Where to eat and drink in Portland’s Central Eastside

True to their surroundings, many of the area’s top restaurants borrow names from their industrial past

Olympia Provisions

You like meat? Well, you’ve come to the right place. While you could pick a proper entrée, many opt for one of the charcuterie and cheese plates. Our fave: the Spanish Board, with two Spanish salamis, lomo, sweetheart ham, fresh chorizo, Miticaña, fried almonds and piquillo pepper salad.

Kachka

Come for the authentic Russian cuisine (the veal tongue is delish, as is the seven-layer herring dip) but stay for the restaurant’s famous infused vodkas. We loved the horseradish and matsutake mushroom varieties.

Taylor Railworks

A contemporary spin on American standards. Highlights include the Noodles Alla Johnny (spicy crab, prawn and tomato) and the very boozy Coffee Panna Cotta, with a whiskey cocktail gelee.

Portland is well known for its craft beer scene, and options abound within a short walk from each other (check out Lucky Labrador, the Commons and Cascade Brewing Barrel House in particular). But the neighbourhood is also a magnet for a slew of craft dist

House Spirits Distillery

Home to the award-winning Aviation American Gin, House Spirits distills everything from malt whiskey to vodka to aquavit—and has a new tasting room and patio for summer. Plans are afoot to open a tasting room at Portland International Airport, too.

Eastside Distilling

The unassuming tasting room (the distillery is a couple of blocks over) offers samples of small-batch bourbon, rum, vodka and whiskey. Don’t leave without trying the tasty Cherry Bomb Whiskey (perfect over ice cream, we’re told).

Enso Winery

Winemaker Ryan Sharp uses a variety of grapes from Oregon, Washington and California in the wines on offer at Enso Winery and tasting room. Before you go, try (and buy) Enso’s famous Portland Sangria: a lightly carbonated blend of dry rosé and berry juice, served up in a can.