The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

Is Portland the Foodie Capital of the US?

By

I knew that Portland is into local, fresh ingredients, which are readily available.

But what they do with those ingredients is impressive.

You can find everything from authentic Mexican to classic French cuisine.  You can choose from dining at a food cart, a café, or a restaurant with a James Beard award-winning chef.

There are an abundance of vegetarian, vegan, and even gluten-free options.

And this amazing food is very affordable, which means it is accessible.

I can’t stop eating in Portland.  Good thing I am doing a lot of biking.

This post could be 2,000 words and 30 photos, but I’m going to scale it back to my top four food experiences.

Best fish tacos I’ve ever had

Food carts in Portland are awesome. It is hard to choose, especially when you are only visiting.

La Jarochita has the best fish tacos I have ever eaten.

I even went back for more on my way to the airport.

 

Check out this food cart map to help you navigate the plethora of options.

Best cheese plate

You may be wondering … is there really a best cheese plate category?

How many cheese plates did you have?

I had three.

What can I say?  I really like cheese.

The hip, casual Veritable Quandary takes home this prize.

This ginormous cheese plate was only $10!.

I had some excellent wine too.  I want to go back for a real meal.

Best surprise food

Bethany told me I must go to the Saturday Farmer’s Market and have a chicken with apple butter biscuit at Pine State Biscuits food cart (they have a restaurant location on NE Alberta too).

I arrived 10 minutes before they opened, and there was a line of at least 15 people when the market opening bell rang.

Best meal

My hotel concierge Tom recommended Paley’s Place.  I found myself in the Northwest neighborhood around dinner time and figured I had to eat at at least one restaurant boasting a James Beard award-winning chef.

I would describe Paley’s Place as intimate, refined, and casual.

The staff are incredibly attentive.

The ingredients of the food really shine.

I broke my rule about filling up on bread.  How could you not be tempted by this mini-loaf?

One of the best salads I have ever had.  Savory enough for a meal.

Mussels and clams tossed with fresh, seasonal veggies and three different types of handmade pastas.

The perfect dessert.

Sweet (vanilla ice cream) and savory (peanut butter cookie).  Just the right amount.

 

Check out more Portland food photos!

What are your favorite food carts and restaurants in Portland?

Comments

  4. We had dinner at Veritable Quandry about a month before we left for our trip. To this day, we tell everyone who mentions Portland about it. It was the greatest meal we have EVER eaten. From the appetizer to the entree to the dessert, we have never had such a perfect meal.

    Portland is amazing for food… and Voodoo donuts? Forget about it!
    Tony recently posted..The One Travel Health Concern You Should Ignore

  6. I grew up in Portland and Kent and I lived there for many years before heading north to Seattle (another great food town). Portland has long had a good food scene, but it has exploded over the last several years. We return often and I am always amazed at just how many new places there are to check out.

    Two quick things:

    – We had one of the best meals of our lives at Paley’s Place.
    – Pine State Biscuits is my achilles heel. I have literally made myself sick on more than one occasion. Plus they serve a delicious, spicy Whiskey and Ginger.
    Caanan @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Showing the Good China

    • I believe that affordability and accessibility is crucial, and although it’s been a while since I was in San Fran and NYC, I doubt they can compete on those two factors. Sure, you have a greater number of places to eat, but what percentage of those places are serving great food.

      I’m going to NYC later this year, so I’ll let you know how I rate it against Portland.
      Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Knead: Local is Delicious

  17. Great foodie pics, especially the apple butter one yum. Have only heard about Voodoo Donuts there up until now. Will have to checkout all the other deliciousness there sometime. :)

  20. I came back to re-read the post and take another online bite of that Pine State Biscuit! Oh. My. Word. My stomach’s growling for the apple butter…

    So glad you loved the food scene. I agree with you about the accessibility and affordability of great food in Portland – it really is possible to enjoy amazing meals without blowing the bank on outrageous menu prices.
    Bethany ~ twoOregonians recently posted..Arrival in Zanzibar

  23. I wish that I had clicked. I didn’t do anything adventurous with my food choices. :-(

    But I did find that I absolutely love Portland’s answer to Whole Foods: NEW SEASONS MARKET

    The produce, the cheeses, the employees, the beer selection… I loved this place.

    It had the feel of Whole Foods before they sold their soul.

Shares