Glow Guide to PORTLAND, OREGON

Portland Oregon, or PDX, is a truly dope city. Known for its epic greenery, parks, bridges, eco-friendliness, cool shops, and coffeehouses, this city is definitely a top hipster GLOW spot.

When visiting Portland, you'll find that there is tons to explore. From amazing food to Japanese rose gardens, you will be filled to the brim with culture and vibrancy. On our recent trip there, Tara stayed at the boutique Kimpton Hotel Vintage planned by our favorite travel agent Justyna of Two Nights In. Located at a very convenient spot central to the downtown area, this hotel is a great contemporary place to take refuge. From the hotel, we pretty much walked everywhere.

STAY

Kimpton Hotel Vintage // Featuring graffiti-inspired cork art, a lobby that doubles as an urban tasting room, and a game lounge for adults, this hotel is a great spot centrally located in Downtown Portland. The theme of the hotel centers around wine, so naturally, it's a great spot to sit down for drinks. They offer free bikes for rental as well in the lobby, which is an added bonus. // Travel agent :: Two Nights In

EAT

Tusk // This is possibly one of our favorite restaurants ever. Creative, fresh, and bright Middle Eastern fare with an organic twist. The light-filled restaurant and patio are a dream to dine in, as you will be inundated with mezze plate after mezze plate of super flavorful deliciousness.  A must when visiting Portland.

Maurice // A cute Nordic-French all-white diner with really delicious and thoughtful food and pastries. A good spot to sit at the curved counter solo or with friends.

Toro Bravo // Intimate spot that features Spanish small dishes + wine

Afuri ramen // The famous Tokyo-based ramen spot opened up an outpost in Portland -- featuring creative ramen, sushi & robata. The reclaimed wood space is definitely a good spot to spend the night.

Bamboo Sushi + Burger // The first certified, sustainable sushi restaurant in the world, Bamboo has multiple spots around PDC. Come here for fresh fish, meats, and and amazinggg BURGER.

Le Pigeon // Le Pigeon is your spot if you're looking for cozy French vibes-- great food along communal tables and relaxed atmosphere.

Little Bird // More of a French bistro spot, Little Bird is equipped with the red banquettes and all. 

Ava Gene's // Roman inspired cuisine in a chic setting. Italian wines and rustic Italnian cuisine made with local igredients. 

Pok Pok // Pok Pok by Andy Ricker started right here in PDX. brings a twist on Thai street food. Famous for their chicken wings, this spot has tons of amazing unique and created dishes alongside some great drinks. There are usually long waits, but it's worth it.

Olympia Provisions // Known for their housemade charcuterie & European-style meals, Omlympia Provisions is an inustrial space with a to-go counter perfect for picnic prep. 

sweedeedee // Amazing brunch spot. This cozy cafe offers homestyle breakfast & lunch where you order from the counter. This bright space is a great spot to enjoy everything from porridge and chilaquiles to biscuits and rice bowls. And, they have an amazing pie selection. YUM.

Milk Glass MRKT // Breakfast, brunch, small plates and drinks. This farm-to-table spot is a bright, refined, yet minimalist and soothing wood-filled space, with killer food.

Luce // A little corner-store vibe, with delicious yet low-key Italian food. You can eat it there or take it to-go, and you'll fall in love with the house made pastas and seasonal entrees.

COFFEE

Stumptown Coffee // Portland is the birthplace of the Stumptown brand, so it's really a must-visit when you're there. Their horchata is on another level.

Heart Coffee // Anothe awesome coffee spot in PDX. If you've had a few too many cups of coffee, opt for the Rose Tea with almond milk, it's heavenly.

Kainos Coffee // A super cute, colorful, and glowy coffee shop that gives back -- 21% of their profits to back to Filipino children in need. 

Never Coffee Lab // A high-end coffee join for serious coffee lovers. They have a range of creative hand-crafted drinks including some with rose, turmeric, saffron, and orange blossom to name a few.

SPECIALTY

Angel Face Bar // A super cute bar on NE 28th where the bartenders prepare drinks to your flavor preferences. With chic vibes and wallpaper to match it, it's a great spot for a drink.

Powells Books // Quite possibly one of the best bookstores ever. Here you can shop new, used, rare, and out-of-print books in an expansive and open setting. This independent bookstore is filled with awesome staff picks throughout and is organized to a T.

