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City Cast Portland

City Cast Portland staff

Out on the Oregon Coast, April means it’s time to 

celebrate the puffin’s seasonal return to Cannon Beach

It’s also time to pay taxes (including the 

local ones for arts, homeless services, and preschools

Here’s some other happenings this month:

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about food and drink this month, starting today:

This afternoon, you can sample sourdough bread from the best bakers around. It’s the second annual celebration of National Sourdough Day. (We’re so into sourdough, shouldn’t this be an official city holiday?)

There are plenty of bagel shops around town (I like 

), but everyone seems to hope for even better options. Baker Madilyn Gibbons has been 

selling her bagels at farmers markets and Puff Coffee

, but now will have her own shop in the Creston-Kenilworth neighborhood.

most anticipated restaurant and bar openings

 coming this spring and summer — including one that opened in the last several days: 

Get yourself some crab at this local festival on the Oregon Coast. (Hat tip to our contributor Brianna Wheeler for this one.)

There are a couple chances to make sure your voice is heard this month:

The city is preparing for its next budget year by hearing from Portlanders. (Hat tip to senior creative producer Giulia Fiaoni for this one.)

Catch the one in your district (District 2 already hosted one this past month):

 | April 4 | Portland Building (Downtown)

 | April 8 | Marysville Elementary School (Foster-Powell)

 | April 13 | Sacramento Elementary School (Parkrose Heights)

 for the May primary. If you’re new to town, it takes just a few minutes. And the May primary is scheduled to include 

Other Fun and Quirky Happenings Around Town

Of course, we’ll have more things to do in our daily events listings. But here are a few particularly intriguing ones to start filling in your calendar for the month.

 | Starting April 5 | Portland Art Museum

 80s Video Dance Attack 21st Anniversary Party

For more ideas for the month, check out the 

City Cast Portland podcast’s guide to the month

Out on the Oregon Coast, April means it’s time to celebrate the puffin’s seasonal return to Cannon Beach, which will host an annual Puffin Welcome Ceremony on April 13. It’s also time to pay taxes (including the local ones for arts, homeless services, and preschools). And watch out for April Fools Day!

Your Guide to April 2026 in Portland, Oregon

Your Guide to April 2026 in Portland

Find the best of everything that Portland has to offer.

Portland’s Best

Portland's Best

 is an annual celebration of writers. It’s the perfect occasion for all of us to pick out what to read next. Amanda Bullock, senior artistic director with the nonprofit Literary Arts, has 

recommendations for a book to read right now

 and for other author events to check out this weekend.

“ I think the one book everyone on the planet should be reading is Omar El Akkad’s ‘One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,’ which did come out this year, and 

“The title is from a tweet that he made that went viral about Gaza. A lot of it is about someone who chose to live in this country reckoning with the false promises of so much of what we think America means. It's really well written. It's really smart. It's a tough read, but it should be.”

⭐ Portland Book Festival Events to Check Out

Bullock also shared some of her favorite events happening this weekend:

The exhibits are open. There'll be drinks and ice cream and the Tamale Boy food truck outside. Plus, Ramona and other book-themed flash (real ink) tattoos will be available, starting at Readers Night.

Always a favorite event for kids and adults, the drawing competition features picture-book and middle-grade illustrators who compete for glory — though there’s no official winner.

It’s “the first biography to really fully include Baldwin's queerness as part of his story,” says Bullock. “And Nicholas will be interviewed by Mitchell S. Jackson, who is one of my favorite interviewers on the planet.”

Abrams, a political organizer and former Georgia politician, is also a romance novelist and the author of a series of thrillers, the latest of which she will discuss at this event.

An explorer in residence at National Geographic, Roberts has written about scuba diving at the sites of sunken slave ships. “She's the first black woman explorer to be on the cover of Nat Geo,” says Bullock. "She is so cool.”

Noodles & Scoops: Tyler Malek & Joshua McFadden

Two notable Portlanders from our food scene, Tyler Malek (of Salt and Straw) and Joshua McFadden (best known for Ava Jeans and Tusk) have new cookbooks out about their respective specialties.

 Bullock recommends wandering through the Portland Art Museum to catch some of the pop-up events, including with local authors. (

What’s one book Portlanders should read right now? If you have a recommendation, please respond to this email or 

 I’ll share your suggestions in an upcoming newsletter.

More on the Portland Book Festival  

Saturday’s Portland Book Festival is an annual celebration of writers. It’s the perfect occasion for all of us to pick out what to read next. Amanda Bullock, senior artistic director with the nonprofit Literary Arts, has recommendations for a book to read right now and for other author events to check out this weekend.

