First time here and it was amazing! Best view! Terrific bar layout, drinks were excellent! Great bar staff! Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jacqueline Van Meter
Top of the East is a must-visit spot in Portland - vibes are elevated but relaxed, with leather couches, cozy booths, a few high tops by the window, and the best views in the city hands down. Sunset up there is unbelievable. Their cocktail menu is mostly classics (top notch Espresso Martini, and they sweeten their Oaxacan Old Fashioned with maple - delicious). Interesting mix of travelers and locals. Perfect if you're hosting visitors from out of town, but also great for a date, a nightcap, or stop-in before/after a show (The State, OLS, and the Merrill are all right there).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegatables Hummus and Pita, Roasted Garlic Hummus, Butter Board and Charcuterie Board
Louie Real
I had a reservation for dinner last night and was really looking forward to celebrating a job promotion with my friends. However, the experience was beyond frustrating. First, the restaurant message me to confirm my reservation, but when I arrived, they informed me that they had booked a private party, and my reservation couldn’t be honored. No one had the courtesy to notify me in advance that the reservation was essentially canceled!
The lack of communication was just the start. When I called to speak to management about the issue, I was put on hold for over 30 minutes without any follow-up. It felt like they simply didn’t care about my situation or their own guests. This level of unprofessionalism, from poor communication to complete disregard for customer service, is unacceptable.
What should have been a joyful and memorable night turned into a complete disaster. I’m deeply disappointed and won’t be returning. If you’re considering this place for a special occasion, be prepared for potential headaches.
Yuliya M
Went several times in a matter of 2 days, right before closing and right after opening and got different experiences. Right before the closing the service was almost non existent, as it appeared all the staff cared about was closing the place. They would not even give you a napkin or a coaster with your drink. Right after the opening the service was much nicer, maybe because besides the bartenders there was also a waitress. Pretty good food, just wish came in on a different days, as apparently they had a problem with delivery and half of the menu was missing ingredients.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Aaron Bitz
Great view! The food is decent. But go for the view. Have a few drinks and maybe dessert. Call it a night. Portland has so many great restaurants this isn't quite one. But the view!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Katelyn D.
It is a shame I am writing this review because Top of the East truly is a nice place, however I will not be going back, and I think everyone should be aware of what I experienced this past week.
My husband and I attended a wedding reception for a close friend. We arrived at the bar and let them know we were there for the wedding. They could not find the reservation- the night did not start off on the best note.
When we were closing out our tab, we filled out the receipt like any other transaction and left a tip. The waitress glanced at the receipt, proceeded to run our card, and then came back with a new receipt with a 20% gratuity added. We did not sign this receipt as we had already tipped on the other receipt and felt it was unethical to force us to leave a 20% tip after they made an error by not including it the first time and having us sign. We went home, but the chain of events that followed was extremely problematic:
-My card was authorized 3 times for the original bill pre-tip, an added 20% as a separate charge, and then the amount with the 20% added
-This caused my bank account to be negative for 4 days
-I attempted to call the following day (Sunday)- no manager there, nothing they can do, the manager will call me when he is in on Monday
-Attempted to call again as I did not hear back, again was offered to leave a name and number- I refused as this needed to be addressed ASAP. I was connected to the food and beverage manager, who was very sympathetic and understanding. He told me he would be following up with a resolution.
-This resolution was removing the original tip that was left the first time and only charging the base amount
-The next day I see a new charge on my card for that second amount that I did not sign for
-I called back and spoke with Brent, another manager, who asked me what they could do to make it right. I asked they do their best but ideally they would compensate for the whole bill- my bank account has been negative for days, and I could not seem to get in touch with anyone. Brent told me he would be following up with their accounting team. Again, I did not hear back.
-Called again on Thursday as I still had not seen a credit and I was running low on time to correct the situation with my bank. I spoke with Brent again and asked if he had come to a solution. He immediately connected me with Samantha in accounting after telling me he was waiting on an answer to what additional compensation could be provided given the new events.
-Samantha called me back and told me she did not speak with Brent about issuing any additional refunds and she was only calling me to let me know about the credit coming for the tip amount. She told me she was going to speak with her manager to obtain approval to credit the full amount
-I heard back from Samantha this morning letting me know they will not be issuing any additional credits.
