PORTLAND WEEKEND TRIP
AKA- how to spend three days in Portland, Oregon. Eating, drinking and enjoying all this beautiful foodie city has to offer!
This past weekend my sister, best friend and I spent three days exploring our way around Portland, Oregon. Although I grew up about 45 minutes from Portland, I’ve truly never explored Portland. Not to mention that growing up I thought that Olive Garden was fine cuisine and was very much not acquainted with the INCREDIBLE Portland food scene.
I live in Spokane, Washington now and visit Oregon often to see my parents but I was so excited to spend a weekend in Portland JUST to see and eat!
Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Here is our full itinerary with where to eat and what we did!
DAY ONE
We flew in early to PDX. And on our way from airport to downtown we stopped at Doe Donuts and Coava coffee roasters. Doe Donuts is an entirely vegan donut shop (perfect for my sister who is vegan!) but when I tell you, you would NEVER know. Because these donuts were nothing short of pillowy, tender, sweet, creamy and all the things.
Their flavors rotate seasonally but we got the Portland Fog, Salted Vanilla Bean, The Sundae, Mississippi Mud, Chocolate Almond Bear Claw and Sour Black raspberry. We also got some wonderful vanilla lattes from Coava coffee and enjoyed the wide open industrial feel of the place.
Next up, is ramen lunch at Afuri Ramen. The miso cashew gyoza are a must try. I had the Yuzu Ratan ramen which was warming and comforting with perfect scratch-made ramen noodles.
We stayed at The Moxy Portland which was a super hip hotel, in a fabulous location in the Pearl district. Our room was cozy, clean with a slight retro yet modern vibe. The lobby is incredibly inviting with a bar, fireplaces, oversized jenga set and multiple board games, plenty of seating and couches. You also get a free drink during your stay!
Spend the afternoon walking and shopping at all of Portland’s amazing boutiques and shops. A couple of must-hits are Powell’s books, Tender Loving Empire and Lush. Then hit up happy hour at Matador for some margs!
For dinner, you must try G. Love. Trust me. It is unbelievable. A small menu but done exquisitely. We ordered the Crusty Avocado, Fingerling Potatoes (OMG), Focaccia di Formaggio, Crunchmaster Crisp Salad, Ribollita, Roasted Cauliflower, Cacio Pepe and Fried Chicken with avocado ranch. It was all absolutely amazing. And just when you think it couldn’t get better you add one of their craft cocktails that blows your mind! My sister and I had the Raya (a margarita-type drink with passionfruit, jalapeno, basil and lime) while Katy had the Eva (aquavit, cynar, grapefruit, citrus and mint).
You will be STUFFED from dinner but head to 23rd street to walk and shop until you have enough appetite to hit up Salt and Straw for the best, unique ice cream you’ll eat.
DAY TWO
Start the day with some exercise! I am an exercise fanatic and especially love a spin class. When I tell you that BurnCycle was one of the most fun spin classes I have ever been to… motivating music blasted at ear-splitting levels, a pitch dark room and just you and your bike. Space for you to spin your heart out and absolutely pour sweat. First timers class is $15 plus bring a friend for free! That means two spin for $15.
After that you will have definitely worked up an appetite for breakfast. Just a quick 10 minute walk away is Screen Door for delicious southern-inspired brunch food. Their breakfast sandwich is incredible and make sure you try the French onion and bacon tart and cream cheese cinnamon rolls. This was a 10/10 breakfast for sure.
Pearl district has some fabulous shopping including Madewell, Anthropologie, Crate and Barrel, Fjallraven, Cult and Betsy & Iya. While you’re shopping swing by The Tea bar for a layered matcha latte with strawberry puree and boba. This is one of my favorite things I consumed and it’s a good thing I don’t live close because I would get one every day.
For an afternoon snack, swing by Lil Shalom for the best hummus and fresh pita. Also the harissa fries are divine!
For dinner, we enjoyed Peruvian food from Andina. The ambiance, cocktails and food were top notch. Order the humita (a fresh corn tamal), yuca frita, coliflor a la brasa (roasted cauliflower with chimichurri) and lomo saltado (stir-fried prime sirloin with tomatoes, garlic rice and papas fritas).
If it lines up with your visit, I highly recommend seeing a show at the Keller Auditorium. They showcase a variety of Broadway shows and concerts throughout the year and when I heard Moulin Rouge was coming to Portland, I KNEW I had to see it. I love musicals. Like really, really love musicals. And I’ve seen quite a few Broadway shows. I never thought anything could top Wicked or The Lion King but my gosh, Moulin Rouge gives those shows a run for their money. I can honestly say, I think it’s my favorite show I’ve ever seen. It was SO.GOOD.
DAY THREE
I’m a brunch gal. I loooooove me some brunch. So I was so excited to try Jam on Hawthorne. And it came highly recommended for a reason, it was delicious! I had a scramble with spinach, big fat roasted garlic cloves and bacon. As well as a vegan chai blueberry pancake with coconut caramel sauce, like wut!? Amazing.
Next, head out for a luscious, green, albeit probably drizzly, walk in Forest Park. Tons of trails, dog and kid friendly, walk or run, it’s up to you!
You won’t be disappointed with a fresh and veggie-filled lunch from Luc Lac Kitchen. Vietnamese food featuring Pho, vermicelli noodle bowls, rice bowls and stir-fries. I’ve been twice and ordered the vermicelli noodles both times- it’s filled with tons of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, cabbage salad, lemongrass chicken skewers, fish sauce vinaigrette and crunchy fried spring rolls!
And as an afternoon pick-me-up we enjoyed delicious tiramisu iced lattes from Less & More Coffee that tasted like a creamy dessert. If you want unique, truly inspired coffee, this is your place.
And that was our Portland weekend trip! There is simply no way you can cover all of the incredible food and sights in Portland so I am excited for our next trip back. Let me know any/all of your best Portland recommendations!
