Portland’s Foodie Scene: 10 Must-Try Restaurants & Food Carts
Portland, Oregon, is a foodie’s paradise, offering a diverse mix of trendy restaurants, famous food carts, and must-try local flavors. Whether you're craving international cuisine, gourmet burgers, or the best doughnuts in town, here are 10 must-visit spots to experience the best food in Portland.
1. Le Pigeon – Creative French Cuisine
A must-visit for fine dining enthusiasts, Le Pigeon is famous for its creative French-inspired dishes.
🍽️ Must-Try Dishes:
- Beef Cheek Bourguignon – A tender, slow-cooked classic.
- Foie Gras Profiteroles – A decadent dessert experience.
📍 Location: 738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Le Pigeon
🔗 Visit Le Pigeon
2. Nong’s Khao Man Gai – The Best Thai Chicken & Rice
Portland’s most famous food cart-turned-restaurant, serving incredibly flavorful Thai chicken and rice.
🥡 What to Order:
- Khao Man Gai – Their signature poached chicken with rice and garlic sauce.
📍 Location: 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Nong’s
🔗 Visit Nong’s
3. Apizza Scholls – The Best Pizza in Portland
This legendary Portland pizzeria serves up New York-style thin-crust pies that locals and visitors love.
🍕 Must-Try Pizza:
- Sausage & Mama Lil’s Peppers – A spicy, flavorful classic.
- Tartufo – A white truffle oil pizza for the adventurous eater.
📍 Location: 4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Apizza Scholls
🔗 Visit Apizza Scholls
4. Screen Door – Southern Comfort Food in the Pacific Northwest
For the best Southern food in Portland, Screen Door is the place to be.
🍗 Top Picks:
- Fried Chicken & Waffles – Their most famous dish, crispy and delicious.
- Pecan Pie – A sweet, Southern classic.
📍 Location: 2337 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Screen Door
🔗 Visit Screen Door
5. Lardo – Portland’s Favorite Sandwich Spot
What started as a food cart has become one of Portland’s best sandwich restaurants, focusing on pork-forward dishes.
🥪 Must-Try Sandwiches:
- Pork Belly Cubano – A rich, flavorful take on the Cuban sandwich.
- Dirty Fries – Smothered in cheese, pickled peppers, and herbs.
📍 Location: Multiple locations in Portland
🔗 Visit Lardo
🔗 Visit Lardo
6. Pine State Biscuits – The Best Biscuits in the Pacific Northwest
Famous for its fluffy biscuits and Southern-style comfort food.
🥞 Fan Favorites:
- The Reggie – A fried chicken, bacon, and cheese biscuit smothered in gravy.
- Maple Bacon Biscuit – Sweet and savory perfection.
📍 Location: Multiple locations in Portland
🔗 Visit Pine State Biscuits
🔗 Visit Pine State Biscuits
7. Pok Pok – Portland’s Thai Street Food Icon
Pok Pok put Portland’s Thai food scene on the map, specializing in authentic, bold flavors.
🌶️ What to Order:
- Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings – Spicy, crispy, and addicting.
- Khao Soi – A creamy coconut curry noodle soup.
📍 Location: 3226 SE Division St, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Pok Pok
🔗 Visit Pok Pok
8. Salt & Straw – Portland’s Most Famous Ice Cream
No trip to Portland is complete without Salt & Straw, known for creative ice cream flavors.
🍦 Best Flavors to Try:
- Honey Lavender – Floral and sweet, a Portland favorite.
- Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons – A perfect mix of salty and sweet.
📍 Location: Multiple locations in Portland
🔗 Visit Salt & Straw
🔗 Visit Salt & Straw
9. Voodoo Doughnut – The Most Famous Doughnuts in Portland
A Portland institution, serving wild and creative doughnuts since 2003.
🍩 Must-Try Doughnuts:
- Bacon Maple Bar – A sweet and savory masterpiece.
- Voodoo Doll Doughnut – Fun, tasty, and filled with raspberry jelly.
📍 Location: 22 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Voodoo Doughnut
🔗 Visit Voodoo Doughnut
10. Portland Mercado – A Must-Visit for Latin American Street Food
A vibrant Latin American food hall, featuring authentic flavors from across Central and South America.
🌮 Best Street Food Options:
- Los Alambres – Authentic Mexican tacos.
- Qué Bacano – Colombian-style arepas.
📍 Location: 7238 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR
🔗 Visit Portland Mercado
🔗 Visit Portland Mercado
Final Thoughts
From high-end French cuisine to casual food carts, Portland’s foodie scene is one of the best in the U.S.. Whether you’re craving pizza, doughnuts, or gourmet sandwiches, these must-visit restaurants and food carts will give you a true taste of Portland.
For more Oregon travel guides, check out our Oregon Coast Road Trip Guide and Best Waterfalls in Oregon.
