The Best Vegan Breakfast and Brunch in Portland

Portland, Oregon is a top destination for vegan foodies, and for good reason too! This city knows its way around the vegan breakfast and brunch scene like the back of their hand, and they’ve been making their mark in the world of plant-based eating since the late 1800s! And, ever since the word ‘veganism’ was coined in 1944, Portland has continued to be a leader and innovator for the plant-based lifestyle and the environmental movement as a whole. In short, being vegan in Portland is an absolute breeze. In fact, in 2020 Forbes Magazine named Portland as the most vegan-friendly city in the United States. So it’s no surprise that vegan brunch in Portland is so easy to find!

Whether you plan to spend time outside exploring the wonders of Portland’s outdoor spaces or wander around this moss-covered city’s unique neighborhoods that most definitely help ‘keep Portland weird,’ fueling up with some terrific food is a must. And breakfast is the most important meal of the day! The most difficult part about being vegan in Portland is deciding between your countless options! Be sure to check out our favorite vegan brunch and breakfast spots in Portland below. 

Off The Griddle

Price: $$

Cuisine: American

Website: https://www.offthegriddle.com/

Off The Griddle is a must-try when it comes to vegan breakfast and brunch in Portland. Everything here is vegan besides their egg and dairy cheese options, and most menu items are gluten free too! For something sweet, we love their waffles; their Berries + Cream waffles are topped with the most delicious chia berry ham, sweet cream, powdered sugar, and fresh berries, and their Basic B waffles have banana, hazelnuts, powdered sugar, and maple syrup. If you’d prefer something more savory, we love their Breakfast Burrito, and their Bunch Wrap Supreme is as supreme as it gets! And for the best of both worlds, their Chk’n Waffles, Awesome Plate, and Rise n’ Grind Sandwich are scrumptious choices. Off The Griddle has surely come a long way from their beginnings as a simple food cart, and we are thrilled their brick and mortar location is here for the long haul!

Paradox Organic Café

Price: $$

Cuisine: American, comfort/home-style

Website: https://paradoxorganiccafe.com/

From their cakes to their wraps and everything in between, Paradox Organic Café’s vegan eats are some of the yummiest in PDX. And their vegan breakfast is some of the best in Portland. This low-key neighborhood restaurant has a casual dining space and the waitstaff are outstanding! It’s truly special when a restaurant can effortlessly make their guests feel at home, and Paradox does just that. Their home-style dishes hit the spot every time, and with their generous portions and reasonable prices, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to eat here. Their pancakes are cooked just right – we especially love their Espresso Sweet Cake and Cocoa-Berry & Peach Quinoa Cake – and the Cinnamon French Toast dusted with powdered sugar is simply scrumptious. And the Pesto Wrap, the BBQ Chicken Wrap, and the Reuben are each mouth-watering just thinking about them! Whatever you decide to order, wash it down with any of their refreshing fruit-infused waters (we recommend the watermelon-pineapple) or the Bridge City Blended or Yum Yum Blended. We certainly hope you get a chance to try Paradox Organic Café next time you’re in Portland!

Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli

Price: $$

Cuisine: Delicatessen

Website: https://www.benandesthers.com/ 

Something I have missed most since becoming vegan is a classic bagel with cream cheese and lox. The iconic sandwich hits the spot any time of day, and thanks to Ben & Esther’s Vegan Jewish Deli, this childhood staple lives on! With two Portland locations, Ben & Esther’s is a wonderland for vegan bagel lovers, deli enthusiasts, and brunch-goers throughout the city and beyond. Choose from over a dozen types of bagels, try their vegan lox – it’s hardly noticeable that it’s made from carrots – and be sure to check out their wide variety of cream cheese options too. Aside from their classic plain, we must also give a special shout out to their scallion and lemon dill schmears. Ben & Esther’s also serves unique seasonal flavors throughout the year! Beyond their breakfast sandwiches, they also have matzah ball soup, latkes, and knishes, as well as simply delectable plant-based deli sandwiches. Oh, and did we mention that gluten free options are available too? From their specialties like Benny’s Brisket sandwich and the Grand Puba, to classics like their reuben, New Yorker, BLT, and tuna melt, Ben & Esther’s is definitely worth a brunch visit (or two or three…) next time you’re in Portland.

