian
6.Coffee from local roasters
Portland has a strong third-wave coffee culture, with roasters serving pour-overs and single-origin espresso; Stumptown started here in 1999.
Where: Independent cafés across the city, especially downtown, the Pearl and Southeast.
Dessert · Vegetarian
7.Small-batch ice cream
Portland ice-cream makers experiment with local ingredients such as Oregon berries, hazelnuts, pear and even olive oil or salt.
Where: Ice-cream parlours on Alberta Street, NW 23rd Avenue and Division Street; expect queues on summer evenings.
Snack · Vegetarian
8.Oregon hazelnuts
Oregon produces nearly all of the hazelnuts grown in the US, and they appear in pastries, chocolate, salads and roasted as a snack.
Where: Farmers' markets, bakeries and specialty food shops.
Dish
9.Dungeness crab and Pacific seafood
Oregon Dungeness crab, razor clams, oysters and salmon arrive from the coast, about 90 minutes west, and appear on menus in season.
Where: Seafood restaurants downtown and in the Pearl, and fish markets on the coast if you drive out.
Breakfast
10.Brunch
Weekend brunch is a Portland institution: biscuits and gravy, Dutch babies, hash and plenty of coffee, often after a long wait for a table.
Where: Popular brunch spots across the east side and Northwest; put your name down and expect to wait at weekends.
Food experiences
Food-cart pod crawl
Pick a large pod and try several carts in one meal, then move to another pod across the river; many have beer taps and covered seating.
Brewery hopping
The Central Eastside, Southeast and North Portland have clusters of breweries within walking or biking distance; many offer tasting flights.
Portland Farmers Market
The Saturday market at Portland State University's South Park Blocks is the city's largest, with Oregon berries, mushrooms, cheese and breakfast stalls.
Distillery Row
Small craft distilleries in the Central Eastside make gin, whiskey and liqueurs, with tasting rooms close together.
Quick bites and street food
- Food cart meals — Cart pods in Southeast, North Portland and downtown; carts come and go, so check what is open on the day.
- Oregon hazelnuts — Farmers' markets, bakeries and specialty food shops.
- Brunch — Popular brunch spots across the east side and Northwest; put your name down and expect to wait at weekends.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 8 are usually vegetarian: Food cart meals, Craft doughnuts, Marionberry pie, Craft beer, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Coffee from local roasters, Small-batch ice cream and Oregon hazelnuts. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Oregon has no sales tax, so menu prices are only increased by the tip.
- Food carts often take cards only; some carry cash, so having both helps.
- Popular brunch places do not take reservations; arrive early or expect a wait.
- Plenty of restaurants offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options as standard.
- Happy hours are widespread and often include food deals in the late afternoon.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares; a small tip at food carts and coffee shops is common but optional.
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Portland famous for?
Food cart meals, Craft doughnuts, Marionberry pie and Craft beer. Food carts are central to Portland eating: Thai chicken and rice, Mexican tacos, Korean fusion, Georgian cheese bread, Polish pierogi and vegan bowls, usually for less than a sit-down meal.
+Is Portland good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Food cart meals, Craft doughnuts and Marionberry pie.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Portland?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares; a small tip at food carts and coffee shops is common but optional.