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    Genie's Cafe

    3.9 (560 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    Genie's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    GENIE'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Genie's Cafe

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    Eggs Benedict
    Shellie B.

    Food was good. Well seasoned. I did half and half on the gravy, both mushroom and sausage gravy was good. A solid choice in Portland's wild wonderland of delicious brunch. Nothing blew our minds but it was still all delicious. I will say their blood Mary mix is very good.

    Friends with Benedicts!
    Marianne St. G.

    Walk into a bright and airy cafe near Ladd's Addition and have a tasty brunch that is worthy of Portland. It's Sunday morning and we already left our first choice for brunch due to an hour wait. We had never been to Genie's, though I had driven past it every day for the last 6 months. A quick check assured me they had gluten options. To my pleased surprise, there was no wait. The menu arrives with our water and I start to panic. Everything has either eggs or gluten or dairy! I start frantically assembling a breakfast of side dishes but then the waitress arrives. She advises me that they have vegan cheese (Daiya) and also offer tofu eggs. Suddenly, the menu opens up. While sipping my Spanish coffee (it has some whipped cream but I didn't ask for no dairy and it's a small amount, so I don't worry. I order a variation on their Campfire Burrito and add some avocado. The result is tasty and filling. The husband gets Chicken Fried Steak with 50/50 (sausage and mushroom) gravy, hash browns, and a biscuit. It was all excellent. I dared a tiny nibble of the biscuit and it had a great crumb, flavor, and was baked with coarse salt in top for an extra posh result. The wait staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The chairs, while uncoushined, are contoured and comfortable. I enjoyed the entire experience, recommend it, and will come again. Tags: Offers gluten free, dairy free, egg free options

    Bryan M.

    Though the interior is a bit simple and very reminiscent of old diners, the staff were kind, the service was prompt, and the food was really tasty. I ended up ordering a chocolate milk and the Campfire Burrito which came loaded with all of the fixings and was topped with an absolutely delicious pasilla pepper crema. The burrito was of a good size (though I personally wish it was a bit larger) and was really tasty. I will say though the presentation was a bit weird. I was expecting to be able to pick it up and eat it but it had the crema on the outside of it so you had to eat it with a knife and fork which causes a lot of the ingredients to fall out making it a bit difficult to get a bite with everything in it. Not a deal breaker of course, but something to think about. Overall, a great breakfast was had here.

    The Veggie Benedict with that yummy risotto cake and fresh spinach and, of course, creamy hollandaise.
    Tina T.

    Portland is chock-a-block in great breakfast and brunch places. Genie's is near the top of the pile and has the added benefit of withstanding covid and all the competition. Expect a noisy, rock-music laden environment with cool art and a variety of ages and types of Portland hipsters to be your dining companions. The menu had a wide variety of breakfast classics and lots of creative Benedicts. I had the Vegetarian Benedict served on Risotto Cakes (after a false start of the regular Benedict was returned to the kitchen-maybe a side-effect of the loud music?) and my dining partner had a classic breakfast. The risotto cakes were tender and lightly breaded and the poached eggs added creamy, yolky goodness. The potatoes were nicely seasoned and tasty. We will definitely return here again next time we visit!

    Seasonal Veggie Hash + Hashbrowns
    Aha G.

    I hadn't been to Genies since...probably 2016/2017 and it was such a treat to stop in today. 100% one of the best breakfasts I've had in Portland of late. Reasonably priced, really great portions and super kind, attentive staff. The veggie hash was insanely good, lots of tasty veg and the hashbrowns were perfectly crisp (I'm a big fan of potato forward breakfasts). I appreciate that it feels much less cramped then places like Screen Door, and isn't trying to be too fancy. It's just a good, solid breakfast. Excited to come back and get in on some of their vodka infusions Note: I went at 9ish on a Monday. I know weekend brunch can be a different vibe.

    Carolyn L.

    5 of us went there for breakfast on Saturday. As usual it's a long freaking wait while seeing other people of 2 people arrived after us get seated before us. I really don't understand the logic on seating group of more than 4. If they keep seating those 2 people in a 4 people table. The bigger group just have to wait forever. After the wait we're still squeezed into a 4 people table. Well, we should have split into 3 and 2 next time. After seated, it takes the waitress 15 mins to come order our drinks. Then another 20 mins to order our food. By the time we get our food, it's about 50 mins. If you're hungry, don't go there. Food was ok. Nothing special. Price is better than many places though. They do have lots of interesting choices of bloody Mary's.

