Portland is known for two things: food and natural spaces. Massive Forest Park stretches along the city’s west side, blocks away from some of its best restaurants. Locals punctuate hikes with trips to food carts, tackling a few tacos after summiting one of the city’s many buttes. Some slide sandwiches stacked with house charcuterie into backpacks to take to a well-placed bench in one of the city’s many parks. Now, as many Portlanders feel uneasy dining indoors, restaurants have become masters in the art of picnic construction, packaging bo ssam or green papaya salad in well-sealed takeout containers for trips to river beaches or flower gardens. These to-go options are especially great for solo diners, who can forget the potential stigma of dining out and enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors with a meal for one. Below, find an array of Portland restaurants, cafes, and bars worth visiting, and where to head with their takeout for a last-of-the-season picnic.
Dining and Cooking