Top 16 Best Downtown Restaurants in Portland

Downtown Portland is home to many different local and tourist attractions such as boutiques, art galleries, theaters, bistros, and restaurants. It can be a challenge to figure out where to eat when you’re traveling so we’ve created this curated list of the best restaurants to visit in downtown Portland for your next trip to the city.

Explore the heart of Portland all in one area with many choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during your stay. Here are the top 16 best restaurants located in downtown Portland, Oregon (in no particular order)...

1. Departure Restaurant + Lounge – a modern Pan-Asian high up downtown restaurant with incredible views

Downtown Portland’s Departure Restaurant + Lounge is an on-site dining venue at the Nines Hotel. 

Try Northwest oysters, sashimi, Mahogany noodles, Kushiyaki eggplant, spicy tuna poke roll, and other tasty Asian delicacies.

Wash it down with your choice of a craft cocktail, sake, beer, red wine, or white wine. 

You have four choices of desserts including opera cake, woodblock chocolate mousse, Saigon cinnamon cashew cheesecake, and the seasonal menu item for sorbet and ice cream. 

Address: 525 SW Morrison St, 15th Floor, Portland, OR 97204

2. Cheryl’s on 12th – one of the most popular downtown restaurants

Cheryl’s on 12th is a cafe in Downtown Portland that serves upscale New American eats and you can find breakfast items, brunch, lunch dishes, and dinner specialties.

If you’re heading to Cheryl’s for breakfast, we recommend filling your belly with steel-cut oatmeal, a breakfast burrito, or the french toast. All of the above are delicious and should be able to easily hold you over until lunchtime.

Speaking of lunch, try the cold sandwiches – Cheryl’s Club or the Caprese Sandwich. If you prefer hot sandwiches, the Prime Rib French Dip and the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich are both highly recommended.

Indulge in upscale meat and seafood dishes for dinner time such as chicken marsala, flat iron steak, or chargrilled salmon. 

Address: 1135 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

3. Portland City Grill – award-winning New American dishes with an Asian touch with an incredible 30th-floor skyline view

The U.S. Bancorp in Downtown Portland is home to Portland City Grill. 

Asian flair and New American cuisine are fused for a new take on Portland food fare at this rooftop skyline restaurant. 

Start your meal off with a delicious appetizer such as Kung Pao calamari, an artisan cheese board, or pork belly and steamed buns. 

For your entree, try the herb-crusted pork loin with locally-sourced fresh vegetables and Yukon gold mashed potatoes on the side. Maybe you’re feeling more on the seafood pasta side and want to try the seafood alfredo. 

If you want a lighter meal, eat one of their salads such as the apple, gorgonzola, and candied hazelnut salad. 

Address: 111 SW 5th Ave 30th Floor, Portland, OR 97204

4. Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine – a cool outpost of a vegan counter-serve chain with Asian-accented menus

Taste vegan meal delights with an Asian twist at Downtown’s Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine. 

Try crunchy appetizers, comfort food Asian soups, and Western American favorites all in one meal. 

Drumsticks, golden rolls, and wontons are some of the crunchy appetizers to try. Wonton soup and hot and sour soup grace the menu along with salads such as Amazon salad. Western American favorites include spaghetti, the Ocean Burger, and the Hawaiian burger. 

Enjoy the house-made cold beverages and homemade desserts including cheesecake, banana cake, and carrot cake. 

Address: 1239 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201

5. Tope – a stylish Mexican eatery with sweeping views of the city

Located in the Hoxton, Tope is a rooftop venue that offers delicious tacos and a mezcal menu that will have you shaking maracas and doing the cha-cha-cha. 

Oregon Bay shrimp ceviche, roasted pork belly, and queso dip are on the appetizer menu. Carnitas, pollo pibil, and pescado frito are some of the tacos options you can try. 

Entrees such as tamales, barbacoa, and pollo con mole are other Mexican dishes you can try if you want to get adventurous beyond the usual tacos. Wash it down with mezcal, tequila, beers, margarita, or a mocktail of your choice. 

Address: 15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

6. Lechon – a vibrant, rustic-chic haunt offering creative South American meals

Don’t spend that plane ticket to South America. Visit Downtown’s Lechon for a South American cuisine experience unlike any other. 

Try a dish from one of their dedicated tapa-inspired menus. Pork anticucho, grilled octopus, pastel de choclo, vermicelli dumplings, and others are the tapas you can sample. 

Enjoy their happy hour from 4 pm to 5 pm every day except Sunday. The happy hour menu features a variety of tapas ranging from $5 to $14. 

Address: 113 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

7. Mother’s Bistro & Bar – a homey cafe and bar with country-chic decor

Mother’s Bistro & Bar offers comfort food in an upscale environment surrounded by chandeliers on the ceiling. 

Each month, the Mother of the Month has her recipes featured for a whole month at Mother’s Bistro & Bar. This allows clients to sample different foods worldwide from mothers that have taken the time to perfect their recipes. 

For lunch, indulge in pierogies, chicken liver, ravioli, hummus and pita, and more. Usual daily specials include frittatas, waffles, pancakes, crisps, and more. Check them regularly for dish rotations.

