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Enjoy a locally made picnic spread and a scenic view of the city.

Credit: Judd Hall via Flickr

Portland Picnic Guide

Here’s where to stock up on local goodies and find a perfect park to spread out your blanket.

Updated Apr. 21, 2025 3 min read

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More

Portland loves patio bars and outdoor dining, but nothing beats a picnic on a sunny day, especially for a date. And with more than 275 parks within Portland city limits, there’s no shortage of picnic spots to spread out a blanket and feast on local eats. Need help narrowing it down? Here’s our cheat sheet for three perfect Portland picnics:

Breakfast in the Pearl

Start your day in Northwest Portland and wake up with a cup of artisanal coffee from the champion bean-slingers at Barista, whose expert espresso pulls and latte art have earned national awards. Follow the sweet smells wafting from nearby Nuvrei to find flaky almond croissants, chewy chocolate macarons and other authentic French pastries. At sunny Lovejoy Bakers, eggy breakfast dishes star alongside warm loaves of bread and picnic-perfect sandwiches — think grilled eggplant and fresh mozzarella served with scoops of potato salad.

With more than 275 parks within Portland city limits, there’s no shortage of picnic spots to spread out a blanket and feast on local eats.

Beloved by local chefs for its deep selection of Mediterranean imports and gourmet deli dishes, World Foods is a great place to pick up global snacks, from kumquats and olives to cheese and charcuterie. Better yet, create your own lavish Lebanese mezze plate with items like house-made hummus, spinach pies and stuffed grape leaves.

When you’ve gathered your goods, take your pick from three prime Pearl District parks: The Fields, which features an off-leash dog area; Jamison Square, home to a cascading water feature and kid-friendly splash pool; and Tanner Springs, a lush square of native wetlands. All three options are just a few blocks apart.

Lunch on the Westside

Portland’s Northwest/Nob Hill neighborhood offers a fun itinerary for a day outside. Classic grab-and-go lunch fare has made Elephants Delicatessen a longtime local favorite. Pick from club sandwiches, pasta salads, vegan wraps, granola parfaits and even hot soups. Zupan’s makes it easy to stock up on quality wines, fresh fruit and cold juices, as well as fresh-made deli options and plenty of prepackaged sandwiches and snacks.

Credit: Justin Katigbak, Travel Portland

Accessed from Southwest Skyline Boulevard, Washington Park makes an ideal destination for a meal surrounded by lush greenery and towering trees. Just steps away, the 10,000 blooming rose bushes perfume the air at the gorgeous International Rose Test Garden, which promises picturesque views of downtown Portland.

After you pack up your picnic, treat yourself to tempting rolled ice cream at 22 Below — they offer over 30 flavors and a huge selection of mix-ins. If frozen yogurt is more your speed, plan a stop at Eb & Bean for ever-rotating flavors, creative toppings and scrumptious sauces. (They have plant-based, dairy-free options too.)

Dinner in Southeast

Specialty shop Pastaworks at Providore Fine Foods boasts an unsurpassed selection of Italian wines and European imports; stop by the meat counter for house-made pastrami and Parisian-style baguette sandwiches. Local grocery New Seasons Market is a safe bet for anything left on your shopping list, be it organic produce, bulk trail mix or healthy, seasonal deli salads.

Lest you forget dessert, Petite Provence Patisserie stays open into the evening, serving decadent French chocolate cakes layered with luscious mousse, meringue and ganache.

Spend a cozy day in Laurelhurst Park, where you’ll find plenty of locals picnicking on a nice day. For a memorable romantic evening, hike (or drive) to the top of leafy Mt. Tabor Park, which occupies the slopes of an extinct volcanic cinder cone in the heart of Southeast Portland. Uncork that bottle of wine and watch pinks and oranges streak the sky as the sun dips behind the city skyline and the West Hills.

More Places to Picnic

Find perfect parks around Portland for a picnic in every part of town.

• Cathedral Park

  Once a fishing and seasonal living site for Native American tribes (and a landing site of Lewis and Clark), this multi-level park offers beautiful views of the St. Johns Bridge, fishing, a boat ramp, an off-leash dog area and picnic tables.

• Laurelhurst Park

  Surrounding a scenic lake, Laurelhurst Park was the first city park named to the National Register of Historic Places. It offers picnic and play areas, a dog off-leash area and a horseshoe pit, plus basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

• Westmoreland Park

  Westmoreland Park features wide-open lawn areas — great for a picnic — surrounding several tranquil ponds. There are also sports fields, a tennis court, walking paths and a nature-based play area.

• Wilshire Park

  Acquired by Portland Parks & Recreation in 1940, this 14.4-acre (5.8-ha) park’s amenities include picnic shelters, picnic tables, sports fields, a playground, an off-leash dog area and a nature patch.

• Peninsula Park Rose Garden

  Opened in 1909, this formal French garden was the city’s first public rose garden. The verdant park is home to an iconic fountain, a gazebo, sports fields and a public pool.

Pack the Perfect Picnic

Stock up on local goodies and find a perfect park to spread out your picnic blanket.

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.

Parks & Gardens

In a city as green as Portland, it’s only fitting that some of the top attractions are spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike. With more than 275 parks and gardens within city limits the urban greens offer a breath of fresh air.

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