- Baan Thai - Small hole in the wall on the College campus, pretty much the best Thai Food I have found
- Biwa - Awesome Japanese Izakaya place. I love this place so much and the owner Gabe is super nice. Get the Ramen unless it's about a million degrees. The Kara age is amazing too.
- Bailey's Best beer spot in Portland. 20 rotating taps (almost) always from the west coast and mostly local to Portland. They never replace the a keg with the same beer so it's always a different lineup. Geoff and Michael know their shit so you can always ask for advice.
- Bunk Sandwiches Some of the best sandwiches I've had. The pork belly bahn mi is to die for if they have it. They have a sister place called bunk bar that's open for dinner too, but I'm partial to the lunch only original.
Grüner Awesome German foodClosed :(- Laurelhurst Market Really really good steaks, but not your typical steakshouse.
- Beast MEAT - only do two seatings a night, set menu, one price, really tasty.
- Ox Another great steak place. More argentinian feel.
- Tasty n Sons Really good brunch, but very popular. Unless you get there before they open, you'll be in the second seating.
- The Screen Door - Super good southern brunch. Chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, etc.
- Pok Pok - southeast asian food. So good. Get the wings, the chicken and the papaya salad.
- Stumptown The old Portland Standby. The original, multiple locations and tons of other shops brew their beans.
- Barista Not a roaster, but some of the best Baristas in town. Two locations, both really good. You have your choice of three coffees from three roasters for your espresso drink.
- Heart A newer roaster in town. I'm a big fan of their beans and they have a really cool space. The big roaster is right in the middle of the cafe.
- Coava Another newer roaster. They do good stuff. Their space is shared with a bamboo seller, beautiful bamboo furniture.
- The Albina Press Another good coffee shop. This one has been around forever. The guy that opened Barista used to be a barista here. They pull a good shot and have a good vibe.
Backspace Another place that brews stumptown. Decent spot to hack in old town. Venue at night.Closed :(
- Green Dragon Bunch of local beers, pretty good scene
- Cascade Barrel House Sour beers
- Hair of the Dog Famous local brewery
- Bailey's Taproom Right downtown, lots of good beer.
- Multnomah Whisky Library HUGE whisky selection. Haven't been recently but used to always have a big wait. Pretty spendy. The snacks are tasty too.
- Kask A great little cocktail bar. New owners since I've last been, but still gets good reviews.
- Rum Club Another little cocktail bar. Lots of tiki-ish drinks but they do everything really well.
- [Teardrop Lounge)[http://www.teardroplounge.com/) A bit swankier in the pearl district. Really good cocktails.