Welcome to our 2023 guide to Portland restaurants, which features 40 of the best restaurants in Portland in as many categories as could reasonably fit into a post for readers with an above-average attention span.  Like any visitor, native or person of interest with interest in the Portland dining scene knows, culling to 40 best Portland restaurants from about 4,000 is no easy task.

This guide has short highlighted information for each restaurant and includes high-end Portland restaurants as well as a smattering of casual Portland restaurants. We kept parameters limited to locally-owned restaurants in the Portland area.

SEE ALSO: 50 BEST BURGERS IN PORTLAND

40. Vietnamese: Rose VL

If you love a good bowl of Pho or other traditional Vietnamese soup, this is the one place you have to go.  Rose is a hole-in-the-wall family with a capital “F” Mom and Pop joint with a sparse menu (2 soups per day) on Foster Avenue in Southeast Portland and is not really near anything else, but you won’t care.  You’re there for the soup.  The soup at Rose VL is easily one of Portland’s Top 10 dishes, it’s so flavorful, fresh, and authentic and it’s also a great deal. Pop will likely take your order and Mom (or daughters) will make your soup.  Highlights: crab flake soup and turmeric noodle soup.

39. Food Truck: Birrieria la Plaza

Birria took the nation by storm a few years ago and the hype remains at this humble food truck located in North Portland. A family-run truck using their Doña’s “absolutely brilliant” birria recipe, the slow-braised, succulent beef at Birrieria La Plaza is to die for. We recommend trying at least one quesataco: a corn tortilla encrusted with crispy-melty cheese, juicy, rich birria, cilantro, and onions. Don’t forget a side of consome (the flavor-packed braising liquid the beef is cooked in) to dip your tacos in for the most authentically drippy birria experience. Bonus points for being one of the most affordable bites in Portland as well as our favorite food truck.

38. Sandwiches: Sammich

Sammich PDX is Chef and owner Melissa “Cubby” McMillan’s newest addition to her empire that began with Sammich Ashland (2013); took on Cully and North Portland with food truck Pastrami Zombie (home of one of our favorite burgers) in 2016, and in 2017 arrived on E. Burnside to bring killer sandwiches including her signature Montreal-style Pastrami to the masses.  All of Sammich’s meats are roasted, smoked, and cured in-house.  Besides a sublime pastrami sando, you can also get a “Timbo” which is a Chicago version of a Cheesesteak–sliced beef stuffed into a toasted baguette with mayo, cheese, lettuce, and onion; the “Da Burg” which is a first-class double patty burger that can be tricked up a number of levels (add pastrami, jalapeno, giardiniera, bacon); a Cubbie Cubano with ham, swiss, bacon, pickles, mustard, and giardiniera; a Chicago Italian beef with giardiniera and sweet peppers then dipped; a couple of nice turkey sandos; a grilled cheese (cheddar and swiss and served with tomato soup); an albacore tuna option and finally, why not try a salad such as a Cubbie Cobb or Wrigley Salad.  If you’ve picked up on the baseball references then you know the other reason we love this place which is that there’s a die-hardedness to the fan/owner, and what’s there not to love about that?

37. Mediterranean: Shalom Y’all

Our favorite spot for great Mediterranean cuisine in Portland is Shalom Y’all. The menu is divided into five sections, and your number one job is to order a few plates from each section and share, share, share. We encourage a veg-forward approach (which won’t be too tall of an order) with some meat sprinkled in. The roasted beet tahina with dill and lamb carnitas, which feature cured lemon and a refreshing cucumber salad, are exceptional, and the ultra-smooth classic hummus will marry everything together beautifully. Be sure to order enough pillowy-soft pita to go around: you’ll need at least one per person.

36. Fried Chicken: Hat Yai

Hat Yai is the iconic tiny Thai spot on N. Killingsworth (and a newer location on Belmont) where you’ll feast on the most delicious fried chicken of your Portland life.  Fried chicken wing, leg quarter, half chicken, and whole chicken options come with sticky rice. Or opt for the fried chicken curry roti set, which includes a leg quarter served alongside curry and roti. Be sure to go with friends so one of you can order the other curry options as well as the dessert roti.

