It’s 10 p.m. and you’ve just walked out of an exhilarating show. You and your friends are craving to keep the night going, but you’ve hit a wall. Scouring where Google leads you, your group encounters place after place that caters solely to the 21-and-up crowd. Bars and breweries scatter your maps app. Well, if you’re in need of a sweet treat or a protein-packed piece of pizza to carry you away into the night, look no further for our top eight recommendations on the best places to go after 10 p.m.
On this list, we have taken a few things into account: aesthetics, hours, seating, price, allergy accommodations, friendliness, and, of course, quality of served items. Some are sit-down restaurants, while others specialize in quick-to-eat treats. With the variety of options, there is something for everyone to close out the night.
Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
Located in a house-turned-business on SE 12th Ave. near Morrison St., Rimsky’s is open from 7 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. They specialize in eclectic aesthetics with fun desserts and both coffee-based and non-coffee drinks. Some fun menu highlights include the Ship Goes to Pieces Against a Rock: chocolate mint ice cream with hot fudge and the Triple Cafe: espresso madness ice cream with coffee syrup. They also serve orange cappuccino, classic lattes, mochas, chai, loose-leaf tea, and much more, including their self-described “boring ice cream or sorbet.” For allergies, non-dairy milk is available. However, in terms of desserts, while gluten seems to be avoidable (with only ice cream), sorbet is the only obvious non-dairy or vegan option. Most drink prices range from $3 to $6, and desserts average around $7.25.
Rimsky’s biggest con seems to be the wait time; unless you arrive at 7 p.m. when they open, you will likely need to wait to be seated. But as one anonymous customer described, the busy atmosphere adds to the fun: “Even if you have to wait it makes it feel lively and interesting all of the time.”
The atmosphere and late hours are the primary draw for many; the two adjunct rooms are kept fairly dark with the only overhead lighting coming from dim-tinted light pieces. Each room is filled with fairy lights, eclectic chairs, and table-tops containing collages of posters and menus. So, if this is the vibe you’re hoping for, and you’re willing to wait and want dessert or a café drink, Rimsky’s is a great option. Plus, if you take us up on this suggestion, make sure to take a trip up the stairs to the bathroom for a fun decoration surprise.
1927 S’mores Company
Next, if you find yourself downtown, consider the 1927 S’mores Company. Open from noon to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 11 p.m. the rest of the week, the S’mores Company is located at 1126 SW Alder St. The aesthetic is described as very “campy” — the theme revolves around the history of the s’more and, as this is a camping classic, the decor features wood, flannel, camping essentials like flashlights, and a Girl Scouts theme. Did you know the Girl Scouts invented the s’mores? They first wrote the recipe in a book called “Trailing and Tramping,” published in 1927.
The two people working at the time of our visit, who requested to be referred to as Max and Jackie, explained this well. “The whole point [of the 1927 S’more Company] is based on the invention of the s’more,” Jackie explained, with the twist being everything is “pure Portland.” Almost everything sold is made at one bakery about ten minutes away from the storefront. The only exception being the peanut butter, which is made by a different Portland-based company in order to avoid cross-contamination on allergens.
While s’mores are not the sole option offered, it is the most popular. As Jackie explained, people often choose the original or a special — right now, the cocoa raspberry s’more is one of the most popular. Options beyond the classic s’mores are even lengthy. If you’re not a chocolate person, salted caramel is a popular option, and if you’re looking for a drink, they offer hot cocoa. Plus, they sell s’mores kits if you want to bring the supplies home to eat later.
However, if you do want a s’more but you wish it was a little cleaner, their deconstructed s’mores called parfaits are perfect. As an anonymous customer stated, “The s’more was great but I wish I got a parfait, my hands are very sticky now.” As another anonymous customer added though, “They are amazingly nice and prepared, offering wet wipes to clean your hands.”
To fit the campfire s’mores theme, your s’more or parfait is assembled and roasted in front of you with a brûlée torch, making it a fun treat and experience. They also certainly win the friendliest award with enthusiasm and eagerness to help. If you are taking allergies into consideration, they have vegan and gluten-free options and, without you needing to ask, they change gloves and utensils to avoid cross-contamination. They are also more than willing to check the ingredients and eagerly allow you to create combinations of different menu options to fit your needs.
In terms of downsides, there is no seating, with only a narrow counter at the window to place your order. Prices range from around $6 to $8 and up. As another anonymous customer added, “I’m not sure how often I’ll go, but I really enjoyed it.”
Voodoo Doughnut
A classic Portland original is Voodoo Doughnut. Hot pink decor and sugary aromas waft out the doors into the parking lot. While we all know about the long lines that are customary to the old town Portland location, the Voodoo Doughnut on NE Davis Street has consistently shorter waits. Additionally, it’s open practically 24/7, from 5 a.m. to 3 a.m., all days of the week.
Recommended by the cashier, we purchased a Voodoo Doll donut (chocolate and raspberry) and a Maple Bacon Bar. Both were good, but definitely on the sweeter end. Prices range from $1.50 to $6.50 depending on the type of donut that you select, whether it be specialty or classic. When asked, an anonymous customer commented on how their combination of a classic “raised and glazed” donut and chocolate milk was “satisfying” at the late hour, saying how it “calmed their stomach from the night time grubbles.” Another reason to add this specific location of Voodoo Doughnut to your late-night list would be the parking lot. While there is limited seating inside the storefront, there are plenty of parking options that do not involve wiggling into a spot. There are also several vegan options, however, nothing gluten-free, but you can find a more in-depth allergy list both in-store and online. With the extremely friendly staff and variation of price and types of donuts, this may be a great addition to your late-night nibble list.
