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$$$ | | Coffee
Home to the sunny neighborhood-oriented Market Cafe, which serves brunch daily, Coquine blossoms into a romantic, sophisticated French–Pacific Northwest bistro in the evening. Early in the day, feast on sourdough pancakes with huckleberry compote, or black cod–based fisherman's stew with garlic toast, while in the evening, you might encounter pappardelle noodles with pork ragu or roasted whole chicken with hand-cut fries. The unfussy storefront space is just steps from Mt. Tabor Park, making it a lovely spot for a meal before or after a leafy stroll.
6839 S.E. Belmont St., Oregon, 97215, USA
Known For
- Four- and seven-course tasting menus (with optional wine pairings)
- A dim sum–style candy tray offered during the dessert course
- Cheerful setting near Mt. Tabor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Tues.
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$$$ | |
This Central East Side establishment decorated to resemble a dacha (a Russian country/vacation house) turns out wonderfully creative and often quite light Russian fare, including plenty of shareable small plates, like crispy beef tongue with sweet onion sauce, orange, and pomegranate; panfried sour-cherry vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings), and—of course—caviar with blini and all the usual accompaniments. Another crowd-pleaser on the menu is the classic chicken Kiev, prepared the old-fashioned way, oozing with butter. The owners also run Lavka, a market and deli above the restaurant.
960 S.E. 11th Ave., Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Extensive craft vodka list
- The cold "zakuski" assorted appetizer experience ($30 per person)
- Hearty Ukrainian dumplings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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$$$ | Southeast |
Top Chef celebrity Gregory Gourdet looked to his heritage (he was raised in New York City by parents who had immigrated from Haiti) in developing this beautifully designed restaurant that, thanks to a tidal wave of critical acclaim, is now one of the most sought-after reservations on the West Coast. Everything that comes out of Kann's kitchen bursts with flavor and color—think lightly seared butterfish with lemongrass, mint, and green-apple shaved ice, and cane syrup–glazed breast and leg of duck with pineapple and tamarind. Reservations are a must, and it's advisable to book at least a couple of months in advance.
548 S.E. Ash St., Portland, Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Outstanding, friendly service
- Intimate Sousòl cocktail bar in the basement
- The spicy chocolate–peanut butter–habanero tart
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$$$ | |
The flagship restaurant of one of the country's leading sources of artisanal charcuterie, such as smoked chorizo, pepper-coated capicola, and pork-pistachio pâté, Olympia Provisions serves gorgeous platters of meats and cheeses along with more eclectic seasonal Mediterranean-influenced fare like eggplant à la plancha with pine nuts and lemon vinaigrette, and pan-roasted black cod with stewed chickpeas. The setting is a smartly designed warehouse space and features a glowing "Meat" sign which quite simply says it all. There's also a pub and a Spanish-inspired tavern, Bar Casa Vale, which are both also in Southeast.
107 S.E. Washington St., Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Lively happy hours
- Deeply flavorful charcuterie
- Interesting cocktail selection
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$$$ | Nob Hill |
The weekly regulars may have aged along with this 1990s-era Italian joint, but the cooks aren’t resting on their laurels. Pass by before happy hour, and you may see lasagna dough hanging in the dining room—such touches elevate the scratch-made comfort fare that continues to draw crowds. If the wait for a table is long, pass the time at Bar Mingo next door.
807 N.W. 21st Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97209, USA
Known For
- Connections to regional farms
- A classic menu that changes weekly
- Handmade pasta
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., no lunch, Credit cards accepted
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Northeast |
Chef Kevin Gibson reguarly changes up the menu at this elegant but unpretentious neighborhood bistro in order to shine a spotlight on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Highlights often include grilled Oregon octopus with frisée, olive, and tomato; a lightly breaded and crispy fritto misto of fennel, sweet onion, squash, and artichoke with a saffron aioli; and grilled duck breast with haricots verts, potatoes, and cherry sauce. Beer lovers take note: the limited selection features some less common treats, like Petrus aged sour-cherry red ale. Rarely does anything on the menu cost more than $18, but with a small-plates format, you'll typically want to order at least two to three items per person; it's still a solid value, given the quality of ingredients, knowing service, and refined dining room—a dapper, modern space with gray leather booths and banquettes and polished-wood tables.
2215 E. Burnside St., Portland, Oregon, 97214, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | |
This extravagant rooftop restaurant and lounge on the top floor of The Nines hotel seems fresh out of LA—a look and feel that is, indeed, a departure from Portland's usual no-fuss vibe. The retro-chic interior has an extravagant, space-age, airport-lounge feel, and the outdoor patio—furnished with low, white couches and bright-orange tables and chairs—offers panoramic views of the Downtown skyline. It's not just about the view here at this see-and-be-seen late-night lounge, with the kitchen turning out fantastic pan-Asian small plates.
