The Portland Travel Guide - Plant Based Eats & Sights

Updated September 2019

I've been to Portland five times and I love it there so I figured it's time to share some of my favourite spots. I could have included so many more because they have that much to offer. If you guessed it's mainly food, you are right! I love to airbnb in the North East and South East area of Portland because it has more of a neighbourhood feel. Still tons of restaurants, shops and character. Then when I want to go to the West side, I hop on my bike and I'm there in under 20 minutes. Be prepared to scroll, I added lots of large pictures. Tag me on Instagram if you go to one of my suggestions, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, if there are others that amazing, please add a comment on the blog post for others to see. So much love, Jordan. @brucesroots

Tips: go to Whole Foods for a way better selection of plant-based gf eats, you can even get your wine here. Also, give yourself a lot of time to drive down. Google Maps always estimates under 6 hours, but it always takes us 7-10 hours, no joke. Bring a friend with Nexus : )

FOOD & DRINKS

HOLIDAY
@holidaypdx Visit Site now closed : (

This is a must visit if you love smoothie bowls and avocado toast. This is the newest plant-based gluten-free restaurant in SE Portland and it is BEAUTIFUL. I took so many pictures so I'm sharing them all! I loved my mango turmeric smoothie bowl topped with granola, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, blackberries, peach slices, blueberries and edible flowers. Gorgeous and delicious. It would be amazing if they had the option to add a pumpkin seed protein powder or blending flax and hemp hearts into the smoothie. They have a cute patio and a great long table to chats with the locals. More pictures of Holiday:

HEART
@heartroasters Visit Site

Heart has three locations in Portland and this small local chain roasts their own coffee. The reason it is on the list is because they have a delicious made in house ALMOND WALNUT mylk that goes great with their coffee. The staff member was also super helpful and kind with recommendations, which seems to be the Portland way. Keeping Portland kind might be a better slogan than weird! Heart in the SE area also has avocado toast and it was so epic, scroll down for a picture. Their baking is no longer in house, so unfortunately no GF V treats.

HARLOW
@harlowportland Visit Site

This is the very first restaurant I went to when visiting Portland years ago. I actually also love their sister cafe Prasad in the NW a lot too. If you live in Vancouver, I would describe this as a healthier version of MEET. They have buddha bowls, hashes, smoothies, juice (option to add CBD oil), pancakes, mac and cheese, you name it. All gluten-free, organic items and they describe themselves as plant-forward, basically all vegan with option to add an egg. I love that the entire space is gluten-free because I know many people that have celiac and can't eat out. I had the PESTO TEMPEH SCRAMBLE and it tasted like heaven. Harlow also has amazing banana pancakes that are sooo filling, we shared them!

PETUNIA'S
@PETUNIASPIEANDPASTRIES Visit Site
Vegan and gluten-free everything, it 's true friends. I don't have the biggest sweet tooth, aside from my dark chocolate addiction so this isn't my personal fav, but people rave over it. It's nice to have an option if you want yummy pie that happens to be gluten-free. The dessert was delicious, however this was more of a raspberry crumble. A good afternoon treat or dessert with an adult beverage.

DOMAINE SERENE
Visit Site

If you like wine lounges, then this is the place for you. This hidden gem is in a hotel downtown and they are known for their local high end wine samplers. We went in for a sample and ended up sitting at the bar for hours. They have local music for a couple hours a day so I'd definitely go during this for a relaxing and enjoyable flight. Even nutritionists like to unwind sometimes!

