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Food tours in Portland: what to eat and which tour to book
Portland, Oregon is known for food carts, coffee, craft beer and the produce of the Pacific Northwest. The carts are the city's signature: around 25 'pods' (lots where carts gather around shared seating) and roughly 500 carts as of 2025, cooking Thai, Mexican, Georgian, Korean, barbecue and much else at lower prices than restaurants. Around them sit Willamette Valley pinot noir, Dungeness crab and salmon from the coast, berries (marionberry above all) in summer, and some of the most serious coffee roasters and breweries in the country. Oregon has no sales tax, which makes eating out slightly cheaper than in other US cities.
Use this page to decide what to order and where. The dishes and areas below say what each place does well and when to go. The tours listed are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; prices and schedules change, so confirm on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Portland
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food-cart meals food carts | Not one dish but the way Portland eats lunch: carts parked in pods serve everything from Thai khao man gai (poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken fat, with ginger-soy sauce) to tacos, Georgian khachapuri, Lebanese plates and barbecue. | Pods such as Cart Blocks downtown, Hawthorne Asylum and Cartopia in South-east, Prost Marketplace on North Mississippi, and Portland Mercado (Latin American) on Foster Road. | roughly USD 12–18 a plate (€10–16) |
| Doughnuts | Portland is known for doughnut shops, from novelty toppings to brioche doughnuts with seasonal fillings such as marionberry or blueberry-bourbon-basil. | Specialist shops downtown, in the Old Town area and in east-side neighbourhoods; the most famous novelty shop has long lines of visitors. | about USD 2–5 each (€1.70–4.30) |
| Marionberry pie and summer berries marionberry | The marionberry is a blackberry variety developed in Oregon; it turns up in pies, jam, ice cream and pastries. In summer, farmers' markets also sell strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries. | Bakeries, ice cream shops and the Portland Farmers Market; fresh berries mostly June to August. | a slice of pie roughly USD 6–9 (€5–8) |
| Dungeness crab and oysters Dungeness crab | Sweet Pacific crab caught off the Oregon coast, served whole, in crab cakes or sandwiches; Pacific oysters from Oregon and Washington bays are served raw on the half shell. | Seafood restaurants and oyster bars across the city; the Oregon coast (about 1.5 hours' drive) for crab shacks. | oysters roughly USD 3–4 each; a whole crab roughly USD 35–60 depending on season (€30–52) |
| Pacific salmon salmon | Wild Chinook (king), coho and sockeye salmon from the Pacific Northwest, grilled, cedar-planked or smoked. Smoked salmon and salmon jerky are good things to take home. | Seafood restaurants, the farmers' market and fish shops; best fresh in summer and early autumn. | roughly USD 28–40 for a restaurant main (€24–35) |
| Craft beer | Portland has one of the highest numbers of breweries of any US city. Pacific Northwest IPAs use hops grown nearby in the Willamette Valley and Yakima Valley; many breweries have taprooms with food. | Breweries and taprooms in the Pearl District, inner South-east and North Portland; many cart pods have a beer cart or bar. | roughly USD 7–9 a pint (€6–8) |
| Willamette Valley pinot noir pinot noir | Oregon's best-known wine, grown in the Willamette Valley south-west of the city. Wine bars in Portland pour it by the glass; tasting rooms in Dundee, McMinnville and around are about 45–75 minutes' drive away. | Wine bars and restaurants in the city; tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley. | roughly USD 13–20 a glass in the city; tastings usually USD 25–50 (€22–43) |
| Specialty coffee coffee | Portland roasters were early in the 'third wave' of light-roasted, single-origin coffee, and pour-over and espresso shops are on every main street. | Cafés across the city, especially downtown, the Pearl District and South-east Division and Hawthorne. | about USD 4–7 a cup (€3.50–6) |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University
The city's main farmers' market in the South Park Blocks: Oregon produce, berries, mushrooms, cheese, meat, bread, smoked fish and breakfast stalls. Smaller neighbourhood markets run on other days in season.
Cart Blocks, downtown
Downtown's main food-cart pod, where many carts regrouped after downtown parking-lot pods closed; useful for lunch while sightseeing.
Hawthorne and Division (South-east)
Two long east-side streets with cart pods (Hawthorne Asylum, Cartopia nearby), Thai, Vietnamese and Italian restaurants, bakeries, ice cream and bars. Many of the city's best-known restaurants are on or near Division.
North Mississippi Avenue and Alberta Street
Walkable north and north-east streets with cart pods (Prost Marketplace on Mississippi), cafés, taprooms, bakeries and small restaurants.
Portland Mercado, Foster Road
Latin American market hall with carts and stalls in the south-east: Oaxacan, Cuban, Venezuelan, Peruvian and other cooking, plus a small grocery.
Pearl District
Converted warehouse area next to downtown with breweries, roasters, bakeries and sit-down restaurants; more expensive and less varied than the east side, but central.
