A Guide to the Central Eastside
The Central Eastside is a recognized Mural District that draws Portland and visiting creatives to this epicenter of art and culture.
Situated in Southeast Portland, the Central Eastside is a uniquely Portland neighborhood. Hugging the East bank of the Willamette River, it houses old industrial buildings and the historic center of Portland’s produce markets, explaining why many call this Produce Row. This industrial area is buzzing with the energy and creativity of it’s small businesses - a mix of restaurants, distilleries, shops, hotels, venues and theaters. The handsome Eastbank Esplanade that borders this district to the West is an inviting path to stroll after a delicious meal or take in a beautiful bike ride with a stunning view of the river and the downtown skyline.
The district is home to some of Portland’s best shopping, dining and entertainment venues as well as the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, a must visit for all families.
The Central Eastside is a bridge from Portland’s past with it’s old warehouses and factories to vibrant and colorful new architecture, all alive with small businesses you’ll want to be sure to visit on high rotation.
Seven Sisters
Nestled into a row of sweet independent shops on E Burnside Seven Sisters proudly partners with both, local and international, makers focused on ethical production, sustainability and artisanship - because goods should be made to last, and keep the care of people and the planet at the forefront.
Discover sustainable fashion designers, small-batch apothecary makers, and objets d'art for home made by independent designers and artists at Seven Sisters
BAR BOTELLON
Bar Botellon is a bar, bottle shop and corner market inspired by Shared Food, Drink and Experience. The word “botellon” means both “large bottle” and “street party”. Their space is an inviting space to meet friends for an after work drink and snack and a convenient spot to pick up a delicious lunch and wine, chocolate, conserva and other essentials for a lovely night at home. They bring elements of the welcoming Spanish culture to Portland, where they offer something for everyone. Currently offering a to-go menu that changes weekly, they embody their spirit that “the party awaits you.”
CARGO
Best known as A historic warehouse in the Central Eastside filled with big colorful installations & merchandising. Goods from the smallest trinket to large architectural pieces, imported from the worldwide marketplace as well as locally made products.
Customers keep coming back to Cargo for their ever changing inventory & new and creative designs so it's fresh every time you visit! Also within Cargo are their Emporium members (shops within the shop) that add a diverse range of offerings.
Cargo’s core values are Community, Creativity and Collaboration.
They are inspired by the magic that happens in community and collaboration, when knowledge and craft are shared between people and cultures. It brings the Cargo team joy to connect customers with unique handmade goods.
Kabinett
Owners Trent DeBord and Melissa Macfarlane of Kabinett embody bring the world together with their welcoming environment and their gathering of found items from all over the globe.
Their furniture and housewares store is over 2000 square feet of furniture, textiles, barware, art, and other odd outdoor/indoor goods hand-selected from Europe, Asia, and the US.
It is the sister store to KABINETT in Melbourne Australia,, born from the mind of a local graphic designer and an Australian interior designer with a shared love of all things old and beautiful.
Trent DeBord and Melissa Macfarlane worked together on a Portland interior design project in 2017 during which they recognized a shared love of ageless pieces; furniture that wears the history of travel and has withstood the tests of time, objects that have been gently (or roughly) worn through continued, loving use.
westward whiskey
For nearly two decades, Westward Whiskey has brought something new, different and relevant to whiskey, and they are proud to serve as a leading voice for American Single Malt. Their tasting room for this award winning distillery is in the heart of the Central Eastside where they craft their whiskey without shortcuts, pursuing flavor in every step of their long, slow process. The result is Westward’s signature flavor profile that you’ll want to high tail it down to sample their offerings straight up or in a cocktail.
The team at Westward Whiskey is inspired by the abundance of the American Northwest and the creative makers in their community. Community means the people Westward takes care of because they work together, live together and are impacted by one another.
Westward is most excited to share their Westward American Single Malt because it's the highest rated American Single Malt. Let’s have a toast to that!
Oko
OKO is a small shop specializing in vintage and antique jewelry, rarities and treasures curated by owner, Lisa Mangum. OKO is a Slavic word that means “eye,” fitting for a shop that creates a cozy bohemian and welcoming atmosphere where jewelry and objects can tell stories about the individuals, regions and histories that created them. OKO specializes in Victorian, Georgian, Art Deco and mid century modernist gold and silver jewelry. As a historian and artist by training, Mangum is deeply committed to reusing and recycling the treasures of the past and finding new homes for these little works of art while minimizing environmental impact. Mangum is inspired by hand wrought objects worn by time.
The team at OKO hopes to educate and foster an appreciation for the styles and craft of the past and to give the jewelry a meaningful space in your life and the lives of the generations to come.
new deal distillery
New Deal Distillery has been making high quality, craft-distilled spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2004. Inspired by the DIY creative culture of Portland’s pioneering craft brewers, wine makers and artisans, this proudly independent distillery makes all of their small batch spirits with Bull Run water, using natural, organic, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
They are always creating new spirits and new cocktail recipes. Most recently they even started their own line of cocktail syrups. Their customers keep returning because they know that they can rely on them to offer small-batch, high quality, unique products that they won’t find anywhere else.
