Belmont

The Belmont Neighborhood in Southeast Portland is a model of what neighborhoods can do to improve their image and keep visitors coming in. Belmont has moved far past its more seedy days of 15 years ago. Since that time, popular local businesses have come in and helped to spark a revival.

Up and down Belmont Street, there are plenty of choices for eating, drinking, and enjoying your day. Running between 30th and 39th Avenue, you can find a great bite to eat at many of the innovative eateries. Pine State Biscuits is an extremely popular breakfast spot. On weekends, expect to see the line snaking around the corner. There are also choices between Middle Eastern Cuisine at Hoda’s and a perfect Thai paradise at Kuhn Pic’s Bahn Thai.

The surrounding residential neighborhood is both eclectic and charming. Many of the modest craftsman homes have been remodeled and designed with colorful paints and yard art. When visiting the neighborhood, a quick stroll through one of the neighborhoods will give you a nice perspective on how some Portland residents live.

Local coffee roaster, Stumptown, serves some of the city’s best coffee. Grab a coffee and look at the local art all while situated in the center of Belmont. Next door is the Stumptown Annex which can be a nice visit if you want to get coffee or supplies for the house. With everything from traditional coffee blends to obscure coffee makers, you will be sure to find what you are looking for.

The gem of the neighborhood is Noun and Saint Cupcake, located together at the corner of 33rd and Belmont. The businesses share the space and it is the only place where you can come away with a fresh cupcake and a cute card or gift for a friend. Noun specializes in antiques and little gifts which amaze you with their timeless appeal. Saint Cupcake will rekindle your love for cupcakes.

The Belmont neighborhood is a perfect choice for visitors who want a taste of what Portland really is and where it is headed. Easily accessible from downtown Portland, grab a bite to eat and taste the flavor of Belmont.

HelloPortland Tip: Grab lunch from the Zupan’s grocery store and head to Laurelhurst Park, located 5 blocks north of Belmont Street. It makes a beautiful picnic on a sunny day.

- by William Crane, Portland Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

William Crane

William Crane is an accomplished print and online journalist (http://www.william-crane.com) His work covers a variety of topics including features, local community news, sports, music, and political/social issues. Graduating from Seattle University with a B.A. in Journalism, William's writing has appeared in a variety of different publications including the Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Skanner, Backfire Magazine, and the Internationalist.