40 Absolute Best Restaurants In Portland

One of the things we love most about the Portland dining scene is its wide array of culinary offerings. There's a restaurant to satisfy every palate, whether that's craving wood-fired pizza, classic French cuisine, Italian pasta, regional Mexican delights, Japanese sushi, or Thai flavors. Regardless of their specialty, Portland's chefs are known for their innovative spirit, following a farm-to-table approach and incorporating seasonal ingredients into their menus that showcase the local growing season. That leads to blending flavors together to craft dining experiences unique to the city.

While there are so many places to choose from, we tried to narrow down the field the best we could. Unfortunately, some beloved establishments, like Paley's Place and Beast, had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we miss them dearly. However, the restaurant scene continues to evolve, with new restaurants emerging. These establishments captivate locals and visitors alike, offering everything from fancy, prix fixe meals that can never be repeated to cozy neighborhood eateries and establishments serving menu staples out of a humble food truck.

We fell in love with Bollywood Theater's eclectic atmosphere from the moment we walked through the doors. The low-hanging lights, walls papered with movie posters, and mismatched chairs make us feel like we walked into a street market. When it comes to the menu, there's something for everyone here, from boldly spiced vegetarian vada pav (fried potato dumpling served on a roll with chutney) to the rich kati rolls (chicken, egg, pickled onion, and green chutney rolled in paratha). Come for the vibe but stay to experience India's vibrant street food scene.

What started as a food cart in SE Portland has expanded into a sandwich empire with four locations (including one in Las Vegas). Everything we've tried on the menu is fantastic, but we especially love the juicy porchetta sandwich and the dirty fries loaded with pork bits, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and marinated peppers. Lardo is all about giving back to the Portland community, too. Every month, a rotating special Chefwich appears on the menu that's made in collaboration with local chefs. A portion of the proceeds benefits the chef's non-profit of choice.

It would be a mistake to overlook Portland's food truck scene when seeking out a restaurant — otherwise, you'd miss out on MoleMole Mexican Cuisine. Instead of handing over your order in styrofoam to-go boxes, you'll receive it on a gorgeous custom-made ceramic plate. The food on top is just as vibrant (including the orchid flower that's nestled on top of the smothered burritos). The menu is impossibly large; beyond the normal burritos and tacos are soups, enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and enchiladas. How they find room to prepare everything in the tiny cart is beyond us.

You'll get hungry as you approach this food cart and the aroma of the burning oak wafts down the street. It's doing Texas barbecue right, serving low-and-slow meats and a solid set of side dishes on a butcher paper-lined tray. The ribs are juicy, and the pulled pork tender, but our favorites are the fatty brisket and jalapeño cheddar sausage. Those in the know order the tacos, which are so popular that Matt's opened two dedicated taco carts. The barbecue here does sell out (especially on busy weekends), so make sure to get there early.

This wine-focused restaurant was a 2023 James Beard Foundation nominee for Outstanding Wine Program. It is not only one of the best places in Portland to drink wine, but its eclectic menu has a snack to pair with every varietal. Keep it casual with snacks like oysters on the half-shell, fried chicken bites, or the white cheddar beignets that we still can't stop thinking about. For a more substantial meal, you can't go wrong with the cured duck legs. The meat is so tender it literally falls off the bone.

This employee-owned company has a seasonal focus, so don't get too attached to the specials, because they are very likely to change. In addition to making some of our favorite pizza in all of Portland, the all-day café also uses its wood-fired, brick hearth to fire off breakfast sandwiches and whipped ricotta toast in the morning. Cafe Olli is also a great supporter of the Portland community, hosting pop-up events for aspiring chefs.

Most Mexican restaurants have tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, but Güero focuses on the torta. These traditional Mexican sandwiches feature meat or vegetables piled high on toasted bolillo buns, and they're craftily constructed to include creamy, crunchy, savory, and tangy elements. The end result is a perfect bite, whether you choose the meaty pork ahogado, eggy breakfast desayuno, or the vegetarian masa y papa that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For those avoiding grains or gluten, a bowl option is also available.

This North Portland café is one of our favorite brunch destinations, so we were ecstatic when it started serving dinner in 2021. This neighborhood gem is so cozy, it feels like you've stopped over to a friend's house for a chat. From breakfast to dinner, the menu celebrates local ingredients. While the dishes may sound simple, the utmost care is taken in preparation, and every plate is as delicious as it is gorgeous. For those with a sweet tooth, check out the pastry case; every single thing we've tried from there is phenomenal (especially the salted honey pie).

Portland has many dumpling houses, and Master Kong's two locations are among our favorites. The handmade pork dumplings are soft and savory, the texture is so crisp on the fried Chinese-style pot stickers, and the soup-filled xiao long bao come served in individual cups to catch the excess liquid. Beyond the dumplings, Master Kong has other street food favorites, like the "meat folder" (also known as rou jia mo, or a Chinese hamburger) and an incredible Jianbing, a savory crepe filled with egg, pickled radish, herbs, and a crispy wonton cracker.

