Must-see restaurants in Portland

  • Tasty n Daughters

    Portland

    After a nine-year run, chef John Gorham, of Toro Bravo fame, took brunch favorite Tasty n Sons, formerly on N Williams, to southeast Portland. The reboot …

  • Canard

    Portland

    The hotly anticipated little sibling of chef Gabriel Rucker's rightly famous Le Pigeon, Canard started winning 'best restaurant of the year' designations…

  • Akadi PDX

    Portland

    Akadi chef-owner Fatou Ouattara brings the flavors of her native Ivory Coast and other West African countries to Portland, where you'll find devoted…

  • Imperial

    Portland

    Opened by long-adored Portland chef Vitaly Paley, the Imperial – attached to Hotel Lucia – is huge in scale but fastidious and detail-oriented in approach…

  • Bullard

    Portland

    Inside the Woodlark hotel is this nod to chef Doug Adams' roots and chosen home, where the meat-centric menu is decidedly Texas-meets-Oregon. 'Supper'…

  • Ava Gene's

    Portland

    This renowned trattoria-inspired eatery – owned by Duane Sorenson, who founded Stumptown Coffee – serves rustic Italian cuisine, with exquisite pasta and…

  • Ataula

    Portland

    This critically acclaimed Spanish tapas restaurant offers outstanding cuisine. If these are on the menu, try the nuestras bravas (sliced, fried potatoes…

  • Luc Lac

    Portland

    This bustling Vietnamese kitchen draws downtown lunch crowds and late-night bar-hoppers with superbly executed classics such as pho, vermicelli bowls and…

  • Yonder

    Portland

    Yonder's excellent fried chicken is available 'dusted' (adorned with dry spice), 'dipped' (tossed in a zesty sauce) or 'hot' (just spicy enough to be…

  • Lardo

    Portland

    Definitely in the running for Portland's best sandwich, Lardo's take on Korean pork shoulder is outstanding – and that's on a menu of a dozen truly…

  • Ox

    Portland

    One of Portland's most popular restaurants is this upscale, Argentine-inspired steakhouse. Start with the smoked bone-marrow clam chowder, then go for the…

  • Stammtisch

    Portland

    Dig into serious German food – with a beer list to match – at this dark and cozy neighborhood pub. Don't miss the Maultaschen (a gorgeous pasta pocket…

  • Laurelhurst Market

    Portland

    Hugely popular and vegetarian-unfriendly is this hip and meaty spot, where grass-fed steaks, pork chops and free-range chicken dominate the menu. Just be…

  • Tasty n Alder

    Portland

    Part of local restaurateur John Gorham's empire of Portland eateries, this downtown corner joint serves locally sourced, American interpretations of…

  • Exterior of Pok Pok NW restaurant

    Pok Pok NW

    Portland

    The Northwest outpost of chef Andy Ricker's famous Thai street-food restaurant has a few notable advantages: mainly, there's lots of seating, and parties…

  • Pix Patisserie

    Portland

    Run by French-trained pastry chef Cheryl Wakerhauser, Pix is a decadent haven for anyone with a sweet tooth. The desserts are so beautiful that you might…

  • Kachka

    Portland

    There's a theme of homey nostalgia at this Russian throwback restaurant, now in a new location and open for lunch as well as dinner. Babushka-esque…

  • Sizzle Pie

    Portland

    An almost mandatory after-bar stop, this pizza joint serves slices and whole pies (including lots of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options) with names…

  • OK Omens

    Portland

    OK Omens is a hit, not least for its epic wine list and menu of adventurous shareable dishes. Crowd favorites include a spicy Caesar-style salad with…

  • People's Pig

    Portland

    The smoked fried-chicken sandwich at the People's Pig, with jalapeño jelly and spicy mayo, occupies the top position on many Portlanders' lists of…

  • Pok Pok

    Portland

    Spicy Thai street food with a twist draws crowds of flavor-seekers to this famous eatery. Dishes are meant for sharing, so order lots and have fun. Don't…

  • Langbaan

    Portland

    Tucked away in the back of PaaDee is this wildly popular and intimate space (the name means 'Back of the House') offering a set tasting menu eight times a…

  • Afuri

    Portland

    Specializing in yuzu shio, ramen made with clear chicken broth, this wildly popular outpost of a Tokyo-based restaurant chain also serves sushi rolls,…

  • Higgins

    Portland

    In 1994 chef-owner Greg Higgins opened the doors to one of Portland's groundbreaking restaurants. These days, Higgins feels more classically elegant than…

  • NomadPDX

    Portland

    Wildly experimental flavor combinations are plated gorgeously at this modernist restaurant: think leaves, flowers and foam decorating architectural stacks…

  • Navarre

    Portland

    A paper menu at this industrial-elegant restaurant lists various small plates (don't call them tapas), which rotate daily – though a few popular dishes…

  • Crown

    Portland

    Sister restaurant to chef Vitaly Paley's Imperial, this New York–style pizza joint inside Hotel Lucia is both a perfect lunch spot and a killer cocktail…

  • Beast

    Portland

    At Beast, celebrated local chef Naomi Pomeroy – who went from staging underground supper-club dinners to appearing on Top Chef and winning a James Beard…

  • Le Pigeon

    Portland

    Squeeze into this cozy, low-lit space for some of Portland's best and most-loved cooking. Chef Gabriel Rucker does amazing things with meat and fish (but…

  • Nong's Khao Man Gai

    Portland

    The widely adored food cart where it all started has closed, but Nong's brick-and-mortar locations still dish out her signature menu item: tender poached…

  • Ned Ludd

    Portland

    Quintessentially Portland, this offbeat, upscale joint exudes thick artisan vibes, from its rustic-peasant decor to the prominent brick wood-fired oven…

  • Paley's Place

    Portland

    Established by Vitaly and Kimberly Paley, this is one of Portland's premier restaurants, offering a creative blend of French and Pacific Northwest…

  • Podnah's Pit

    Portland

    Possibly Portland's best barbecue joint, serving amazingly tender and tasty pork ribs that have been smoked for four hours. There's also brisket, chicken…

  • Ken's Artisan Pizza

    Portland

    Glorious wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas with toppings such as prosciutto, fennel sausage and green garlic. Super-cool atmosphere, with huge sliding windows…

  • Providore Fine Foods

    Portland

    Do your grocery shopping wine-in-hand at this gourmet supermarket, housed in a sleek modern building that also contains a bakery, oyster bar, flower shop…

  • Exterior of Muu-Muu's restaurant

    Muu-Muu's

    Portland

    Two challenges face you at Muu-Muu's: first, deciding whether it's more of a bar or a restaurant; and second, deciding what to eat. The menu is all over…

  • Exterior of Chin's Kitchen restaurant

    Chin's Kitchen

    Portland

    Not so long ago, Chin's was known mostly for its iconic neon sign. But under new owners – two sisters from the city of Harbin in northern China – the…

  • Prasad

    Portland

    Prasad's location inside a yoga studio tells you a lot. Healthy, hearty salads, bowls and smoothies come in every shade of green: try the Pride of…

  • Coquine

    Portland

    Off the beaten path and well worth seeking out, this sweet cafe is generally acknowledged to serve Portland's best chocolate chip cookie. The seasonal…

  • Bamboo Sushi

    Portland

    Bamboo says it's the world's first 'certified sustainable' sushi restaurant. Ecofood twist aside, it's hard to find fish that tastes this good – try it in…

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