Portland’s restaurant scene has evolved from its farm-to-table roots into a broader, more energetic culinary landscape. Longstanding pioneers influence new chefs, while newcomers push boundaries with vegan fine dining, regional homages, and hyper-seasonal menus. Below are 23 standout restaurants—editors’ picks chosen for food, service, sustainability, and sense of place.
How we chose these restaurants
Each spot was selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who visited the restaurant. Selections balance high-end and accessible dining and weigh standout dishes, service, location, and inclusivity. The list is updated as restaurants open and evolve.
1. Akadi
Fatou Ouattara’s West African–inspired Akadi is famous for fried chicken wings (suya, garlicky lemon-parsley-cilantro, and a dry-rub style), inventive vegan options, and bold dishes like peanut stew and jollof with brochettes. Half the menu is vegan, and flavors reflect ongoing research trips to the Ivory Coast and beyond.
2. Astera
Chef Aaron Adam’s Astera is a refined vegan tasting-menu restaurant on Belmont. Intimate and eccentric, it delivers multi-course, highly inventive plant-based dishes—poached celeriac, maitake “lardon” cashew cheese, and parsnip ice cream—making a compelling case for fine-dining vegan cuisine.
3. Higgins
A Portland original, Higgins remains a go-to for seasonal, Pacific Northwest bistro cooking. Known for rotating soups and pastas at lunch and heartier dinner plates—Magret duck preparations, eggplant-tomato risotto, and top-tier burgers—Higgins anchors downtown dining and local arts nights.
4. Lilia Comedor
Juan Gomez and pastry chef Sam Cameron run a hyper-seasonal, high-end Mexican restaurant. Standouts include Pork Collar Carnitas Gringa and Zucchini Tatemado, often adorned with edible flowers. The snug Park Blocks location pairs beautifully with sister mezcal bar Comala for extended seating and pared-down dishes.
5. Andina
Family-owned Andina showcases Peruvian cuisine with local seafood and seasonal produce. Longstanding dishes reflect family recipes and Peruvian ingredients adapted to Oregon, from ceviche to causa. Fruit-forward cocktails and live music on weekends add to the festive vibe.
6. Kann
Gregory Gourdet’s Haitian homage is lively and nuanced, with Creole-smoked duck, smoked shrimp curry, and vegetable sides like peanut-creamed collards and crispy eggplant. An inventive drinks program includes thoughtful mocktails and a wine list highlighting female, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ producers.
7. Kachka
Kachka offers creative Slavic fare—zakuski, herring salads, Siberian pelmeni, skewers, and shareable feasts like Plov Party. The convivial, family-style atmosphere and a linked distillery for horseradish-infused vodka make for a memorable, hearty dining experience.
8. Langbaan
Akkapong “Earl” Nissom’s intimate Thai tasting menu—hosted twice nightly for about 30 guests—has won national acclaim. The multi-course, thematic feasts (Bangkok street food, regional Muslim cuisine) include delicate bites to composed nigiri-style courses. Thoughtful wine pairings complement the inventive dishes.
9. Davenport
Kevin Gibson’s Davenport emphasizes flawless technique and ingredient focus. Expect refined plates like fried crab balls, radicchio salads, eggplant involtini, and lamb belly pinwheels. The wine list ranges from cult Champagne to Oregon discoveries, making it a sophisticated yet approachable destination.
10. Ox
Greg and Gabi Denton’s Argentinian-inspired wood-fired restaurant excels at grilled meats but also delivers standout seafood and vegetable dishes. The warm, cozy room centers on a visible wood-fired oven; winter beets, grilled halibut pairings, and guest-chef Atelier dinners are highlights.
11. Nodoguro
Ryan Roadhouse’s tasting-menu Japanese restaurant operates like a tightly choreographed narrative, often inspired by short stories. Courses range from smoked salmon and caviar to tempura figs and focused nigiri. The bar seats offer the best vantage for savoring each seasonal, frequently changing menu.
12. OK Omens
Chef Joseph Papas brings vegetable-forward, seasonal plates to OK Omens—kelp-cured trout on thick toast, grilled pole beans with chanterelles and Marcona-breadcrumb topping, and a dynamic wine program emphasizing Riesling, Oregon producers, and natural wines. Post Familiar collaborations sometimes appear by the glass.
13. Han Oak
Peter Cho’s homey Han Oak nails homestyle Korean with a seasonal set menu—dry-aged king salmon, galbi-jjim, and comfort-forward preparations. The courtyard-adjacent, family-friendly spot buzzes with a convivial atmosphere and a cocktail list that includes a popular mezcal-smoked Smokescreen.
14. Bluto’s
Counter-service Bluto’s serves some of Portland’s best hummus, wood-fired souvlaki, and seasonal salads. A Greek- and Middle Eastern–inspired menu with Northwest twists, plus standout soft-serve with tahini or halva toppings, makes it a casual local favorite.
15. L’Echelle
Opened by Naomi Pomeroy’s colleagues after her passing, L’Echelle is a classic French bistro on Division with steak au poivre, seared duck, and famously excellent pommes frites. The compact menu and French-focused wine list deliver timeless bistro satisfaction.
16. Coquine
Katy Millard’s light-filled Coquine serves seasonal, French-leaning Californian plates—tomato-watermelon-feta salads, pasta ragu, and olive-oil cured albacore. By day it operates a market for pastries and pantry goods; by night it transforms into a neighborhood restaurant with an adjacent oyster bar, Katy Jane’s.
17. Lovely’s Fifty Fifty
Sarah Minnick’s pizza and ice-cream institution champions naturally leavened crusts, seasonal toppings, and floral garnishes. Creative pies (sweet corn with taleggio, chanterelles with gremolata) and exceptional house-made ice creams make it essential for pizza and dessert lovers.
18. 82 Acres
Chef Will Preisch’s restaurant highlights produce from Abbey Road Farm (82 acres in the Willamette Valley). The menu changes with the seasons—panzanella with Jimmy Nardello peppers, bone-marrow gnocchi, charred cabbage, and perfectly roasted half chickens—showcasing true farm-to-table provenance.
19. Nostrana
Cathy Whims’ Nostrana remains a beloved Italian spot for charred pizzas, house-made mozzarella, and seasonal pastas. With a kitchen garden supplying produce, gnocchi nights, and a lively Enoteca next door for pre-dinner drinks, Nostrana blends unfussy Italian cooking with local sourcing.
20. Magna Kusina
Carlo Lamagna’s love letter to Filipino food offers classics and inventive twists—Shrimp Sinigang, Mom’s Crab Fat Noodles, Seafood Kare-Kare, and adobo-driven mains. Open for lunch and dinner, Magna Kusina combines comforting flavors with playful cocktails rooted in Filipino ingredients.
21. Normandie
Normandie serves French coastal comfort with surprises—prawn and crab toast, steak frites with miso remoulade, and hamachi crudo with pomegranate and mezcal aguachile. The bustling neighborhood vibe and convivial beverage program make it perfect for casual yet refined meals.
22. Maglia Rosa
Troy MacLarty’s seasonal, market-driven Italian spot channels farm-fresh ingredients into dishes like burrata with pluot jam, corn fritters, pappardelle with duck ragu, and chicken al mattone. The adjacent market offers house-made ravioli, sauces, and bottled wines for at-home dining.
23. Le Pigeon
Gabe Rucker’s pioneering, experimental French restaurant remains a Portland cornerstone with a meat-forward tasting menu, a vegetarian option, and famously high-low sibling Canard next door. Le Pigeon’s inventive, often theatrical cuisine helped redefine Portland fine dining and continues to draw national attention.
Author
Hannah Wallace, a Portland-based journalist, covers food, wine, sustainable agriculture, wellness, and travel. She contributes to Civil Eats, Fast Company, Food & Wine, Inc., Portland Monthly, SevenFifty Daily, Vogue, and the New York Times, among others.
