Tucked among Portland’s countless food carts and restaurants, a handful of Ethiopian and Eritrean kitchens craft thoughtful stews, collard greens, and lentils fragrant with the region’s spices, like chili-blend berbere or serrano powder mitmita. As the weather chills, the warm, layered stews and sauces of the countries’ cuisines make for exceptional fall fare — one that holds up especially well for takeout. Portland’s Habesha or Abyssinian enclaves reside primarily in the Northeastern corridor along Martin Luther King Jr between Fremont and Ainsworth, but also include a few spots just south of the hub. Regardless of location, expect to order an eclectic mix of dishes to scoop with injera, the quintessential spongy flatbread. Map points are not ranked; rather, they’re organized geographically.
A number of Portland restaurants have resumed dine-in 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.
Read More