For our third stop on our Priority Pass tour of PDX, we stopped at Capers Market. PDX has four Priority Pass locations — three of them are in Concourse C, and one is in Concourse D. The good news is that the two concourses are connected airside, and walking between them takes just a few minutes. So you shouldn’t at all be deterred from visiting any location you want based on where your flight departs from, as this isn’t a huge airport.
Connector between Concourses C & D at PDX
Capers has two locations — there’s Capers Cafe Le Bar in Concourse C, and Capers Market in Concourse D. I figured they were similar, but that’s not the case at all. This place is potentially a gem. It’s located just past the Concourse D security checkpoint, and is open daily from 4AM until 10:30PM.
Capers Market exterior PDX
Capers Market doesn’t have a traditional sit-down restaurant area. Instead there’s a bar, where you can sit and get service.
Capers Market bar PDX
Or otherwise since it’s a “market,” you can buy something in the market area, and then there are a handful of tables where you can seat yourself and eat whatever you bought.
Capers Market coffee bar PDX
Capers Market seating PDX
If you’re eating in, here’s the food menu, which is much more limited than the one at Capers Cafe Le Bar:
Capers Market has nice views of the tarmac and runway…
Capers Market view PDX
…though not an especially nice view of an “Enviro Tank,” which looks like a big tank of…
Capers Market view PDX
As a Priority Pass member you can spend $28 per person on anything they have for sale. Yes, anything.
So this includes things you’d expect at an airport market, like prepared sandwiches, salads, cereal, packaged snacks, all kinds of drinks, etc.
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market selection Portland Airport
Capers Market selection Portland Airport
There’s also some Blue Bunny ice cream in a freezer.
Capers Market ice cream Portland Airport
But here’s the really cool part. This place isn’t just a prepared food market, but they also sell beer, wine, local gourmet snacks, olive oil, jam, etc., to go. When I say “to go” I don’t mean to consume on the plane, but rather to take home with you. I’ll let the pictures speak mostly for themselves.
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market selection PDX
Capers Market meats Portland Airport
Capers Market beer selection PDX
Capers Market selection Portland Airport
Capers Market wine selection Portland Airport
Capers Market wine selection Portland Airport
Capers Market wine selection Portland Airport
For this visit there were three of us, so we had $84 worth of credit. We bought four bottles of water, an albacore tuna sandwich, a turkey sandwich, a chicken & black bean dish, and a bottle of wine.
What we bought at Capers Market
The food was unremarkable and average for an airport. That’s to say that the bread was hard and the sandwiches were mostly tasteless, as I’ve come to expect from prepared sandwiches at airports.
What we bought at Capers Market
The real gem here is being able to get a bottle of wine (or two) to go. We picked up a bottle of 2014 Willamette Valley Silver Lining wine for $40, which is very close to the normal retail price.
What we bought at Capers Market
Keep in mind you can come here on arrival or departure. Portland locals are especially lucky, as you can basically do some grocery shopping here on landing. 😉
Here’s our bill for what we purchased — we ended up being $1.45 over, as you can see.
Capers Market PDX bill
I wouldn’t go here for a sit down meal, but if you want some stuff to go — whether bottled water or a snack for the plane, or something to take home — this place is awesome.
The number of Priority Pass members has increased greatly the past couple of years, since now there are quite a few credit cards with lounge access. If you want access to Priority Pass lounges, the following premium credit cards come with memberships:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Capers Market PDX bottom line
What an amazing Priority Pass setup at PDX. You can do a cocktail tasting at House Spirits Distillery, have a meal at Capers Cafe Le Bar, and then come over to Capers Market for a bottle of wine or beer to go. Unless you need a meal for the plane, I’d recommend visiting Capers Market to stock up on bottled water for your journey, as well as maybe some beer or wine for when you get to your destination, as they have a great selection.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).
I had my husband and my son with me so I had $84 credit to use. I wasn’t able to get any alcohol because the cashier said it’s not included. Quite honesty, he wasn’t too happy to begin with as soon as he found out I have priority pass. He gave that vibe that he wasn’t a fan of it. But oh well! I was still able to get Portland goodies. It’s not a big deal I wasn’t able to get bottle of wine just didn’t like the treatment I got from the cashier.
Hi, so right now, you can't get any bottle water ? or any salad cannot too? since it's packages?
Might be dead... On PP website regarding Capers Market: "Additional Information
2. The US$28 is valid for the purchase of any meal and/or drinks excluding bottle sales & merchandise."
I got PP Select membership due to my Hilton Honors Surpass card....are these benefits the same? I don't see that card on the chart above.
I went there yesterday with 2 guests and bought a $90 bottle of wine. With the $84 credit, I paid just $6!
When I went a few days ago, I was told that the Priority Pass couldn't be applied to the wine.
Why on earth didnt u get a seafood sampler with oysters and shrimp????? *in awe*
We fly into PDX on Delta a couple of times a year, so I am enjoying these reviews. Good to know there is at least on option on the Delta side. We never get there early enough to head to the other concourse. Thanks!
Sorry Lucky, this deal seems too amazing. So with my priority pass card, I can go to all of those establishments during one layover, or do I have to just pick one per day?
@ Jeremy -- You can visit them all!
I wouldn't personally choose any of the food you picked out. When they've got hot sandwiches or nice plated dishes, why would I order a bowl of chili or a cold, pre-wrapoed sandwich. I'm sure the food carefully selected is a lot better.
Hey @Lucky,
Just FYI, you mentioned in this article that the bottle of wine is priced "close to normal retail price," but the price you paid is in fact just the normal retail price. All vendors and shops in the PDX airport are required to charge no more than they would at any other location in Oregon. It's a great rule that I wish more airports would adopt
https://www2.portofportland.com/PDX/ShopsAndServices
Oh wow. This won't be abused at all.
This Capers is indeed compelling. Thanks for sharing this review, Lucky!
So bottomline, Are any of the options good for food or only beverages.
PDX does indeed have a great Priority Pass setup, especially since the AS lounge is tiny and not really worth the time given the other great options (and since PDX already has free wifi and plenty of quiet spaces throughout). I too wonder how sustainable it will be if people start quadruple-dipping coming and going from PDX. At a minimum, I wouldn't be shocked to see Capers stop including to-go bottles of wine. Enjoy it while it lasts I guess!
Are you able to go to both Capers on the same visit? I've been to Capers > Alaska Lounge > Distillery all in one visit, without any issues.
@ tim -- Yep, you can do all four.
Any word on whether you have to bring your physical PP card, or will the QR code from the mobile app suffice?
@ AdamR -- The mobile version of the Priority Pass card should work fine, as far as I know. All four locations are listed as accepting them.
I actually have 3 of prio pass cards in my wallet (from prestige, plat amex, plat biz amex) -- does that mean I could presumably swipe each for $28 in a given airport visit?
@ Paul -- I think you're only supposed to be able to use one at a time, but I guess you could ask, as I'm not sure there's an official policy.
Great idea, but with the take away feature this is going to die a swift and inglorious death I presume.
@Lucky I can totally see some people living in Portland doing some daily liquor runs with refundable tickets and selling them on ebay/craigslist/etc....
And for those who are saving for their retirements by avoiding paying tips you should note that there are no tips here. Or are there?
If they start easing the restrictions on who can enter airports like they're doing in PIT, I wonder if you could come here weekly to chill and grab a snack..
if i go alone, can i ask to be swiped with 2 other guests for a total of 28*3=$84 of allowance
@ Chris M -- They're only supposed to swipe it for how many people actually go. That being said, there are no restrictions on who you can guest, so if you make friends in the terminal, you can bring them with you.