People say you could spend weeks in the Louvre and still not see everything. That saying works for Kerns, too. There’s plenty of art in this Inner Eastside neighborhood — such as the Pambiche mural and the spinning loaf of Franz bread — as well as cafes, shops, venues, and restaurants that deserve much longer than a 30-second visit.
The best part? There’s always a reason to go back.
Various folk dance groups perform several times a day. (Courtesy of Portland Greek Festival)
Why You Should Visit This Week: Opa!
When members of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral moved into the large church at the corner of Northeast Glisan Street and 32nd Avenue in 1952, women of the congregation organized a bazaar, complete with handcrafted goods, food, and cultural performances of their homeland to help pay off the mortgage.
Now 74 years later, the Portland Greek Festival is a designated Oregon Heritage Tradition that welcomes 15,000 guests annually. This year’s event runs Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 4.
Admission is $5. Inside, you’ll load funds onto a wristband, which can be used to enjoy all the flavors of Greece: sweet treats such as baklava and loukoumades, gyros and roasted lamb-on-a-spit, spanakopita, Retsina wine and Mythos beer in the taverna, and more. Throughout the afternoon, crowds gather outside to watch folk dance groups stomp and swirl across the stage. Inside, take a church tour or explore the Hellenic-American Cultural Center & Museum’s ancient pottery, paintings, textiles, costumes, and other artifacts.
Eat & Drink: Decisions, Decisions
And now to undertake the impossible task of choosing where to eat, drink, and make merry in Kerns — a challenge thanks to the abundance of appetizing options.
The pollo pibil torta at Güero, drizzled with carrot-habanero salsa, is a top-five dish in Portland, so that’s a great place to start. Farag’s on the back patio offers summertime mezcal, wine, and jazz. On Northeast 28th Avenue alone, you’ll find tasty vegan brunch at Epif, peerless pasta at Montelupo Italian Market, authentic German beer hall vibes at Stammtisch, and the 28th Parallel Food & Beer Carts.
Pizza per capita is off the charts in this neighborhood — and it’s as diverse as you can get. There’s award-winning Ken’s Artisan Pizza, wood-fired simplicity at Grana Pizza Napoletana, plant-based pies at Boxcar Pizza, cornmeal crust at Dove Vivi, New Haven-style ‘za at Dimo’s Apizza, and the ever-popular New York style served at Baby Doll Pizza.
Even though Han Oak is on the international radar — like Condé Nast Traveler and “Somebody Feed Phil” mainstream — the humble Korean restaurant still feels like a hidden gem that you only tell your best friends about.
And if you’re thirsty after all that:
- Holman’s is a dive bar with history and a weekend build-your-own bloody mary bar.
- Pairings Portland is the wine bar that loves what you love, from Taylor Swift to astrology, and curates tastings to fit the theme.
- Have you ever sipped a piña colada out of an actual pineapple? You can at Tropicale.
Points of Interest: Staycation Relaxation
Who says you need to book an out-of-town resort to unwind? Kerns is full of places where you can take a break from life’s responsibilities and enjoy some quality “me time.”
🏠 Test your tiny home fantasy by staying a night or two at Tiny Digs Hotel.
♨️ Knot Springs is an urban oasis where your stress melts away in the soaking pools, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge.
⛳ There are no soggy greens at Laurelhurst Golf Club, where you can play more than 1,800 courses from around the world on the indoor simulators.
🎥 See what’s playing at Laurelhurst Theater.
🇳🇴 Norse Hall is a Norwegian community center that hosts recurring events such as Viking pancake breakfasts and night markets.
🎶 Browse for the next additions to your vinyl collection at Music Millennium, which also hosts regular in-store performances and listening parties.
Can you believe that’s the end and we didn’t include (insert your favorite spot here)? Let us know what we’re missing, and we'll swing by on our next visit.
