Mississippi Avenue in North Portland is fast becoming one of the hippest Portland neighborhoods.

Located just on the east side of the Willamette River, this North Portland neighborhood is the home of diverse restaurants, coffee shops and unique stores.

A mere hop-skip across the Willamette River from downtown, North Mississippi Avenue is a neighborhood that has reinvented itself following the 2004 MAX light rail connection and an influx of local entrepreneurs. Perhaps no establishment better embodies the area’s self-made vibe than The Rebuilding Center, a 40,000-square-foot (12,192-square-meter) emporium of recycled home materials that outfitted many of the new businesses along the avenue. A cornerstone of the burgeoning area is the Fresh Pot coffeehouse, a converted pharmacy with Wi-Fi and outdoor seating. Quirky cafés, restaurants, bars and a craft brewery (Amnesia Brewing) are mixed among retail establishments like Pin-Me Apparel and Bridge City Comics, a lively hotspot for graphic novel enthusiasts. Mississippi Avenue cranks up the volume with music, art and food on the second Thursday of each month at the popular Mississippi Social. Mississippi Studios’ intimate space is considered the city’s best venue for acoustic music.

For a taste of Mississippi: There are hearty breakfasts at Gravy restaurant, savory dinners at Equinox, and seasonal entrees at Lovely Hula Hands restaurant. Nightly live music goes well with the pizza and beer at Mississippi Pizza & Pub, while Mississippi Station, the restaurant adjoining Mississippi Studios, features a relaxing patio where outdoor movies are shown in the summer.

If you are a Mississippi Avenue business, please see our ADVERTISING section for special coupon opportunities.