    Blueberry Pancakes (2)
    Anthony C.

    My first time here and ordered the pancakes for breakfast, but didn't know they give you three huge ones... Not complaining, perfect amount to say for the next day if you can't finish your first service, because I definitely think this is multiple servings of goodness. The butter, the rich syrup, and a side of sausage, added, make for a perfect breakfast when you consume them all together.

    Country Fried Steak
    Jason W.

    Went here when I visited Portland. Was a fun medium sized restaurant. Food was great and staff was very accommodating to our large group. I had no issues with the food and was very tasty.

    A throwback to one of my old faves post bar hopping in my 20s
    Niki S.

    Genies was a post drinking staple of mine living in Portland back in 2010. Thankfully it has survived the pandemic and for my return in 2022! It was mostly as I remembered it. Has a bit of the usual diner smell to it, okay but not great service still (at least all the times I've visited) but solid food to pick from. I did miss the old bloody Mary bar they had stationed in the corner for bloody Sundays but alas times change and certainly during the pandemic it wouldn't have been a thing. This visit I had an omelet with fruit and toast. The dish was cooked as expected and the fruit even had some blueberries in it. The coffee refills were consistent and the flavor of my omelet was delish even if not the most revolutionary or mind blowing in presentation or flavor combinations. I don't remember it being so expensive though, but I understand costs have spiked these last few years. Genies still is a dependable and delish staple to stop in to- get there before 930 to avoid weekend line.

    Nice quiet Saturday morning.
    David B.

    Was invited to try Genie's... A friend said that the place was very good, I stopped in to check it out. It was on a Saturday morning just before 9:00. Plenty of available seating but many folks streaming in through the morning. I was lucky that we got there when we did. There was a line by the time we left. I would've gladly stood in that line to get the meal that we did. Everyone of the meals that we ordered was the size of a hubcap. Come to find out, we didn't even order the big stuff! Menu as well thought out, prepared well, overall great experience. Top-notch greasy spoon in my book.

    Biscuits and gravy

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    1 year ago

    Portland craft breakfast brunch and comfort food. Homemade vibe, friendly staff. Killer huevos rancheros. Tasty biscuit.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Came here with a friend's, nice place. Great food and yummy bloody mary... Will return.

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    2 years ago

    Lovely brunch spot! The staff is always friendly and the food is amazing. Strong morning cocktails

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    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge - Charcuterie and cheese board

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    4.4(1k reviews)
    1.9 miPearl District
    $$

    To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

    I wanted to celebrate something special, so I was looking for a nice bar when someone recommended…read morethis place. From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, so I wasn't expecting much. But as soon as I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior is beautiful, with a stylish central bar that immediately catches your eye. Although they do serve food, I wasn't very hungry, so I decided to just enjoy a couple of drinks. There are a few dining tables inside if you're planning to have a meal as well.The bartender was incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with me after I asked for a few recommendations. The drinks were excellent, well-balanced, flavorful, and actually tasted like proper cocktails instead of just juice. They definitely didn't skimp on the alcohol either! I'm really glad I chose this place to celebrate. It ended up being the perfect spot for the occasion.

    Photos
    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge - Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!

    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge - Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.

    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge - Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks

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    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks

    Hale Pele - Chicken

    Hale Pele

    4.4(845 reviews)
    2.3 miGrant Park, Northeast Portland
    $$

    Hale Pele is one of most well-known institution amongst Tiki lovers! One of our friends who owns…read morelike a thousand tiki glasses recommended this place to us, so we had to go! The ambiance is very tropical and fun, and love that they have such a spacious bathroom! They have an extensive drinks menu, like several pages long! With so many guava, pineapple and coconut-based options, it was honestly confusing on what to get but we decided on the classics: the Lei Lani Volcano and Lava Flow. The drinks were so creamy and delicious yet dangerously strong! Also, can we talk about the portion sizes? My drink was literally the size of my face, like what?!! It is best to come here in large groups because their shared drinks/scorpion bowls are a total showstopper! It is in a very upscale neighborhood of Portland called Grant Park, so it was fun to walk around and see all the cool houses - there was one imitating a thatched roof and what not. Worth checking out the neighborhood before or after visiting Hale Pele.

    Where to even begin with Hale Pele.... This was my first ever visit and I went out of my way to get…read moreto it.... Planned out a long layover and I'm glad I did, this was one of the best tiki bars I have ever been to. Not only were the cocktails top tier, but the food was wildly delicious, shocking... I can not wait to make some time to drive up and visit again with my wife.

