Looking for the best Northwest Portland things to do? What better way to kick off my very first Portland Neighborhood Guide than sharing a guide to my own backyard, the tree-lined streets of NW Portland.
I’ve lived in NW Portland for six years but have been exploring/enjoying the neighborhood longer than that. I’d like to share a quick roundup of the best shops, restaurants and things to do in Northwest Portland, I hope you enjoy!
The short version
NW Portland is the Alphabet District, leafy, walkable streets centered on shop-lined NW 23rd Avenue, a short stroll from Washington Park. Best done on foot over a slow morning-to-evening loop.
- Start with breakfast at Ken’s Artisan Bakery, then stroll NW 23rd for the shops.
- Eat and drink your way throughBreakside for beer, Pine State for brunch, Salt & Straw for ice cream, Bar Diane for wine.
- Don’t miss Washington Park and, every September, the Vaux’s Swifts at Chapman Elementary.
Things to Do in Northwest Portland
(Click here for the table of contents)
Visiting NW Portland
- Things to Do in Northwest Portland
- Start Your Day at Ken’s Bakery
- Stroll Down NW 23rd Avenue
- Enjoy a Pint at Breakside Brewing
- Grab a Treat at Creo Chocolate
- See the Famous Portland Swifts (September)
- Relax at Dragonfly Coffee House
- Brunch at Pine State Biscuits
- Split a Bottle of Rosé at Bar Diane
- Order a Seasonal Scoop at Salt & Straw
- Explore Washington Park
- NW Portland Restaurants
- Map of Northwest Portland
- Visiting NW Portland Neighborhood Activities (Post Summary)
Start Your Day at Ken’s Bakery
Don’t fight me on this one. Order a cup of coffee and the Oregon croissant from Ken’s Bakery (or goat cheese and leek croissant if you’re in the mood for something savory). Everything on the menu is bound to impress, not surprising considering the bakery’s founder, Ken Forkish, is a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award.
Forkish is the author of the most popular bread baking book in the countryconsidered the holy grail of bread making. This well-decorated bakery has earned praise from Travel + Leisure, USA Today, the LA Times and Food & Wine.
If you love baked goods, you might enjoy reading: 10 Mouthwatering Bakeries in Portland (Easily) Worth the Calories
Stroll Down NW 23rd Avenue
After breakfast, I suggest strolling down NW 23rd Avenue, a popular tree-lined street full of cute local shops, restaurants and cafes. If you’d like to do some shopping while visiting NW Portland, here’s a roundup of my favorite stores in the area.
Manor Fine Wares and Curious Goods (907 NW 23rd Ave.) | You know you’ve made it big when you can afford a duvet from this place. I enjoy running my fingers through the sturdy linen sheets and delicate lace table clothes while awkwardly avoiding eye contact with the salesperson. It’s the little things in life.
The Meadow: Salt, Chocolate, Bitters (805 NW 23rd Ave.) | Tall shelves full of chocolates from all over the world mingling alongside massive salt blocks used for cooking. You can learn something new about salt, chocolate or wine at this little shop.
Restoration Hardware (474 NW 23rd Ave.) | Walking through this beautifully-hand-picked (read: expensive) store makes me day dream like nothing else. I enjoy it so much I take out-of-town guest here. Local’s tip: head upstairs to the rooftop and linger on the outdoor patio.
Tender Loving Empire (525 NW 23rd Ave.) | This is a fun and local “catch all” shop that sells interesting knick-knacks made in Portland. I especially love their selection of greeting cards – so clever and funny.
My pick, best shopping
Tender Loving Empire on NW 23rd.
A fun, local “catch all” stocked with knick-knacks made right here in Portland. I especially love the greeting cards, so clever and funny they’re worth the stop on their own.
Enjoy a Pint at Breakside Brewing
Breakside is considered one of the best breweries in Portland, the neighborhood is lucky to have them! Don’t just take my word for it, in 2014, Breakside Brewery won the nation’s top beer prize in the IPA category at the Great American Beer Festival.