525 S.W. Morrison St., Oregon, 97204, USA
Known For
- Chef's tasting service with wine pairings
- Plenty of vegan options
- Friendly staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | Woodlawn/Concordia |
With red-checked curtains and candlelit tables draped in white linens, cozy DOC is an authentic nod to casual Italian neighborhood trattorias, but the gorgeously presented cuisine here borrows heavily from the Pacific Northwest. Although you're free to order everything à la carte, most guests opt for the tasting menu, which comprises six courses for $75 (it's an additional $60 for wine pairings) and might feature halibut with a romesco sauce, Pacific oysters on the half shell with a hibiscus vinaigrette, and olive oil cake with strawberry, pine nuts, and tarragon.
5519 N.E. 30th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97211, USA
Known For
- Family-style suppers offered on Sundays
- Extraordinary selection of natural and difficult-to-procure wines
- Local seafood prepared with Italian-inspired recipes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | West End |
Diners have been enjoying fresh Pacific Northwest seafood in Jake's warren of wood-paneled dining rooms for more than a century. The back bar came around Cape Horn during the 1880s, and the chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings date from 1881. The restaurant, now operated by the McCormick & Schmick's chain, gained a national reputation in 1920, when crawfish was added to the menu. White-coated waiters take your order from an almost endless sheet of daily seafood specials—which can include cedar-plank-roasted salmon, pecan-crusted catfish, Dungeness crab, and Bay shrimp cakes. If you're dining during crawfish season (May–September), sample the tasty crustacean in pie, cooked creole style, or in a Cajun-style stew over rice. The daily happy hour in the bar is one of the best deals in town, with handcrafted drinks, $4 cheeseburgers, $5 fish tacos, and other toothsome bargains.
401 S.W. 12th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97205, USA
Known For
- Almost endless sheet of daily seafood specials
- Dungeness crab and Bay shrimp cakes
- Oregon Triple Berry Martini
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | North |
A veteran of TV's Top Chef Masters, co-owner Jenn Louis serves exemplary modern Pacific Northwest fare in this contemporary, conversation-filled spot along the increasingly trendy North Williams restaurant strip. The stew of clams, ocean steelhead, and Burgundy snails with shiso and Calabrian chilies is a winner, and there are always three or four fresh-made pastas on the menu, such as bucatini with an octopus Bolognese sauce and mint, plus locally sourced grills and inventive salads. Louis and her husband, David Welch, also run the more casual Sunshine Tavern on Division Street in Southeast.
3808 N. Williams Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97227, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | Central East Side |
Perched atop a four-story building on the Central East Side, this polished wine bistro offers expansive views of the river and Downtown skyline from its outdoor patio and large south- and west-facing windows, an extensive wine list, and creative food prepared by celebrated chef-owner Leather Storrs. Many of the produce and herbs used in creative salads and grills are raised in the restaurant's rooftop garden.
1111 E. Burnside St., Portland, Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Impressive patio view of Downtown and the West Hills
- Extensive list of both regional and international wines
- Regularly changing menu of seasonal Northwest cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | Nob Hill |
There's one reason people frequent this buzzy 23rd Avenue bistro: its luscious desserts, like the banana coconut cream pie, the berry cobblers, and the boccone dolce (Swiss meringues layered with whipped cream and seasonal fruit and drizzled with semi-sweet chocolate).
701 N.W. 23rd Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97210, USA
Known For
- Big slices of cake
- Affogato with house-made ice cream
- Flights of dessert wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$$ | |
With its clean lines and whitewashed walls, Tusk provides a setting to show off its colorful, beautifully presented modern Middle Eastern fare like flatbread with salmon roe, squash, mustard oil, and yogurt, or grilled sweet potato with hazelnut tahini and dukka. Many of the dishes here are meatless, but you'll also find some pork, lamb, beef, and seafood grills, including a delicious pork schnitzel with carrot-mustard and ancho cress.
2448 E. Burnside St., Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Extensive selection of vegetarian small plates
- Family-style chef's choice feasts ($65–$75 per person)
- Savory grilled flatbreads with homemade toppings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
The son of a cook from Spain's Aragon region, renowned chef-owner José Chesa brings his passion for Spanish cuisine to this small restaurant on a side street just off N.W. 23rd Avenue. The food is served tapas-style, with everything meant to be shared, including the heaping paella platters. Among the smaller bites, standouts include braised oxtail with Mahon cheese, chorizo "lollipops" with goat cheese and quince paste, and octopus carpaccio with sun-dried-tomato confit and Parmesan.
