Portland | 24 Hours In Portland? These Are The Places To Visit
After spending two full days in Willamette Valley, it was time to head to downtown Portland for a little change of scenery. For those unfamiliar with Portland, it’s a vibrant area with a mix of attractions. For my book lovers, pay a visit to the largest independent bookstore in the world, Powell’s City of Books. Not only does it span an entire city block, but it has an extensive collection of new and used books. It’s an easy place to lose track of time. For my art enthusiasts, check out The Portland Art Museum, the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest. It boasts an incredible collection of Native American artifacts, contemporary art, and some incredible rotating exhibitions. In fact, I am kicking myself for not making time to see the Monet to Matisse: French Moderns exhibit. If you don’t have time to spend at the museum, Portland is known for its vibrant public art scene. The downtown area is dotted with murals and sculptures, making it fun to explore on foot.
I have not forgotten about my readers who enjoy staying active on vacation. Take a walk or bike along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which has killer views, walking and biking paths, and multiple opportunities for picnicking.
For my foodies, I’ve got you covered with all the places I absolutely fell head over heels in love with during my visit. Below, I’ve curated the perfect itinerary for eating your way through Portland in 24 hours.
Cafe Rowan
9:00 a.m.
It’s only appropriate that you fuel yourself appropriately for the day with brunch at Cafe Rowan. Located in Southeast Portland, Cafe Rowan features a menu that combines the creativity and quality of fine dining with approachability and comfort.
We arrived just a few minutes after 9:00 a.m. only to find quite a large line. If you’re in a time crunch, I’d recommend arriving a few minutes before, especially on the weekends, if you have somewhere to be.
Cafe Rowan | Rowan’s Rolls- Maine Lobster | Maine Lobster + Roasted Garlic + Truffle Aioli + Melted Butter + Spices + Toasted Brioche
Even though I had thoroughly stalked their menu the evening before, I was still trying to decide what to order. There were so many delicious options to choose from. Aside from some caffeinated beverages to kickstart the day, we ordered one of their famous lobster rolls, which melted in my mouth, and Chable’s Birria Rancheros. What’s brunch without a mimosa? Aside from their cafe selections, which feature Proud Mary Coffee & Deadstock Coffee Roasters, they have a very photogenic bloody mary and an incredible mimosa selection. I can get a mimosa with orange juice anywhere, but I decided to try the Yuzu mimosa. It was bright and refreshing, almost reminiscent of calamansi juice. My only regret was not ordering two.
Cafe Rowan | Chable’s Birria Rancheros | Beef Birria + Sunnyside Eggs + Fried Yellow Corn Tortillas + Cilantro Lime Crema + Aji Amarillo Crema + Salsa Verde + Salsa Rojo + Cotija Cheese
Cafe Rowan is one to add to your list. Brunch is served Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take it from me, you won’t be disappointed.
12:30 p.m.
Exploring can work up quite the appetite. Maybe you’ve made your way to the waterfront park or perused every aisle of Powell’s Books; by now, it’s time for lunch! And I’ve got the most incredible spot- Jojo. I’ve been on a hell of a sandwich kick lately, and when I took one look at the menu, I was sold. Jojo offers outstanding comfort food that is unmatched. They are best known for their mouthwatering fried chicken sandwiches, which have gained a cult following in Portland. The sandwiches are crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. I may be biased, but easily some of the best in the city. Beyond the chicken sandwiches, Jojo offers a range of comfort foods with a twist, including their signature jojos (thick-cut potato wedges), burgers, and vegetarian options.
Jojo | Chicken Bacon Ranch | Fried Thigh + Bacon + Lettuce + Pickles + House Ranch + Butter Roll
During this visit, we had to sample the Chicken Bacon Ranch, add extra pickles, and the BLT. Nothing says summer like a BLT, and this one was unmatched. I’ve enjoyed many BLTs throughout the years, and this is easily in the top ten.
Jojo has a casual, laid-back atmosphere that embodies Portland’s relaxed vibe. It’s a great place to grab a bite with a friend or enjoy a quick meal.
A staple in Portland’s food scene, eating at Jojo is a way to experience a piece of Portland’s vibrant culinary scene.
Jojo | The BLT | Heirloom Tomato + Duke's Mayo + Bacon + Shredded Lettuce + Bacon-Fat-Toasted Shokupan.
Battle Creek Cellars | Curated Pinot Noir Flight
1:30 p.m.
Even after two full days of wine tasting in Willamette Valley, this girl couldn’t get enough. What is it they say- Can’t stop, won’t stop? As we wandered back from lunch at Jojo, we stumbled upon Battle Creek Cellars tasting room. Curiosity got the best of me, and I had to go in and check it out. After all, what did I have to lose?
