Dining Near the Oregon Convention Center

The Lloyd neighborhood, Portland’s meeting and sporting district, serves up satisfying meals all day.

Updated Apr. 7, 2025 3 min read Lloyd

Northeast Portland’s Lloyd neighborhood offers a full menu of dining options, whether you’re spending the day at the Oregon Convention Center or an exciting night at Moda Center.

You’ll hear a lot of cheering at Spirit of 77, and it’s not just for the game — this playful space is fun even when the Blazers are on the road, with a snacky mix of food that goes great with their long list of draft and bottled beers.

Breakfast

Though it boasts a hardy lunch menu, breakfast generates the most buzz at Milo’s City Cafein Portland’s picturesque Irvington neighborhood. Their hearty take on the most important meal of the day includes smoked salmon hash and Dungeness crab cake eggs Benedict.

A few blocks away, Cadillac Café serves up a side of nostalgia with their fare, with classic diner food served in an Americana-themed setting. Their hazelnut French custard toast and Denver omelet are timeless, too, especially since breakfast is served all day.

Skip the long lines at their other two Portland locations and head to Pine State Biscuits in Northeast to snag their popular biscuit-and-gravy sandwiches from an indoor walk-up window.

Questions About Lloyd District

What if I don’t have a car?

The best way to get around Portland is on public transportation. Portland is known for having one of the easiest and most visitor-friendly public transportation systems in the country. Right outside the Convention Center is the MAX Light Rail station that connects the Blue, Green, and Red lines.

How far is Downtown from Lloyd ?

Downtown is about 2 miles (3 km) from Lloyd. You can get there by taking the MAX Green Line outside of the Convention Center towards City Center/PSU and can be at City Hall in 15 minutes. Or it’s a quick 9-minute drive.

Are there outdoor dining options in Lloyd?

There are so many outdoor dining options it would be impossible to list them all here. However, Aztec Willy’s, The Rose and Thistle, The Broadway Pub and Grill and Cartside Food Carts all have outdoor dining, to mention a few.

Breakfast & Brunch

Every day, faithful breakfast and brunch fans file into Portland’s mouthwatering morning meal hot spots. Follow the crowd and make the most of the most important meal of the day.

Lunch

Local chain Burgerville turns fast food on its ear with locally sourced ingredients stacking a seasonal menu with options like Walla Walla onion rings, blackberry shakes and natural beef burgers smothered with Tillamook cheddar.

At Bao Bao you’ll enjoy delicious handmade dumplings and steamed buns. The menu features a wide array of options — including favorite fillings like red bean and curry chicken — plus noodle dishes, fragrant soups, a refreshing cucumber salad and more.

For tempting, convenient Mexican fare, check out Xocalo. They serve no shortage of tacos — from fish and chicken to asada and al pastor — plus burritos, quesadillas, bowls and more. If you’re in need of a little midday pick-me-up, they also offer coffee, tea and espresso drinks.

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Dinner

You’ll hear a lot of cheering at Spirit of 77, and it’s not just for the game projected on the big screen. An unabashed sports bar, this playful space is fun even when the Blazers are on the road, with a snacky mix of food that goes great with their long list of draft and bottled beers, including beer-battered cod tacos, spicy chicken wings, and German soft pretzels.

McMenamins on Broadway has a more mainstream menu that excites nonetheless, with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and rice bowls. Whatever you order, start with a bowl of their Cajun tots, the perfect pair for any of the local chain’s own spirits, craft brews, or wines.

At Pastini Pastaria, an outlet of a family-friendly local chain, starting with a plate of bruschetta classico is advised. It’s the best opener for any of their flavorful meat or vegetarian entrées, including their spaghetti carbonara and linguini piccata.

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Nearby

Easy to reach by public transportation, the Convention Center area is just a short jaunt from the restaurants of the Central Eastside, Pearl District and downtown. Less than 10 minutes north by bus, Argentine-inspired Ox Restaurant fires, smokes and grills all sorts of entrees, including beef ribeye and coal-roasted artichoke.

Head north and you will find the spot named “Restaurant of the Year” in 2019 by The Oregonian. Eem serves Thai dishes, such as sweet and sour fried chicken and fried egg-topped soy curl stir fry, which are all jammed with flavor. Cocktails arrive in over-the-top, photo-worthy Tiki glasses, but the cuisine remains the star component.

Food