Portland Local Flavor Reviews

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Yelp - that's real reviews from real people. And if you're looking for Portland Local Flavor, you've definitely come to the right place. Explore our database of some of the finest places in Portland. Get the skinny on what real people are talking about.

Japanese Garden
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

611 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97205

mnypny b. writes: There are about a thousand gorgeous pix you can shoot before you even step into this amazing space. We will return when we can spend more time. They truly know what they are doing here. Stunningly beautiful.

Powell's City of Books
Neighborhood: Downtown

1005 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209

Laura N. writes: I guess it's about time I put in my two cents (or five stars) about Powell's. Yet with so many reviews to read - (261 at last count) how would one ever begin to decide WHICH 5-star rating to choose from?

Well folks, I've complied a list of my favorite…

Portland Classical Chinese Garden
Neighborhood: Old Town

239 NW Everett St
Portland, OR 97209

Jen K. writes: The Chinese Classical Garden is perfect for two very different activities. Since the garden is laid out with lots of intersecting private (yet open) courtyards, buildings and bridges, it is an ideal place for: (1) a romantic date, or (2) hide and…

Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

3356 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

Ian K. writes: Meh. I've had better.

Sure, my taste buds were seared off in a boiling hot Kool-Aid drinking contest that netted me $-3, but let's not be prejudice against the disabled, hm? Just pretend I have no legs, and am expressing my honest opinion.

International Rose Test Garden
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland

400 SW Kingston Ave
Portland, OR 97255

Lillian T. writes: What beautiful sights and scents to behold! The 4.5-acre Garden contains 557 varieties of roses (over 6800 bushes) that bloom from April to October, peaking in June. This place is a must-see-and-smell when you're in Portland.

Crystal Ballroom
Neighborhood: Downtown

1332 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209

Jenny C. writes: I have a scar on my leg from making fun of accordion players in Montana. Long story short, it's true that karma's a bitch.

But aside from the occasional injury, I usually find music venues to be pretty fun environments... they should be for the…

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Neighborhood: Old Town

511 NW Couch St
Portland, OR 97209

SAM Y. writes: day 12 of my nation wide tour!

major tom to ground kontrol!

tell my wife i love her! cuz i found the mother ship and may never come home! this place has all the retro pinball machines upstairs. maybe 2 dozen? some for a quarter a play. all of them are…

Trimet Bus, Max & Portland Streetcar
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

4012 SE 17th Ave
Portland, OR 97202

Laura N. writes: Dear Max,

I've long thought you were the perfect man. Granted, you're not single and random people sleep with you all the time, but that just makes you all the more quirky and irresistible.

Let me list off 10 of my top qualities in a man:

#1 Honest. I…

Kennedy School
Neighborhood: Concordia, Northeast Portland

5736 NE 33rd Ave
Portland, OR 97211

Adam E. writes: Dragged here by friends last night, I kept thinking, "No way this place is real" during the drive. I figured I was being chauffeured to some hole-in-the-wall dive bar with an overriding school motif, and I prepared myself for the kitschy worst. OH…

Le Bistro Montage
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside, Industrial District

301 SE Morrison St
Portland, OR 97214

Chrissy S. writes: Let me be straight with you about somethings here before we begin.

I'm a southern chick. I've spent over half my life in Louisiana and Alabama. I know the bible belt like it's been tied and double knotted around my waist. And I KNOW Southern food,…

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Neighborhood: Central Eastside

1945 SE Water Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Linda M. writes: We came here with five kids aged 3 to 14. Everyone had a great time! Here are the exhibits that my little kids would have spent an entire afternoon at if I didn't nudge them to move on.

- The 6-and-under room. Specifically, the 3 year old would…

Rich's Cigar Store
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

820 SW Alder St
Portland, OR 97205

Kate F. writes: Overpriced, but very cool. Tons of magazines, lots of cigars, and best of all, my favorite brand of cigarettes (which I can find elsewhere for $6.25, but are $7.50 here.) This place is classy, if a bit stuffy.

