After a roller coaster spring filled with dazzling sun breaks mid-week and soggy weather at the weekends, Portlanders will be more eager than ever to get outdoors. Here, we’ve gathered our 35 favorite places to eat and drink al fresco throughout the metro area, including plant-filled patios, bustling beer gardens and rooftop bars with stunning views. As always, check social media for current hours.
10 BARREL PORTLAND
Yes, the Bend-based brewery is owned by global giant Anheuser-Busch. But Pearl District brewer Whitney Burnside is one of the best in the business, and the rooftop patio is worth the wait.
Details: 1411 N.W. Flanders St., 503- 224-1700, 10barrel.com/pub/portland-brewery
AMALFI’S
Few Portland restaurants have pivoted better than Northeast Portland’s long-running Amalfi’s, which took over its sprawling side parking lot with big tents, a refinished pavement and plenty of live music. Don’t miss the Black Rosie the Riveter mural owner Kiauna Floyd commissioned for Amalfi’s west-facing wall.
Details: 4703 N.E. Fremont St., 503-284-6747, amalfisrestaurant.com
APEX
Bikes, motorcycles, pinball and craft beer are the hallmarks of this cash-only bar, home to one of Southeast Portland’s biggest beer gardens, with picnic tables that fill up at the first sign of sun.
Details: 1216 S.E. Division St., 503-273-9227, apexbar.com
BAR BAR
Found alongside Mississippi Studios, Bar Bar has a well-stocked bar, well-regarded burgers and a wide-open patio with an Austin vibe, occasionally featuring movies projected on the wall.
Details: 3939 N. Mississippi Ave., 503-889-0090, barbarshowbarpdx.square.site
CLINTON STREET PLAZA
A half dozen restaurants and bars came together for this barn raising (er, plaza planting?) last August, with new street seating and covered patios sprouting in front of Dot’s Cafe, Magna Kusina, La Moule, Broder Cafe and more. Look for other notable new street plazas on Southeast Ankeny Street at 28th Avenue and Southwest Harvey Milk Street downtown.
Details: Multiple businesses along Southeast Clinton Street between 25th and 26th Avenues.
The view of Dimo’s outdoor dining area. The Oregonian
DIMO’S APIZZA
One of Portland’s best new pizzerias inherited a sprawling parking lot patio at the old Burnside Brewing. Stop by this summer for a beer and a well-charred, clam-topped New Haven-style pizza from Connecticut-born chef Doug Miriello.
Details: 701 E. Burnside St., 503-327-8968, dimosapizza.com
HELVETIA TAVERN
This Washington County gem has classic cheeseburgers, baseball on TV and outdoor seating (around back) in a pastoral setting just 15 miles from downtown Portland.
Details: 10275 N.W. Helvetia Road, Hillsboro; 503-647-5286; therealhelvetiatavern.com
A dozen oysters at Flying Fish Co., a restaurant, fish market and oyster bar on East Burnside Street in Portland.The Oregonian
FLYING FISH
This fresh fish market and seafood restaurant inside an old East Burnside Street Subway location has outdoor seating and its own on-site food cart, home to a separate menu and occasional chef pop-ups. Take note: The patio is popular, particularly on sunny days.
Details: 3004 E. Burnside St., 971-806-6747, flyingfishpdx.com
GÜERO
This Northeast Portland torta shop was already nailing outdoor dining with a nicely landscaped corral built into its quiet side street. But when a former auto garage behind the restaurant became available, the opportunity was too good to pass up. Head there this summer to find Paradise Mariscos, a summer-long pop-up including barbecued oysters from chef Adán Fausto.
Details: 200 N.E. 28th Ave., 503-887-9258, guerotortas.com
HIGHLAND STILLHOUSE
A great scotch list, good fish and chips and views of mist blowing off Willamette Falls await you at the back of Oregon City’s traditional Scottish pub.
Details: 201 S. Second St., Oregon City; 503-723-6789; highlandstillhouse.com
Hinterland, a food cart pod, located at 2216 S.E. 50th Ave., Portland, Ore., Thursday, April 28, 2022.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
HINTERLAND
With two patios, five standout food carts and one of Portland’s best new cocktail bars, Hinterland will be a destination for outdoor dining this summer. Read our recent review.