35. Iconic and Delicious: Pine State Biscuits

Portland is a food mecca, to be sure, and has several restaurants it’s known for by tourists and locals alike. Pine State Biscuits is one of these places. And with four locations and a steady stream of customers in and out from open to close, we stand with the masses and absolutely love this Portland institution. No surprise: you’re here for the biscuits made from scratch in-house daily. They’re a little crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and supremely buttery. Obviously you can’t go wrong with a warm biscuit with local jam and whipped butter, but for something more meal-like, the Reggie Deluxe is where it’s at. Fried chicken, bacon, cheese, gravy, and an egg are all cradled between two halves of one of those glorious biscuits. Don’t forget the seasonal homemade poptart and local apple cider. . . to-go is always an option if you’re plagued with a too-full stomach.

34. Drive-In: Sugarpine Drive-In

Relatively new-ish to our canvas of Portland restaurants is the Sugarpine Drive-In. You’ll have to drive nearly 30 minutes from the city center to access this hidden gem, but it’s a decision we venture to say you’ll never regret. Sugarpine Drive-In is equal parts cozy, nostalgic, and delicious. An old tackle shop converted into a drive-in and restaurant, Sugarpine serves up a variety of approachable and fantastic menu items like grilled cheese sandwiches, hearty salads, and homemade soup. Save some room for a soft-serve cone or an ice cream sundae.

33. Eastern European: Kachka

We love the food and the decor at Kachka, and it’s undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Portland.  Whether or not you drink vodka, you’ll enjoy yourself at this playful yet sophisticated restaurant in the Industrial district.  Lots of dumplings including a Siberian beef and pork pelmeni and a local sour cherry vareniki, charcuterie, smoked fishies, and inventive seasonal dishes.  Be sure to try the famous “Herring Under a Fur Coat,” (herring, potatoes, beets) pictured above.

32. Indian: Bollywood Theater

Bollywood Theater is a fun, casual and always bustling Indian restaurant with two locations in Portland offering lesser-known dishes and popular street foods. It’s our favorite spot for great Indian food in town and one of the best Portland restaurants.  Highlight:  kati roll and goan-style shrimp.

31. Spanish: Bar Casa Vale

Bar Casa Vale is a fun Spanish restaurant with excellent snacks such as valencia almonds, marinated olives, anchovy, bread with tomato oil, king spot prawns with shrimp paste and a trout skewer; boards including charcuterie, seafood and cheese; and an impossible-to-choose-from list of small and large plates including clams, octopus, paella, salt cod fritters, and roasted Iberico pork.  Be bold and go for the $50 Chef’s Choice Family Style Feast, with tastes of all the best choices.

30. Burgers: Sure Shot Burgers

If griddled burgers are your thing, head straight to Sure Shot Burgers. Sure Shot takes smash burgers to a whole new level–the patties are so thin the edges stick well outside the perimeter of the bun and are crisped to lacy perfection. And with just the right hit of salt, these burgers are a “thin and crispy” lover’s nirvana. Located in a food cart directly across the street from another FF favorite, Pizza Jerk, Sure Shot prides itself on its unphotogenic burgers (it’s a thing, check out their IG @sureshotburger) that are absolutely delicious every single time. It’s a formula we’ve had before–caramelized-to-perfection patties on a nicely toasted bun topped with melty American cheese, zippy house sauce, pickles, and onion–but there’s a reason why the classic still holds up. Sure Shot does offer a few specialty burgers that are fun and absolutely tasty, but we keep coming back to the double cheeseburger time and again. The fries are surprisingly reminiscent of a thin-cut, McDonald’s style fry in all the right ways. Follow Sure Shot on IG for updated hours, as they’ve been known to shift quite a bit.