This seems like a connoisseur's dream,…

Portland Memorial Mausoleum
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Sellwood

SE 14th Avenue and Bybee Street
Portland, OR 97282

Kelly M. writes: Above the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Garden, the Art Museum, and the Zoo, The Portland Memorial Mausoleum is my favorite attraction, even though it may be sacrilegious to think of it as such. The Mausoleum is a huge complex comprising eight floors…

Portland Saturday Market
Neighborhood: Old Town

108 W Burnside St
Portland, OR 97209

Corwin M. writes: Just think, if we were citizens of the Roman Empire, there would be the ever-helpful "Caveat emptor" signs posted at all entry points into this market. And, that's the secret, really. That, and not wanting to snarl and hiss at the throng of bipeds…

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

1020 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204

mnypny b. writes: Great place to take a stroll any time of day. Lots of good people-watching, too. More urban planning gone right.

Aladdin Theater
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

3017 SE Milwaukie Ave.
Portland, OR 97255

Ella W. writes: One of the Laws of Thermodynamics states that you can't rock out while you're sitting down. Because of this, I was fairly certain that I would hate the Aladdin.

I'm a big enough person to admit when I'm wrong.

The Aladdin is pretty darn awesome. It's…

Blueplate Lunch Counter & Soda Fountain
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

308 SW Washington St
Portland, OR 97204

Laura N. writes: These guys shake it like a Polaroid Picture, and now I finally understand exactly what Outkast meant when he said "lend me some sugar...I am your neighbor!" ...and this whole time I thought he was talking about sex.

Blueplate is the epitome of comfort…

Cheeky B
Neighborhood: Pearl District

906 NW 14th Ave
Portland, OR 97253

Laura N. writes: Sassy, saucy, and smart, Cheeky B is where I will forever head for all of my gifting needs...and here's why: this shop is full of things that you would never think to buy for yourself, but would always want.

Jesus tape? Check.
Cat-a-pult guns? …

Goodwill Outlet Portland
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Sellwood

1750 SE Ochoco St
Milwaukie, OR 97222

Kimberly V. writes: On one hand, it's Goodwill. You know what to expect, and it sure isn't Macy's home furnishings. Plus, those posters about employing citizens who might otherwise have a hard time seeking work choke me up. A little. I also got pheklempt during Home…

Avalon Theatre
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

3451 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214

jeremy k. writes: old skool 4 star review.

so being the nerd i am, i like me some arcade. now, when im residing in the newest of englands, i fancy me some funspot, however, when we came to visit the rose city, it was suggested we hop it over to the Avalon.

it was…

OMSI Omnimax Theater
Neighborhood: Central Eastside

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
1945 SE Water Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Dustin G. writes: I've never been this impressed with an I-Max theater, even though what I went and saw wasn't as impressive (a piece about the body) as the medium I saw it on; five story geo-dome with incredibly good surround sound, comfortable seating and an…

Fish Grotto Seafood Restaurant
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

1035 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97205

Courtney D. writes: Calamari at its best

I love calamari, but it's one of those foods that have to be cooked just right or it tastes chewy and bland. I love it, though, so happily take my chances and order it whenever I can. I had some of the best at the Fish Grotto.

Not…

Ararat Bakery
Neighborhood: Central Eastside, Northeast Portland

111 NE M L King Blvd
Portland, OR 97232

Chris L. writes: The Ararat has moved, and because of this, After Dark has moved as well.

I am good friends with the promoter, and was at After Dark starting day one at the Ararat. Because of the move, After Dark now has a new home.

Here is the updated information for…

Woodstock Mystery Hole

I-205
Portland, OR 97255

Esther H. writes: The Woodstock Mystery Hole and Amusement Park, a Center for Land Use Interpretation "unusual and exemplary site of land use" listed site, is worth repeated visits (if you can garner an invitation). Its proprietor Barron is an exemplary and…

McMenamins Kennedy School Soaking Pool
Neighborhood: Concordia, Northeast Portland

5736 NE 33rd Ave
Portland, OR 97253

Danny D. writes: Of my dear PDX! Every Sunday night I think about all the fun I had in Portland.

