Jackrabbit restaurant in downtown Portland.

Downtown Restaurants

From food carts to fine dining, you’re always just steps away from great restaurants in downtown Portland.

Updated Oct. 14, 2024 5 min read Downtown

Within easy walking distance of downtown hotels, you’ll find everything from budget lunch options at a multitude of food carts to fine dining dinners at acclaimed central city restaurants — pretty much always emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients. Read on to find Downtown, Northwest/Nob Hill and Pearl District restaurants for any time of day.

Classic Downtown Portland and Central City Restaurants

A legendary destination for regional cuisine, Higgins Restaurant & Bar was opened in 1994 by Greg Higgins, a pioneer in the movement to feature fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients.

Brunch favorite Mother’s Bistro & Bar serves comfort food made using recipes from mothers around the world, while the historic Jake’s Famous Crawfish (opened in 1892) is a Portland landmark sticking to American favorites.

Opened in 1879, Huber’s Cafe holds the title of “Portland’s oldest restaurant.” Tucked inside the historic Oregon Pioneer Building, Huber’s features “Old Portland” charm, a stained-glass ceiling and a menu of hearty, traditional fare. Don’t miss their Spanish coffee, made tableside with panache (and fire) by seasoned bartenders.

Downtown Portland Coffee Crawl

Portland’s bean scene is as accessible as it is diverse. In fact, you don’t have to leave downtown to sample some of the best cups.

A Portland staple for homey comfort food since 1903, Besaw’s serves classic dishes with a fine-cuisine twist, like chicken and waffles with Korean fried chicken and gochujang, or curried chickpea ragoût.

Learn More About the Downtown and Central City Restaurant Scene

Which restaurants have great views?

Whether you prefer indoor dining or the open air, Departure offers Asian cuisine and some of the best views in town. Views (along with steak, seafood and sushi) are also on the menu at Portland City Grill.

What’s something fun to do downtown?

There’s more to downtown Portland than just the great dining scene — it’s also packed with action and attractions. Check out lively Pioneer Courthouse Square for people-watching, art installations and food carts. Learn a little about the city’s history at the Oregon Historical Society, or take in some culture at the Portland Art Museum.

Are there outdoor dining options in the Pearl?

There are so many restaurants with outdoor seating that we just can’t fit them all here — but Cafe Nell, Screen Door and North 45 are some great options to get you started.

Dinner

Downtown

The West End is a perfect place to seek out great Portland restaurants downtown. Here, you’ll find Chef Rick Gencarelli’s famous pasta-focused, casual-service spot, Grassa. You read it right: enjoy two delicious, affordable dining options at the very same address.

Head a little east to find Maurice, a modern pastry luncheonette — their unique blend of Norwegian and French fare includes savory dishes (like chicken liver pâte) and decadent desserts (like black pepper cheesecake, or lemon soufflé pudding cake). On the other side of downtown, Luc Lac offers a diverse Vietnamese bites and cocktails menu. As a bonus, they’re open until midnight daily and 4 a.m. on weekends.

two people eating food and drinking wine at a picnic table during a busy food festival

Portland for Foodies: Three Days of Dining

There’s a reason foodies flock to Portland restaurants and bars — follow our three-day tour de fork for an ample taste of the best food city in America.

a crowd of people eat, drink and converse on an expansive, warmly lit patio at night

Outdoor Dining in Portland: The Best Bar and Restaurant Patios

Many Portland bars and restaurants offer outdoor dining on scenic rooftops and spacious patios — find top spots where the view’s as good as what’s on the table.

James Beard Award-Winning Chefs

With such a highly praised and delicious food scene, it comes as no surprise that Portland chefs have racked up a few James Beard Awards over the years.

two hands hold up a delectable fried chicken sandwich complete with sauce and veggies

Fried Chicken in Portland

From crispy Thai-style wings to succulent Southern drumsticks, Portland has some of the best finger-licking fried chicken spots.