Battle Creek Cellars provides an accessible wine-tasting experience without traveling to a wine country. It’s a perfect spot for locals and visitors to explore Oregon wines in an urban setting. They offer both guided tastings or flights if you so choose. To be completely transparent, I had zero expectations going in. I thought it would be a cool thing to check out, and if I fell in love with the wines, that would be a bonus. We were greeted by the lovely Tera, who walked us through the menu and curated a lovely Pinot-focused flight for us to try. Y’all, I was blown away. The wine was fantastic, approachable, and enjoyable, and I even bought a few bottles of Pinot Blanc to be shipped back to Tennessee.
If you are local and looking to learn more, Battle Creek Cellars frequently hosts events, including wine release parties, food pairings, and winemaker meet-and-greets.
If you do nothing else, swing by the tasting room and have a glass of the Pinot Blanc. It’s bright, light, and absolutely perfect for summer.
Battle Creek Cellars | Pinot Blanc
By now, it’s mid-afternoon. Maybe you had a chance to explore the Pearl District and do a little shopping, or if you’re like me, perhaps you posted up at the bar at Battle Creek Cellars and had a few glasses of Pinot Blanc so you could thoroughly remember the tasting notes since the wine wasn’t being shipped until October.
3:30 p.m.
Regardless, it’s time for a change of scenery and an afternoon snack. Located in the heart of Northwest Portland is Négociant, your neighborhood wine shop, cheese counter, and cafe. It took me all of 60 seconds to walk in and say, “ Why don’t we have one of these in Nashville?”
They stock items from local artisans and makers alongside international specialty pantry staples and gourmet conservas. Did I pick up a small box of French salted caramels that were absolutely fabulous? Indeed, I did.
In addition to these food bits, Négociant has handpicked an incredible selection of wine. Their selection focuses on sustainable viticulture, independent producers, Indigenous varieties, unique expressions, and well-executed classics. It so happened that we spotted a few bottles that we enjoyed during a recent meal at Locust, and they were sold out across Nashville, as good wines often do. So you better believe that we each grabbed a bottle to bring back.
Negotiant
Négociant offers various food options, from snacks and sandwiches to cheese and charcuterie. After sampling a glass of the Pet-Nat, a snack was in order, so we shared our favorite types of cheese with the server, and she pulled together the dish below. Obsessed. Triple cream cheese paired with a warm baguette is like unlocking a new love language.
Negotiant | Single Cheese Plate
Your day has been filled with incredible food, wine, and sightseeing, and it doesn’t end there. If you’ve made it this far, it’s time to head back to the hotel, freshen up and make your way to dinner.
8:30 p.m.
On tonight’s agenda is dinner at an incredible Mexican restaurant, Lilia Comedor. Named after Chef Juan’s late mother, Lillia, Lilia Comdor is focused on hyper-seasonality, sourcing only the best ingredients for its creations. Chef Juan not only sets Lilia Comedor apart by creating magnificent dishes blending aspects of his heritage as a Mexican-American with his ties to the Pacific Northwest, but the team has curated an incredible wine list featuring BIPOC, Women, and LGBTQ+ Winemakers.
When dining at Lilia Comedor, guests have three different options they can choose from:
Chef’s Counter | Sit at the Chef’s Counter and let Chef Juan and his team do the rest! $98.00/ person.
A La Carte | There’s no shortage of delicious items at Lilia Comedor. The menu changes daily, so if something speaks to you, order it!
Let us Decide! | Dining with a large group? Chef Juan and his team take the guesswork out of the evening as they curate a memorable evening for your guests.
While we went into the evening intending to have Chef Juan curate our evening, we decided to go the a la carte route as there were a few items that we wanted to try.
Lilia Comedor | Cabbage a la Brasa | Chipotle Buttermilk + Pickled Cucumber + Crispy Leek
While I won’t give you a play-by-play of each dish, I will say cabbage has never tasted so delicious, and the Zebra Tomato Tlayuda really blew me away.
Lilia Comedor | Lobster Mushroom Tetella | Sweet Corn Relleno + Sungold Salsa Molcajete + Marinated Fig
Lilia Comedor | Zebra Tomato Tlayuda | Braised Pinot Beans + Crushed Avocado + Macha Roja + Cotija Enchilado
Whatever you do, don’t sleep on dessert. Both dishes highlighted the flavors of the season just perfectly. In fact, I’d pay any amount of money to have this Summer Watermelon again!
Lilia Comedor | Summer Watermelon | Chamoy Casero + Watermelon Sorbet + Pressed Melon
Lilia Comedor | Fig Leaf Arroz Con Leche | Candied Figs + Fig Leaf Veil + Caramelized Buckwheat
Portland, Oregon, has become one of the most exciting food cities in the United States. Characterized by innovation, sustainability, and a focus on local ingredients, chefs often experiment with fusion concepts and unique flavor combinations more than ever, creating unique culinary experiences for those who visit.
I’d love to hear your thoughts if you try any of these recommendations. And if you have any hidden gems, drop them in the comments below!
Until Next Time!