Gluten-Free Guide to Portland
Generally known for its nine-month rainy season, Portland, Oregon, in summer is paradise, where blue skies, bright sunshine, and moderate temperatures make it the perfect time to get out and explore. And with a world-class, inclusive food scene, including seven dedicated gluten-free bakeries, you’ll eat well and easily here whether you’re gluten-free, Paleo, or vegan.
By Laura Russell / Photography John Valls
DO THIS
A Major League Soccer Game
Portland’s soccer spirit is second to none, and you’ll find no better way to spend a sunny summer afternoon than cheering on the MLS-champion Timbers or the Thorns. Superfans should request seats near the Timbers’ Army. timbers.com
A Willamette River Kayak Excursion
Go it alone or check out Portland Kayak Company’s Ross Island Sunset Tour or Full Moon Paddle for a unique view of Portland from the river. No experience required, but waterproof shoes recommended. portlandkayak.com
Portland State University Farmers Market
Nothing personifies Oregon bounty better than a Saturday morning visit to the PSU market, bustling with farmers, local food producers, live music, chef demos, and, of course, delicious eats. portlandfarmersmarket.org
Bob’s Red Mill
Tour the world headquarters of Bob’s Red Mill (including their dedicated gluten-free facilities), and pop into their Whole Grain Store for the largest selection of gluten-free flours you’ll likely ever see under one roof. bobsredmill.com
Distillery Row
Explore some of Portland’s finest distilleries, located in Southeast’s Lower Eastside Industrial District, and taste hometown spirits ranging from vodka to rum to aquavit. distilleryrowpdx.com
Hawthorne District
Rove along SE Hawthorne Boulevard between 32nd and 39th streets for eclectic shopping, restaurants, and bars, including a mandatory stop at The Maple Parlor (themapleparlor.com) for sundaes that cater to all dietary restrictions. travelportland.com/collection/hawthorne
SLEEP HERE
McMenamins Kennedy School
Along with classroom-turnedliterary-themed guest rooms, this converted historic Northeast Portland elementary school has a restaurant, movie theater, and multiple bars. mcmenamins.com/KennedySchool
Ace Hotel
The hotel chain’s cool factor is in full effect here, with hipster-style rooms ranging from “singles” to “triples” with bunk beds. Complimentary bikes allow for an easy pedal to the Willamette River waterfront. acehotel.com
Hotel Lucia
In the heart of downtown Portland, reasonably priced Hotel Lucia beckons with urban-cool environs, Vitaly Paley’s award-winning Imperial restaurant, and room-service pints of Salt & Straw ice cream. hotellucia.com
Inn at Northrup Station
A neighborhood feel and a whimsical, ultracolorful renovation to this ’70s building make it the perfect home base for strolling and shopping the Pearl District and NW 23rd Avenue. northrupstation.com
Jupiter Hotel
The young, cool set selects from rooms on the lively “bar side” or the quieter “chill side” in this midcentury boutique hotel located next to the Doug Fir Lounge and music venue on East Burnside. jupiterhotel.com
DRINK IT IN
Tea Bar
In addition to a full selection of teas, enjoy the best Boba Tea in town with intriguing flavors like lavender, vanilla rose, and cocoa cinnamon. House-made sparkling hibiscus soda will quench your summer thirst as well. teabarpdx.com
Broth Bar
For a change of pace, sip a cup of Broth Bar’s fantastic bone broth— chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, bison, or pork—and spice it up with addins, such as turmeric, miso, ginger, sauerkraut, or chicken hearts. The 100 percent GF menu includes other interesting drinks, too, like Osmanthus Kombucha and “shots of brine.” brothbarsft.com
Ground Breaker Brewery and Gastropub
Grab a pint or sample the whole lineup of ales from Portland’s 100 percent gluten-free brewery and gastropub. Pale Ale, Dark Ale, IPA No. 5, Olallie, and seasonal favorites are always on tap. groundbreakerbrewing.com
KURE
Multiple locations around Portland make KURE the perfect pit stop for fresh-pressed juices, smoothies (matcha-based Kid Kyoto is a favorite), and açai bowls as you trek through town. kurejuicebar.com
Stumptown Coffee
Taste and learn about coffee from the masters themselves at The Tasting Bar at Stumptown HQ. You can also get a look at the inner workings of this Portland favorite through daily tastings and Saturday tours. stumptowncoffee.com/locations
EAT HERE
Not all of the restaurants on this list are 100 percent gluten free, but they are all accustomed to accommodating GF diners.
Note: Restaurants change their menus and recipes all the time, so be
sure to confirm with your server that all the dishes you order are in fact, gluten-free.