    Photos
    Hale Pele - Bar

    Bar

    Hale Pele - Hawaiin Bread with Guava spread

    Hawaiin Bread with Guava spread

    Hale Pele - Another view of the Mai Tai...

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    Another view of the Mai Tai...

    Someday - Always something to say

    Someday

    4.4(73 reviews)
    1.4 miRichmond, Clinton, Southeast Portland

    Today I was really craving oysters, so I looked up what was around me and this cute little spot…read morepopped up. The ambiance was adorable, with such a nice patio out back--perfect for a warm day! Unfortunately, oysters are only available on Sundays, but we decided to grab a couple of other little snacks instead. We got the steak tartare, and I have to say, it was honestly some of the best I've had in a long time. It had the perfect smoky touch and absolutely hit the spot. We also tried the sardine plate, which was such a fun little snack. The tzatziki sauce surprisingly paired so well with the Spanish sardines and really pulled everything together. Spanish sardines with a Middle Eastern-inspired sauce? Pretty clever! Our server was also lovely and came out to check on us throughout our visit, which made the experience even better. For just a little drop-in snack, the whole experience was surprisingly memorable and definitely left us wanting to come back. Such a cute spot! I'll definitely be adding this one to my list of go-tos with friends. Can't believe it's been right around the corner and I'm just discovering it!

    Dare I say it? Someday might be my second favorite spot to get seafood in Portland, right behind…read moreJacquelines - which if you know the cult following on Jacquelines in Portland, that is saying something. The ambiance is downright whimsical! Great wine selection, gorgeous floral installations, and one of those spaces where you immediately want to settle in with a book in hand. But let's talk about the crudo. I still think about that crudo. Bright, lemony, silky olive oil - simple but done so well. We even asked our waitress if we can keep the leftover olive oil to use it with the bread we ordered lol The oysters were also fantastic. They were barbecued, which isn't something you see every day. A little drier than a raw oyster, but still full of flavor. Limited seating so be sure to call ahead of time for a reservation if need be. This feels like the kind of place you celebrate something special, and honestly, I would not mind spending a birthday here at all! Worth it. btw the alleyway walking up to this place is so charming.

    Photos
    Someday - Steak Tartar

    Steak Tartar

    Someday - My stinky, amazing Orange wine.

    My stinky, amazing Orange wine.

    Someday

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    Scotch Lodge - Splendid presentation

    Scotch Lodge

    4.6(322 reviews)
    1.1 miBuckman, Central Eastside, Southeast Portland
    $$

    We came here on our last night in Portland, and no other place could have been better to wrap up…read moreour trip! I chose the Saville Painkiller Cobbler which was very similar to Piña Colada with Ube. The drink was such a pretty purple shade, dusted with purple sweet potato/taro powder, and served in a Pineapple shaped glass - so aesthetically pleasing and very easy on the palate! My husband got the Pandan Old Fashioned which was very delicious as well - silky, sweet, boozy with a strong Pandan forward profile. For snacks, we got the Shrimp Chips and the Whipped Ricotta with Soppressata that comes with a generous portion of 4 slices of Rustic bread. The shrimp chips were humongous and so light, airy and crispy with a delicate shrimp flavor. The presentation on the whipped ricotta was so beautiful, and it tasted so good with the Calabrian chili and Soppressata! Portland has no shortage of amazing cocktail bars, and this is another place I would come back to if I ever find myself in Portland again!

    What a treat to be able to experience a James Beard Award recipient!! You'd never know what Scotch…read moreLodge was from the outside, but once you enter and walk down the stairs you're in for a treat. We were warmly greeted and sat at our table - definitely recommend reservations. The bottles behind the bar and along the wall were beautifully displayed and made for such a cool ambiance. We had a nice spot in the back corner and could check out the whole place. Aaron was our server and she was great, had good recommendations and made sure we were taken care of. Not sure which was better, the way the dishes tasted or the way they looked... either way they were incredible. We tried the beets, the heirloom tomatoes, the whipped ricotta, the tartare and of course the panna cotta. Everything was so elegant and had such unique flavors and textures. I could have that meal multiple times and never get sick of it. Not surprised at all that they are a James Beard Award winner - highly recommend!!

    Photos
    Scotch Lodge - Bar area

    Bar area

    Scotch Lodge - Bespoke ice cube in my cocktail

    Bespoke ice cube in my cocktail

    Scotch Lodge - Bespoke ice cube in my cocktail

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    Bespoke ice cube in my cocktail

    Genie's Cafe - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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