Best of Portland 2023
Best of Portland 2023
KECIA WELT
My recommendations for the best places to eat & stay in Portland & beyond in 2023
Updated ago
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Breakfast/Brunch Favorites
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Broder Café
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3 locations -- this is the original
Try the baked eggs and Aebleskiver | Danish Pancakes
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The Original Pancake House
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I especially love their Dutch baby pancake and (truly) fresh-squeezed OJ. This classic institution has been in business for over 60 years!
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GIGI'S CAFE
@kecia
A cozy neighborhood cafe that specializes in Liege waffles. They offer a variety of both sweet and savory waffles, as well as other brunch items like eggs, pancakes, and French toast.
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Fuller's Coffee Shop
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Cafe Rowan
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Delicious off-the-beaten path brunch joint. Well worth the effort! You will be rewarded
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Sweedeedee
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A neighborhood restaurant serving an ever-changing selection of fresh and seasonal, wholesome comfort food.
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Sweet Lorraine's Latkes & More
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A wonderful weekend pop-up restaurant (formerly a food cart). Currently open on weekends at Labyrinth Forge Brewing Company in SE Portland
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Favorite Bakeries
Little T American Baker
@kecia
If you're looking for a delicious and satisfying baked good or sandwich, Little T Bakery is the place to go. With its wide variety of baked goods, high-quality ingredients, and commitment to sustainability, Little T Bakery is sure to please even the most discerning palate.
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Baker & Spice
@kecia
Baker & Spice uses a traditional recipe for their crumb cake that has been perfected over many years. The recipe includes a generous amount of sugar, butter, and eggs, which gives the cake its rich, decadent flavor. The cake is also made with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which give it a warm, autumnal flavor. I also love their bread and amazing croissants!
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The Sparrow Bakery PDX
@kecia
The Ocean Roll is a signature pastry from Sparrow Bakery in Bend, Oregon. It is made with a traditional croissant dough that is rolled up with a cardamom, sugar, and vanilla filling. The roll is then baked to golden perfection and served warm. The Ocean Roll is a delicious and unique pastry that is sure to please.
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Fressen Artisan Bakery and Cafe
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Fressen has a booth at the PSU Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8:30 to 2 pm
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Favorite Coffee Shops
Wonderwood Springs
@kecia
Wonderwood Springs was created by local artist Mike Bennett, who is also the founder of the immersive art company Wonderwood. Bennett has been creating art for over 20 years, and he is known for his work in immersive art, murals, and sculptures. He is also the creator of the popular children's book series "The Adventures of Wonderwood."
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Courier Coffee
@kecia
Outstanding in-house baked goods. The very best canele! I also love the delicious house muffin.
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Prince Coffee
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Prince Coffee is a woman-owned and European-inspired coffee shop and natural wine bar with two locations in NE PDX and NW PDX
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Keeper Coffee Co
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Keeper Coffee is a super charming coffee shop located in the Woodstock neighborhood. They serve delicious homemade pastries, cookies, and quiche.
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40 LBS
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Located in the heart of the Historic Yamhill District in downtown Portland, Oregon, this fun small, industrial space, has a hip and inviting feel and welcoming atmosphere.
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SuperJoy Coffee Lab/Roasters
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COTTA
@kecia
Adorable coffee shop in a Garage across from Ainsworth Elementary in the glorious Portland Heights neighborhood. A perfect destination for your hike up to this beautiful area. Carefully check the hours to sync with your hike.
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Best Ice Cream
Lovely's Fifty Fifty
@kecia
Lovely's Fifty Fifty is an amazing restaurant that is known for its wood-fired pizzas and homemade ice cream. Their salted caramel ice cream is one of the most popular flavors, and it is house made with fresh cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla beans, and then infused with a rich, salted caramel sauce. The result is unforgettable!
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Hurry Back Ice Cream
@kecia
Hurry Back Ice Cream is a small-batch ice cream shop located in the Sellwood neighborhood. My favorite flavors are Butterscotch, Grasshopper and Chocolate Hazelnut!
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Nico's Ice Cream
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Inspired by New Zealand-style ice cream. Nico's blends fresh Willamette Valley fruit with Oregon-made vanilla ice cream for a unique soft-serve experience.
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Premium Matcha Cafe Maiko
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Best Burgers
Farmer And The Beast
@kecia
Farmer & The Beast uses only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. This includes things like local, grass-fed beef, and organic produce in their salads. The use of high-quality ingredients makes a big difference in the taste and texture of this crazy delicious burger.
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Helvetia Tavern
@kecia
Helvetia Tavern is located in Helvetia, just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Portland. You will drive this way heading out towards the Oregon Coast and it is also close to several parks and hiking trails. Built-in 1946, this family-owned and operated business is a landmark you won’t want to miss. Famous for their burgers and fries!
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BURGER STEVENS
@kecia
Food Truck with two locations (SE PDX at the HINTERLAND BAR & FOOD CARTS and N Mississippi at PROST!)
I love the double snack burger with fresh grilled jalapenos.
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BURGER STEVENS
@kecia
Food Truck with two locations (SE PDX at the HINTERLAND BAR & FOOD CARTS and N Mississippi at PROST!)
I love the double snack burger with fresh grilled jalapenos.
