Whether you’re looking for a North Portland restaurant that can accommodate a large birthday party, a quiet date spot for two, or a hip new bar with fine craft cocktails, North Portland has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars that are sure to satisfy your craving(s). North Portland is home to eateries that have been local favorites for generations and new arrivals. Let us explore some of the oldest and newest North Portland restaurants where you can catch a bite or grab a drink!
Miss American Pie
Taking a drive through North Portland is like taking a drive through a different era, and you definitely will feel that when you pull up to Pattie’s Home Plate Cafe, formerly a Rexall drugstore and soda fountain. This gem is right in the heart of St John’s. The menu consists of all the things you’d expect from a good American eatery, including pancakes, bacon, mounds of hash browns, homestyle meatloaf, and greasy omelettes piled with even more hash browns. Pattie’s sticks to the basics and remains a classic among locals. There’s also a free jukebox with music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Pattie’s cheap eats paired with its charming nostalgia ensures it will remain a classic for a very long time.
Birds of a Feather
Back in 1931 there was a unique place where you could bring in your car for an oil and lube and grab some great food, a cup of coffee and if you had room, a slice of apple pie— that place was the Nite Hawk. Over the next 50 years, the Nite Hawk was also a bottle bar, a barbeque restaurant, and a dance hall. The current owners bought and remodeled the Nite Hawk in 1980 and decided to create a North Portland restaurant with amazing food and drinks. Today, the Nite Hawk Cafe does a classic take on breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a bar serving classic cocktails, microbrews, and wine that is open until 2:30 a.m.
Bring Home the Bacon! (Jam)
Named after the Swift Meat Packing and Union Meat Company, Swift and Union is one of the newest North Portland restaurants that has quickly won over tourists and locals alike with its fabulous brunch offerings and delicious happy hour specials. In the Kenton neighborhood, Swift and Union offers a seasonal fare prepared under the direction of Chef Aaron Hepp- Buchanan. The bar is made from salvaged lumber and the overall interior is designed by a local Kentonite with decor described as part English tavern, part French bistro, with modern industrial touches. Swift and Union is also popular for its bacon jam, which they offer in convenient to-go jars.
Ahoy!
For over twenty years the Island Cafe has remained nestled among the floating homes and boats found in the North Portland Harbor, making it the perfect North Portland restaurant when you’re trying to escape the city and are ready to pretend you’ve arrived in paradise.The Island Cafe offers a variety of sandwiches and burgers as well as the expected deep-fried seafood. The Island Cafe is found in the McCuddy’s Marina on Hayden Island. McCuddy’s is a member of the Oregon Clean Marina Program, a group of facilities that meet rigorous pollution prevention standards and have voluntarily adopted measures to control pollution associated with marina operations. The Island is great for boaters and families or anyone looking to try and catch a buzz before hitting the water.
Local Hero
The Baowry feels like what Portland was 10 years ago. The Baowry is famous for its playful Asian fusion. Delicious steamed buns, spicy noodles ,and meaty entrees, along with its beautiful patio. have created the regular clientele you see packed up against the tiny bar at the Baowry. Sitting on the corner of North Charleston and Ivanhoe, this North Portland favorite was not always the popular place on the block. The house was once a dilapidated property with broken windows. With hard work, love and dedication, the owners of the Baowry completely remodeled the entire property and turned what was once a food cart into a North Portland restaurant and bar. The Baowry also played a very important role in the revitalization of St. Johns. Regardless, this past year there were rumors of a demolition of the Baowry to make way for multi-family living spaces.
There are many North Portland restaurants and bars just waiting for you to visit. From an award-winning restaurant to a greasy spoon diner, there really is something for everyone. All that’s left to do is figure out what you’re in the mood for.