Born and raised in New Orleans, chef Robert Herkes Jr. brings the taste of the French Quarter to Lake O in the form of doughnuts and made-to-order beignets. Crafted over three days, his La’ssant dough results in a product that’s a cross between a doughnut and croissant. Dip them into a hot cup of chicory coffee, and don’t skip the ones coated in the Madagascar vanilla glaze. Bonus points for a weekday happy hour that gets you beignets and coffee for just $2, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Wood-fired pizza is always worth exploring, but when you add a cozy environment and excellent service, it can be a force that brings people together. The menu here is small but mighty, with a handful of Neapolitan-style, 10 inch pizza options, as well as salads, wine, and beer.

Owned by Kyra Bussanich, the only contestant to ever win Food Network’s Cupcake Wars four times, Kyra’s makes all-gluten-free creations in just about every form, from cake to cookie. While some cupcakes are playful, others feature bold flavor pairings like Sesame Caramel Bomb and Cherry Balsamic Black Pepper. Arrive earlier in the a.m. to try one seriously amazing cinnamon roll.

La Provence serves as both a boulangerie and patisserie, and, at dinnertime, it evokes the cozy, European style bistro. It’s hard to beat brunch on the patio during a nice, sunny day. Head here for egg Benedicts, savory french toast, or just to feel the awe that comes with that first bite of cheesy french onion soup. The green tea latte and the fancy hot chocolate are both worth sampling.

At Riccardo’s, the wine list is extensive, the coffee’s strong and nutty, and the no-flour chocolate cake is to die for, making it a luxurious date-night spot. The menu tends to be reliable across the board. The Capesante Al Ferri (fresh sea scallops dressed with lemon and pancetta) is a great place to start, and though any pasta is worth diving into, the lasagne should be mandatory. Staff is very attentive and able to help with recommendations. During summer, request a seat on the patio.

Babica Hen is one of Lake Oswego’s best stops for breakfast. All of the baked goods, sausages, and sauces are made in-house, and they’re served alongside pasture-raised pork and locally sourced eggs, giving you the distinct impression you’re having breakfast at grandma’s house. The comfort food-centric menu features items like waffles, eggs, smoked salmon, and burritos, but the real star of the show (have mercy!) is the pork schnitzel and biscuit served with chorizo gravy.

Known as “the little red house on Boones Ferry Rd,” Casa del Pollo is an intimate, family-owned restaurant that specializes in cooking Costa Rican comfort food. Expect to find bold and bright flavors in everything from ceviche to smoked chicken and pork tacos, with large portion sizes at decent prices. A Smoked Chicken Casado gets you a plate filled with all the fixins’ including chicken, tortillas, rice, beans, pickled onions, and carrots. Add on a hefty portion of homemade guacamole and green sauce and you’re in for one hell of a meal.

You can get some of the best hummus and baba ganoush in Greater Portland, along with tender rotisserie meats and other Mediterranean staples, at this tiny family-run lunch spot. Everything is mouth-wateringly good, especially the tabbouleh salad, shawarma, warm, fluffy pita, and peppery lentil soup.