126 Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon

It's easy to miss this intimate storefront space whose kitchen produces stellar Spanish, French, Italian, and Croatian food, but don't miss it. The menu changes daily and specials are written in red ink on the front window and always include some sensational seasonal dishes, from a simple summery radish-and-sweet-pea salad to lamb carpaccio with horseradish-celery root. Olive oils, dressings, sauces, and other gourmet goods for sale are displayed on the back wall.  If there's a wait for a table, head next door to the Navarre's sophisticated sister bar, Angel Face, which features raw oysters, charcuterie, and cocktails.

In a small streetfront along an unimpressive stretch of Grand Avenue, this hidden gem serves some of the best Lebanese food in Portland, for prices that can't be beat. Everything from the fresh homemade pita to the hummus, falafel, tabouli, baba ghanoush, and kebabs is delicious, and comes in enormous portions. The meat, vegetable, or vegan mezza platters offer a smattering of the kitchen's best, and the lamb gyro is delish. There's a decent selection of beer and wine, too. Nicholas has a second branch in the Grant Park area in Northeast, between the Lloyd District and Hollywood neighborhoods.

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.

This convivial neighborhood bistro and its adjoining side bar Over and Out have developed a devoted following over the years for friendly service, well-crafted and affordable contemporary American food, and a long, impressive list of local beers and creative cocktails. Start things off with one of the starter platters (smoked fish, Mediterranean, and charcuterie are all options), before graduating to one of the larger plates, such as the lamb burger with local goat cheese, or blackened catfish with remoulade.

With bar-top and wooden table and booth seating, fresh-baked pies on display, and a super-relaxed counter service, Off the Griddle feels like a pretty typical—if extra cute—diner, but this Foster Road standby is entirely vegetarian (and mostly vegan). Indeed, the menu reflects the greasy-spoon sensibility, with jackfruit brisket hash, biscuits and gravy with braised kale, walnut-meatloaf Benedicts, and veggie burgers with tempeh bacon among the standouts.

The original of what's now a franchise with more than 100 branches in North America and Japan, this pancake house is the real deal. Faithful customers have been coming since 1953 to this cabin-like local landmark, which is crowded with both locals and tourists from the time it opens at 7 am until it closes in the mid-afternoon. With pancakes starting around $7, it's not the cheapest place to get a stack, but with 20 varieties and some of the best waffles and crepes around, it's worth the trip.Signature item is Apple Pancakes.

A joint venture between James Beard Award–nominated chef Cathy Whims and renowned cocktail mixologist Ryan Magarian, this aptly named late-night spot specializes in creatively topped wood-fired pizzas and deftly crafted cocktails that rely heavily on local spirits and fresh juices. The salads and appetizers are also terrific, especially the radicchio version of a classic Caesar salad.

Painted in bright purples, pinks, and greens, this festive spot offers traditional Cuban fare: slow-roasted meats, tropical root vegetables, hearty stews, rice, and beans. The meat plates—featuring slow-roasted pork, oxtail, shredded beef, rubbed chicken, or giant prawns—with various rich and saucy accompaniments, are all tasty and best enjoyed with a side of fried plantains.

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).

Loosen your belt a notch or two before venturing inside this down-home Southern restaurant that's especially beloved for its over-the-top breakfast biscuit fare. Pat yourself on the back, or belly, if you can polish off the Reggie Deluxe (a fluffy homemade biscuit topped with fried chicken, bacon, cheese, an egg, and sage gravy), a masterful mélange of calorie-laden ingredients, or the gut-busting smoked-brisket-club biscuit sandwich, shrimp and grits, and andouille corn dog featuring locally made Otto's sausage. You'll find several additional locations around town.

The red-checked tablecloths, Tiffany-style lamps, and simple decor of this pizza joint might not inspire high expectations, but just wait until you taste the blistered-crust East Coast–style pies and slices. You can build your own pizza selecting from a long list of ingredients, or choose one of the signature favorites, like the Clam Jam with clams, white wine, cream, garlic, pecorino, and chili flakes. There's a second location in Southeast.

Firing up the smoker at 5 every morning, the pit crew at Podnah's spends the day slow cooking some of the best Texas- and Carolina-style barbecue in the Northwest, including melt-in-your-mouth, oak-smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken, whole trout, and lamb, all served up in a sassy vinegar-based sauce. Some sides rotate on and off the menu, but the collard greens, barbecue baked beans, and the iceberg wedge, topped with blue cheese and a punchy Thousand Island dressing, are excellent mainstays.

This often jam-packed Hawthorne taqueria with a second location on North Mississippi makes a strong effort to support sustainable practices, both with its decor—in which recycled wood and other materials are favored—and its commitment to line-caught fish and organic local meats. Of course, it's the flavorful fare that keeps regulars coming back, especially the soft tacos with fillings based on the owners' travels throughout Mexico, such as carne asada with fiery arbol-chili salsa, the braised-brisket barbacoa with cilantro and crema, and cornmeal-crusted cod with escabeche crema.