clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

13 Solid Restaurants for Dining Solo in Portland

Stellar Italian Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland

A Guide to Portland’s Most Outstanding Food Carts

More in Portland, OR See more maps
A fried chicken sandwich with barbecue sauce at Jojo.
A fried chicken sandwich at Jojo.
Dina Avila/Eater Portland

Where to Find a Mid-Week Lunch in Portland

Where to grab a pile of Chinese food, a comforting bowl of khao soi, a quick slice, or a gargantuan fried chicken sandwich

by Brooke Jackson-Glidden Updated
View as Map
A fried chicken sandwich at Jojo.
| Dina Avila/Eater Portland
by Brooke Jackson-Glidden Updated

With more people working from home and tourism business still slow, fewer restaurants are offering lunch through the workweek — especially for dine-in. However, there are still plenty of Portlanders hungry in the middle of the day, looking for a hearty sandwich, a big salad, or a beautiful bento box. The good news: There are still restaurants and food carts across the city serving lunch for onsite diners, even on days when Portland restaurants are often closed (looking at you, Monday and Tuesday).

For this map, we’ve compiled a wide range of restaurants and food carts that are open and serving lunch in the middle of the week. A few parameters: The spots on this map are open at least four out of five weekdays, from Monday through Friday, and offer some sort of onsite dining — that includes food cart pods with covered picnic tables, as well as restaurants with full-on indoor table service. For more lunch options, check out our sandwich map.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Pasture PDX

Copy Link

A butcher’s shop and market in Northeast Portland, Pasture is open Tuesdays through Fridays for roast beef sandwiches with blue cheese, house pastrami Reubens with carrot thousand island, and endive salads with lamb chops. Those grabbing a quick lunch before heading home can grab Oregon-raised meats from the butcher case for dinner.

1413 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 841-5033
(503) 841-5033

Also featured in:

Prost Marketplace

Copy Link

The Prost Marketplace pod, next to the North Portland German beer bar, is home to a number of carts consistently serving lunch. Desi’s bowls of yellow-hued basmati rice, topped with tandoori tempeh or cardamom-chai chicken or masala pulled pork, consistently deliver for a multifaceted mid-week meal. Matt’s BBQ easily makes some of the city’s best brisket, available a la carte by the half-pound or chopped in a sandwich with pickles and slaw. And for those who would rather repeat breakfast than move on to lunch fare, Fried Egg I’m in Love is open daily with pesto-slathered egg sandwiches. Prost Marketplace is home to ample covered and heated seating within the pod.

4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
(503) 862-3374
(503) 862-3374

Also featured in:

Mamma Khouri's

Copy Link

This North Williams restaurant, which the owners describe as “Middle Eastern,” offers a number of strong lunch options, from meze platters to share with coworkers to pita-wrapped sandwiches stuffed with juicy lamb shawarma or falafel. Mamma Khouri’s also offers things like Turkish coffee to perk up mid-work day, as well as hard-to-find Lebanese and Syrian smoothies for an on-the-go treat.

3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227
(971) 373-8904
(971) 373-8904

Taqueria La Mestiza

Copy Link

A quick jaunt away from the Grotto or Rocky Butte, Taqueria La Mestiza specializes in Yucatecan standards like panuchos, cochinita pibil, and salbutes. However, for those seeking a pile of chorizo tacos, a burrito stuffed with tender carnitas, or moist, banana-leaf-wrapped tamales, Taqueria La Mestiza delivers.

8525 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97220
(503) 572-8595
(503) 572-8595

Also featured in:

Pizza Thief

Copy Link

Finding a slice of pizza in Portland isn’t as easy as it used to be, but some shops have a full slice case for a quick weekday lunch. Whole grain sourdough pizzas come topped with caciotta al tartufo, piquillo peppers, or schiacciata salami, served alongside thick slabs of focaccia, Italian chop salads, and rye hand pies. Pros know to order the Calabrian chile-garlic oil for dipping and dunking.

2610 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-7778
(503) 719-7778

Also featured in:

Bing Mi Dumpling and Noodle Bar

Copy Link

A sibling to the popular jianbing cart, this Northwest Portland restaurant is a nice spot for hand-made noodles and dumplings. Bing Mi Dumpling and Noodle Bar specializes in zha jiang mian, topping chewy noodles with julienned veggies and little nubs of pork coated in Chinese black bean. The noodles are also available vegan, and those uninterested in noodles can find dumplings stuffed with shrimp or ground pork, platters of roast duck, and soothing congee. Sweet soy milk makes for a lovely accompaniment.

2572 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 327-8574
(503) 327-8574

Also featured in:

Jojo

Copy Link

While dinners at the internet-famous Jojo can get a little crowded, lunch tends to be a calmer affair, with all the same gargantuan fried chicken sandwiches and burgers spotted in the evenings. Committing to both a hulking sandwich and a pile of impeccably executed potato wedges might induce a coma post-lunch break, though if you can pull it off, we commend you; for other mere mortals, Jojo serves a fun, ultra-crunchy salad that’s actually filling, with coleslaw, house ranch, and fried shallots. It’s best topped with sliced fried chicken or tofu.

902 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(971) 331-4284
(971) 331-4284

Also featured in:

The Sudra

Copy Link

Many Portland vegans are already quite familiar with this small Portland chain of Indian-Southwestern food. Linger over a thali plate for a leisurely lunch, with spinach dal, ginger-agave-roasted carrot salad, and more. For something a little lighter, the lentil kofta bowl with roasted cauliflower is particularly nice. The Sudra is open daily with onsite dining.

28 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
(971) 302-6002
(971) 302-6002

Also featured in:

Flying Fish Company LLC

Copy Link

This East Burnside fish market serves Pacific Northwestern rockfish tacos, tombo tuna poke, and Washington steelhead sandwiches on its comfortable covered patio throughout the day, alongside an array of shucker’s choice oysters on the half shell and house-smoked salmon. The eclectic menu makes it a good choice for a wide range of diners, whether you’re seeking build-your-own poke or a piping hot bowl of clam chowder. Fish changes seasonally, and is available in the market to take home for dinner.

3004 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 806-6747
(971) 806-6747

Also featured in:

Nong's Khao Man Gai

Copy Link

It simply wouldn’t feel right to omit Nong’s from this map, a standby for comforting mid-week lunches of impeccably cooked rice, tender chicken, and that citrusy ginger sauce. To switch things up, get the pork rice or peanut sauce chicken instead of the restaurant’s famous khao man gai. Nong’s is also one of the few restaurants on this map to feature a kid’s menu.

609 SE Ankeny St C, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 740-2907
(503) 740-2907

Also featured in:

Bullard Tavern

Copy Link

Tex-Mex meets the Pacific Northwest at this restaurant within the Woodlark Hotel, and while dinners here may involve seafood towers and beef ribs, lunch is a far more casual affair. Lunch combination meals come in the style of a meat-and-three: Buttermilk fried chicken thighs, smoked-and-braised beef cheeks, or flatiron steaks with Calabrian salsa verde arrive with a choice of two sides and warm cornbread; sides range from corona bean salad to roasted marble potatoes with poblano mayo. Sandwiches, hearty salads, and oysters on the half shell round out the menu, available Monday through Friday.

813 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-1670
(503) 222-1670

Also featured in:

Obon Shokudo

Copy Link

Vegans love this Southeast Grand spot for its supremely comforting, homey Japanese food, ranging from earthy miso stew to onigiri stuffed with misozuke. Those who prefer a lighter lunch will appreciate Obon’s wide range of onigiri, an easy grab-and-go option; those looking to linger should start with some crispy kabocha korokke, followed by a bowl of the restaurant’s lovely, handmade udon noodles.

720 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 206-7967
(503) 206-7967

Also featured in:

Rukdiew Cafe

Copy Link

This Southeast Belmont Thai restaurant is a cheery spot for a mid-week lunch, with plush, rose-pink bar stools and robin’s egg blue booths. The food matches the decor — dishes here are colorful and bright, crunchy salad rolls followed by a lime-laden larb. Rukdiew also serves some of the finest khao soi in the city, with a brick-red slick of chile oil floating above a nuanced broth teeming with cinnamon and coriander. It’s best paired with a Cherry Blossom, a nonalcoholic cocktail made with pomegranate juice and lychee.

2534 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 841-6123
(503) 841-6123

Also featured in:

Bluto's

Copy Link

This Greek spot from the man behind Lardo serves skewers of juicy lamb souvlaki alongside silky hummus and bright tzatziki, with sheets of fresh-baked pita for swiping and stuffing. Around lunchtime, the restaurant’s salads are a smart choice, hearty and filled with things like whipped sheep’s cheese or beets and tahini. Add some souvlaki for protein, and a swirl of soft serve to get through the rest of the day.

2838 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 383-1619
(971) 383-1619

Also featured in:

Love Belizean

Copy Link

The Belizean chicken at this downtown spot is a favorite among Portland State University students, who stop in for plates of saucy chicken thighs, coconut rice, and the restaurant’s unforgettable habanero sauce. On rainy afternoons, it’s best to add on a bowl of coconut curry soup. Vegans can stick around for coconut curry stewed red beans.

1503 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 421-5599
(503) 421-5599

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Murata Restaurant

Copy Link

For decades, downtown workers have popped into this old-school Japanese restaurant for combination lunches of broiled salmon, tonkatsu, or sashimi, complete with sunomono, steamed rice, and miso soup. On cold days, Murata’s tempura-topped udon is straight-up comfort food. For a business lunch, reserve one of the restaurant’s tatami rooms for both privacy and comfort.

200 SW Market St, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 227-0080
(503) 227-0080

Also featured in:

Tasty Corner Chinese Restaurant

Copy Link

This downtown Chinese restaurant is creating a buzz online for its tingly mapo tofu, Chongqing chicken, and hand-shaven noodles. All of the above are available for lunch at a reduced price, plus Chinese American standards like General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef. Additionally, Tasty Corner offers a variety of lunch specials, with a cup of hot-and-sour or egg-flower soup and rice included.

624 SW Hall St, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 954-1835
(503) 954-1835

Also featured in:

Oma's Hideaway

Copy Link

This ultra-cool Southeast Division restaurant recently started offering lunch every day, with things like char siu-topped breakfast sandwiches, vegan roti wraps with green pea and mint fritters, and a filet-o-fishball sandwich with Sichuan peppercorn tartar sauce. Hits from the restaurant’s dinner menu are also available here, including the knockout roti with curry for dipping, wonton mee with handmade egg noodles, and the spicy laksa with shrimp and fishcakes.

3131 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
(971) 754-4923
(971) 754-4923

Also featured in:

Rose VL Deli

Copy Link

This cheery Vietnamese soup spot on Powell is easily worth the hype, with rotating bowls every day but Sunday and Wednesday. Any given visit might involve buoyant pork meatballs floating in a pristine broth, or bowls filled with wontons and char siu pork. It’s hard to go wrong, and each visit can involve thick, stuffed salad rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee.

6424 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
(503) 206-4344
(503) 206-4344

Also featured in:

Pah!

Copy Link

This deaf-owned Lents spot is one of the very few Portland restaurants that actively accommodates deaf diners, taking orders in American Sign Language; the team also uses speech-to-text software for hearing diners. Pah! is also a strong spot for a burger — not caught up in the super-thin smash burger trend, these are thick, juicy burgers, particularly the Champ, a barbecue-bacon cheeseburger. Those up for a challenge can start with the restaurant’s take on a blooming onion.

5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
(503) 500-5742
(503) 500-5742

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Pasture PDX

1413 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

A butcher’s shop and market in Northeast Portland, Pasture is open Tuesdays through Fridays for roast beef sandwiches with blue cheese, house pastrami Reubens with carrot thousand island, and endive salads with lamb chops. Those grabbing a quick lunch before heading home can grab Oregon-raised meats from the butcher case for dinner.

1413 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 841-5033
(503) 841-5033

Prost Marketplace

4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217

The Prost Marketplace pod, next to the North Portland German beer bar, is home to a number of carts consistently serving lunch. Desi’s bowls of yellow-hued basmati rice, topped with tandoori tempeh or cardamom-chai chicken or masala pulled pork, consistently deliver for a multifaceted mid-week meal. Matt’s BBQ easily makes some of the city’s best brisket, available a la carte by the half-pound or chopped in a sandwich with pickles and slaw. And for those who would rather repeat breakfast than move on to lunch fare, Fried Egg I’m in Love is open daily with pesto-slathered egg sandwiches. Prost Marketplace is home to ample covered and heated seating within the pod.

4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
(503) 862-3374
(503) 862-3374

Mamma Khouri's

3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227

This North Williams restaurant, which the owners describe as “Middle Eastern,” offers a number of strong lunch options, from meze platters to share with coworkers to pita-wrapped sandwiches stuffed with juicy lamb shawarma or falafel. Mamma Khouri’s also offers things like Turkish coffee to perk up mid-work day, as well as hard-to-find Lebanese and Syrian smoothies for an on-the-go treat.

3808 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227
(971) 373-8904
(971) 373-8904

Taqueria La Mestiza

8525 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97220

A quick jaunt away from the Grotto or Rocky Butte, Taqueria La Mestiza specializes in Yucatecan standards like panuchos, cochinita pibil, and salbutes. However, for those seeking a pile of chorizo tacos, a burrito stuffed with tender carnitas, or moist, banana-leaf-wrapped tamales, Taqueria La Mestiza delivers.

8525 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97220
(503) 572-8595
(503) 572-8595

Pizza Thief

2610 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210

Finding a slice of pizza in Portland isn’t as easy as it used to be, but some shops have a full slice case for a quick weekday lunch. Whole grain sourdough pizzas come topped with caciotta al tartufo, piquillo peppers, or schiacciata salami, served alongside thick slabs of focaccia, Italian chop salads, and rye hand pies. Pros know to order the Calabrian chile-garlic oil for dipping and dunking.

2610 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-7778
(503) 719-7778

Bing Mi Dumpling and Noodle Bar

2572 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210

A sibling to the popular jianbing cart, this Northwest Portland restaurant is a nice spot for hand-made noodles and dumplings. Bing Mi Dumpling and Noodle Bar specializes in zha jiang mian, topping chewy noodles with julienned veggies and little nubs of pork coated in Chinese black bean. The noodles are also available vegan, and those uninterested in noodles can find dumplings stuffed with shrimp or ground pork, platters of roast duck, and soothing congee. Sweet soy milk makes for a lovely accompaniment.

2572 NW Vaughn St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 327-8574
(503) 327-8574

Jojo

902 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

While dinners at the internet-famous Jojo can get a little crowded, lunch tends to be a calmer affair, with all the same gargantuan fried chicken sandwiches and burgers spotted in the evenings. Committing to both a hulking sandwich and a pile of impeccably executed potato wedges might induce a coma post-lunch break, though if you can pull it off, we commend you; for other mere mortals, Jojo serves a fun, ultra-crunchy salad that’s actually filling, with coleslaw, house ranch, and fried shallots. It’s best topped with sliced fried chicken or tofu.

902 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(971) 331-4284
(971) 331-4284

The Sudra

28 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

Many Portland vegans are already quite familiar with this small Portland chain of Indian-Southwestern food. Linger over a thali plate for a leisurely lunch, with spinach dal, ginger-agave-roasted carrot salad, and more. For something a little lighter, the lentil kofta bowl with roasted cauliflower is particularly nice. The Sudra is open daily with onsite dining.

28 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
(971) 302-6002
(971) 302-6002

Flying Fish Company LLC

3004 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

This East Burnside fish market serves Pacific Northwestern rockfish tacos, tombo tuna poke, and Washington steelhead sandwiches on its comfortable covered patio throughout the day, alongside an array of shucker’s choice oysters on the half shell and house-smoked salmon. The eclectic menu makes it a good choice for a wide range of diners, whether you’re seeking build-your-own poke or a piping hot bowl of clam chowder. Fish changes seasonally, and is available in the market to take home for dinner.

3004 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 806-6747
(971) 806-6747

Nong's Khao Man Gai

609 SE Ankeny St C, Portland, OR 97214

It simply wouldn’t feel right to omit Nong’s from this map, a standby for comforting mid-week lunches of impeccably cooked rice, tender chicken, and that citrusy ginger sauce. To switch things up, get the pork rice or peanut sauce chicken instead of the restaurant’s famous khao man gai. Nong’s is also one of the few restaurants on this map to feature a kid’s menu.

609 SE Ankeny St C, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 740-2907
(503) 740-2907

Bullard Tavern

813 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

Tex-Mex meets the Pacific Northwest at this restaurant within the Woodlark Hotel, and while dinners here may involve seafood towers and beef ribs, lunch is a far more casual affair. Lunch combination meals come in the style of a meat-and-three: Buttermilk fried chicken thighs, smoked-and-braised beef cheeks, or flatiron steaks with Calabrian salsa verde arrive with a choice of two sides and warm cornbread; sides range from corona bean salad to roasted marble potatoes with poblano mayo. Sandwiches, hearty salads, and oysters on the half shell round out the menu, available Monday through Friday.

813 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-1670
(503) 222-1670

Obon Shokudo

720 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Vegans love this Southeast Grand spot for its supremely comforting, homey Japanese food, ranging from earthy miso stew to onigiri stuffed with misozuke. Those who prefer a lighter lunch will appreciate Obon’s wide range of onigiri, an easy grab-and-go option; those looking to linger should start with some crispy kabocha korokke, followed by a bowl of the restaurant’s lovely, handmade udon noodles.

720 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 206-7967
(503) 206-7967

Rukdiew Cafe

2534 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

This Southeast Belmont Thai restaurant is a cheery spot for a mid-week lunch, with plush, rose-pink bar stools and robin’s egg blue booths. The food matches the decor — dishes here are colorful and bright, crunchy salad rolls followed by a lime-laden larb. Rukdiew also serves some of the finest khao soi in the city, with a brick-red slick of chile oil floating above a nuanced broth teeming with cinnamon and coriander. It’s best paired with a Cherry Blossom, a nonalcoholic cocktail made with pomegranate juice and lychee.

2534 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 841-6123
(503) 841-6123

Bluto's

2838 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

This Greek spot from the man behind Lardo serves skewers of juicy lamb souvlaki alongside silky hummus and bright tzatziki, with sheets of fresh-baked pita for swiping and stuffing. Around lunchtime, the restaurant’s salads are a smart choice, hearty and filled with things like whipped sheep’s cheese or beets and tahini. Add some souvlaki for protein, and a swirl of soft serve to get through the rest of the day.

2838 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 383-1619
(971) 383-1619

Love Belizean

1503 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201

The Belizean chicken at this downtown spot is a favorite among Portland State University students, who stop in for plates of saucy chicken thighs, coconut rice, and the restaurant’s unforgettable habanero sauce. On rainy afternoons, it’s best to add on a bowl of coconut curry soup. Vegans can stick around for coconut curry stewed red beans.

1503 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 421-5599
(503) 421-5599

Related Maps

Murata Restaurant

200 SW Market St, Portland, OR 97201

For decades, downtown workers have popped into this old-school Japanese restaurant for combination lunches of broiled salmon, tonkatsu, or sashimi, complete with sunomono, steamed rice, and miso soup. On cold days, Murata’s tempura-topped udon is straight-up comfort food. For a business lunch, reserve one of the restaurant’s tatami rooms for both privacy and comfort.

200 SW Market St, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 227-0080
(503) 227-0080

Tasty Corner Chinese Restaurant

624 SW Hall St, Portland, OR 97201

This downtown Chinese restaurant is creating a buzz online for its tingly mapo tofu, Chongqing chicken, and hand-shaven noodles. All of the above are available for lunch at a reduced price, plus Chinese American standards like General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef. Additionally, Tasty Corner offers a variety of lunch specials, with a cup of hot-and-sour or egg-flower soup and rice included.

624 SW Hall St, Portland, OR 97201
(503) 954-1835
(503) 954-1835

Oma's Hideaway

3131 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

This ultra-cool Southeast Division restaurant recently started offering lunch every day, with things like char siu-topped breakfast sandwiches, vegan roti wraps with green pea and mint fritters, and a filet-o-fishball sandwich with Sichuan peppercorn tartar sauce. Hits from the restaurant’s dinner menu are also available here, including the knockout roti with curry for dipping, wonton mee with handmade egg noodles, and the spicy laksa with shrimp and fishcakes.

3131 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202
(971) 754-4923
(971) 754-4923

Rose VL Deli

6424 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206

This cheery Vietnamese soup spot on Powell is easily worth the hype, with rotating bowls every day but Sunday and Wednesday. Any given visit might involve buoyant pork meatballs floating in a pristine broth, or bowls filled with wontons and char siu pork. It’s hard to go wrong, and each visit can involve thick, stuffed salad rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee.

6424 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
(503) 206-4344
(503) 206-4344

Pah!

5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266

This deaf-owned Lents spot is one of the very few Portland restaurants that actively accommodates deaf diners, taking orders in American Sign Language; the team also uses speech-to-text software for hearing diners. Pah! is also a strong spot for a burger — not caught up in the super-thin smash burger trend, these are thick, juicy burgers, particularly the Champ, a barbecue-bacon cheeseburger. Those up for a challenge can start with the restaurant’s take on a blooming onion.

5716 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266
(503) 500-5742
(503) 500-5742

Related Maps