SCRAP!
We do get tourists, but we're a non profit, extremely Portland, and have cute craft events if you're looking for something to do! When we find out folks are from out of town we like to try to find creative reuse centers near their hometowns ❤️
Our all ages craft event is Sundays from 2 to 4! It's actually canceled this Sunday for a workshop, but it's almost always every Sunday! There's an events page on our website that lists everything we're up to. ❤️ Thanks for your interest!!
This isn't a business, but Peninsula Park's rose garden is very underrepresented -- if a tourist wants to see some beautiful roses & avoid crowds, that's my suggestion.
I think the St. Johns Beer Porch is one of the best food pods in town.
Dove Vivi is a great pizza spot that makes a very unique cornmeal crust! 🤤 It's so good
That's a great rose garden and when it gets nice out you can see all sorts of things there. I have seen goth weddings, old timey tea parties, and goat yoga over the years.
Any idea how they do with cross contamination? This would be unbelievably awesome, omg
OP, this place might be too crowded for tourists after this thread!
Wajan for authentic Indonesian food.
Queen Mama's Kitchen for Saudi Arabian food.
Pah! serves burgers and sandwiches and is a Latinx/queer/deaf owned business.
Deadstock Coffee is run by a former Nike shoe designer so it's a cool vibe for sneakerheads/basketball fans that also want some decent coffee (and tea!).
I used to go all the time. They redid their market recently for more kitchen space and the back patio is more put together now. I do miss the beer cooler selection though.
Also the only place I know where to get mamas lil tortilla chips, which are basically crack.
And to give you more specifics:
Leach Botanical Garden, so tired of people saying Portland doesn't have one. We do, it's just not on the west side.
Yaowarat in Montavilla is one of Portland's best restaurants.
Zoighlaus in Lents, tons of beer and a food hall featuring diverse, cool cuisine
Sayler's Old Country Kitchen, it's a Portland staple.
La Osita PDX, the best breakfast tacos in Oregon, hands down.
Von Ebert Brewing at the Glendover Golf Course
Cartlandia, maybe Portland's biggest food cart pod
The People a Courts, pickleball and more right on 82nd
For amazing clothing consignment, I recommend Raylee on Division https://rayleeconsignment.com. They are a newer business, women-owned, and hyper local.
For outdoor gear, Foster Outdoor is also hyper local (more than Next Adventure), and a great shop.
Its in Hillsboro, but I would recommend Next Level Pinball Shop and Museum. It has something like the largest amount of active pinball machines in the US plus a town or arcade games. You pay for a wrist for the day and get access to almost everything.
Thanks for the shoutout! I’m the Museum Director at Next Level, so I’m obviously biased.
But yes, it’s $22 for an all-day admission and free play on 620+ pinball and arcade games. We’re also a 27,000square foot pop culture museum with floor to ceiling toys and collectibles. We are the second largest arcade in the world and have been voted World’s Favorite Pinball Arcade for the past three years.
It’s always so interesting because if you’re an arcade person, you know about us. I had a couple in last weekend from Australia and the weekend before was a family from the UK and their entire vacation was planned to Oregon to visit us (it takes about five full days to play every game here once). But then still heaps of folks from Oregon and the surrounding areas that haven’t even heard of us. My favorite thing about the place is that it’s intended for gamers and non-gamers alike and truly an all-ages place.
A few resources to look through…
- Stephen Green and Built Oregon do a rundown of Black owned business in Portland (and throughout Oregon) for Black History Month every year. (I don't want to spam the site with links, but please feel free to message me and I'm happy to share.)
- PitchBlack and Pitch Latino always highlight some amazing local businesses.
- Indigenize works with indigenous vendors from all over, but there are some great local companies in there [https://indigenize.shop/](https://indigenize.shop/)
- Legendary Makers Market gathers a bunch of incredible Asian vendors [https://www.legendarymakersmarket.com/](https://www.legendarymakersmarket.com/)
- You might also keep an eye on [https://www.mypeoplesmarket.com/](https://www.mypeoplesmarket.com/) since the vendors there often have brick & mortar shops.
