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Thai eatery Eem on North Williams Avenue was named 2019 Restaurant of the Year by “The Oregonian.”
Credit: Aaron Lee

Williams

This vibrant North Portland street offers stellar shopping, dining and things to do.

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Thai eatery Eem on North Williams Avenue was named 2019 Restaurant of the Year by “The Oregonian.”
Credit: Aaron Lee

Pack in stylish shopping, delicious international cuisine and quirky bar-hopping in North Portland’s Williams neighborhood. Read on for more of our favorite things to do in Williams.

Short-Term Rentals in Williams

Use the links below to search for short-term vacation rental listings in and near Willams.

Airbnb

Vacasa

Vrbo

Eat and Drink on Williams

When the craving for dumplings and noodles strikes, check out XLB on North Williams for classic Chinese comfort food and their namesake xiao long bao.

Named “Restaurant of the Year” in 2019 by The Oregonian, Eem’s Thai dishes, such as sweet and sour fried chicken and fried egg-topped soy curl stir fry, are all jammed with flavor. Cocktails arrive in over-the-top, photo-worthy Tiki glasses, but the cuisine crafted at Eem remains its star component.

A colorful Tiki cocktail at Eem on North Williams Avenue.
A colorful cocktail served at Eem on North Williams Avenue.

More notable meals on Williams include handmade pastries and bacon-flecked baguettes by Dos Hermanos Bakery; beautiful, intricately decorated desserts at Jinju Patisserie; and vegan-friendly, authentic Japanese ramen at Kayo’s Ramen. What’s the Scoop? offers small-batch ice creams and sorbets made from scratch.

Migration Brewing on Williams opened in 2021 with a redesigned airy and open interior. Grab a pint from one of their 18 Migration beers on tap and head out to the 2000 square feet (186 m²) dog-friendly patio with both covered and uncovered seating. Another great place to grab a pint on Williams Avenue is AleFire. While you’re there peruse their highly curated list of hot sauces where you can take home a bottle of Hellfire.

5 To Try

More Tastes to Sample on Williams

North Williams Avenue is home to several eclectic drinking holes and delicious places to eat, including these favorites.

  • The Waypost

    The Waypost serves Southwestern street food and hosts frequent live music. Their patio space doubles as a community garden. Try the tinga chicken tacos or one of their signature margaritas.

  • Poa Café

    Poa Café believes there’s great value in sharing healthy food with family and friends. They offer smoothies, bowls, brunch dishes and more.

  • DIY Bar

    This creative maker space lets you craft a variety of projects like leather luggage tags, beer koozies and cat scratchers, all under the watchful eye of DIY Bar’s “craft-tenders,” who offer helpful guidance and troubleshooting.

  • EaT: An Oyster Bar

    New Orleans-style oyster bar serving Southern, Cajun and Creole specialties.

  • Shine Distillery & Grill

    A distillery, a full bar and a restaurant in one, Shine Distillery & Grill serves elevated pub food, craft cocktails, beer and wine. After your meal, pick up a bottle of one of their house spirits for home.

Shopping on Williams

Spielwerk sells new children’s toys, but it transports shoppers to a simpler time. Filled with classic playthings crafted from natural materials, the shop’s simple, kid-powered toys like jump ropes, tea sets, dress-up kits and musical instruments promise timeless fun. Offering ethically sourced clothing made by small-batch designers, Monochromatic is a women-owned business committed to providing pronoun inclusive, simple designs.

Reclamation is a woman-of-color-owned boutique offering handmade goods, plants, gifts and terrariums. This inclusive and welcoming space fosters community through special events, classes and collaborations with other local creators. Stop by Workshop Vintage where designing duo Audra Santillo and Nate Moore showcase their love for all things vintage and custom-crafted pieces. This quirky boutique is uniquely modern with a rustic interior, boasting both newly created and nostalgic collectibles.

Questions About North Williams Avenue

How far is it to Downtown from Williams Avenue?

If you are driving you can take either I-5 or I-405 and get to and from downtown in about 11 minutes. Using Trimet, Portland’s public transportation takes around half an hour.

What if I don’t have a car?

Not to worry, the best way to get around Portland is on public transportation, Trimet. Portland is known for having one of the easiest and most visitor-friendly public transportation systems in the country. Or, you might want to try Portland’s bike-share program, Biketown.

Explore Portland With Near Me Now

Are you in Portland or visiting soon? Our Near Me Now web app will lead you to some of our favorite neighborhood spots.

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Activities on Williams

Start a stroll down Williams with a visit to The Wishing Tree. Planted in a neighborhood local’s front yard, the humble tree is strung with thousands of handwritten notes, each fastened to strings threaded through the tree’s branches. (Leave your own note by using the pens and paper stashed in mason jars at the base of the tree.)

paper notes are tied to a tree with a sign underneath saying "wishing tree, write a wish tie to tree"
Leave your own handwritten note on the North Williams Avenue Wishing Tree.
Credit: Catalina Gaitán

Across from the Legacy Emanuel Medical Center is a small park with a big history. Dawson Park is a 2 acre (1 hectare) park that functioned as an unofficial town square for the surrounding African American community and was the epicenter of many political and social movements — like civil rights marches. With a restored 120-year-old gazebo and a splash pad, this park is a great place to enjoy the summer while learning about the history of the surrounding neighborhood.

Neighborhoods, Tours & Itineraries

Illustration by Subin Yang

North Portland Neighborhoods

Sometimes called the “Fifth Quadrant,” North Portland encompasses a range of neighborhoods and commercial districts, including St. Johns, Mississippi/Williams and Kenton. Attractions include the St. Johns Bridge, Portland International Raceway, Peninsula Park Rose Garden and Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area.

Explore More

More North and Northeast Portland

Discover two city quadrants at these local spots in North and Northeast Portland.

two people browse products inside a shop

Mississippi

Enjoy live music, local shops and popular restaurants and bars on this historic North Portland street.

Someone stands in front of a rock wall.

The Grotto

This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens. No matter what time of year you visit, the Grotto offers calm, peace and introspection, transcending boundaries.

person walking through an art gallery

Alberta Arts District

Lined with street art, galleries, restaurants and bars, this Northeast Portland neighborhood is best known for its colorful monthly street fair.