The Best Books To Read Right Now in Portland

The cost of going out to eat can escalate quickly, but there are still deals to be found. Here’s where you can find 

Not only is a bahn mi a great to-go option, but they can usually be found for a very reasonable price. For just $5, you can pick up a bahn mi with homemade bread and a drink at all Hồng Phát supermarket locations. It doesn’t get more “bang for your buck” than that.

Who doesn’t love a meal in a cute box? 

 is available daily before 4 p.m. and includes a pint burger, small fries, and a fountain drink for $11. Plus, there are Killer Burger locations all over Oregon, in case you’re lost, broke, and hungry.

For me, the burrito is pound-for-pound the best portable meal. It’s also a poetic vessel for the blending of beautiful cultures — a north-Mexican invention with Spanish and Arabic roots, filled with the flavors of the culture where it is being served. Here in Portland, that flavor is served with delicious veggies and in big portions out of a neighborhood cart for $11. Bonus points for the $7 quesadilla.

For something even more hearty, the $13 fried chicken sandwich is such a monstrosity that it can be split into two meals or shared with someone whom you love enough to share your chicken. Using the hungry boy algorithm (that I totally just made up), that’s $7 per meal.

In the words of Beyoncé, “this ain’t Texas,” but the flavor is still big. A scratch-made cheeseburger can be had with fries and a drink for $12 — spend a little extra for the green chile version, it’s worth it.

Skip the dinner rush and stop by for The Bowl, a $13 dish made with fresh vegetables and your choice of protein. It’s the type of meal you’d normally take to-go, but the vibes are so good that it’s worth dining in.

Get a taste of Neapolitan-style pie (with a soft, thin dough) for $9 if you go before 5 p.m. They really care about using fresh, local ingredients, and the pizza is big enough to share with another person.

This one comes from Hey Portland reader Jenny M., who says Bui’s is a great option for inexpensive takeout. Jenny recommends the salad rolls, chicken and rice Xôi Gà, and sesame balls.

Listen to our team chat with Stumptown Savings founder Bryan M. Vance for even 

These are the best affordable meals in Portland.

The Best Cheap Eats in Portland

If you’ve ever thought about picking up fishing, you’re in one of the best places to give it a go! Oregon offers year-round fishing opportunities, so to help you take advantage of them, we put together a beginner’s guide with tips on what you need to know and where to go:

Obviously, the main thing you’ll need is a fishing rod. Local fishing legend 

 recommends beginners go for a spinning rod — either a 6-foot-6-inch or 7-foot pole. And don’t forget to invest in some quality fishing line!

For bait, go for the classic worms 🪱 You’ll also want a fishing bobber to help you see your line and a weight to sink the bait.

Need a place to start? Check out the bait and equipment selection at Keevin’s own 

Before you can hit the water, you’ll need a license or tag. Through the 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website

, you can get a year-long angler’s license or a one-, two-, or three-day pass. If you plan to catch salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, or halibut, be sure to get the combined angling tag. (Need help identifying the fish you caught? The ODFW website has 

 of pictures and descriptions of various fish species and their habitats.)

When you’re finally ready to get casting, you’ve got a few options! Right downtown, you can fish off 

 and there are plenty of spots on the shore of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Or if you want to go a little further out of the city, check out 

Get more fishing tips!

A beginner’s guide with tips on what you need to know and where to go for fishing in Portland.

How To Get into Local Fishing

Tips and tricks for living your best Portland life, by locals, for locals.

Portland Life Hacks

There are so many great date spots around Portland, but how do you choose the right one? We called in Eden Dawn, our resident fun expert and author of “

 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (opens at 1 p.m. Wednesda

With nearly 10 acres of waterfalls, bridges, fountains, and playful wildlife, you can truly choose your adventure. Plus, it’s only $5 to get in, so you can spend big on a picnic or make the date budget friendly.

If you want to make a day of it, Oysterville will have just about everything you need for a great date. Just perusing the houses throughout the village is delightful, but why not get oysters while you’re there? The 

 has enormous piles of the tasty crustaceans that you can eat there or take down to the beach with you. Extra points if you rent a horse for a ride on the beach.

This is another great day trip option. There’s a 35-mile scenic drive with farm stands along the way. The hike around 

 is also fairly easy, but best of all is that the lake is closed to motorized boats, which makes it more appropriate for a chill date. Be mindful that you do need to purchase a $6 day pass for the lake.

Take the stress of planning and packing goodies and head to Sauvie Island. You can stop by 

 to grab fresh provisions, then head straight for the beach. It’s a great option for a post-workday date.

 Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. + special events

This gorgeous winery will transport you into 12th-century Rome. It may be small — they only produce around 500 cases of wine per year — but it’s mightily dreamy. They also grow their own rare plants that are spread out around a big pond and inside the tasting room. There are events throughout the year, so check the calendar for an extra special date. Just note that it is reservation only, so plan ahead.

Portland's Best End-of-Summer Dates

There was a time not too long ago when a $15 cocktail was a wild idea. Fast forward to 2025 — past the mustachioed “mixologist” cliche — and the passion of local bartenders has turned Portland into a bona fide cocktail utopia.

With so many options to choose from, we spoke to Alex Frane, associate food and drink editor at Portland Monthly and our resident cocktail expert, to narrow down some of the best cocktail bars in Portland.

If you dream of being a regular at a cool local spot where everyone knows your name, look no further. Owner Ben Preacher has magically merged the feeling of a comfy corner bar with a food and cocktail menu rivaling the fanciest of establishments. Plus, the patio is a great summer hang.

 Blood Meridian. Bonus points if you pair it with the house-made veggie burger.

We can’t talk about the cocktail scene without paying homage to Portland’s original dedicated cocktail bar. The talented folks at Teardrop make their own bitters — and some of the city's most adventurous drinks. “I can’t think of a better bar west of the Willamette for cocktails,” says Frane.

 Liquid Swords for the bold, Paramour for the summer vibes.

This is probably your favorite bartender’s favorite bar. Not only are the vibes immaculate, but there’s a show-stopping cocktail on the menu for whatever mood strikes you.

Opened less than a year ago in the former Great Ape space, this tiny bar is doing big things. Owner Rick Monroe launched the concept as a series of pop-ups and now makes what Frane lovingly calls “the weirdest” cocktails. Monroe pours his passion and love of the craft into every concoction for those lucky enough to grab one of the four seats at the bar — the entire space fits around 16 people.

 Under the Volcano, which was crafted to taste the way a sunburn feels.

For my fellow metal-heads and goths. This spot occupies that rarefied space of housing both a good music venue and a bar with great cocktails, all crafted with house-made syrups.

 Hallowed Hands, a mix of rum, sherry, and brandy with a hint of sea salt and bitters.

The list is long, so listen to our full conversation with Alex Frane for even more of Portland’s best cocktail bars. Plus, why 2007 was 

the year Portland’s cocktail scene really popped off

The passion of local bartenders have turned Portland into a bonafide cocktail utopia. These are some of our Portland favorite cocktail bars.

The Best Cocktail Bars in Portland

Life as a coffee lover in Portland means constantly falling in love with new shops and struggling to pick a favorite, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try. Here are just a few of the best coffee shops in the city.

The Black-owned sneaker-themed café has been serving great coffee in Chinatown since 2017 and recently opened a second location in Beaverton. There’s no formal menu, so ask for your go-to drink or let the talented baristas guide you.

A fantastic place to challenge your palette with specialty drinks like a non-psychoactive CBD shot add-on or cold brew with chocolate and your milk of choice.

Coffee served at bars is sometimes an afterthought, but not at Dear Sandy. Caffeine is not just a means of energy here — the beans are roasted locally and served until midnight. Bonus points for the killer merch.

Emphasis on “exquisite,” including a great selection of plant-based pastries and a seasonal drink menu that never misses.

This woman-owned shop sources its beans from Portland staple Coava Coffee and makes all of its delicious pastries in-house with local ingredients.

Originally founded in Australia, Nolan and Shari Hirte opened their first location in the U.S. right here in Portland. The coffee selection is always evolving and the food is equally impressive.

A journey that began with founder Christopher Bell roasting coffee in his apartment in 2012, Push x Pull opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2022 and has evolved into a destination for experimental and natural coffees.

Coffee veterans Ryan Willbur & Laila Ghambari took over Guilder and its sister café Juniors Roasted Coffee last year and have been carrying the torch of great coffee and immaculate vibes.

RE: Portland's Best Coffee Shops

Share Your Favorite PDX Coffee Shop ☕️

Here are some of the best coffee shops in Portland, Oregon.

The Best Coffee Shops in Portland, Oregon

The Best Coffee Shops in Portland

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Portland. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Portland Food & Drink

Food & Drink

It’s natural to want to sink into the couch, hide under the covers, or otherwise find a reason not to leave the house around this time of year.

But there are plenty of ways to stay active indoors.