29. Nong’s Khao Man Gai

One of the most beloved Portland restaurants, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, serves straightforward and undeniably delicious Thai Food. Female owner Nong Poonsukwattana moved to the U.S. in 2003 with only two suitcases and $70. Now, nearly two decades later, she has a thriving and cult-following business thanks to her simple yet incredibly flavored rice and chicken dish (Khao Man Gai) that will literally knock your socks off. Her signature sauce is the icing on the cake– be prepared to join Nong’s cult following.

28. Casual Pizza: Pizza Jerk

Although nearly impossible to narrow down a favorite pizzeria in Portland, let alone a favorite casual pizzeria in town (see 34 other choices right here), Pizza Jerk is unquestionably one of the very best restaurants in Portland.  They serve top-notch pizza but in the most fun, kicked-back environment. The pizza here is New Haven style, with twice fermented crust, creating a beautifully hydrated dough that gives you that perfect crispy-on-the-outside, soft and warm-on-the-inside effect. The cheese pizza here is our unanimous favorite- it’s simple and bare bones which really lets the pure ingredients including the sharp pecorino and the buttery crunchy dough shine through. Follow their Instagram account for weekly specials and if you have a sweet tooth their soft serve ice cream and rice krispy treats always hit the spot.

27. Tacos: Matt’s BBQ Tacos

There are so many great tacos in the City of Roses.  From trucks to tiendas to sit-down restaurants, everything is possible in Portland.  But our current favorite go-to taco spot is unquestionably Matt’s BBQ Tacos. You’re coming here for Texas-style tacos that taste every bit Texan and authentic as the real-deal establishments in cities like Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Foundational to any great taco is a homemade tortilla, and Matt’s BBQ Tacos makes both their flour and corn tortillas by hand (most taquerias in Texas typically make one or the other). The menu here is delightfully small and simple, with four lunch taco options and two breakfast taco options. The migas is the quintessential breakfast taco, and Matt’s makes theirs to perfection, with soft scrambled egg, tortilla chips, pico de gallo, cheese, and guac. All three lunch tacos are adorned with succulent cuts of barbecue, but the sliced brisket is our strong recommendation, topped with guacamole, perfect pickled red onions, and cilantro.

26. Seafood: Flying Fish Market

Being so close to the coast in Portland means having great access to fresh fish, and Flying Fish Co. is where we find ourselves returning to time and time again. Located on Burnside next to a few of our other favorites, here you can quite literally buy your fish and eat it too. Grab some uber-fresh sushi-grade tuna and salmon for sushi night, add on a few oysters because why not, then pop next door for a killer fast-casual lunch or dinner. The fried fish tacos filled with battered and fried wild PNW rockfish are phenomenal on a warm summer day, the clam chowder is nearly mandatory for a drizzly day, and the grilled fish sandwich is perfect for any day. And if a fish market sounds overwhelming, never fear, the fishmongers’ extensive knowledge and service will have you feeling comfortable ordering (and cooking) whole branzino in no time.

25. Happy Hour: Expatriate

Perhaps familiar from our guide to the best burgers in town, Expatriate is Beast Chef Naomi Pomeroy’s ode to fun drinking snacks and is also one of the best restaurants in Portland.  Try the James Beard onion sandwiches, shrimp toast, or expat katsu sando.  Expatriate also serves one of the best brunches in town with an unusual and creative small menu.

24. Artisanal Pizza: Lovely’s Fifty Fifty

The Lovely’s Fifty Fifty Pizza, served up by the wonderfully creative and spirited Sarah Minnick, although changing by week and season, consistently has so many things we love on and in a pizza: organic and naturally leavened dough, locally grown produce, juicy sauces and condiments, and eggs. Fifty Fifty pies have more of everything we love in a pizza: more smell, more color, more character, more taste, more chew.  Yet they are not heavy-handed or overdone, just in possession of every good pizza element in its perfect fullness. The Fifty Fifty pies are wildly vegetable-centric, and the dough has a delicious earthy deep flavor. Open for dinner only and always polish off your pizza with some of their homemade, small-batch ice cream.

