Search Sellwood Moreland
History — from a vintage amusement park to antique goods — and stunning views of the city along the river dominates this Southeast Portland area.
Stroll through a verdant riverfront park, catch a raucous roller derby match, enjoy the revival of historic buildings, shop vintage markets, and admire flourishing flora and fauna in Sellwood-Moreland. Read on for more of our favorite things to do and see in this Southeast Portland neighborhood.
Places to Eat and Drink in Sellwood-Moreland
With several major thoroughfares -Southeast Milwaukie Avenue, Southeast 13th Avenue and Southeast Bybee Boulevard- at the edges of these quiet residential streets, the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood is packed with restaurants, food cart pods, bars and cafes, with an impressive array of international fare. Here are some of the highlights:
Jade Bistro & Patisserie is an Asian-fusion teahouse with noodles, soups, salads and a case full of French-style pastry catering to all manners of dietary restrictions. This bustling cafe offers counter-service and an outdoor patio. 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.
Saburo’s Sushi House has been a hole-in-the-wall sushi spot serving fresh fish since 1988. You’ll notice the line around the building before you find the door, but it’s worth the wait. If you want to skip the line, 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, and take full advantage of their whisky list, offering more than 60 Japanese whiskies.
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.
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.
A Cena 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.
Sellwood Sips
Day or night Sellwood is serving up something worth sipping.
Things to Do in Sellwood
Just off the Sellwood Bridge and on the riverfront find Oak Amusement Park. Since 1905 this quaint amusement park has been providing rides, carnival games and food, a roller rink, and a perfect place for family fun.
Immediately southeast of Oaks Park, you’ll find Sellwood Park. Back in the day, this was the City View Racetrack, but now the 16-acre spot on a bluff overlooking downtown Portland is packed with baseball fields, tennis courts and even horseshoe pits. At the height of summer, the park’s public pool is perhaps its biggest draw.
Another old Portland gem in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood is Moreland Theater. First opening its door in 1926, this single-screen movie house screens first-run films.
Surrounded by parks and natural beauty, Eastmoreland Golf Course was laid out in 1917. With a driving range, 12-hole course and course-side eatery, book a tee time, a lesson, or just come for a meal with views.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Bird-Watching in Portland
Catch sight of 200+ types of birds at the Portland area’s dozens of prime bird watching destinations, including sanctuaries, refuges and urban parks.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Round out your floral explorations of the Rose City with a visit to Southeast Portland’s lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. The park boasts more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, with blooms from late February -June.
Parks & Gardens
In a city as green as Portland, it’s only fitting that some of the top attractions are spots that appeal to home gardeners and hikers alike. With more than 275 parks and gardens within city limits the urban greens offer a breath of fresh air.
Natural Wonders
Bring binoculars and play a game of spot-the-species at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, where a trail winds through 170 acres of reclaimed marshland that is home to more than 150 species of birds. Keep an eye out for the great blue heron, Portland’s official bird. You wouldn’t expect the stellar city views from Sellwood, though from the bluff overlooking the wildlife refuge be prepared for gorgeous sunsets. There is plenty to see and do by bike or foot in the parks in and around Sellwood-Moreland.
Parks in Sellwood-Moreland
Bird watching, paved trails, urban hiking and more.
The Willamette Trail connects Sellwood Park to Oaks Bottom and scores of other natural wonders along the Springwater Corridor. The mostly-paved scenic pathway is a former railway that now lets bikers ride along the Willamette River from just south of the Oregon Science Museum (OMSI).
Just to the west, Sellwood Riverfront Park boasts the best access to the Willamette River on Portland’s east side, as well as paved paths and picnic tables.
On the neighborhood’s east side, 44-acre (18 ha) Westmoreland Park hosts the city’s first permanent nature-based play area, where children can frolic among features made from logs, boulders, sand, plants and water, all flanked by a restored wetland.
Local Hangouts
Tea Chai Te is a bit like a secret clubhouse — visitors enter through a red caboose and descend into a spacious lounge and sun-dappled patio. The cozy café boasts a collection of more than 120 handcrafted tea blends and has been spotlighted by the likes of The New York Times and IFC’s Portlandia.
Inside and out, the Muddy Rudder Public House is a great place to taste the local flavor, especially if you’re into microbrews. This popular neighborhood hangout is a converted bungalow that hosts near-nightly live music and a daily happy hour that explains why they have so many regulars. Pull up a picnic table or a barstool and lose track of time.
Shopping in Sellwood and Moreland
The peaceful, walkable retail stretches of the historic Sellwood-Moreland district are a throwback to the pre-Internet era of shopping and pack enough surprises to turn anyone into a collector. A magnet for antique hunters, the neighborhood is home to vintage vendors who stock both mid-century treasures and flea-market finds.
Antiquing
Trips to this ‘hood often begin and end at Stars Antiques Mall. Opened by three friends with a passion for collecting, the cavernous store houses nearly 200 dealers, seven days a week. Don’t see the 1950s cookie jar you’re hunting for? Check the antique mall’s sister store, Stars & Splendid, located right across the street.
R. Spencer Antiques has been around since 1967 selling furniture, fine antiques and more. This institution in the Old Sellwood District boasts several thousand square feet of furnishings, art and other collector’s items that span many centuries of world history.
Consignment store Sellwood Union is a vintage seller collective with 18 unique vendors that offer a curated collection of one-of-a-kind pieces at reasonable prices.
Clothing and Gifts
At art supply store Collage, children and adults alike can stock up on crafting gear, come up with ideas for a project or watch weekend demonstrations to learn some new (or old) techniques. Friendship bracelets, anyone?
Shoppers who would rather leave the crafting to the pros have their bases covered at Fuchsia, which stocks delicate jewelry, accessories and gifts. Thoughtful, colorful and inexpensive, their wares are perfect pick-me-ups for friends or for a tired wardrobe.
CoCo & Toulouse is a shopping destination for gifts, paper goods, soaps, perfumes and unique clothing. Twice a year, the shop holds fun sip-and-shop charity-driven Fashion Shows. Trunk shows also feature artists and authors with their new offerings.
Just for Kids
The Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood also offers something for the kids. Sweetpea’s is a consignment shops that sells gently used clothing for children ages newborn to 12 years old. It also has toys, books and gear like bicycle helmets.
Silly Daisy Kids, on the other hand, focuses on handmade, fair-trade and ethically made items. Poom Lynn opened the storefront in 2019 after selling her children’s apparel and baby accessories on Etsy, at craft fairs and eventually, in other local stores.
Sellwood Moreland Events
See what's happening in Sellwood-Moreland at these upcoming events
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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