If we can describe Laurelhurst with one word, it might be… regal. The neighborhood has maintained its vintage vibe while surrounding neighborhoods have modernized. Although Laurelhurst is officially considered SE Portland, the neighborhood marks the midpoint between NE and SE Portland, bordered by Kerns, Sullivan, Hollywood, and North Tabor. Unlike the rest of the city, Laurelhurst was designed in a curvilinear layout, with a central roundabout around the famous gold Joan of Arc statue. As one of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, the area maintains a historic feel with quaint, vintage homes and tons of classic charm. In fact, the neighborhood hosts an annual historical home tour, showcasing the oldest homes in the area, and has officially been registered in the National Register of Historic Places!

Today we’re giving you a taste of what you could expect living in Laurelhurst. If you’ve considered Laurelhurst as a future stomping ground—this is the blog for you!

The neighborhood is heavily residential, but is surrounded by some of Portland’s most popular staples. Being nearby Belmont, Hawthorne, Sandy, and Division streets, residents of Laurelhurst are able to enjoy the peaceful Laurelhurst lifestyle AND the bustle of nearby city life. All of our selected shops, restaurants, and bars are either within the boundaries of the neighborhood or juuust outside!

Snacks and Sips

Migration Brewing’s Portland-grown owners believe that every pint of beer ignites a conversation… and we love that! There’s something about local, small-batch brews that just taste better. Every batch is made in their Gresham production facility and is tapped fresh right at the bar!





Not a beer fan? Ash St. Wine Co. is a small, negociant winery, meaning the owners tour local wineries and use batches of grapes from the area to create their personally curated wines. Ash St. Wines creatively blend varieties of grapes from across the region to bring out flavors that single-crop wineries cannot! The label on each bottle features a stamp of an ancient tree stump — a nod to the historic trees that surround the winery.





Laurelhurst Market is a one-stop-shop… literally. The market is part restaurant, part storefront, part butcher shop, part bar, and 100% charming. The full-service butcher shop provides fresh, locally sourced meat of the highest quality found in Portland. While you’re picking up this week’s meat for dinner, grab a half-pint of their house-made seasonings. If you’re not a meat-eater, their seasonings are equally epic on roasted veggies!

Laurelhurst Market’s Chef, Ben Bettinger, also runs Big’s Chicken. If you’re a Food Network fan, you may recognize him from Season 22 of Chopped. At Big’s Chicken, Bettinger specialties include smoked, Alabama-style chicken, slaw, and jo-jos!





Crema Coffee locally sources their coffee beans from Portland roasters and brews a killer cup! In addition to the basics, they also offer Vietnamese espresso. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s rich with four espresso shots, condensed milk, and cream. The espresso brews slowly and results in a thick, very strong cup of joe. Another option for coffee and a sweet treat is Soro Soro, a kawaii Korean café known for its adorable pastries. We’re talking kitten cheesecake, teddy bear chocolate cake, and Charlie Brown-shaped pot de creme. Personally, we suggest trying the matcha tiramisu! 







CANTEEN is a vegan paradise with fresh juice blends, smoothies, and bowls. Whoever said vegan dishes aren’t hearty, hasn’t tried CANTEEN. The BOSS bowl (brown rice, coconut cream, tempeh, veggies, and peanut sauce) will keep you full all day.









If you are looking for bomb Mexican food, look no further! Pollo Norte and Guero are just outside the Laurelhurst boundary. Pollo Norte has the rotisserie chicken of your dreams, anointed with achiote, salt, lime, and fresh chile. With every order, you receive a side of house-made tortillas, roasted vegetables, and two vibrant salsas. On the other hand, Guero serves Portland’s best tortas, packed with authentic ingredients like habanero slaw, pickled jalapenos, roasted tomatoes, and fragrant meats. When you stop by, make sure you try their smoky mezcal collection!