Vertical Diner

Price: $$

Cuisine: Diner

Website: https://verticaldiner.com/portland/

Although its roots are in Salt Lake City, Utah, The Vertical Diner came to Portland in 2019 and has been keeping our tummies full and our hearts happy ever since- especially when it comes to vegan brunch. Everything is vegan and 90% of the menu is also gluten free, and we have absolutely no complaints about the generous portions that The Vertical Diner offers! Their pancakes are absolutely divine – especially when you add chocolate chips – and if you’re looking for something guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Triple Threat includes three pancakes topped with bananas, chocolate syrup, and a vanilla ice cream scoop. Or start your morning with something on the savory side with their breakfast burrito or the Bombtastic Biscuit! The Vertical Plates are also pretty fantastic; the American Diner is especially delicious and features the restaurant’s signature Tender Tigers (their take on chicken tenders). We also love the TBLT (tempeh bacon, lettuce, & tomato) sandwich and their burgers. Oh, and their hand cut fries? Phenomenal! Besides the yummy food, the unique energy of the laid back atmosphere combined with the retro, old-timey diner feel at The Vertical Diner creates such fun and comfortable dining experiences that we hope you’ll get to enjoy soon too!

Harlow Cafe & Juice Bar

Price: $$

Cuisine: American Diner

Website: https://harlowpdx.com/

While Harlow Cafe & Juice Bar isn’t fully vegan, they have lots of vegan options; it’s a great choice for dining with all different kinds of eaters! The atmosphere at Harlow can’t be beat. It is exuberant and quirky from their unique seats and the energy of the people dining, and the restaurant is figuratively and literally filled with light and life. Plants fill the room with greenery and on a sunny day, sunlight floods in through Harlow’s windows too! We are huge fans of their Pesto Garden Scramble, Utopian Dream Salad, Vegan Chili Bowl, and Hawthorne Mac- they really know how to do vegan cheese right! And for something a bit sweeter, their Banana Walnut Pancakes and Powerhouse Parfait are our go-tos. If you have enough room, they offer refreshing drinks! The Supergreens Lemonade, Melody Juice, and Liquid Sunshine Smoothie are some of our favorites. We know you’ll just love Harlow Cafe & Juice Bar if you get the opportunity to stop in!

Rabbits Cafe

Price: $$

Cuisine: Bowls, salads, smoothies

Website: https://rabbitspdx.com/cafe 

When in Portland, look no further than Rabbits Cafe for all of your brunch needs! Everything here is 100% vegan, and they offer some of the yummiest eats around. Plus, their To-Go game is so fantastic that whenever weather permits, we suggest ordering for carryout and venturing to your favorite picnicking spot; after all, what could be better than enjoying your meal in the fresh PNW air? The Incredi-Bowl is bursting with flavor, and the Sweet Cornmeal Waffle hits the spot every time. Some of our other Rabbits Cafe favorites are The Peter Salad, the Breakfast Burrito, and specials like their Banana French Toast! And if you like smoothies, you may want to take advantage of their lunch combo deal: any of their non-breakfast bowls + any smoothie! The Chai Protein and Kale Mango are both delicious, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their smoothies. Rabbits Cafe also offers scrumptious baked goods like biscotti, cookies, and muffins (the Blueberry Lemon is out of this world!). We hope you get to try some of these incredible dishes soon!

Junior’s Café

Price: $$

Cuisine: American, comfort

Website: https://www.juniorscafeon12th.com/ 

Sometimes we all need to take a step back and celebrate the basics, and Junior’s Café can help us do just that! This mom-and-daughter-run neighborhood spot is one of Portland’s hidden gems when it comes to vegan-friendly restaurants, and they really know what they’re doing! While Junior’s isn’t strictly vegan, they offer lots of vegan dishes and are incredibly accommodating. Our favorites are the Vivo French Toast (made with sourdough!), the Superhero scramble, and the vegan JR Cristo. Oh, and not only can all of the scrambles be veganized, but any of their french toast meals can be made vegan too! And if you like applesauce, we must insist that you get a side of their homemade applesauce. From the neat art that lines the walls to the absolutely divine dishes, everything here is filled with love! So, next time you venture out for brunch, we’d highly recommend slowing down just a little and embracing the simple things in life at Junior’s Café. 