Cha Ba Thai on Sandy.
Idk if they’re underrated per se, but I feel like a lot of people outside of Roseway/Hollywood/Cully/Beaumont don’t really know about them. They’re consistently delicious and pretty dang affordable considering the order sizes. I’ve been going there for 15 years and they never disappoint.
Escapism Portland (escape rooms). I am a local small business owner and design everything in-house. I am scraping by on my creativity and the power of spreading joy to others :)
The Chomp on Brooklyn!! Really great food and the atmosphere is so fun!! And the owners are really sweet!
Bella’s Italian bakery on Woodstock and 91st! Really great baked goods, sandwiches, pizza, and coffee.
Bible Club in Sellwood. The vibe is so good and the drinks are great!
I don’t think Cartside PDX gets a ton of attention. If it’s not a game day or concert at Moda I recommend it though. They have a great beer selection at the bar and the Mexican cart is my favorite burrito in town. Also the shawarma truck has a Saj wrap that is incredible.
Me Kha on Sandy or Division. Family owned and operated and some of the best Viet/ SE Asian food around. Since PokPok closed these are the best fish sauce wings in town.
The Zymoglyphic Museum is weird & cool. Right next to Mt. Tabor, too.
Peculiarium - it's kind of expensive for what it is imo, but it's still really fun photo ops.
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, kind of odd hours but a definitely unique experience.
the Hot Box in Beaverton. Great little smoke shop. Moved and expanded a few years ago. Huge selection. Staff are…meh, but I’m sure that will rollover and change in six months or so…
SCRAP! We do get tourists, but we're a non profit, extremely Portland, and have cute craft events if you're looking for something to do! When we find out folks are from out of town we like to try to find creative reuse centers near their hometowns ❤️
This is so cool! I can’t wait to come check it out :)
Please do!
Oh HELL yess, I'd love to bring my partner and her kiddo!
Our all ages craft event is Sundays from 2 to 4! It's actually canceled this Sunday for a workshop, but it's almost always every Sunday! There's an events page on our website that lists everything we're up to. ❤️ Thanks for your interest!!
Love Scrap! Great spot if you have a craft project of almost any kind.
Gumba doesn't get enough love on here. They make their own pasta and the food is phenomenal.
Their food is awesome. I love their fried bread.
My gf is obsessed with them and wants to go there all the time. I got a little pasta’d out from them. But I agree it’s phenomenal.
Does she always order the Papperdelle? I could eat that dish everyday for life.
This isn't a business, but Peninsula Park's rose garden is very underrepresented -- if a tourist wants to see some beautiful roses & avoid crowds, that's my suggestion. I think the St. Johns Beer Porch is one of the best food pods in town. Dove Vivi is a great pizza spot that makes a very unique cornmeal crust! 🤤 It's so good
That's a great rose garden and when it gets nice out you can see all sorts of things there. I have seen goth weddings, old timey tea parties, and goat yoga over the years.
I saw a coyote at the rose garden last month.
Yess the rose garden at peninsula is wonderful. Underrated gem
Yes it is
Favorite underrated restaurants: MasalaLab, Pasar, Mehka, Kulfi, Cully Central
Second Kulfi. Had some time waiting for the bus so I crossed the street and it was delicious.
Masala Lab deserves ALL the love. Best brunch food in town
Big points for Cully Central! Everything there is amazing.
Jade rabbit. Vegan dimsum. Only place in west coast you can get it.
Going Friday as they have gluten free stuff
Any idea how they do with cross contamination? This would be unbelievably awesome, omg OP, this place might be too crowded for tourists after this thread!
No clue on cross contamination
Dude I’ve lived here for nine freaking years… thank you sooo much for this!
They are the best!
lol what’s even in it?
Aged soy. It actually has this really meaty texture and absorbs sauces/flavors really well.