-So, my compensation for this entire situation was removing a tip for a bartender who probably didn’t deserve it to begin with. I am surprised there was nothing else they could offer me, considering I could have gone to the police as this behavior could be perceived as attempted theft.
Again, this place is great but please double check your receipts before signing as well as your bank account after you leave. Very disappointing customer experience- I will not be returning and will ensure this story is told whenever appropriate.
Katy DeBardino
It is a shame I am writing this review because Top of the East truly is a nice place, however I will not be going back, and I think everyone should be aware of what I experienced this past week.
My husband and I attended a wedding reception for a close friend. We arrived at the bar and let them know we were there for the wedding. They could not find the reservation- the night did not start off on the best note.
When we were closing out our tab, we filled out the receipt like any other transaction and left a tip. The waitress glanced at the receipt, proceeded to run our card, and then came back with a new receipt with a 20% gratuity added. We did not sign this receipt as we had already tipped on the other receipt and felt it was unethical to force us to leave a 20% tip after they made an error by not including it the first time and having us sign. We went home, but the chain of events that followed was extremely problematic:
-My card was authorized 3 times for the original bill pre-tip, an added 20% as a separate charge, and then the amount with the 20% added
-This caused my bank account to be negative for 4 days
-I attempted to call the following day (Sunday)- no manager there, nothing they can do, the manager will call me when he is in on Monday
-Attempted to call again as I did not hear back, again was offered to leave a name and number- I refused as this needed to be addressed ASAP. I was connected to the food and beverage manager, who was very sympathetic and understanding. He told me he would be following up with a resolution.
-This resolution was removing the original tip that was left the first time and only charging the base amount
-The next day I see a new charge on my card for that second amount that I did not sign for
-I called back and spoke with Brent, another manager, who asked me what they could do to make it right. I asked they do their best but ideally they would compensate for the whole bill- my bank account has been negative for days, and I could not seem to get in touch with anyone. Brent told me he would be following up with their accounting team. Again, I did not hear back.
-Called again on Thursday as I still had not seen a credit and I was running low on time to correct the situation with my bank. I spoke with Brent again and asked if he had come to a solution. He immediately connected me with Samantha in accounting after telling me he was waiting on an answer to what additional compensation could be provided given the new events.
-Samantha called me back and told me she did not speak with Brent about issuing any additional refunds and she was only calling me to let me know about the credit coming for the tip amount. She told me she was going to speak with her manager to obtain approval to credit the full amount
-I heard back from Samantha this morning letting me know they will not be issuing any additional credits.
-So, my compensation for this entire situation was removing a tip for a bartender who probably didn’t deserve it to begin with. I am surprised there was nothing else they could offer me, considering I could have gone to the police as this behavior could be perceived as attempted theft.
Again, this place is great but please double check your receipts before signing as well as your bank account after you leave. Very disappointing customer experience- I will not be returning and will ensure this story is told whenever appropriate.
Christopher Montellese
I waited 35 minutes for just four drinks, and the service was incredibly slow, especially considering it wasn’t busy. With two bartenders on duty, I expected better efficiency, but it was disappointing to see such a lack of urgency. Definitely not a place I would recommend or return to.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amber hambelton
Rude bar tender and poor service opened late and food was disgusting
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
ibaOne
Great place, with the best views in Portland! I will be back... 💯
Great place, with the best views in Portland! I will be back... ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EllaMinnow Pea
I brought a friend to check out the newly-renovated Top of the East (TOTE) in June. Unfortunately what held our attention was our TERRIBLE SERVER who ruined the vibe of an otherwise lovely early afternoon. This person was simply not fit to be a server -- they were visibly stressed (maybe also crying?), kept apologizing for everything, forgot our food & drink orders twice, and to top things off our bill came inaccurate (twice--after we pointed out the errors once). What was also confounding is the place was half empty! This server needs to retrained or let go to find a line of work that better fits their skills -- cause this ain't it honey! Honestly, the service reflected so poorly on TOTE we chuckle about the bizarre experience months later and have no plans to return until hopefully time resolves this. On a positive note, the food & drinks that managed to arrive after oddly long wait times was delicious. The brie/honey app was a stand out. Geez, it would just reflect better on TOTE to hire a 2nd fast bartender and have people order drinks at the bar and pick up food there as well, rather than allow for such strange and abysmal service to go on. And as I read more recent reviews, it's clear things still need addressing up there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
what the
Best view in town! Gorgeous view of the city and ocean. Service was excellent, drinks were amazing, and the new raw oyster bar was delicious! Relaxed lounge atmosphere and the live piano were perfect for relaxing after a busy day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arda T
Recently, a group of my friends had a birthday gathering at this place, and they've had a horror story to tell about the incompetent wait staff and management. Including lumping a check for 20+ people who don't know each other well, charging $140 to "cut" a birthday cake, yelling and calling the cops on someone for standing up at the bar, etc...