Teote
There’s no better place to be on a warm summer night, margarita in hand, than on this restaurant’s festive back patio. The kitchen is GF (though not certified), but they serve regular beer and alcohol. Must-tries: arepas (Venezuelan-style corn cakes) with shredded brisket slow-cooked in mole sauce; smoky chicken with green chiles and verde sauce. teotepdx.com
Departure Restaurant + Lounge
Here, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of downtown Portland from atop The Nines hotel and Top Chef–alum Gregory Gourdet’s modern Asian cuisine. Must-tries: shaved collards with toasted coconut; wok-fired brussels sprouts with chiles, lime, and mint; crispy cod with spicy miso kimchi. departureportland.com
Paley’s Place Iron
Chef–winner Vitaly Paley and general manager-wife Kimberly Paley are behind the stellar Pacific Northwest fare and service at this NW Portland bistro. Expect a seasonal menu, a wide range of GF dishes, and a well-curated wine list featuring Oregon Pinot Noir. Must-try: grilled Quinault River steelhead with butter clam remoulade. paleysplace.net
The Sudra
Located in NE Portland’s “micro restaurant pod” (aka food mini-strip mall), The Ocean, The Sudra serves immensely satisfying and creative plates of vegan Indian cuisine, almost all of which are gluten-free. Must-try: the kale dosa plate with black-eyed pea korma, potato masala, collards, and roasted red-pepper cashew chutney. thesudra.com
Xico
Upscale Mexican cuisine at its finest, SE Portland’s Xico offers a glimpse of flavors you never knew existed. Must tries: corn tortillas homemade from fresh masa (made with uncertified GF corn flour); intriguing salsas, including sikil p’ak (Mayan pumpkin seed dip); rockfish pozole. xicopdx.com/#now-1
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Something as simple as chicken and rice has never been as exciting as it is at downtown’s one-Thai-dish food truck on SW 10th Avenue and Alder Street. (Check the website for other locations.) Must-try: the starring dish—gently poached chicken with rice cooked in the chicken’s broth and a punchy fermented-soybean sauce (ask for the gluten-free sauce). khaomangai.com
Andina
One of Portland’s first upscale restaurants to truly cater to gluten-free diners, Andina offers an amazing Peruvian dining experience (and your own plate of yuca fries instead of bread) in its NW Pearl District location. Must-tries: fish ceviche; potato causas. andinarestaurant.com
OX Restaurant
Much of OX’s Argentine-inspired menu is naturally GF, including grass-fed Uruguayan beef, seafood, and smoky mushrooms from the blazing woodfired grill. Must-tries: hominy and braised pork belly with duck egg, fried potatoes, and horseradish aioli; skirt steak slathered with bright, herbal chimichurri sauce. oxpdx.com
Harlow
This SE Hawthorne spot is home to the entirely gluten-free breakfast (and lunch and dinner). The encyclopedic menu of smoothies and fresh-pressed juices alone is worth a special trip. Must-tries: spicy iced Wellness Toddy; almond butter and quinoa pancakes; garlic-herb polenta with kale and poached eggs; cheddar-scallion biscuits; strawberry-chia pudding with hazelnut milk. harlowpdx.com
Pollo Norte
Eat anything you want at this NE Portland rotisserie chicken shop— everything (except for the beer) is gluten-free. Inspired by chicken joints in Mexico City, Pollo Norte serves up a quarter, half, or whole bird alongside housemade tortillas, spicy roasted cabbage, vivid salsas, and potatoes cooked in the mouthwatering pan drippings. Must-try: chicken! pollonorte.com
Cultured Caveman
The first Paleo-friendly food cart on the West Coast has grown to three carts plus a brick-and-mortar restaurant in North Portland (all of which are GF). Hit the downtown cart if you’re nearby. Must-tries: bacon almond dates; Brazilian chicken; Paleo Popsicle made with coconut milk and local honey. culturedcavemanpdx.com
Portland’s Gluten-Free For All
More than anywhere else in America, in Portland you really can have your GF cake (and bagels and cornbread) and eat it, too, at any of these wonderful dedicated-GF bakeries.
Tula
Lemon tarts, walnut jam scones, and even a robust lunch (including pizza) is on the menu at this NE Portland bakery and café. tulabaking.com
Petunia’s Pies and Pastries
Entirely vegan, too, Petunia’s cheerful downtown outpost has pies, bars, cookies, and cakes as well as savory lunch and dinner items. Open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, it’s also a perfect post-dinner dessert stop. petuniaspiesandpastries.com
New Cascadia Traditional
Along with breakfast pastries, brownies, and savory tarts, SE Portland’s GF go-to offers a full lineup of gluten-free bread (including the best GF bagels we’ve tried!) and an awesome Sunday brunch. newcascadiatraditional.com
Back to Eden
With locations on bustling Alberta Street plus a street cart on whitehot SE Division, you have twice the opportunity to grab a doughnut or coffeecake for breakfast or quiche and “chili’n’cornbread” for lunch. Don’t miss the unique plantbased menu of ice cream, sundaes, and shakes, including the everelusive gluten-free sugar cones. backtoedenbakery.com
Kyra’s Bake Shop
Cupcakes may be the most famous treat—owner Kyra Bussanich is a four-time Cupcake Wars winner—at this Lake Oswego bake shop and café eight miles outside of Portland, but don’t miss the cinnamon rolls. kyrasbakeshop.com
Liberated Baking
Stop in Gresham (sixteen miles outside of Portland) for a cup of soup and a hot or cold sandwich on one of this bakery’s specialty breads if you’re headed to Multnomah Falls. And grab some cookies to go. liberatedbaking.com
Gluten Free Gem
You can visit the North Portland retail counter for muffins, bars, brownies, and cookies or find them around town at New Seasons Market, Market of Choice, and many local coffee shops. glutenfreegem.com