23: Tortas: Güero

There’s no restaurant in Portland quite like Güero. Situated on 28th Ave in southeast Portland, this Mexican restaurant serves phenomenal tortas. Have you had a mouth-watering, life-changing torta before? If you haven’t, Güero is a great place to set the bar. Get the carnitas torta, which is prepared on a perfectly toasted telera (Mexican sandwich bread), packed with juicy delicious toppings including Carlton Farms pork, avocado, fresh onion, cilantro, lime, cabbage, and pickled onion with chile lime mayo. Güero also serves an exceptional burger, made with two smash patties, avocado, American cheese, pickled jalapeños, grilled onions & chiles, ham, queso, iceberg lettuce, and chipotle mayo on a sesame bun.

22. Charcuterie: Olympia Provisions

You can’t come to Portland (or live in Portland) without indulging in the best spot in town for delicious, salty charcuterie. And there’s no one who does things quite like Olympia Provisions. It’s one of our favorite spots in town for nearly every occasion as they offer brunch, lunch, midday, and dinner menus. Be sure that every meal has at least one of their Spanish, Italian, or French cheese boards and some house-marinated olives. Not enough charcuterie? Hop over to the bar and purchase one of their homemade salami rolls to go.

21. Salads and Vegetables: Quaintrelle

Located on another restaurant-centric street in Northeast Portland (Mississippi), Quaintrelle is named for “A woman who emphasizes a life of passion expressed through personal style, leisurely pastimes, charm, and a cultivation of life’s pleasures,” and it’s the place you’ll want to go for a big plate of gorgeous vegetables.  Of course there are many other options on Quaintrelle’s menu, such as a ribeye, but even that steak is vegetable-laden and served with cauliflower, pickled ramps, radishes, and ramp butter.  Do go veg at Quaintrelle and try such recent offerings as gazpacho with beets, strawberries, sheep cheese, hazlenuts, and mint or little gems with tarragon, radishes, sunflower seeds and cured egg yolk.

20. Filipino: Magna Kusina

Whether you’ve had Filipino cuisine or not, Magna Kusina needs to be on your list as one of the best restaurants in Portland. Here you’ll find vibes that are a combination of an ode to the Philippines intermingled with that quirky-casual, laid-back feel Portland is known for. We recommend sampling as many skewers as you have an appetite for–favorites include the beef, chicken, and scallops. All the skewers are grilled over charcoal in the authentic Filipino way just feet away from the dining area, with the perfume of charred meat wafting through the entire restaurant. The Tokwa’t Kabute (fried tofu and mushrooms served with a tofu puree, shallots, and cilantro) is also a top pick, and Mom’s Crab Fat Noodles are ridiculously good.

19. Ramen: Afuri Izakaya

If you want the best ramen in Portland, head straight to Afuri in southeast Portland, where the ramen is as authentic as it gets (this is Afuri’s first location outside of Japan). Ramen is the house specialty, but everything served at Afuri is noteworthy, from the dumplings to the sushi to the sashimi. Get the yuzu shio for their most signature ramen, or if you’re in the mood for a seafood-centric meal, the chirashi don is unforgettable.

18. Australian: Proud Mary Cafe

Proud Mary is simultaneously a dual-country cafe and one of the best restaurants in Portland. The emphasis here is hands down the high-end coffee, but coffee drinker or not, the food here is incredible. They offer all-day breakfast, delicious lunch, high-end tea, fresh juice, smoothies, cakes, and pastries in a gorgeous, bright space. True to Australian-themed restaurants, the food here is fresh and (mostly) healthy with a big emphasis on sustainable, locally sourced products. Menu items may rotate seasonally, but the ricotta hotcake is an absolute must.

17. Korean: Han Oak

Han Oak is unquestionably one of the best Portland restaurants and here’s why:  (1) It’s a restaurant inside the chef’s home but it still feels like a restaurant . . . an indoor/outdoor open kitchen concept/patio and patio-extension restaurant, that is; (2) the rollicking spicy Korean fried chicken; (3) a tasting menu option; and, (4) legendary pork dumplings – not a mandu dumpling, not a soup dumpling, but somehow with elements of both- they’re giant and served in a spoon, with a little bit of broth.  A “non-traditional” Korean restaurant according to Han Oak’s website, it is definitely one of the places you’d have to go if you only had a few hours or meals to spend in Portland.  Caution: reservations are necessary, even for a solo non-drinking diner seated at the bar.

