THE BEST RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND CAFES AT PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (PDX)
For years, the Portland International Airport (PDX) has been voted one of, if not the, best domestic airports in the United States by Travel and Leisure readers, and has earned top honors and accolades from other leading outlets including Conde Nast Traveler. While amenities like the movie theater, live music from local musicians, and boozy tasting rooms all contribute to its reputation as a cushy layover, part of PDX’s charm is that it strives to be a true reflection of the quirky, craft-driven city it represents, especially when it comes to dining.
PDX’s plethora of dining options include outposts of many big-deal names from the local dining scene, including Grassa and Screen Door, alongside cafes, bars, and grab-and-go markets. In true Portland fashion, menus feature inclusive options for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free travelers. The first phase of the airport’s main terminal renovation debuted in August 2024, bringing in new food and drink businesses like Loyal Legion. Other new additions, including Portland heavy-hitters like Oven & Shaker and Smith Teamaker, will join the lineup this fall or in early 2026 as part of phase two of the project. The concourse connector hallway is back open following renovations, making it easy for visitors to dine, shop, and explore in the airport without going through security again.
Standout Restaurants
Blue Star Donuts, available in the north hall, is Portland’s other big-name doughnut shop, with flavors like blueberry bourbon basil and passionfruit cacao nib. These brioche-dough wonders will make any early morning flight bearable.
Café Yumm! is a smart option in Concourse C, specifically because its namesake dish is only available in the Pacific Northwest: The Yumm Bowl looks like just-your-average rice bowl with salsa, veggies, and cheese, but its eponymous Yumm sauce — tangy and a little salty — makes it a distinctive Made in Oregon staple. Plus, it’s also one of travelers’ best options for plant-based PDX meals, from gluten-free to vegan.
Cha Cha Cha is a longtime Portland standby for colorful Mexican food made with locally sourced produce and meats; its first airport location in Concourse D is no exception. In the mornings, Cha Cha Cha offers burritos stuffed with birria and scrambled eggs, making it one of the top breakfast options in the airport. Later in the day, you’ll find mole poblano bowls, roasted vegetable tacos, and margaritas to fuel up pre-flight.
Deschutes Brewery, also in Concourse D, offers on-tap pours of Oregon craft brews with hearty pub grub including elk burgers, cheesy flatbreads, and fast-and-easy garlic fries with orange rosemary aioli.
Grassa’s new location in the renovated north hall serves up bowls of toothsome fresh pasta like black truffle pappardelle, rigatoni with pork ragu, and mac and cheese with or without pork belly. Diners round out their meals here with Caesar salad, garlic bread, or an order of meatballs, plus cocktails, wine, beer, or non-alcoholic options like strawberry basil shrub or a “pina no lada.”
Juliett, the women-in-aviation-themed bar from Lightning Bar Collective and Chefstable, sits at the far end of Concourse E. The space harkens back to the golden-age glamour of air travel, with its elegant Art Deco-esque design and a slew of craft cocktails from Adam Ohlsson; alternatively, the bar also serves Oregon-made wine and beer from Coopers Hall and Fracture Brewing, respectively. On days when she’s out, the views of Mount Hood further enhance the atmosphere.
Loyal Legion’s central mezzanine restaurant offers tasters and 12-ounce pours of local beers like Pfriem pilsner, Wayfinder hazy IPA, Occidental hefeweizen, and Little Beast wheat ale. Food-wise, the menu covers pub classics like Bavarian pretzels served with mustard or cheese sauce, burgers, sandwiches, and Olympia Provisions sausages. The corn dog frankfurter is dipped and fried to order, with a vegan version available.
Screen Door, a vision in pink and white in the light-filled Concourse B, brings its beloved Southern fare like chicken and waffles to weary travelers. Both brunch and dinner classics from the East Portland staple make appearances, as well as brunch cocktails.
Tillamook Market: One of Oregon’s most famous brands, this dairy company’s cafe serves cheesy comfort foods like fried cheese curds, Tillamook cheddar cheeseburgers, and sourdough-pretzel-topped mac and cheese out of Concourse E. Plus, the shop scoops pre-flight ice cream for those in need of a sugar hit.
Pre-Security Food and Drink
- Loyal Legion, the local beer hall with an extensive tap list, operates one of the airport’s anchor restaurants, located up on the mezzanine level.
- The Country Cat has transitioned from its former north lobby full-service restaurant space to a deli and market setup pre-security. Travelers can select grab-and-go sandwiches and salads from the cold-case, or order dishes like Country Cat’s famed fried chicken sandwich, omelets, or smoked tomato soup. A full bar serves Aviation gin martinis and $7 mimosas.
- Portland Coffee Roasters supplies espresso beverages and fun drinks like strawberry matcha lattes, frappes, and orange cream cold brews to folks bustling around the airport’s main terminal.
- Down the escalators at the baggage claim level, travelers in search of a post-flight pick-me-up while waiting for baggage can grab a coffee from national chain Peet’s Coffee.
Post-Security Restaurants
South Hall (between Concourse B and C)
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters is likely the airport’s best option for pre-flight cold brew and espresso drinks.
- Travelers who are short on time can pit stop at a kiosk from ready-to-drink cocktail purveyors Straightaway Cocktails. Bartenders pour one-ounce quick tipples or cocktail flights, or customers can purchase single canned cocktails or four-packs to go.
