Portland is one of the most exciting food cities in the US. This is in part due to its wide range of high-quality international cuisines that respect the flavors and dining experiences of their nations of origin so that an authentic experience can be had. 

As well as the food truck scene that creates a lower barrier to entry for talented and creative cooks to express themselves and make a living, the demand for new and interesting food makes it possible for creative expression to be marketable throughout the greater Portland area. 

As a Portland native, developing a top 10 list of the best restaurants in Portland was quite difficult. It’s easy to be distracted by every new spot opening up. 

So it took a bit of a brain dump so as not to forget any great spots. I didn’t include food carts, bars, breweries, or coffee shops unless one of them was able to deliver on a truly exceptional dining experience based on my three criteria listed below.

The criteria for this list require that each restaurant meet three key points:

Food

The menu has to be incredible across the board. Even if I don’t love everything on the menu, I can accept this as personal preference, so long as the execution is perfect and the rest of the menu can carry the weight of a few misses.

Vibe

The way a place feels can make or break the food. Fanciness isn’t a requirement, but vibe is. Some of my favorite dining experiences worldwide have been in places like Vietnam, sitting on low plastic chairs on a sidewalk when it’s 90 degrees at midnight, but the energy made eating the food better.

A Favorite Dish

There has to be at least one menu item that stands out as truly incredible. This can be a simple and elegant dish or a monumental achievement in culinary expertise that blows me away.

Full disclosure, while I’ve eaten at a lot of restaurants in Portland, there are a few that I haven’t gotten around to that might have made this list otherwise. They include República, Gado Gado, St. Jack, Murata, Magna Kusina, and Oma’s Hideaway, to name a few.

I also have a few honorable mentions that almost made this list. They include Kachka, Hà VL, Pho Nguyen, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, Le Pigeon, Tasty, Luc Lac, Yama Sushi and Izakaya, Expatriate, PDX Sliders, Proud Mary, and De Noche. 

So, without further ado, here’s my list of the 10 best restaurants in Portland and why!

My Picks for the Top 10 Portland Restaurants

10. Experience a Roman Piazza Atmosphere at Piazza Italia

Established in 1996, before the Pearl District had been developed, Piazza Italia is among the more authentic international dining experiences in the city. So much so that when I first visited Italy, it felt familiar because I’d eaten here. 

If you’ve dined in the piazzas of Rome, you’ll be familiar with servers shuffling to get you seated to seat as many guests as possible and the staff playing different roles throughout the restaurant. From the deli to the menu, the wine to the coffee, the romantic vibe to the soccer playing on the TVs, this is a fun place to eat some of the most amazing Italian food in Portland. 

My favorite dish was also the favorite of the late founder, Gino Schettini, the Linguini Squarciarella. It’s labeled as “Gino’s Favorite” on the menu. A simple yet perfect pasta dish of prosciutto, onions, garlic, black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and egg. If you’re on a quest to dine at the best restaurants in Portland, don’t miss out on Piazza Italia.

9. Check Out One of America’s Most Acclaimed Restaurants at Kann 

I’ve been a fan of Gregory Gourdet since I first ate at Departure, the rooftop Pan-Asian restaurant on top of the Nines Hotel in downtown. Every menu item felt carefully thought out, crafted, and executed, and Gourdet himself brought his own chill and friendly energy to the entire dining experience. 

Well, he’s done it again, and he’s brought some less commonly known Haitian dishes and flavors to Portland’s high-end dining scene. Kann is easily one of the best places to eat in Portland. This place has received a lot of local and national recognition, and it’s clear as to why. Kann is something special. 

From the moment you step in the door, that Gourdet-inspired energy is felt. There’s a flow to the layout and the service that complement the playfulness of the food. And even though it’s a relatively high price point menu, the food feels lighthearted and every single bite is an experience. It’s clear that you’re in the hands of a truly great chef and lover of food. 

My personal favorite dish was the Lightly Seared Butterfish. This dish was perfect, delicately served with lemongrass, mint, and green apple shaved ice. But be sure and also try the Griyo Twice Cooked Pork and the Octopus. 

Book a Stay at The Nines

8. Experience Sushi as You Probably Never Have at Nimblefish

There are plenty of great sushi restaurants in Portland, but Chef Cody Auger’s Nimblefish is the best sushi experience I’ve ever had. It’s a bit pricey, but if you’re able and willing to spend some money on a truly unique experience of a delicate and perfectly executed edomai omakase (prix fixe) menu, you will not be disappointed. 

And while I haven’t been to Japan, I was fortunate to have gone to Nimblefish with my Japanese cousin, who is well-versed in sushi and the culture around it. This helped me better understand exactly what I was experiencing through each stage of the menu.

Edomai is a style of sushi in which the fish is aged or cured, traditionally to preserve the fish when refrigeration wasn’t available, but it has become a craft that Auger has mastered. The service staff is all well educated on each piece of fish they deliver, from its place of origin to its preparation, which elevates the experience. 

This is one restaurant on this list that I don’t have a favorite dish because every single bite was equally perfect in its own way. If you’re looking for the best sushi in Portland, Nimblefish is a must.