16. Argentinian: Ox

Ox is the Argentinian meat-centric restaurant on MLK Blvd belonging to husband and wife chef stars Greg and Gabrielle Denton.  There are many options for steak including an Uruguayan ribeye, and the clam chowder with marrow bone and jalapenos is one of Portland’s most photographed and coveted bowls.

15. Mexican: Republica

What started as a small coffee roasting company during Covid has now expanded to three restaurants, three cafes, and one cocktail bar, all with a focus on Mexico-Forward cuisine. Republica was the first restaurant the group opened and is now one of the best restaurants in America. The menu has evolved over time and is currently only available as a seven- or ten-course chef’s tasting menu, where you can sample gorgeously plated, incredibly delicious dishes all created with a deep respect for historically Mexican ingredients and cooking techniques. It’s Mexican food like you’ve never tasted before or thought was possible, and we absolutely love it.

14. Thai Comfort Food: Paa Dee/ Langbaan

Our favorite Thai spot in Portland is Paa Dee.  Chef Earl Ninsom serves up your favorite familiar Thai dishes such as Pad Kee Mao and Tom Yum soup, as well as Thai comfort food curries, vigorously flavored snacks and appetizers and a standout fried whole trout.  Highlights:  fried soft boiled egg with dried chili, shallot, scallion, and tamarind sauce and the pan-fried tapioca-based Chinese chive cakes served with sour soy sauce. You’re welcome.

13. Coquine

Coquine is a wonderful, warm-hearted French-inspired neighborhood restaurant nestled in Portland’s Mt. Tabor region that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  It sits quietly and unassumingly in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Portland, on a corner street with nothing but a yoga studio, beautiful homes, and Mt. Tabor Park for blocks.  The food is consistently perfect.  The dishes are creative, the ingredients impeccably sourced, and the vibe is a nice cross between modern and rustic.  Coquine is open on the weekends for breakfast, brunch, between, and dinner, with a small but killer pastry case.  Sit for the four-course “Chef’s Choice” menu or the seven-course “Tasting Menu”.  Highlights include chicken liver mousse with persimmon jam, orechiette with peas, almond, breadcrumbs, and lemon, and chickpea socca.  For breakfast, try the house-made pastries, rye pancakes, buckwheat biscuits, or homemade granola with yogurt and fruit. Never leave without one of their life-changing chocolate chip cookies.

12. Casual Korean: Toki

If you love Han Oak, you’re likely to feel the same about their new casual Korean restaurant, Toki. What started as a temporary Covid solution to keep Han Oak alive is now a fully-fledged stand-alone brunch and dinner concept. For brunch, the steamed bao burger, equipped with two smash patties, special sauce, cheese, and pickles, is laced with flavor and is the best fusion burger we’ve had. The Omurice, a bed of kimchi fried rice nestled in a puddle of egg sauce, is also an excellent option. For dinner, the Korean fried chicken wings are a must. We recommend getting a flight for ideal sampling, though those that are dipped in chili oil then dusted with more chili reign supreme. And if you’re cool with more heat, the hand-pulled biang biang noodles doused in szechuan chili oil are addictively tingly. If you’re maxed out on spice, though, the wontons and pork katsudon are no slouch either.

11. Food Truck Turned Restaurant: Gracie’s Apizza

North Portland might not be where you’re heading first for good food, but trust us on this one: Gracie’s Apizza is one of the best pizzerias in town and well worth the drive. And in a city that’s been deemed one of the best pizza cities in the US, that’s no small claim. Gracie’s serves wood-fired ten-inch pizzas made from naturally fermented dough. The result is a beautifully crispy on the outside, delicate on the inside crust that we can’t get enough of. Seasonality is huge at Gracie’s, which makes a big difference in the overall flavor of every item on the menu. The Mozz is a favorite, but anything that sounds good will be, and the dessert is not to be overlooked. The owner is super friendly and has taken extra care to create a really great space. Order at the counter then enjoy the quaint but beautiful patio. Or sit inside and watch the pizzas as they come bubbling out of the oven. 

