Portland In The News
From women leading in sports and food to new developments promoting prestige, sophistication and sustainability, Portland's good news continues to get noticed.
While we enjoy Portland every day, it is always a treat to see what great stories capture the headlines. As the clips and quotes that follow show, there are many great stories unfolding here—from our incredible culinary scene to our neighborhoods, entrepreneurs and innovative airport. This city is ours—and yours—to share.
A Great City for Food, with the James Beard Award to Prove It
The 25 Best Restaurants in Portland, Ore., Right Now
New York Times – Aug. 19, 2025
The New York Times continues to love Portland’s culinary scene, as praised in “The 25 Best Restaurants in Portland, Ore., Right Now,” which declares Portland both “one of America’s great culinary cities” and “the “dining capital of the Pacific Northwest.”
The 8 Best Bars in Portland, Oregon Right Now
Bon Appétit – July 4, 2025
“From dreamy escapes to a drinking den built for film buffs, the bars in PDX are dripping in personality and vibes.” Daydream, Malpractice and Fancy Baby are among the bars feeling the love from Bon Appétit this month.
Portland’s best food carts showcase a fun, unique food scene
The Seattle Times – July 2, 2025
Why are there so many delicious food carts here? The Seattle Times digs in and shares the little things that come together in Portland, including “low overhead and a welcoming economic landscape for business owners, ample space and an audience of diners who love eating at the carts.”
In conversation with the nation’s most Outstanding Bakery: Portland’s JinJu Patisserie
OPB – June 18, 2025
Portland’s latest James Beard Award winner, JinJu Patisserie, has been selected as the most Outstanding Bakery in the U.S. OPB’s “All Things Considered” caught up with the winners.
Here Is the Full List of James Beard Awards 2025 Winners
Eater – June 16, 2025
Chalk up two more James Beard award wins for Oregon establishments in 2025, including JinJu Patisserie’s selection as Outstanding Bakery and Timothy Wastell of Antica Terra’s selection as Best Chef — Northwest & Pacific Region.
The dining capital of the Pacific Northwest remains one of America’s great culinary cities.
The New York Times
Portland is a Leader in Wellness and Relaxation
Inside Portland’s Rising Luxury Beauty and Wellness Scene
Forbes – June 25, 2025
“While new developments in the Rose City promote prestige and sophistication, they still stay true to the area’s sustainable and purposeful ethos.”
This City Was Just Named Most Bike-friendly in the U.S.—and Its Most Popular Routes Are Scenic and Peaceful
Travel + Leisure – May 30, 2025
Citing the city’s blend of scenic routes, sustainable and bike-friendly culture, and extensive network of bike lanes for easy navigation through vibrant neighborhoods (among other factors), Buycycle recently named Portland the most bike-friendly city in the U.S.
Portland’s Natural Spaces Are Fertile Ground for Meetings and Events
Meetings Today – April 25, 2025
“Boasting more than 200 parks and gardens within city limits, Portland, Oregon, is a natural choice for business events that want to inhale some fresh air during their agenda.”
There’s an Incredible Spa With 5 Pools Underneath Portland, Oregon, at This New Hotel
Travel + Leisure – March 25, 2025
“These days, it seems like any hotel with a spa calls themselves a ‘wellness destination.’ But at Cascada Thermal Springs + Hotel in Portland, Oregon’s Alberta Arts District, that moniker feels well-earned.”
Together, it felt like we were transcending to another plane as our practitioner, Stephanie Starnes, combined crystal singing bowls, gongs, and her own melodic voice into a high vibration sound bath that far surpassed anything I had tried before. (And I’ve done a lot of sound baths.)
Travel + Leisure
Review: Cascada Thermal Springs and Hotel
Condé Nast Traveler – Spring, 2025
“Come for the excellent thermal springs and expansive spa, stay for the spacious, luxurious suites.”
The Wine Spa: World’s Greatest Places 2025
Time – March 13, 2025
“Wine and wellness are closely intertwined at the brand-new Wine Spa, where guests bathe in wine from the Willamette Valley while sipping a glass of their favorite varietal.”
Portland International Airport is a Triumph
From its ceiling of Northwest-sourced timber to its 120-foot-long video walls, Portland International Airport continues to up the ante with its latest renovation. To say the media took notice is an understatement.
How airports are reducing waste and embracing sustainability
The Washington Post – Aug. 9, 2025
“No stranger to ambitious waste-reduction initiatives, PDX started collecting food scraps for composting in 2003. A food-donation program was established in 2013 …” Now PDX is putting an end to wasteful to-go food packaging with the Green Plate Program, which will provide reusable tableware to each PDX vendor along with centralized support for cleaning and reuse.
The World’s Most Beautiful Airports for 2025
Condé Nast Traveler – July 15, 2025
“The terminal follows the concept of biophilia, or the tendency for humans to seek out nature. Main walkways … are filled with sunlight and greenery: There are 72 large trees … as well as 5,000 other green plants sprouting throughout the space. The timber roof slats diffuse light in a similar manner as a forest canopy, and 60% of the terminal is bathed by natural light.”
