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South Portland
Enjoy diverse eats, great views and river activities in laid-back South Portland, the City of Roses' newest “quadrant.”
Created in partnership with Portland in Color
South Portland is a slim strip of land on the west side of the Willamette River, located south of downtown Portland. Bound by Interstate 5 and the Marquam Bridge to the north and the Sellwood Bridge to the south, South Portland encompasses the South Waterfront and Johns Landing neighborhoods.
In 2018, it joined North, Northwest, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest Portland as the newest of the city’s so-called “quadrants.” (With the official adoption of South Portland in 2020, it might be time to start calling them “sextants.”) Why the addition? The neighborhood’s off-beat oddity, a zero unique to many of its residential and commercial addresses, caused too much confusion for mapping applications, package couriers and emergency first responders.
Zero aside, it’s easy to keep it one hundred in Portland’s sixth sextant; this laid-back river community is a perfect 10 if water recreation, low-key urban green spaces and hubs to grub and shop are your things.
Eat
Gluttons for gluten, rejoice! Once operating in a smaller kitchen in the same neighborhood and predominately as a wholesaler, Finales Fine Cakes and Desserts owner Bella Chan expanded her business into a brick-and-mortar bakery and café called Sweet Coco G in late 2019. From bigger-than-your-hand, freshly baked cinnamon rolls to classic and seasonally inspired cookies, pies and cakes, there are no wrong choices. (If it’s Saturday, be sure to try the salted caramel and roasted pecan bread pudding.) Looking for something more substantial? In addition to their signature sweets, the bakery also offers homemade soups and sandwiches.
South Portland Eateries
Excellent restaurants and food carts abound in this up-and-coming part of town.
Lunch or dinner, solo or with a group, book it to Szechuan Chef for classic Chinese American eats like sesame and General Tso’s chicken. For more adventurous eaters, the menu’s Szechuan specialties — like the lamb and enoki mushroom hot pot or spicy fried Chongqing chicken with peanuts, chilies and scallions — don’t disappoint.
Savor the fare of the Philippines, a cuisine heavily influenced by Spain, its former colonizer, at St. Barbra Pinoy Bakery. Owner Bob Ofilla also applies his knowledge of French pastry technique to typical Filipino pastries like cheese- or ube-filled ensaymadas, any-time-of-day bites like beef or chicken empanadas, and brunch-appropriate plates such as pancit or grilled beef tapsilog, served with rice and egg.
South Portland’s Best Beverages
Whatever your drink of choice, this quadrant has you covered — sip beer, wine, coffee and more.
Looking to leisurely sip a warm or iced spectacularly spiced beverage? Look no further than Pájaro. This Mexican-owned waterfront spot is no ordinary coffee shop. They offer a cozy, friendly space; the highest-quality ingredients, including remineralized water and house-made “mylk”; and a menu emphasizing low-waste and plant-based drink options. The mushroom- and date-derived “horchata de hongo,” an herbaceous take on the classic Latin American rice and cinnamon-spiced beverage, is a must-try as an add-on to your latte, cup of coffee or on its own. Don’t sleep on the rosewater ahogado (an ice cream and espresso pour-over), featuring local plant-based Kate’s Ice Cream; it’s everything.
South Portland Hotels
Find ideal accommodations near this quadrant's eateries, shops and parks.
Play
Enjoy Willamette Park, a 26.9-acre (10.9-ha) waterfront property. Serve ‘em like Serena on the tennis courts, then “Bend It Like Beckham” on the soccer fields. Take to the water and rent single or tandem kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or canoes by the hour from the adjoining Portland Kayak Company.
You’re sure to lose track of time exploring the Willamette River’s unique houseboats, public beaches, bridges and natural beauty. Sightings of bald eagles, ospreys and the occasional wayward sea lion await!
Head north for a more metropolitan park experience: Elizabeth Caruthers Park is a compact, modern green space surrounded by striking high-rises. Amenities include a splash pad, a bocce court, public art and walking paths. If you’re looking to get in some steps, the nearby South Waterfront Greenway is a good option — the walkway hugs the west bank of the Willamette River, extending from the River Forum Building to the Marquam Bridge. For a longer walk, consider a stroll across Tilikum Crossing, which connects the South Waterfront to the Central Eastside. Opened in 2015, it’s America’s first major car-free bridge, allowing only pedestrians, cyclists and transit vehicles.
Hop on the Portland Aerial Tram for bird’s-eye views of Bridgetown. Operated by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the tram runs daily between Marquam Hill and the South Waterfront. The trams — Jean on the north side and Walt on the south — are named in honor of Jean Richardson, the first female engineering graduate student at Oregon State University, and Walt Reynolds, the first Black person to graduate from the University of Oregon Medical School (known today as OHSU).
Shop
Established to address customers’ mastectomy, lingerie and compression needs, Just Like A Woman is all about finding the right fit and necessary support — with style. Common and atypical brands and hard-to-find sizes for all ages and cup sizes are easy to procure at this woman-owned shop, which also offers garment fitting, alterations and fixes.
What goes over your undergarments? Find something fashionable and “new to you” at Here We Go Again, a first-rate resale boutique specializing in trendy designer labels for women, including luxury handbags and shoes.
More South Portland Shopping
Peruse the varied, charming shops on offer in Portland's newest quadrant.
During the warmer months, explore the charming South Waterfront Farmers Market in Elizabeth Caruthers Park. It’s smaller than some Portland farmers’ markets, but what it lacks in size, this collection of vendors makes up for in quality — peruse fresh produce, spicy hot sauce, locally distilled spirits and more. Snack options range from baked goods to homemade soups to delicious tamales. The market operates every Thursday from 2–7 p.m., June–October.
Portland’s Quadrants
Explore the six “quadrants” (yes — there are six of them!) that make up the City of Roses.
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