If by any chance you are in a cloudy, cold, rainy day ... which is not really common in PDX. LOL.
Please take yourself to The Kennedy School.
Walk to the re reception and…

Portland Actors Ensemble
Neighborhood: Old Town

PO Box 8671
Portland, OR 97207

Angela B. writes: Romeo and Juliet at Lovejoy Park is a fun way to catch a little culture and fresh air all in one night. Shakespeare in the park runs on Friday and Saturday nights at 8PM. The show is free, but they gladly accept donations.

You will only find cement…

Portland Underground - Shanghai Tunnels Tour
Neighborhood: Old Town

P.O. Box 398
Portland, OR 97255

Corwin M. writes: I have to admit, it's not the most exciting tour out there...well, are there exciting tours? I tend to avoid them, but I was doing a paper on local hauntings and figured this would make for excellent source material, and that maybe my instructor…

Portland Outdoor Store
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

304 SW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97204

Kelly M. writes: Portland Outdoor Store outfits Portland cowboys still clinging to the wild west days with plenty of beautiful and awesome clothing. This place has tons of pearl button shirts, big belt buckles, bolo ties, Levi's jeans and cowboy boots for both men…

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

1726 Washington St
Oregon City, OR 97045

Cindy Q. writes: I love this museum. And it doesn't even really matter that it's two miles from my home. I have been taking my kids there for several years now and when I used to coordinate summer exchange groups, I always took the exchange students to the center.…

Fireside Coffee Lodge
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland

1223 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97202

JW D. writes: How many times has this place saved my ass?

Miss the last bus? Fireside.
Get off work at 4am and don't drive? (only lasted a few days, thankfully) Fireside.
Drunk and hungry and if you enter another bar someone will DIE. You guessed it.

It's a coffee…

The Gerding Theater at Armory Building
Neighborhood: Pearl District

128 NW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97253

Laura N. writes: so I'll be honest - on the yardstick of "good ideas," spending my birthday at an all day conference at the Armory didn't seem like it would rank very high.

Don't get me wrong - I embody all of those geeky English major "reader" stereotypes that you…

Portland Monthly Magazine
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

234 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97253

Lorri E. writes: When this magazine first came out, I LOVED it. I never actually subscribed, but I still buy one off the newstand once in a while when it has a catchy cover. I agree with the other reviewers--this magazine is perfect if you are:
a) new to Portland
b)…

Lone Fir Cemetery
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Belmont

SE 20th and Morrison
Portland, OR 97255

Krista T. writes: Beautiful. Oh and breathtaking. Genius place for a photo shoot, if I do say so myself. Loved shooting there and I hope to use it again soon.

Stamp-Connection Com

109 NE Roberts Ave
Gresham, OR 97030

Ryan T. writes: I have been ordering my return address stamps from Stamp-connection.com for nearly five years now, as well as wheresgeorge.com stamps. great service, friendly staff---I even visited their brick-and-mortar store in October 2005 and found staff to be…

Kidd Toy Museum
Neighborhood: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside, Industrial District

1301 SE Grand Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Kelly M. writes: Unless you are making a point to seek out Frank Kidd's lifelong collection of antique toys, you would never notice the unassuming paper sign taped to a windowless building on Grand Ave. The museum hours are officially M-F 12-6, but "if you knock and…

Keller Auditorium
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

222 SW Clay
Portland, OR 97201

Jenny C. writes: Oh how I love the performing arts...
Now, my theatrical skills are pretty lousy, but
Every so often I enjoy being swept away by others.

Here in pdx a fantastic option to do so is at the Keller.
Untouched by contemporary standards it's
Not a place where…

Made In Oregon
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

600 SW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97205

Rebecca H. writes: All things Oregon, in case you needed a shot glass, fridge magnet, or sweatshirt as a memento of your time in PDX. My friend was visiting from Pittsburgh, we found what she needed quickly. We also found a very cute slug brooch, but it's hard to…

Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe
Neighborhood: Southwest Portland, Downtown

608 SW Alder St
Portland, OR 97205

Laura N. writes: The luxurious divinity that is the Mayan Truffle is worthy of devout religious following.

However the polytheistic practices of ancient Mayan religion would have me worship more than one truffle God, which I could most likely get behind as well.

I…

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