The best pizza in Laurelhurst is off 28th Ave at Ken’s Artisan. Wood-fired dough and fresh mozz… enough said! Their margherita is a classic, but if you’re feeling adventurous, order the Brooklyn, which is topped with calicola, pickled jalapeno, and honey. Ken’s has serious accolades in Portland — they have been recognized time after time as Portland’s best pizza restaurant and one of the best in the U.S. Go see what the hype is about!

And finally, if you are in Laurelhurst, you have to stop by the iconic Pamibche. Sangria, prawns, and a variety of croquettes — Pambiche is a beloved Cuban restaurant off Glisan. The walls are painted in a vibrant color block pattern and covered in artwork. It’s on our list of Portland’s most dazzling restaurants!





Shops and Activities

Catch this: the Portland Nursery opened in 1907 — original owner Albert Brownwell shipped plants across the country in railroad cars, filled with ice! Now, the nursery is an oasis of horticulture. 





As everything settles and mandates are lifted, the Laurelhurst Theater and Pub is slowly increasing capacity. For the last 10 years, the theater has been keeping prices low ($9/ticket) and inviting the community in for new releases and classic movies. Grab an individual pizza and a beer from their amazing tap list! For now, tickets still have to be reserved online and are posted the Friday before the following week!





For music lovers, Laurelhurst is home to Music Millennium and The Goodfoot. Music Millennium opened in 1969, specializing in underground music NOT found in average record stores. Think Frank Zappa, The Fugs, Fairport Convention, and similar experimental rock bands! Now, Music Millennium is the oldest record store in the SE. Check out their calendar of in-store live performances here! 

The Goodfoot is equal parts restaurant, bar, and music venue off Stark. Goodfoot has a dive-bar-gone-indie feel, and you can see it on their menu. All the classic pub food, with a twist — spicy peanut fries, kimchi mac, and a kimchi PB&J! Grab some friends for a few pints and 50¢ billiards! The bar also features rotating artwork by PDX artists, displayed on the 2nd-floor walls. Monthly, they host art showings — we are currently awaiting the next schedule of showings! Stay tuned on their website. 





As fall rolls around, check out the Lone Fir Cemetery — a little spooky, but also one of Portland’s most treasured historic cemeteries. See if you can find the gravestone of Emmor Stephens, the cemetery’s first burial in 1846! At that point in time, Portland was a quarter of the size and only existed on the west side of the Willamette River. What would the 1846 Portlanders think of the city today, 175 years later?

A Look at the Market

Strolling through the Laurelhurst neighborhood, you will be transported back in time — residential homes showcase architecture trends from the 1910s-1940s. Because the neighborhood is registered as a national historic area, the Portland city government has the authority to protect historic properties from demolition. Once a home reaches its 100th year, the city provides a Laurelhurst Century Home plaque and installs it on the front of the house!





Laurelhurst homes on the market are going fast! Eleven homes are listed in the neighborhood per month and often close within the first day, selling on average at $937,000. If you are interested in purchasing one of Laurelhurst’s charming homes, get in contact with us! In a market this fierce, we are here to lend a helping hand!





Popo & Archer Take Laurelhurst

Our dads are taking a trip to Palm Springs soon and we already miss them! Before they head out, we got to spend some quality time at Laurelhurst Park and splash in the spring-fed pond. Lots of kiddos were already swimming around, so we joined the fun! The park is one of Laurelhurst’s biggest attractions — known for its beautiful landscaping, sport fields/courts, horseshoe pit, walking trails and stage for public concerts. After our swim, we napped under the huge trees and enjoyed a picnic. 





Laurelhurst may not have the hustle and bustle of other Portland neighborhoods, but that is exactly what makes it so special! The neighborhood is bursting with history, unlike almost any other area of the city. The ambiance is calm and quiet, yet surrounded by some of Portland’s hottest restaurants, shops, and bars — the perfect balance! If you are interested in the Laurelhurst community, get in touch! We would love to help you find your next home. 

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