My bestest friend from Oregon texted me today to ask for vegan restaurant recommendation for some new friends of theirs who will be visiting Portland later this summer.

I put some thought into it, and then decided to turn my suggestions into an article to help other hungry herbivores in the Rose City. There are so many (SO MANY) vegan options in Portland, and incredible number that have emerged just in the two years that I've been away traveling, so this is not an encompassing, be-all-end-all list.

If I Could Only Eat at One Restaurant in Portland

Hands down, it would be Kayo's Ramen. It's not all vegan, but please just trust me and go there. They have something for everyone in your group and you will not be disappointed. Tan Tan Ramen is the way to go.

Frozen yogurt shop Eb & Bean also slips into this category. Their vegan flavors are just consistently amazing and they have the best toppings, especially the magic shells.

Keepin' it Weird Classics

There's just something about walking into a Sizzle Pie to make you feel like you are in Portland, even though they have locations as far away as Reno, NV. Get vegan pizza by the slice (they offer 1/2 cuts, too) and a rabbit salad (add black olives) with vegan ranch.

Voodoo Donut shops have also manifest destinied their way beyond Portland. People argue that Blue Star and Doe Donuts are better, and they might be right, but nothing beats the OG quirk factor of Voodoo.

Vertical Diner is an all-vegan diner in a sweet retro 70's setting with breakfast all day and tasty desserts. It's maybe not the best food in town, but that's beside the point in a place this cool.

Special mention to Casa Diablo, who claim the title of the world's first vegan strip club. I have not personally sampled any of their wares, but I guess it's nice to know there's the option?

Unique Flavors

The Sudra is an all-vegan Indian restaurant, which might not seem to exciting because Indian cuisine is one where pretty much any Indian restaurant will have some vegan options. The Sudra has special vegan Indian dishes unlike anywhere else.

Top Burmese will wow you with unexpected flavors, textures, and robot servers. The Shoo Share Tea Leaf Salad will change your life, but all of the vegan options are delicious, even the humble Burmese tea.

Oh My "Must Try" List

Some of the newer places in Portland that I haven't even had a chance to try yet, but are on my list, include: Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli, Mama Dut (Vietnamese), and Mirisata (Sri Lankan).

I had to leave like 15 of my other favorite places off of this list, but really, eating vegan in Portland is so easy. The hardest part, as I've just demonstrated, is narrowing down the options. Try a few things off this list, or just pull up Happy Cow and see what's nearby.

If you've really brave, just do what I did once while out drinking with the friend who inspired this piece: walk into just about anywhere and nicely ask them if they can make something vegan for you.

In my case, it was at a restaurant hideously named "Lardo," but they didn't bat an eye and said, "Sure, the chef's girlfriend is vegan; I'll have him make you what he makes her."

I hope you enjoy eating vegan in Portland! Let me know what you think of these places and any others that you happen to try.