Food tours in Portland compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Tunnel Underground Tour - with Beer Tasting | 1.5 hours | from €39 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Portland: Food Walking Tour | 3.5 hours | from €96 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Portland: Food Carts, Pods, & Patios Tour | 3 hours | from €102 per person | max 10 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Portland: Downtown Food Tour of 6 Local Favorites Dishes | 3 hours | from €99 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Portland: Food Carts of the Eastside Bike Tour | 4 hours | from €80 per person | max 10 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Shanghai Tunnel Underground Tour - with Beer Tasting
On GetYourGuide · run by Old Town Pizza & Brewing
- Length
- 1.5 hours
- Price
- from €39 per person
- Rating
- 4.3 ★ from 121 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Underground Tour 2nd floor visit of the haunted Merchant Hotel Guide A special beer tasting 1 pint of beer Tips
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Old Town Pizza & Brewing
Portland: Food Walking Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Side Dish Mafia
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €96 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 33 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Guide Walking tour Food and drinks Gratuites
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Pioneer Square, 780 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, USA
Portland: Food Carts, Pods, & Patios Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Lost Plate Food Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €102 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 21 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- Professional English-speaking tour guide All food and drinks 5-7 food carts Small-group tour (maximum 12 people) Hotel pickup or drop-off Gratuities (optional)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- There are two entrances, please use the entrance on 12th Street near the white bike racks on the sidewalk. Your guide will be at a table there, or if it’s rainy/wet will be under the covered tent area, and will have a yellow sign and bag with the Lost Plate logo on the table. Please arrive 10 minutes early, late arrivals cannot be accommodated. Parking: Street parking is readily available near the meeting location. The tour ends a 12-minute walk from starting location. Public Transportation: Streetcar NS line, TriMet bus and MAX light rail stops are all nearby.
Portland: Downtown Food Tour of 6 Local Favorites Dishes
On GetYourGuide · run by Secret Food Tours
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €99 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 17 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Crispy Japanese-style sandwich with savory miso seasoning Southern-style shrimp and grits (vegetarian option available) Warm soft pretzel with creamy and tangy dips Our delicious Secret Dish Gluten- and dairy-free sea…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Pioneer Square, 780 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, USA
Portland: Food Carts of the Eastside Bike Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Around Portland Tours
- Length
- 4 hours
- Price
- from €80 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 17 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 10
- Included
- High-quality city bike and helmet Coffee or tea Food samples at several food carts Gratuities
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Around Portland Tours
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Food carts are Portland's street food. They gather in pods with shared tables, sometimes covered and heated, and often with a beer or wine bar. Hours vary widely (many carts close by 14:00–15:00 downtown or are shut on some days), so check a cart's social media before going. Most take cards.
Sit-down meals
Restaurants range from casual Thai and Vietnamese places to chef-run tasting menus. Happy hour (often 15:00–18:00) with discounted drinks and small plates is a Portland habit and a cheap way to try good places. There is no sales tax; tip about 18–20% unless a service charge is already on the bill.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes in Portland are mostly run by local cooking schools and are often seasonal, focusing on Northwest produce, seafood, pasta or baking. Check whether a class is hands-on or a demonstration, and whether a meal and wine are included.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | USD 35–50 (€30–43): coffee and pastry, food-cart lunch and dinner |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | USD 80–120 (€70–105): cart lunch, happy hour and a sit-down dinner with a drink, including tip |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | USD 200+ (€175+): a tasting menu with Oregon wine pairing |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Very easy: Portland is one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly cities in the US. Most menus and carts mark vegan dishes, and there are fully vegan restaurants, bakeries and doughnut shops; most carts can point you to a meat-free dish.
Halal: Limited but present: there are halal carts and restaurants serving Middle Eastern, Afghan, Somali and Pakistani food, including in cart pods. Pork is common in mainstream menus, so ask.
Gluten-free: Good awareness: gluten-free options are commonly marked, and there are dedicated gluten-free bakeries and carts. Beer is the obvious problem, though some breweries make gluten-free or gluten-reduced beers; ask about shared fryers at carts.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Bills with an automatic 'service charge' or 'living wage' surcharge of 15–22%, plus a tip line left open. Read the menu and bill; many Portland restaurants that add a service charge say no further tip is expected.
- Queuing a long time at the most famous novelty doughnut shop when other shops make better doughnuts with no line. Go early on a weekday if you want the novelty, or try one of the city's other doughnut shops.
- Crossing town to a cart pod only to find your chosen cart closed or moved; carts close and relocate often. Check the cart's social media or website on the day before you go.
Top tours & activities in Portland
Rent a car in Portland
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
What is a food cart pod?
A pod is a lot where several food carts park permanently around shared seating, often with a covered area, heaters and a beer or wine bar. Portland had roughly 25 pods and 500 carts as of 2025. You order at each cart separately, so a group can eat from different kitchens at the same table. Hours vary per cart, so check before you go.
When is the Portland Farmers Market open?
The main market at Portland State University in the South Park Blocks runs on Saturday mornings year-round, with shorter hours in winter. Neighbourhood farmers' markets run on other days in different areas, mostly from spring to autumn. Summer brings berries and stone fruit; autumn brings apples, pears, mushrooms and squash. Check current hours on the market's website.
How much should I tip in Portland?
About 18–20% at table-service restaurants, unless a service charge is already on the bill, which is increasingly common in Portland. At food carts and counters, tipping is optional; a dollar or two or about 10% is fine. For a food-tour guide, about USD 10–20 per person is usual. There is no sales tax in Oregon.
Is it worth visiting the Willamette Valley wine country?
If you like pinot noir, yes. The northern Willamette Valley (around Newberg, Dundee and McMinnville) is about 45–75 minutes from Portland by car, with many tasting rooms; most charge USD 25–50 for a tasting. You need a driver or a tour, since tastings and driving do not mix. Harvest is roughly September to October.
How much should I budget for food per day in Portland?
On a budget, about USD 35–50 (€30–43) covers coffee, a pastry and two food-cart meals. A comfortable day with a happy hour and a sit-down dinner is roughly USD 80–120 including tip. There is no sales tax, but service charges are common, so read the menu.
Are Portland food carts open in winter?
Many are, though some reduce hours or close for a few weeks. Several pods have covered, heated seating areas and bars, which makes them usable in Portland's wet winters. Downtown carts tend to keep weekday lunch hours year-round. Check individual carts' social media for winter hours.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.