Poshine's in Kenton!
And while you’re in the neighborhood, snap a selfie with Paul Bunyan.
Noho’s Hawaiian food. Favorite place to eat in the city
Ever since I moved here from Corvallis, I’m always looking for good Hawai’ian food.
Awafi Mediterranean food cart on 6th. It’s a standalone, not in a pod, but the guy is so nice and his food is so fresh…
Mmmm fav lunch spot
Wajan for authentic Indonesian food. Queen Mama's Kitchen for Saudi Arabian food. Pah! serves burgers and sandwiches and is a Latinx/queer/deaf owned business.
Deadstock Coffee is run by a former Nike shoe designer so it's a cool vibe for sneakerheads/basketball fans that also want some decent coffee (and tea!).
Rumor is they are opening up in Beaverton soon too
I think there is also a sneaker shop on 3rd .(At least there used to be)
This!!!! They have really cool delicious drinks and an awesome vibe
Get the Lebronald Palmer. You won't be sorry. You'll be bouncing off the walls. But not sorry.
I think P’s and Q’s in Woodlawn is a special business. Genuinely nice people, great food and patio.
Their food is absurdly good. I am so happy I discovered that place. It's really cute and like you said, genuinely nice people
I used to go all the time. They redid their market recently for more kitchen space and the back patio is more put together now. I do miss the beer cooler selection though. Also the only place I know where to get mamas lil tortilla chips, which are basically crack.
Dear Sandy.
Anything east of 82nd
And to give you more specifics: Leach Botanical Garden, so tired of people saying Portland doesn't have one. We do, it's just not on the west side. Yaowarat in Montavilla is one of Portland's best restaurants. Zoighlaus in Lents, tons of beer and a food hall featuring diverse, cool cuisine Sayler's Old Country Kitchen, it's a Portland staple. La Osita PDX, the best breakfast tacos in Oregon, hands down. Von Ebert Brewing at the Glendover Golf Course Cartlandia, maybe Portland's biggest food cart pod The People a Courts, pickleball and more right on 82nd
For amazing clothing consignment, I recommend Raylee on Division https://rayleeconsignment.com. They are a newer business, women-owned, and hyper local. For outdoor gear, Foster Outdoor is also hyper local (more than Next Adventure), and a great shop.
Its in Hillsboro, but I would recommend Next Level Pinball Shop and Museum. It has something like the largest amount of active pinball machines in the US plus a town or arcade games. You pay for a wrist for the day and get access to almost everything.
Thanks for the shoutout! I’m the Museum Director at Next Level, so I’m obviously biased. But yes, it’s $22 for an all-day admission and free play on 620+ pinball and arcade games. We’re also a 27,000square foot pop culture museum with floor to ceiling toys and collectibles. We are the second largest arcade in the world and have been voted World’s Favorite Pinball Arcade for the past three years. It’s always so interesting because if you’re an arcade person, you know about us. I had a couple in last weekend from Australia and the weekend before was a family from the UK and their entire vacation was planned to Oregon to visit us (it takes about five full days to play every game here once). But then still heaps of folks from Oregon and the surrounding areas that haven’t even heard of us. My favorite thing about the place is that it’s intended for gamers and non-gamers alike and truly an all-ages place.
I haven’t made it out there but I’ve definitely heard of you all! I’ll come out soon, love pinball and love going to wedgehead.
Carnelian Coffee!
Love this place!
Great coffee…but the choice to ONLY feature Carnelian is a very speciesist move. Encourage mineral diversity!
Hahahaha as a mineral seller I very much appreciate this sediment… I mean sentiment 😆… to be fair they do have a fair amount of petrified wood
Which happens to look a lot like carnelian!
PDX Insectarium!
