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  • Attractions
    • Avalon Theatre & Wunderland arcadeView All Attractions
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    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
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    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
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John Patrick Pullen

people sitting to eat next to a food cart
i
Head to The Lot at Scout Beer in Southeast Portland to choose from multiple food carts at once.
Credit: Catalina Gaitan
Culture / Food / Food Carts

Popular Food Carts

From breakfast to dessert, Portland’s eclectic food carts have diners’ cravings covered, all over town.

Updated July 25, 2022 3 min read

John Patrick Pullen

Too much of a good thing? That’s one reaction to Portland’s staggering number of food carts (at least a few hundred). But rather than being overwhelmed by the options, why not embrace the delicious dilemma? Go whole hog (hmm, sounds like a good name for a food cart) and choose a day’s worth of meals from these popular Portland food carts.

Food Cart Finder

Search 200+ Portland food carts by cuisine, trademark dishes and dietary needs.

Find Carts Now

Breakfast

The prize for most coveted morning meal from a Portland food cart goes to Matt’s BBQ Tacos on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. (That’s a made-up prize, but they were really named 2019 Cart of the Year by the local paper.) Breakfast taco options include brisket, pork belly, jalapeno cheddar sausage and portobello mushroom, all served with eggs, potato and cheese, and all worth the almost-guaranteed wait.

In Northeast Portland’s Barley Pod, Smaaken Waffles reinvents the breakfast classic, turning it into a vessel for delightfully diverse fillings. Sandwiches on their thin Dutch waffles include combinations like sausage, egg and cheddar; ham, Swiss, house-made strawberry jam and powdered sugar; and the Smaaken: apple, brie and bacon. (The cart also offers gluten-free waffles and vegan and vegetarian sandwiches.)

Lunch

If you’re in the mood for a slice, Pyro Pizza has managed to cram a brick oven into its cart in the Cartopia pod, where they wood-fire margherita and puttanesca pies that are sized perfectly for sharing or hoarding.

On Southeast Division Street, Kim Jong Grillin stands alone, no pod required (the cart even has its own covered seating area). Chef Han Ly Hwang turns out stellar Korean barbecue; go for a bibim box lunch featuring delectably marinated meat, cart-made kimchi and a freshly fried egg.

Dinner

To satisfy a range of cravings, head to the Portland Mercado in Southeast Portland’s Foster-Powell neighborhood. Outside of the market is a row of rainbow-colored food carts, each serving up its own traditional recipes infused with Portland flair. Dig into stuffed arepas and fried yucca at Colombian cart Que Bacano, or sample specialties from its neighbors, who are serving up dishes from Mexico, Cuba, Argentina and El Salvador.

Dinner options include an earthy vegan mole, belly-warming pozole, thick and cheesy Salvadorian pupusas or pizza-like Oaxacan tlayudas (14-inch crispy tortillas topped with queso fresco, fresh veggies and pork rinds). In other words, Portland Mercado’s offerings stretch way beyond standard Tex-Mex fare.

Late-Night Dining

Where to eat after last call? These Portland bars and restaurants keep their kitchens open late, serving high-quality food into the night.

Read More

Snacks & Treats

While many of Portland’s food cart offerings could be classified as treats (you’re on vacation, indulge!), a few spots are exclusively dedicated to the sweet stuff.

In ice-cream-crazy Portland, some of the best cones come from a cart, namely Atlas Scoops in Sellwood. The cart serves gelato and sorbet and offers picnic table seating.

Head to Hana’s PDX in Northeast Portland for authentic New Orleans snowballs — the Big Easy’s take on shave ice. This family-owned and -operated cart offers more than 50 delicious, housemade flavors. Feeling adventurous? We dare you to order a Kool-Aid pickle.

Traveling Snack Shacks

Mexican-American couple Daniel Huerta and Isabel Sanchez were born in the U.S. but trips to their ancestral home gave them a love for churros so strong they decided to open Churros Locos . This food truck travels around town to deliver the fried goodness. Don’t miss the churro ice cream sandwich.

For a lighter sweetness keep a lookout for Organic Island Shave Ice (OISI) and Mama Heber’s homemade fruit syrups. The frosty treat topped with “special sauce” and other goodies can be traced back to the island of Oahu in the early ’70s but you can usually find Ilika and his bamboo-covered cart around the Alberta Arts District.

Food, Food Carts

Are You a Food Cart Owner?

Add your food cart to both our Food Cart Finder and Near Me Now tools with just a few quick steps.

Food Cart Owners

Eat Al Fresco

More Portland Food
seated patrons talk and eat from food trucks at Hawthorne Asylum

Food Carts

Portland’s selection of more than 500 food carts, most grouped in “pods,” has drawn raves from the likes of Bon Appétit and CNN.

exterior of a colorful market

Portland Mercado

With a neighborhood grocery, meat market, coffee shop, food cart pod and more, the Mercado is one of the city’s most delicious destinations.

a group of people enjoy drinks on a rooftop bar patio overlooking the city

Portland’s Best Rooftop and Patio Bars

Whether you're looking for a cocktail bar, a brewpub or a dive, enjoy your favorite summer beverage at one of Portland's rooftop bars or outdoor patios.

Food & Drink Events

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Editor's Pick
Dumpling Week
Jan. 29–Feb. 4, 2023

Dumpling Week

Restaurants Citywide

Every February, Portland celebrates its love for dough-wrapped delights with Dumpling Week, a citywide celebration featuring inventive dumpling creations that you won’t find anywhere (or anytime) else. Participating restaurants will serve up special dumplings not available on their regular menus, with each plate going for $12 or less, for dining in, take-out and/or delivery.

