Food at OMSI
From locally-sourced ingredients in our eatery to food-focused events, labs, and events, satisfy your appetite for lunch and learning while exploring the science behind food.
- Food Options at OMSI -
Theory
From wood-fired pizzas to locally-sourced salads, this eatery for the curious is open to museum guests and the public alike.
Theory Hours:
Empirical Café
Grab a sandwich, coffee, or pick up popcorn and your favorite movie theater candy to take into The Empirical Theater.
Empirical Café Hours:
*Menu rotates frequently to feature farm-fresh ingredients from local farms located within a 50 mile radius of Portland.
Wood-Fired Pizzas
Our rotating selection of pies and slices use the freshest ingredients and are hand-crafted for meat lovers and veggie lovers alike.
Street Eats
Vegetarian Bi bim bap
Sweet tamari tofu, Choi’s kimchi, sweet tamari potatoes, sesame squash, radish, chicken egg, steamed rice and gochujang aioli
Braised brisket tacos
Braised beef brisket, black beans, lime slaw, house crema and cilantro, cotija cheese on corn tortillas
Sandwiches
Caprese Melt
Basil pesto, marinated tomatoes and fresh mozzarella on locally made olive focaccia.
Oregon Albacore Tuna Melt
Oregon albacore tuna salad, aged white cheddar and house-made bread and butter pickles on sour rye.
Rip City Steak Melt
House made roast beef, swiss cheese, pickled red onions, horseradish aioli on local artisan herbed ciabatta.
Salads
The Theory Caesar Salad
Romaine, kale brioche croutons, oven cured tomatoes, pecorino cheese, creamy caesar dressing.
Beet Salad
Prairie Creek Farm beets, mizuna garden greens, local goat cheese, candied walnuts, balsalmic reduction, truffle powder with a lemon vinaigrette.
Kids Menu
Grilled Cheese
Bean and Cheese Burrito
Macaroni and Cheese
PB&J
Soups
Chicken Coconut Curry
Fire Roasted Tomato
Our food is cooked from scratch, including sauces, stocks, and soups. A pioneer in environmentally sound sourcing policies, we’ve developed programs addressing local purchasing, overuse of antibiotics, sustainable seafood, the food–climate change connection, humanely raised meat and eggs, and farmworkers’ rights.
Our Empirical Café features:
Made-to-order coffee drinks
Grab-and-go salads and sandwiches
Fresh pastries
Beer and Wine (available evenings only)
Popcorn, candy, and a selection of classic movie theater treats
Private Events
Looking for the perfect venue for your event? OMSI is versatile, iconic, and all yours.