The hipster culture has swept across the United States, even claiming a few states for its own. But it doesn’t stop there. The movement has spread to Europe, instilling among its following a penchant for coffee, bicycle riding, and well-tailored plaid apparel.
If you are a vegan hipster hoping to connect with your kin in the U.S., look no further than Portland, Oregon; a state self-proclaimed as the origin of hipster culture. There are a variety of tasty vegan foodie delights you can treat yourself to at the same time.
If you’ll be coming to the U.S. for the first time, you need not worry about President Trump’s immigration ban because it was recently cancelled by a federal court judge. As long as you have a valid travel visa, you’ll be allowed into the United States.
But, visitors who are citizens of visa waiver countries must apply for an ESTA before they can gain entry into the U.S. An ESTA is a permit granted to nationals of certain countries, allowing them travel to America. People without authorised ESTA documentation will be delayed by the United States customs and border patrol, or worse case turned back at the airport.
Whet Your Appetite for Food and Drinks
While Portland has many beautiful places to see and things to do, what makes it more exciting is its highly-reputed foodie scene. The unending supply of food is bound to have you unbuttoning a shirt or two at your dinner table. The culture-rich city is also renowned for its refreshing craft beer and delicious tasting coffee.
Without much ado, here are some things to expect.
1. Vegan Restaurants
Who says you can’t have a nice meal because you are vegan? Portland spotlights some of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the country. From veggies to grains cooked in style, you’ll be presented with a myriad of options too good to deny.
Look out for Farm Spirit whose modernist vegan dishes and intimate chef’s counter design make you want to wake up next to them every morning. Harlow not only offers vegan dishes but entirely gluten-free food options. Others you’ll want to check out include Petunia’s Pies & Pastries, Vitopia Cheese Shop and Deli, Associated, and Canteen (which has its eponymous meal), to mention a few.
2. Craft beer
Of Oregon’s 194 brewing plants, 61 are in Portland which says a lot about the city’s craft beer scene. Such is the variety of the beer served in the local pubs and bars. You could taste a new brew every day of the year if you wished.
In addition, the city of Portland has two popular beer festivals celebrating its love for beer. They are the Oregon Brewfest and the Portland Craft Beer Festival. Both festivals hold in July and you can taste literally all the types of beer brewed in Oregon and its nearby states.
3. Coffee
What’s a hipster post without an ode to coffee? In Portland, coffee-love is not just a culture, it can earn you a snob. Coffee connoisseurs come in all shapes and sizes, and if you are one of them, you can walk into any café and whip up one of your preferences.
You can begin at Stumptown Coffeee- this establishment is ubiquitous and has earned a reputation for mastering coffee brewing from start to completion. Among its special offerings is a particular cold brew. Heart Coffee is another option- they source their beans from Central and South America. Coava Coffee in Hawthorne put quality and sustainability as the major values of their production process.
4. Vegan doughnuts
Yes, you can find some vegan (and gluten-free) pastry shops in Portland. Voodoo Doughnuts is probably the most popular doughnut shop in Portland. It’s location downtown is a beehive of activities with people yearning to get some of its delicious tasting doughnuts.
Voodoo Doughnuts has a range of exclusive recipes guaranteed to make you ask for second and third helpings. Of course, there are vegan options. Other popular doughnut stores in Portland include Blue Star donuts and Sweetpea Baking Co.
5. Ice Cream
There are totally gluten free places in Portland to indulge your taste for tasty cold treats. Back to Eden Bakery offers vegan croissants and soft serve ice cream. Overlooking the city area Alberta Street, the shop offers a place for you to stop and cool off after a long hot afternoon.
Another option is Blossoming Lotus, a vegan restaurant with sweet treats, especially its vegan soft serve, an ideal dessert after a plate of pizza and tacos.
Do I hear you making plans for a Portland trip this summer? I thought so. Do not forget your pair of Doc. Martens