1818 N.W. 23rd Pl., Oregon, 97210, USA
Known For
- Picturesque sidewalk seating
- The dessert of toasted bread with olive oil, chocolate, and salt
- Outstanding wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
Tall concrete pillars, exposed brick and ductwork, soft overhead lighting, and rustic wood tables and floors create a warehouse vibe at one of Portland's most defining restaurants, located inside the Hotel Lucia. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serving up exemplary contemporary Pacific Northwest fare, menu highlights include Dungeness crab omelet, duck meatballs, grilled king salmon with corn puree and chanterelles, and meaty fare from the wood-fired rotisserie grill.
410 S.W. Broadway, Oregon, 97205, USA
Known For
- Flat Top happy-hour burger
- Stellar cocktail program
- Wood-fired rotisserie-grill fare
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
With a full two hours of table time from the start of your reservation, this modern-rustic European-style café encourages you to slow down and savor your meal—and there's so much to savor. A small vegetarian restaurant with cocoa-colored walls and exposed-filament Edison bulbs over each table, Natural Selection serves a four-course, fixed-price menu (available with or without wine pairings) whose brilliance rests in the pure and natural flavors of its ingredients. Assembled in new combinations—tomato-almond soup with fennel, parsnip, and watercress, for example, or chard gnocchi with winter squash, apple, basil, and balsamic vinegar—the ingredients, which change by season, send your taste buds on lovely explorations with each bite.
3033 N.E. Alberta St., Oregon, 97211, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
Named for the founder of the Luddites, the group that resisted the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, this Northwest-inspired kitchen prepares its food the most low-tech way possible: in a wood-burning brick oven, over an open flame. Sourcing most of its ingredients locally (or carefully, if they come from afar), Ned Ludd's menu varies completely depending on the season and weather, and the from-the-earth theme continues through to the decor, which incorporates salvaged wood, dried flowers, and small succulent plants under glass domes. The whole roasted trout, a delicious constant on the menu, has a crisp, charred exterior and a moist, flavorful interior and comes with charred leeks and carrot-and-fennel salad.
3925 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Oregon, 97212, USA
Known For
- Whole roasted trout with charred leeks
- Nice selection of craft ciders
- A $60 per person family-style dinner option that features some of the kitchen's most interesting food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
The aromas of roasted garlic and wood smoke greet patrons of the bustling, street-level dining room of the Hotel Vintage. The unprepossessing decor of dark-wood and terra-cotta and the menu of deceptively simple contemporary Italian cuisine belie the fact that Pazzo serves some of the most beautifully prepared, flavorful food Downtown: consider the grilled wild prawns with Jerusalem artichokes, fennel-lemon salad, and garlic-mint emulsion, and gnocchi with black truffles, roasted beets, and Gorgonzola. All the baked goods are made in the adjacent Pazzoria Bakery & Cafe. Breakfast is served daily.
627 S.W. Washington St., Oregon, 97205, USA
Known For
- House-made pasta
- Fresh baked goods at breakfast
- Steak, venison, and other hearty grills
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
In the same shiny West End condo tower that's home to the downtown branches of Blue Star Donuts and Lardo, this sleek space specializing in gorgeously complex and playful modern Spanish small plates presents a true feast for the senses. Most of the seating is around a polished-wood L-shape counter that faces the open kitchen—a great spot for mingling with fellow diners and watching chef Anthony Cafiero work his molecular magic. Specialties from the small menu include Serrano ham with walnut puree, dandelion greens, and mushroom caramel, and an egg poached sous vide with Brussels sprouts, oyster cream, and smoked oil. The best approach here, especially if it's a special occasion, is ordering the five-course $55 chef's tasting menu. The cocktails here are every bit as interesting as the food, using such cockeyed ingredients as Serrano ham–infused gin and ginger-habanero syrup.
1205 S.W. Washington St., Oregon, 97205, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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$$$ | |
Closed Permanently
Baker extraordinaire Ken Forkish (of Ken's Artisan Bakery and Artisan Pizza fame) operates this tavern inside a converted garage where the menu reflects the owner's devotion to wood-fired ovens with dishes like tomato-braised halibut or roasted chicken with corn and chanterelles. There's also an impressive selection of snacks and larger plates that have never met with an open flame, such as beef tartare and wild mushroom soup with brown butter and truffled grilled cheese. The adjacent bakery serves pastries and rustic breads, and the location in Pine Street Market, called Checkerboard Pizza, serves pizzas and artisan breads.
726 S.E. 6th Ave., Oregon, 97214, USA
Known For
- Heavenly house-baked breads
- Great food deals at happy hour
- Sophisticated cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch