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A whole pizza, half cheese, half pepperoni and mushroom.
A pie from Giants NY.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

16 Tasty Reasons to Drink and Dine in Lents

Discover the gems of Southeast Portland’s Lents neighborhood

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A pie from Giants NY.
| Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Lents is the rare Portland neighborhood that retains an unmistakable identity despite being bisected by a major freeway. Neither the roar of I-205 nor thermometer-bursting record heat can suppress the iconoclastic spirit of this Southeast Portland hub — a neighborhood perhaps best epitomized by its scandal-prone baseball mascot. The used car lots and Taco Bells belie the fact that Lents has some of the best, most uncompromising dining experiences in Portland — from bite-sized balls of smoked brisket to soup enriched with pork blood, and from delicate Italian pastries to mountains of all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue.

Lents may be off the beaten path for westsiders and inner-easters, but in fact it’s Portland’s third most populous neighborhood (after Centennial and Hazelwood), so don’t be surprised to find some of these gems packed with locals in the know.

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Bún Bò Huế Restaurant

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The more celebrated establishments tend to be found north of Powell, but SE 82nd is strewn with absolute gems well south, towards the land of big box stores in Clackamas. Amid pipe shops and auto repair garages, Bún Bò Huế Restaurant specializes, naturally, in bún bò huế, that intoxicatingly rich, lightly spicy soup bolstered with pork blood. Beverages include Vietnamese coffee, avocado smoothies, or the tricolor chè ba màu sweet bean drink.

Two hot bowls of Bún Bò Huế next to a bowl of shiso, Thai basil, and other herbs
Bún Bò Huế
Bún Bò Huế Restaurant

Briskets & Gravy

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A recent arrival at the CORE food pod, Briskets & Gravy continues to expand its ultra-simple model (brisket on a biscuit) from popular farmers market pop-up to its first permanent cart in Fairview and now this second location at the indoor/outdoor CORE food cart collective. Enjoy tender, pecan-wood smoked brisket worthy of the Lone Star state on B&G’s flagship biscuit sandwich — topped with gravy, a fried egg, and chives — on a hoagie with onions and peppers, or via snackable brisket bites, fried mashed potato balls stuffed with brisket and cheese. The only vegetarian options are the truffle fries and onion ring sides, but the chicken wings are another standout for those less partial to beef.

A brisket-topped biscuit sandwich with a fried egg and chives on top.
Brisket on a biscuit.
Briskets & Gravy

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant

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For those seeking an interactive dining experience, few pleasures compete with joining a table of friends, throwing one sliver of marinated meat after another onto the grill, and watching the blue flame do its work. K-Town offers nearly 30 different proteins for Korean barbecue, ranging from short rib and brisket to octopus and eel. The atmosphere is typically raucous, especially later in the evening when the soju is flowing freely. “All you can eat” options require the whole table to participate — so choose your comrades carefully.

Best Baguette

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Parisians may be content to gnaw on a dry baguette on their walk home, but the rest of us can be thankful cooks in 1950s Saigon saw a bit more potential in the crisp, airy loaf. Best Baguette specializes in classic banh mi with pork and pickled vegetables, but the menu includes solid chicken and vegetarian options, as well. Visitors can expect fast service but utilitarian vibes when dining in; the drive-thru is known to back up at lunchtime or rush hour.

Lents Draft and Bottle

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Lents Draft and Bottle strikes that ideal balance for a bottle shop: smart and creatively-sourced to keep the serious beer nerds coming back, but with chill, unpretentious vibes for those who still don’t know the difference between a pilsner and a hefeweizen. Unlike some beer-first spots, the wines and ciders are far from afterthoughts. Hours may vary with games or other special events.

Bella's Italian Bakery

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When strolling down Woodstock, follow the hypnotic smell of baking bread to Bella’s Italian bakery. Fresh focaccia serves as the foundation for a half-dozen Italian sandwiches, and Bella’s dough anchors chewy pizzas. Visitors with a sweet tooth will find cannoli and a host of other sweet pastries. Bella’s also stocks a selection of cheeses, vinegars, and olive oils to accompany any bread that actually makes it home. Beverages include espresso drinks and wine by the bottle or can. Bella’s is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Giants NY Pizza & Subs

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Lents’s go-to takeout pizza destination, Giants is the labor of love from owner Eugene Shiriac, who learned his trade in Italy, New York, and Maryland before bringing a dedication to New York-style pies to southeast Portland. Orders are taken from a cart adjacent to the Lents Islander convenience store, but the real magic happens inside the brick and mortar building in back, where dough is prepared and the pizzas are baked to crispy-crust perfection. Giants is closed Sundays and is takeout only — no on-site seating.

