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Your Guide to Mt. Tabor

Posted on May 10

Ben McBee

Looking west from Mt. Tabor, grass and yellow flowers sit in the foreground with evergreen trees and a filled reservoir beyond. Portland’s distant skyline can be seen on the horizon under an overcast sky.

Mt. Tabor’s open-air reservoirs were disconnected from Portland’s water supply in 2015. Now they’re purely ornamental. (Mark E. McClure)

For a neighborhood built on and around an extinct volcano, Mt. Tabor is remarkably peaceful. You won’t catch a whiff of fire and brimstone, and miracles may be hard to come by, but there’s one thing for certain — it is a place where people go to find themselves — and this coming Saturday, there’s a reason to go see it.

🎨 Why To Visit This Week: Art From The Heart

This coming weekend, expect a palpable air of creativity as the neighborhood welcomes the annual Mt. Tabor Art Walk (Sat., May 16 - Sun., May 17). It’s an opportunity for the public to meet and support 41 artists who live and work in the area. You’re invited into homes, studios, and other spaces where you can browse ceramics, fiber art, glass, jewelry, mixed-media, painting, photography, sculpture, and more.

🌳 Outdoors: Put It In Park

The sunny May weather is glorious for a picnic on the lawn above Reservoir Number 5 or a stroll up to Mt. Tabor Park’s summit viewpoint for a glimpse of the distant skyscrapers. This side of Mt. Tabor Park is a classic Portland spot to catch the sunset.

On the southern edge you’ll find a sizable off-leash dog area.

At the opposite end of the park, the Caldera Amphitheater hosts live music, dance parties, and theatrical performances throughout the summer.

🍻 Food & Drink: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

The Mt. Tabor menu is on the shorter side but still plenty memorable, whether you’re in search of a fresh brew or a bite to eat.

Coffee comes first: Find it at Taborhood Cafe in a converted fire station, or Rain or Shine Coffeehouse, where the bagels are also bomb.

Taborspace: This community center has it all, from rose lattes (courtesy of Crema Coffee & Bakery) to sign language classes for kids (Tiny Talkers, Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.).

Hinterland Bar & Food Carts: Every ‘hood needs a pod, and this one has some heavy hitters like Matt’s BBQ Tacos and Hunker Down.

Leikam Brewing: Woman-owned, family-run, and kosher are three adjectives that are just the foam on the pint. Small-batch craft beer comes with Klezmer music and appearances from Puck, the resident kitty.

TPK Brewing: If you fantasize about playing tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons inside an actual tavern, dream no more… because it’s happening.

Coquine: James Beard Award-nominated chef Katy Millard prepares seasonal farm-to-table fare alongside a wine menu to make any oenophile weep happy tears. The next-door market offers pastries and sandwiches by day before turning into Katy Jane’s: An Oyster Bar in the evening.

📲 Did we miss some of your Mt. Tabor favorites? Send us a line to share your recs.

📲 Your Mt. Tabor Recommendations
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