Portland, Oregon is a city that’s famous for its food culture. From unique doughnuts to craft beer to fresh seafood, there are plenty of must-try foods in Portland. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the city, exploring Portland’s food scene is an essential part of the experience. In this article, we’ll be highlighting six of Portland’s most iconic foods, including Voodoo Doughnuts, Portland-style pizza, craft beer, food carts, seafood, and coffee.
1. Voodoo Doughnuts
This iconic doughnut shop is a beloved doughnut shop that was founded in Portland in 2003. The shop is known for its unique and creative doughnut flavors, as well as its iconic pink boxes. Some of the most popular flavors include the Bacon Maple Bar, the Portland Cream, and the Voodoo Doll, which is shaped like a voodoo doll and comes with a pretzel stake. Voodoo Doughnuts has two locations in Portland, one in downtown and one in Northeast Portland, and both are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FUN FACT: Portland is home to the world’s smallest park. Mill Ends Park, located in downtown Portland, is just 2 feet in diameter and was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1971 as the smallest park in the world.
2. Portland-style pizza
Portland-Style Pizza is a unique style of pizza that originated in the Pacific Northwest. It’s known for its thick, chewy crust and generous toppings, which often include locally sourced ingredients. The most famous Portland-style pizza is from a restaurant called Apizza Scholls, which has been featured on numerous food shows and has a reputation for serving some of the best pizza in the city. Other popular pizza spots in Portland include Pizzaria Otto, Ken’s Artisan Pizza, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, and Pizza Jerk.
3. Craft beer
Portland is often called “Beervana” because of its thriving craft beer scene. There are over 100 breweries in the city, making it one of the top beer destinations in the world. Some of the most popular breweries include Deschutes Brewery, Widmer Brothers Brewing, and Rogue Ales & Spirits. Many breweries offer tours and tastings, and there are also several beer festivals throughout the year, including the Oregon Brewers Festival and the Portland International Beerfest. With so many options, it’s easy to find a beer that suits your taste preferences in Portland.
FUN FACT: Portland is a very eco-friendly city. It has the highest percentage of bike commuters in the country and was the first city in the US to introduce a bike-sharing program. In addition, Portland has more LEED-certified buildings per capita than any other city in the country.
4. Food carts
Portland is known for its thriving food cart scene, with over 500 food carts located throughout the city. These food carts offer a wide variety of cuisines, from Mexican to Thai to Middle Eastern, and everything in between. Some of the most popular food cart pods in Portland include Cartopia, located in Southeast Portland, and the Alder Street Food Cart Pod, located in downtown Portland. The food cart scene in Portland is a great way to try a variety of different foods in a casual and affordable setting.
5. Seafood
Portland is located near the Pacific Ocean, which means it has access to some of the freshest seafood in the country. Some of the most popular seafood dishes in Portland include Dungeness crab, salmon, oysters, and clams. Many restaurants in Portland source their seafood from local fishermen and women, ensuring that the seafood is fresh and sustainable. Some popular seafood restaurants in Portland include Jake’s Famous Crawfish, Southpark Seafood, and Dan & Louis Oyster Bar.
FUN FACT: Portland is a popular filming location for TV shows and movies. Some of the most popular TV shows filmed in Portland include “Portlandia,” “Grimm,” and “Shrill,” while movies such as “Wild,” “Twilight,” and “The Goonies” were also filmed in and around Portland. In fact, the Oregon Film Museum, located in Astoria (about 90 miles from Portland), is dedicated to celebrating the many films that have been made in Oregon.
6. Coffee
Portland is known for its coffee culture, with numerous independent coffee shops and roasters located throughout the city. Many of these coffee shops roast their own beans and offer a variety of brewing methods, including pour-over, French press, and cold brew. Some popular coffee shops in Portland include Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Coava Coffee Roasters, and Heart Coffee Roasters. Whether you’re looking for a classic cup of coffee or a more specialized drink, such as a latte or cappuccino, you’ll find plenty of options in Portland.
Portland’s food scene is a vibrant and exciting part of the city’s culture. Whether you’re looking for sweet treats like doughnuts, hearty meals like pizza, or fresh seafood and coffee, Portland has something to offer everyone. By trying out these six must-try foods, you’ll get a taste of what makes Portland’s food scene so special. So why not plan a trip to Portland and experience the city’s delicious food for yourself?
