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Sellwood’s Jade Bistro Teahouse & Patisserie blends Southeast Asian influences.

Sellwood-Moreland Dining

Eat your way around the globe without leaving this Southeast Portland neighborhood.

Updated June 24, 2020 3 min read Sellwood-Moreland

Flying under the radar, Sellwood-Moreland’s high-quality food scene never leaves diners wanting for more. And with a border-busting array of international fare, these neighborhood favorites promise to impress.

Equal parts cozy and cutting-edge, Jade Bistro Teahouse & Patisserie blends various Southeast Asian influences to create a flavorful menu. Plan on trying a little bit of everything, from their salt and pepper squid small plate and coconut rice noodle soup to their lemongrass-infused bistro burger and Vietnamese wedding cake.

From Airstream trailer to funky brick and mortar Zenbu offers authentic Asian cuisine at its best. Portland’s first sushi food cart has taken its flavorful rolls, Eastern-influenced entrees and a rotating sake list inside. Don’t miss the umbrella-shaded patio with its water features and serene garden setting. The comprehensive Japanese Whisky list has just the flavor to get your chopsticks dancing.

For vegan eaters, quirky food cart Supernova Vegan offers 100% plant-based takes on traditionally meat- and dairy-based comfort foods, including tempeh barbecue and bahn mi sandwiches, tofu “fish” tacos and creamy mac and cheese topped with nutritional yeast. During cooler months, warm up with a bowl of one of their rotating seasonal soups next to the firepit in the covered patio adjacent to their cart.

At Papa Haydn‘s, one of Sellwood’s premier restaurants, lunch (and their daily 3 p.m. happy hour) is a comfortably elegant affair. But whatever you order — be it a croque monsieur or their savory French onion soup — save room for the café’s famed desserts, such as the boccone dolce, a medley of meringue, fruit and chocolate.

Everyone is family at Gino‘s, a neighborhood Italian joint. From their classic, checkered red and white tablecloths to family-style dining options for large groups, it’s a homey dinner experience that warms the soul, whether you order cioppino seafood stew or Grandma Jean’s pasta.

Likewise, A Cena also delivers a sensory experience that tickles the palate with exquisite Italian fare, a comforting atmosphere and great service. House-made pasta like Maine lobster ravioli and Tuscan-braised rabbit pappardelle burst with flavor. And, of course, there’s a wine to match everything on the menu, whether you’re there for lunch, dinner or dessert.

The behemoths at Killer Burger aren’t for the faint of heart — bacon is pre-mixed into each 1/3-lb patty. Locals salivate for their signature creation, which comes slathered with peanut butter, pickles and even more sizzling pork.

Meat-lovers also line up at Reverend’s BBQ, a neighborhood barbecue joint by the team behind legendary local steakhouse Laurelhurst Market. Southern-style plates arrive piled with tender pork ribs, crispy fried chicken and juicy smoked sausage.

Food & Wine declared Relish Gastropub one of America’s best gastropubs in 2014, giving credit to the eatery’s tasty seasonal menu, late-night bites and 20 rotating taps of Pacific Northwest craft beer. Arrive early (3–6 p.m.) for “social hour” plates like pan-fried oysters, mushroom toast and juicy cheeseburgers smeared with sweet onion jam.