Best Brunch Spots in Portland

Whether I’m feeling biscuits & gravy, a stack of pancakes swimming in butter and syrup (or blueberry compote if I’m feeling fancy), classic eggs benedict, or maybe an açaí bowl if I need a healthy pick-me-up, brunch is my always a good idea to me! One of the best things on the weekend is sleeping in a little, lazily getting ready with a cup of coffee, and then heading out to one of our favorite brunch spots.

Here’s a list of my favorite places in Portland by Neighborhood – Happy Brunching!

Northeast Portland

Proud Mary- This Aussie-run cafe is always buzzing. At the heart of the cafe is it’s amazing coffee culture, but to make it even better than have an incredible menu. The avocado toast is always a good go-to. Or the crab omelet or savoury French toast? yes please!

Grain & Gristle – A neighborhood tavern with a killer weekend brunch menu. Get the eggs benedict with salt potatoes and a Bloody Mary. Their burger is incredible too if you get there for lunch instead!

Pine State Biscuits – Okay, it’s hard to go wrong with the Reggie Deluxe – it’s a fried chicken, bacon, egg & cheese covered in gravy…what?! They also have a smattering of other delicious specialties. Definitely a must in Portland!

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East/Southeast Portland

Tusk – Tusk currently reigns supreme as one of my favorite places in Portland, anytime of day. Always seasonal and always changing, but ALWAYS impressive. For brunch get the hummus NO MATTER WHAT, and the pistachio gooey butter cake!

Broder Café – This place is right up my alley with fun Scandinavian dishes like lefse and Smørrebrød. The breakfast sandwich is amazing with ham, havarti, and marjoram cream.

The Country Cat – Southern with a NW feel! Get the fried chicken of course “brunch style” and the eggs benedict on the best sweet biscuits ever!

Jam on Hawthorne: A Portland staple. It’s hard to go wrong with anything here! Get a mimosa or a bloody mary, one of their many scrambles or the Maddie cakes which is lemon ricotta pancakes with warm blueberry compote!

Screen Door – Another southern beauty – Be prepared to be on the waiting list on the weekends! The chicken & waffles is a must, along with the farm grits, biscuits, and spicy creole bloody mary!

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Southwest/Downtown Portland

Tasty n Alder – Call me crazy, but I’m ordering the salad for brunch. My favorite salad in the world is tasty’s radicchio salad with bacon lardons, manchego, and a 6-minute egg. More like a 6-minute-in-heaven-egg! I also love the pork schnitzel with the sunny side up egg!

Il Solita – I was expecting to like this place as much as I did, but I will happily go back and sip an aperol spritz and eat a saucy cheesy Italian bean toast with poached eggs any day of the week!

Mother’s Bistro – This is probably the most popular place in the city. Classic and a bit cliché but it never disappoints. The wild salmon hash with fried eggs is a must as well as the Migas or the biscuits and gravy. If we have family visiting this is always a safe bet that I know they’ll love!

Kenny & Zuke’s – Every time I watch the famous scene in When Harry Met Sally when they are eating at Katz’s deli  in NYC, I immediately crave a fat stack of pastrami or a hot reuben, that’s when I head to Kenny & Zuke’s! Keep it simple with a reuben, a lox bagel, the challah French toast, or a if you’re really feeling crazy try the “Ken’s Special” with pastrami, chopped liver, cole slaw & russian dressing!

Blue Star Donuts – If you’re feeling a sweet treat and a cup of coffee for brunch head on over to Blue Star! They have several locations but their downtown spot is the biggest. Their Old Fashioned donut is the best! But you can’t go wrong with the Mexican chocolate, chocolate crunch, blueberry cake, or lemon poppyseed.

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Northwest Portland

Besaw’s – Besaw’s original spot on 23rd will forever have my heart, but their new spot on 21st is always bustling and is the perfect Saturday spot for Saturday brunch. I always go for the classic Benedict or the farmers hash here while supping coffee and mimosas simultaneously of course.

St. Jack – If you’re wanting a cozy French café brunch then you’ve hit the jackpot. You’ll be in heaven when you dive into the fried chicken croque madame or the egg sandwich with foie gras boudin. Champagne not optional.

Kiva Cafe & Spa – This is my favorite spot in NW after a workout or if I want a light breakfast to start the day! Grab the powerhouse açaí bowl, a bulletproof coffee or lavender latte and sit outside under their patio tables!

Stepping Stone Cafe – A NW PDX establishment. A classic diner feel with good coffee and serving breakfast all day! You can’t go wrong with the chicken fried steak with gravy or an omelet with hash browns.

Cafe Nell – We frequent this place because of the sunny outside seating in a great neighborhood, and the “manmosas” which is a ginormous glass of Prosecco with a splash of OJ. Go here if you want to soak up some sun and have a cocktail or two!

Ken’s Artisan Bakery – This cute little bakery sits adjacent to our apartment and it has been a staple of ours the last three years. I love stopping in and grabbing a cappuccino and a croque madame, pastries or cakes for special occasions, or a loaf of fresh baked bread any-day of the week!