Portland Essential

Jenn Y:  WILLIAMS AVE: They serve artisan cocktails and delightful nibbles in an intimate and candle-lit atmosphere. Try the tequila-based El Guapo. We love the late-night happy hour (after 11pm Sun-Thu).

Jenn Y: Weirdly under the radar for many, this is our new favorite local restaurant. Chef-driven and inspired. This is the real deal.

Jenn Y: A foodie favorite, menu changes daily based on what's in the markets. This is the can't miss restaurant for a foodie tour of Portland.

Jenn Y: WILLIAMS AVE: Yep, spotted on the show Portlandia. This is your neighborhood coffeeshop. Grab a cup and people watch at this uber-stylish coffeeshop. Free wifi too.

Jenn Y: WILLIAMS AVE: Ridiculously popular brunch hotspot, with lots of glowing press. Dinner and happy hour are great too if you want to avoid the zoo (or go and be part of it!). Love their breakfast board.

Jenn Y: Stylish spot for tapas, by the same owners of Tasty N' Sons.

Team Coco: "Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the US. Actually, it's not so impressive when you realize there are only 4 bookstores left in the US." - Conan O'Brien

Team Coco: "The Portland Saturday Market is only open from March through Christmas. In other words, F&*$ YOU JANUARY AND FEBRUARY!" - Conan O'Brien

ºDamian White º: Atmos is amazing here! Just visited from NY and couldn't find a better place that summarizes all of Portland than Doug Fir's Lounge.

Eater: Of course, Nong's addictive signature dish, a Thai take on Hainan chicken, takes center stage, here and at Nong's two food cart locations, at SW Alder and at the PSU cart pod. [Eater 38 Member]

Jenn Y: Nong's food truck serves one thing only - chicken and rice. People make a pilgrimage out of coming here when they are in Portland.

Eater: Chef Justin Woodward deftly continues Castagna's reputation as the pioneer of the local "au natural" culinary movement: Greens and flowers are foraged by the chef himself. [Eater 38 Member]

Eater: Classically trained chef Andy Ricker is now a certified empire-builder, but it’s worth a trip here if you want to never look at Thai food the same way again. [Eater 38 Member] Mehr erfahren.

Jenn Y: Low key bar on Mississippi, great for a casual drink. We go for the burgers. Stellar outdoor patio hang.

Jenn Y: Vibrant and hip atmosphere. But more importantly, food that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Focusing on Indian street food, if you like Indian food and spices, this is a can't miss.

Jenn Y: Awesome restored school converted into a hotel/restaurant/bar/soaking pool/movie theatre. It's a trippy experience. We go for the $5 movies in the auditorium - plush vintage couches instead of seats.