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.

Herbivore

Herbivore Clothing Company was founded in 2002 by Michelle Schwegmann and her husband and partner as part of their commitment to the vegan movement. In 2007 they opened their flagship store in the Central Eastside District, with the intention of making compassion and veganism attainable and attractive to all.

At Herbivore, you will find 100% vegan products such as clothes, shoes, wallets, bags, candles, soaps, books, belts, cards, pantry items and gifts - in other words, something for everyone!

In their own words: “We've designed and sold more than 75 vegan and animal rights focused designs. We produce and sell the strongest vegan belts around. We believe compassion is invincible and that plants are what we should all be eating!”

Their friendly customer service, our bright and inviting shop and their unique, vegan approach to shopping keeps customers coming back. Folks love knowing that everything is vegan, no labels need to be read, and that everyone is welcome, vegan or not!

The team at Herbivore is inspired by compassionate people who give a damn and they believe that the world will change when we do.

Visit Herbivore

ALE O

Designer Alejandra Oyervides creates elegant, modern and sophisticated designs that are equally simple and stunning. It’s no surprise that she was voted best emerging designer two years in a row by Portland Fashion and Style Awards.

Oyervides grew up in Monterey, Mexico whose modern art museums, green spaces and industrial center inspires her keen eye for minimalist design.

Whether you’re looking for something for every day or for that once in a lifetime gala, you’ll discover that bespoke piece at Ale O, Oyervide’s boutique in the heart of Portland on East Burnside. You’re certain to be wowed and inspired.

Shop Ale O

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.”

Experience Bar Botellón

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.

Visit Cargo

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.

Shop Kabinett

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!

Explore Westward Whiskey

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.

Shop Oko

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.

Visit New Deal Distillery

THE ONES SHOP

The Ones Shop design collective is the conception of longtime Portland apparel designer Liza Rietz. Liza, along with former shop manager Jessica Waltz, brought together some of Portland’s most talented and accomplished designers of apparel, jewelry and accessories that design and make high-end, curated pieces to be cherished for many years to come.

The Ones Shop operates much like a cooperative in which each designer is a member, coming together to share resources, promotion, creativity and inspiration. Each designer works one shift per week, directly linking them to the retail experience and allowing them to better understand their customer. And because The Ones Shop is run directly by the designers, they benefit in getting 90% profit from the sales of their products.

The Ones Shop is nestled in the 811 Building – comprised of other women owned boutiques and maker spaces that offers handmade wears, vintage, and more! Most of the products in this building are designed and made directly by the designers. In addition to Rietz and Waltz, you’ll find the work of other collective designers including Lauren of Revere, Sara Bergman, Holly Stalder and ceramicist Ellen Blazich.

The Ones Shop values the process of design and the craft of making. All of the designs in the collective are handmade and not mass produced. The Ones Shop is a must visit gem of local design talent.

Shop The Ones Shop

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.

Explore Urbanite

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.

Visit 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.

Buy Straightaway Cocktails

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!

Visit Ice Queen

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.

Experience Milagro