Dining Near the Oregon Convention Center

The Lloyd neighborhood, Portland's meeting and sporting district serves up satisfying meals all day.

Updated July 21, 2021 3 min read Lloyd

Lloyd offers a full menu of dining options, whether you’re spending the day at the Oregon Convention Center or an exciting night at The Moda Center.

You’ll hear a lot of cheering at Spirit of 77, and it’s not just for the game — this playful space is fun even when the Blazers are on the road, with a snacky mix of food that goes great with their long list of draft and bottled beers.

Breakfast

Though it boasts a hardy lunch menu, breakfast generates the most buzz at Milo’s City Cafe, located near the convention center in Portland’s picturesque Irvington neighborhood. Their hearty take on the most important meal of the day includes smoked salmon hash and Dungeness crab cake eggs Benedict.

A few blocks away, Cadillac Café serves up a side of nostalgia with their fare, with classic diner food served in an Americana-themed setting. Their hazelnut French custard toast and Denver omelet are timeless, too, especially since breakfast is served all day.

Skip the long lines at their other two Portland locations and head to Pine State Biscuits‘s small Northeast location to snag their popular biscuit-and-gravy sandwiches from an indoor walk-up window.

Questions About Lloyd District

What if I don’t have a car?

The best way to get around Portland is on public transportation. Portland is known for having one of the easiest and most visitor-friendly public transportation systems in the country. Right outside the Convention Center is a light rail station that connects the Blue, Green and Red lines.

How far away is Downtown from the Lloyd District?

Downtown is about 2 miles (3 km) from the Lloyd District. You can get there by taking the MAX Green Line outside of the Convention Center towards City Center/PSU and can be at City Hall in 15 minutes. Or it’s a quick 9-minute drive.

Are there outdoor dining options in Lloyd District?

There are so many outdoor dining options it would be impossible to list them all here. However, Aztec Willy’s, The Rose and Thistle, The Broadway Pub and Grill and Cartside Food Carts all have outdoor dining, to mention a few. Check out our Portland Patio Guide for more options.

Breakfast & Brunch

Every day, faithful breakfast and brunch fans file into Portland's mouthwatering morning meal hot spots. Follow the crowd and make the most of the most important meal of the day.

Lunch

A local chain, Burgerville, turns fast food on its ear with locally sourced ingredients stacking a seasonal menu with options like Walla Walla onion rings, blackberry shakes and natural beef burgers smothered with Tillamook cheddar.

Vegan eatery Blossoming Lotus serves organic world-fusion cuisine with raw, gluten- and soy-free options. Open all day, and boasting a full bar stocked with local, organic beer, wine and spirits, sustainably operated Blossoming Lotus’ healthy dishes — like their grilled vegetable tacos loaded with poblano peppers, black beans, cashew sour cream and pickled jalepeños— have no shortage of flavor.

Vegan Guide to Portland

Almost every Portland restaurant offers plant-based options, and dozens of local businesses are entirely vegan. (There’s even a vegan mini-mall!)

Dinner

You’ll hear a lot of cheering at Spirit of 77, and it’s not just for the game projected on the big screen. An unabashed sports bar, this playful space is fun even when the Blazers are on the road, with a snacky mix of food that goes great with their long list of draft and bottled beers, including beer-battered cod tacos, spicy chicken wings and German soft pretzels.

McMenamins on Broadway has a more mainstream menu that excites nonetheless, with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads and rice bowls. Whatever you order, start with a bowl of their Cajun tots, the perfect pair for any of the local chain’s own spirits, craft brews or wines.

At Pastini Pastaria, an outlet of a family-friendly local chain, starting with a plate of bruschetta classico is advised. It’s the best opener for any of their flavorful meat or vegetarian entrées, including their spaghetti carbonara and linguini piccata.

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Portland Sports Bars

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Nearby

Easily accessible via light rail, streetcar or taxi, the Convention Center area is just a short jaunt from the restaurants of the Central Eastside, Pearl District and downtown. Less than 10 minutes north by bus, Argentine-inspired Ox Restaurant fires, smokes and grills all sorts of entrees, including beef ribeye and coal-roasted artichoke.

And just a bit further north, cuisine by Chef Ian Muntzertare can be found at Brasa Haya. Here the menu is stuffed with local ingredients combined into Spanish flavors, like pressure-cooked tripe tossed in a harissa sauce or the classic tortilla española.

Food