If you found yourself wandering Hillsboro’s streets, you might wonder if you’d stumbled into a tech campus that sprouted breweries and tasting menus overnight. This city hums with innovation by day, but as evening falls, its culinary creativity truly shines. Whether you’re a local seeking new favorites or visiting for business, here are the standout spots where craft cocktails meet exceptional food.
Original Joe’s Hillsboro
$ | (503) 681-4750 | WEBSITE
This lively Hillsboro spot with its straightforward, welcoming vibe—all friendly chatter and good cheer, with the notable exception of a serious commitment to fresh Mediterranean flavors—is a fun place to sit and enjoy a meal. You shouldn’t leave without trying the delicious gyro: The meat is savory and well-seasoned, with fresh hummus and tzatziki that are bright and creamy.
If you can snag a seat where the attentive staff is buzzing about, you’ll be treated to that gem-of-a-place feeling, where the prices are great and the atmosphere makes you want to stay.
BDSM Brewing Company
$ | (503) 453-0181 | WEBSITE
This brewery in a refurbished garage is one of our favorite options for casual, quality beer in the area. The actual bar area has only a slightly bigger footprint than the brewing system—which produces clean-tasting beers in a satisfying variety of styles, from English-style porters to hard seltzers. Get the blue brew—smooth with a hint of roasted malt—on draft, or a 16-ounce can of the porter, which has an amazing depth of flavor from the small-batch process.
Kiyomizu Sake Bar
$$ | (503) 336-0145 | WEBSITE
The sake flight is the thing to try at this charming Japanese bar. Our favorite part is the informative cards detailing each sake’s origin and flavor profile—in general, the selection at Kiyomizu Sake Bar runs more diverse than expected, almost like a curated journey through Japan’s brewing regions. Get the stewed pork belly, which elevates the savory experience with a welcome hit of umami richness.
The service is attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere couldn’t be more serene, nestled quietly within the cozy Cedartree hotel.
Wildwood Taphouse
$ | (503) 521-7924 | WEBSITE
This cozy, reliably bustling taproom has become a neighborhood staple over the years. The beer selection is impressive, but the welcoming vibe is what makes Wildwood Taphouse truly stand out. With warm wooden accents, dog-friendly policies, and an ever-rotating lineup of craft brews, this place strikes the perfect balance between family-accessible and beer-enthusiast haven.
Grab a pint of their rotating IPA, and try not to get too comfortable on the ample bar seating before your pizza arrives—or before you decide to just bring your own snacks and settle in for the evening.
Pepper’s Mexican Grill
$ | (503) 681-8226 | WEBSITE
If you’re planning to stop by Pepper’s Mexican Grill after catching a show or game in the area, you might want to arrive a little early to snag a table. This place is a favorite among Hillsboro regulars, and it tends to fill up even on quiet weeknights. The bright, welcoming space feels like a neighborhood hangout (there’s a cozy patio that’s perfect for warm evenings), and it works equally well for a quick lunch alone or a lively dinner with friends.
You’ll find excellent margaritas on the menu, and you should definitely try the homemade hot sauce, plus authentic dishes like the carne asada with generous portions or the shrimp enchiladas with cream sauce.
Wilson’s Cafe & Sports Bar
$ | (503) 648-5954 | WEBSITE
At Wilson’s Cafe & Sports Bar, they give you a little serving of fries with your burger to start your meal. We appreciate this because a) fries are good and b) free things are nice. This sports bar spot in Hillsboro is a great spot to sit down and eat cheeseburgers or fish & chips. The bacon on the cheeseburger is also delicious (and full of flavor), and the menu has all kinds of other options. Come with a friend on a game night and see how much beer and bar food you can consume.
Spaghetti Western
$ | (503) 640-0184 | WEBSITE
This Italian-inspired spot on a lively stretch of Hillsboro makes very good, very comforting chicken cacciatore in a satisfyingly rustic style. We’re confident you’ll find something you like here—the menu takes up a full wall-mounted chalkboard, with plenty of drink options. On the other end of the spectrum from those drinks is the signature chicken cacciatore, which comes in a generous portion piled high with tender chicken and simmered vegetables in a rich tomato sauce.
At $18.95 for what’s basically a hearty home-style meal, it’s a pretty great deal, especially with the friendly service from host Norm and the fun karaoke nights.
Maguffy’s Pub
$ | (503) 693-9700 | WEBSITE
Maguffy’s Pub is a neighborhood spot that serves delicious smash burgers in a room with pool tables and retro games. They also do decent hamburgers that are sort of like classic pub fare, and you definitely want one of those in addition to your quesadilla starter. There are no fancy cocktails—so plan to enjoy everything with a few cheap drinks.
Noble Hop
$ | (971) 470-3168 | WEBSITE
This Hillsboro beer spot is a pleasant place to sample any number of brews, with clean indoor seating at comfortable temperatures, a welcoming patio with plenty of tables, and occasional game nights or bingo for entertainment.
Friendly bartenders make tasting samples readily available, and if you need something to go with your tart and refreshing Tigers Blood sour, bring outside food to pair—mostly for the excuse to enjoy the wonderfully varied, tasteful selection from the can and bottle cooler that includes ciders on tap and in cans. Or consult the changing menu listed on the board.