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Best Fish & Chips
Flying Fish Company LLC
@kecia
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Best Pizza
Lovely's Fifty Fifty
@kecia
Lovely's Fifty Fifty is an amazing restaurant that is known for its wood-fired pizzas and homemade ice cream. Their salted caramel ice cream is one of the most popular flavors, and it is house made with fresh cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla beans, and then infused with a rich, salted caramel sauce. The result is unforgettable!
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Apizza Scholls
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Favorite Chinese
Din Tai Fung
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Kung POW!
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Tasty Corner Chinese Restaurant
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Best Sushi
Yoko's Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
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Kashiwagi
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Casual Dining (counter service & takeout)
¿Por Qué No?
@kecia
2 locations (N Mississippi & SE Hawthorne)
Fun and popular
Super tasty tacos — I especially love the original fish taco with pineapple salsa
My husband loves the carnitas Bryan’s Bowl.
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TANAKA
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Zula
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¿Por Qué No?
@kecia
2 locations (N Mississippi & SE Hawthorne)
Fun and popular
Super tasty tacos — I especially love the original fish taco with pineapple salsa
My husband loves the carnitas Bryan’s Bowl.
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Jade Teahouse
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Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
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Bluto's
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Urban German Wursthaus
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Favorite Restaurants (Reservations Accepted)
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Gino's
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a Cena Ristorante
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Lilia Comedor
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Jacqueline
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Luce
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Mucca Osteria
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Urdaneta
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Canard
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C'est Si Bon! Bistro+Vins
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Charming wine bar with a fabulous menu featuring French favorites. A must visit venue, located near the Oregon Convention Center
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Mediterranean Exploration Company
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Other must-try places
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Bernstein's Bagels
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Voodoo Doughnut - Old Town
@kecia
This is the original location - where all the magic started. Warning: This neighborhood can be a bit "edgy" and the lines can be long at this location -- The NE location is often less crowded. In general, you should expect a line. My favorite doughnut is the MAPLE CREAM (bavarian filled doughnut with maple frosting)
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Food Carts
Birrieria PDX Madison
@kecia
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Specialty Food Markets
Providore Fine Foods
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COWBELL LLC
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Wellspent Market
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Taylor Street Kitchen
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Edelweiss Sausage & Delicatessen
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Cocktails
Bible Club PDX
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Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery
@kecia
Portland’s first-ever mead Tasting Hall. Patrons are strongly encouraged to come out in medieval garb or cosplay.
Set in what used to be the Ye Old Towne Crier, this historic building has a few resident ghosts. Check out their blog for the spooky details.
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Chocolate Shop
Cloudforest
@kecia
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Farmers Markets
Portland Farmers Market at PSU
@kecia
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Hollywood Farmers Market
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Portland Farmers Market - Shemanski Park
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Hillsdale Farmers' Market
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Sellwood Moreland Farmers Market
@kecia
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Montavilla Farmers Market
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Shopping — Northwest 23rd neighborhood
Zula
@kecia
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Lela's Bistro
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Budd + Finn
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Meriwether
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Papa Haydn
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Tea Chai Té
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The Meadow - NW 23rd Ave.
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Paxton Gate
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Wellness
Knot Springs
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Bodywork by Katie
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The Society Hotel Hood River - Bingen
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Where to stay
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Hyatt House Portland/Downtown
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Inn at Northrup Station
@kecia
all-suite boutique hotel in a great neighborhood. Free parking space included
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Sellwood/Moreland is one of my very favorite residential neighborhoods for an AirBNB
Magical neighborhood joints
Ross Island Grocery & Cafe
@kecia
Live music and comedy on Friday nights, poetry and storytelling events on select Sundays, and backgammon game night on Mondays. A cozy and authentic neighborhood experience!
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Kay's Bar
@kecia
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13th Moon Gravity Well
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"Neighborhood bar rockin an old growth ponderosa pine bar top, tables and beams. Rare local and international beer, wine, sake, cider and mead cycle through this comfortable atmosphere."
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Tours & Excursions
creo chocolate
@kecia
Make-a-Bar Tour
Take a unique peek behind the scenes of one of Portland's very own award-winning chocolate makers. a 1.5-hour tour guided by a chocolate maker
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Performance Venues
Alberta Rose Theatre
@kecia
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Revolution Hall
@kecia
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Aladdin Theater
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Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
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HISTORIC COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY SCENIC BYWAY
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Sweet Lorraine's Latkes & More
@kecia
A wonderful weekend pop-up restaurant (formerly a food cart). Currently open on weekends at Labyrinth Forge Brewing Company in SE Portland
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KECIA WELT
Are you Krampus curious?
Kecia Welt loves the Krampus and exploring remote alpine Christmas markets. Over the past four years, I have explored over 30 markets in five countries. I get excited about drinking glühwein, eating kaiserschmarrn, and taking long winter hikes. Let me help you plan your next trip...
Specializing in:
South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Austria
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Czechia
Custom itineraries start at $50 per day
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation call
at https://calendly.com/thewelts/30min
Join me for my next Krampus Adventure in Italy
Booking now for December 2023 - Space is limited!
https://krampuscurious.com/trip/6yw9rqwdczxwqz2aln6fxpqxg9ussqq
DM me on Instagram (@keciawelt)
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