A biscuit sandwich with egg, sausage and melted cheese on a plate

Comfort Food Favorites in Portland

Get your comfort food fix — whether you’re hankering for mac and cheese, fries topped with gravy or a steaming bowl of pho, these local dishes don't disappoint.

A woman sips a smoothie through a straw from a plastic cup in front of a display of fresh fruit

Healthy Food in Portland

Portland may be known for its ice cream, doughnuts, cured meats and fish sauce chicken wings, but it’s also a heavenly spot for healthy eats.

a bowl of brightly colored vegetables with avocado slices on top and a dressing on the side

Vegetarian Guide to Portland

Nearly every Portland menu features vegetarian options made from fresh, local ingredients, and many restaurants serve vegetarian food exclusively — experience the Portland vegetarian scene that foodies of all stripes have come to love.

a woman at a counter closes the lid on a box of doughnuts at the counter of a bakery behind a glass cabinet full of doughnuts and desserts

Vegan Guide to Portland

From hearty vegan comfort food to plant-based fine dining options, discover the many excellent vegan restaurants Portland has to offer.

Gluten-Free Restaurants

As the demand for gluten-free options has grown, Portland’s forward-thinking chefs have set their tables for diners with dietary restrictions.

Portland Snacks and Where to Find Them

From small cheese plates to conveyer-belt sushi to spring rolls, find your next favorite craving at these Portland, Oregon snack spots.

Portland’s Best Bakeries

Nibble a Danish or slice of rustic bread with our expert guide to Portland’s best bakeries, including gluten-free and dairy-free options, plus award-winners galore.

Northwest/Nob Hill

In early 2014, acclaimed French restaurant St. Jack relocated from its original home in Southeast Portland to Northwest 23rd, bringing updated Lyonnaise classics like oxtail bourguignon and lamb shoulder confit, along with an impressive selection of cheeses, to this larger dining space.

Romantic Italian bistro Caffe Mingo offers Old World delights like hand-cut pasta and fresh risotto, while the modest Red Onion Thai Cuisine produces inspired Asian dishes like Chinese sausage and shrimp laced with Dungeness crab chunks, and a zippy stir-fried green curry beef.

Date Night Ideas in Portland

Planning a romantic evening in Portland? We have date night ideas, activities and adventures for couples who love sports, the arts, the outdoors and more.

Plan a Date

Warm and inviting light emanates from Fireside, a corner restaurant on Northwest 23rd specializing in dishes that showcase the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Snack on small plates of fried cauliflower and beet chips while sipping craft cocktails, or tuck into a succulent plate of Carlton Farms pork loin topped with bacon jam.

Pearl District

Chart your course for adventure at Mediterranean Exploration Company, where lamb kebab pie and Egyptian duck confit make for delicious discoveries. Oven and Shaker showcase the talents of six-time James Beard Award-nominated chef Cathy Whims, whose skill with wood-fired pizzas is complemented by well-studied cocktails that keep the place hopping.

an overhead view of two colorful Peruvian dishes on bright white plates — Peruvian cuisine served at the restaurant Andina

Offerings like stuffed piquillo peppers and house-made ceviche have made the upscale Peruvian restaurant Andina a long-standing Pearl District hot spot. The great food is complemented by nightly live music.

Lunch and Light Fare

Downtown

For Thai treats, try Nong’s Khao Man Gai, which serves up its famous eponymous dish of poached chicken, jasmine rice simmered in chicken stock and an aromatic sauce with a vinegar kick.

Established in 2010, Kalé specializes in a single dish: Japanese curry. Extremely popular in Japan, but less well known in the United States, this savory, complex dish is downright addictive. Kalé is one of the only restaurants that serve authentic Japanese curry in the Pacific Northwest, making it well worth a visit the next time you’re downtown.

The Portland Farmers Market, which has several seasonal downtown locations, is a dazzling — and palate-pleasing — display of Oregon’s bounty, with dozens of growers and food vendors. It’s the perfect place for an impromptu picnic.