7. Taste Spain’s Basque Flavors at Bar Casa Vale

San Sebastián, Spain, is my favorite food city in the world. It’s also Nate Tilden’s – the restauranteur responsible for acclaimed Portland restaurants like Clyde Common, Olympia Provisions, Spirit of 77, and many more. Bar Casa Vale is his latest venture and a love letter to the country that made him fall in love with food.

The simple yet elegant menu delivers on the flavors of San Sebastián and Barcelona with classic pintxos such as the Gilda, Boquerones, Patatas Bravas, and Croquetas. With the smell of wood burning from the grill that Nate himself built and the unique space that was once the loading dock for popular concert venues La Luna and Pine Street Theater, this feels like a truly authentic Spanish experience. 

To add to the experience, I recommend trying some of the Spanish drinks such as the Sangria, Basque Cider (sidre), and the Txakoli, a young Basque wine that people in the region can be seen drinking everywhere throughout the entire day. 

The Paella, which I tend to find hit or miss, even in Spain, is probably the best I’ve ever had. It’s not cooked in the purely traditional method, but it doesn’t take the long wait that paella often does.

The item that I recommend above all else is the Gambas al Ajillo, prawns fried in chili oil and garlic. This is such a simple recipe of just a few items, but it’s one of the first Spanish dishes I fell in love with, and Bar Casa Vale makes them perfectly.

6. Experience the Best of Portland Brunch at Cafe Rowan

Among Portland’s most popular dining experiences, brunch creates a surge of energy throughout the city on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Of all of the great brunch spots in Portland, Cafe Rowan stands out above the rest. 

Chef Spencer Ivankoe opened up shop as Covid was shutting everything down and has been able to survive, in part due to being among the most “Instagrammable” restaurants in Portland. Known for the floral garnishing and the fresh, seasonal ingredients, there’s perfect attention to detail given to every item on his menu, delivering on layers of flavors and textures. 

The perfection of the menu is complemented by a quaint, welcoming space with lots of natural light and a relaxed vibe. However, as wonderful as the brunch is, Spencer is doing something special with his monthly prix fixe Winemaker Dinners. 

Each month he teams up with a winemaker to celebrate the seasonal ingredients that the region has to offer while showcasing flavors and techniques that he’s gathered throughout his travels around Europe and Southeast Asia, all while curating a thoughtful pairing to the carefully selected wines.

Some of the best food I’ve eaten at Cafe Rowan were items included in the Winemaker Dinners, but since those are rotating menus, the dish that I’ll recommend above all the rest of the amazing brunch menu has got to be the Lobster Roll. Maine Lobster with roasted garlic, truffle aioli, house seasoning, and plenty of melted butter. 

This is easily one of the best restaurants in Portland, and you really can’t go wrong with anything at Cafe Rowan.

5. Try Not-So-Traditional Korean Food at Toki

I’m a huge fan of Peter Cho and what he brings to Portland. He provides dining on his own terms at Han Oak, and Portland is grateful and loyal to him even with the limited times that Han Oak is open in the tucked away location on NE 24th Ave, which also served as his and his family’s home for years. 

That’s because he delivers on quality, authenticity, personality, vibe, and among the best kimchee you’ll likely ever eat. He’s true to his own style of Korean cooking, and he doesn’t put anything on his menu that isn’t perfectly thought out and executed. 

Peter and his partner Sun Young Park opened Toki in SW Portland in January of 2021, and this risky decision to open up while still in the midst of the pandemic seems to be working out. With more accessible hours of operation than Han Oak and in an area more available to tourists and foot traffic, Cho’s food is available to more people. 

It’s perfectly suited for brunch on the sidewalk or a casual fine dining experience for dinner. While the Steamed Boa Burger made with dry-aged beef might be the most popular – or at least most talked about item at Toki – I’ve got to give my favorite dish to the Korean Fried Chicken Sando. This is my favorite sandwich, period. 

Fried chicken thigh (the best part of the chicken) on a potato bun, cabbage slaw, pickled daikon, scallions, mayo, and your choice of sweet garlic soy glaze and Korean hot chicken flavors. This sandwich is absolute perfection.

4. Feel the Oregon Coast Without Leaving Portland at Flying Fish Company

This is one of those spots that delivers perfectly while being simple and humble. Most of the seating is picnic tables under a tent, which is part of its charm because it kind of feels like you’re sitting at a restaurant on the Oregon Coast. 

If you follow Flying Fish on Instagram, you get a sense that these are just good, wholesome people running this place, and when you dine there, this is confirmed. Its friendly, low-pressure vibe makes for a great spot to meet with friends or take your family for some amazing seafood.

With a focus on sustainable fishing and fresh ingredients, everything on their menu is among the best of that item I’ve ever had: the Fish and Chips, Clam Chowder, Poke, Oysters on the Half-Shell, and an Ora King Salmon Crudo that will blow your mind. 

