Food History

The 25 Restaurants That Made Portland

Portland was not a food city in the year 2000. Over the past quarter century, these restaurants changed that.

11/14/2025 Edited by Matthew Trueherz By Portland Monthly Staff Illustrations by Max-O-Matic

Best of PDX

Your Quintessential Portland Bucket List: 50 Things to Do in Town

These are our city's can't-miss activities, whether you’ve lived here all your life or are just passing through.

10/27/2025 By Portland Monthly Staff

Dining Picks

Portland’s Best Pizza

Where to visit for thick-cut squares, char-kissed Neapolitan pies, and inventive fusion pizzas.

09/22/2025 By Alex Frane and Portland Monthly Staff

Dining Picks

The Best Burgers in Portland

Smashburgers, tavern burgers, sliders, and veggie and vegan burgers at our favorite carts and restaurants in the city.

08/13/2025 By Alex Frane, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, and Matthew Trueherz

Jump In

Columbia River Swim Spots and Beaches Within 90 Minutes of Portland

Postcard perfect? Not always. But the mighty Columbia is big enough for everyone.

08/05/2025 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Margaret Seiler, and Julia Silverman

Dining Picks

A Guide to Portland’s Top Thai Food Restaurants

The city is loaded with exceptional Thai food. Here are our favorite restaurants and carts.

07/18/2025 By Alex Frane and Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Sweet Treats

Portland’s Best Ice Cream

Whether you’re a fan of pistachio gelato, soft serve sundaes, mango kulfi, or vegan cookie dough, these are our go-to scoop (and pop) shops.

06/11/2025 By Alex Frane and Portland Monthly Staff

Dining Picks

Budget-Friendly Portland Dishes Under $15

Inflation got you down? These are our go-to filling meals that won’t break the bank.

05/29/2025 By Katherine Chew Hamilton, Alex Frane, and Matthew Trueherz

dining picks

Portland’s Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Sticky hands, temper tantrums, and picky eaters welcomed.

03/12/2025 By Alex Frane

Dining Guide

Portland’s Most Romantic, Date-Worthy Restaurants

Planning a date with that special someone? Peep this list first.

02/10/2025 By Karen Brooks, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Alex Frane, and Matthew Trueherz

Best Restaurants

A Crispy, Crackly Guide to Portland’s Best Fried Chicken

Our favorite spots for gochujang-covered thighs, Nashville chicken sandwiches, and classic Southern-style chicken and waffles.

01/24/2025 By Alex Frane

Dining Picks

Portland’s Best Chinese Food

Where to chow down on soup dumplings, hand-pulled noodles, roast duck, and more.

12/05/2024 By Katherine Chew Hamilton and Portland Monthly Staff

Best Restaurants

The 50 Best Restaurants in Portland Right Now

The legends, new voices, and wild ideas that make Portland a major dining destination.

06/04/2024 Edited by Karen Brooks

Our TED Talk

The Most Anticipated Talks and Performances of TEDxPortland 2024

A Jordan executive, Y La Bamba, and two James Beard Award winners are billed for the annual event.

04/03/2024 By Matthew Trueherz

Sweet Tooth

An Opinionated Guide to Portland's Best Bakeries

The city’s defining croissants, breads, and essential baked goods, exhaustively researched.

03/13/2024 By Karen Brooks and Matthew Trueherz

Pro Tip

These Four James Beard Semifinalists May Soon Be Impossible to Book

Beat the crowds and check out these four award hopefuls in Oregon while you can still get in.

02/28/2024 By Matthew Trueherz

Coffee

The Definitive Guide to Portland’s Best Indie Coffee Shops

The revolutionary roasters and old-school cafes shaping Portland’s dynamic new coffee culture.

04/05/2023 By Jordan Michelman, Matthew Trueherz, Karen Brooks, Katherine Chew Hamilton, and Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Best Restaurants 2022

Where Does PoMo Food Critic Karen Brooks Eat Off-Duty?

From scratch-made breakfast to late-night cocktails and bar eats

12/02/2022 By Karen Brooks

Review

Portland Soup Dumpling Showdown: Who Makes the City's Best?

Two chain restaurants, three mom-and-pop shops. Who’s the xiao long bao champ?

09/12/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Bakeries

10 Asian American and Pacific Islander-Owned Bakeries You Should Try Right Now

Where to get sweet and savory treats, from ensaymadas to mochi doughnuts to barbecue pork buns.

05/17/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton