A bedrock of Montavilla and the larger Portland Vietnamese food scene for nearly 25 years, Bui continues to set the standard for tofu of every texture and flavor — even meat tofu. Some customers grab their tofu for later, but Bui also offers the makings of a complete meal, with orange sticky rice, tofu salad rolls, and a mushroom-and-pork rice flour crepe. Electric green pandan cake highlights the simple-but-delicious dessert menu. Bui is grab and go with no dine-in seating available.

At this Glisan Street bakery, containers of house-made sauerkraut and curry ketchup are available for purchase next to the pastry case, which holds baked goods like Berliners, almond cakes, and all manner of laminated pastries. Behind the counter, a rustic cabinet displays pretzels and bread. Owner Edgar Loesch pulls inspiration from his German heritage, as well as training from the German baking guild and his grandparents. Those looking for a hearty start to the day should reach for a pretzel bun sandwich, which can be ordered with bacon, Bierwurst, or grilled ham. 

Rocket Empire Machine is another successful variation on the food hall brewpub. Almost due north from Mount Tabor, this food hall offers indoor and outdoor seating, with dynamic food options including a second location of the Mercado’s popular Tierra del Sol, the rare Portland combo of sushi and Burmese curries at Sea and River Sushi, and extraordinary Somali sambusas, spongy injera, and beef and lentil stews of Alleamin African Kitchen, all enhanced with owner Khadro Abdi house-made spicy sauces. The Pie Spot is open until 8 p.m. for post-dinner coffee and pie cravings.

If it’s possible for a restaurant to be both punk-rock and family-friendly, then East Glisan Pizza is just that, with wood floors, stone walls, and a laid-back vibe. Smacking of old-school-Portland charm, the pizzeria offers pinball and cocktails along with its thin-crust and Detroit-style pizzas. East Glisan is also home to a number of weekly specials and a killer late-night happy hour, complete with lasagna pinwheels.

A standout Vietnamese restaurant in a town full of them, Hanoi Kitchen is an under-sung, mellow spot with polished wood floors and a tile ceiling. Family-owned, the restaurant offers vermicelli noodle bowls, rice-crepe wraps, and a range of rich phos and other soups — including a terrific vegan pho and other vegan and vegetarian dishes. Entrees come with a couple handfuls of basil, shiso, cilantro, and other fresh herbs.

Ken’s Artisan veteran and Sicilian American chef Elise Gold opened this tiny Italian market, bakery, and cafe in 2020, and it has since become a destination for Italian baked goods and sandwiches. A small, rotating menu includes chewy muffulettas, focaccia sandwiches, Nonna-style pizzas, and simple-but-impeccably balanced salads. Sweets from the oven include olive oil cake, almond cookies, and biscotti. Those who swing by the takeout window can also shop for pantry staples, like Sebastiano’s branded seasoning, marmalade, and other imported Sicilian specialties.

Miyamoto may not boast the pedigree or accolades of some of Portland’s more celebrated — and centrally located — sushi restaurants, but it’s become a neighborhood favorite on the strength of its delicate rice, fresh and thoughtfully sourced fish, and confident simplicity of its presentation. Miyamoto’s chirashi bowl may just be the best value in town. The sake list is ample, and the next-door Roscoe’s tap and bottle list available.

A stucco wall painted with faux windows adds an immersive charm to Ya Hala, one of the city’s best Lebanese restaurants. Most nights of the week, families and couples on dates fill its dining room, with tables covered in baba ghanoush, shawarma, lamb sausages, rice-stuffed grape leaves, and much more. Desserts are worth ordering here, in particular the poached pear-almond tart.

A no-frills bar and restaurant, Roscoe’s offers a robust draft list and cheap drinks alongside Louisiana-style pub grub, like po’ boys, a selection of jambalaya, chicken and waffles, and gumbo. The vintage building, often filled with loyal regulars, feels like an old-school brewpub, with exposed brick, a wooden bar with leather stools, and comfortable wooden chairs throughout. Feeling something lighter? Just order sushi from the next door Miyamoto and someone will walk it over.

Portland may not have had a Republican mayor since 1980, but nostalgic bipartisan vibes live on in this busy, spacious, art-lined coffee shop and bakery. The main attraction at the Bipartisan Cafe is the pie, handmade fresh daily, offered by the slice or as a whole with vegan and gluten free options. For the savory seekers, there are also sandwiches, soups, salads, and other offerings at this community-focused café.

The Observatory, a handsome mid-2000s vintage restaurant and bar, has become an anchor for Montavilla, and happily manages to keep its Northwest cuisine feeling as vital as ever. Seafood leads the appetizer offerings while the entree focus is burgers, made with everything from elk and lamb to quinoa and mushroom. Affordable cocktails are a major draw, and those primarily looking to imbibe can skip the main restaurant and settle into the cozy Over and Out next door, with a smaller food menu coming from the same kitchen.

Hungry Heart began life as a bakery food cart before getting a brick and mortar right off of Stark in Montavilla. Today, the cute, modern cafe offers its ever-popular line of cupcakes alongside pastries both sweet and savory, sandwiches, granola, and Stumptown coffee. Diners can grab a dozen cupcakes to go, or sit in one of the few little tables inside or out.

While often lauded for its wide range of Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants, the wealth of choices along Southeast 82nd for lovers of Mexican food is almost dizzying — from full-on restaurants to food carts new and old. The Oaxacan Mixteca just north of Division stands out from the pack with complex moles and thick blue corn tortillas. A full bar offers creative cocktails along with bottled and draft beer; horchata and other fun non-alcoholic options are available for non-imbibers. Dine inside or outside on an ample patio with large fire pits.

With piles of praise and a dedicated cast of regulars, the ultra-lowkey Master Kong can no longer be called a hidden gem, but its east-of-82nd location will likely keep it accessible for the foreseeable future. Tender handmade dumplings, noodle soups, and fried dough sticks are served quickly, generously, and with aplomb.