10 Best brunch spots in Portland, Oregon (2025)
Brunch is a favorite pastime of Portlanders. In fact, it’s a whole culture here, a piece of our identity. So if you’re looking for an authentic Portland experience, brunch needs to be on your itinerary.
Portland restaurants really offer the full gambit of breakfast options. From hearty southern comfort foods to an array of vegan choices, or dog friendly restaurants to diverse and culturally inspired plates.
This post is going to cover the 10 best brunch spots in Portland, and what makes each one special. But just a warning, you’re sure to be mouth-watering by the end of this post! So here we go, and in no particular order…
10 Best Brunch Spots in Portland, Oregon:
1. Pine State Biscuits
Be prepared to bring your inner hungry lumber jack when you brunch at Pine State Biscuits. As the name suggests, their signature plate is biscuits and gravy, offering several variations on the dish.
They also offer several other classic Southern breakfast foods, such as pancakes, grits, and collards. There’s a few vegetarian options on the menu, as well, including a savory biscuits and mushroom gravy.
Pine State has a great, casual atmosphere. You’ll make your selections off a chalkboard menu at the front counter before seating yourself. They’ll deliver your breakfast to you, but just a heads up, you’ll bus your own table.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating available. I was surprised to discover the outdoor seating is comfortable year-round. The patio is enclosed, offering shelter from the elements. And heat lamps are situated above the picnic tables, keeping you nice and cozy.
The restaurant is both kid friendly and dog friendly. High chairs are available for infants and toddlers, and I feel the casual atmosphere tends to be more welcoming if you’re dining with kids. If you’re dining with your canine friend, dogs are allowed in the patio area, where water dishes are provided.
My review here pertains specifically to the Pine State location on Division. However, there are a total of five Pine State locations in Portland. And just another heads up before your visit, they do not accept cash.
What’s unique about this place: Expect hearty Southern breakfast foods
Price: $10-15 per person
Reservation needed?: No
2. Bröder Söder
A modern and minimalist decor, combined with tall, sweeping ceilings create a sense of openness and space. The restaurant’s tall windows feature its park-like setting, highlighting the surrounding nature, and offering plenty of natural light. The overall effect is simply up-lifting. You immediately feel happy and at ease here.
Bröder Söder’s menu offers an array of traditional Scandinavian dishes. I tried the Lost Eggs at my last visit, and they were phenomenal. But we can’t ever visit without getting the Danish pancakes, every time we go!
When you visit, know that Bröder Söder is more than a brunch experience; it’s a whole cultural experience. Located inside Nordia House, the building is also host to an exhibit hall featuring rotating Nordic art exhibits. (One of these exhibits inspired a visit to the Swedish Sauna Löyly, but now I’m getting side tracked!)
We enjoy browsing the art exhibit or the gift shop while waiting for our table. And I recommend planning a little extra time before or after brunch to visit Ole Bolle, one of Thomas Dambo’s Northwest Nordic Trolls.
Thomas Dambo is a Danish artist who’s created over a hundred of these magical trolls all across the globe. And there are a total of six of his trolls located in the Pacific Northwest.
Bröder has a total of five locations, the other four locations being Bröder Øst, Bröder Nord, Bröder Cafe, and Bröder Strand. However, my review here pertains specifically to Bröder Söder.
What’s unique about this place: Expect traditional Scandinavian dishes
Price: $20-30 per person
Reservation needed?: No, they don’t take reservations
3. Besaws
Stepping into Besaws, you feel you’re stepping into a whole other decade. The timeless decor inside this elegant, historic building creates a classic diner atmosphere.
The restaurant dates clear back to 1903, and has gone through various transformations over the years. Originally a beer and gambling hall, Mr. Besaw transitioned to offering hearty, home made meals through the Prohibition Era.
It’s also been a soda shop, a 24-hour diner, and of course, the popular brunch spot we know it to be now. But through it all, it’s remained one of Portland’s favorite meeting spots.
Their menu offers a good balance of breakfast classics and newer fares. Craving something sweet, I went with the French Toast, and they delivered thick slices of brioche topped with fresh strawberries. My sister tried the Fire Roasted Shakshuka, looking for something a little more savory.
It was honestly hard to choose though, it all looked so good, from omelets and Eggs Benedict, to avocado toast and steak and eggs. Plus, they offer a solid selection of vegetarian dishes, as well as a few gluten free options.
