Portland Favorites: Where To Eat
As people who love to travel, explore, and support local businesses, it’s only natural that we’d share a series of our own mini-travel guides, highlighting some of our favorite places from across the country. From the cities where we reside to the places we’ve come to love on our travels, we’re delighted to share some of our most beloved and special spots with you.
The first time I went to Portland was 15+ years ago and it quickly became my favorite city to visit. I’ve been countless times over the years and have never once had a bad time. Whatever neighborhood you find yourself, whatever wild or mild experience you’re seeking, chances are you can find it in Portland. Perpetually weird, abundantly queer, and brimming with culture and creativity - this is a city that contains multitudes and never fails to inspire, stimulate, and delight me.
Luce, Luce, Luce. What can I say? This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. From the decor to the food, everything is elevated and refined, while also being completely approachable. Nothing is stuffy or pretentious here. The space is cozy, intimate, and thoughtful. In their own words, “LUCE IS A SMALL RESTAURANT THAT MAKES ITALIAN FOOD. IT ALSO HAS A LITTLE STORE.” Their menu is simple, but robust - offering a variety of categories perfect for mixing, matching, and sharing. While Luce has plenty of seasonal offerings, they also have some standby menu items like their fennel salad with celery and dill - a perfect salad that I order every visit. While everything on their menu is an absolute delight, their handmade pastas are a must. If you go and only eat one dish, I implore you - let it be pasta!!! For me, Luce hits that perfect sweet spot of food that is simple, yet exquisitely done. It always leaves me wanting more. If I ever finally make my move to Portland, Luce will undoubtedly be the first place I become a regular at.
Portland weather got you down? Take yer buns over to Güero and it will most certainly shift your mood. A bright and energetic space, the vibe in Güero is always good and the food is even better. While they have a variety of offerings on their menu, they’re most well known for their tortas and mescal selection. I don’t want to tell you how to live your life, but I think it’s safe to say that if you find yourself at Güero, especially for the first time, it’s essential to order a torta. As someone who has historically not been a huge fan of tortas, I will say that…the masa y papa torta changed me. It was shockingly delicious and tasting it for the first time is a food memory that has stuck with me for years. It’s not always on the menu, but if and when they have pozole - you better order it while you can. I’m not necessarily big on mezcal, but after having done a tasting in Oaxaca last spring, I’m more inclined to dabble in that world, especially if guided by a knowledgeable bartender. Next time I’m at Güero, I most certainly will try to sample their selection. One last thing: be prepared to Shazam nearly every song that plays overhead - their music selection is always on point.
Bless chef Sarah Minnick for starting this beloved pizza establishment back in 2010. Sarah has the magic touch when it comes to pizza, dreaming up unusual and utterly delicious topping combinations. At Lovely’s, you’ll find pies “blanketed in fresh greens, foraged flowers, wild mushrooms, and distinctive vegetables” that will scratch an itch you didn’t know you had. A Portland institution long before their feature on Chef’s Table, Lovely’s remains remarkable to this day. In addition to their wood-fired pizzas, they also offer unforgettable gelato in an assortment of standard and seasonal flavors like peach leaf with cherries and almonds. All this amazing food is served up in a relaxed environment that you’d find in any neighborhood joint. It’s decor is nothing fancy, but certainly pleasant and comfortable - the sort of place where the food is really able to take center stage. Add to all of that an excellent wine list and an incredibly warm and knowledgeable staff and you have a lil’ slice of heaven on earth.
What’s not to love about a restaurant that is seasonally focused, locally sourced, and employee owned? Cafe Olli is another no frills eating establishment whose focus is, first and foremost, on fresh, local ingredients. This focus is abundantly present on their simple, yet well-rounded daytime and dinner menus. Try the citrus salad and whipped ricotta toast in the morning or the chicory salad and corona beans in the evening. Adding to Cafe Olli’s appeal is their focus on staff and community well being. Not only are they cooperatively owned, but they charge a 20% health and wellness fee on all checks in order to to pay all staff a living wage, including health care, and paid time off. They are, in their own words, “committed to building a healthy, sustainable service industry for everyone that works here.” They also offer a Community Meal on their menu. This is “a daily offering of something nutritious and warming for those who are experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship.” These meals are offered with no questions asked and on a sliding scale $0-$14. Good food and good values? You love to see it.
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