As one of America’s trendiest cities, Portland became a hot spot for travelers around the globe. It’s also a popular place for foodies since there are hundreds of amazing restaurants and food trucks in the area.
There are tons of award-winning restaurants in Portland so finding a good one would be a bit of a challenge. You don’t need to worry because we listed down the best restaurants in Portland that you can check out.
1. Coquine
Coquine is a farm-to-table restaurant that features seasonal food and drinks on its menu. The ingredients that they use come directly from local farmers so you can guarantee that they are fresh. As a restaurant situated at the top of an extinct volcano, there are so many things to expect.
You should try their Black Cod dish which is filled with amazing flavor and texture. The fresh fish is cooked until the skin becomes crispy and the insides are rich and buttery. It’s served with potatoes, pickled muster seeds, and crispy shallots.
One of the highly-recommended dishes on their menu is the Lamb Loin with Charred Onion-Eggplant Soubise and vegetables. The lamb is perfectly cooked with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cream sauce is delectable and it complements the lamb loin well.
What to order: Black Cod, Lamb Loin with Charred Onion-Eggplant Soubise
Address: 6839 SE Belmont Street, Portland, OR 97215
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2. Tusk
Tusk is a popular restaurant offering different cuisines from the Middle East. With the use of local produce, they created a wide range of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes that you’ll surely love. It’s known as a go-to spot for brunch, but you can come here any time of the day.
Before you try anything on the menu, you can start by getting their Classic Hummus with flatbread. It’s creamy and full of flavor so you will surely enjoy your flatbread with it.
If you want something healthier, the Mezze Platter is the best choice. It is composed of healthy and delicious ingredients like pears, asparagus, beets, charred brussels sprouts, and more.
One of the best picks would be their Half-Roasted Chicken. It might be simple for some, but you will be surprised with the muhammara, which is a roasted pepper and walnut dip. It’s spicy, sweet, and smoky so it complements the chicken well.
What to order: Classic Hummus, Mezze Platter, Half Roasted Chicken with Muhammara
Address: 2448 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
3. Nostrana
Nostrana is an Italian restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas, seasonal pasta, and a wide range of wines from Italy. Enjoy all this goodness in a lodge-like ambiance.
Start by trying out their classic Margherita. You’ll surely love the thin-crust pizza and its delightful taste. It’s tasty, simple, and perfectly straightforward.
Salumi is also one of the top pizzas that you can try. It has the same thin-crust pizza with large salami slices on top. If you love meat, their Charcuterie board will be a great choice. It comes with different types of meats paired with grain mustard, fig jam, and other condiments.
What to order: Margherita, Salumi, Charcuterie
Address: 1401 SE Morrison Ste. 101, Portland, OR 97214
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4. Canard
Café/restaurant by day and a wine and cocktail bar at night – Canard is definitely the ultimate food spot that you want any time of the day. Whether it’s delicious food or cocktail drinks, you just have to know when to visit and you’ll enjoy their menu.
Canard’s Duck Stack is available during lunch and dinner and it’s one of the top picks on their menu. It comes with fluffy pancakes smothered by flavorful duck gravy.
Foie Gras Dumplings are a must-have if you come to Canard because it is their signature dish. The dumplings explode in your mouth and foie grass will melt away as you eat it.
What to order: Duck Stack, Foie Gras Dumplings
Address: 734 E Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
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5. Eem
As one of the best Thai restaurants in Portland, expect the best and the most authentic Thai cuisines from Eem. It’s a place where you can enjoy curries, creative barbecues, and amazing cocktails.
Since you’re here to try Thai cuisine, you should go with Eem’s signature dish – White Curry with Brisket Burnt Ends & Roasted Cauliflower. Your first bite will tell you everything that you need to know about this dish and why it’s a popular pick.
The sweet & sour Fried chicken is another amazing choice as you can get crunchy and boneless chicken thighs. The inside is perfectly juicy and cooked and it comes with red curry powder n the outside. It’s tossed in a sweet and sour dressing.
What to order: White Curry w/ Brisket Burnt Ends & Roasted Cauliflower, Sweet & Sour Fried Chicken
Address: 3808 North Williams Avenue, Portland, OR 97227
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6. Screen Door
Southern cuisine combined with fresh and local produce is what Screen Door offers to its customers. The ingredients and meat served in their restaurant are from natural and organic sources, providing a fresher and healthier alternative.
When you’re at Screen Door, the fried chicken should always be included in your order because this is their specialty. The buttermilk-battered chicken is crispy and peppery on the outside and juicy on the inside.
They’re also known for their homemade sauces like the Creole Honey Mustard and Crystal Hot Sauce Mayo. If you plan to visit here for brunch, try their Praline Bacon. It offers a great balance of savory and sweet.
What to order: Fried Chicken, Praline Bacon
Address: 2337 E Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
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7. Han Oak
Han Oak is a combination of Korean and American cultures. With the owner’s Korean roots and American upbringing, you can expect a combination of the two cultures on the menu.
Han Oak is known for its set menu. You get a set of snacks, shaved meats, and veggies that you can grill on your table. You’ll have a pot of broth where you can place your meat and cook them as well. It’s like a typical Korean hot pot and Samgyupsal.
What to order: Set the menu
Address: 511 NE 24th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232
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8. Le Pigeon
As a sister restaurant of Canard, Le Pigeon practically offers the same type of food. You can expect French-inspired cuisines in a cute and snug space.
As of now, the Chef’s Tasting Menu is the best thing that you can get from the restaurant. It’s a pre-set menu where all the finest creations of their Chef are included.