Details: 2216 S.E. 50th Ave., 503-231-4333, hinterlandpdx.com
LARDO EAST
A fresh remodel to the west-facing patio made this original brick-and-mortar location of Portland’s top sandwich chain an even better place to eat and drink outdoors.
Details: 1212 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., 503-234-7786, lardosandwiches.com
LAURELHURST MARKET
Laurelhurst Market converted its front parking lot into a big new deck during the pandemic, practically doubling the size of its dining room in the process. Don’t expect it to come down anytime soon.
Details: 3155 E. Burnside St., 503-206-3099, laurelhurstmarket.com
LOLO PASS
Gather around the firepits on the roof of this hip new Portland hostel for cocktails, city views and a Spanish-influenced menu of tapas, simple flatbreads, seafood paella and more.
Details: 1616 E. Burnside St. 503-908-3074, lolopass.com
Who’s up for a little social distancing? McMenamins Edgefield is found at 2126 S.W. Halsey St. in Troutdale.Mark Graves
MCMENAMINS EDGEFIELD
With outdoor seating around a number of restaurants and bars, including the Loading Dock Grill, Distillery Bar and Little Red Shed, this McMenamins property has the patio life down pat.
Details: 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale; 503-669-8610; mcmenamins.com/edgefield
MCMENAMINS ROCK CREEK TAVERN
In the summer, Rock Creek’s patio opens for beautiful views of the forested countryside north of Hillsboro. Don’t worry if the patio looks full, there’s a second-floor porch off the back.
Details: 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro; 503-645-3822; mcmenamins.com/rock-creek-tavern
METROPOLITAN TAVERN
Previously home to Windows Skyroom and Lounge, then Altabira City Tavern, the rooftop restaurant at the Hotel Eastlund continues to offer great views looking back toward downtown Portland, and a good hangout spot before or after Trail Blazer games or events at the Oregon Convention Center.
Details: 1021 N.E. Grand Ave., 503-963-3600, mettavern.com
MONTELUPO
Found in the old Poison’s Rainbow space, Montelupo serves tasty salads, lively pastas and other Italian-inspired dishes in a big tent on Northeast Flanders Street just off 28th Avenue.
Details: 344 N.E. 28th Ave., 503-719-5650, montelupo.co
The outdoor seating at Noble Rot hangs right over East Burnside Street.The Oregonian
MURRAYHILL TAPHOUSE
Found in a former Ruby Tuesday, this hip suburban restaurant offers lakeside dining, a clubhouse vibe and trendy dishes including fancy toasts, meat boards and corn “ribs” doused in cilantro-lime crema. (Across the parking lot, Cafe Murrayhill offers similar lake and fountain views alongside classic brunch fare.)
Details: 14550 S.W. Murray Scholls Drive, Beaverton; 503-941-9851; murrayhilltaphouse.com
NOBLE ROT
Wine, good food and views toward the city skyline and the setting sun rule the day at this long-running rooftop restaurant on East Burnside Street, just down the hill from Lolo Pass.
Details: 1111 E. Burnside St., 503-233-1999, noblerotpdx.com
NOSTRANA
When Cathy Whims decides to do something, she usually does it well. That’s the case with Nostrana’s pandemic-time patio expansion, which included potted plants, tiled flooring and a bright orange Aperol Spritz cart lurking nearby.
Details: 1401 S.E. Morrison St. #101, 503-234-2427, nostrana.com
OLYMPIA PROVISIONS PUBLIC HOUSE
Patio seating was always part of the program at Olympia Provision’s Southeast Division Street location, but the past two years have seen heated and covered picnic tables pop up throughout the large parking lot. Come for the Alpine-influenced pub menu, stay for one of Rosenstadt’s German-style beers.
Details: 3384 S.E. Division St., 503-384-2259, olympiaprovisions.com; O.P. also operates a window next to abundant outdoor seating at Oregon City Brewing, 1401 Washington St. in Oregon City
PRODUCE ROW
This venerable craft beer bar has changed owners a few times over the past decade, but the back patio is still among our favorites in town.
Details: 204 S.E. Oak St., 503-232-8355, producerowcafe.com
Prost! Food Cart Pod located at 4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, June 13, 2019. Mark Graves/Staff Mark GravesMark Graves
PROST!
