Best Brunch in VanPort
Sometimes you want to sleep in on the weekend. That’s why they invented brunch. If you’re going to combine two meal times, make it a great one by dining at one of these fine establishments.
1. Screen Door Eastside
Portland – NeighborhoodPortland’s Go-To Brunch Joint. It’s so popular the line is always long. The signature dish is the chicken and waffles. The portion is massive. Split it with a friend/date. I actually like the batter on the gluten free chicken strips better. Their coffee is good. The praline bacon is not my thing. Their fab bloody Mary is spicy. INSIDER TIP: The Louisiana hot links are not on the breakfast menu but can be ordered as a side dish. Good vegetarian options.
2. Cecilia
Vancouver – South
Cecilia serves breakfast and brunch on the same menu. Want the burger at 7am? Not a problem.
VIBE: The art direction is savvy. We particularly enjoy the subdued, groovy music selection that sounds like it could have been in Pulp Fiction. FOOD: My wife likes the Tres Leches French Toast. It wasn’t too sweet aside from the whipped cream. She’s also a big fan of the Dutch Baby. My son likes the chicken and waffles. Amaro’s has amazing chicken so of course they’re going to have that on the menu. The biscuits and gravy comes with bacon and eggs. It sounds enormous but their style of biscuits are much smaller. The gravy is a bit different than the garden variety. It’s good but I like the traditional style better. They have two kinds of Benedicts. I like the usual one with ham. The coffee is kind of bitter. If you like spicy, ask for their habanero sauce. The burger has a twist. Instead of lettuce it has arugula and has bourbon bacon jam which gives it a slight sweet flavor. All that on a brioche bun is a fantastic.
HAPPY HOUR: Cecilia now has a happy hour from 2pm-5pm.
INSIDER INSIGHT: Cecilia is the same owner as Amaro’s Table and Gustav’s. It seems they’ve not let their other restaurants rise to the level of Amaro’s bar.
3. La Provence
Vancouver – East
Quality French restaurant with a savvy staff and good food made with care. It’s a great breakfast/brunch spot. Portions are generous. Ample parking. Coffee is a bit on the dark side flavor wise. I had the chef’s omelet. It wasn’t listed, but I was able to get fresh jalapenos added. It was good. They don’t have the usual hot sauces. They have an inhouse one that didn’t have as much kick as I was looking for but our fab server obtained a bottle of habanero from the kitchen.
4. Radio Room
Portland – Northeast
Radio Room has a mid 20th century vibe and is in a vintage gas station. We love the joint. The decor has a Pulp Fiction feel that we both resonate with. The wife is a big fan of the fried brussels and the chicken pesto pasta. The chicken sandwich is decent. The tomato soup is perfect. The bar has excellent stock. The Take Manhattan is a good spirit forward drink. For something lighter try The Upper Deck Lemonade (vodka, lemonade, sprite and raspberry puree). PRO TIP: For an earthy variant of a Manhattan ask for a Black Manhattan with Basil Hayden dark rye and Averna Amaro and angostura bitters. It’s not on the menu but it’s fab.
Sunday’s they have live jazz. They’re open 9- late 7 days a week. Happy hour 3-6 Mon-Sat and 3-close Sunday. BTW: Radio Room is a sister restaurant to Keys Lounge. ✌🏼
5. The Cove
Vancouver – South
One of the more upscale restaurants in Vancouver. The ribeye was really great. The fresh baked bread is good. I’m not an asparagus fan but theirs was fab. Cocktails are decent, but the bartenders free pour. So it’s the luck of the draw if the ratios are right. The view of the river/marina is fantastic on the patio. Their biggest challenge is location and price. It’s at the end of Columbia way. Only those seeking out this restaurant will find it. And the prices for most of the menu will raise eyebrows. Like $33 for fish & chips. The best bang for the buck are the sandwiches. Happy hour in until 5:30 and only in the bar. The staff are savvy and friendly. Ample parking.
6. Hickory
Vancouver – East
Nice restaurant on a golf course. Very good food. Decent cocktails. Only has Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth but good selection of gin. Service is with a smile. Adequate parking. The halibut fish and chips were very good. I like their steak salad.
7. The Hammond
Vancouver – East
The Hammond has a comfortable vibe with a rustic decor. It can be fairly loud due to so many reflective surfaces. The prime rib dip is great. The steak salad is enjoyable. The pizzas are small and just enough for one person. Fries are basic diced potatoes. The Waliser Cabernet Sauvignon is not bad. The Oden Thor Equinox beer is good. The bar looks good. They could use more/better liqueurs. But they can make basic drinks.
8. Bleu Door Bakery
Vancouver – Downtown
Bleu Door has a savvy French art direction, fab lattes and dedicated brunch menu on the weekend with breakfast items as well as tasty sandwiches.
9. Hudson’s
Vancouver – Central
Good hotel restaurant/bar. It has a rustic, lodge vibe with a tall ceiling, huge wooden beams and native American accents. Great salads. One of the best places for a Cobb. Decent steak. Hudson’s serves a nice breakfast. The bar has spirits but very limited liqueurs. Bartender doesn’t measure. He free pours. Parking lot with plenty of spaces.
10. Cameo Cafe
Vancouver – Central
Dependable neighborhood eatery on a golf course. Outside seating is pleasant when weather permits. The wait staff are old school. Breakfast is always available and is a nice place for brunch. I like their omelets. Chili is kind of sweet. Unfortunately their website is hacked.
11. Who Song & Larry’s
Vancouver – Southwest
Dependable Mexican food with a fantastic view. If the weather is good, ask to set by the river. The tacos vampiros are fab. Their steak can be a bit tough. Best to ask them for medium. The chicken fajitas are very good. Great chips. If you like spicy ask them to make you some hot salsa. Having a lovely view of the water while you sip a margarita doesn’t hurt either. PRO TIP: Whenever the bridge is up margaritas are just $3!
More Lists
-
Best Philly Cheesesteak in VanPort
The Philly Cheesesteak is arguably the most debated American sandwich. A hamburger…
-
Top 20 Burgers in Van/Port
The great American sandwich. There’s countless variations. Some are great. But there’s…
Join the VanPort Insider for free:
Read More
Dine Better and Drink Smarter with VanPort Insider
Sign up for the free newsletter.