PROUD MARY
@proudmaryusa Visit Site

To say I have a crush on Proud Mary is an understatement. This hip hop playing restaurant not only has style, it has the kindest waiters. Located in the Alberta Arts District, it was my first timing exploring this far North and I'm so glad we got to see this beautifully designed long open space. I got two coffees and my girlfriend who is a tea drinker even got one! This may be the best oat mylk latte I have ever had, so creamy, smooth, not too sweet or overly bitter. I think it was also my most loved meal of the entire trip. The go to gluten-free plant-based option is the cauli-town: warm spiced cauliflower, chickpea dahl, sumac, onion, tahini, crispy chickpea and sesame granola. I went back again this year (2019) and got the exact same dish, mind blown.

gf v dessert before breakfast at proud mary

BLUE STAR DONUTS
@bluestardonuts Visit Site

Yes, I've tried Voodoo donuts and they are fun, however I'm a Blue Star girl at heart. Also, who has the time to wait 1-2 hours in line for a donut? Not me, I have other exploring to do. The Blue Star location on the east side isn't as busy compared to the west so go there. No gluten-free options, but they do have vegan so I celebrated that. I love their spicy chocolate and crunchy olive oil donut the most. Run, now...

Update: I went back this year (2019) and the employee celebrated the fact I brought my own container to reduce waste. I was given a small discount too, so kind as most places consider it a hassle. Thank you Blue Star.

AVIV
Visit Site

Chef Tal Caspi blends flavors from the Middle East with the Northwest's harvest. I tried the falafel (good, but a little dry), beet salad (very unique as it is a puree, delicious) and hummus. It looked cute inside, but after 10 hours of driving we just wanted take out and the couch. Vegan so no need to worry when ordering!

SUDRA
Visit Site

Vegan Indian with outdoor covered seating and barstools inside. I shared a large plate in the afternoon as a early dinner and it was so delicious. The large plate options are: black lentil kofta curry, chicken-less tikka masala curry, or tofu palak paneer curry served with black eyed pea korma, red lentil-tamarind stew, coconut yogurt, kale in tahini dressing, roasted beet salad, brown basmati Rice, tamarind chutney, green chutney, and choice of House Made Bread. I loved the kale infused dosa with palak paneer!

SIZZLE PIE
@sizzlepie Visit Site

It's not all fancy over here at Bruce's Roots, sometimes we like to go to a hole in the wall pizza shop. K, maybe that's an extreme description, but what I'm communication is that isn't fancy inside, like our local Virtuous Pie, which you can also get in Portland. Sizzle Pie is convenient because they have 3 vegan, 3 vegetarian and 3 meat/dairy pizzas every day. It's reasonably priced, good and you can have a dry cider with it on the patio. Now we are talking! (note, I did feel tired after from having the gluten containing crust, no gf option)

sizzle pie with chunks of garlic, heck yes

Other amazing places to go: Tusk, Angle Face for cocktails (there is no menu, you tell them what you like and the amazing team whips it up), Yama Sushi in the SE neighbourhood (picture below), Fifty Licks Ice Cream (picture below)Bamboo Sushi, Kati vegan Thai (warning the medium is SO hot), Back to Eden

NOT FOOD

POWELL'S BOOKS
Even if you are not a book lover, you have to go to Powell's. The main location is like a mall because there are soo man floors. I always buy new books here and it is surprisingly affordable as they have new and used books. Use their free wifi, buy gifts for your friends at home or pick up How Not To Die by my go to vegan doc Dr Greger.

STARFLOWER
The cutest little plant shop on Hawthorne St. I wanted to take everything home!

SHOP FIELD TRIP
The last couple times I've visited Portland, I always make sure I stop in to this cute local store. Think everything wellness, beauty, adaptogens with a twist of spirituality. I bought my first crystal here as well as my The Future Is Female t-shirt. Plus, it's not far from Tea Bar.

THE ROSE GARDEN & FOREST PARK
Last time, I stayed in Ladd's Addition near the rose garden traffic circles so we drove the car to forest park to get our nature fix. This time I stayed further North East away from the beautiful roses, so we decided to have a picnic with rose among the roses with lots of hummus, vegan cheese and crackers.

THANK YOU SO MUCH IF YOU MADE IT TO THE BOTTOM OF MY LONGEST POST EVER. I WANTED TO SHARE ALL MY PICTURES WITH YOU. PORTLAND HAS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IF THEY ARE HEADING DOWN SOUTH.

Jordan Bruce @brucesroots FB: Bruce's Roots