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Doja Cat dances with students at the Black Arts Festival at Reed College.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva

Cultural Communities

People of every ethnicity and culture can find themselves in the independent and welcoming Rose City.

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Doja Cat dances with students at the Black Arts Festival at Reed College.
Credit: Tojo Andrianariva

Every inch of Portland has its own unique history, and every Portlander has their own story. Read on to learn more about the city’s many cultural communities, and discover places and ways to find community while on a trip to The Rose City.

Cultural Communities

Black Community in Portland

Portland’s rich Black community reaches beyond its historic roots.

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A Black woman with dark mid-length twists, a beaded necklace and a black shirt subtly smiles into the camera.

Best-Selling Author Renée Watson’s Top 5 Black-Owned Portland Businesses

From spice shops to natural hair care, discover Portland through the eyes of New York Times Best-Selling Author of “Piecing Me Together,” Renée Watson.

a Black man in a red shirt, yellow beanie and apron presents an overstuffed burrito on a plate

Support Black-Owned Restaurants in Portland

Brought into focus by local organizations, explore the city’s diverse and delicious Black-owned food carts, restaurants and markets in Portland.

A vendor greets an attendee at My People\'s Market

My People’s Market Spotlights Local Entrepreneurs of Color

My People’s Market showcases local entrepreneurs and makers of color, connecting them with industry professionals and consumers.

Chinese American Community

Connect with the city’s historic and vital Chinese American community.

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Hispanic & Latinx Community

Portland's Hispanic and Latinx communities offers rich resources for visitors.

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A sign reading \"Portland Mercado\" in front of a brightly painted mural showing a Latin American dancer and musician

Living Latine in Portland

Spend a day enjoying and buying from Latinx-owned businesses all over Portland.

someone orders at a restaurant that is colorfully decorated, people fill the chairs in the background

Taqueria Mis Tacones: Cultivating Community and Cashew Cheese

Located in Portland’s Alberta neighborhood, Mis Tacones serves up authentic vegan Mexican food and community support for trans POC visitors and locals.

two people dancing on stage

Portland’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Shop for handmade crafts, snack on traditional recipes and enjoy entertainment straight from Guadalajara at this popular Cinco de Mayo festival.

groups of people at tables in an indoor market dining area

Great Latinx-Owned Eateries in Portland

Portland is home to authentic eateries from every corner of Latin America. Feast on tacos, tlayudas, pupusas and burritos; read on for some of the best Latinx-owned restaurants and food carts in Portland.

exterior of a colorful market

Portland Mercado

The Mercado is a food cart pod and also a hub of Latine culture and local entrepreneurship and may be one of the city’s most delicious destinations.

Japanese American Community

Japanese Americans have been a vital part of Portland’s history for generations.

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Jewish Community

Learn more about Portland’s Jewish community and legacy, along with special cultural events and important landmarks.

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LGBTQ+ Community

Learn more about Portland's rich LGBTQ+ history and places to share community.

Drag Queen Group under Cocktails Sign

Drag in Portland  

Indulge in Portland’s artful drag scene with local stars like Poison Waters, burlesque dancers like Jayla Rose and acrobatic drag shows all over the city.

a bartender making a flaming drink behind the bar at Local Lounge

LGBTQ+ Nightlife

Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.

person with rainbow suspenders and rainbow parasol smiles, surrounded by people in rainbow decoration with Portland\'s white stag sign above

LGBTQ+ Community

Visitors to Portland can experience huge LGBTQ+ Pride parades, drag performances, queer film festivals, dance parties and more.

Native American Community

Learn about Portland Native American culture and history through these collections, galleries, events and institutions.

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More Multicultural Portland

Read more about the rich multicultural history and present day in Portland.

Indian people wearing traditional headpieces gathered at a festival.

Indian American Community

The Indian American community in Portland and its neighboring suburbs consists of a thriving and growing population of almost 10,000 Indians.

men in prayer for Ramadan

Arab American Community

Connect with the community of more than 40,000 Arab Americans living in Oregon through community centers, cultural festivals and other events.

a sunlit and orderly store is filled with food items

A Guide to Specialty Groceries in Portland

Hunt for gourmet gifts you can eat and take a little bite of Portland back with you. Here’s where to find fine chocolates, fragrant spice kits and ready-to-eat snacks and meals that make a perfect picnic.

One serving of Jianbing, cut in two, rests in a silver lunch tray on a wooden table.

Specialty Dishes of the Portland Jade District

Made like nowhere else in Portland, these often sold-out specialty dishes center heritage recipes and East and Southeast Asian cultural experiences.

a table of middle eastern food

Middle Eastern Eateries in Portland

Portland’s Middle Eastern restaurants promise rich Lebanese, Iraqi and Syrian flavors, warming spices and authentic cultural traditions.

A vendor greets an attendee at My People\'s Market

My People’s Market Spotlights Local Entrepreneurs of Color

My People’s Market showcases local entrepreneurs and makers of color, connecting them with industry professionals and consumers.