The 24 best restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Obviously, the first on any good city food list is usually a bit of a treat. And hey, we hate to be so predictable, but St Jack really does deserve a spot on the top of our list. This French restaurant utilises fresh, local ingredients to create thoughtful, ever-changing menus, serving up French classics steak frites, mushroom vol-au-vent and more. 

Pasta lovers, we got you. Grassa is all about it. From cacio e pepe with truffle butter to pork belly mac & cheese and fusilli alla vodka with sausage, this spot will keep your heart (and stomach) full and happy. This is no fine dining spot – there are no reservations, and the service is casual. Simply good pasta, and a fantastic wine list to go alongside it. 

Both the dough (sourdough with Pacific Northwest grain) and cheese for Gracie's pizzas are made in-house, resulting in an out-of-this-world pie. While the humble joint is understated, the pizza, salads, sides, and homemade ice creams all shine. The popular spot closes once sold out (they make just 70 pizzas per night), so be sure to arrive early or order ahead online.

This market and deli is the top spot in Portland for amazing guisados, where housemade tortillas are the perfect vehicle for stewy meats and other fillings. Save some room to try the cactus salad, and, if you can't get enough, take home a pint of a guisado or two (plus some tortillas, of course), and you'll be all set.

Casa Zoraya puts Peruvian cuisine on full display. Fresh, cool ceviches are skillfully prepared and presented alongside crunchy fried calamari, Peruvian fried rice dishes, succulent meats, and other entrees studded with peppers. Wash it all down with a perfectly crafted Pisco sour.

At Tusk, you’ll be treated to bright, beautiful Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine served in an equally playful and aesthetically pleasing space. With so many delightful dishes, it can be hard to decide what to get, which is why there's a "try everything on the menu" option! Don't overlook the vegetables, and be sure to try at least one selection from the creative cocktail menu.

With humble beginnings as a food cart on SW 10th & Alder St., Nong’s only offered Khao Man Gai with poached chicken, chicken stock-based jasmine rice, soothing soup, cucumbers, cilantro, and an addictive sauce you’ll want on everything. While the original cart is no more, you can savor the eatery’s expanded menu at one of two locations.

At this vibrant, soulful Latin spot, you'll find dishes that accentuate bright, citrus qualities as well as rich heartiness. Start with a classic, authentic Cuban cocktail before making your way through the menu. Then, brace your second stomach for their equally fantastic homemade dessert.

Hat Yai captures authentic, home-cooked food from the Southern region of Thailand that borders Malaysia, beautifully mixing Thai and Malaysian cuisine. Their specialty? Fried chicken with sticky rice, Malay-style curry, and roti, a dish that is both hearty and balanced with intense flavors and varying textures.

Tokyo’s popular ramen chain made its first international outpost in Portland. Why? Afuri Izakaya praises Portland’s proximity to a pure water source with its famous yuzu shio ramen featuring fresh clams. From delectable sushi to dumplings, this eatery puts as much thoughtfulness and precision into their other dishes as they do their ramen.

When you’re craving downright southern comfort food and vibes, head straight to Screen Door. While the eatery is famous for its buttermilk fried chicken and sweet potato waffles, it also offers a handful of other mouthwatering dishes like cornmeal-crusted okra, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp & grits. The warm, welcoming atmosphere is a bonus.

Affordable, delicious food with Hawaiian vibes all around: Need we say more? At Ate-Oh-Ate, plates come heaped full of island goodness here, with a hint of Japanese cuisine thrown in. From Kalua pig and teriyaki chicken to kal-bi ribs and loco moco, you'll be carried away to a tropical paradise, happy and full.

This quaint café is a popular hangout, so prepare for queues. Pop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your pals, your parents, or even your pooch. While the menu here changes weekly, you can always expect classics like pastas, salads, and sandwiches —plus snacks like olives, cheese, and salami.