A few years ago, North Portland’s consistently packed German beer bar expanded their already excellent patio, with an all-weather roof and some of the city’s top food carts.
Details: 4237 N. Mississippi Ave., 503-954-2674, prostportland.com
RADIO ROOM
This Northeast Alberta Street bar offers a couple of outdoor seating options, including an upstairs area perfect for people watching.
Details: 1101 N.E. Alberta St., 503-287-2346, radioroompdx.com
ROOF DECK AT REVOLUTION HALL
Cocktails, craft beer and 360° views await you at the top of Revolution Hall, the concert venue inside the former Washington High School. Make sure to check ahead for open hours.
Details: 1300 S.E. Stark St., 503-776-5500, revolutionhall.com
Mary Lincoln, owner of Hank’s Place Souther Cuisine at the new Rockwood Market Hall. She got the nickname Hank, as in Hank Aaron, while an ace softball player growing up in Louisiana.
ROCKWOOD MARKET HALL
Rockwood Market Hall isn’t just a destination food hall. It’s a potential catalyst for growth in its own historically underfunded Gresham neighborhood. Steps from MAX, the food hall will soon be home to a dozen food and grocery vendors next to a Euro-style plaza complete with a play area and seasonal splash pad, all bordered by offices and a white-tablecloth Mexican bar and grill in La Villa. Read our recent review.
Details: 18535 S.E. Stark St., rockwoodmarkethall.com
SOMEDAY
This back-alley cocktail bar and mini food cart pod has emerged as a date-night favorite, with unfussy, well-executed cocktails, wood-fired bites from Ruthie’s and the bar’s own occasional Sunday oyster grill.
Details: 3634 S.E. Division St., somedaypdx.com
STICKMEN BREWING
With apologies to Manzana Rotisserie Grill and Pizzeria Sul Lago in the Lake View VIllage shopping center, this Lake Oswego brewery offers well-regarded craft beers and our favorite views of Oswego Lake.
Details: 40 N. State St., Lake Oswego; 503-344-4449; stickmenbeer.com
STORMBREAKER BREWING
The North Portland brewery boasts two separate outdoor seating areas built onto quiet side streets next to its brewpubs, adding on to the existing beer gardens at both the original North Mississippi brewery (found in the old Amnesia space) and the second location in St. Johns (formerly Plew’s Brews).
Details: 832 N. Beech St., 971-703-4516; and 8409 N. Lombard St., 971-255-1481; stormbreakerbrewing.com
TAQUERIA MI JALISCO
Mi Jalisco was a pandemic-era find for my family, welcome both for the tasty tacos and the shady back patio, with its wooden deck wrapped around several tall trees. Look for the restaurant directly across from Gresham High School.
Details: 1255 N. Main Ave., Gresham; 503-328-9624
VON EBERT GLENDOVEER
Von Ebert’s east-side location has two distinct patio options on the grounds of Glendoveer Golf Course, where you’ll find abundant green grass, big trees and a woodchip-lined jogging track for burning off any calories consumed at the brewpub.
Details: 14021 N.E. Glisan St., 503-878-8708, vonebertbrewing.com
URBAN GERMAN WURSTHAUS
This second-story restaurant pours Occidental beers alongside hearty food from Urban German, plus stunning patio views up toward the north side of the St. Johns Bridge.
Details: 6635 N. Baltimore Ave. #201, 503-286-3686, urbangerman.com
Wayfinder Beer, since opening in fall 2016, has become one of Portland’s most heralded breweries. Wayfinder is lager-centric but also serves an array of ales.Stephanie Yao Long/Staff
WAYFINDER BEER
German-style lagers and Pacific Northwest ales flow side-by-side at this close-in Central Eastside brewpub, home to a big wooden patio perfect for sun worshipers.
Details: 304 S.E. Second Ave., 503-718-2337, wayfinder.beer
XICO
Drop by or make reservations for stringy queso fundido and cool margaritas at the charming (and now covered) back patio at this modern Mexican restaurant on Southeast Division Street.
Details: 3715 S.E. Division St., 503-548-6343, xicopdx.com
— Michael Russell, mrussell@oregonian.com @tdmrussell
