Portland Local Information August 6, 2025

Portland Burger Week 2025: Why This City’s Food Scene Keeps People Moving Here

🍔 Portland Burger Week 2025: Why This City’s Food Scene Keeps People Moving Here

When people talk about why they love Portland—or why they’re packing up to move here—one reason always rises to the top: the food.

And there’s no better example of Portland’s culinary creativity, community spirit, and downright deliciousness than Portland Mercury’s Burger Week 2025.

Running August 11–17, this beloved annual event features over 100 restaurants offering $10 specialty burgers, each crafted uniquely for the occasion. It’s the biggest Burger Week yet—and a showcase of why Portland’s food scene is one of the best in the nation.


🍽 Why People Move to Portland for the Food

Portland isn’t just a city that loves food—it’s a city that lives it. From food carts and farm-to-table bistros to international fusion and creative burger joints, Portland offers a lifestyle where great food is part of everyday life.

Here’s what makes the scene so irresistible:

  • Diversity of options: You can find everything from vegan BBQ to Korean-Mexican mashups—and of course, craft burgers with personality.
  • Affordability meets artistry: Events like Burger Week show that you don’t need to spend big to eat well.
  • Community-centered food culture: Locally owned restaurants and passionate chefs create experiences that are both personal and approachable.
  • A food lover’s lifestyle: Portland’s neighborhoods are built around walkability, creativity, and access to incredible food. For many, that’s the dream.

It’s no surprise that food lovers from across the country are relocating here to experience it all—whether they’re opening a restaurant, joining the service industry, or just looking for a place where they can eat well every day.


🍔 What Is Burger Week?

Hosted by the Portland Mercury, Burger Week celebrates the city’s culinary talent by challenging chefs to create one-of-a-kind burgers—all available for just $10. Whether it’s a classic smashburger, something vegan, or a totally off-the-wall creation, the week is a fun, flavorful way to tour Portland’s neighborhoods, one bite at a time.

Quick Details:

  • When: August 11–17, 2025
  • Where: 100+ restaurants across Portland
  • Cost: $10 per burger
  • Bonus: Use the free Burger Week Passport app to track your stops, enter giveaways, and plan your burger route.

🌟 Why Portland Burger Week Stands Out

🔥 Local Legends + Rising Stars

Participants include long-time favorites like Stoopid Burger, Farmer and the Beast, MidCity SmashedBurger, and Little Big Burger, plus new chefs looking to make their mark. It’s a perfect blend of tradition and innovation.

🌱 Inclusive & Inventive

Vegetarian? Gluten-free? Just want something wild? Burger Week has options for everyone. That’s Portland in a nutshell—creativity meets inclusivity.

📲 Easy and Fun to Join

The free mobile pass makes it easy to explore, check in at restaurants, and even enter to win a $500 Visa gift card. It turns the week into a city-wide game for food lovers.


🏙 Portland: A Food City Worth Moving For

People fall in love with Portland during events like Burger Week—but the food doesn’t stop there. The city’s culinary scene is a constant draw for those looking to relocate. Here’s why:

  • Food is a lifestyle here, not a luxury.
  • Neighborhoods are known for their flavors, not just their homes.
  • Local ingredients, passionate chefs, and creative menus are the norm—not the exception.
  • The community supports small businesses, helping new restaurants and food carts thrive.

Whether you’re a foodie looking for a fresh start or someone who just wants to live where everyday meals can feel like an event, Portland delivers.


🗺 Tips for Navigating Burger Week

  • Arrive early—some locations may sell out daily.
  • Be adventurous—try burgers outside your usual go-tos.
  • Bring friends and split your choices to try more.
  • Tip well—staff work hard during this busy week.
  • Explore new neighborhoods while you’re at it.

🍔 Final Bite: Burger Week Is Portland at Its Best

Burger Week is more than a food event—it’s a celebration of what makes Portland special. Bold ideas. Local pride. Affordable indulgence. And a community that genuinely loves its food.

So whether you’re a longtime local or thinking about calling Portland home, this is your invitation to dig in.

Because in Portland, great food isn’t just something you go out for—it’s part of the reason people choose to live here.