A longtime favorite for a hearty morning meal, the
Bijou Café (132 SW 3rd Ave., 503/222-3187, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $5–13) is a friendly, sparely decorated, but light-filled little diner that has staked its reputation on perfecting breakfast classics. While fried cinnamon bread, red snapper, or roast beef hash are morning mainstays in this cheery café, ordinary breakfast foods are done perfectly with the freshest and most nutritious ingredients.

Just when you thought Portland was a health-food kind of place, you find VooDoo Doughnut (22 SW 3rd Ave., 503/241-4704, www.voodoodoughnut.com, 1 p.m.–11 a.m. Mon.–Fri.—yes, that’s 22 hours per day, 1 p.m.–4 a.m. and 6–11 a.m. Sat., closed Sun.). This famed doughnut shop is in the thick of the Old Town bar zone and offers all-night doughnuts to club kids and anyone else who stumbles by. You’ll be amazed at the selection, and the devotion that mighty fine doughnuts can induce—try the maple bars with bacon (reportedly a fave of Brad Pitt).

Nothing says upscale comfort food like Mother’s Bistro and Bar (212 SW Stark St., 503/464-1122, www.mothersbistro.com, 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5:30–9 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sun., $9–21). This handsome Victorian storefront is a cozy spot to enjoy perfectly crafted meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and chicken and dumplings, made the way mom did—if mom were Julia Child.