A relatively new addition to St. Johns, Mikasa has been quietly killing it for two years now with its steaming bowls of ramen filled with delicate but chewy noodles and light, bright broths. The rich and creamy chicken shoyu is a top choice here, omitting the more familiar slices of pork for shredded chicken, in addition to a jammy egg. There’s not a lot of nearby competition for the sushi, but even on its own it’s worth a visit. Orders can be placed online for outdoor dining or takeout; takeout ramen is disassembled for at-home preparation, which means it travels well even if you’re driving for a while. 

A sibling bar to Concordia’s neighborhood cocktail bar Wilder, the Garrison has similar appeal: a rustic, homey, and casual affair serving high-quality cocktails. The menu is divided between familiar classics — each made with aplomb — and more original drinks. The house drinks are generally spirit-driven and often incorporate more obscure vermouths and amari. While there are options for people who appreciate lighter, refreshing libations, it’s definitely a destination for those who like their drinks with a boozy and botanical kick. Drinks can be ordered at the bar for takeout or for enjoying out on the covered patio shared with Gracie’s and Mikasa.

The chef and owner of Gracie’s Apizza, Craig Melillo is a one-man pizza-making wonder. Formerly a food cart, the permanent St. Johns location opened in late 2019, just prior to the pandemic. It quickly established itself as one of Portland’s premiere pizzerias thanks to Melillo’s delicate, tangy, naturally leavened crust and minimalist toppings. Melillo claims his simplest pizza — with tomato sauce, herbs, and a dusting of pecorino — as his best. Cheesier pizzas with dollops of mozzarella and ricotta are also available, as are meatier calzones and custom vegan options. Working on his own with a wood-fired oven, Melillo regularly sells out daily, with pies available for takeout or for dining on the covered patio shared with cocktail bar the Garrison. Orders can be placed online.

Hidden behind a small mercado in downtown St. Johns, Tienda Santa Cruz is a cult favorite for rich and porky carnitas tacos, burritos the size of a small child harboring a full half-avocado, and some bright-red caldos. But the true star of this hole-in-the-wall is the avocado salsa, so popular that the restaurant has set limits on how much anyone can take. These days, the dining room is closed, but anyone can stop in and order some burritos to take to Cathedral Park, just down the street.

Adored for its sweet and savory pies, Paiku owners Marica and Justin Thompson went from pie cart to brick-and-mortar in April 2018. Luckily for the St. Johns community, the cozy wood-toned restaurant has stayed in the neighborhood, though things look a little different these days. Paiku now offers its full pies, both savory and sweet, as well as Friday picnics and weekend brunches for two. Meals change weekly and pies seasonally, and orders for pick-up can be placed via the website.

The Portland outpost of this Bend bakery delivers all the laminated pastry excellence of its Central Oregon sibling: Croissants sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, braids of cinnamon knots, pinwheels of cardamom vanilla sugar the shop calls “ocean rolls.” The bakery also serves an array of bagels, sandwiches, and cookies, with espresso drinks for early risers. Drop in for takeout orders, which can be grazed in the nearby courtyard.

This Vietnamese spot is one of the neighborhood’s only spots for hulking banh mi, vermicelli noodle bowls overflowing with grilled prawns and pork belly, and a shimmering, oversized, golden-fried bao. The shop’s garlic noodles are an underrated star on the menu, as is the “beef stew pho,” which falls somewhere between bo kho and beef pho. The restaurant is open for takeout, online orders, and outdoor seating on a covered patio.

Leisure Public House captures that familiar Portland spirit of being a friendly, neighborhood haunt that also happens to serve quality drinks at an affordable price. Offering a cheerful, enclosed back patio space with heat lamps and plants as well as newer sidewalk dining arrangements, Leisure provides a safe and hospitable bar experience for the St. Johns crowd. Alongside a menu of familiar cocktails like mezcal negronis, hot toddies, and old fashioneds, the bar serves a relatively healthy and appetizing menu of panini, soups, and salads, as well as build-your-own bruschetta options. Cocktails and food are available for outdoor dining and for takeout, and can be ordered at the bar.

There are a number of excellent options at food cart pod St. Johns Food and Beer Porch, from Thai to Italian to Mexican. One standout cart is Arlo’s, which offers one main item: beautifully golden-fried cod, served with a bed of fries in portions of two to four pieces. Each piece tends towards to huge side, so a single diner can be satisfied with the two-piece or opt to share a larger platter with a friend. The fish is tender and flaky within and golden, buttery and crisp on the exterior. The fries are a little too soft to justify a visit on their own, but are a serviceable side to the excellent fish; ordering a side of coleslaw is never a bad call. Orders can be placed at the cart. 

Also located in the St. Johns Food and Beer Porch, this colorful food cart is all about the karaage, crispy little nuggets of seasoned fried chicken that are impossibly juicy at the center. The move is to get the chicken bowl, a $9 wonder of rice, chicken, and a tangy and sweet pickled vegetable salad. Like the other carts, the fare here can be enjoyed at the lot or taken home.

Some East St. Johns residents scoff at all the Tienda Santa Cruz hype in favor of this Fessenden taqueria, with its tome of a menu. The colorful restaurant serves everything from torta milanesa to Mexican shrimp cocktail to birria de chivo, as well as an impressive slate of burritos, tacos, and burgers. The move is generally to head in a beefy direction, whether it’s a lengua taco, a cabeza burrito, or a plain-old shredded beef enchilada. The shop takes online orders and has tables outside for onsite diners.