What’s good in your hood?

Northeast

Breakfast: Screen Door
2337 E Burnside St.

In the wee hours of weekend mornings, barely-awake Portlanders are willing to wait for Screen Door. Try the garden grits—a humongous bowl of creamy, cheesy goodness with added smokiness from grilled tomatoes and spinach.

Lunch: Pho Oregon
2518 NE 82nd Ave.

Nothing warms a belly, cures a hangover or mellows a cold like addictive pho. Pho Oregon on Northeast 82nd Avenue does it right with tender cuts of meat floating in rich broth, topped off with bean sprouts, basil, jalapeños, a wedge of lime and enough Sriracha to clear your sinuses. 

Dinner: Bamboo Sushi
310 SE 28th Ave.

Though just barely in Southeast, Bamboo is a snazzy little spot, and yes, its menu has the expected tasty sushi and clever cocktails. But the real star at Bamboo is the beef. The grilled Kobe flank with pickled mushrooms is so tender, you’d think it was dropped from heaven.

Southeast

Breakfast: Little T American Baker
2600 SE Division St.

Little T is a cute bakery known for its lighter-than-air baguettes and carefully concocted pastries. In the mood for more? Try spelt bread with house-cured lox.

Lunch: New Seasons Market
1954 SE Division St.

Although not a restaurant, New Seasons is a food lover’s dream. The love child between friendly Trader Joe’s and high-end Whole Foods, this is THE grocery store. Try the deli’s weekly Farm Plate Special, made with local and seasonal ingredients.

Dinner: ¿Por Qué No?
4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Here, you’ll find Mexican food in a busy, colorful atmosphere for not much dinero. Tamales are melty and creamy, and tacos come with every filling you can imagine. If you’re craving seafood, go for the ceviche, served with spicy cucumber slices for dipping.

Northwest

Breakfast: Kettleman’s Bagels
2314 NW Lovejoy St.

The essential Portland bagel, done the real way by boiling. Try one of the house bagel sandwiches, like the Ross Island Veggie with sundried tomato pesto.

Lunch: Bridgeport Brewery
1318 NW Marshall St.

A classic pub with a nice Portland twist of vegetarian options as well. Go for its crisp pizzas or pub specials for creative twists on what’s in season. And of course, the beer doesn’t hurt either.

Dinner: Ping
102 NW 4th Ave.

In Chinatown, you can find the ultimate Asian street food—inside a restaurant. Owned by well-known chef Andy Ricker, nearly every skewer is affordable and flavorful. Try salpao, a steamed bun with sweet pork and shallots in its treasure-like center.

Southwest:

Breakfast: Stumptown Roasters
128 SW 3rd Ave.

You’re in Portland—Stumptown is likely your rocket fuel. To accompany your favorite espresso, try the cheddar bacon biscuit with chunks of sweet corn.

Lunch: Portland Soup Company
SW 4th and Hall

In the Fourth Avenue food cart pod, one cart looks more like a tiny house than a cart. Walk up its beautifully furnished steps and order yourself the tomato bisque. Crisp olive oil-soaked croutons float in the creamy soup, and you get a hunk of fresh bread alongside it.

Dinner: Clyde Common
1014 SW Stark St.

This place is hip—minus the attitude. Superstar bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler slings a life-changing Negroni, and the happy hour meals are just as memorable. Try the daily flatbread or a juicy grilled burger.

North Portland

Breakfast: Tasty n Sons
3808 N Williams Suite C

This place offers family-style brunch, and it’s a good thing because nearly every item on the menu is delicious. The bambino biscuit sandwich with honey butter is a good start, but really, it’s hard to get a bad meal here.

Lunch: Wayne’s Chicago Red Hots
3901 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Just off the North path is a little corner place on MLK Jr. Boulevard, decked out with Chicago memorabilia, that offers up the best Chicago-style hot dog in town. Drug through the garden, the Vienna beef hot dog is as visually colorful as it is delicious.

Dinner: EaT—An Oyster Bar
3808 N Williams Ave. Suite 122

Spacious and fun, EaT offers an array of raw oysters for $1 at happy hour.