The grind of finals season is almost over, and the freedom of spring break is beckoning. While some may be headed home or off to an exotic destination, many of us are looking for a fun way to pass the break here in Oregon.
Growing up in Portland, I’ve come to appreciate its food as my favorite thing about the city, and I can’t recommend Portland enough as a vacation destination for foodies.
But for those unfamiliar with the city, choosing from the wide variety of restaurants might induce decision fatigue. So here are some of my favorite food spots in Portland from a high, medium and low price. All of these locations are exceptional regardless of price, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Low price point: Mole Mole
Starting with the low price category, one of my favorite food carts in Portland is Alberta Street’s Mole Mole. The tiny cart somehow fits a team of around six people, and serves delicious Mexican food, the showstopper being their rich, sweet and spicy mole. The tacos are cheap and packed full, and it’s definitely worth getting their horchata to top it all off.
Low price point: Nong’s Khao Man Gai
For those looking for comfort Thai food, Nong’s Khao Man Gai is the place to go. They started as a food cart, and later expanded into a brick and mortar restaurant due to their success. I recommend trying the dish that boosted their popularity, the Khao Man Gai — a Thai style chicken and rice bowl flavored with Nong’s sauce and accompanied by a warm simple soup.
Low price point: Du’s grill
Finally, Du’s grill is a well known Portland staple. All they serve is variations of meat and rice teriyaki plates with a salad, and that’s all they need to serve because it’s just that good.
Low price point honorable mentions: Taste Tickler and Basilisk.
Mid price point: Screen Door
Kicking off the mid price range category is Screen Door. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes are just some of the delicious items from this Southern food hotspot. Screen Door is known for their breakfast chicken and waffles, but don’t let that deter you from trying their dinner menu as well.
Mid price point: Gado Gado
Next is Gado Gado, an Indonesian restaurant that never fails to impress with their unique flavors and innovative cocktails. You might not recognize half the ingredients on the menu, but that’s what’s fun about it. The dishes are small, so order a lot, and embrace the diverse palette.
Mid price point: Casa Zoraya
A favorite hidden gem of mine is Casa Zoraya on Lombard street. This Peruvian restaurant’s crispy empanadas are a common favorite, but their ceviche is their best dish in my opinion. Fried calamari, sweet potato and their fish of the day are paired with bright citrus that tenderizes the fish and brings out the flavor.
Mid price point honorable mentions: Bollywood Theater and Güero.
High price point: Janken
Finally, starting off the high price category is Janken. Located downtown, Janken specializes in modern Korean and Japanese cuisine. This is the place to go if you want to feel bougie, but be prepared to spend accordingly. Tender wagyu beef cooked tableside and Korean fried chicken are some of the highlights, and their coconut milk shaved ice is a perfect dessert. Janken is also worth a visit if just for their interior decoration. Everything is wooden and white and softly lit, and a beautiful false white cherry blossom tree stands out as the centerpiece.
High price point: Ava Genes
Next is Ava Genes, an Italian restaurant with an extensive wine list and my favorite pasta in Portland. Ava Genes’ black squid ink linguini is to die for. House made noodles with fried shallots, clams and mussels make for one heavenly pasta. Everything is homemade, and their ingredients are top notch. Their attention to detail carries over into the tastefully decorated interior with low lighting and an intimate atmosphere.
High price point: LangBaan
Finally, for what I believe is the best restaurant in Portland, we have LangBaan. The small, 24 seat restaurant is a reservation only, five course tasting menu experience with some of the best food I’ve ever had. Each course is inspired by classic Thai homemade meals, and elevated by fine local ingredients and their incredibly talented team. Their creativity with new flavor combinations never impedes the quality of the food, and it’s no wonder why they’re regarded as one of the best restaurants in the state. They’re usually booked out months in advance, so anyone interested should make a reservation ASAP. I promise it’s worth the wait.
High price point honorable mentions: Urdaneta and Cabezon.
