Xocotl serves cold-pressed juices, smoothies and more inside the Portland Mercado.

Credit: Christine Dong for Portland in Color

Raw and Live Food Options

Explore a new side of Portland dining with these fresh, healthful eats.

Updated Oct. 5, 2023 1 min read

Tuck Woodstock

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

So what’s on a raw and live food menu? More than you might think. Cacao truffles, gazpacho soup and cashew sour cream are just a few of the kinds of healthful and tasty treats you’ll find by exploring Portland’s growing “live” food destinations.

Whether you’re a dedicated raw foodie or simply looking for a light, healthful meal, these local spots are sure to liven up your dining experience.

One of the city’s most celebrated vegan restaurants, Blossoming Lotus maintains a dedicated raw and live food menu with unexpected options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In fact, the eatery’s most popular dish is the live nachos: spicy seed-based chips smothered in creamy nacho cheese sauce, pecan chorizo, cashew sour cream and avocado. Other rotating recipes include collard wraps st\uffed with pesto and almond cheese; fish-free sushi rolls made with cauliflower rice and pickled veggies; and seasonal salads piled high with crisp produce. Whatever you choose, don’t leave without a slice of rich raw cheesecake for dessert. (Trust us on this one.)

Still hungry for heat-free eats? Plenty of other local plant-based restaurants offer raw entrées too. Just another indication that Portland’s food scene has never been more lively.

Food