Concourse B
- Screen Door serves all-day brunch and dinner including its famous chicken and waffles at its outpost in Concourse B. Travelers can cozy up to the bar for an accompanying cocktail, or dine in the balcony area overlooking the concourse below. (Next to Gate B5)
- Good Coffee keeps travelers caffeinated with drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and seasonal drinks made with house-roasted beans, as well as a selection of teas. The neutral-toned, plant-bedecked coffee bar area, separated from the rest of the concourse by a slat wall, is a quiet respite from airport hustle and bustle. (Next to Gate B6)
Concourse C
- Henry’s Tavern is known for its 32 taps, seasoned waffle fries with Gorgonzola sauce, and juicy burgers. (Next to Gate C11)
- Starbucks is... technically a Pacific Northwestern-founded chain of coffee shops. There’s a location near the entrance to the concourse. (Across from Gate C6)
In a food court between Gates C7 and C9 with seats and tables in a shared center, travelers will find:
• Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, a local chainlet that offers banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, and pho. The restaurant’s beef pho comes stocked with slices of rib-eye, best paired with one of the restaurant’s juices.
• Café Yumm!, an Oregon-based chain offering rice bowls or wraps with Yumm! sauce — creamy and tangy chickpea-based spreads the texture of hollandaise.
• Mo’s Seafood & Chowder, a family-owned Oregon institution since 1946, beloved for its famous clam chowder, fried seafood baskets, and seafood sandwiches.
• Westward Whiskey, offering a number of single-malt whiskeys with locally malted barley, available for both retail and tasting.
• National pizza chain MOD Pizza, known for its build-your-own pizzas.
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop, a national sandwich chain.
Toward the end of the concourse, near Gates C15, C16, and C17, you’ll find:
• Vino Volo, an airport wine bar pouring a selection of local Oregon wines as well as national and international offerings.
• Portland Coffee Roasters, a great spot to pick up a latte or drip.
• McDonald’s — You know McDonald’s, right?
North Hall (between Concourse D and E)
- Blue Star Donuts, one of Portland’s most popular doughnut chains, specializes in an 18-hour brioche dough. Flavors range from passionfruit cacao nib and blueberry bourbon basil to peanut butter and jelly. The kiosk pulls espresso from Coava beans, and has nitro cold brew on tap.
- Rick Gencarelli’s fast-casual pasta brand Grassa is known for its house-made noodles.
Concourse D
- Deschutes Brewery pub has an impressive bar overlooking the airplane action while pouring a number of its craft beers. When it comes to food, lunch or dinner options include stout mac and cheese, burgers, salads, and flatbreads. When stopping by for breakfast, visitors inhale porter French toast with blueberry compote or hearty breakfast burritos. (Between Gates D5 and D7)
In an area that has seats and tables in the center, between Gates D4 and D6, travelers will find:
• Cha Cha Cha Taqueria, a local chain that offers casual Mexican cuisine made with local and sustainably sourced ingredients. The taqueria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with cocktails like mezcal margaritas.
• Hissho Sushi, a national sushi chain that also offers bento boxes, ramen, steamed buns, and makirrito. Grab-and-go boxes of pre-made rolls are available, as well.
• Burgerville, an Oregon fast food chain that regularly sources from Pacific Northwestern farmers. Expect a slate of burgers, breakfast sandwiches, and fries, but the real move at Burgerville is to get one of the milkshakes — especially ones made with Oregon strawberries.
Concourse E
- Tillamook’s cheese-centric cafe slings cheeseburgers, breakfast sandwiches, and grilled cheeses alongside the obligatory mac and cheese. The real move here is to get the fried cheese curds with your choice of sharp cheddar ranch, spicy cheddar ranch, or Northwest apple barbecue dipping sauce. Creamy scoops of Tillamook ice cream are also a surefire hit, especially with kids on the verge of a travel tantrum. (Next to Gate E7)
- Bambuza, mentioned above, also operates a location in Concourse E — more of a restaurant with a chef’s counter as opposed to a food court stall. This is the spot to get a hearty vermicelli bowl or banh mi before heading to the gate. (Near Gate E8)
- Women-in-aviation-themed bar Juliett is likely the strongest airport bar choice for those seeking a fancy cocktail with a view of the planes. The bar is a collaboration between two big-deal Portland restaurant groups: Chefstable and Lightning Bar Collective. (Across from Gate E12)
- Local eco-brewpub Hopworks Brewery has on-tap pours of some of its certified organic beers. Its reclaimed wood bar, adorned with bicycle wheels, is a good place to linger over a Northwest hop IPA. (Between Gates E3 and E4)
- A Pacific Northwestern salad bar chain, Evergreens offers build-your-own salads, as well as tweaked standards like the Cobb Your Enthusiasm and a jalapeño-kale caesar. (Near Gate E7)
- This Stumptown location revives travelers with coffee drinks made from its signature roasts, with light grab-and-go breakfast options and plenty of merch. (Between Gates E9 and E10)
- Westward Whiskey has a kiosk in this concourse, selling full bottles and merch for souvenirs. (Close to Gate E4)
And when it comes to non-local chains:
- Jamba Juice is a national smoothie bar chain, also located in Concourse E, close to Gate E8.
- Starbucks also operates a location next to Gate E5.