What’s unique about this place: Expect classic American comfort food
Price: $20-30 per person
Reservation needed?: Recommended, especially at busier times like the weekends. However, not required.
4. Jam on Hawthorne
Jam on Hawthorne is named for its delicious house-made jams. (Not to be confused with the Victoria BC based Jam Cafe chain.) TIP: Be sure to purchase a jar of jam to take home with you before you leave!
They’re well known for their wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options, and they do offer some gluten-free choices as well. Note that their seasonal menu rotates, so try it while you can! For example, the seasonal pumpkin pancakes are exceptional, but only available in the fall.
I couldn’t get over the amazing flavor combinations on Jam’s menu, like oatmeal chai pancakes, topped with caramel and pecans. Or the butternut squash, sage and goat cheese topping my Eggs Benedict.
And I found the serving sizes to be generous. In fact, be forewarned, the pancakes are massive. They are not a side dish. They are an entire meal on their own!
Although Jam no longer has a kids’ play place, it’s still a good, family friendly restaurant. The casual and relaxed atmosphere is comfortable, they have a cute kids’ menu for coloring, and high chairs are available as well.
What’s unique about this place: Expect classic breakfast and comfort foods, with a good vegan selection
Price: $15-25 per person
Reservation needed?: No, they don’t take reservations
5. The Tin Shed Garden Cafe
The Tin Shed is the most dog-friendly restaurant you’ll find in Portland, or anywhere else for that matter. Their menu includes “Fido Food” for your canine companions—a gourmet meal of free range chicken and sweet potatoes.
However, there’s plenty of mouth watering options for the human diners as well. The menu features cute, themed names, like “Stay,” “Fetch,” and “Roll Over.” There’s several different egg scrambles to choose from, as well as the basics, like bacon and eggs, hash browns, and buttermilk biscuits.
I chose an egg scramble with gravy, that topped a bed of roasted root vegetables. And I left feeling not only full and content, but well nourished.
They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The patio outside is fully enclosed, and a fire crackles on the patio hearth during the cooler months, making it every bit as comfortable as inside.
Dogs are welcome in the patio area. Just be aware that this is a popular spot for dogs and their owners. So there may be a bit more of wait if you’re wanting or needing outdoor seating, in which case I recommend making a reservation in advance.
What’s unique about this place: Expect the most dog-friendly restaurant you’ll find in Portland, or anywhere else for that matter
Price: $10-20 per person
Reservation needed?: Recommended, especially at busier times like the weekends. However, not required.
6. The Screen Door
The Screen Door had been on my Brunch Bucket List for a while, and it definitely lived up to the hype. To me, the name suggested something casual and intimate, maybe with a touch of romance. But when we arrived, I found the restaurant bright, with a polished feel, full of class and charm.
Their menu offers all of the classic Southern breakfast foods: chicken and waffles, chicken and biscuits, chicken fried steak, grits, and black eyed peas. We started with the Praline Bacon appetizer, which I highly recommend. Moving on from there, I wanted to try one of everything.
But I knew my eyes were larger than my stomach, so I stuck to the one thing I had really come here for. I tried chicken and waffles for the first time here at The Screen Door, and it was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. I don’t know exactly what I expected out of chicken and waffles, but it was so much more than I had hoped for!
Our visit to The Screen Door was a last minute decision and we did not have reservations. We had a 45 minute wait on a Thursday morning around 11:00. But the weather was beautiful, and there were plenty of cute shops in the area. So we went for a walk, and our number came up in what felt like no time at all.
The Screen Door has two locations, one in the Pearl district and on the East Side. My review here refers specifically to the Pearl District location. Note that the menus carry mostly the same items, but may vary slightly.
What’s unique about this place: Expect hearty Southern breakfast food
Price: $15-25 per person
Reservation needed?: Recommended, especially at busier times like the weekends. However, not required.
7. HunnyMilk
One of the biggest dilemmas with brunch is do I go sweet, or do I go savory? Inevitably, if i indulge in a sweet stack of fluffy pancakes, I wish I would have chosen something savory. And of course, if I go savory, then vice versa.
However, HunnyMilk is the perfect solution to that dilemma. Their menu is divided in half according to sweet, like Tres Leches French Toast or Graham Cracker Waffles, and savory, like Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy or Baked Eggs.
From there, its pretty simple. You choose one item from each column: one drink, one sweet entree, and one savory entree. So you get to enjoy sweet and savory, instead of sweet or savory. Problem solved!