Since then, they’ve gone on to win numerous awards, which it why popping in for a pint is one of the best things to do in Northwest Portland.
Love beer? Read: 20 Thirst-Quenching Breweries in Portland, Oregon
Grab a Treat at Creo Chocolate
Creo Chocolate is an award-winning mom-and-pop shop that recently opened a second location in NW Portland. This is some of the best chocolate in Portland (I have an insatiable sweet tooth and always have some stocked in the house).
There’s tons of award-winning chocolate bars to choose from, but I’m partial to the truffles (the earl grey is out of this world)! You can build your own box of truffles in the shop, it’s a great treat and even better souvenir.
See the Famous Portland Swifts (September)
Every September, like clockwork, Chapman Elementary School in NW Portland plays host to a flock of Vaux’s Swifts (sometimes 12,000 strong) that dive into the school’s chimney to roost for the night, en route to Central America.
It’s one of the largest known swift roosts in the world, don’t miss it while visiting NW Portland in September. The swifts start circling the chimney an hour before sunset, but you’ll want to get there earlier because the place gets packed with locals (pack a picnic basket to kick it up a notch).
You might enjoy reading: How to See the (Famous) Swifts in Portland
Relax at Dragonfly Coffee House
Northwest Portalnd’s endearing charm lies in the neighborhood’s beautiful craftsman homes and beautiful tree-lined streets, the neighborhood coffee shop is icing on the cake. The Dragonfly Coffee House bills itself as “the cozy community coffee house you thought was long gone” and it’s true, this is a neighborhood staple.
Most days of the week every chair is full with chatty friends or laptop-clad locals. Make sure to order the chai (the house special) and don’t sleep on the homemade baked goods.
Brunch at Pine State Biscuits
Pine State Biscuits is a Portland staple that graces most “top places to eat in Portland” lists. This brunch spot has a cult following for a reason, their biscuits are arguably the best in Portland.
Pine State Biscuit is a perfect example of mastering one thing rather than focusing on a range of dishes. The best options on the menu are obviously biscuit-centered, with the breakfast sandwiches stealing the show.
Having brunch at Pine State Biscuits is one of the most popular things to do in Northwest Portland, especially during weekends (get there early!).
Big on brunch? Me too. Read my guide on the BEST Portland brunch spots.
My pick, best food
Brunch at Pine State Biscuits.
Their biscuits are arguably the best in Portland, and the breakfast sandwiches steal the show. It’s a master-one-thing kind of place. Go early on weekends, the line has a cult following for a reason.
Split a Bottle of Rosé at Bar Diane
Bar Diane is a staple in my summer itinerary, especially when I’m in the mood to try new wines. There’s always something exciting on offer, but I’m partial to the rosés and sparking wines (although I’ve been known to dabble with a sherry every now and then, too).
The star of the show (apart from the great selection of rosé) is the covered patio, which is perfect for summer date nights. Wine is served by the bottle and glass, but I typically opt for full bottle service here because the atmosphere is so relaxed.
In terms of food, this is a great spot for small bites (the tinned seafood is so French) and hearty entrees (don’t sleep on the steak). In terms of romantic things to do in Northwest Portland, Bar Diane gets my vote (it’s one of the best wine bars in Portland).
Order a Seasonal Scoop at Salt & Straw
It seems that the more popular and “mainstream” a place gets, the harder it’s for locals to vouch for it, but Salt & Straw is the exception. This is some of the best ice cream in Portlandand it’s a hill I will die on.
It was founded in 2011 by Kim and Tyler Malek with a simple mission in mind: make the city’s best ice cream using local ingredients. The flavors span the gamut, from tried-and-true classics like lavender honey to wild cards like bone marrow (a retired seasonal flavor).
One of my favorite things about this local ice cream shop is the seasonal menu. Every month you can expect to find a batch of unique flavors crafted using seasonal ingredients, here’s a roundup of the current seasonal line up. Based on this long lines along, this is one of the most popular things to do in Northwest Portland, don’t miss it!
