Alberta Arts Neighborhood Guide
Northeast Alberta Street, between 12th and 31st avenues, is a multicultural hot spot. One of Portland’s oldest neighborhoods, the Alberta Arts District is going through a period of renewed revitalization complete with an upcoming hotel opening alongside new independent shops and original pieces crafted by local makers, independent galleries and diverse art collectives with expressive collections next door to electric restaurants and popular watering holes.
The Last Thursday Art Walk happens each year from June through August. Emanating a street-fair atmosphere, Alberta closes to traffic as the doors to the galleries, studios, and stores open their doors. Unique vendors set up shop for visitors to peruse local wares and one-of-a-kind art. The event celebrates different cultures with collaborative events, musical performances, pop-up events and more.
New Hotel:
Nestled in the eclectic Alberta Arts District, the urban oasis of CASCADA Thermal Springs + Hotel opened January 2025. The 129,000 square foot, LEED Platinum project – working toward being the most energy efficient spa in the U.S. – combines biophilic design, 100 sustainability-minded luxury accommodations, on-site dining and Portland’s first underground Hot Springs and Spa. The space will house a hydrothermal circuit, salt and infrared Halotherapy. The boutique property will be the first of its kind in Portland. The 30,000 sq. ft. wellness club, spanning three levels, will feature a Moroccan style pool built for social gatherings; subterranean springs and a cold plunge softly lit to fill the room with a calming glow. A total of 11 treatment rooms wrap around the it.
Points of Interest (Shops, Galleries, Restaurants/Bars, Food Carts):
Kau Kau PDX has been bringing the Aloha spirit to Portland from their residency in Southeast Portland to opening a brick-and-mortar in the Alberta Arts District in 2025.
Originally from ‘Oahu, married Chefs Tracee & Brandon created Kau Kau with a core focus centered around a diverse range of dishes, notably the cherished “Plate lunch” concept renowned in Hawaii– all executed with a meticulous emphasis on quality; a focus honed through decades of training in the culinary industry.
Opened August 2024, Mémoire Cà Phê comes from three talented Vietnamese American chefs in Portland--Lisa Nguyen of HeyDay, Richard Le of Matta and Kim Dam of Portland Cà Phê. A new restaurant born out of grief when the three of them learned they had all lost parents in the same month, they supported each other through grief and partnered to open Mémoire Cà Phê to pay homage to their family. Here, the trio serve family recipes like Vietnamese egg coffee, black sesame cinnamon rolls and pork belly breakfast burritos.
Recently named to Bon Appetit’s ‘Best New Restaurants of 2024’ list, the menu at Indonesian hot spot Pasar is inspired by chef-owner Feny’s time frequenting the bustling street markets of Jakarta as a child. Bon Appetit writes, “Her menu is filled with renditions of the snacks that fueled these early-morning and late-night adventures. Small dishes, many of them just $3 or $4, come in quick succession until the table fills up like a game of Tetris.” Pasar also earned “Best Dessert Program” from Bon Appetit, in honor of chef Feny’s crave-worthy Indonesian desserts intended to be snacked on throughout a feast of savory dishes.
The Alberta Arts neighborhood is now home to Big Salt Bar, a new seasonal wine bar located directly above Bar Nina, formerly known as Les Caves. Opened September 2024, Big Salt Bar is the new home of Big Salt wine, a new wine label serving white, orange and pink bottlings. Here, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy Big Salt Reserve, a limited-edition, acacia-aged wine available only in magnum, with just 300 magnums produced. In keeping with the bar’s mission to offer fresh, vibrant wines, Big Salt Bar will feature a rotating barrel wine served on tap. The inaugural offering is Ezy TGR, a chilled red wine pulled directly from barrel in late August.
Renovated movie house from the 1920’s, the Alberta Rose Theater is where you can catch everything from a themed burlesque show to scientific panel discussions and indie music acts. Nearby, you’ll also find additional independent venues hosting musical acts several times a week like the Knock Back and Alberta Street Pub.
Travel down a whimsical dirt path surrounded by lush greenery and you will arrive at Melville Books, a charming addition to Alberta Street's bookstores. Other places to get lost in the pages are rare bookstore Monograph Bookwerks, Green Bean Books (which hosts an incredible variety of children's books), and new to the neighborhood Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry. Vivienne is a pandemic pivot from brunch spot to Portland’s only cookbook store. Here, find sought-after new releases among second-hand finds, natural wine and afternoon pastries served at its ‘secret bar.’ Pop in to pursue the shelves of culinary inspiration, or sign up for one of their many events or workshops (sometimes joined by the authors themselves).
Function PDX is a longtime pop-up venue for craft beer. This Black-owned brewery is the vision of owner George Johnson, who serves true-to-style representation of classic Detroit style pizza (where Johnson hails from) and beers brewed on-site at their pub in Southeast Portland. The space will be open to visitors of all-ages.
Alberta cARTS, features eats from popular spots like Baon Kainan and more. It joins long-standing spots like Tin Shed Café, Urdaneta, Bye and Bye, Zilla Sake House (with 70 varieties available to sip) and the Bollywood Theater; plus newcomers whole butchery shop, Pasture (who also host classes) and the glowing pink cocktail bar, Bar Cala.
Owner Precious Hannah is the queen of curating positive vibes at her newly opened brick-and-mortar Mister OK’s Essentials in the Alberta Arts District. Through her walk-in candle creation experience, guests can cultivate their own scents to create their perfect balance of relaxation, rejuvenation…really whatever vibe they are hoping to channel. No appointments necessary.
Latina women-owned and founded, Make & Mary believes in whole plant wellness and clean beauty. In addition to formulating products with organic, wild-crafted and ethically owned botanicals with intentions to raise vibrations, reduce inflammation and moisturize, Make & Mary uses a full spectrum of hemp extract in their beauty and wellness produces and unique line of aromatherapy creations. Owner Yvonne Perez Emerson opened her first shop on NE Sandy Blvd in August 2020 but recently relocated to Alberta Avenue. You’ll often find thoughtful programming here from sound baths to Cacao ceremonies and more.
Ecovibe is family-owned and operated by Leonard and Andrea Allen, along with the help of their three children. What began as an apparel boutique has evolved into a lifestyle brand with home decor, houseplants, plant pottery, kitchenware, apparel accessories, candles, and gifts. All items are thoughtfully curated and displayed for an experience that will inspire and delight the senses and selected with a sustainable lens in mind, with 1% of all online sales go to the local 1% For The Planet non-profit organization to support environmental causes that impact their community.
Follow the glowing pink sign and matching building, and you'll arrive at cocktail bar Bar Cala. A Latin inspired bar and kitchen in the Alberta Arts District, Bar Cala opened late-June 2022 by Portland residents Victor Daniel Cerda Zamorano and Fernando Damas. Here, Zamarano honors his Chilean heritage with dishes like steak with chimichurri and grilled octopus with burnt habanero marinade. Of course, a trip to Bar Cala isn’t complete without trying one of their Latin cocktails – pisco sour, anyone? And don't forget to pop in to local favorite spots like The Bye and Bye, Radio Room, The Hilt and Binks.