The Portland Farmers Market, which has several seasonal downtown locations, is a dazzling — and palate-pleasing — display of Oregon’s bounty, with dozens of growers and food vendors. It’s the perfect place for an impromptu picnic.

Northwest/Nob Hill

The scent of fresh-baked bread wafting from Ken’s Artisan Bakery is irresistible, as are the hearty croque monsieurs, piled with gruyère and thick-sliced ham, and the fruit-laden pastries.

Bamboo Sushi, the country’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant, was such a hit in its original eastside location that a second branch was inevitable. The fishery-friendly menu includes standouts like house-cured wild ivory salmon and a gorgeous seafood charcuterie board.

Pearl District

Grab a window seat or lounge on the patio at airy Lovejoy Bakers and watch the streetcar glide by as you nosh on a delicious array of soups, salads and sandwiches on every type of bread imaginable, from baguettes and buns to brioche, all made in-house. Nuvrei offers handmade French pastries — some traditional, some with a modern twist. The colorful macarons and flaky croissants are a must.

Options over at Deschutes Brewery tend more toward the homegrown (or should we say homebrewed) variety. Select from more than a dozen craft brews, including the amber Green Lakes Organic Ale and the smooth Black Butte Porter, while enjoying upscale pub fare.

If you’re looking for something deliciously healthy, Verde Cocina piles plates of carne asada and tofu mole with veggies fresh from the farmers’ market. They’re especially accommodating of gluten-free, paleo and vegan eaters — but no matter your diet, the food is always fresh and locally sourced.

Bhuna

Bhuna is a fast, casual Indian restaurant that offers thoughtful dishes based on family recipes.
Fish Sauce

Far from the Jade District, this Northwest Portland upscale restaurant serves homestyle Vietnamese cuisine to the westside. Fish Sauce fills its short ribs, wings, and banh mi with its namesake, fish sauce.
Murata Restaurant

A traditional Japanese restaurant with traditional decor serves up old-school style sushi, sashimi, bento and teriyaki.
India House

Downtown’s India House is known for its lunch buffet specializing in Indian standards like naan, tikka masala, and saag paneer, and accommodates vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free needs.
Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine – Pearl

Adventurous Thai restaurant serving old favorites like noodles and curries; new regional-style dishes and Thai-inspired novelties with a focus on spices.

Sweet Treats

Downtown

Downtown is home to many of the great Southwest Portland restaurants — it’s also a perfect place to find something sweet. Satisfy your appetite with a visit to Petunia’s for pies and pastries, St. Honore for delectable baked goods, or Saint Cupcake for cupcakes and cakes. If you’re craving chocolate, you can find it in just about every form at Azar Indulgences: bars, truffles, hot cocoa and more. (You could also head back to Maurice for unique Scandinavian pastries.)

an ice cream sampler consisting of four small bowls and one sugar cone

Ice Cream in Portland

Savor culinary creativity by the scoop at Portland’s top ice cream spots, including regional chains, frozen yogurt shops and vegan options.

person using tongs to select a doughnut from a tray

Doughnut Shops in Portland

Find must-try Portland doughnuts all across the city, from zany creations to tried-and-true classics (think crullers and bear claws) to gluten-free options.

dish of truffle chocolates next to a mug of coffee on a wooden coffee table

Portland Candy Makers and Chocolatiers

These Portland candy artisans craft unique sweets, be they creamy cacao confections, rainbow-colored candies or salty-sweet treats.

Northwest/Nob Hill

Salt & Straw has been scooping out its acclaimed ice cream on Northwest 23rd since spring 2012. In addition to beloved “farm-to-cone” ice cream in flavors like honey balsamic strawberry with cracked pepper, this location also includes an on-site bakery.

Local landmark Papa Haydn offers European-inspired, Northwest-inflected dishes — but its legendary desserts elevate it to destination status.

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