Getting Weird in Portland

LeChon is conveniently located next to the Portland Saturday Market, making it a great place to stop by for brunch before or after exploring the market. However, their dinner menu seemed more my speed with tapas like grilled octopus and chorizo, shrimp ceviche, and burrata and glazed peaches. Luckily, they were able to make the shrimp ceviche for me at brunch. They also do happy hours on Monday from 3pm-close and Tues-Sun from 3pm-6pm.

Grassa

I’ve had many dreams about their handcrafted pasta. We can’t be friends if you go to Portland and don’t go to Grassa. Do you not like pasta? Are you not human? Maybe you’re just an awful human being ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (ignore if you have dietary restrictions)

Bollywood Theater

Portland has so many cute restaurants and Bollywood Theater is at the top of the list. The kitschy decor and exposed beams is Indian street fare meets hipster heaven. But it’s not just a pretty place to be, they serve up Indian street food that toy with some serious textures and flavors. The Kati roll and chicken curry were my personal favorites.

Tasty & Sons

This piece of advice goes for both Tasty & Sons and its sibling restaurant, Tasty & Alder: if at all possible, go on a weekday for brunch/lunch. You’ll save yourself another two hours which you can spend perusing Powell’s Books or walking along the river. The excellent customer service here will make you feel right at home, and their breakfast board is perfect for someone as indecisive as myself.

Waffle Window

Waffle Window’s a great place for brunch or dessert. They’ve mastered the pairing of sweet and savory with waffles such as the brie, basil, and bacon.

Tasty & Alder

They call it a RADicchio salad for a reason… Just kidding. But only because that was an awful pun. The radicchio salad was one of the best salads I’ve ever eaten (S/O to the bacon).

Pine State Biscuits

Be careful here. I came here for brunch and couldn’t manage to eat again until 9pm. The Reggie Deluxe may look like a little thing but it’s worthy of a heart attack.

Bun Bo Hue Restaurant

If you’re headed to Portland during the colder months you’ll find yourself craving something warm and spicy. Bun bo hue is the answer.

Pok Pok

Pok Pok is one of those restaurants everyone recommends when you say Portland. They’re known for their northern Thai cuisine and famous for their fish sauce chicken wings. I’d come here again for their spicy papaya salad but the chicken wings were way too salty. Try it for yourself – hopefully your experience is better than mine!

Also, don’t forget to grab dessert at Salt & Straw and check out the many food carts Portland has to offer!