Explore Washington Park
The best part about NW Portland is the neighborhood’s proximity to Washington Park, the crown jewel of Portland’s hearty park system and it’s not hard to see why.
Spanning 410 acres, the park was founded in 1871, making it one of the oldest parks in the city. It houses five cultural institutions, the famous rose garden (pictured above), the Portland Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center and Hoyt Arboretum.
I’ve visited the park well over 50 times and I still find myself amazed by the beauty. If you’re new to the area (welcome) make a beeline for the Redwood Trail at the Hoyt Arboretum, one of my favorite hikes in Portland.
You Might Enjoy Reading: 15 Stunning Parks in Portland, Oregon (Local’s Guide)
My pick, favorite thing to do
Washington Park, and the Redwood Trail at Hoyt Arboretum.
I’ve been to this 410-acre park well over 50 times and still find myself amazed. New to the area? Make a beeline for the Redwood Trail, one of my favorite hikes in all of Portland.
NW Portland Restaurants
Fish & Rice | 2332 NW Westover Rd.
- Fish & Rice is a newcomer to the neighborhood and we embrace it with open arms. Considering the normal-people prices, the sushi is great!
Besaws | 1545 NW 21st Ave.
- Besaws is a GREAT spot for brunch. My personal favorite item on the menu is the French toast. Happy hour runs daily from 5pm to 7pm but you can visit the bar next door if you’re placed on the waitlist.
Life of Pie Pizza | 1765 NW 23rd Ave.
- Oh yes! The wood-fired pizza is delicious, and the margarita pizza is only $8 during happy hour! This is one of my favorite places for happy hour in the city.
St. Honore Boulangerie | 2335 NW Thurman St.
- A well-established French bakery and a staple in the NW community. Make sure to try their opera cake or pick up a loaf of bread – so good!
Papa Haydn | 701 NW 23rd Ave.
- The triple chocolate cake and carrot cake are sublime! I wouldn’t necessary recommend visiting Papa Haydn for food, but the deserts are worth a visit. I come here for celebratory occasions with girlfriends.
Escape from New York Pizza | 622 NW 23rd Ave.
- Great place for a quick slice of pizza. There’s a few small tables inside or you can grab it to go. We actually ordered pizza from here for our rehearsal dinner, it was a hit with everyone.
Fancy(ish) Restaurant Options
Serratto (2112 NW Kearney St.) | We love eating at Serratto and frequently take out-of-town visitors here. The wild boar ragu is definitely worth writing home about.
St. Jack (1610 NW 23rd Ave.) | This French restaurant is a great addition to NW Portland. I usually go for happy hour with girlfriends for wine and quick bites.
Map of Northwest Portland
NW Portland, at a glance
Getting around NW Portland
Walking is the best way to soak up the neighborhood in all its glory. Much like many of the neighborhoods in Portland, Northwest is manageable to wander, you can easily get by without a car. If you need to drive into the area know that parking is challenging in NW Portland ($2 per hour).
Visiting NW Portland Neighborhood Activities (Post Summary)
Here’s a quick list of my favorite things to do in Northwest Portland.
- Start your day at Ken’s Bakery
- Stroll down 23rd Avenue
- Enjoy a Pint at Breakside Brewing
- Grab a treat at Creo Chocolate
- See the Famous Portland Swifts (September)
- Relax at Dragonfly Coffee House
- Brunch at Pine State Biscuits
- Split a Bottle of Rosé at Bar Diane
- Order a Seasonal Scoop at Salt & Straw
- Explore Washington Park
I hope you found this quick guide to NW Portland helpful. I’m always happy to answer questions, so shoot them my way if you’ve any.
Until next time,
Antonina
Planning a trip? Don’t miss our complete guide to the best things to do in Portland, Oregon25+ local-approved activities, insider tips, and a handy map.
Very informative! 👏👏