A whole pizza, half cheese, half pepperoni and mushroom.
A whole pie from Giants NY.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Sherpa Kitchen

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Previously found next to inner Southeast’s sadly departed Base Camp Brewing, Sherpa Kitchen has found a new home in Lents’s premier food hall, The Zed. The venue may have changed, but the momos have not. Visitors won’t regret skipping the thukpa noodle dishes in favor of delicate steamed momos or nuanced dal bhat. Imbibers will find momos pair nicely with brews from Zoiglhaus or cocktails from the Zephyr Lounge, both conveniently housed within the food hall.

Six hot steamed momo dumplings
Momos from Sherpa Kitchen
Nathan Williams

Zoiglhaus Brewing Company

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Zoiglhaus landed in Lents in 2015, kicking off a remarkable burst of development at the junction of SE Foster and 92nd. After establishing itself as a creative brewery and German-inspired restaurant, the Zoiglhaus team has kicked up their ambitions with The Zed: a food hall, pub, cocktail lounge, and event space, with music, comedy, and other attractions — plus the indispensable Lents Tool Library around back. Zoiglhaus may have in-house food competition, but safe bet it will remain the only option for Jagerschnitzel.

La Arepa

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Another jewel in the growing lineup of food purveyors inside Zoigelhaus’s food hall, La Arepa specializes in tasty, fast Venezuelan fare, including empanadas and, naturally, the namesake arepa — cornmeal patties stuffed with meat or other fillings. Those looking for a full meal should consider the pabellón plates: platters of plantains, rice, beans, and either shredded beef or fish. Those dining in can grab a tasty lime or passion fruit drink from the cart or an adult beverage from the Zoigelhaus crew.

A takeout container with shredded, marinated fish, fried plantains, black beans, sliced avocado, and a fried egg.
Pabellón margariteño at La Arepa.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Refuge Coffee House

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No Portland neighborhood is complete without a staple coffee house, brewing responsibly sourced beans and serving sweet and savory baked goods — including gluten-free options. Refuge’s big windows and bright décor make it a particularly enticing spot on a dark, rainy morning. The small tea selection is from Jasmine Pearl.

Sabor Tindureño

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Just steps from the Foster Max station, the Flipside bar has been hosting a dynamic assortment of food carts since opening in 2018. Each are worth trying, but Oaxacan cart Sabor Tindureño concocts a dark, complex mole that will keep folks coming back. Enjoy the iconic Oaxacan sauce in a mole plate or burrito. Just as satisfying are the picaditas, fluffy handmade tortillas topped with Oaxacan cheese and spicy asada or fresh, piquant cactus.

Two thick corn tortillas, one topped with cactus and peppers, the other with shredded beef.
Beef and cactus picaditas at La Arepa.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Original Sub Factory

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Nestled between a dry cleaner and a convenience store on SE Foster, the unassuming Mike’s Original Sub Factory eschews frills and focuses on affordable meals, crisp baked rolls, and harmony among its fresh ingredients. The Italian deli meat sandwiches are the main attraction, but the menu also features a turkey, cream cheese, and cranberry sub, as well as an assortment of teriyaki bento boxes. Beverages are limited to soda, water, and lemonade.

A footlong sub sandwich with deli meats, onions, greens, and peppers
Mike’s Original Sub Factory
Nathan Williams

The Takahashi Restaurant

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Portland has no shortage of sushi varieties, from Mitate’s vegan sushi to cured Edomae-style, but the Takahashi Restaurant occupies a singular niche as a remarkably homey Japanese diner. The menu features plenty of sushi, freshly sourced and tastefully prepared, along with a wealth of noodle, meat, and tempura dishes — including one shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese concoction helpfully named Cholesterol. Few out-of-towners venture east of 205, so when dining in, expect to rub elbows with neighborhood regulars catching up with the friendly wait staff and chefs.

Taqueria Lanis

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Easy to miss driving on SE Holgate but impossible to forget, Taqueria Lanis (formerly La Autentica) specializes in exceptional Salvadoran cuisine from a cart enhanced by a robust covered seating area. House-made pupusas and fried plantains are particular favorites, but the menu includes a range of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Drinks include sodas, fruit juices, lagers, and a spicy michelada.

A hand-painted sign for La Autentica covered in colored lights
La Autentica
Nathan Williams

Yuan Su Vegetarian

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A cavernous old building on SE Powell is the scene of some of the best vegan Chinese cuisine Portland has to offer. The objective at Yuan Su isn’t reinvention but expert imitation, delivering vegan renditions that inspire double-takes. Even non-vegans might find themselves fooled by the restaurant’s “pork,” thanks to its deceptively rich flavor and tender texture. The wine and beer list can generously be described as modest, but smoothies come in several flavors.

A plate of green beans cooked in oil
Green beans from Yuan Su
Nathan Williams

Bún Bò Huế Restaurant

The more celebrated establishments tend to be found north of Powell, but SE 82nd is strewn with absolute gems well south, towards the land of big box stores in Clackamas. Amid pipe shops and auto repair garages, Bún Bò Huế Restaurant specializes, naturally, in bún bò huế, that intoxicatingly rich, lightly spicy soup bolstered with pork blood. Beverages include Vietnamese coffee, avocado smoothies, or the tricolor chè ba màu sweet bean drink.

Two hot bowls of Bún Bò Huế next to a bowl of shiso, Thai basil, and other herbs
Bún Bò Huế
Bún Bò Huế Restaurant

Briskets & Gravy

A recent arrival at the CORE food pod, Briskets & Gravy continues to expand its ultra-simple model (brisket on a biscuit) from popular farmers market pop-up to its first permanent cart in Fairview and now this second location at the indoor/outdoor CORE food cart collective. Enjoy tender, pecan-wood smoked brisket worthy of the Lone Star state on B&G’s flagship biscuit sandwich — topped with gravy, a fried egg, and chives — on a hoagie with onions and peppers, or via snackable brisket bites, fried mashed potato balls stuffed with brisket and cheese. The only vegetarian options are the truffle fries and onion ring sides, but the chicken wings are another standout for those less partial to beef.

A brisket-topped biscuit sandwich with a fried egg and chives on top.
Brisket on a biscuit.
Briskets & Gravy

K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant

For those seeking an interactive dining experience, few pleasures compete with joining a table of friends, throwing one sliver of marinated meat after another onto the grill, and watching the blue flame do its work. K-Town offers nearly 30 different proteins for Korean barbecue, ranging from short rib and brisket to octopus and eel. The atmosphere is typically raucous, especially later in the evening when the soju is flowing freely. “All you can eat” options require the whole table to participate — so choose your comrades carefully.

Best Baguette

Parisians may be content to gnaw on a dry baguette on their walk home, but the rest of us can be thankful cooks in 1950s Saigon saw a bit more potential in the crisp, airy loaf. Best Baguette specializes in classic banh mi with pork and pickled vegetables, but the menu includes solid chicken and vegetarian options, as well. Visitors can expect fast service but utilitarian vibes when dining in; the drive-thru is known to back up at lunchtime or rush hour.

Lents Draft and Bottle

Lents Draft and Bottle strikes that ideal balance for a bottle shop: smart and creatively-sourced to keep the serious beer nerds coming back, but with chill, unpretentious vibes for those who still don’t know the difference between a pilsner and a hefeweizen. Unlike some beer-first spots, the wines and ciders are far from afterthoughts. Hours may vary with games or other special events.

Bella's Italian Bakery

When strolling down Woodstock, follow the hypnotic smell of baking bread to Bella’s Italian bakery. Fresh focaccia serves as the foundation for a half-dozen Italian sandwiches, and Bella’s dough anchors chewy pizzas. Visitors with a sweet tooth will find cannoli and a host of other sweet pastries. Bella’s also stocks a selection of cheeses, vinegars, and olive oils to accompany any bread that actually makes it home. Beverages include espresso drinks and wine by the bottle or can. Bella’s is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Giants NY Pizza & Subs

Lents’s go-to takeout pizza destination, Giants is the labor of love from owner Eugene Shiriac, who learned his trade in Italy, New York, and Maryland before bringing a dedication to New York-style pies to southeast Portland. Orders are taken from a cart adjacent to the Lents Islander convenience store, but the real magic happens inside the brick and mortar building in back, where dough is prepared and the pizzas are baked to crispy-crust perfection. Giants is closed Sundays and is takeout only — no on-site seating.

A whole pizza, half cheese, half pepperoni and mushroom.
A whole pie from Giants NY.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Sherpa Kitchen

Previously found next to inner Southeast’s sadly departed Base Camp Brewing, Sherpa Kitchen has found a new home in Lents’s premier food hall, The Zed. The venue may have changed, but the momos have not. Visitors won’t regret skipping the thukpa noodle dishes in favor of delicate steamed momos or nuanced dal bhat. Imbibers will find momos pair nicely with brews from Zoiglhaus or cocktails from the Zephyr Lounge, both conveniently housed within the food hall.