First and foremost, they are makers and crafters, creatives and resourceful tinkerers who brought you Portland’s first craft vodka, a myriad of experimental rums, and grain-to-glass aged spirits. They love experimenting with quality ingredients, while being mindful of how our production affects the community around them. Their goal is to do well and drink well, source locally whenever possible and to continuously support the activists, creators, and ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things in our community every day.
URBANITE
Whether you’re looking for inspiration to revamp your home or just the perfect furniture piect or accessory to make a room come to life, Urbanite is a must stop emporium of over 40 vendors of vintage and unique home goods. With over 40 interior creators under one roof, Urbanite is rich with treasures from furniture and lighting to rugs, clothing and other goods found close at home and from around the world.
Urbanite hosts regular events and markets like Their Second Sunday Flea with live music and loads of great vendors.
Urbanite also has a spacious event space and plenty of parking making it a great community venue.
WELLSPENT MARKET
On a trip to Italy in the 1990s, Wellspent Market founder, Jim Dixon, realized that real extra virgin olive oil tasted much better than the olive oil he’d been using at home so he started importing it.
That was the beginning of Wellspent Market and it continues to amplify the virtues of truly great quality foods. In addition to the best imported extra virgin olive oil from Italy, Wellspent carries hand-harvested sea salt from Portugal, the best capers in the world from the tiny island of Pantelleria and tasty foods from all over the world, including foods and beverages created right here in Portland. As Jim Dixon says, “Real good food makes life better. So use the good stuff everyday.”
And you’ll find the good stuff at Wellspent Market.
STRAIGHTAWAY COCKTAILS
Regardless of bartending skills or proximity to a decent bar, everyone deserves an exquisitely made drink. Straightaway Cocktails make it easy with ready to be poured over ice and enjoyed straight away drinks.
For the folks at Straightaway Cocktails it's more about the people than the drink. They focus on Balance, Simplicity and Excellence so you can have fun and celebrate!
They have perfected the art of the cocktail so that you can perfect the art of the party. They do this by making exceptional ready-to-pour cocktails readily accessible.
Their SE Hawthorne tasting room feels like a welcoming Parisian bistro and is a great place to sample Straightaway offerings and enjoy an afternoon.
ICE QUEEN
Ice Queen on SE Stark is distinguished as the World’s First Plant-based Popsicle Shop! Rebecca Smith is the Mexican, Irish, Native American owner and mastermind behind this sustainable and ethical company that values being playful and all things cute, while creating the highest quality novelty bars.
These healthy and delicious treats come in bold, fun flavor combos, often developed from recipe collaborations with other small food purveyors making for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Ice Queen is all about community and bringing joy to people in the form of healthier, more sustainable, dessert options. Be sure to check out all the flavors!
MILAGRO THEATER
Since 1984, Milagro -- in the heart of the Central Eastside, has provided extraordinary Latino theater, culture and arts education experiences for the enrichment of all communities. Performances showcase the best of local and international Latino playwrights, musicians, dancers, actors and performers. Through workshops and residencies, Milagro’s education program engages students from elementary through college to foster self-determination, wellness and cultural pride.
Check out their full list of virtual and live performances and upcoming events.
Explore the miracle of theater at this community art space, the heart of Oregon’s Hispanic arts scene.
Chuckanut
One of the newest Portland spots for good cheer is P. Nut, Chuckanut Brewery’s Central Eastside Beer Hall.This family friendly spot is great for connecting with friends and family, with a great selection of beers, wines, ciders and plenty of non alcoholic drinks and locals of snacks.Enjoy one of their award winning beers at one of their wooden beer hall style tables or saddled up to the bar. They’ve got fooseball, darts and cozy little sections for more intimate gatherings or enjoy the outdoors at one of their picnic tables.Keep in mind that they also have a private room in back with large screen, smart TV for your next meeting, reunion or party.
Jupiter Next & Jupiter Original
With 148 rooms combined, Jupiter Original and Jupiter NEXT hotels offer a vibrant glimpse into Portland’s lush city vibes, celebrating our rich history of makers and creators all the while looking forward toward a dynamic future.
With sweeping views of the historic Central Eastside to the glittering West Hills, upscale rooms at the NEXT offer unedited, unparalleled views of Portland.
Jupiter Original's rooms in a converted 1960s motor lodge are located in the middle of the action, with on-site access to Doug Fir Lounge, a Portland favorite bar, restaurant, and music venue. All 81 rooms feature wall-sized music murals and mid-century modern style furnishings.
NEXT STORY
One gift card, hundreds of small businesses.
The flavor and soul of our city is made up of the diverse and unique small shops, restaurants, theaters, venues, salons and wellness studios that make Portland the amazing city that we love.
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