If last month’s surprise closure of McCormick & Schmick’s Harborside — the once-proud local chain’s last Portland location — proved anything, it’s that plentiful outdoor seating and river views aren’t enough to keep a business afloat. But with warmer weather on the horizon, Portland is primed for a little al fresco dining, at least until the city’s typical Jekyll and Hyde spring returns to rain. Here, we’ve gathered our 25 favorite places to eat and drink outside, from plant-filled patios to bustling beer gardens to rooftop bars with some of the area’s most picturesque views. Check online for current patio hours.
10 BARREL PORTLAND
Yes, the Bend-based brewery recently changed ownership from beverage behemoth AB InBev to cannabis company Tilray. And yes, beloved brewer Whitney Burnside branched out with her own project, Grand Fir Brewing, in 2022 (the beers are great). But the Pearl District Brewery still turns out some tasty brews, and on sunny days, the rooftop patio is well worth the weekend wait.
Details: 1411 N.W. Flanders St., 503- 224-1700, 10barrel.com/pub/portland-brewery
APEX
Bikes, motorcycles, pinball and craft beer are the hallmarks of this *formerly* cash-only bar, home to one of Southeast Portland’s biggest beer gardens, with picnic tables that fill up at the first sign of sun. No minors allowed.
Details: 1216 S.E. Division St., 503-273-9227, apexbar.com
BAR BAR
Found next to Mississippi Studios, Bar Bar has a well-stocked bar, tasty burgers and fries and a large patio with an Austin-style vibe, where we have sometimes seen movies projected on the neighboring wall. Minors are allowed with a parent or guardian until 7 p.m.
Details: 3939 N. Mississippi Ave., 503-889-0090, mississippistudios.com/barbar-burgers-beer
CASA ZORAYA
Perhaps the defining feature of this North Portland Peruvian restaurant, which is run by a family of former Andina employees, is the charming back patio, a perfect place to eat ceviche and sip tropical pisco sours.
Details: 841 N. Lombard St., 503-384-2455, casazorayapdx.com
The view of Dimo’s outdoor dining area. February 9, 2022 Beth Nakamura/StaffThe Oregonian
DIMO’S APIZZA
One of Portland’s best new pizzerias of the past few years inherited a sprawling parking lot patio at the old Burnside Brewing. Stop by this summer for a beer and a well-charred, clam-topped New Haven-style pizza or simple bowl of amatriciana pasta from chef Doug Miriello and Co.
Details: 701 E. Burnside St., 503-327-8968, dimosapizza.com
An order of a Full Dozen oysters at Flying Fish Co., a restaurant, fish market and oyster bar on East Burnside St. in Portland.The Oregonian
FLYING FISH CO.
This fresh fish market and seafood restaurant inside an old East Burnside Street Subway location has outdoor seating for oyster slurping, bubbly sipping and more. Take note: The patio fills up quickly, especially on sunny days.
Details: 3004 E. Burnside St., 971-806-6747, flyingfishpdx.com
GÜERO
This Northeast Portland torta shop was already nailing outdoor dining with the corral built into its quiet side street. But when a former auto garage behind the restaurant became available, the restaurant was able to expand its outdoor footprint with more landscaped seating and a food truck for summertime pop-ups.
Details: 200 N.E. 28th Ave., 503-887-9258, guerotortas.com
Hinterland, a food cart pod, located at 2216 S.E. 50th Ave., Portland, Ore., Thursday, April 28, 2022.Mark Graves/The Oregonian
HINTERLAND
With two patios, five standout food carts and one of Portland’s best new cocktail bars to boot, Hinterland is a destination for outdoor dining this summer.
Details: 2216 S.E. 50th Ave., 503-231-4333, hinterlandpdx.com
LARDO
A patio remodel made the original brick-and-mortar of Portland’s top sandwich chain an even more pleasant place to eat and drink outdoors. Meanwhile, the beer list is the envy of most every craft beer bar outside of Portland.
Details: 1212 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., 503-234-7786, lardosandwiches.com
LAURELHURST MARKET
Laurelhurst Market converted its front parking lot into a big deck during the pandemic, practically doubling the size of its dining room in the process. Don’t expect it to come down anytime soon.
Details: 3155 E. Burnside St., 503-206-3099, laurelhurstmarket.com
LEVEL BEER (1)
With a covered patio on one end, a west-facing lawn with a climbable logo structure and a bar and food carts in between, the original location of this Portland brewery is a fine place to pass a sunny day, particularly when accompanied by some poke, fish and chips or a dozen raw oysters from The Shuck Truck.
Details: 5211 N.E. 148th Ave., 503-714-1222, levelbeer.com
METROPOLITAN TAVERN
It will never be Windows, but the Metropolitan Tavern — formerly Altabira City — has something the old Red Lion haunt didn’t: a sprawling rooftop deck with views of the convention center, downtown Portland and the West Hills.
Details: 1021 N.E. Grand Ave. #600, 503-963-3600, mettavern.com
The outdoor seating at Noble Rot hangs right over East Burnside Street.The Oregonian
NOBLE ROT
Wine, good food and views toward the city skyline and the setting sun rule the day at this long-running rooftop restaurant on East Burnside Street, just up Burnside from Canard, Le Pigeon and the Jupiter Hotel.
Details: 1111 E. Burnside St., 503-233-1999, noblerotpdx.com
OMA’S HIDEAWAY
This second restaurant from the Gado Gado team offers salted egg yolk curry fries, wonton noodles and one of Portland’s best burgers slathered with yolk-y mayo and chili shrimp jam) to seats on Southeast Division Street and a semi-secret back patio.
Details: 3131 S.E. Division St., 971-754-4923, omashideaway.com
Phuket Cafe features indoor and outdoor seating as well as a Thai train car parked out front on Northwest 23rd Avenue. June 23, 2022 Beth Nakamura/The OregonianThe Oregonian
PHUKET CAFE
It’s not the amount of space, but rather how this Northwest Portland restaurant uses it, serving its snacks and whole fried fish “salads” inside a mock Thai train car built into the street just outside the new home of sister restaurant Langbaan.
Details: 1818 N.W. 23rd Pl., 503-781-2997, phuketcafepdx.com
PIZZA JERK
Portland’s best-kept patio secret is the sprawling, kid-friendly garden tucked behind Tommy Habetz’ original New Haven-inspired pizzeria. Go for a frozen margarita and the It’s Always Sunny in Cully pizza, a sort-of Hawaiian/Brooklyn mashup of pepperoni, pineapple, hot peppers and honey.
Details: 5028 N.E. 42nd Ave., 503-284-9333, pizzajerkpdx.com
PRODUCE ROW
This venerable craft beer bar has changed owners a few times over the years, but the back patio is still among our favorites in town.
Details: 204 S.E. Oak St., 503-232-8355, producerowcafe.com
Prost! Food Cart Pod located at 4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, June 13, 2019. Mark Graves/Staff Mark GravesMark Graves
PROST!
A few years ago, North Portland’s consistently packed German beer bar expanded their already excellent patio with an all-weather roof and some of the city’s top food carts, including Matt’s BBQ.
Details: 4237 N. Mississippi Ave., 503-954-2674, prostportland.com
RADIO ROOM
This Northeast Alberta Street bar offers a couple of outdoor seating options, including an upstairs area perfect for people watching.
Details: 1101 N.E. Alberta St., 503-287-2346, radioroompdx.com
ROOF DECK AT REVOLUTION HALL
Cocktails, craft beer and 360° views await you at the top of Revolution Hall, the concert venue inside the former Washington High School. No minors allowed after 6 p.m. Make sure to check ahead for open hours.
Details: 1300 S.E. Stark St., 503-776-5500, revolutionhall.com
East Burnside Street's Rontoms has one of Portland's most surprising patios in the back.Michael Russell | The Oregonian
RONTOMS
This hip East Burnside bar has a secret: One of the city’s finest bamboo-shaded patios hides in the back. No minors allowed.
Details: 600 E. Burnside St., 503-236-4536, rontoms.net
Patio seating and service at Someday on Southeast Division Street. July 12, 2021. Beth Nakamura/StaffThe Oregonian
SOMEDAY
This back-alley cocktail bar and cart pod has emerged as a date-night favorite, with unfussy, well-executed cocktails, wood-fired bites from Ruthie’s and the bar’s own occasional Sunday oyster grill.
Details: 3634 S.E. Division St., somedaypdx.com
STORMBREAKER BREWING
The North Portland brewery boasts two separate outdoor seating areas built onto quiet side streets next to its brewpubs, adding on to the existing beer gardens at both the original North Mississippi brewery (found in the old Amnesia space) and the second location in St. Johns (formerly Plew’s Brews).
Details: 832 N. Beech St., 971-703-4516; and 8409 N. Lombard St., 971-255-1481; stormbreakerbrewing.com
VON EBERT GLENDOVEER
Von Ebert’s east-side location has two distinct patio options on the grounds of Glendoveer Golf Course, where you’ll find abundant green grass, big trees and a woodchip-lined jogging track for burning off any calories consumed at the brewpub.
Details: 14021 N.E. Glisan St., 503-878-8708, vonebertbrewing.com
Wayfinder Beer, since opening in fall 2016, has become one of Portland's most heralded breweries. Its deck, on a non-rainy day, is a popular attraction.LC- The Oregonian
WAYFINDER BEER
German-style lagers and Pacific Northwest ales flow side-by-side at this close-in Central Eastside brewpub, home to a big wooden patio perfect for sun worshipers.
Details: 304 S.E. Second Ave., 503-718-2337, wayfinder.beer
— Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com