Visit Verde Cocina for fantastic Mexican food with a unique and fresh Pacific Northwest twist. The Buenos Dias breakfast entree—which features pork belly bacon, scrambled eggs, fresh veggie, garbanzo beans, tortillas, and ranchero salsa for an extra-flavorful kick—is a favorite for good reason. Diners can also choose from a slew of other Mexican classics (enchiladas, anyone?), as well as plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

From crazy, over-the-top biscuit sammies Southern classics, Pine State Biscuits—which is known for (spoiler alert!) its biscuits—is the perfect place to fuel up before a day well spent exploring (or soak up any regrettable alcohol from the night before). Choose from a wide array of ultra-fluffy biscuit concoctions or, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, build your own. Pro tip: Save room for one of the cocktails and/or side dishes, including fried green tomatoes or hushpuppies.

Luc Lac’s extensive menu makes it easy to explore Vietnamese cuisine. Fun fact: The restaurant is named for the popular dish bò lúc lắc, a French-influenced sautéed beef dish. It's definitely worth a try, but you're sure to find something flavorful and delicious among the many other offerings. Also, you can’t go wrong with an order of crispy spring rolls, papaya salad, cream cheese-stuffed wontons, pho, or banh mi.

From the specialty flavors that change each month to the classics you can only get on the west coast (like the subtle Arbequina Olive Oil, for one), this Portland-based ice cream shop-turned-nationwide-phenomenon is sure to delight. Although technically not a restaurant, you can order an ice cream tasting flight to sample various flavors and call it dinner. Two birds, one stone.

Navarre serves up European plates (both small and large) featuring locally sourced ingredients in an intimate ambiance, which makes it an excellent choice for date night. Oenophiles will also love it here: The restaurant offers over 50 wines by the glass. Just keep in mind that Navarre does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait a bit if you come during prime dinner time.

Savor authentic Russian fare at Kachka, where staples include beet-cured salmon, herring, relish, and strawberry soup, to name a few. Feeling extra fancy? Check out the caviar and roe options featuring fish like sturgeon, wild Alaskan salmon, and smoked trout. Alternatively, dig into a plate of dumplings. The restaurant is also known for its horseradish vodka, which also features local Oregon honey.

Sustainable seafood and other PNW staples await at Higgins, which is known as Oregon’s “first farm-to-table restaurant.” Since 1994, diners from all over have been flocking here to feast on an array of locally inspired dishes like salad niçoise featuring Oregon albacore tuna, artisan bread, and Oregon beef. The hearty Yucatan-style pork stew is also a favorite, as is the ultra-refreshing tomato gazpacho.

Maurice serves up Nordic- and French-inspired fare in a sleek, all-white space. The lunch menu, which currently features favorites like radishes and butter, a selection of quiches, and smørbrød (Scandanavian open-faced sandwiches). Come dinnertime, guests are treated to an incredible prix fixe menu ($85 per person), with each of the seven courses including a unique tea pairing.

Duck House Chinese Restaurant in downtown PDX is beloved for its Szechuan-focused menu offerings. The casual haunt is known for its house-made soup dumplings, which have become a favorite among locals and travelers. You can also chow down on veggie eggrolls and pork wontons, plus comfort classics like sweet and sour chicken and honey-walnut shrimp.

Whiskey lovers will especially appreciate a visit to Scotch Lodge for its extensive collection. And, while you may have originally came here for the trendy ambiance and stiff drinks, you’ll certainly want to stay for the food. With innovative and elevated pub grub like pickle-spiced fries and fried brie—plus heartier mains like pasta and seafood—there’s something for everyone on the menu.

Located in the city’s Clinton neighborhood, Jacqueline is best known for its oysters, all of which are sourced from the PNW. Also, all oysters are harvested and delivered on the same day for peak freshness. (FYI: Pop in between 5pm and 6pm Mondays-Saturdays to snag $1 oysters.) In addition to oysters, diners can enjoy seafood-forward dishes like lobster BLTs, poached shrimp, striped bass, Dungeness crab toast, ad diver scallops. Alternatively, order one of the vegetarian options like fried eggplant and little gem caesar.