Karen Brooks eats, drinks and thinks about food for Portland Monthly, as the magazine's trend-spotting food critic. Karen's reviews and think pieces ferret out the restaurants, food carts, and maverick thinkers defining Portland's food voice. In 2017, Karen won one of the food world's most prestigious titles: the James Beard Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Reviewer Award. She's penned nine books on food and drink, and in 2020 guest-starred on Hulu's food series, Eater's Guide to the World.

Dining Picks

An Opinionated Guide to Portland's Best Bakeries

An opinionated guide to the city's defining croissants and essential morning baked goods.

04/04/2022 By Karen Brooks and Katherine Chew Hamilton

Midday Meal

Let’s Do Lunch

In the new world—and especially in Portland—lunch refuses to be typecast.

03/23/2022 Edited by Katherine Chew Hamilton Photography by Thomas Teal By Karen Brooks, Fiona McCann, Michael Novak, and Conner Reed

Let's Do Lunch

Portland Lunch Locator: Pick a Quadrant and Eat!

Jianbing in Northwest, Hmong sausages in Southwest, an Indian food cart in North Portland, and more!

03/23/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Restaurant Openings

Is Phuket Cafe Portland's Next Great Thai Restaurant?

A first look at the latest project from Thai food hitmaker Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom. Phuket will share a space with his acclaimed Langbaan, opening soon with live-fire charcoal pot stoves.

03/15/2022 By Karen Brooks

Restaurant Review

Vietnamese Food Goes Rogue at Portland's Berlu

From a reimagined bánh xèo to a bold honeycomb cake with caviar and coconut cream, Vince Nguyen's tasting menu is a must-know, must-go situation.

03/03/2022 By Karen Brooks Photography by Thomas Teal

Food News

These 7 Portland Chefs and Restaurants Are James Beard Award Semifinalists

Berlu's Vince Nguyen, Gado Gado's Thomas Pisha-Duffly, and Magna's Carlo Lamagna are in the running for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.

02/23/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

First-Look Review

Acclaimed Han Oak Reopens with Hot Pot, Caviar, and Korean Chips

After nearly two years on hiatus, Portland's fun-loving Korean restaurant returns with a new concept

02/23/2022 By Karen Brooks

First look review

Wood-Fired, Greek-Inspired Bluto's Is an Instant Portland Destination

Hummus, pita, and killer lamb skewers make Bluto's, located at 2828 SE Belmont St., worth a visit.

02/15/2022 By Karen Brooks

Grocery Stores

How Providore Became a Portland Food Paradise

With a new expansion, the NE Portland store is a treasure hunt, a cookbook curator, a wine bar, and a love letter to small farmers.

02/08/2022 By Karen Brooks

Q&A

Exit Interview: Portland Bread Legend Ken Forkish

Parting thoughts on the baker and pizza maker’s legacy, comic book cookbook, and why he left Portland

01/05/2022 By Karen Brooks

Year in Review

Portland's Most Obsession-Worthy Dishes in 2021

Breakfast champions, fast-food makeovers, and game-changing tasting menus top our best dishes of the year.

12/28/2021 By Karen Brooks and Katherine Chew Hamilton

Cafes & Chocolate

Portland's 7 Belly-Warmingest Hot Chocolates

From classic milk chocolate to peppermint to snickerdoodle, here are the best hot chocolates to get you through the winter.

12/17/2021 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Dalila Brent, Fiona McCann, Gabriel Granillo, Cami Hughes, Julia Silverman, and Karen Brooks

Best Restaurants 2021

Best Restaurants 2021: The Next Eat Wave

New voices and cuisines are rising. Tables look different, literally and figuratively. Meet the charismatic newcomers, fearless cooks, and daring dishes char...

12/09/2021 Edited by Karen Brooks and Katherine Chew Hamilton