World Foods // A high-end family-run market that has some of the best food brands and prepared foods ever. Their deli is chef-run deli, their beer and wine selection is ultra-curated, and their bounty of local and imported goods is top notch.

Prasad food // Tucked inside the Yoga Pearl sutdio, this counter-service spot has some of the best veggie & gluten-free options in the city. Think rice bowls, smoothies & raw food.

Elephants Delicatessen // This high-end food emporium is one of our favorite spots every time we visit PDX. Filled with tons of amazing food options and takeaway gifts, similar to a Joan's On 3rd / Dean & Deluca vibe. Their chocolate chip cookie is the BEST.

Pine Street Market // This awesome food hall has a wide range of gourmet vendors, plus a mix of counter & communal seating. The range of restaurants include : Bless Your Heart Burger for some incredible counter-side burgers, Kure juice bar, Marukin Ramen, and Wizbangbar ice cream.

Hilary Horvath Flowers // Found inside Alder & Co, this flower shop is dreamy and perfect.

Voodoo Donuts // There are crazy long lines for these creative, colorful, and quirky donuts. It's counter-serve, cash-only.

Blue Star Donuts // More of a minimalist take on donuts compared to Voodoo, Blue Star harkons back to the simplicity of a good yet gourmet donut.

ICE CREAM

Eb & Bean Vegan Ice Cream // Artisianl toppings, vegan options, probiotic rich yogurt, Eb & Bean is the glowiest. The minimalist setting is a great spot for some delicious and healthy frozen yogurt. And, they have tons of vegan options.

Salt & Straw // The birthplace of Salt & Straw is Portland, so it really dose have an extra dose of goodness for some reason. Artisanal ice cream done so right with some wildly creative flavors.

Tea Bar // Come here for high quality teas sourced from around the world. You'll love their milk tea selection (think matcha, rose tea, and thai teas) alongside their boba drinks. They also have the most picturesque matcha soft serve swirls!

Wizbang Ice Cream // A soft serve dessert bar by Salt & Straw — Wizbang offers spins on childhood swirls and sundaes, with creative flavors & toppings. You can find it at the Pine Street Market.

Fifty Licks // Making each custard-base by hand, the ice cream at Fifty Licks is artisanal, high quality, and super creative.

SHOPPING

Frances May // A modern and sleek boutique with a range of independent-designer tops, pants, knits, shoes & accessories for men & women. Their amazing selection includes Jesse Kam, Apiece Apart, and Ulla Johnson to name a few.

WM Goods // This cool boutique is on-trend filled with local & indie designers. On top of that, they cary an awesome range of gifts, home decor, jewelry, shoes, handbags, natural skincare and more.

Standup Comedy // A minimalist shop with great statement jewelry pieces and a range of good basics, organized by color.

BackTalk // An awesome and colorful shop filled with new & vintage clothing for women, handcrafted jewelry & artwork in a fun setting. The clothing racks alone will make you fall in love with the space.

Parachute Home // Our favorite bedding - home line has opened up shop in Portland. The store is stunning and you'll have so much to peruse through for everything from linens, to bath, and more.

Odessa // This  upscale and modern clothing shop has a great range of designers as well as a killer jeans selection. 

Una // A minimal modern boutique filled with global designer clothing, jewelry  and house wears. Their jewelry case in the back is worth spending a bit of time looking through.

YOGA

Yoga Pearl // Nestled in the heart of Portland’s Pearl District, Yoga Pearl is cozy spot to do Yoga. Also, Prasad is attached, so you're sure to leave on a super healthy note.

THINGS TO DO

(amazing tips from our PDX Guru Whitney who owns WMGoods!)

International Rose Test Garden // Run through the endless rows of roses. Inside the Washington Park, there are over 7,000 rose plants of approximately 550 varieties.

Japanese Garden // Such a beautiful garden to walk through, and they recently renovated it. If you're into Japanese stuff, this is a must. 

Hiking // Forest Park (hiking trails behind Pittock Mansion, which is great to explore and has a beautiful view). 

Neighborhoods to Explore //  Downtown -- Pearl District and neighboring West End -- NW 23rd street -- Union Way -- NE 28th Street

Living Room theater // Theater that's 21+ in the evenings offers indie films, recliners, & food & wine delivered to seats.

ACE hotel lounge // This lounge at the Ace is a great spot to chill as well as great people watching. They also have a photobooth and a Stumptown Coffee connected to it.

A walk across the Burnside bridge during sunset