Union Station
Neighborhood: Old Town

800 NW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209

Ed U. writes: "Pardon me, boy, is this the Chattanooga Choo Choo?"
"Who the hell are you callin' 'Boy'?"

I love classic train stations, and Portland has one. So does LA. But not San Francisco. At least not until the Transbay Terminal becomes what it's supposed to be…

Brazen Bean
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2075 NW Glisan St
Portland, OR 97209

Gabe C. writes: I'm a little on the fence here...so while I'm giving it 4-stars, it's only because the service was friendly...it's a 3.5.  

Cheap martinis.  I can dig it.  I'm a lover of vodka and makers mark....and most other kinds of booze.  All the drinks I had or…

Jimmy Mak's
Neighborhood: Pearl District

300 NW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

coral c. writes: I went there tonight, mainly to fulfill an assignment for my jazz history class (live music experience), but it will be a place I come back to.  Nice big (NON SMOKING WOO HOO!) room, and the music sounded pretty darned good.  I can't say that the…

Pizza Schmizza
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

320 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Kelly M. writes: Pizza Schmizza is one of Portland's thriving local pizza chains, easy to pick out by their bright interior decorating scheme and their triangle-shaped-boxes to carry slices in.  

While Pizza Schmizza is far from being my favorite slice in town, their…

Ken's Artisan Pizza
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

304 SE 28th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209

Laura N. writes: It is so strange to be able to eat Ken's pizza everyday. It was all a part of the ritual, you see.  Standing in line on NW 21st, eagerly awaiting the once-a-week treat of Ken's Pizza, dusting off my TGIM sticker on my bike... In all honesty, Ken's…

Marinepolis Sushi Land
Neighborhood: Pearl District

135 NW 10th St
Portland, OR 97209

Elizabeth E. writes: 3.5 stars.

THE place for cheap sushi that is consistently tasty & served quickly (on a conveyor belt so you can eat/order however much and get it when you want it).  Plates are priced by color ($1, $1.50, $2 or $3).  So it is entirely possible to…

Mabel and Zora
Neighborhood: Alberta Arts District, Northeast Portland

1468 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211

Laura N. writes: Laura rhymes with Zora.

Will you adopt me?

I'm not too sure who these famed "Mabel and Zora" figures are, but I betcha they're young...betcha they're smart...because they have managed to put an affordable collection of the cutest clothes, shoes, art,…

Halo Thai
Neighborhood: Alberta Arts District, Northeast Portland

1625 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211

Lish R. writes: Just got back from my fist visit to Halo Thai and WOW. My first impression was fantastic.

My husband and I tend to enjoy REALLY spicy food. We have tried several other places claiming to cater to different spice preferences but have always been,…

REI
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1405 NW Johnson St
Portland, OR 97209

Gabe C. writes: Not sure what to think of this location.  So many things are right about it.  In the 3 times I've been here though, my experience each time has been...inconsistent.  I work with some die hard REI fans who tried to explain to me why I may have had…

Carlyle
Neighborhood: Northwest

1632 NW Thurman St
Portland, OR 97209

Andrea V. writes: Fussy. Pretentious. Teensy tiny portions. Not so teensy prices. Stuck up wait staff. OK food.

There's other places (The Farm, for one) in Portland that aren't so freakin' stuffy and that serve excellent food. And not that I'm vegetarian, but I eat…

Backspace
Neighborhood: Old Town

115 NW 5th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Michelle B. writes: There's a tree house! I'm not sure if you are allowed to climb up there and hang out for the day with your "No Boyz Allowed" sign, but I'm going to try it the next time I'm in town.

If they chase me out I'll just make do with the tasty lattes they…

Anthropologie
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1125 NW Couch St
Portland, OR 97209

stephy s. writes: Dammit, even in Portland this store sucked me in!!

