Despite the hum of the interstate just a block away, the spacious, homey Red E Cafe is an inviting morning oasis. Grab a seat in the sun-filled window or slink into a cozy couch in the back, complete with multiple chess sets. Frequently rotating artwork on the wall keeps repeat visits feeling fresh. The in-house roasted coffee is exceptional, and the tea selection is no slouch.

The western end of Killingsworth is home to a bevy of excellent Ethiopian and Eritrean fare, all well worth a visit. While traditional beef dishes are prepared expertly, E’Njoni is particularly loaded with vegetarian options including timtimo (spicy red lentils), tangy bamia (okra and chickpeas in tomato sauce), and keysir (garlic-heavy beets), all delivered in generous portions. The cozy, colorful dining room is inviting, and the friendly staff will patiently help those new to East African cuisine through the menu, including guidance on spice levels.

Tulip Shop Tavern, just a few steps from Albina, is one of those bars industry workers love: Bartenders serve both unpretentious-yet-inventive cocktails and dealer’s choice shots, the beer list has plenty of nerdy picks but also domestic tall boys, and the kitchen churns out classic-but-well executed Americana like tavern burgers and wedge salads. The specials board (or Instagram) is often worth a perusal, featuring everything from chopped cheeses to chicken cordon bleu sandwiches.

Portland is fortunate to have a handful of Jamaican food gems, but Jamaican Homestyle Cuisine in Humboldt still stands out among the pack. Formerly a food cart, owner Keacean Phillips-Ransom opened the restaurant in a permanent space in 2016, cooking tender oxtail and beautifully charred jerk chicken in a well-loved smoker out front. Don’t leave without trying a Jamaican pineapple soda or hibiscus-flavored sorrel drink. Dine in the casual, colorful dining room or out on the patio, where delectable smells often waft off the nearby smoker.

Perhaps best known to Killingsworth commuters for its memorable marquee, the Florida Room is a beloved, tropically-themed dive-adjacent watering hole that inspires fierce loyalty among its regulars. Specialty cocktails highlight rum and fresh-squeezed citrus, while the menu still boasts some of the best value bar food in town, including vegan versions of its chili, burger, grilled cheese, and more. On sunny days, the party moves outside to the spacious front and back patios.

While Portland is rich with shawarma trucks, PDX Dönerländ is unique in drawing directly from the Turkish-German style, prepared lovingly by chef-owner and Baden-Württemberg native, Franziska San Pedro. Pita bread and yogurt are both house-made, and the veggie sandwich and salad options are far from afterthoughts.

Inheriting its space from the now-closed Seastar Bakery and Handsome Pizza, No Saint has quickly made a name for itself in the competitive Portland pizza scene. Born as a pop-up at nearby Dame, No Saint comes from co-owners Gabriella Casabianca and Anthony Siccardi, who draw on years of experience in Portland restaurants to serve a wood-fired pie that carefully balances a crisp, flavorful crust with judiciously applied fresh ingredients. Equal care goes into sides like burrata and berries, and a brassica Caesar salad.

Portlanders have become quite familiar with Akkapong Earl Ninsom’s breathtaking culinary constellation, ranging from Thai barbecue to a prix fixe supper club; Hat Yai, in Portland’s Vernon neighborhood near Alberta Park, may be one of its most affordable and beloved. Hat Yai’s crispy-juicy, shallot-heavy chicken, most popularly served as a combination with an earthy curry for dipping, is joined by triple-grilled steak skewers and frequently rotating specials like southern pad Thai with mango chives and pork rinds or turmeric-sautéed asparagus. The narrow dining room is supplemented by sidewalk picnic benches for outdoor dining on nice days.

If there is a platonic ideal of a Portland neighborhood coffee shop, Extracto comes uncannily close. Roomy but intimate, relaxed but often bustling, Extracto eschews preciousness while roasting and brewing some of the region’s best coffee. Hunker down with a good book near a window, or marvel at the 1951-vintage cast iron Probat roaster at work in the back room. Patio seating out front and in the back fill up quickly on warm days.

Originally opened as a traditional restaurant, Dame has evolved into an exciting model of both business and culinary experimentation, serving as a testing ground and launchpad for pop-ups turned successes like Pasture and No Saint. Around the corner, Lil’ Dame features frequent pop-ups like Chelo (seasonal Mexican) and Bajala (Baja California) in the former Beast storefront. The larger Dame offers a casual “red sauce” Wednesday and a more elevated, seasonal Italian menu on other nights — all with unwavering dedication to pouring a terrific selection of natural wines from around the world.

One of the finest cocktail bars in the Northwest, the ultra-cool, red-and-gold-hued Expatriate is also a strong spot for top-notch snacks like fried wonton chip nachos with Thai chili-cheese sauce or thick, medium-rare cheeseburgers on satisfyingly squishy buns. Cocktails are layered and creative with a balance of niche liqueurs and house syrups or shrubs; those who hate making decisions can go for the Diplomatic Pouch, letting bartenders improvise based on the drinker’s general preferences.