2025 was a tough year for the Portland food scene. Lots of high profile closures and hopeful re-openings of numerous favorite restaurants, sandwich shops, food carts, bakeries, bars and breweries. Here’s to hoping that 2026 brings new locations for those who are looking to move, and something new and exciting for those that are closing forever. Even when a favorite establishment re-opens in a new location and/or neighborhood, something is lost from the original space, the neighborhood it resides in, and the community that sprung up around it. Here is my tribute to some of my favorite neighborhood spots that are closing or leaving their current spots. The Elliot neighborhood really got hit hard.

Starting with the most devastating closure is my favorite all-time brewery in Portland: Upright Brewing. They are calling it quits after 16 years of brewing beer, I believe all of those at their current location right next to the Moda center. Famous for their Belgian-style beers and wild yeast strains, Upright brewed small batch beers that turned over quickly. Their tap list changed weekly, with delicious, unique beers ranging from Real Ales to Sours with a specialty of Saisons and fruit-infused beers. I can’t pinpoint exactly when I first started coming here, somewhere in the 8-10 years ago range. And certainly more regularly since I moved to the neighborhood 7 years ago. For the last few years I have stopped by most weeks on either Sunday or Monday when Dee was working. There was a group of bike messengers who made a community there on those days (Dee used to be a bike messenger). It was a nice routine and community, not to mention all the delicious beers. Thanks for all the great beers Upright!

Next up in devastating closure news is my favorite neighborhood bar Cliff’s. I’ve never really had a home bar before, as I like to roam widely around town, so Cliff’s I’d say is the first. They opened up six years ago under the Wonder Ballroom right after I moved three blocks away. They were always a great bar who served great food which got better over time. I never featured them on my food blog or IG since they were my home bar and I never took my camera for photos (plus it’s a dark underground bar). One day though I wanted to give them a shout out so I went for lunch to eat and document this delicious steak salad. Grilled teres major cooked medium rare, smoked bleu cheese, arugula, pickled onions, radishes, grilled corn, micro greens, house ranch dressing. This is one of the best steak salads I’ve had. Also a shout out to my two favorite dishes at Cliff’s: Steak Tostada and Mac & Cheese with smoked pork. I ate those dishes so many times over the years. Cliff’s is planning to move and they have a devoted fan base so I’m sure they will land on their feet soon. One thing for sure is that they won’t be walking distance from my house.

Next up on the chopping block is Better Half Sandwiches. This has been a favorite sandwich shop of mine since they opened during Covid. They made delicious lunch and breakfast sandwiches, and were a favorite amongst the Vegetarian/Vegan crowd as well, though I was always getting meat sandwiches. I’ve been here a million times, had everything on the menu multiple times. I went weekly during Covid. Their sandwiches are large and chocked full of delicious ingredients and flavors. I could’ve picked any number of photos, but I went with this one from last month, the penultimate trip to their Fremont location. They got booted from the building because of plans to use that space for PPS. They are planning to move but haven’t offered up any info recently. Hopefully they can reopen soon and continue making their excellent sandwiches for all their fans. Pictured above is their Breakfast Ciabatta: 2 eggs with cheddar, sausage, bacon, a crispy hashbrown patty, avocado, and chipotle mayo on a ciabatta hoagie. Love this sandwich so much. I also got a cup of their tomato soup which is Thai-inspired with lemongrass and lime leaves. Very unique and tasty.

Last but certainly not least is Jinju Patisserie on Williams. This one really took everyone by surprise as they didn’t give any advanced warning beyond a week. This award-winning bakery and certified PDX favorite has been at the same spot for the last 6 years. They make the best pastries I’ve ever had. Tarts, chocolate, croissants, you name it. Next level baking. They just closed a few days ago and only gave a week’s notice, so I knew better than to try and go one last time as the lines were insane. I have no doubt that they will find a new space soon and keep creating their James Beard winning pastries. My most recent visit was a few months ago and I got this delicious Strawberry Lime Tart as well as a Ham & Gruyere Croissant (pictured below). Both were some of the best I’ve ever had.

2025, you were a harsh mistress in terms of my favorite neighborhood spots closing, but I know they will spring from the ashes. I’m excited for 2026 and all the new spots (here’s looking at you Lil’ Barbecue!) and all the great things I will eat. Happy eating and a reminder to visit your favorite spot regularly as you never know how long they will be there.