From James Beard Winners to New York Times 50 Best, here are the must book restaurants in Portland right now.
LessHan Oak has been a smash hit with critics from GQ and Portland Monthly since it opened in 2017, thanks to James Beard Award-nominated chef Peter Cho’s shareable Korean tasting menus. The feast starts with banchan—including Cho’s mom’s kimchi—and moves through heaping platters of bulgogi and koji-cured coppa before ending with bingsoo (shaved ice) and, if you're lucky, boisterous late-night karaoke.
One of the New York Times's 50 favorite restaurants of 2024, L'Orange charms with its refined, Pacific Northwest-influenced Mediterranean small plates and superbly curated wine in a homey, cozy atmosphere. The combo quickly captivated local critics and diners, who show up in droves for dishes like roasted garlic soup with grapes or poached and grilled cauliflower with curried granola. It all obviously pairs beautifully with owner Jeff Vejr's large, varied selection.
OK Omens is a wine focused restaurant with an emphasis on both natural wines and integrity driven classics. Opened by 5x James Beard Nominated Chef Justin Woodward and 'Food & Wine Magazine' Sommelier of the Year Brent Braun, they offer a seasonal eclectic dinner menu designed to compliment their playful, progressive wine program.
Award-winning Chef Juan Gomez, who helped República garner best new restaurant nods from Bon Appétit and James Beard, is taking a more personal approach to PNW cuisine. Recently nominated one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the Country by the New York Times, Lilia offers dishes like Pork Collar Confit and fresh Aguachile, leaning on Chef Juan's Mexican-American roots while showcasing hyper-seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Chef Carlo Lamagna, one of Food and Wine's Best New Chefs and a James Beard Awards finalist, brings a twist to the food he grew up on. A modern take on Filipino cuisine steeped in traditional dishes. Old school flavor with a new school style. Connecting with diners through flavor and story. Enjoy signature takes on popular Filipino dishes at this award winning restaurant.
Oma's Hideaway is a vibrant, maximalist restaurant inspired by the life and spirit of Chef Thomas Pisha Duffly's grandmother, Kiong Tien “Tina” Vandenberg. Her ability to adapt, to make the most out of limited resources, and to stay creative while projecting warmth and brightness is the guiding force behind Oma’s Hideaway. The menu draws influence from the craveable, soul-satisfying food of Singapore and Malaysia with exaggerated yet balanced flavors.
Arden is an idyllic retreat tucked into Portland's Pearl District. They deliver seasonal Pacific Northwest cuisine and an award-winning wine program featuring over 250 bottles. Arden is named in homage to Shakespeare's famous forest - a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and appreciate nature's bounty and beauty. The restaurant invites you to take an exciting culinary adventure through the Pacific Northwest.
Kachka features an award-winning menu of post-soviet inspired dishes including famous dishes such as the herring under a fur coat, rabbit in a clay pot, dumplings and much more. The restaurant is an homage to the dishes their chef/owner grew up eating.
Nominated for Best New Restaurant and Best Chef in the James Beard Awards, Gado Gado is an Indonesian-focused restaurant in Portland’s Hollywood neighborhood. They serve an eclectic menu that derives flavors from owners Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly’s cultural heritage, travels, and culinary backgrounds.
In a distant European city, Fabian and Miriam vanished into the Alps, trading their city lives for mountain solitude. Days were spent farming, foraging, crafting cheese, and making wine. Nights brought cooking, baking, wine-drinking, and stargazing. They were drawn deeper into the mountains, caught in the Alpenrausch's dual meaning—the exhilaration of mountain air and the intoxication of good company, fine wine, and schnapps.
Award winning seasonally inspired vegetable forward Mexican fare from 'Eater Chef of the Year' Luna Contreras, that is reliant on deliberate layers of flavor. Inspiration comes from the foundation established by Luna's grandmother, Mama Chelo, in a 'colonia' in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Javelina Indigenous Dining, located in Portland’s Cully neighborhood, is the city’s only Indigenous restaurant, led by Chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson of the Yakama people of Washington and the Hopi of the Southwest. The menu blends Native tradition with modern culinary innovation, with house-made fry bread at its center—crispy, golden, and comforting, served in both classic and imaginative, seasonal forms.
Yaowarat brings the bold flavors of Bangkok’s Chinatown to Portland with Thai-Chinese street-food classics, vibrant cocktails, and a lively night-market vibe. Known for its chive cakes, noodles, and creative desserts, this Montavilla hotspot blends rich flavors with an energetic, design-driven atmosphere.