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Craving the best brunch in Portland this year? You are in the right place. You want clear picks, strong coffee, short waits, and plates that stick.
Here is the plan. You get 15 Portland spots locals love. Visitors chase them too. You will see picks by vibe, price, and diet style. You can choose fast and eat well.
Trends for 2025 look strong. Menus shift with the season. Southern comfort keeps winning. Health-minded plates get real flavor. Global ideas add spark. In the broader Pacific Northwest food landscape, while Portland is the focus, the competition for the best brunch in Seattle is also fierce, with regional food hubs like Pike Place Market offering high-traffic energy that rivals Portland’s own vibrant scenes. Many spots book tables now. Dog and kid friendly patios stay busy. Cocktails matter. So does a good decaf. For more local context, check the citywide list from Eater’s Portland dining map and a broader roundup from Portland Monthly’s local guide. Want quick crowd checks or newer names? Scan Yelp’s current Portland feed.
You want the best. You also want it fast. Let’s eat.
Southern comfort and big-plate brunch hits in Portland
These places bring heat, crunch, and gravy. Portions run large. High demand at these popular spots means a potential wait time, so time your visit and you win.
Pine State Biscuits: The Reggie, gravy, and warm Southern vibes
Mid $$, casual counter service, big plates. Order the Reggie Deluxe. Add sausage or mushroom gravy. Get hash browns on the side. The biscuits are flaky and rich. The yolk runs. It hits every time.
Lines form on weekends. Go early or try a weekday. Good for kids and groups. Gluten-free options are limited, so plan if needed. Why it makes the list: comfort that never misses.
Screen Door (Pearl and East Side): Chicken and waffles worth the wait
Mid $$, lively rooms, huge portions. Go for chicken and waffles. Add praline bacon or beignets for a complete Southern experience. Try fried catfish if you want a switch. Expect a wait. The two locations help. Join the list online if offered, or arrive before opening. It is group friendly. It is not ideal for strict gluten-free eaters. Why it makes the list: classic flavors cooked with care. For more context on local faves, see OregonLive’s 2025 readers’ choice brunch picks, where Screen Door ranks high.
Jojo: Weekend chicken biscuit, hash, and vegan-friendly wins
Mid $$, modern and fun, weekend brunch in the restaurant. Do not mix this with the truck. Order the fried chicken biscuit. Add the breakfast hash. There is a vegan plate that is not an afterthought. Lines move fast. Good for mixed diets and friend groups. Why it makes the list: bold flavor with real love for vegans. Jojo also appears on respected lists like Eater’s best brunches.
Podnah’s Pit BBQ: Texas smoke meets breakfast tacos and migas
Mid $$, casual and friendly, come hungry. Get migas, breakfast tacos, or chilaquiles with smoked meats. Podnah’s occasionally features Pacific-influenced plates like a smoky loco moco. The smoke works great with eggs and salsa. No reservations most days. Arrive early for shorter waits. Good for meat lovers. Veg sides help balance the plate. Why it makes the list: barbecue for brunch, and it works.
Kingsland Kitchen: Full English plates and hearty Benedicts
Mid $$, relaxed and pub-like. Order a full English with eggs, bacon, beans, and toast. Or get eggs Benedict with crisp potatoes. Lines are lighter than the main hotspots. Great for a slow morning. Why it makes the list: British comfort that fills you up without fuss.
Seasonal, chef-led, and trendy Portland brunch spots
Menus move with the farmers market. Pastry work matters. Cocktails shine. You get smart plates and clean flavors. Book ahead when you can.
Navarre: Daily menu, small plates, and smart seasonal twists
Mid $$ to $$$, cozy and date friendly. The menu changes daily. Watch for a pork loin eggs Benedict, or a salt cod Benedict. A leek and gruyere omelet shows up in peak season, along with a Dutch baby as a seasonal specialty. Order a few small plates and share. Best for patient diners who enjoy trying new things. Why it makes the list: fresh flavors that shift with the market.
Cafe Olli: Pastry case, wood-fired plates, and bright brunch cocktails
Mid $$, stylish yet relaxed, with a strong coffee program. Start at the pastry case. Pick one seasonal bake, like shareable donut holes. Add an egg dish, then a fresh salad or a pizza slice if offered. The room is calm and clean. Spritzes and low-proof drinks taste bright. Family friendly earlier in the day. Why it makes the list: balanced menu and excellent baking. It also earns praise in guides like Oregon Essential’s Portland brunch list.
Dolly Olive: Inventive plates and a modern room for late-morning dates
$$ to $$$, chic but not stiff. Expect international touches, sharp seasoning, and smart textures. Think a crisp veggie plate with herbs and citrus. Then a rich egg dish with a silky sauce. Cocktails come tight and well built. Reservations are wise for peak hours. Why it makes the list: fresh ideas without the fuss. Dolly Olive also appears on Eater’s curated brunch map.
Olympia Provisions: Charcuterie meets eggs for an upscale brunch
$$$, upbeat and polished. Share a board with house meats. Then get soft scrambled eggs and a flaky pastry to split. Meat lovers will be very happy. Vegan choices are slim here. Why it makes the list: high-quality meats and careful prep. Portland food writers also highlight it in roundups like Portland Monthly’s brunch feature.
HunnyMilk: Sweet plus savory plates that feel like a treat
$$ to $$$, a pop-up inside La Buca. Prices sit higher, but quality shows. Order one savory plate and one sweet plate. You might pair loaded biscuits with a stuffed waffle or a baked pancake. Drinks are fun, and service stays warm. Trendy crowd, yet friendly. Why it makes the list: a special feel without the stiff vibe. You can see the sweet-savory trend echoed citywide on Eater’s brunch guide.