But the menu item that I am most impressed with is, hands down, the very best Caesar Salad I’ve ever had. Every ingredient is the perfect size and the perfect amount. It includes both romaine and radicchio, a pine nut anchovy dressing, grand cheese, boquerones (marinated anchovies), fried capers, and sourdough croutons. 

Trust me when I say that this is a must-try. When something as simple as a Caesar Salad is done to perfection, you know you’re dining at one of the best restaurants in Portland!

3. Experience the Best of Portland Japanese Food at Yuzu

Tucked away in a strip mall in Beaverton with no sign except the one on the door that’s hard to see, Yuzu can be easily missed by even the most frequent and local shoppers of the area. The dark curtains keep this restaurant even more hidden, but what’s happening inside is nothing short of excellent. 

But good luck getting a table because this small izakaya-style restaurant fills up with its regular customers with little to no marketing efforts. My recommendation is to make your way through the menu with a group of four. Take some guidance from the server and be sure and ask about specials. 

A great place to start is with the Batu no Kakuni (stewed pork belly), Karaage (fried chicken), and Hiyayakko (cold tofu with bonito flakes) with some Sake, Shochu, or a Sapporo or Kirin, which they have on draft. The menu item that I would recommend the most, and where they shine the most, is the Tonkotsu Ramen which is probably the best I’ve had. 

It’s a rich and creamy broth with perfectly cooked BBQ pork, and it’s as perfect as ramen gets in Portland. But be adventurous and a little patient because they knock out a lot of small plates for such a small restaurant.

2. If You Love Thai Flavors, You Must Try Eem

Earl Ninsom is the mastermind behind some of the best Portland restaurants and has elevated the Thai food experience throughout the city – from Langbaan, one of the leaders in Portland’s tasting menu renaissance, to Paa-Dee which highlights Thai comfort foods, to Hat Yai, showcasing southern Thailand’s street food and small food shops, to Phuket Cafe which offers Earl’s modern take on classic Thai dishes. 

But of all of his restaurants, Eem is, in my opinion, delivering the most perfect balance of exciting, unique, and accessible. This collaborative effort with Matt Vicedomini of Matt’s BBQ, Eric Nelson of Shipwreck, and one of Portland’s best bartenders and bar consultants, and his Executive Chef Colin Yoshimoto, they have created an experience of flavors through their food and drinks that send you all over Thailand, but with combinations of flavor profiles and textures that feel new and unique. 

Of all of the amazing dishes at Eem, the one that I go back for and think about for days after is the White Curry with Brisket Burnt Ends and Roasted Cauliflower. The coconut milk base is rich in flavor but is so light on the spices that we usually associate with Thai food that it’s almost unrecognizable as a curry. 

It’s the subtleties in the seasoning and the perfect marriage between the coconut milk and Matt’s burnt ends that make this one of my favorite dishes in Portland.

1. Experience Next Level Vietnamese Food at Berlu

Vince Nguyen has taken Vietnamese food and elevated it to such heights that I’m almost surprised to see it embraced by the rustic-loving city of Portland. But for those who are fortunate enough to have experienced his bakery, night market, or the Berlu tasting menu, they know that Berlu is something personal and special. 

When you’re taking the journey through his tasting menu, you know you’re in the hands of a true master of his craft who has taken his time to hone in on every element of the plate. Upon first entering the restaurant, you’ll notice that it’s small and lacks some of the warm features commonly associated with high-end dining. 

It’s a mostly white space with bench seating close to other diners, with a prep table and oven in the dining room. But when you settle in and watch Vince himself plating up dishes in front of you, and the first dish hits your table, it’s clear that you’re in for something intimate and truly exceptional. 

Every single bite of every single dish is layered with such intricacy and complexity that it leaves you shaking your head in amazement that something so delicate and seemingly simple could blow your mind and taste buds away the way it does. And what makes it all more incredible is that Berlu’s menu is entirely gluten and dairy free to accommodate Vince’s own food allergies.

The tasting menu that I experienced consisted of a deconstructed crab creatively served in finely tuned dishes throughout the night, but there’s one dish that has stood out to me above the rest, and it’s a dessert…sort of. 

The Bánh Bò Nướng, a Vietnamese rice flour (Vince makes it with tapioca flour) sponge cake that’s charcoal toasted and has a honeycomb texture, is one of my favorite dishes I’ve ever eaten, and I don’t typically seek out desserts. 

At the time I had it, it was served with a coconut cream with caviar and herb oils for dipping, though this dipping side does rotate. You can find a more traditional pandan version at Berlu Bakery. If you’re looking for the best of the best Portland restaurants, do yourself a favor and make a reservation right away and try Berlu.  

There you have it. The 10 best restaurants in Portland. What are your favorite Portland restaurants?

Lathen Gorbett – About the Author:

Lathen is a critical optimist who sees potential in all things – and that includes trying new foods and seeing new places! Raised in Portland, he loves finding new hidden gems around town and writing about them.

Lathen runs a full-service multimedia production company with a focus on documentary-style filmmaking and video production. Check out his work:

YouTube: youtube.com/@bridgetotable3325
Website: cafemediumproductions.com
Instagram: @cafemedium
TikTok: @cafemedium

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