The 24 best restaurants in Portland, Oregon

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. 

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 Pambiche’s equally fantastic homemade dessert.

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.

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.

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.

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), the Portland-based ice cream shop-turned-nationwide-phenomenon Salt & Straw 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.

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.

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.