Portland has plenty of vegan diners — and plenty of meat lovers too. So what are the best places for friends with diverse diets to enjoy a meal together?
Vegan food enthusiast Sara Bahmanyar picked some tasty spots that offer something for everyone — and recommended the best vegan options on the menu:
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Wajan (East Burnside Street)
Cuisine: Indonesian
“ Wajan has the best tempeh I've ever had,” says Bahmanyar. “I'm not even someone who likes tempeh, and I will order the tempeh there to take it home, to eat it more.”
Picks from the menu:
- Nasi uduk (a coconut milk and rice dish served with tempeh)
- Nasi campur (platter of rice and an assortment of veggies that can come with tempeh too)
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Rangoon Bistro (North Mississippi and Southeast 50th Avenues)
Cuisine: Burmese
The vegan options are excellent and offer a good representation of the spices and tastes of Burmese cuisine. It’s a favorite spot among Portland chefs.
Picks from the menu:
- Burmese chickpea tofu curry (which features a tofu made not from soy but chickpeas)
- Lahpet salad, a traditional dish made with fermented tea leaves, can be made vegan.
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Thai Hot Pot Heaven (Northwest 21st Avenue)
Cuisine: Thai
This restaurant offers an option to split a tom yum hot pot, allowing vegans and friends to share without anyone sacrificing on their picks of broth.
Picks from the menu:
- Lots of tofu and vegetable options
- Chives cakes appetizer
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The Uncanny (North Mississippi Avenue)
Cuisine: Thai vegan food — at a bar that caters to everyone.
“They’re secretly fully vegan,” says Bahmanyar. “And they have very good cocktails.” They're also a hub for vegan food culture— hosting popups for vegan chefs.
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Obon Shokudo (Southeast Grand Avenue)
Cuisine: All vegan Japanese food.
“ It's really just like Japanese comfort food but done vegan,” says Bahmanyar.
Pick from the menu:
- Udon noodle salad
