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A picture of a country ham pizza with cherry tomatoes and aleppo pepper at Gracie’s Apizza in St. Johns
A pizza special at Gracie’s Apizza, the St. Johns pizzeria that shares a patio with two other spots on this map.
Gracie’s Apizza/Official

15 Vital Restaurants and Food Carts in St. Johns

From fried chicken to sourdough pizzas, where to eat in Portland’s most secluded neighborhood

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A pizza special at Gracie’s Apizza, the St. Johns pizzeria that shares a patio with two other spots on this map.
| Gracie’s Apizza/Official

St. Johns is a haven within Portland city limits: From Cathedral Park to its charming downtown, the North Portland neighborhood feels more like a quaint small town than an urban neighborhood. Its diversity of dining options — from Italian trattorias to Mexican markets, ramen shops to Jamaican restaurants, vegan comfort food spots to cocktail lounges — means that residents won’t have to leave the neighborhood to find something exceptional to eat or drink. In recent years the neighborhood has grown further, adding a wonderful food cart pod, deli, and one of the city’s best pizza shops. Here are a dozen spots to explore in St. Johns, as well as the best way to enjoy their offerings during the pandemic.

As usual, this map is organized geographically, not ranked.

A number of Portland restaurants have resumed onsite service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID update page. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Mikasa Sushi & Ramen

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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. 

The Garrison

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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.

Gracie’s Apizza

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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.

Homegrown Smoker

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A consummate location for vegan dining, Homegrown Smoker’s cheerful and spacious restaurant with hanging plants and quaint decor is currently closed for onsite dining. Still, customers can order its menu of vegan barbecue comfort food for takeout, including standbys like the trademark Macnocheeto burrito and pulled pork-style Slosmomofo sandwich, both made with smoked soy curls glazed in barbecue sauce. Vegan burgers, cheesesteaks, and faux barbecue plates are also available, and customers can order by calling in.

Tienda Santa Cruz

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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.

Jamaica House

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Jamaican restaurants are not exactly abundant in Portland, but this cozy, casual house-turned-restaurant is all the fun of a beachside barbecue. Inside, hand-painted murals line the walls; outside, listen for the sizzle of the restaurant’s knockout jerk chicken, a true crime to miss. Only vegans can get away with swapping for the jerk tofu — and with a pile of plantains, everyone is happy. Takeout is available by calling.

The Sparrow Bakery PDX

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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.

Banh Mi Up

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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

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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.

Cathedral Coffee

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A cozy coffee shop catering to locals and University of Portland students, Cathedral Coffee is an essential part of the St. Johns community. The large, cozily industrial space is currently closed for indoor dining, but offers its coffee drinks (sourced from Alberta Street staple Proud Mary) and massive pastries for takeout. Alongside planet-sized cinnamon buns and baked apple fritters, the cafe offers savory and sweet breakfast turnovers as well as quiche. A few vegan and gluten-free options round out the pastries. Diners can order at the counter for takeout. 

Arlo's Fish & Chips

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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. 

DeHomis

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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.

Rose City Taqueria

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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.

El Coyote

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Chefs across Portland love to whisper about this under-the-radar cart and its next-level carnitas. El Coyote, a nondescript cart just steps away from Rose City Taqueria, serves a shockingly large variety of tacos and burritos for its size, with fillings ranging from shrimp to buche to ham and pineapple. But here, it’s all about those salty, crispy carnitas, folded into a taco for less than $2. It’s open for walk-ups.

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Mikasa Sushi & Ramen

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. 

The Garrison

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.

Gracie’s Apizza

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.

Homegrown Smoker

A consummate location for vegan dining, Homegrown Smoker’s cheerful and spacious restaurant with hanging plants and quaint decor is currently closed for onsite dining. Still, customers can order its menu of vegan barbecue comfort food for takeout, including standbys like the trademark Macnocheeto burrito and pulled pork-style Slosmomofo sandwich, both made with smoked soy curls glazed in barbecue sauce. Vegan burgers, cheesesteaks, and faux barbecue plates are also available, and customers can order by calling in.

Tienda Santa Cruz

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.

Paiku

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.

Jamaica House

Jamaican restaurants are not exactly abundant in Portland, but this cozy, casual house-turned-restaurant is all the fun of a beachside barbecue. Inside, hand-painted murals line the walls; outside, listen for the sizzle of the restaurant’s knockout jerk chicken, a true crime to miss. Only vegans can get away with swapping for the jerk tofu — and with a pile of plantains, everyone is happy. Takeout is available by calling.

The Sparrow Bakery PDX

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.

Banh Mi Up

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

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.

Cathedral Coffee

A cozy coffee shop catering to locals and University of Portland students, Cathedral Coffee is an essential part of the St. Johns community. The large, cozily industrial space is currently closed for indoor dining, but offers its coffee drinks (sourced from Alberta Street staple Proud Mary) and massive pastries for takeout. Alongside planet-sized cinnamon buns and baked apple fritters, the cafe offers savory and sweet breakfast turnovers as well as quiche. A few vegan and gluten-free options round out the pastries. Diners can order at the counter for takeout. 

Arlo's Fish & Chips

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. 

DeHomis

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.

Rose City Taqueria

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.

El Coyote

Chefs across Portland love to whisper about this under-the-radar cart and its next-level carnitas. El Coyote, a nondescript cart just steps away from Rose City Taqueria, serves a shockingly large variety of tacos and burritos for its size, with fillings ranging from shrimp to buche to ham and pineapple. But here, it’s all about those salty, crispy carnitas, folded into a taco for less than $2. It’s open for walk-ups.

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