1. Guardian Games
9.3
345 SE Taylor St (at MLK), Portland, OR
Toy Store · 34 tips and reviews
Locke Lode: It's an adult McDonalds palace
Gordon Mei: One of the largest board game stores I've ever seen. Beers served in the playing area in the back. Abundance of Crispin pear ciders.
Eliot Johnson: The staff is super friendly, they have the best selection of magic the gathering cards, and board games. Go to the 21+ game night! Free play magic night is awesome too.
2. Jimmy Mak's
221 NW 10th Ave (at NW Everett St), Portland, OR
Jazz and Blues Venue · 21 tips and reviews
Esquire: Congratulations, you've found one of Esquire's Best Bars in America. Jimmy Mak’s is an undeniable palace of jazz excellence and retro style. Read more.
Ree (Ree) S.: First time on a Monday (no cover!) ordered & split the Lamb Shank (huge plate) & paired it w/ Melbec wine. If you want Lamb Shank, head to Andina's! Otherwise, stay for drinks & music.
Evan Denhart: Go to Jimmy mak's and hear some great jazz while sipping the life saver cocktail.
meredith kerekes: Best place to spend a contemplative afternoon. Grab some tea (oolong is best) and enjoy the view.
HISTORY: The garden opened in 2000. Most of the plants featured in the garden are indigenous to China, but no plants were brought from China due to import bans. Some plants in the garden are 100 years old.
K12 Inc: Did you know? China’s 31,000 native plants, some of which can be found nowhere else on Earth, represent nearly 1/8th of the world’s total plant species.
4. Hollywood Theatre
9.3
4122 NE Sandy Blvd (at NE Broadway), Portland, OR
Indie Movie Theater · 50 tips and reviews
The Wall Street Journal: This 1,500-seat Art Deco palace has a marquee that rises above the neighborhood like a beacon. The nonprofit Film Action Oregon runs it, showing independent films and teaching kids to make movies. Read more.
Christopher Colosi: Beautiful old theater with solid independent films. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy. Wine and beer are all good. Plastic cups and no cup holders.
K Dow-Dow: Best damn popcorn- kernels so big you might mistake them for cauliflower. Get some.
5. Bamboo Sushi
8.4
836 NW 23rd Ave (btwn Kearney & Johnson), Portland, OR
Sushi Restaurant · 57 tips and reviews
Jared: Some of the best sushi I've had. Green Dragon is an excellent roll, add albacore. Staff is amazing.
Eater: The first certified-sustainable sushi restaurant, the NW location ups the kitchen offerings to include seafood "charcuterie," featuring bites like uni custard and tuna prosciutto. [Eater 38 Member]
Lia Kashuba: Green machine is hands down the best roll
6. Bamboo Sushi
8.6
310 SE 28th Ave (at SE Pine), Portland, OR
Sushi Restaurant · 77 tips and reviews
Juli Stone-Richardson: Absolutely amazing food and service! Best sushi restaurant I've ever been to. Definitely try the Green Machine you won't be disappointed!
Eater: Portland's "green" ethos is no more obvious than at Bamboo, the world's first certified-sustainable sushi restaurant. The Alaskan black cod is one of the top fish dishes in town. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
PDX Pipeline: Eat at sushi bar & order chef's plate!
Chris Ligterink: The Glass Palace! Home of the 98 Portland Winterhawks that won the Memorial Cup. Lets get it again this year!
kristyn ackerman: if you're sitting lower level on the penalty box side at a Hawks game, you can use the bathrooms (no lines!) and concession stand (and vending machine!) that are on the basement level.
HISTORY: Opened in 1952, the coliseum hosted premier sporting and entertainment events in Portland. Elvis Presley performed one of his last concerts here before his death in 1977.
Dennis H.: THE ultimate brick and mortar (new and used) book store. The staff are extremely friendly & knowledgeable. The selection is huge. Free Wifi.
Team Coco: "Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the US. Actually, it's not so impressive when you realize there are only 4 bookstores left in the US." - Conan O'Brien
Richard Lidzbarski: Read. Think. Discuss. Grow. Now read some more.
9. Little Bird Bistro
219 SW 6th Ave (btwn Oak & Ankeny), Portland, OR
French Restaurant · 105 tips and reviews
CITY GRIT: We swooned over the Radicchio with Almond Vinaigrette, the Chicken for Two, and the Chickpea Crepe!
Deborah Au-Yeung: If you don't do Little Bird when you visit Portland, I feel sorry for you. The food is amaze balls and consistent for 18 months and counting. For those at R/GA, JDI.
Eater: Chef Erik Van Kley serves expertly prepared takes on Parisian bistro favorites like crispy veal sweetbreads, chicken liver mousse, and cassoulet; pastry chef Nora Antene's desserts are tops.
11. Portland Art Museum
8.8
1219 SW Park Ave (Sw Jefferson Street, Sw Main Street), Portland, OR
Art Museum · 81 tips and reviews
Coco: I truly appreciate fine arts so i'm really happy i had the chance to visit this place. Wish i had more time though. Incredible and fascinating arts they have. My favorite is Vision of Fiammetta, 1878
ELS Language Centers: This is the 7th oldest museum in the US, and the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. Free every 4th Friday of every month, 5-8 pm.
K12 Inc: Did you know? This is the oldest museum in the Pacific Northwest and the seventh oldest in the United States. The collection includes Native American, Asian, European and American art.
Dan: Their burger is great - try it with bacon, fried egg, and cheddar. Nice beer list too.
Zaq Mosher: Portland, where it rains kittens and even the hippies smell like roses.
Eater: G&G serves honest pub grub that works in perfect harmony with the carefully curated beer list. Note the daily Twofer, where a shared entree, side & two pints sets you back just $20. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Kimberly Ness: Very limited food menu, but tasty. Perfect for Happy Hour or late night snack. Asada quesadilla was yummy! The Lost & Found and The Ron Burgundy were great!
Mara: Oh hey Jeff!!! Is this your bar???
Andrew C: Excellent neighborhood bar that tends to stay less crowded than The Old Gold across the street. Patio is quite large. Just keep your voice down after dark. There's neighbors nearby.
14. Apple Pioneer Place
8.1
450 SW Yamhill Street (btwn SW 4th & SW 5th Ave), Portland, OR
Electronics Store · 59 tips and reviews
Christian Aniciete: Nothing beats the customer service. Every visit is magical & revolutionary with quality products, helpful staff & impeccable service. Come say hi to Christian, one of the store's friendly concierges!
Robert Wagner: Use the Apple store app. It's sort of like shoplifting only no one beats you down after you walk out the door...and you still spend the money.
Ken Hallenius: Buy an iPhone and stop having to justify your poor decision to settle for an Android.
Gary Larizza: Shelly's Vegan Wrap is one of the best tasting, reasonably priced, and healthiest airport food options I've found. Get it at the Oregonian News stand by gate E3 across from the Laurelwood.
Lisa Jacobs: Free wifi in the airport. Sweet!
Joel Burslem: PDX has two security gates. If it's busy at one, the other is usually dead. There's a connecting hallway around back so you can still get to your gate.