When last we visited, they had a modern and eclectic atmosphere. With board games, house plants and reading material, it was fun and relaxed. You could enjoy your breakfast the traditional way, at a table and chairs. Or kick back on a sofa or bean bag for a more at-home experience.
However, HunnyMilk has since moved locations. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings for brunch, they’re now located inside La Buca Restaurant on 28th Ave. Although I can no longer speak for the atmosphere, I’m sure the food is still every bit as delicious!
What’s unique about this place: Expect a perfect balance of sweet and savory breakfast foods
Price: $20-30 per person
Reservation needed?: No, they don’t take reservations
8. Flattop and Salamander
This restaurant’s name has kind of a fun and funky vibe to it, which I love. But it has a deeper meaning, revealing the owners’ passion for what they do. Flattop refers to a flattop grill, and Salamander refers to the Salamander Broiler, both vital pieces of equipment in the restaurant industry.
Flattop and Salamander tends to be known for its delicious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. Impressively, nearly every item on their brunch menu has a vegetarian option. But there’s plenty of options for the meat lovers, as well!
From French toast and breakfast burritos, to Honduran Baleadas and Loaded Hashbrowns, their menu offers something delicious for every palette. It makes this little brunch spot an ideal location when you’re balancing a wide variety of food preferences.
Also known for their boozy brunch, Flattop and Salamander has a great drink menu. Indulge in something unique, like their Coco Milano (hot cocoa with a touch of Fernet Menta and Fernet Branca), or their Hot Apple Cider Bourbon.
Or stick to the classic breakfast beverages, like a Spanish coffee, a Bloody Mary, or a Mimosa. Did I mention the mimosas are bottomless?!
What’s unique about this place: Expect good vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options and a boozy brunch
Price: $10-20 person
Reservation needed?: Yes and no. Recommended for parties of 6 or more; however, they don’t take reservations for parties less than 6.
9. Grits n’ Gravy
Enjoy your grits sweet or savory, dipped in syrup or smothered in sauce, crispy and fried, as the main, or on the side. This little Southern style brunch spot does grits every way imaginable, and does them right.
Grits n’ Gravy covers the other classic Southern dishes too though, like chicken and waffles and chicken fried steak. Just be sure to save room for the beignets for dessert. Or take your beignets to go, like we did!
The food and the atmosphere combine here to transport you to a whole different time and place. The striking decor has a strong retro feel and a touch of class. And I love that much (if not all) of the artwork inside is supplied by local artists.
A proudly Black owned business, the service was quick, friendly, and attentive. And if you love Grits n’ Gravy, go check out the owner’s Mumbo Gumbo PDX food truck, located at the Cartside Food Cart Pod on Williams Ave.
What’s unique about this place: Expect traditional Southern comfort foods in this retro diner
Price: $10-20 per person
Reservation needed?: Recommended, especially at busier times like the weekends. However, not required.
10. Hey Love
Between the wicker lamp shades and the tropical greenery, you’ll swear you’ve got to be further south than the 45th parallel. Hey Love is a bar by night, serving brunch on the weekends only. Day drinking encouraged here.
What initially drew me to Hey Love was the ambiance. In a city as gray and rainy as Portland, walking into Hey Love feels like stepping into summer! And we Portlanders soak that up.
But the food is every bit as good as the vibes here. The menu covers a variety of fares, from your traditional omelets or French toast, to more international plates, like breakfast tacos or chilaquiles. I went with the Loaded Hasbrowns and I couldn’t put my fork down.
Hey Love is located inside the trendy Jupiter NEXT Hotel on Burnside. Within a mile of downtown Portland, it definitely belongs on your Portland itinerary, or penciled in to your weekend plans!
What’s unique about this place: Expect international plates and an Instagram worthy ambiance
Price: $20-30 per person
Reservation needed?: No, they don’t take reservations
Final thoughts on Brunch Spots in Portland, Oregon
Brunchers have been known to stand in queues wrapping around the street corner, waiting for a table at their favorite brunch spots in Portland. Luckily, my more recent brunch experiences haven’t been such an extreme process.
And with modern technology and cell phones, we typically don’t have to wait in line anymore. Instead, you can get on a wait list, and go for a walk, exploring the Portland neighborhoods until your table is ready.
Once you check out some of these amazing brunch spots, you’ll be willing to brave the wait as well. Or better yet, with some luck (or a reservation!) you won’t have any wait at all. So here’s to happy brunching!
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