Best of Portland – 2017 Edition Part I

Summer is quickly approaching (it is, right? Please tell me yes, I can’t handle much more of this winter!), and with that comes the perfect opportunity to frolic through Portland, whether you are a local enjoying the Portland bounty or a tourist checking out all this hipster city has to offer. But how to cram it all in with incredible nearby hiking, glorious farmer’s markets, and so many good coffee shops, breweries, bakeries and restaurants?!

In order to help ease this task, last year I wrote up a two part Best of Portland Tour post (re-read Part I and Part II now!) with my favorites by neighborhood. Given the never ending change ups in the Portland restaurant scene, it seemed about right to do a 2017 version of my Best of Portland restaurants. So here we go!

While I go out to new restaurants so much it’s a regular question from my coworkers, “Erin, what’s the best new place you’ve been to?” or “Where’d you try this weekend?” my “must check out” restaurant list is still lengthy. So I know this list might not include all the top spots, I’ll keep eating on your behalf, don’t worry. But in that vain, what’s on your list that I’m missing? If you’re new to the city, what are you dying to try?

Start the Day off Right – Brunch Spots:

• Tusk: for that Mediterranean brunch where you are so happily content with the food but not feeling gross. Tons of fresh veggies, creamy hummus, and incredibly fluffy whole wheat pita. While it might not sound like much, order the insanely chocolately Ginger Hot Cocoa. {East Burnside}

• Coquine: beautiful breakfast dishes in a casual space right near Mt Tabor Park. Even if it is the AM, don’t pass on the smoked almond, salted caramel and dark chocolate cookies! {SE Belmont}
• Seastar Bakery: house-made whole grain breads, biscuits and pastries. Any of their breads topped with veggies and wood oven cooked eggs to order has my vote. {NE Killingsworth}

Get Your Caffeine Fix – Tea Spots: I don’t drink coffee, like the anti-Portland weirdo that I am, but the tea game as been upped as of late. So check these places out!

• Tea Bar: the place to be scene while drinking a housemade pumpkin spice boba tea. Despite their sparse decor, Tea Bar may just be the trendiest tea shop you’ll find in town. {NE Killingsworth, SE Division and the Pearl}
• Smith Teamakers: from the tea guy, Steven Smith, this is the place to get a tea education. They have amazing teas from all over the world, featuring single origin teas to beautiful blends and even creamy tea lattes. {NW Thurman and SE Industrial}
• Behind the Museum Cafe: wonderful traditional Japanese teas, artwork and snacks in downtown Portland. 

For That Sweet Tooth – Desserts + Bakeries:

• Coquine cookies: so good, I’ve got to suggest them twice.
• Pix: our favorite place to celebrate with gorgeous desserts and an outrageous wine list that includes all the sherry, port and ice wines to satisfy that dessert wine lover. It’s open until 2am so even better for those date night occasions. {East Burnside}
• Pip’s: mini donuts served warm and topped with things like sea salt, honey and Nutella. Heck yes. {North Fremont}
• 180: Spanish xurros made to order, tossed in sugar and cinnamon, ready to be dipped in dark chocolate or housemade marshmallow fluff. {NE Broadway}

*Catch more next week on dinners and drinks!!