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Hollywood Farmers Market
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Hollywood Farmers Market

Hollywood Farmers Market Free

Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food, you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season. April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to…

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Oregon Distilled
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023

Oregon Distilled

The Redd on Salmon Street $50 – $189

Oregon’s booming distillery industry is on fire. Celebrate the best of what Oregon offers in whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, aquavit and much more. Find your new favorite distilled spirit, get tips on making cocktails, find the best mixers and enjoy some great food. Oregon Distilled features 30+ distillers, 120+ different spirits, five impeccable chefs, fine…

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The Portland Mercury's Highball
Feb. 20–26, 2023

The Portland Mercury's Highball

Bars Citywide

It’s the triumphant return of the Portland Mercury’s HIGHBALL. That’s correct: Get ready for an ENTIRE WEEK (February 20-26) of specially crafted, original cocktails mixed by the best bartenders in town… and get this; they’re only $8 each. The Mercury teamed up with the finest bars and restaurants in Portland — along with our cocktail-lovin’…

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Portland Seafood & Wine Festival
Mar. 3–4, 2023

Portland Seafood & Wine Festival

Portland Expo Center TBA

Enjoy fresh Oregon seafood (at the peak of Dungeness Crab season) as well as wine, craft beers, cider, and distilled spirits as you browse the myriad of exhibitors. Over 60 of Oregon’s finest wineries offer you tastings. This is a family-friendly event. You are encouraged to bring the whole family to enjoy face painters, balloon…

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Portland Saturday Market
Ongoing

Portland Saturday Market

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Free

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

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Easter Brunch Cruises on the Portland Spirit
Sunday, Apr. 9, 2023

Easter Brunch Cruises on the Portland Spirit

Portland Spirit Cruises $40 – $80

Hop aboard the Portland Spirit for an Easter brunch to remember. Your family and friends will enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Willamette River, a delicious Northwest brunch buffet, “bottomless” mimosas or sparkling cider, live piano music, an appearance from Cinnabunny and ever-changing river views. What’s Included: 2-hour cruise on the Willamette RiverViews of the…

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Bridge to Brews
Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023

Bridge to Brews

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Cost Varies

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Portland Mac & Cheese Festival
May 7–8, 2023

Portland Mac & Cheese Festival

TBD TBD

Featuring some of the country’s hottest chefs, eateries, and food trucks in some of the favorite food cities, offering a unique taste of America’s favorite side dish to hungry crowds around the nation. The Mac + Cheese Festival National Tour celebrates America’s cheesiest dish while highlighting top chefs. Location is TBD

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Good in the Hood Multicultural Festival
June 23–25, 2023

Good in the Hood Multicultural Festival

Lillis-Albina Park

The Good in the Neighborhood Multicultural Music and Food Festival features live music, a parade, an information Village, a marketplace, a beer and wine garden and a youth venue, along with a kids’ space. The mission of Good in the Hood is to promote the cultural aspects of the North and Northeast community in Portland.

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The Wedge
Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023

The Wedge

Alder Block Cost Varies

The Wedge is a Farmers Market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything with it. Sample and purchase local artisan cheese, specialty foods, beer, wine, and cider. This is a family-friendly event that’s open to all cheese lovers. Tickets include all cheese, accompaniment, and non-alcoholic beverage samples. Adult beverage sampling is an additional $15 and includes a…

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THE TEASY BELLE: A Burlesque Brunch Cabaret
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023

THE TEASY BELLE: A Burlesque Brunch Cabaret

The Victorian Belle Mansion $20 – $140

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Winter Waters x Veganizer: Feral
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023

Winter Waters x Veganizer: Feral

Mestizo $80

Feral is partnering with Veganizer, Blue Evolution, Oregon Seaweed, and Mestizo for a seaweed cuisine experience in the Winter Waters regenerative seafare series. 10% of sales will benefit Oregon Kelp Alliance. WINTER WATERS x VEGANIZER Chefs Ryan Koger and August Winningham of Feral Drinks by Nan Chaison of Mestizo 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. reservations…

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Treat Yourself Sip & Shop Market
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

Treat Yourself Sip & Shop Market

Triskelee farm Free

Bring that special person(s) and Treat yourself at our Sip and Shop Valentines Market. Triskelee Farms will have many local vendors, tasty treats, massages, bottle service, fun photo ops, food, and more. Grab your friends or significant other and come on over. Dress warm the barn can get chilly. Free to get in. There will…

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Montavilla Farmers Market
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Montavilla Farmers Market

Montavilla Farmers Market Free

Neighborhood farmers market featuring local farms, distilleries, coffee, bakeries, flowers, hot food vendors and more. The market was founded by a grassroots collection of neighbors who were inspired by visions of a fresh, local, food market in a shared community space within the growing SE Stark Street business district. This dedicated group opened the market…

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Valentine's Day Cruise
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023

Valentine's Day Cruise

Portland Spirit Cruises $140 +

Treat your special someone to an evening filled with romance, music and delicious food. Enjoy spectacular river views of the Portland skyline, a specially prepared four-course meal and live entertainment. Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. Book early; this experience is expected to sell out. What’s Included: Two and a half hour cruise on…

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St. Patrick's Day Dinner and Musical Show

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