Megan & Gautam

What Would Megan & Gautam Do

(with a weekend in Portland, OR)

Welcome to Portland, OR!

This city is full of beautiful greenery, great coffee, and a whole lot of restaurants. If you're being conservative with PTO like we've had to be for the last year - you've got very little time to enjoy what the area has to offer!

Here's a list of what we would do if we were in your shoes:

Friday Evening

Getting in on Friday evening? Haven't had dinner yet - and you're staying in Northwest Portland?

You could get a taste of the Oregon craft beer scene at pub staples like 10 Barrel, Deschutes, Breakside up in Slabtown, or even Great Notion in the industrial part of Northwest. All of these have great bar food as well.

This neighborhood also has great pizza:

  • Detroit Style? Ruse Crust Collective
  • More Detroit Style? Ranch Pizza
  • The pizza spot we went to all the time because it's delicious and was on the bottom floor of our apartment building? Scottie's Pizza Parlor
  • Lastly - feeling a little fancier but still want pizza? Oven and Shaker

Convenient favorites:

  • Justa Pasta - I know it sounds like Pasta is their specialty, but it's really their Cheesecake.
  • Grassa - You might wait for your food a while, but also great fast-casual Italian food
  • Swagat or Siri Indian Cuisine - Pretty Good Indian Food
  • Bhuna - "Indian Soul Food" and it's actually really good
  • Jojo - fried chicken, sandwiches, and jojos (potato wedges)

Places that may require a reservation:

G-Love, Mediterranean Exploration Company, Lechon

Saturday - Full Day Adventures

With a full day on Saturday, you can hit the West-side must-do(s):

  • If you're up early, grab a pastry from Ken's Bakery and a coffee from Sterling Coffee.
  • The PSU Farmers Market opens at 8:30 AM, and if you get there early, the line for the Breakfast Burritos at Enchanted Sun will be short!
  • The Portland Japanese Garden is a serene part of any good Portland trip. Enjoy being surrounded by the lush green of the PNW, and be sure to walk through the International Rose Garden across the street once you're done! Many of the roses should be in their peak bloom at this time of year.
  • To refuel after all that walking, a lunch in Northwest (and perhaps a coffee - you've got a full day ahead!) would be wise.
    • Our favorite lunch spots include Fish & Rice, Takibi (attached to a Snow Peak), Top Burmese, and Bar West.
    • Our favorite coffee spots include Sterling Coffee, Prince Coffee, Electrica, and Good Coffee (it's actually pretty good)

More Portland Favorites

If you've got more time on your hands, here's the beginning of a never-ending list of food spots we love:

Hat Yai, PaaDee, Lovely's 50/50, Güero, Nostrana, Lauretta Jean's

Activities we love:

Movement Portland for rock climbing, Knot Springs for a spa experience, hike through Forest Park to Pittock Mansion, Comedy in the Park, or hop on a bike and explore the city.

None of these sound good? Please ask us for recommendations!