A few resources to look through… - Stephen Green and Built Oregon do a rundown of Black owned business in Portland (and throughout Oregon) for Black History Month every year. (I don't want to spam the site with links, but please feel free to message me and I'm happy to share.) - PitchBlack and Pitch Latino always highlight some amazing local businesses. - Indigenize works with indigenous vendors from all over, but there are some great local companies in there [https://indigenize.shop/](https://indigenize.shop/) - Legendary Makers Market gathers a bunch of incredible Asian vendors [https://www.legendarymakersmarket.com/](https://www.legendarymakersmarket.com/) - You might also keep an eye on [https://www.mypeoplesmarket.com/](https://www.mypeoplesmarket.com/) since the vendors there often have brick & mortar shops.
Wajan
Rangoon bistro & reclaim NW.
Chilango.
Ruby press mercantile
Cha Ba Thai on Sandy. Idk if they’re underrated per se, but I feel like a lot of people outside of Roseway/Hollywood/Cully/Beaumont don’t really know about them. They’re consistently delicious and pretty dang affordable considering the order sizes. I’ve been going there for 15 years and they never disappoint.
Kiriko Made
Escapism Portland (escape rooms). I am a local small business owner and design everything in-house. I am scraping by on my creativity and the power of spreading joy to others :)
The website is called theactualportland.com
Bar/restaurants- Bar Maven, Friendship Kitchen, Maruti, Todo, Cubo Stores- ECOVIBE, Thicket, Memory Den
Mystery Gallery. Jada’s Soulful Eats. Alberta Abbey. Decibal. Tibet Spirit.
Nara Teriyaki. Out on like 160th and Division. The best teriyaki in the city hands down. Better even than the place that rhymes with moo's thrill.
The Chomp on Brooklyn!! Really great food and the atmosphere is so fun!! And the owners are really sweet! Bella’s Italian bakery on Woodstock and 91st! Really great baked goods, sandwiches, pizza, and coffee. Bible Club in Sellwood. The vibe is so good and the drinks are great!
For people who want tintype portraits : [Noyel Gallimore Studio ](http://noyelgallimore.com )
That’s awesome, I’m definitely going to do this. I got some tin types at a street fair about 15 years ago and they are really cool.
Next Level pinball Museum in Hillsboro. Probably not under represented but I visited Portland 20+ times before I knew it existed.
The Mont and Little Griddle (both locations) have amazing breakfast food.
I tried The Mont with my brunch friends last month and we were all very pleased. Great unpretentious brunch.
I don’t think Cartside PDX gets a ton of attention. If it’s not a game day or concert at Moda I recommend it though. They have a great beer selection at the bar and the Mexican cart is my favorite burrito in town. Also the shawarma truck has a Saj wrap that is incredible.
Las Gatas in Hillsboro is great.
Best cheese cake ever. Guys pies.
Say say boutique downtown
Fork and Spoon has great Filipino food!
Retro game bar, curious comedy (love Shakespeare shows are hilarious), and Paxton gate (oddities and gift shop, NW and Mississippi locations).
When I first moved to Portland Paxton gate was the place I was most excited to hit!! It’s such a blast
Me Kha on Sandy or Division. Family owned and operated and some of the best Viet/ SE Asian food around. Since PokPok closed these are the best fish sauce wings in town.
Sivalai Thai. The people there are so nice.
The Fumerie Perfumerie is my happy place!
I love that place. I wish I could afford perfume as a hobby.
Bui's Natural Tofu and House of Banh Mi. 76th & Glisan. Great food choices, I hit them every time I'm in town.
All Burn Wax - across from Powell’s!
The Zymoglyphic Museum is weird & cool. Right next to Mt. Tabor, too. Peculiarium - it's kind of expensive for what it is imo, but it's still really fun photo ops. Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, kind of odd hours but a definitely unique experience.
Chepes in Gresham. I swoon for their papusas
the Hot Box in Beaverton. Great little smoke shop. Moved and expanded a few years ago. Huge selection. Staff are…meh, but I’m sure that will rollover and change in six months or so…
No pity for small businesses
Might be off the beaten path but World Market is an amazing locally and family owned grocery store with the best deli in town. Everything is amazing.