It wouldn’t be the holidays without delicious food, so we are excited to drop this last-minute dining guide to help you find the perfect local spot when you don’t feel like cooking. Whether you are in the mood for a big meal or just craving a sweet treat, this list has a little bit of everything. And according to KATU, the restaurant industry needs extra love this season after reporting an unusually slow start to the holidays. So make your dollars count this season by supporting these local restaurants and bars!
- Alberta: Wild Thing PDX is perfect for a bite when you are craving fresh and organic eats! They are a vegan and gluten-free spot on a mission to make vegetables taste good. They are open 7 days a week and serve a wide variety of bowls, wraps, smoothies, and more.
- Beaumont: Check out Amalfi’s Mercato, an Italian-inspired marketplace specializing in fresh, house-made food, local delicacies, and Italian-Imported products. Grab-n-go pasta, salads, pizza, wine, and more. And for your baked goods, Grand Central Bakery serves fresh bread and pastries that bring people together. They also offer online ordering for pickup and delivery.
- Central Eastside: Located inside the Kex hotel, Pacific Standard is a drink and dining hall that will keep its doors open on Christmas Eve. If you are craving a small plate, we recommend the hot sauce deviled eggs or Oregon Bay shrimp roll.
- Gateway: Mi Cava & Cocina is an absolute gem for seafood lovers. The offer an always fresh, never frozen selection of incredible seafood and Mexican fare. And the staff are wonderful!
- Foster: At Foster neighborhood mainstay, Bar Maven, you’ll find craft beers, cocktails, a mix of home-cooked Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, and a loungey vibe with indoor and outside seating. Meanwhile, over at Thunderbird, you can watch the Blazers or play a game of pool, while enjoying good food, including plenty for vegetarians and vegans too!
- Hillsdale: Seasons & Regions Seafood Grill is making holiday cooking easy this year by having all your favorites available for pickup on Christmas Eve. Their Holiday Market has full turkey dinners, delicious soups and sides, desserts, and wines all ready to go but you must get your order in by today (Wednesday) at 8pm!
- Lloyd: Check out Gluten Free Gem’s winter holiday menu, which includes five types of pie, take and bake cinnamon rolls, vegan cornbread muffins, whole quiches, and so much more! Also, since 2017, Twisted Croissant has been reimagining the possibilities of croissant dough and providing handcrafted croissants, cruffins, and croissant donuts to Portland and the surrounding communities.
- Lents: The ZED is the perfect place to stop by to get an array of food and drink thanks to their in-house food hall, beer bar, and cocktail lounge. Zoiglhaus features German-style beers, pretzels, and brats while La Arepa has delicious Venezuelan cuisine. Sherpa Kitchen serves fantastic Nepalese cuisine, and last but certainly not least is PAH! PAH has tasty burgers, fries, and an epic vegan melty cheese!
- Midway: The Rough Russian Cafe is a great place to take family for a holiday treat. Hidden inside Roman Russian Market, this cozy little cafe features an amazing selection of cakes to go with your coffee. Sunbela Bakery & Deli is open through the holidays, so stop by for a treat! Try their pistachio baklava or falafel with house sauces.
- Old Town: You can count on Mother’s Bistro & Bar to be open this Christmas Eve (and New Years!) if you are looking for a tasty brunch or dinner spot. They make everything from scratch, using the best possible ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, and the finest European-style butter for extra flavor.
- Sellwood-Moreland: Situated in the heart of downtown Sellwood-Moreland, Reverend’s BBQ is serving up some of the best barbeque in the city. Their St. Louis-style smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, Carolina pork shoulder, and other comfort food classics could be a delicious addition to your holiday menu.
- Stadium: Although not yet doing dine-in, you can still get classic Thai dishes from Kinara Thai Bistro. Their appetizers, curries, noodles, and rice dishes are all made from the freshest ingredients, and we recommend rounding out the meal with one of their dessert options.
- St. Johns: In addition to their diner classics, Rockabilly Cafe is serving organic turkey noodle soup made from scratch to keep you warm this winter. And for any wine lovers, 45th Parallel has a great assortment to choose from, along with great appetizers.
- Williams: The 12 days of “Crispmas” continues over at Crisp Salads. Get a great deal on full and fresh salads that are perfect when you need to bring something to the holiday party. And Snow Ramen is back Kayos Ramen Bar! Come in and warm up with a delicious bowl and enjoy the flavors of ginger, citrus, fresh chilis, grated daikon, lemon, and shiitake mushrooms as part of their winter special.
This list is non-exhaustive. There are likely plenty of other options for holiday dining in your neighborhood. Which restaurant is making your holiday special? Show us on Facebook and Instagram.