Jam On Hawthorne Cafe & Arthouse

Price: $$

Cuisine: American

Website: https://www.jamonhawthorne.com/ 

Finding creative twists on classic brunch dishes is something that Jam On Hawthorne has mastered. It’s not a fully vegan restaurant, but their vegan options are as delicious as they are exciting- and they’re really exciting. The Oatmeal Chai Blueberry Pancakes and the Smoked Tofu and Vegetable Hash are hands-down some of their best dishes, but you really can’t go wrong with what you order here. If you stop by over the weekend, we highly recommend trying their French Toast Sticks: these coconut almond bread pudding French toast sticks drizzled with coconut caramel simply can’t be beat. But not to worry at all if you go during the week; they’ll still have tons of magnificent dishes for their plant-based guests! We love the Tempeh Huevos Rancheros, the Vegan Scramble, and the Vegan Wrap, and sides of each hash browns, smoked tofu strips, and Chai Cakes are always here for you. Oh, and Jam On Hawthorne’s name wasn’t chosen just because it has a nice ring to it; located right on Hawthorne Blvd, their housemade jam is just delightful. Be sure to check it out next time you’re in the area!

The Hostel Café

Price: $$

Cuisine: American

Website: https://www.hostelcafepdx.com/  

What started as a simple hostel in Portland’s historic Northwest neighborhood has since grown from that original hostel building to a whole block that draws in travelers and locals alike. This bustling community has common areas, outdoor gardens, and more, and they even host neighborhood cleanups each month and a number of community events almost daily! The Hostel Café is the cherry on top of this little oasis, and while they aren’t strictly vegan, they do have plenty of yummy vegan options to choose from. Plus, their covered courtyard makes for a lovely outdoor dining experience, rain or shine! We recommend starting your day with their Blackberry Hazelnut Latte or their White Lavender Kombucha on tap. And their Parfait can’t be beat! They use an almond milk yogurt base for their vegan version, and the layers of fresh fruit and granola balance each other beautifully. For something a bit more savory, their Veggie Hash is flavorful and comforting, and they also have a ton of vegan-friendly sandwiches, bowls, and sides. Whether you are a Portland local, visiting, or maybe even staying at the hostel, we hope you get a chance to experience everything that is The Hostel Café!

Kure Superfoods

Price: $$

Cuisine: Smoothies, bowls, sandwiches

Website: https://kuresuperfoods.com/ 

From the Pearl District and Downtown to Hawthorn and even Lake Oswego, Kure Superfoods is here for you wherever you may be in Portland! Its main location in the ever-so-bustling Pearl District features a full espresso bar and a wider variety of hot food options, so we recommend checking out Kure Pearl for the full Kure experience. Everything here is vegan besides honey, and we love their intentional use of functional foods throughout their menu. The Kure Breakfast Sandwich, the Kind Cartel Bowl, and the Vietnum Bowl always hit the spot when something savory is the move, and they have amazing smoothies, protein-rich meal shakes, green juices, and acai bowls if you’re in the mood for something a little sweeter or fruiter. As for smoothies at Kure, we absolutely adore the Lush Life, P.B. and Awesome, Kid Kyoto, and Lady of the Day smoothies. And for any matcha-lovers out there, Kure Superfoods also have an incredible Matcha Freeze that you can customize with toppings of your choosing! Kure Superfoods always has us leaving with our tummies and hearts full, so be sure to check it out!

Belle Pomme

Price: $$

Cuisine: Smoothies, bowls, sandwiches

Website: https://thebellepomme.com/belle-pomme 

Where the energy of Portland is flushed with a European flair, Belle Pomme in the West End District is mostly plant-based and has some of the freshest eats around! From sandwiches and salads to smoothie bowls and sweet treats, Belle Pomme has it all. The B.E.C.A. panini and The Works panini are both delightful options, and their Zesty Dragon Bowl is just lovely. Or you can grab a smoothie; the Green Day, Blues, B.P. Buzz, and PB & Dragon smoothies are some of our favorites, and they even have protein rich add-ins like pea protein! They also have the prebiotic soda, Poppi, which is my latest drink obsession, and if you’re a matcha fan, their Iced Matcha Coconut Foam is next-level. Be sure to also check out their baked goods, pastries, and seasonal items as well! And their pet-friendly, seasonal outdoor seating area makes for a wonderful dining experience when it’s nice outside. We hope you get a chance to stop by Belle Pomme next time you’re in the area!