Portland is well known as a foodie’s paradise. You can choose from a gourmet, delectable meal at a food cart, enjoy drinks at urban hipster hot spots, or dine at an upscale Portland mainstay. Here are a few of my favorites!
Best breakfast: Mother’s Bistro-While I have not been to their new location, this is THE go to for the classic Portland breakfast downtown. It does not disappoint.
https://www.mothersbistro.com/
Best View on the West Side-The Vintage Room at the Reserve-While technically not in Portland (The Reserve is a golf course in the outer suburbs of Hillsboro), the view is gorgeous.
https://www.reservegolf.com/vintage-room-restaurant
Best Classic Steak House-The Ringside-This is the quintessential old school, white tablecloth, low lighted mainstay steak house and, in my opinion, the very best of the best.
http://www.ringsidesteakhouse.com/
Best Tacos-First Street Taqueria-Again, this pub style restaurant is not technically in Portland, but is located in the city of Beaverton. The flavors are amazing, the food is healthy and clean, and it tastes as close to the food we had in Mexico as I have found in Portland. Get the taco salad or street tacos. They do not disappoint!
Best Thai-IT’S A TIE!-E-SAN AND SIAM LOTUS
While I have yet to visit Thailand, their cuisine is arguably some of the best in the world as far as diverse flavors go. While these two are not the “famous” Thai restaurant that most people know in Portland, I have eaten at them ALL and these two are my go-to restaurants when we have guests in town.
E-San is located downtown Portland in an old two story building, so if you are near Burnside, go check it out. The spices are sometimes inconsistent so beware, but the Pad Thai and Pad Kee-Mao are some of the best we have had.
Siam Lotus-Located again in downtown Beaverton. This restaurant rivals any I’ve eaten at and I am not sure why it is not more well known in the Portland area. Consistent flavors, excellent bar drinks and a fun vibe make this restaurant worth the visit!
**Fun Fact-there are food carts RIGHT NEXT to Siam Lotus and those include an E-San food cart in case you want to try them side by side! I’ll post more on that later, because it’s worth checking out if you are headed to the West Side.
Best Sushi_ BAMBOO SUSHI
With three locations in Portland, Bamboo Sushi offers “sustainably caught, humanely raised, naturally grown” sushi and is our favorite sushi restaurant. Our favorite location is in NW Portland on 23rd avenue, and it is arguably the busiest so reservations are a must. The Pearl District/downtown location has a modern industrial feel and is less formal but just as wonderful. The newest location in Lake Oswego is located right downtown. Order the Green Machine. You will not be disappointed!