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For a sampling of some of the city’s best food, head to Cartopia food cart pod on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.
Credit: Stuart Mullenberg

Hawthorne

Always quirky, Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard is a walkable street with block after block of vintage shops, boutiques, and cafés. Find plenty of things to do!

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For a sampling of some of the city’s best food, head to Cartopia food cart pod on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard.
Credit: Stuart Mullenberg

Spanning 43 blocks, in old store fronts find thrift shopping, cozy bookstores, fine and casual dining, and a perfect espresso as you wander this locally beloved Southeast Portland neighborhood. Read on for our favorite things to do and see in the Hawthorne District.

Hawthorne has a little bit of everything you are looking for.

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Top 5

Things to Do on Hawthorne

These local institutions showcase some of the best of Southeast Portland.

  • House of Vintage

    House of Vintage is a collective of over 60 independent dealers sharing 13,000 square feet to provide Portland with a massive collection of vintage clothing, furniture and art.

  • Sapphire Hotel

    Once a seedy hotel frequented by sailors and ramblers, the Sapphire Hotel has since been converted into a candlelit restaurant with an eclectic menu and a bevy of inventive cocktails.

  • CineMagic Theater

    This theater features a mix of contemporary releases, second-run films and classics — everything from foreign films to mainstream Hollywood pictures.

  • Hawthorne Theater

    One of the city’s busiest all-ages music venues, this former vaudeville house hosts rock, rap, metal and more. The theater also offers a lounge upstairs.

  • McMenamins Bagdad Theater & Pub

    This 1927 movie palace, renovated by the McMenamin brothers, screens first-run films and serves handcrafted McMenamins ales, wines and spirits. The location also includes the Bagdad Theater Pub, Back Stage Bar and Greater Trumps cigar bar.

Where to Eat and Drink on Hawthorne

Start your day with meticulously brewed coffee from Coava Coffee. With Hawthorne providing a days worth of shopping and walking, caffeine is a great start. Local chain Fried Egg I’m in Love serves up tasty breakfast sandwiches with a perfectly cooked egg to pair with coffee or a mimosa.

Find any cuisine, catering to many different dietary needs, from vegan dinners at Maruti India, kebab and falafel at Riyadh’s Lebanese Restaurant, rum cocktails and Cuban comfort food at Cubo, gluten-free arepas at Teote House Cafe, traditional Iraqi dishes at DarSalam on Hawthorne, and classic Thai curry and noodles with rare street dishes at Farmhouse Kitchen Thai.

When you’re undecided on what to eat, make your way to Cartopia Food Cart Pods or Hawthorne Asylum, you’re sure to find the perfect bite between shopping, shows, and sites on this bustling boulevard.

Portland Cider House, founded by a family of British expats, uses traditional English techniques to turn fresh-pressed Northwest apples and pears into tasty hard ciders. Craft your own flight from among 28 varieties at the company’s flagship taproom. For wine lovers, look no further than OK Omens, whose menu focuses on natural wines and aged classics. Sip outside in their covered patios, or buy a bottle to-go. With mid-century charm Gold Dust Meridian serves up creative cocktails and small plates.

Explore Hawthorne

Discover our favorite food, drink and things to see and do on Hawthorne.

two tacos on a wooden table

Hawthorne Dining

Southeast Hawthorne reflects the neighborhood's indie spirit, so you won't find many chain restaurants here. Plan on eating adventurously.

McMenamins Bagdad Theater

Hawthorne Activities

From first-run movies to first-rate comedy acts, Hawthorne is home to an eclectic array of daytime activities and outstanding nightlife options.

racks of clothing and hats on display at the Red Light Clothing Exchange

Hawthorne Shopping

Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard's indie boutiques and homegrown shops mirror the locals you'll see on the street: fun, funky and fiercely independent.

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Places to Shop on Hawthorne

With so many shops and boutiques on Hawthorne, here are some highlights.

  • North St. Bags

    Locally made, high quality bicycle bags and panniers made for active lifestyles, urban commuters and avid adventurists. Featuring backpacks, duffels, hip packs and assorted bicycle accessories, a solution for every storage-on-the-go need.

  • Excalibur Comics

    Excalibur Comics is the oldest comic book store in Portland. This friendly neighborhood spot offers the latest releases and old superhero favorites.

  • Tender Loving Empire – Hawthorne

    Since 2007, indie record label Tender Loving Empire has released albums from celebrated local artists and sold a range of goods crafted in Portland.

  • Communion

    Communion is an independent, locally owned boutique in Portland’s historic Hawthorne District. They seek to unite economy and design by offering affordable, stylish pieces, relevant to current fashion trends.

  • Imelda’s and Louie’s Shoes Hawthorne

    With boxes on the floor, a wide range of styles and a knowledgeable, non-commissioned sales staff, this fun, full-disclosure boutique was designed for shoe lovers, by shoe lovers.

What to Do on Hawthorne

From shopping to movies, an indoor skate park, and a beautiful city park at the top of the strip you’ll have plenty of things to explore.

With over a dozen vintage and re-sell clothing shops on Hawthorne you’re sure to find just want you were looking for. Check out Portland mainstays; Magpie, or Red Light Clothing Exchange. If the City of Books is too much, find a sampling at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne or explore the Eastside book shops with Backstory Books, a woman-owned bookstore in a small house on Hawthorne, sells used books and recycled yarn. Look through the eclectic used vinyl at Tomorrow Records.

For some entertainment catch a great stand-up acts most nights at Helium Comedy Club or take your soccer fans to Gol, with outdoor seating and several screens to watch the matches. Hawthorne has a little bit of everything you are looking for.

Neighborhoods, Tours & Itineraries

Mount Tabor Park

Mt. Tabor Park, a century-old public space known for its open-air reservoirs, forested hiking trails, sunset picnics, epic city views, its annual Adult Soapbox Derby, and, yes, its volcanic cinder cone.

EXPLORE MOUNT TABOR

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racks of vintage clothing in front of a bright green wall

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These companies churn out consistently cool made-in-Portland products, from fashionable swimwear and accessories to leather goods and lighting.