Guide to Downtown Portland Neighborhood
Location Downtown is located in Central Portland. It is bordered by the Goose Hollow, Northwest, Pearl District, Southwest Hills, and Corbett Terwilliger neighborhoods, and the Willamette River. Downtown
can be located on page 596 The
Thomas Guide - Portland Oregon Street Guide
Description Portland offers one
Homes Downtown Portland is an urban neighborhood, with many older buildings, apartments, and loft style condominiums. Downtown Portland Oregon is alive and well, and unlike many downtown areas in other cities, remains active and vibrant after the business workday ends. There are many beautiful parks to enjoy, as well as numerous theatre, music, and entertainment events Downtown. If you are interested in buying or selling a home in Portland's Downtown neighborhood, visit our Portland Real Estate Page for more information, or visit our Portland Real Estate Map to search the RMLS for Downtown Portland homes for sale.
Enjoy our video with images of Downtown Portland!
Downtown Information Downtown Neighborhood Association Portland International Airport Portland Classifieds on Craigslist.com Tri Met - Interactive Maps and Schedules for Bus, Max and Streetcar
Hot Eats The Heathman Restaurant and BarA touch of class never hurt nobody, capiche? But if it did, you’d want to steer clear of The Heathman, or things could get a little rough, if you know what I mean. Housed in the lobby of what Travel & Leisure named one of the “500 Best Hotels in the World,” the Heathman features Executive Chef Phillipe Boulot, the 2001 James Beard Award for Excellence. Let’s put it this way, this is the kind of place that has a menu just for cheese. Not to be outdone by curds and whey, the dinner menu may include, depending on the season, Wild Sturgeon Vallee d’Auge, Anderson Ranch Willamette Valley Lamb, Oregon Sand Dabs, or Alaskan Halibut Confit as examples. Or stop by their Happy Hour, featuring such items as Smoked Salmon and Endive, Crab Deviled Eggs, Grilled Short Ribs, and Grilled Lamb Tongue, to name just a few. But don’t overlook the cocktail menu while you’re stuffing your face. After all, they’ve gone to the trouble to break down the offerings by era. Yeah, you read that right. Era. Simply put, if you make it through this particular menu - divided into “Early Days and Golden Years (1806-1920),” “Prohibition and Beyond (1920-Today),” and “Modern Cocktail Creations” – you’ll be history. The Heathman Restaurant and Bar Weekday breakfast 6:30 – 11:00, Weekend breakfast 7:00 – 9:00 Weekend brunch 9:00 – 2:00 Lunch 7 days 11:30 – 2:00 Dinner Mon – Thurs 5:00 – 10:00, Fri – Sat 5:00 – 11:00, Sun 4:00 – 10:00 Happy Hour 7 days 4:00 – 6:00, 9:00 – Close and all night Thursday after 4:00 1001 SW Broadway (at Salmon) Portland, OR 97205 (503) 790-7752 www.heathmanrestaurantandbar.com
Park Avenue CaféBeen thinking about taking a few courses? Well, must say we were schooled recently on exactly what it takes to make the prerequisite, college scene coffee shop work. Answer: Don’t just cater to college kids, and don’t just serve coffee. Located where the South Park Blocks meet Market, and therefore the gateway to Portland State University, this place screams college hangout. And it is. But it’s so much more. On any given visit, there are the students who, if not in public, would be freebasing their caffeine. But this genteel atmosphere requires that they sip it from bowl-sized cups instead, eyes on their laptops as their professors sit nearby arguing the merits of a maintenance versus prevention oriented society. Next to them might be the retired couple who rents in the adjacent building complex, seated near a yuppie condo type who is “working from home.” Park Avenue Café draws them all. And sometimes several at once as evidenced in the line that regularly forms at the register. But a queue is not a problem here. Service is quick, and, besides, was it Confucius or my grandfather who said, “A line just means there must be something worth waiting for.” And there certainly is. Owner/proprietor Essam Buker and his staff have composed a menu that, from paninis to wraps, salads to spanokopita, visits several locations on the world map and all over your palate. In other words, any college vocabulary will define this place yummy as hell. So, with three homemade soups made daily as well as two different types of quiche and plenty of tempting dessert on the offering, this menu will speak to everyone in your crowd whether they carry a backpack or billfold and ride a bike or a Benz. Park Avenue Café Open Weekdays 7:00 – 8:00, Weekends 7:00 – 7:00 1525 SW Park Avenue Portland, OR 97201 (503) 225-9335
