Another "Going to Portland" Thread: But this one's a bit different

Hi everyone,

This one's different, because I've been to Portland multiple times in the last few years, so I know my way around. That being said, it's a thriving city that constantly has something new, and I haven't been there in a year. Here's what I have so far...anything I'm missing?

I tagged my "Must stops" as favorites. And I italicized places I haven't been. I'm staying at the Westin, so I can walk to just about everything.

Any input is appreciated!

Breakfast:

Hot Suppa

Holy Donut - favorite

Standard Baking Co.

Tandem Bakery



Lunch/Dinner:

Slab - favorite

Duckfat

Pai Men Miyake

Boda

High Roller Lobster Co.

Empire Chinese

Salvage BBQ

Thirsty Pig

Expensive Dinners (all these places will have long waits):

Eventide

Central Provisions

Fore Street

Street and Co.

Scales

Dessert/Coffee shops:

Gorgeous Gelato - favorite

Speckled Ax

Bard - favorite

Bars:

Novare Res - favorite

Mash Tun - favorite

The Little Tap House - favorite

The Great Lost Bear

Breweries:

Fore River

Oxbow

Huge cluster of breweries/other stuff:

Rising Tide

Tandem Roastery

Urban Farm Fermentary

Lone Pine

Goodfire

Industrial Way:

Allagash

Foundation

Battery Steele

Austin Street

Bissell - taking the train, so I'm definitely going

 

Crap, I knew I forgot a couple. I've been to Liquid Riot, I thought their beer was just ok. The spot is nice though.

I heard Bunker is fun, their beer is ok.

They have a second location?

Oxbow is another I just think is ok, albeit very unique, and I like the tap room. I've been in the past when we were waiting for our table at Eventide.

It's blasphemy to say this, but aside from their fries, I'm not a big fan of Oxbow.

Shit, I also forgot Nosh. Way too many places in Portland...

 

If you poke through the forums I did a few trip reviews from the past that are more in depth than just a list. Also gives you a good idea of how to optimally set up the trip to fit everything in, and some other stuff (like a boat ride).

I kind of like staying at the Holiday Inn more. It's not as nice as the Westin, but it's right across from The Little Tap House, which might have the best local tap list in Portland, and they do flights. Very quiet, comfortable atmosphere inside. Great spot to have a few drinks while you're waiting for people to get ready back at the hotel.

That being said, the Westin has a very nice roof top bar that I highly recommend swinging through.

 

Ha, well I kind of just listed a bunch of stuff, so it probably caters to many different tastes.

 

Crap, I forgot Definitive Brewing too.

 

Oops, I meant I'm not a big fan of DUCKFAT.

I don't remember anything particularly good or bad when I went to Oxbow. I'd definitely check it out again, I'm just not sure it's high on my list. I do like how it's not just IPAs.

I do remember not caring for their take on an Oktoberfest (I realize it's not traditional).

I've had it before, I recall not really liking it. But to be honest it's been years. I'd check it out again. There's so many breweries I definitely have to pick and choose.

Part of it is a time thing, Industrial Way and Rising Tide's locations are an easy way to check out a bunch.

 

Yeah, Goodfire is more or less a must based on recommendations. And Lone Pine is there too.

This is actually how I first found Mash Tun two years ago. We were waiting for our table at Street and Co. and walked into there. I was shocked I'd never heard of the place.

What kind of food/place is Central Provisions? Is it "tapas style"? As in, "share lots of small expensive plates and leave with an empty wallet and an empty stomach"?

 

Well, I’m sold then. I LOVE Blackback and I’m pissed I only stopped in for a couple drinks when I was up there.

King’s Head is decent, it’s not my favorite but it’s a cool little spot.