Classic brunch cafes and healthy picks locals love
These are steady, warm, and fair on price. One is a clean-eating star that still tastes rich.
Jam on Hawthorne: Ricotta pancake, scrambles, and friendly service
Mid $$, cozy and bright. Get the ricotta pancake. Add a hearty scramble with veggies or meat, or try the cinnamon French toast for another classic. Kid friendly and relaxed. Weekend lines can stretch. Weekdays are a win. Gluten-free and veggie choices are clear and good. Why it makes the list: value plates and kind staff. You will also spot Jam on Portland lists like The Clever West Wind’s 2025 brunch roundup.
Besaws: Historic spot with all the classics
Mid $$, welcoming and steady. Order the corned beef hash and eggs Benedict. Coffee is strong and fresh. Good for mixed diets with veggie picks. Reserve at peak hours if you can. Why it makes the list: years of consistency. It stays popular with visitors too, as seen on Tripadvisor’s Portland brunch page.
Tin Shed Garden Cafe: Patio brunch and dog-friendly perks
Mid $$, a garden patio that shines in sun. Get pancakes or a loaded scramble. Order a plate for your pup if offered. Expect a line on nice days. The staff is kind and quick. Great with kids and dogs. Why it makes the list: cheerful patio energy and caring service.
Bertie Lou’s: Creative plates in a laid-back cafe
Budget to mid $, chill vibe and kind folks. Choose a standout omelet, a loaded hash, or the breakfast burrito for a quick, satisfying option. Look for house-made jam or hot sauce. Lines are shorter than the hotspots. Cash or card rules can shift, so check on arrival. Why it makes the list: solid food without fuss or hype.
Bastion: No gluten, dairy, soy, or refined sugar, still big on flavor
$$ to $$$, small space with a clean menu that still satisfies. Order sweet potato waffles with fried chicken. Add cashew pimento cheese if you like a little kick. Plates feel bright, not heavy. Go early, seats fill fast. Why it makes the list: clean eating without a trade-off.
What to expect in 2025 and 2026
Portland still loves brunch. That has not changed. You see more vegan and gluten-free plates across the city. You also see global flavors like hangover-busting pho next to biscuits and gravy, reflecting the rising influence in Pacific Northwest brunch menus. Food carts play a bigger role. Lines are real at big names, yet online waitlists help. While Portland’s scene keeps its laid-back vibe, it contrasts the faster pace in Seattle’s Capitol Hill, a trendy district that influences these trends.
Cocktails matter more now. Mimosas get riffs. Bloody Mary gets wild garnishes. Spritzes and no-proof options land on more menus. Outdoor seating stays hot in warm months. Many patios welcome dogs and kids. Chefs source local berries, greens, and fish. That keeps menus fresh and short. You will notice the sweet and savory mix that places like HunnyMilk helped push. These trends match what local guides and diners report in 2025.
Quick reference: vibe, price, and best dishes
SpotVibePriceMust-orderWait tipsDiet notesPine State BiscuitsCasual, counter$$Reggie Deluxe, gravy, hash brownsGo earlyLimited gluten-freeScreen DoorLively, big rooms$$Chicken and waffles, praline baconJoin list, arrive earlyNot great for strict gluten-freeJojoModern, fun$$Hot chicken biscuit, vegan plateLines move fastStrong vegan optionsPodnah’s Pit BBQCasual, friendly$$Migas, tacos, chilaquiles with smoked meatsArrive earlyMeat lovers winKingsland KitchenRelaxed, pub-like$$Full English, BenedictLighter linesHearty, flexibleNavarreCozy, date friendly$$ to $$$Seasonal Benedicts, omeletsReserveBest for curious eatersCafe OlliStylish, calm$$Pastry, egg dish, saladFamily friendly earlyBalanced menuDolly OliveChic, modern$$ to $$$Veg plate, rich egg dishBook peak hoursSmart cocktailsOlympia ProvisionsPolished, upbeat$$$Charcuterie board, soft scrambleReserveLimited veganHunnyMilkTrendy, pop-up$$ to $$$One sweet, one savory plateBusy at peakFun drinksJam on HawthorneCozy, bright$$Maddie pancakes, scrambleWeekdays bestGluten-free and vegBesawsWelcoming, classic$$Corned beef hash, BenedictReserve at peakMixed diets okTin Shed Garden CafePatio, dog friendly, comparable to relaxed Lake Union spots$$Scrambles, pup plateExpect a sunny-day lineGreat for kidsBertie Lou’sChill, low-key$ to $$Omelet or hash, house jamShorter linesSimple and goodBastionSmall, clean$$ to $$$Sweet potato waffles, fried chickenGo earlyNo gluten or dairy focus
Final bites and quick picks
You want fast picks. Here you go. Shortest wait on weekdays: Jam or Kingsland, much like easy-access spots in Portland’s Downtown. Best with kids: Tin Shed or Jam. Best vegan options: Jojo and Cafe Olli. Best no gluten focus: Bastion. Best biscuits: Pine State. Best date day: Navarre or Dolly Olive. Best for meat lovers: Olympia Provisions or Podnah’s, drawing parallels to vibrant Portland districts similar to Seattle’s Ballard or Fremont neighborhoods.
Save time with smart timing. Manage wait time by arriving before opening, or check online waitlists. Late lunch hours can be calm. Budget guide: value spots $ to $$, chef-led $$ to $$$, high-end $$$. Scan reader feedback on Tripadvisor’s Portland brunch page and local lists like Oregon Essential’s brunch guide, which align with what the Seattle Times food writers report on regional brunch trends from nearby Seattle competition.
Book your tables now with reservations. Save this list. Your next brunch is set.
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