Insomnia Cookies
Located just down Division by 33rd Ave., Insomnia Cookies is open as late as 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 1 a.m. the rest of the week. Warm cookies and cold ice cream could be the perfect way to end your night. Cookies range in price from $2.95 to $4.95. Ice cream can hit, at most, $16.75 for a deluxe cookie sandwich, but there are definitely other affordable options. The storefront has little seating, but more than both Voodoo Donuts and the 1927 S’mores Company. Parking can be difficult, as it’s just a neighborhood street, however, due to its location on Division, public transit makes this spot fairly accessible. They have both gluten-free and vegan options, without any up-charge, and detailed nutrition information lists on their website to make allergen treasure hunts easier. The staff was friendly, even at the late hour that we went. As to the quality of the sweet treat, the gluten-free chocolate chip cookie was certainly not the best out there, but it did hold up to gluten options.
Straight From New York Pizza
This fast-slice pizza joint finds a comfortable home on the corner of Hawthorne and 37th. If you are in need of some late-night, greasy protein, then this is the place for you. Open until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, prices range from $4.25 to $4.75 for a single slice. During the last hour of being open, each slice gets discounted to $3.25. With a large variety of quick options, there is something for everyone; some inclusive options include offering vegan cheese and a vast selection of vegetables to top your pizza of choice. There are several options for seating, booths and barstools alike, however, parking can be difficult, especially at peak times. Luckily, the public transit along Hawthorne is stellar. A Straight From New York anonymous superfan described how “their pizza is consistently delicious” and that they venture in the restaurant “whenever [they’re] on Hawthorne,” saying that “it hits so hard every time and that the crust is concisely non-soggy.” Between the high-quality ratings and the late-night discounts, this is definitely a spot to check out.
Original Hot Cake House
This iconic Portland spot has been serving up hotcakes since 1963. Previously open 24/7, but impacted by COVID-19 restrictions in recent years, they have had to adjust their hours. They now take the last order at 10:15 p.m., closing doors at 11 p.m. All day and night, breakfast dishes and sandwiches are served up in this homey, cozy sit-down restaurant. Additionally, they have a parking lot! A wide variety of options for food comes with a large variety of prices, but there is something for everyone. Well, except maybe people with severe allergies. Carter Wells, a senior at Franklin, comments on how the “food is very decent for the price [and] the vibe is cute.” However, they wish they were still open 24/7. This is a sit-down spot, so expect a longer excursion time, but do give them a try.
Rose City Coffee Co.
Rose City Coffee Co. is one other coffee shop open late. While their hours follow more typical coffee shop hours on Fridays through Sundays, opening between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., they are open between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. This makes Rose City Coffee Co. a great option for any time of day.
As Franklin senior Iris Gray explained, “I really love going places that aren’t my home to do homework, and Rose City Coffee Co. has a really nice atmosphere.” She continued, describing that “the ceilings are really high and the staff is really nice.”
Rose City Coffee Co. offers typical coffee shop drinks like lattes, chai, and tea all day. Gray would recommend the matcha. In terms of food, they have all-day breakfast, pastries, and sandwiches, and from 3 p.m. to close, they have mocktails, small bites, pizza, and grilled cheese on the menu. In terms of allergies, they cater toward vegan folk well, but are limited on gluten-free options.
Other cons include a limited parking lot and that most pastries were sold out at the late hour we arrived. We would also recommend getting a warm drink as, from our experience, it was fairly frigid.
Being a coffee shop open at many hours, there is less of a nighttime party vibe than say Rimsky’s, but if you prefer a nice, chill study spot with a good amount of seating to end your night, this is a great option.
Denny’s
Denny’s. It’s quick. Convenient. Dependable. And while it may not be a gourmet s’more, and the coffee may not be served in a fancy, delectable coffee shop, they are open 24 whole hours. So whenever your night ends, Denny’s is an option. With multiple locations around Portland, Denny’s is best when you want a meal and a place to sit. From our experience, there’s often not much of a wait to be seated at night.
The menu highlights breakfast, lunch, and dinner with all the classic diner food: milkshakes, pancakes, burgers, sundaes, bacon, eggs, mashed potatoes, and more. Prices greatly vary, ranging from $3.19 for Biscuits and Gravy or $3.49 for a Stack of Pancakes, to $20.99 for a plate of T-Bone Steak and Eggs. For allergies, gluten-free options are marked on their website, but we cannot guarantee against cross-contamination, and vegan options are not listed. So, if you want something easy and at any hour, Denny’s is perfect, but the aesthetic is more akin to fast food, and there’s a high likelihood of seeing some peculiar caricatures dining.
Whether you are looking for a sit-down meal, or just a fast sweet treat and coffee, all eight places on this list are worth checking out. If you are unsatisfied with the options we’re suggesting, perhaps you should look to Salt and Straw and Fifty Licks for ice cream, Shari’s or IHOP for a classic American diner experience, or PDX Sliders and Sizzle Pie for some full late-night meals.