Six hot steamed momo dumplings
Momos from Sherpa Kitchen
Nathan Williams

Zoiglhaus Brewing Company

Zoiglhaus landed in Lents in 2015, kicking off a remarkable burst of development at the junction of SE Foster and 92nd. After establishing itself as a creative brewery and German-inspired restaurant, the Zoiglhaus team has kicked up their ambitions with The Zed: a food hall, pub, cocktail lounge, and event space, with music, comedy, and other attractions — plus the indispensable Lents Tool Library around back. Zoiglhaus may have in-house food competition, but safe bet it will remain the only option for Jagerschnitzel.

La Arepa

Another jewel in the growing lineup of food purveyors inside Zoigelhaus’s food hall, La Arepa specializes in tasty, fast Venezuelan fare, including empanadas and, naturally, the namesake arepa — cornmeal patties stuffed with meat or other fillings. Those looking for a full meal should consider the pabellón plates: platters of plantains, rice, beans, and either shredded beef or fish. Those dining in can grab a tasty lime or passion fruit drink from the cart or an adult beverage from the Zoigelhaus crew.

A takeout container with shredded, marinated fish, fried plantains, black beans, sliced avocado, and a fried egg.
Pabellón margariteño at La Arepa.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Refuge Coffee House

No Portland neighborhood is complete without a staple coffee house, brewing responsibly sourced beans and serving sweet and savory baked goods — including gluten-free options. Refuge’s big windows and bright décor make it a particularly enticing spot on a dark, rainy morning. The small tea selection is from Jasmine Pearl.

Sabor Tindureño

Just steps from the Foster Max station, the Flipside bar has been hosting a dynamic assortment of food carts since opening in 2018. Each are worth trying, but Oaxacan cart Sabor Tindureño concocts a dark, complex mole that will keep folks coming back. Enjoy the iconic Oaxacan sauce in a mole plate or burrito. Just as satisfying are the picaditas, fluffy handmade tortillas topped with Oaxacan cheese and spicy asada or fresh, piquant cactus.

Two thick corn tortillas, one topped with cactus and peppers, the other with shredded beef.
Beef and cactus picaditas at La Arepa.
Nathan Williams/Eater Portland

Original Sub Factory

Nestled between a dry cleaner and a convenience store on SE Foster, the unassuming Mike’s Original Sub Factory eschews frills and focuses on affordable meals, crisp baked rolls, and harmony among its fresh ingredients. The Italian deli meat sandwiches are the main attraction, but the menu also features a turkey, cream cheese, and cranberry sub, as well as an assortment of teriyaki bento boxes. Beverages are limited to soda, water, and lemonade.

A footlong sub sandwich with deli meats, onions, greens, and peppers
Mike’s Original Sub Factory
Nathan Williams

The Takahashi Restaurant

Portland has no shortage of sushi varieties, from Mitate’s vegan sushi to cured Edomae-style, but the Takahashi Restaurant occupies a singular niche as a remarkably homey Japanese diner. The menu features plenty of sushi, freshly sourced and tastefully prepared, along with a wealth of noodle, meat, and tempura dishes — including one shrimp, avocado, and cream cheese concoction helpfully named Cholesterol. Few out-of-towners venture east of 205, so when dining in, expect to rub elbows with neighborhood regulars catching up with the friendly wait staff and chefs.

Taqueria Lanis

Easy to miss driving on SE Holgate but impossible to forget, Taqueria Lanis (formerly La Autentica) specializes in exceptional Salvadoran cuisine from a cart enhanced by a robust covered seating area. House-made pupusas and fried plantains are particular favorites, but the menu includes a range of tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Drinks include sodas, fruit juices, lagers, and a spicy michelada.

A hand-painted sign for La Autentica covered in colored lights
La Autentica
Nathan Williams

Related Maps

Yuan Su Vegetarian

A cavernous old building on SE Powell is the scene of some of the best vegan Chinese cuisine Portland has to offer. The objective at Yuan Su isn’t reinvention but expert imitation, delivering vegan renditions that inspire double-takes. Even non-vegans might find themselves fooled by the restaurant’s “pork,” thanks to its deceptively rich flavor and tender texture. The wine and beer list can generously be described as modest, but smoothies come in several flavors.

A plate of green beans cooked in oil
Green beans from Yuan Su
Nathan Williams

Related Maps