Jojo PDX
What started as a food cart on 35th and Powell is now a full restaurant and bar in the Pearl District, serving fried chicken sandwiches, double-fried potato wedges and boozy milkshakes. Jojo’s brick and mortar location opened up early this fall. The restaurant has an extensive menu with a ton of options, including vegan versions of each sandwich, gluten and dairy free buns, a rotating dessert menu, a full bar with eclectic cocktails and much more. Check out their website here, stop by the restaurant on 13th and Lovejoy, or the original food cart in Southeast Portland.
Grand Fir Brewing
When a Top Chef finalist meets a local Portland brewer, great things happen (like marriage, a family AND a new brewery in Portland). Doug Adams and Whitney Burnside opened up Grand Fir Brewing in November, a 15-barrel brewhouse off 14th and Stark across from the revolution hall. Grand Fir features a variety of house beers and cocktails, accompanied by a small food menu including fried chicken, burgers and more. Check out Grand Fir Brewing here.
Dogwood
The perfect stop for any date night, Dogwood is a wine and flower shop in the Alberta Arts district. Dogwood opened last spring, specializing in small-batch wines and plants from primarily women-owned farms, hand crafted into beautiful arrangements. Stop by and grab a bottle of wine and a floral arrangement, or grab a glass of wine and enjoy it in their store, or outside on the patio. Check out Dogwood on Instagram or on their website here.
Aviation Gin
Alright, this one is slightly less of a “local business” but a cool spot to check out nonetheless. Ryan Reynold’s Aviation Gin now has a 33,000 square foot distillery and tasting room, right here in Portland. Aviation, located in Northwest Portland, is a distillery, cocktail bar and gift shop open for tours and tasting. Oh, and did we mention Reynold’s office doubles as an escape room? Check out Aviation Gin here.
Bar Cala
One thing we could use a little more of in Portland is sunshine. Bar Cala’s bright colored ambiance brings a little bit of summer year-round to the City of Roses. The tropical vibes and equally as tropical cocktails create a very instagram-worthy environment, while the Latin-inspired food make Bar Cala a must visit. Grab some dinner and a tropical cocktail and enjoy the summertime vibes at Bar Cala.
Canard Oregon City
If you want to step outside the city, Canard has opened a second location in Oregon City. This location is a little more family-friendly and casual than the original location in the city. The restaurant opened this summer, featuring some classics from the original restaurant, as well as some new additions. Check out Canard Oregon City here.
Dough Zone
If you’re craving dumplings, look no further. Dough Zone, the Seattle-based dumpling shop, has opened their first location in Oregon. The original location in Bellevue was a huge success, and Dough Zone quickly expanded, opening seven new locations in Washington, two in California and now the largest location arrived in Portland this spring. From soup dumplings to pan-fried buns, noodles, desserts and more, there’s plenty to devour at Dough Zone. Stop by their waterfront location, or check them out online here.