When we tell friends about Nong's Khao Man Gai, we describe it as "life-changing chicken." They usually don't believe us when they realize it's a counter-service restaurant. But you'll understand the hype after a single bite of this iconic chicken and rice dish. It's simple but flavorful. The sauce it serves on the side is so popular, the restaurant started bottling it and selling it to-go. There are a few other menu items at this Thai restaurant, but we can't help but order the chicken every time.

Hat Yai isn't your traditional Thai restaurant. It draws inspiration from Southern Thai street food, and the fried chicken is some of the best we've ever had. It's shatteringly crispy and infused with shallots and Thai spices in every bite. Order it as a combo so you can dip it into the side of Malayu-style curry. That also lets you try the restaurant's handmade crispy roti (Thai pan-fried bread). The two locations feature different specials, so it's worth visiting both to try out what's new in the Hat Yai kitchen.

Gado Gado is more than just a culinary experience; between the colorful wallpaper and the screamin' floral pattern on the tablecloths, you can't help but feel as if you've been transported to a tropical island. Of course, the ambiance alone isn't enough to feel satisfied, and luckily Gado Gado makes some fantastic dishes. The menu changes frequently, from the Dutch-Indonesian-inspired Rice Dinner series to prix fixe Singaporean crab dinners. No matter what you order, you can be sure it's filled with bold flavors and fresh ingredients inspired by the chef's travels throughout Southeast Asia.

This Tokyo-based ramen chain has several locations worldwide, but Afuri Ramen chose to expand to Portland because of the water. CEO Taichi Ishizuki told PDX Monthly that he "went on a trip across the U.S. just looking for waters." Portland water (sourced from the Bull Run Watershed) has a similar pH to the water in Japan, making it ideal for its nuanced ramen broth. It's hard to go wrong with the delicate and subtle yuzu shoyu (the restaurant's signature dish), but we also love creamy, spicy hazelnut tantanmen (which also happens to be vegan-friendly).

Lechon is located on the Willamette River in downtown Portland, and the waterfront views are spectacular from the patio on a sunny summer day. Don't worry if you're seated inside; you'll still have a view of the giant jellyfish fish tanks. The South American-inspired menu features several classic tapas (empanadas, ceviche, and an incredibly tender grilled octopus). It also innovates, like the Peruvian fried chicken bites tossed in fermented hot honey, or the foraged mushroom dish that's an ode to the Pacific Northwest. Both dishes are available at happy hour, which boasts a very attractive price point.

Tercet is the perfect place to go for special events or upscale date nights. The prix fixe menu is set at $150 per person, but it's absolutely worth every penny. Every bite is a delight, playing on your imagination with textures and flavors that don't necessarily match your expectations. The courses are delicately balanced, but they're packed with fine-dining ingredients like caviar. Don't worry; this is still Portland, so you don't need to be dressed to the nines to get in. Just make sure you have a reservation — that is a must.

When the craving for Italian food hits, head to Nostrana. The menu celebrates proven flavors prepared with a homestyle feel like your nonna prepared them. The antipasti plates are gorgeously presented, the perfectly-sauced pasta is made in-house, and the pizza has the ideal level of char around the edges. If you're hungry enough, go all in with the Bistecca alla Costata — a 2.5-pound bone-in ribeye. Make sure you have enough time, though; this dish takes 45 minutes to prepare.

What do you get when you cross barbecue and Thai? You get Eem restaurant. The menu items are exciting, the cocktails are vibrant (and strong), and the casual vibe behind the experience will leave you with a smile on your face. Your slushy cocktail could be topped with a rubber ducky, or it might be served in a gigantic pufferfish glass. When it comes to food, the signature dish is the classic barbecue brisket burnt ends reimagined by swimming in smoky white curry, but the smoked lamb massaman curry is a sleeper favorite.

This reservation-only, omakase dining experience is extremely expensive — $250 per person — so this is not a casual, everyday dinner. It couldn't be, even if you could afford it; tickets into Nodoguro are notoriously hard to get, so you have to be ready to hit the "reserve" button as soon as they're released for the month. The ever-changing, multi-course menu could include up to 25 courses over the course of about three hours, and you'll definitely leave satisfied with the knowledge that you've captured the best of Japan made with Pacific Northwest ingredients.

Portland gets a two-for-one in this Northwest space: an elegant Thai tasting menu in Langbaan and its more casual sister restaurant, Phuket Cafe. It's impossible to say which is "better" because both offer an immersive experience with bold Thai flavors presented in fun new ways. The fancier prix fixe Langbaan experience is available with reservations three nights a week while Phuket Cafe is open every evening. Regardless of where you dine, make sure to check out some of the creative options on the cocktail menu.

Kann is not only one of Portland's best restaurants, but it's also arguably the most challenging to get into, too. Top Chef alum and James Beard award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet didn't only bring Haitian food to Portland when he opened Kann; it seems he also brought a piece of his soul. The dishes are masterfully constructed, and we love that the cocktail menu features several innovative zero-proof cocktails. The griyo (Haiti's national dish) is a must-order on the starter menu. The slow-cooked pork is so tender, and the pikliz pickled cabbage has just the right level of spice.