10. Thai Barbecue: Eem

Although somewhat new to the dining scene, Eem is one of the best Portland restaurants by a landslide. This fusion restaurant combines two beloved food genres which you never knew belonged together: Thai and barbecue. Everything on the menu at Eem is executed so fantastically, and the vibe is completely non-pretentious and enticingly carefree. Always start with the chopped BBQ fried rice, then work your way through curries and Thai BBQ including the white curry with brisket burnt ends (not kidding) and the Massaman curry with smoked lamb shoulder. Grabbing some lunch? The smoked pork belly & holy basil are chock full of flavor and the Eemburger is delightfully surprising.

9. Best Sister Restaurant: Oma’s Hideaway

When one of our favorite restaurants opens a  sister restaurant, we always have to wonder if it’s going to be as good as the original or even better. Great news, Oma’s Hideaway 100% deserves its own reservation. You’re here for a fun, casual spin-off of the Southeast Asian flavor profiles you enjoy at Gado Gado, but the menu is different enough that we promise there’s room to love both. The menu rotates quite often at Oma’s, so it’s hard to have dedicated favorites, but the roti is always on the menu and is non-negotiable. This flaky Malaysian flatbread is honestly one of the best things you’ll sink your teeth into in the Portland area. Its buttery layers-upon-layers go with literally everything on the menu. The burger, dressed with chili shrimp jam and egg yolk mayo, occasionally makes an appearance and is also absolutely wonderful. Trust your server to help you with a few well-rounded picks from each section of the menu, and you’ll be set.

8. Portland Institution: Ken’s Artisan Pizza

Started almost two decades ago by Ken Forkish, Ken’s Artisan Pizza is beloved by locals and highly-acclaimed visitors alike (seriously, their list of accolades is impressive). Ken’s was one of the first high-quality, artisanal pizzerias to really make a name in the then-budding Portland pizza scene, and they’ve even managed to improve on their already amazing product throughout the years. Though Ken Forkish sold the restaurant in 2022, the longtime employees that have taken it over continue to exceed expectations, as Ken’s was recently named the third-best pizzeria in the US. Ken’s is always busy and doesn’t take reservations. We recommend calling ahead to see when the wait list opens and plan to show up 30 minutes before that. Start with the caesar salad, a classic rendition complete with dreamy in-house croutons and an umami-packed, anchovy-forward dressing that’s spot on. Follow your taste preferences when it comes to choosing a pizza, but in case you’re wondering, the burrata pizza and the Brooklyn (complete with capicola, pickled jalapeno, and hot honey) are phenomenal.

7. Every Occasion: Canard

Canard is a brilliant café by day and a wine restaurant with great cocktail food by night brought to you by spirited and James Beard award-winning chef Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon.  It’s also one of the few non-hotel restaurants in Portland where you can get an outstanding weekday breakfast. If we’re being completely honest, there’s no occasion or meal that Canard cannot satisfy. The food is always consistently fantastic, and whether you’re enjoying a casual weekend brunch with friends or a date night with your significant other, Canard is always a home run. Try the Duck Stack (pancakes with duck egg, duck gravy, and foie gras if you prefer) or their famous funfetti pancakes for breakfast, and steamburger sliders or oeufs en mayonnaise with trout roe for a midday snack. Order their soft serve for dessert always.

