Exploring Portland, Oregon
A city of neighborhoods

Best thing to do: Get glamorous, shop, eat

This area, located in and around 21st and 23rd Streets in Northwest Portland, is home to many of Portland’s more upscale galleries and shops—though the pioneering spirit of this region makes for a good mix of funky, hip independently owned stores as well.

Stores you’ll find: Kitchen Kaboodle, Zelda’s Shoe Bar, Urban Outfitters, Pottery Barn, Twist, Three Monkeys, Blake, Kiehl’s, Seaplane, Lucky Jeans, Moonstruck Chocolate, Gap

Selected restaurants: Papa Haydn, Hurley’s, Paley’s Place, Wildwood, Luu Luu, Urban Fondue, Noah’s Bagels)

Hawthorne

Best thing to do: Funky shopping, drink coffee, read books

Just over the bridge in Southeast Portland, this old neighborhood full of restored Victorian homes attracts a Bohemian following of artists, poets, writers and those who love them. You’ll find some of Portland’s most interesting and offbeat shops and restaurants in this growing neighborhood. At the center is the Bagdad Theater, where you can get a beer and appetizer while you watch second-run flicks.

Stores: Powell’s Bookstore, Greg’s, Artichoke Music, Imelda’s Designer Shoes, The Perfume House

Selected restaurants: Bar Pastiche, The Sapphire Hotel, Bridgeport Ale House, Bread & Ink

Alberta

Best thing to do: See what’s up and coming, tastes of exotic lands

Alberta, in North Portland, has emerged as the hottest place to be in the last several years—home to many young artists, designers and restaurateurs who couldn’t afford high rents elsewhere. Now, its ground zero for what’s next in art, food and fashion on the Portland scene.

Stores: Gold, pedX, Retrospect, Tumbleweed

Selected restaurants: Bernie’s Southern Bistro, La Sireneta, Lagniappe, Everyday Wine, Bella Faccia Pizzeria, Vita Café

The Pearl

Best thing to do: Portland Farmer’s Market, gallery hopping, upscale eating

At the edge of downtown, the Pearl is to Portland what SOMA is to San Francisco, or SOHO is to New York. You’ll find plenty of converted lofts, European-style delis and galleries (if you’re in town on the first Thursday of the month, be sure to attend the evening gallery openings on First Thursday in the Pearl).

Stores: Powell’s Books, Sur la Table, Diesel

Selected restaurants: Blue Hour, Sungari Pearl, Hot Lips Pizza, Daily Café, Oba, Pho Van, Andina

Downtown/Waterfront

Best thing to do: Hang out in Pioneer Square, have a night out

Downtown Portland bustles by day, but nearly explodes on weekend nights with a plethora of bars and restaurants in downtown.

Selected stores: Pioneer Place shopping center; Selected restaurants and bars: Aura, Saucebox, Higgins, El Gaucho, Veritable Quandary, Heathman Hotel, Mother’s, Pazzo, Brasserie Monmartre

Sellwood

Best thing to do: Sunday brunch, get off the beaten path

Just down Highway 99 is the small hamlet of Sellwood, where you’ll find locals drinking their morning coffee and visiting with neighbors on lazy Sunday mornings in front of the Fat Albert Café. It’s worth a trip out for some of Portland’s best cuisine.

Selected restaurants, Caprial’s, Assagio, Fat Albert’s, Eleni’s