Pazzo RistoranteLocated adjacent to Hotel Vintage Plaza, Pazzo is simply a wonderful night out. This past Valentine’s Day, in fact, was spent sitting with my squeeze at the dining bar overlooking the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. (Said squeeze has it out for Hallmark Holidays and didn’t even hint that he would deign to deliver on dinner goods until well after dark. Hence, no reservations.) But they had a couple seats open at the dinner bar – and we had a flippin’ blast! Dinner was awesome. Service was very friendly, and frankly it was just so dang interesting to watch a professional kitchen at work on a night that should represent utter mayhem. But there wasn’t a chance of that with Executive Chef John Eisenhart at the helm. Cool Cucumber, that man policed an operation that came off like butter. (Said squeeze was so impressed, he even shook the chef’s hand and congratulated him at the end of the evening.) Personal favorites on the menu include the Cinghale, which is a pork leg braised in duck fat and herbs with savoy cabbage, green apple, celery, and horseradish – in other words, Italian for delicious. I’ve never been to Pazzo that somebody didn’t order the Gnocchi and love it. Handmade, of course, these little potato pillows are mingled with a beef shortrib ragu and pecorino sfizio – obviously more words for delicious. Will they never run out? Pazzo also has and is its own bakery. One can simply buy loafs of Beer Walnut Bread, Raisin Bread, Ciabatta or waltz in and order a pizza by the slice on homemade crust. Pazzo Ristorante Weekday breakfast 7:00 – 10:30, Weekend brunch 8:00 – 2:00 Weekday lunch 11:30 – 2:30 Dinner Mon – Thurs 5:00 – 10:00, Fri 5:00 – 11:00, Sat 4:30 – 11:00, Sun 4:00 – 9:30 Happy Hour 7 Days 3:00 – 6:00 627 SW Washington (at Broadway) Portland, OR 97205 (503) 228-1515
West CaféWhat’s in a weekend brunch, I ask you? After all, eggs, potatoes, meat portion of some kind – what’s the big deal? Sadly, dear reader, this is not the first of my forays into gross naiveté. But it does explain why when something fresh and exciting is offered up for morning dining, I for one take notice. And that, my friends, is what we have going on at West Café. Me, taking notice. ‘Cause this stuff’s good. Two poached eggs on Dungeness crab corn fritters and wilted greens (I prefer to order my greens on a separate plate,) served with soy mustard sauce and the best home fries I’ve ever tasted. I kid you not, the best home fries ever. Or try your eggs on homemade black bean cakes with cheddar, salsa, and sour cream. Delish. Located on SW 12th and Jefferson, West Café offers everything from Tarragon Egg Salad sandwiches to Pan-Seared Cumin Rubbed Salmon and a slew of clever sounding martinis in between. And from the chic décor sporting uniquely formatted photos of local flare to the friendly and informed staff, including bar manager, Christopher, and servers who won’t let you be seated without asking to take your coat – this place also serves up a slice of Portland that we’re oh so glad that owners Sean Concannon and Douglas B. Smith decided to share with us. West Café Weekday lunch 11:00 – 2:00, Weekend brunch 10:00 – 2:00 Dinner Sun – Thurs 5:30 – 10:00, Dinner Fri & Sat 5:30 – 11:00 Happy Hour 7 Days 4:00 – 6:00 and 9:00 – close To Go operation serving coffee, breakfast and lunch fare begins daily at 8:00 1201 SW Jefferson Street Portland, OR 97205 (503) 227-8189
Focus on Powell’s City of BooksYup, check this one off the list right away – and then check it again. This is a must-do, must-see place if your destination is anywhere in the state. But fuggetaboutit if you’re in downtown Portland – or in the Pearl District as Powell’s actually sits on the border. If you haven’t been here, you haven’t done downtown or the Pearl. Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a reader. Let’s say you hate to read. Not sure what you’re doing reading this then, but all of that doesn’t matter. This isn’t your grandma’s bookstore. This thing’s on ‘roids. A full city block of new and used books covering sixty distinct sections between nine color coded rooms on four floors - Powell’s comes with its own map. And it’s a good thing it does because this place has got to be seen to be believed. All of it. Powell’s City of Books Main Location Open 7 days 9:00 – 11:00 1005 W Burnside St. (800) 878-7323 The Northwest Film CenterRight in our own backyard we have an organization completely devoted to the art of the moving image. A component of the Portland Museum of Art, the Northwest Film Center provides education, exhibition, and outreach. The Outreach Program provides opportunities and support for media artists while the School of film includes a curriculum in filmmaking, video production as well as animation. Enrollment options cover non-credit, transferable college credit through Portland State University, a certificate program, and cooperative degree options. But if you just want to watch really interesting, hard-to-lay-your-hands-on movies, the Center offers an incredibly comprehensive exhibition program covering foreign, classic, experimental, and independent films. Screenings typically take place at the Whitsell Auditorium, located in the Portland Art Museum. The Northwest Film Center also plays host to unique rooftop screenings during the summer and an assortment of festivals, including the prestigious Portland International Film Festival, which screen at various locations. If you’re into movies, and who isn’t right, drop by and pick up a schedule of events or check them out at www.nwfilm.org. Northwest Film Center/ Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Avenue Portland, OR 97205
Fox Tower 10For some reason, and we can regale you with several, Portland is the destination city for a tremendous percentage of indie films that might open in just a handful of other locations. When money is scarce, distributors will often decide to shell out just for a few target markets. Typically those markets will sound something like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and very likely – you guessed it – Portland. The Fox Tower 10 is simply devoted to art house and foreign fare. And versus those theaters that jump on the bandwagon after awards’ season has proclaimed the winners, you can nearly set your Academy Award watch by Fox Tower ahead of time. If it plays at Fox Tower, it’s got a good chance to be courted by Oscar. Fox Tower 10 846 SW Park Avenue Portland, OR 97205 (800) 326-3264
Portland Center for the Performing ArtsBoy, that back yard of ours must be huge! Better to bedazzle with, my dear. And that’s just what Portland Center for the Performing Arts aims to do. Nationally recognized as one of the top ten performing art centers in the country, PCPA is comprised of five different venues – yup, all located in downtown – offering over 900 performances annually ranging from plays and concerts to ballet, lectures, stand-up, Broadway shows – I could go on. Originally built in 1917 and known as the Civic Auditorium, the Keller Auditorium is the largest of the venues with a seating capacity of 2,992. With two balconies and a very large stage, this is a save-the-ticket-stub kind of theater, regardless of show. In house companies include Portland Opera, the Oregon Ballet Theatre, and the Oregon Children’s Theatre. Side note: Across the street from Keller Auditorium is the Keller Fountain, an enormous series of flowing pools that is so popular during the summer that if Pioneer Courthouse Square is considered Portland’s living room, then Keller Fountain is its bathtub. Overlooking Keller Fountain, the Keller Café on the second floor of the Auditorium offers dinner, drinks, and dessert before the show. The next oldest venue is also next largest. Built in 1928, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall is an opulent affair with 2,776 seats, an orchestra pit, and a choir loft. Its iconic “Portland” sign out front heralds a theater that is home to the Oregon Symphony, White Bird Dance Company, Portland Arts and Lectures, and a host of others. Located inside the stunning Antoinette Hatfield Hall, which is now to be renamed The New Theatre Building are three different venues: the Newmark Theatre with 880 seats, the Dolores Winningstad Theatre with 292 seats, and Brunish Hall at 200 seats. With all this under one roof, one would think that there would be noise crossover or at the very least patron congestion issues. Such is not the case. This place is a well-oiled machine. Speaking from experience, audience members are completely oblivious to any other theater than the one they are attending. The spacious lobby features a five-story rotunda above which is an art-glass “Spectral Light Dome” skylight. Overlooking the lobby are three levels of balconies that are designed like box seats. It’s fun to grab a martini and relax in one of these box seats while people watching theatergoers in the lobby below. This particular theatergoer has spent many an afternoon working on the old laptop in this very lobby. A public space, the lobby is open to all during the day. The building is also home to the ArtBar & Bistro, serving northwest cuisine, appetizers, and pre-performance cocktails. Keller Auditorium 222 SW Clay Portland, OR 97201