I thought I had it bad with my LA obsession with this overpriced store, but even in the midst of cool local boutiques and awesome little mom and pops, the draw was just too strong to resist a stop in…

ActivSpace At Lovejoy
Neighborhood: Northwest

1720 NW Lovejoy Street
Portland, OR 97209

Angela B. writes: ActivSpace is a cool concept for artists and creatives craving an urban work space without paying top dollar for rent. In addition to interior units as small as 100 square feet and less than $200 per month, they also offer storefront boutique space…

Utrecht Art Supplies
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1122 NW Everett Street
Portland, OR 97209

Rachel W. writes: This is where my husband usually gets his art supplies.  Good quality paints for a little less.  Quiet store, not too crowded.  Friendly staff.  Overall a good shopping experience.

Whole Foods Market
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1210 NW Couch St
Portland, OR 97209

Michelle B. writes: I am renaming the Portland Whole Foods to Michelle's Portland Pantry. You don't have to call it that or anything, but it's definitely a more appropriate name for the place when I'm in town.

I go there for bananas, baked goods, and juice in the…

Pizza Schmizza
Neighborhood: Pearl District

1036 NW Glisan St
Portland, OR 97209

JW D. writes: I came here for lunch today b/c Whole Foods was packed during the lunch rush.

The slices are good, y'know, okay. Nothing to shout about but perfectly satisfying.  A little smaller than you'd get at Rocco's or Hot Lips.

The caesar salad was pretty good.…

Port of Portland the
Neighborhood: Old Town

121 NW Everett St
Portland, OR 97209

Marilynn C. writes: Wooooooo! The Port of Portland rocks!

Owen Jones and Partners
Neighborhood: Pearl District

431 NW Flanders St
Portland, OR 97209

Sav B. writes: The toxic bachelor's stomping agency until a few years back. The bachelor was the account planner/brand steward on Macromedia and Flexcar accounts. Great agency, awesome clients and kickass parties all packed into Portland's Old Town Chinatown…

Genuine Imitation
Neighborhood: St. Johns, North Portland

8926 N Lombard St
Portland, OR 97203

jaine p. writes: The Genuine Imitation Gallery has moved from Old Town to St Johns- making an excellent addition to the neighborhood.  

Vincent & Cassie (owners) have transformed a vacant storefront into a fabulous art venue.  The artwork is so cool, well displayed…

Sydney's
Neighborhood: Northwest

1800 NW 16th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

jaine p. writes: This is a great place to waste time!  Their coffee beverages are good, but a little more dessert-y than I usually prefer.  The space is GORGEOUS and I LOVe free wi-fi.  

All of the self important moms & rowdy kids are a turn off.  You wouldn't believe…

Pala
Neighborhood: Old Town

105 NW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Chad M. writes: I have come to love this place.  Best place in town to consistently hear great house, trance, and other electronic dance music.  The inside of the bar is NON SMOKING - which I like!  There is a nice covered smoking area outside as well.  Covers are…

Liner & Elsen Wine Merchants
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2222 NW Quimby St
Portland, OR 97210

Dana K. writes: I had some kick ass wine at A16 a while back and have been scouring wine shops for it.  I couldn't even find it online.  The kind gents at Liner and Elsen had it in their inventory and specially ordered it for me. Their service was friendly, quick,…

Amtrak
Neighborhood: Old Town

800 NW 6th Ave Ste 122
Portland, OR 97209

Brice B. writes: I like riding the train because it makes me feel two ways simultaneously:

-Erudite and European-ish
AND
-Old timey and pioneering

Since I'm typing this on the train,  go ahead and imagine me in a beret with a handlebar mustache.  I promise, it's a very…

Anna Bannanas
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

1214 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Douglas Y. writes: This used to be the alternative to the Coffee Time (which is just up the street) crowd, but now its got the same hipster patrons... sorry, I hate using the word "hipster," but when the Talking Heads come on and three tables are asking if it's The…

Rose's Deli & Bakery
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

838 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

mel r. writes: Cute little diner on 23rd, we had front row window seats as I saw a silver back almost nail my car and then back up into a tree. In case you were wondering, the tree won

