4 Must-Try Portland Brunch Spots

Portland takes its brunch very seriously. Take a look at any restaurant on a Saturday or Sunday morning and you’re bound to see a line of hungry people milling around the sidewalk out front. Even the rain won’t stop diners from waiting to get a taste of the inventive dishes being served up at the hotspots listed below. 

1. Hunnymilk

This “restaurant” doesn’t even have it’s own building to call home, but on Saturday and Sunday mornings Hunnymilk takes over a local Italian eatery and cooks up some of the best brunch in town. Brandon and Alex, the minds behind Hunnymilk, cook up their ideas in a test kitchen and then offer them to the public on the weekends. The concept is simple, for $20 you get one beverage, one savory dish, and one sweet dish. The focus is on inventive takes on a few classics along with imaginative new dishes you’ve probably never seen on a menu before. Crowd favorites include crispy pork ribs served over cheesy grits, and the carrot cake waffles dipped in honey butter.

2. Tusk

Light, bright and playful is the best way to describe the atmosphere at what is quickly becoming one of Portland’s hottest restaurants for brunch. Known for their locally- sourced, Mediterranean-inspired, award-winning dinner menu they also offer the same in brunch form on weekends. The flavors of the Pacific Northwest really get to shine at this restaurant as they focus on vegetable-based dishes. In addition to their amazing food, they also offer up creative brunch cocktails. The Eastern Maid for example is made with vodka, lemon, celery seed, hazelnut, rose water, and yogurt. Tusk prides itself on only cooking with what’s in season so the vegetable-centric dishes are constantly changing, meaning no two visits will ever be the same.

3. Broder

If you’re anything like me the closest you’ve ever come to Scandinavian food is the meatballs at Ikea. So sitting down at Broder can be a bit intimidating. The menu is full of items that you can’t pronounce, but this Swedish cafe has become a Portland staple, and for good reason. Pytt I Panna, a Swedish hash, combines potatoes, soft baked eggs, peppers, onions and smoked trout to create a delicious breakfast skillet like you’ve never had before. And make sure to try the Aebleskivers, a small round Danish pancake that comes served with homemade lemon curd and lingonberry jam. With food as delicious as Broder’s lines can get quite long here on the weekends, but you can get right in on a weekday morning. 

4. Hazel Room

Located in a 100-year-old house and adorned with antique furniture and art the Hazel Room is sure to end up as one of your favorites before you even take a bite of their food. Make sure to bring your appetite as you dig into to their slow-cooked pulled pork hash, biscuits smothered in famous red gravy, and the deliciously sweet gluten-free coconut cardamom french toast. And save some room for a slice of their homemade pie!