Montavilla is located in a neighborhood in Southeast Portland.

Montavilla

This East Portland district features family-friendly shops, tasty treats and a historic movie theater.

Updated Aug. 15, 2024 3 min read Montavilla

An easy 6-mile (10 km) journey by car, bus or bike from downtown, you’ll find this charming Southeast Portland neighborhood (named one of the country’s top 10 neighborhoods in 2017 by Lonely Planet). Follow our guide to the best things to do, eat and explore in Montavilla.

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Things to Do in Montavilla

Originally opened in 1948, the Academy Theater underwent a full-scale remodel in 2006, including a restoration of the lobby’s glittering two-story metallic dome. Tickets to second-run flicks cost a mere $4 for adults. Parents can purchase tickets for their children for $3 each, or drop them off in the babysitting room for $9.50. (Call ahead to reserve a spot.) A stellar concession stand offers 10 microbrews on tap, plus pizza and sushi from nearby Flying Pie and Miyamoto.

Food and Drink in Montavilla

Start your day with a mug of Stumptown Coffee and a freshly frosted cupcake at the Hungry Heart Bakery, this family-friendly coffee shop. An ever-rotating menu of mini cupcakes includes seasonal flavors, like late summer peach, pink champagne, wintery horchata and butternut sage.

Founded as a deli counter in 1999, Ya Hala has grown to become one of the city’s most beloved Middle Eastern restaurants. (It’s also one of the most beautiful.) A lengthy lunch menu boasts traditional Lebanese dishes like zaatar, fatoush, shawarma and soujouk. Vegan and gluten-free options are clearly indicated.

A precious hidden gem, East Glisan Pizza Lounge is a favorite Montavilla hangout for folks of all tastes and diets. Start your evening with an order of pepperoni rolls or chickpea fritters, then chow down on a large pie. Pizza toppings include broccoli rapini, roasted eggplant, house-made pork meatballs or vegan fennel sausage on a polenta crust.

With a focus on congee, jian bing and dumplings Master Kong is a not-to-be-missed gem. A sister and brother team owns and runs this unassuming Chinese restaurant that focuses on flavors from their home provinces, coastal southern Guangdong and Tianjin. Try the gingery pork steam buns or the spicy jain bing crepe wrap, or opt for a traditional bowl of congee with your choice of additions like salt-cured pork or preserved egg.

Sweeten your visit with a slice of handmade pie at this Montavilla neighborhood gathering place. The Bipartisan Cafe serves up hot drinks from Water Avenue Coffee and Tao of Tea and a rotating assortment of made-from-scratch fruit and cream pies. Pop in during the warmer months for a slice of seasonal pear raspberry pie, or enjoy a heavenly plate of German chocolate cream pie.

Portland Indian Food Carts and Takeout

From comforting aloo gobi to softball-sized samosas, explore our non-comprehensive local’s guide to excellent Portland Indian food trucks and takeout.

Wind down with a classy adult beverage at Arbor Hall. This old-meets-new lounge is open 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Modern and retro recipes can be found on their list of craft cocktails and bar snacks. The featured seasonal cocktail menu changes about three or four times a year with the beloved classics available all year long.

Open since 1984, Flying Pie Pizzeria is a Montavilla neighborhood staple that makes and hand-rolls its dough fresh daily and offers an extensive list of pizza toppings, including traditional Italian meats, vegan cheeses and unexpected offerings like shrimp, smoked oysters and pastrami. For those not in the mood for pizza, Flying Pie also crafts calzones and hot subs and offers 10 beers on tap.

Questions about Montavilla

How did Montavilla get its name?

The neighborhood was once a small farming community named Mount Tabor Village, located between Portland and Hood River. After the construction of the Morrison Bridge in 1887, the Eastside of Portland became more accessible and the streetcar started serving areas further from the city center. In 1892 the streetcar made it out to the area with an abbreviated destination sign Mt. Ta. Villa. Locals quickly adopted the abbreviation into their dialect which naturally evolved into the name we use today.

What is the community like in Montavilla?

Montavilla feels like a town within the city with an active Neighborhood Association that focuses on livability issues, such as safety, maintaining diversity and outreach. There are also many community organizations dedicated to diverse interests including gardening, pets and even emergency preparedness.

What else is there to do in Montavilla?

After strolling through the shops, take your coffee and pastry to Montavilla Park, where you can watch a Futsal game (a smaller-scale version of soccer). Or, on Sundays year-round, visit the Montavilla Farmers Market. And, if you are visiting in the summer, be sure to check out the Montavilla Street Fair.

Shopping in Montavilla

Striving to make a uniquely Portland fashion statement? Look no further than Union Rose, a women’s boutique stocked exclusively with locally made wares. The shop carries clothing, jewelry, body products and home goods crafted by more than 60 independent artists and designers.

If your kiddos have aged out of teething rings, stop by Beanstalk to pick up a new toy or dress-up item. This family-owned business offers cute consignment clothing, pre-loved books and games, and top-notch trikes, diaper bags and strollers.

Illustration by Subin Yang

Southeast Portland Neighborhoods

East of the Willamette River and south of Burnside Street, this large southeast quadrant is home to many favorite neighborhoods and business districts, as well as the dormant volcano at Mt. Tabor Park, delectable Asian food in the Jade District and urban nature at Leach Botanical Garden and Powell Butte.

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