For the Best-Tasting Dairy-Free Cheese, Head to Portland

With its views of snow-capped Mount Hood, an abundance of beautiful parks and gardens, and its interesting history, Portland, Oregon is a popular destination for many tourists. In fact, in 2023, more than 12 million people headed to the Portland region for an overnight stay. But as well as culture and scenery, the Pacific Northwestern city has something else to offer all of these guests: really, really great vegan food, including dairy-free cheese. The city is home to not one, but two plant-based cheese shops, as well as a whole host of vegan-friendly restaurants serving up mouthwateringly cheesy delights.

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Is Portland vegan-friendly?

Portland is a haven for plant-based foodies. According to Happy Cow, it has 365 restaurants offering vegan-friendly cuisine—you can find some of our favorites in our vegan guide to Portland here.

In 2023, Portland was even named as the most vegan-friendly city in the US by WalletHub. The personal finance platform compared 100 large cities in the US, examining each on factors like the cost of vegetarian groceries and the share of restaurants with plant-based options. Portland came out on top—it was closely followed by Los Angeles in second place and Orlando, Florida in third place.

The best vegan cheese shops in Portland

While the city is home to many different types of eateries, including vegan curry houses and plant-based Japanese restaurants, below we’ve focused specifically on where to find the best vegan cheese. While one study published last year suggested that more than 70 percent of consumers want better vegan cheese alternatives, if you’re in Portland, you’ve got some delicious dairy-free options at your fingertips.

Cultured Kindness

1 Cultured Kindness

This popular Portland-based brand specializes in vegan cashew-based cheeses. It was first founded in 2017, and it has gone on to develop a whole range of delicious plant-based cheeses—including vegan brie, cream cheese, pepper jack (dubbed Pepper Jill!), and gouda—all of which are made with organic, fair-trade ingredients. Head to its shop on Stark Street to sample its cheeses alongside plant-based meats, or head to its online store to get them delivered straight to your door.
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Vtopian Artisan Cheeses

2 Vtopian Artisan Cheeses

Portland’s second vegan cheese shop, the women-led Vtopian Artisan Cheeses, also makes tasty dairy-free cheeses using organic, fair-trade cashew nuts. Alongside its own tasty plant-based versions of cheeses like aged white cheddar, peppercorn brie, and camembert, you can also often shop products from popular brands like Rebel Cheese and Rind in-store, too.
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Where to find delicious dairy-free cheese in Portland, from vegan pizza to mac and cheese

In the mood for a big cheesy meal? Portland’s got you. Find just a few of our top picks in the city below.

Virtuous Pie

1 Virtuous Pie

Whether you’re in the mood for a creamy cashew cheddar mac and cheese skillet, a parmesan-laden chicken alfredo, or a pizza slathered in mozzarella, Virtuous Pie has you covered. Why not order a side of blue cheese dip, too? All delicious and all 100 percent dairy-free.
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Chubby Bunny

2 Chubby Bunny

Breakfast sandwiches should not be limited to the mornings. That’s the firm belief of Chubby Bunny, which sells cheesy, eggy English muffin delights all day long. Choose from options like the Boss Bunny, which comes loaded with vegan cheese, egg, ham, sausage, bacon, potato mitten, arugula, and sriracha mayo, or the slightly more refined Benny, which is a tasty combination of egg, cheese, avocado, arugula, and hollandaise.
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Secret Pizza Society

3 Secret Pizza Society

At Secret Pizza Society, you can, of course, choose from a wide range of cheesy vegan pizzas. But one of the restaurant’s signature dishes is a type of juicy sandwich called a Popkin. You can choose from options like the Spaceball Sub with vegan meatballs and the Bombeck with pepperoni. All come loaded with cheeses like vegan mozzarella, almond ricotta, and almond parmesan.
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Fortune

4 Fortune

You’ll find this sophisticated bar and lounge inside the historic Sentinel Hotel in the heart of downtown Portland. The menu, which is 100 percent vegan, features dishes like parmesan & rosemary garlic fries, mozzarella sticks, and three different types of macaroni in a pot. Yep, three: Pesto, Chipotle Bacon, and Old Fashioned.
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DC Vegetarian

5 DC Vegetarian

Despite the name, this popular Portland restaurant is actually entirely vegan. It’s the place to go if you’re in the mood for something really hearty, comforting, and (of course) cheesy. Options include a vegan steak and cheese sub, a classic grilled cheese, and a bacon cheeseburger.
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