Anyone who knows Portland knows that the city is basically designed for foodies (except maybe the west side), with culinary delights to tempt any palette, and specialized diets are well represented. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you’re into fermented or raw foods, or you suffer from gluten, dairy, or other allergies, you can find restaurants in Portland that cater to your wants and needs. Pretty much every restaurant is also a bar (even breakfast places) and the mixology revolution has been fully embraced. In short, it’s hard to find Portland neighborhoods that aren’t a match for foodies. That said, you might prefer Portland modern homes that are close to some of the most beloved and accommodating food areas. Here are a few to consider.
Hawthorne
Truly, Hawthorne is the place to be in PDX. Not only does this hip area out-hip pretty much everywhere else in Portland (no easy feat), but the food you can find is unbelievable. Start with Teote, a Latin fusion restaurant that styles itself as a “street food experience”. Despite the moniker, however, diners won’t have to contend with the grease and gristle street food often entails. In fact, the menu is gluten-free (excepting perhaps the authentic masa, which is sourced from Columbia). Even the beer used in recipes is gluten-free! Mole dishes get rave reviews, as does the dulce de leche. If you’re looking for something a little more traditionally American, your next stop should be Lardo, a diner style restaurant best known for their pulled pork (plus pork ears, pork meatballs, pork in the fries – all the pork).
Mississippi
While there’s so much good food to love in the Mississippi neighborhood, residents flock from their Portland lofts to the original Por Que No? (translation: Why Not?) , the acclaimed taqueria that Oregonian readers rated as having the “best taco” in the Portland metropolitan area for 2014. There’s often a line around the block, especially at the smaller Hawthorne location, but the lime margaritas and the seafood tacos (calamari, camarones, pescado) are well worth the wait. As per Portland’s high standards, this restaurant is also known for seasonal menu items, locally-sourced food, and line-caught fish.
Division
Located near Hawthorne, Division is another foodie paradise with a lot of options within walking distance of nearby Portland condos and houses. For a sit-down meal, Bollywood Theater offers excellent Indian food (with a second location in Alberta), with the street food menu earning rave reviews from local patrons. However, you’d be remiss if you didn’t head over to Division and 28th to check out the food cart pod, collectively known as Tidbit Food Farm and Garden. Particularly tasty are the treats from Hapa PDX, a Japanese ramen cart. The classic Shoyu ramen will warm you up on a rainy day.