13 Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Home to the sunny neighborhood-oriented Market Cafe, which serves brunch daily, Coquine blossoms into a romantic, sophisticated French–Pacific Northwest bistro in the evening. Early in the day, feast on sourdough pancakes with huckleberry compote, or black cod–based fisherman's stew with garlic toast, while in the evening, you might encounter pappardelle noodles with pork ragu or roasted whole chicken with hand-cut fries. The unfussy storefront space is just steps from Mt. Tabor Park, making it a lovely spot for a meal before or after a leafy stroll.

This Central East Side establishment decorated to resemble a dacha (a Russian country/vacation house) turns out wonderfully creative and often quite light Russian fare, including plenty of shareable small plates, like crispy beef tongue with sweet onion sauce, orange, and pomegranate; panfried sour-cherry vareniki (Ukrainian dumplings), and—of course—caviar with blini and all the usual accompaniments. Another crowd-pleaser on the menu is the classic chicken Kiev, prepared the old-fashioned way, oozing with butter. The owners also run Lavka, a market and deli above the restaurant.

Top Chef celebrity Gregory Gourdet looked to his heritage (he was raised in New York City by parents who had immigrated from Haiti) in developing this beautifully designed restaurant that, thanks to a tidal wave of critical acclaim, is now one of the most sought-after reservations on the West Coast. Everything that comes out of Kann's kitchen bursts with flavor and color—think lightly seared butterfish with lemongrass, mint, and green-apple shaved ice, and cane syrup–glazed breast and leg of duck with pineapple and tamarind. Reservations are a must, and it's advisable to book at least a couple of months in advance. 

The flagship restaurant of one of the country's leading sources of artisanal charcuterie, such as smoked chorizo, pepper-coated capicola, and pork-pistachio pâté, Olympia Provisions serves gorgeous platters of meats and cheeses along with more eclectic seasonal Mediterranean-influenced fare like eggplant à la plancha with pine nuts and lemon vinaigrette, and pan-roasted black cod with stewed chickpeas. The setting is a smartly designed warehouse space and features a glowing "Meat" sign which quite simply says it all. There's also a pub and a Spanish-inspired tavern, Bar Casa Vale, which are both also in Southeast.

Chef Kevin Gibson reguarly changes up the menu at this elegant but unpretentious neighborhood bistro in order to shine a spotlight on the freshest seasonal ingredients. Highlights often include grilled Oregon octopus with frisée, olive, and tomato; a lightly breaded and crispy fritto misto of fennel, sweet onion, squash, and artichoke with a saffron aioli; and grilled duck breast with haricots verts, potatoes, and cherry sauce. Beer lovers take note: the limited selection features some less common treats, like Petrus aged sour-cherry red ale. Rarely does anything on the menu cost more than $18, but with a small-plates format, you'll typically want to order at least two to three items per person; it's still a solid value, given the quality of ingredients, knowing service, and refined dining room—a dapper, modern space with gray leather booths and banquettes and polished-wood tables.

This extravagant rooftop restaurant and lounge on the top floor of The Nines hotel seems fresh out of LA—a look and feel that is, indeed, a departure from Portland's usual no-fuss vibe. The retro-chic interior has an extravagant, space-age, airport-lounge feel, and the outdoor patio—furnished with low, white couches and bright-orange tables and chairs—offers panoramic views of the Downtown skyline. It's not just about the view here at this see-and-be-seen late-night lounge, with the kitchen turning out fantastic pan-Asian small plates.

With red-checked curtains and candlelit tables draped in white linens, cozy DOC is an authentic nod to casual Italian neighborhood trattorias, but the gorgeously presented cuisine here borrows heavily from the Pacific Northwest. Although you're free to order everything à la carte, most guests opt for the tasting menu, which comprises six courses for $75 (it's an additional $60 for wine pairings) and might feature halibut with a romesco sauce, Pacific oysters on the half shell with a hibiscus vinaigrette, and olive oil cake with strawberry, pine nuts, and tarragon.