Great service, and honestly a damn good cup of joe

Food Front Cooperative Grocery
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2375 NW Thurman Street
Portland, OR 97210

Kelly M. writes: Food Front is one of a handful of great cooperative groceries in town located at the periphery of the Northwest quadrant.  Peddling organic local produce, natural foods, etc., it appears to be par for the course in the cooperative grocery world.…

Kiehl's
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

712 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

Laura N. writes: Hot men in white lab jackets thrusting samples, compliments and advice in my direction? Sounds like a pretty normal Wednesday night at the institution - OR a trip to Kiehl's.  

We are lucky to have this long-standing New York institution in Portland,…

Twist
Neighborhood: Goose Hollow

30 NW 23rd Pl
Portland, OR 97210

Liz Z. writes: My favorite thing about Twist is the jewelry - they carry a unique selection, ranging in price from reasonable to very expensive. I have bought Vass Luducer, Chrome Hearts, Me & Ro here, to name a few. Also a lovely and artful collection of serving,…

Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy
Neighborhood: Northwest

13 NW 23rd Pl
Portland, OR 97210

Sokrates F. writes: I stopped by this store today and spent a small fortune on supplements plus a few goodies. Pharmaca offers a wide variety of high-quality supplements with the added benefit of an on-duty naturopath to answer your questions. The prices, while not…

NW Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2680 NW Thurman St
Portland, OR 97210

juliette o. writes: Shortly after my first baby was born, my adorable pooch took to eating my baby's poop filled diapers. I know, TMI! But there is a point. Apparently disposable diapers and fecal matter do not digest well in a dog. It causes lots of barfing and runny…

Allota Gelato
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

931 N.W. 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97210

All- G. writes: Yum! Friendly service, great prices, and good flavor selection. I prefer Allota Gelato to Mio Gelato because they have better prices ($2.75 for two flavors) and those yummy mini waffle cones. This place is an awesome stop for a sweet tooth on a sunny…

Alotto Gelato
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

931 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

Laura N. writes: I know ice cream like Violet Beauregarde knows gum.  And let me tell you: Alotto Gelato is a delight beyond delights for us - the self-proclaimed coinsurers of the creameries.

Only one previous review for this scoop of frozen Italian heaven?   For…

Zuppa Cones
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2122 N.W. Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97210

Rachel J. writes: I can't find it anywhere online, so I'm unsure of the spelling, (maybe it's "Zuppa") but I do know that it's tasty.  Next time you shop at the NW Trader Joe's, go around lunchtime and hit up this soup cart right next door.  Now you may be thinking,…

Mamma Ro La Bottega Di
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

940 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

Brandy S. writes: Our very dear friends used to have a weekly pasta night. They would fix the pasta and a deliciously filling sauce, while the visitors would all bring a little something: bread, salad, olives, cheese, wine.

One of the fondest memories that I have about…

Typhoon
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

2310 NW Everett St
Portland, OR 97210

Eric C. writes: While wandering around town one Sunday night I happened upon Typhoon. I recalled that it had been recommended on yelp so I dashed in, well walked in at a normal pace actually and demanded a table. Well demand is actually too strong a word and the bar…

Girlfriends
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

904 NW 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97210

Amy O. writes: Great service, cute store, and awesome clothes! I bought the best sweater here!

Bewon Korean Restaurant
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

1203 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210

brad w. writes: This review is biased- La Nina conspired to give us a perfect day- blue skies and warmth in the 70's.  I'm not going to drop a one star review when i've had a nice hike, moss dripping pathside, light doing that cool 45 degree shaft of golden radiance…

Yuki Japanese Restaurant
Neighborhood: Alphabet District, Northwest

930 N.W. 23rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97210

Adam S. writes: I love SUSHI!!!  I would probably eat it everyday if I didn't worry so much about eating that much fish.  I have been to many sushi restaurants around the world and to be honest I LOVE Yuki.

They give great suggestions on what fish is extra fresh.…