, which has successfully pushed for a skatepark on the west side — gave the City Cast Portland podcast 

a run-down of their favorite indoor activities

 for getting in some fun and maybe some exercise too:

If you’re looking for a place that’s kid- and adult-friendly, this is the spot. They offer classes and a place to skate. Look for summer camps as well.

The indoor skatepark and shop focuses on events for youths. “You'll cruise by on a Saturday evening and they'll be hosting shows there too, so they're a bit of a music venue slash skate space,” says Hashagen.

The home of roller derby world champions the Rose City Rollers, this is a fun roller rink with an adult jam skate on Tuesdays.

If you’re looking to learn how to skate or to improve your skills, head over to the Lloyd Center mall for some lessons.

It’s a classic way to meet people in Portland. One way to dip a toe into Futsal is to sign up as a substitute for teams that are down a player.

Portland’s dance options are plentiful, queer-friendly, and welcoming.

“ Showing up solo to these events is totally welcome,” says Hashagen. “Show up with a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Show up for the lesson — that is the secret sauce.”

It’s a regular event — every second or third Sunday of the month, with a lesson starting at 6:30 p.m.

Contra dancing is “a mix of, like, square dancing with, like, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ ballroom dancing, but [it’s] called, so that you have someone telling you what to do every step of the way,” says Hashagen.

Hosted by the folks behind the summer music festival Pickathon, Monday square dancing starts at 7 p.m. and includes a lesson and live music.

Or check out some line dancing and country two-step: Their next event is Sat. (Jan. 18) at Norse Hall, in the Kerns neighborhood.

There’s Friday English Country Dancing with 

 (at the Burlingame Water Tower Dance Hall).

 dancing lessons on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

 (in the Buckman neighborhood) has their next dance event, queer line dancing, on Friday (Jan. 17).

If you’re willing to go outside in whatever weather is happening out there, check out the organized bike rides throughout the year on the 

If you’re looking for jam sessions, check out the regular happenings at 

What have we missed? What do you do for active indoor fun in winter or otherwise? 

Active Indoor Fun

It’s natural to want to sink into the couch, hide under the covers, or otherwise find a reason not to leave the house around this time of year. But there are plenty of ways to stay active indoors, including skateboarding at Stronger Skatepark in Milwauikie, Oregon; Oaks Park Roller Rink in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland, Oregon; and Contra Remix dance at the  Norse Hall, in the Kerns neighborhood.

The Best Ways to Stay Active Indoors During a Portland, Oregon, Winter

The Best Ways to Stay Active Indoors During a Portland's Winter

If Labor Day marks the end of summer (at least unofficially), we have one more month 

First, here’s a note on the downside of summer — at least in the Anthropocene: Oregon is having 

a far worse wildfire season than last year.

If you’re traveling anywhere near fires or into natural areas, you may want to 

. It’ll give you alerts on new fire warnings.

 wherever you’re going and adjust plans accordingly.

Portland has clear skies for now, but it doesn’t hurt to plan ahead. Here’s a suggestion: Build 

 — or at least gather supplies to tape one together if the smoke rolls in.

Aminé is back in town (or close by) at Edgefield next weekend for his music festival, The Best Day Ever Fest. Tickets, while spendy, 

. Saturday features Kaytranada, BADBADNOTGOOD, Ravyn Lenae, and 3Way Heff, and Aminé is performing Sunday.

Have you ever been to the Oregon State Fair? Besides elephant ears and livestock, 

Ludacris is performing this year on Aug. 29

Here’s your reminder to go out and get in a bike ride before the end of summer:

The World Naked Bike Ride was canceled this year, but Saturday brings a Bike Summer/Pedalpalooza event that offers the 

. If public nudity isn’t your thing, check out 

other bike rides still happening every day

Some of the best views in Portland are on our bridges. So join the annual 

Two of my favorite restaurants are finding ways to expand their offerings:

. Yum up their signature mini madeleines and small pasta plates (I recommend the rigatoni all’amatriciana). I personally want to try their take on a classic BLT.

And more good news: The Italian bakery and pizza destination 

. Ollini is set to open at some point before the end of summer.

If Labor Day marks the end of summer (at least unofficially), we have one more month to revel in the season.

things to do

Your Guide to April 2026 in Portland

The Best Books To Read Right Now in Portland

The Best Cheap Eats in Portland

Latest articles

Your Guide to April 2026 in Portland

The Best Books To Read Right Now in Portland

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How To Get into Local Fishing

Portland's Best End-of-Summer Dates

The Best Cocktail Bars in Portland

The Best Coffee Shops in Portland

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How To Get into Local Fishing

Portland's Best End-of-Summer Dates

The Best Cocktail Bars in Portland

The Best Coffee Shops in Portland

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