The Best of Belmont Street

Belmont street, although conveniently close to the Hawthorne District, has its own character. Belmont is less about boutiques and more about food and fun. While there is some quirky, eclectic shopping, the food is the real draw.

This is not to say that food and shopping are the only things to do in the area. Wunderland is an old fashioned nickel arcade. Some of the best guys nights out that I’ve had have involved skee ball there. It’s very child-friendly, although that does mean that there will be hordes of children playing games and going to the attached cinema.

Belmont Street also has one of the best places in town to catch up with friends. The Tao of Tea has a tea house in the area. If you’ve never had a cup there, then I’m afraid that your life is tragically incomplete. The Tao helped to introduce tea culture to Portland. The staff will make you the best cup that you’ve ever had, and show you how to use any unfamiliar tea ware. They also serve light meals and snacks with a menu tailored to accent the tea. Despite the quality, it’s still relatively inexpensive. I can usually spend several hours with a friend and come out under $30, even with food. If you find a new favorite tea, pop into the Tao’s retail shop next door. They’ll be happy to send you home with loose leaf tea or unique tea ware.

The second-best place for conversation is the outdoor seating at The Pied Cow. I avoid the inside, which manages to feel loud and claustrophobic in stark contrast to the relaxing bamboo-ringed garden. The Pied Cow is known for its luscious desserts and hookah menu. It’s a great place to bring a group and linger over a hummus plate and flavored tobacco.

My usual place for a sit down meal is The Hob Nob Grille. The boisterous neighborhood hang out serves up hearty food and local alcohol. Be warned– it can be crowded on weekends, resulting in stiff competition for the ping-pong table. Try the frickles– batter fried dill pickles.

Another great lunch spot is Dick’s Kitchen. In addition to beef burgers, they have a rotating selection of exotic meat options. The elk burger is fantastic. Despite what initially appears to be a very carnivorous menu, both vegetarian and vegan options are available.

It wouldn’t be Portland without a food cart pod. Belmont’s is small but tasty. As with all Portland cart pods, the offerings can be mercurial– carts close, relocate, or transition into brick and mortar. My current favorite is Fatsquatch, a vegan cart that manages to prove that eating your vegetables is not always a healthy option.

If you’re in the area around evening, then High-Low Gallery has wonderfully curated art. The few times that I’ve been in, they also had a selection of very affordable prints and sketches by featured artists. Even if you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on art, you may be able to take home a favorite little something.

Nearby: Hawthorne Street, Lone Fir Cemetery