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 1037 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97205
Antoinette Hatfield Hall Housing: The Newmark Theatre The Dolores Winningstad Theatre Brunish Hall 1111 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97205
ArtBar and Bistro (503) 432-2905 Main PCPA phone number: (503) 248-4335
GETTING YOUR GROOM ON... a.k.a. Personal Services GiGi Salon & Spa, an AVEDA Concept SalonYou know how it is. You’re far from home or you’ve actually taken the plunge and moved, and in the process you’ve had to – freak out of all freak outs – leave your stylist behind. Maybe you feel your locks are the unworthy type, unable to be handled by anyone but that trusted soul whose scissors and spray you’d know anywhere, whose vacations and holidays you’ve tracked for years because you never wanted to be left out in the coiffure cold. Never fear. On the South Park Blocks is an inviting salon that has its share of answers. Owner Johnny Hoang is a Master Stylist who comes at you like Clint Eastwood with two blow dryers in his hand at once and a holster slung around his hips with all necessary tools of the trade. This is no joke, especially not to Johnny. A smile on his face, he is yet extremely serious about hair. This is the man who actually freed me from my dependence upon my former hair stylist back in SoCal. I can now say that it’s been exactly fifteen months since my last cut by her. Never thought I could do it on my own. But Johnny’s been by my side. Along with a second location in Washington Square Mall, Gigi’s offers a full spa experience including massage, manicure, pedicure, facials, and a host of other services -plus all those terrific AVEDA products. GiGi Salon & Spa, an AVEDA Concept Salon Downtown Location Mon – Sat 9:00 – 8:00, Sun 9:00 – 6:00 1503 SW Park Ave., Suite B Portland, OR 97201 (503) 295-9539 Washington Square Mon – Sat 10:00 – 10:00, Sun 10:00 – 7:00 9585 SW Washington Square Rd. Portland, OR 97223 (503) 295-9539 Check out www.gigisalonspa.com for a full list of services.
Downtown Cleaners & TailorsOkay, why the heck would we include a dry cleaner on a website devoted to what makes Portland tick? Aren’t all dry cleaners created equal? Not this one. Conveniently located on SW 3rd and Alder, they are easily reached by the corporate crowd that clusters near there, not to mention several hotels. But to me, all that doesn’t matter so much. I will and have gone out of my way to patron this establishment. For those of us with consistent dry cleaning needs, it’s important to be able to trust those in charge of caring for the clothes we care most about. They do a fantastic job. I have never, with all the seemingly countless items I’ve laid upon their detergent alter, suffered even the slightest snafu. Well done, I’ll say. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? When you return to a business again and again, often it’s because they offer more than professionalism. At Downtown Cleaners & Tailors, you get the neighborhood friendliness of owners Yun Suk Ko and Soon Young Ko. Always there with a smile or a joke, this couple makes walking through their door feel nice. Heck, they recognize me and kindly offer up a wave and a grin if I’m just walking past their door. They’ll help me to my car if my arms seem laden, even if it’s raining. They’ll tell me about visiting their son away at college. So, you know, maybe some people are there just for the pants. And believe me, this fine couple will deliver. But I’m there for the neighbors. Downtown Cleaners & Tailors Open Mon – Fri 7:00 – 6:00, Sat 10:00 – 2:00 609 SW 3rd Ave. Portland, OR 97204 (503) 227-7881
Community Event Calendar
More Information If you would like to share your experiences of living or working in Downtown, please contact us.
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