Flavour Spot
2310 N Lombard St.
503.289.9866
Driving down Lombard, Flavour Spot looks like just another food cart. But to the locals of north Portland, Flavour Spot is unlike the rest. The service is great and the prices are definitely affordable, especially for the amount of food you receive. With such a diverse menu, it’s most certainly a place that will keep customers coming back to try something new. Flavour Spot also provides some excellent coffee, which goes perfectly with the delicious Dutch Tacos.
Posies Café
8208 N Denver Ave.
503.289.1319
Posies creates a fun, soothing and earthy atmosphere, great for grabbing a cup of joe with a friend and catching up. Coming here for breakfast is a must. The pastries and sandwiches are divine, and the coffee, tea and chai are just as good. A perk to Posies is that they offer gluten-free pastries; downsides are that the café is small, with limited seating room, and that the menu is a little on the expensive side for students.
Pambiche
2811 NE Glisan St.
503.233.0511
Bright yellow, salmon, indigo and sea green makes the building of Pambiche kind of hard to miss when driving down Northeast Glisan Street. Once inside, it feels like you’ve stepped off the streets of Portland and into a café in Cuba. the colors, art, vibe and, of course, the smell of the Cuban food makes Pambiche an all-around treat for the senses. The food is absolutely delicious, and priced well for the quality and quantity you receive.
Cameo Café
8111 NE Sandy Blvd.
503.284.0401
Don’t worry about not getting enough to eat here—just order the half-acre hotcake, which by itself is larger than a dinner plate, and if that’s not enough then go for the full acre. You’ll be stuffed. After spending about five minutes in Cameo Café, a newcomer gets the vibe that this is a place where the locals go, and that there are definitely regulars the staff knows and loves. But fear not—newcomers are welcomed with a big smile and a personal greeting from the owner.
Anna Bannanas
8716 N Lombard St.
503.286.2030
Located in the quaint suburb of St. John’s, Anna Bannanas is much more than a café. It has a bar, couches, tables and outdoor seating. Because of its diversity, Anna Bannanas is a great place not only to get a double-shot of espresso to aid your early-morning studying, but also for getting a smoothie and a pastry while catching up with friends.
Cadillac Café
801 NE Broadway St.
503.287.4750
One word: delicious. The cuisine is absolutely divine. The service is great and the experience is one that will leave a very good, long-lasting memory. The price point is not too expensive, and it is definitely worth it. One unique aspect of the restaurant is they have two different rooms: The main diner area is pink and has a warm, friendly vibe, while the green room has tropical plants and a very relaxing atmosphere.
Nite Hawk Café & Lounge
6423 N Interstate Ave.
503.285.7177
It is hard to miss the Nite Hawk Café while driving down Interstate Avenue, due to the giant black bird the cafe has as signage. It is a classic 1950s-style diner, with a fun and unique vibe. If you’re looking for a small, friendly diner that serves traditional American food, then the Nite Hawk Café is the perfect place to go. Moderately expensive, the amount of food you receive will leave you completely satisfied. Think traditional diner grub without the traditional diner grease.