The best airport in America? You guessed it
The Oregonian/OregonLive – June 26, 2025
The Washington Post has officially ranked the top 50 airports in the U.S. using a combination of passenger recommendations and data analysis. Portland International Airport topped the list, beating out more than 450 airports nationwide.
Portland is On The Rise
36 Hours in Portland, Ore.
New York Times – Aug. 28, 2025
This eclectic, highlight-filled itinerary serves up just one way to spend a weekend in Portland. “Portland’s reputation for weirdness is warranted…But there’s depth to Portland beyond its quirks. Its dining scene is one of the country’s finest..Its diverse music scene has birthed talents ranging from Everclear to the Decemberists to Aminé, and you can climb a volcano without leaving city limits.”
Progressive Portland Plots a Comeback
Bloomberg – Feb. 13, 2025
This well-researched article covers decades of Portland’s status as a beacon of American urban policy — through its challenges, opportunities and current revival. “…local brokers point to signs of a turnaround: The flood of businesses that decamped for the suburbs has slowed, and the number of tenants now seeking space in the central core is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Foot traffic and hotel bookings are up; restaurants are opening.”
Amazing Spas, New Hotels, a Buzzing Restaurant Scene—This Pacific Northwest City Is Alive With Fresh Energy
Afar – Jan. 30, 2025
When considering why now is the time to visit Portland, author Amanda Calnan Vowels found a focal point in the unique experiences that make Portland magical — from spas like Cascada and Knot Springs, to the Portland Art Museum and WonderLove food cart pod. “The mindset of local tastemakers and citizens channels a determination to keep [Portland] sustainable, food-driven, vibrant, and always innovative.”
New Portland Rising: How Entrepreneurs of Color Are Turning Crisis Into Opportunity
Travel + Leisure – Jan. 25, 2025
In Portland, “Restaurants, bookshops, and other stores owned by people of color have begun thriving, helped by public support, more affordable rents, and patronage from city and nonprofit agencies.” Featuring local black-owned businesses Kann, Barnes & Morgan, Abbey Creek Winery and Third Eye Books, Travel + Leisure celebrates the economic rebirth being led in Portland by BIPOC entrepreneurs.
Women Lead in Portland
Portland’s Push To Become The Global Epicenter Of Women’s Sports
Forbes – July 30, 2025
“The city of Portland, Oregon is making a bold play to lead the global women’s sports movement… one thing is clear: Portland isn’t just talking the talk; it’s building the infrastructure, fanbase, and momentum to back it up.”
‘Old Ideas’ Kept Women From Becoming Sushi Chefs. Now They Master the Craft
Today – May 29, 2025
Featuring Portland chef Kate Koo, owner of Zilla Sake, Today explored the challenges facing women sushi chefs “fighting against thousands of years of history of sushi and culture.”
From Oregon, a Chocolate Cake That Changes Hearts and Minds
New York Times – May 21, 2025
This article profiles Portland’s vegan culture, with a spotlight on Nora Taylor, operator of the vegan food blog Nora Cooks, and the creator of a life-changing vegan chocolate cake recipe.
All Are Welcome in Portland
This U.S. City Is Redefining Inclusive Travel for Plus-size Visitors
Travel + Leisure – June 1, 2025
“Whether you’re seeking body-positive spaces, inclusive fitness spots, or restaurants with truly accessible seating, Portland sets the standard for what travel should feel like: welcoming, affirming, and built for every body.”
Beyond Downtown: Portland’s Vibrant Inclusive Gems for Queer Travelers
Instinct Magazine – May 15, 2025
Explore with this article’s author the places discovered on a recent visit to Portland. “Venture beyond the city center, and you’ll uncover neighborhoods brimming with queer-friendly charm, eclectic vibes, and inclusive spaces that make Portland a true gem for the LGBTQ+ traveler.”
Credit: Diego Diaz
Black Rodeo Gallops Ahead
I Finally Attended My First Black Rodeo — It Was Nothing I Could Imagine
Travel Noire – June 24, 2025
“After spending countless hours researching and interviewing … I thought I would go into the rodeo with enough spoilers that emotions wouldn’t catch me by surprise. However, I couldn’t be more wrong.”
Ivan McClellan’s 8 Seconds Rodeo is Flipping the Script on Rodeo Culture — One City at a Time
The Knockturnal – June 18, 2025
“More than just a showcase of elite bull riding and barrel racing, [the 8 Seconds Rodeo] is a bold celebration of Black Western culture — staged intentionally in a place no one saw coming.”
With the 8 Seconds Rodeo, America’s premier Black rodeo, McClellan didn’t just bring the grit and glory of the Black cowboy tradition to Portland, Oregon — he brought a cultural spectacle designed to both honor history and disrupt the narrative.
The Knockturnal
ESSENCE Author Spotlight: Ivan McClellan’s ‘8 Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture’
Essence – May 13, 2025
“ESSENCE recently spoke with [Ivan] McClellan about Black Rodeo culture, the history of Black cowboys and cowgirls, and his passion for the culture.”
Inside 8 Seconds Rodeo: The Only Black Rodeo In The Pacific Northwest
Travel Noire – May 5, 2025
The first Black rodeo in the Pacific Northwest has blossomed since its 2023 inception, celebrating the cowboy culture of today and the legacy of Black rodeos. Next, it expands to Philadelphia.
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