You can go with the Seared Foie Gras, which is a good starter. Even if you’re not a big fan of liver, you will surely love this. The Beef Cheek Bourguignon is definitely the best from their ala-carte menu.
What to order: Seared Foie Gras, Beef Cheek Bourguignon
Address: 738 E Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214
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9. Nong’s Khao Man Gai
As the name of the restaurant implies, it is only focusing on a single dish – Khao Man Gai. Because of this, expect that this dish is definitely the best that you can find in Portland.
Khao Man Gai should be your first order since it is their best dish. It is Thai Chicken and rice along with their signature sauce. It’s delicious, healthy, and comforting, and it has a balanced flavor.
Try their Super Soup, which is Khao Man Gai in a large bowl. It’s flavorful and very satisfying as it comes with chicken and rice.
What to order: Khao Man Gai, Super Soup
Address:
-SE Portland – 609 SE Ankeny Street, Suite C, Portland, OR 97214
-Downtown – 417 SW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
10. Masu Sushi
Do you want to look for a sushi spot for your cravings? Masu Sushi is definitely one of the top locations in Portland. Because of the local and fresh produce in the area, their menu is extremely delicious. You have a lot of options when it comes to rolls, fresh fish, small plates, and even authentic sake.
Death by Sushi is by far the most popular on their menu. The ingredients are fresh and the sushi is expertly rolled. You can taste all the ingredients in the roll like unagi, crab salad, cream cheese, and more.
The Japanista roll is also a popular dish in Masu Sushi. It comes with spicy tuna and crab along with sweet chili sauce and Hana sauce.
What to order: Death by Sushi, Japanista
Address: 406 SW 13th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205
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11. Ken’s Artisan Pizza
This list will not be completed without a pizza place. Ken’s Artisan Pizza is one of the most popular pizza places in Portland as they offer Italian-inspired pizzas with a touch of American culture. The place has a casual vibe, which would make everyone relaxed.
The Fennel Sausage & Onions pizza is a good start. It’s very light and it doesn’t have any ingredients that are too overpowering. It has a spicy and smoky flavor giving a unique taste to the pizza. You can try the New Yorker as well, which is a classic version of your favorite pizza.
What to order: Fennel Sausage & Onions pizza, New Yorker Pizza
Address: 304 SE 28th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
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12. OX
Friendly and comfortable – these are the things that you will surely love when you visit OX Restaurant. Their food is amazing as well, showcasing cuisines from Spain, France, and Italy. They also feature local meats and fish as well as seasonal produce.
When you visit OX, your first order should always be their Fresh Clam Chowder with Smoked Marrow Bone. Clam Chowder is a top favorite in the United States and once you had a taste of OX’s version, you will surely put it on your favorite list. The smoked bone marrow may look like a weird addition, but it actually gives more richness to the chowder.
OX Restaurant is known for its meat dishes and its steak is definitely top-notch. Whether it’s beef skirt, ribeye, or any other cut of meat, you can expect the best-tasting meals.
What to order: Fresh Clam Chowder with Smoked Marrow Bone, Beef Ribeye Steak, Beef Skirt Steak,
Address: 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
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13. Murata Restaurant
As one of the oldest restaurants in Portland, Murata offers the best-tasting Japanese foods including sashimi and sushi. The fact that they’ve been in business for so many years is a testament to the quality of food that they offer. With unique tatami rooms and traditional decorations, it’s the best place to dine if you want a complete Japanese experience in Portland.
Their Spicy Tuna roll is a must-have as it combines flavor, freshness, and texture. The flavorful spicy tuna melts in your mouth and the other ingredients complement them.
Check out their Hamachi Nigiri and Uni Nigiri as they are the favorites in the restaurant. With the use of fresh ingredients, the flavor and taste are enhanced further.
What to order: Spicy Tuna Roll, Uni Nigiri, Hamachi Nigiri
Address: 200 SW Market Street, Portland, OR 97201
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14. Phuket Café
Nothing beats Phuket Café when it comes to Thai cuisine when you’re in Portland. The food is cooked using traditional methods and you can enjoy their menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
You should try their Pandan Cheese Roti if you’re visiting for dinner. It is sweet and it has a chewy texture. You can also add some coconut crème and cured salmon roe if you want to add more flavor to it.
If you’re visiting for brunch, Muu Kua Grua beats everything else on the menu. It comes with crispy pork belly bites that are very addicting and satisfying.
What to order: Pandan Cheese Roti, Mua Kua Grua
Address: 1818 NW 23rd Place, Portland, OR 97210
15. Gado Gado
A unique menu and a lively décor – the combination of the two really bring Gado Gado to the top of your favorite list. The restaurant combines Indonesian, Chinese, and Dutch Indonesian cuisine, which are very rare even in other places.
The Sumatran Style Beef Rendang is a must-have if you’re here. This is authentic beef curry from Indonesia and you can fully taste the rich coconut milk on the dish.
Their Chinese Sausage & Shrimp Siu-Mai is amazingly prepared with a generous filling of meat. Along with the hot mustard, the siu-mai will surely give you a rollercoaster of flavors.
What to order: Sumatran Style Beef Rendang, Chinese Sausage & Shrimp Siu-Mai
Address: 1801 NE Cesar E Chavez Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
This list combines a wide range of restaurants that you can visit in Portland. Whether it’s dinner, lunch, breakfast, or brunch, you can find a lot of hangout spots to try. If you’re looking for a hearty brunch in Portland, you can check our Best Brunch Spots in Portland list
