Year after year, Portland is consistently ranked as one of the top food cities in America – and for good reason. Accessibility to farm-fresh produce and world-class wine from the Willamette Valley makes it easy for area restaurants to source quality ingredients no matter the time of year. The culinary scene is thrillingly diverse, too, offering up everything from gluten-free Vietnamese pastries to classic, no-frills cheeseburgers. And with over 500 food carts spread all across the city, it’s tough to argue with how affordable and convenient Portland dining is.
Since eating really well in Portland is the norm, and not the exception, ahead are ten spots that will have you buzzing about the city long after you’ve departed.
The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland
While there’s plenty of plush accommodations in Portland, The Nines continually tops travelers’ and editors’ lists for many reasons. There’s the 400-piece art collection – including the lobby mannequins nodding to the building’s former life as the Meier & Frank Department Store – curated by photographer and close friend of Andy Warhol, Paige Powell. Then there’s the downtown location, safe and within easy walking distance to many of city’s top boutiques and restaurants.
The rooms are crisp and spacious, and easily Portland’s most elegant, with fresh pops of aqua, gold, and silver. And because The Nines is Leed Certified, it completely runs on energy from renewable sources. Last but not least: there’s two terrific restaurants onsite. Adjacent to the reception desk on the eighth floor is Urban Farmer. A big notch above your typical all-day hotel restaurant, this one, in true Portland fashion, uses many local ingredients (including Oregon grass-fed beef and wild, foraged mushrooms), while Departure on the rooftop turns out imaginative pan-Asian cuisine in a sleek, futuristic setting.
República
Easily Portland’s most exciting newcomer, República is a collaborative effort between Angel Medina – who manages the front of house – chef Lauro Romero, and pastry chef Olivia Bartruff. And the goal? To educate diners on the incredibly rich, diverse cultures and history that shape the cuisine of Mexico. So instead of the ubiquitous guacamole and margaritas, you’ll discover hearty, homestyle plates by day (like Guisados, stewed meat or mushrooms on fresh-pressed tortillas) and an artful five-course tasting menu (reasonably priced at $65 per person) at night. Don’t be surprised if everything you try feels new or unfamiliar, because that’s exactly the point. “We’re creating something that truly reflects the food we grew up on,” says Medina.
Lovely Rita
Just reopened with a brand new chef, Joel Lui-Kwan, and menu, Lovely Rita at The Hoxton aims to be a refined version of your favorite hangout. The space is cozy with low-slung seating, warm lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows, and the menus celebrate the Pacific Northwest’s rich bounty in fresh, unexpected ways. Garnet yams, for example, are glazed with bright cranberry then topped with lemon confit and buckwheat puffs for contrast and crunch. As Lui-Kwan puts it: “While the food may be upscale in preparation and presentation, you’ll find our dining room and service team warm and approachable.”
Urdaneta
For chef and owner Javier Canteras, whose mother hails from Spain’s Basque region, the mission of Urdaneta is simple: “I want to share Basque food with people, and bring more of an awareness of what it is.” Despite opening in 2016, and there being no shortage of new spots in town, Urdaneta firmly remains a Portland staple. Begin with some pintxos – bites of assorted savory ingredients pierced by a toothpick or layered atop bread – before tucking into more familiar tapas, such as the croquetas de jamón and tortilla española. While what you eat is your entirely choice, sipping some Txakoli is a must. The high-acid, slightly sparkling, and low-alcohol white wine makes for the perfect pairing here.
Pizza Thief
If you’re seeking a simple and satisfying slice, it’s tough to beat Slabtown’s Pizza Thief – which opened this past summer. Like many people: co-owners and best pals Darby Aldaco and Tony Pasquale adored classic New York slices, but wanted to put their own west coast spin on the beloved style. The result? A casual, laid-back joint featuring pies with a super-flavorful sourdough crust, housemade dips (like an herbaceous ranch), and baked goods by Aldacho, whose background is in pastry.
Aimsir Distilling Co. + The Emerald Room
While most urban distilleries are set up as places for quick tours and purchases, Aimsir Distilling company by the husband-wife team of Christine and Steve Hopkins enlisted a more thoughtful approach by also opening The Emerald Room. The lofty, industrial space accented with bright green tiles, gold-painted mural, and striking pendant lights encourages people to linger over light bites and positively pretty cocktails featuring their flagship gin (like the violet-hued Amethyst) and whiskey. Christine says, “It highlights Aimsir’s core beliefs of bringing everyone together for extraordinary moments."
Malka
Tucked away in a little house on a quiet block of Southeast Division, this adorable restaurant by Jessie Aron – she ran the food truck Cart Blanche for nearly five years – is one of the city’s most talked-about spots despite doing just takeout since opening in March 2020. As for the cuisine, it’s impossible to define but easy to describe: unexpected, craveable, and deeply satisfying. (I wasn’t sure how the 16-ingredient salad called Hobbes is Wearing Jams would turn out. Now I can’t stop thinking about it.) Aron explains, “We wanted the food to be just like it was at Carte Blanche — tons of bright flavors and textures, and more ingredients than most people are used to tasting together.”
Bellwether Bar
Occupying the 111-year-old Thomas Graham Building in Mount Tabor, this new spot by Ansel Vickery – who says, “I opened the bar as a thank you note to the hospitality industry and to the community of Portland” – is the quintessential neighborhood watering hole. The historic structure’s bones were preserved for charm and posterity, and the menus are refreshingly approachable. The original cocktails are simply listed by number, while wines get straightforward desciptions like ”good bubbles” and “burger wine.” Fittingly, the food by chef Alex Yoder is uncomplicated and crowd-pleasing as well (imagine burgers, pickle plates, and anchovy toasts.)
POBOYZ Cajun Creole Kitchen
After running the wildly popular POBOYZ Cajun and Creole food cart in the Third Avenue food pod for two years, owner Randall Willhite – who trained under New Orleans’ legendary chef Leah Chase, and formerly played football for University of Oregon – decided to open a brick-and-mortar location downtown near the original Voodoo Donuts. Now, fans of Willhite’s cooking can sit down and tuck into his freshly made overstuffed po' boy sandwiches, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. And because giving back to the community is important to Willhite, he’s planning giveways and fundraisers to help those in need.
Coquine
Even though it opened back in 2015, Coquine by chef Katy Millard seems to get better with age. (Need proof? It just nabbed a spot on The New York Times list of “The 50 places in America we're most excited about right now.”) Currently: a four-course, prix-fixe dinner is being served, with seasonally-driven, globally-inspired dishes imbued with French technique. Though Millard’s menu frequently rotates, what’s remained unchanged is the familial service, excellent wine – Millard’s husband Ksandek Podbielski curates the list, which skews towards natural and unique Oregon finds – and the famous cookies with smoked almonds, brown butter, and chocolate chunks.