6. Butcher Shop: Laurelhurst Market

Whether you’re looking for an excellent cut of meat for dinner at home or are here for lunch or dinner, meat reigns supreme at Laurelhurst Market. Even the sandwich selection at lunch features house-smoked and cured meats, which make for some really incredible sandwiches. The #4 is our top-pick: it’s the perfect combination of top-quality meat, housemade pickles, and local bread. Need we say more. The LM Burger is big, juicy, and so incredibly flavor-packed. Its savoriness lingers in your mouth and is everything you’d want from a butcher shop burger. For dinner, the ribeye is Laurelhurst’s signature dish, but we are suckers for the steak frites. Don’t snooze on the griddled corn bread–it’s the best cornbread we’ve ever had and has the most ideal texture and flavor. You’re doing it right if you end up with more rosemary honey and whipped lardo (butter) on your bread than actual bread.

5. Italian: Montelupo Italian Market

If we could only go to one Italian restaurant in the greater Portland area, it would be Montelupo Italian Market. Montelupo embodies everything we love about Italian cuisine – the traditional ambiance, a casual yet elevated dining experience, and, of course, the food itself. Everything is made in-house and is Just. So. Good. Start every meal with an order of homemade bread, a hearty and herby focaccia. Dip it in EVOO to snack and throughout the entire meal, as well. The salads are simple but nearly steal the show. The radicchio salad is particularly well-balanced and has the perfect blend of acidity and richness with strong savory notes. Don’t shy away from adding the anchovies (boquerones)–Montelupo is the best place to have them in town. The tajarin is the signature pasta dish, and we are absolutely in love. Its simplicity is astounding (hand-made pasta served with truffle butter and parmesan) but is the epitome of Italian cooking. The all’amatriciana is studded with fatty guanciale to add oomph to the robust tomato sauce and is also quite delicious. Don’t forget to peruse the market for grab-and-go Italian staples or local EVOO while waiting for your table.

4. Sushi: Nimblefish

Nimblefish is the place to go for the best sushi in Portland, with options from a la carte to omakase.  No gimmicks or weird sushi-bar appetizers here, just fresh, diverse, and premium sushi.  Best for a date or intimate dinner, the place is tiny but chic and modern.  Highlight:  handroll of chopped amberjack, green onion, cucumber, and yuzu.

3. Modern French: Le Pigeon

Ah, Le Pigeon, the James Beard award-winning Chef Gabriel Rucker’s playful take on French food and the place to go for all-out indulgence, serving not only the finest modern French cuisine in Portland, but also one of the best burgers in town.  Highlight: sit at the counter and watch the team cook your beef cheek bourguignon, seared foie gras, spaghetti alla pastrami, or your burger for gastronomic bliss.

2. New: Gado Gado

Gado Gado is our new favorite restaurant in Portland. The food here is a mixture of both Southeast Asian and Chinese fusion, inspired by owners and chefs Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly’s heritage and travels. Everything here is chock full of flavor and each dish is unlike anything you’ve made in your kitchen or even enjoyed at another Portland restaurant. Don’t pass on the Sumatran-Style beef rendang, which is best described as a “dry curry”– an aromatic, incredibly flavorful, and slightly spicy beef dish served with fried egg, cucumber pickles, candied anchovy, peanuts, coconut rice, green chili tomatillo samba, and shrimp krupuk. It’s quite an amazing combination of textures, flavors, and colors. We’re also big fans of the homemade roti, which is served with the most beautiful concoction of blistered tomato, coconut, and toasted garlic curry oil.

1. Worth the Hype: Kann

When an award-winning chef opens a highly-anticipated restaurant featuring an off-the-beaten-path cuisine, you set your alarm and book a reservation ASAP. As is the case with Gregory Gourdet’s Kann, the hottest restaurant in Portland with a Haitian menu that happens to be entirely gluten- and dairy-free. And we are 100% on-board with the masses: Kann might be as close to restaurant perfection as it gets. From the wait staff to the ambiance to the wallpaper in the bathroom, and, of course, the food, Kann is exactly what we were hoping it would be. Highlights include the warm plantain muffins, cornmeal porridge, and the smoked beef rib. This beef rib is moist and tender with the most wonderfully textured bark, and the house-made barbecue sauce it’s served in has just the right hints of smoky, tangy, and sweet. A food-moment must, for sure. And the grilled pineapple upside-down cake might be on repeat at our table.