Address: 121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

8. Mucca Osteria – a chic Italian spot offering organic fare and handmade pasta in a refined space with Gothic flair

Mucca Osteria is for couples visiting Downtown Portland. Indulge in delicious pasta dishes for two in a romantic restaurant that has a Gothic theme. 

For a surprise experience, try the Chef’s Tasting Menu complete with upscale pasta dishes, curated wine selections that pair with the main dishes, and a fancy dessert to round out the end of the experience. 

Appetizers include crostini, bruschetta, scallops, and other high-profile small plates. 

Try spaghetti, ravioli, tortellini, agnolotti, and other pasta delicacies with a fanciful twist. 

Address: 1022 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97205

9. The Melting Pot – a fondue restaurant chain offering heated pots of sweet and savory food

Sixth + Main’s Melting Pot is your destination for all things food and fondue. Dip everything in your choice of cheese or chocolate whether vegetables, fruit, or other delicious dippable bites. 

Couples are invited to Thursdate for a delicious lineup of fondue-dipping romance. Candles and rose petals will adorn your table while you and your date get to enjoy dipping foods in cheese and chocolate during your visit.

Try the California, Caprese, or Ceasar salad for a light refreshing appetizer before jumping into the hearty cheese and chocolate fondue. 

Address: 1050 SW 6th Ave #100, Portland, OR 97204

10. Urban Farmer Portland – modern NW fare at a country-chic restaurant in 8th-floor atrium of the Nines Hotel

Stop by the Nines Hotel to try a great bite of steak at the Urban Farmer Portland.

Urban Farmer Portland is a part of a chain of 4 restaurants throughout America with other locations in Philadelphia, Denver, and Cleveland. 

Try crispy potato rosti, an English muffin, or housemade chicken cherry sausage to get your day started on the right foot for breakfast. 

The Farm Burger and the BBQ Pork Sandwich are delicious lunch and dinner dishes. 

Address: 525 SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204

11. Veggie Grill – a casual but very popular 100% plant-based restaurant in downtown Portland

Veggie Grill is another vegan restaurant establishment in Downtown Portland. Try burgers made with seitan or dishes made with cheeses that have a cashew base. 

The newest dishes at Veggie Grill in Portland are kale caesar salad, meatball sub, kimchi beef bowl, and buffalo cobb salad. 

If you visit on a Tuesday, indulge in their vegan-friendly tacos for Taco Tuesday. Try two types of tacos and upgrade to a meal if you’d like a drink and side to go with your 6-pack of tacos. 

Address: 508 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97204

12. Pine Street Market – a chef-driven food emporium

Pine Street Market is the hub of possibilities and variety as the first food hall in the community. 

Try one of the 9 restaurants in the hall where you can indulge in different American dishes and your choice of craft cocktails. 

Kotsu Ramen and Gyoza give you Asian pasta and dumplings options. Shanghai’s Best is another Asian restaurant in the food hall. 

Other eateries include Teote Outpost, Pleasure Burger, and Pine Street Taproom. 

Address: 126 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

13. Thai Peacock Restaurant – popular Thai staples served in a cozy, laid-back dining room

Thai Peacock Restaurant specializes in curries and Thai soups and small plates. 

Try the Matsaman Curry and Crispy Trout, Pad Thai and Crispy Trout, or the Garlic Fried Rice with Braised Pineapple Pork, and other dishes for a taste of the house specialties. 

Wash down your meal with cocktails, draft beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages. 

With a designated curry, wok, and noodle menu, many Thai delicacies will have you going back for more on your next trip to Portland. 

Address: 219 SW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97205

14. Picnic House – inspired by picnics, this American eatery offers sandwiches and other casual food

If you are at the Portland Art Museum, take the 4-minute walk to visit the Picnic House nearby. 

This restaurant has a picnic theme hence its name. Choose a half sandwich with your choice of soup for a homestyle comfort food lunch. Consider a charcuterie or a fruit and cheese board as a light meal to fit the picnic vibes. 

Parisian ham, buffalo chicken salad, and open-face Provencal tuna melt are some of the sandwich selections that you can try. 

Address: 723 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR 97205

15. Plant-Based Papi – a popular Latin American-inspired vegan restaurant 

The Plant-Based Papi started as a pop-up shop at the Williams District Night Market. In 2020, the owner, Jewan Manuel, opened his restaurant at the location shown below. The owner was an active vegan for the past 9 years before opening up his food establishment. 

The restaurant specializes in jackfruit nachos. Try their vegan truffle mac and cheese or their vegan take on a spicy fried chicken dish. 

Rather than using faux meats like other vegan restaurants, he uses completely plant-based ingredients to mimic some of the “meat” dishes on the menu. 

Address: 614 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97205

16. Lovely Rita – an easy-going bistro influenced by the Pacific Northwest

Lovely Rita is another on-site restaurant at the Hoxton in Downtown Portland. 

The restaurant serves delicious seasonal dishes with the menu written and prepared by Chef Joel Lui-Kwan. 

Their signature dish is the Lovely Burger made with patty from Laney Family Farm, butter lettuce, onion, basil aioli, and bread and butter pickles all sandwiched together on a brioche bun. 

Try an off-menu and wine-pairing meal experience curated by the chef for a surprise meal. 

Address: 15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

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