While I read the other reviews, I see owner's passive-aggressive, fake-polite, "go somewhere else to your liking" response on more than one occasion, too.
That's unacceptable and unbelievable... By the way, I've been to this bar once last year, wasn't too impressed with limited food menu and subpar culinary qualities. I wasn't going to write this review until I realized how horrendous the management runs this establishment.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rachael Stetson
This was literally the worst service I have ever had at a bar. The bar tender yelled at the server. I would never come here again.
First time here and it was amazing! Best view! Terrific bar layout, drinks were excellent! Great bar staff! Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Top of the East is a must-visit spot in Portland - vibes are elevated but relaxed, with leather couches, cozy booths, a few high tops by the window, and the best views in the city hands down. Sunset up there is unbelievable. Their cocktail menu is mostly classics (top notch Espresso Martini, and they sweeten their Oaxacan Old Fashioned with maple - delicious). Interesting mix of travelers and locals. Perfect if you're hosting visitors from out of town, but also great for a date, a nightcap, or stop-in before/after a show (The State, OLS, and the Merrill are all right there).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegatables Hummus and Pita, Roasted Garlic Hummus, Butter Board and Charcuterie Board
I had a reservation for dinner last night and was really looking forward to celebrating a job promotion with my friends. However, the experience was beyond frustrating. First, the restaurant message me to confirm my reservation, but when I arrived, they informed me that they had booked a private party, and my reservation couldn’t be honored. No one had the courtesy to notify me in advance that the reservation was essentially canceled!
The lack of communication was just the start. When I called to speak to management about the issue, I was put on hold for over 30 minutes without any follow-up. It felt like they simply didn’t care about my situation or their own guests. This level of unprofessionalism, from poor communication to complete disregard for customer service, is unacceptable.
What should have been a joyful and memorable night turned into a complete disaster. I’m deeply disappointed and won’t be returning. If you’re considering this place for a special occasion, be prepared for potential headaches.
Went several times in a matter of 2 days, right before closing and right after opening and got different experiences. Right before the closing the service was almost non existent, as it appeared all the staff cared about was closing the place. They would not even give you a napkin or a coaster with your drink. Right after the opening the service was much nicer, maybe because besides the bartenders there was also a waitress. Pretty good food, just wish came in on a different days, as apparently they had a problem with delivery and half of the menu was missing ingredients.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Great view! The food is decent. But go for the view. Have a few drinks and maybe dessert. Call it a night. Portland has so many great restaurants this isn't quite one. But the view!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
It is a shame I am writing this review because Top of the East truly is a nice place, however I will not be going back, and I think everyone should be aware of what I experienced this past week.
My husband and I attended a wedding reception for a close friend. We arrived at the bar and let them know we were there for the wedding. They could not find the reservation- the night did not start off on the best note.
When we were closing out our tab, we filled out the receipt like any other transaction and left a tip. The waitress glanced at the receipt, proceeded to run our card, and then came back with a new receipt with a 20% gratuity added. We did not sign this receipt as we had already tipped on the other receipt and felt it was unethical to force us to leave a 20% tip after they made an error by not including it the first time and having us sign. We went home, but the chain of events that followed was extremely problematic:
-My card was authorized 3 times for the original bill pre-tip, an added 20% as a separate charge, and then the amount with the 20% added
-This caused my bank account to be negative for 4 days
-I attempted to call the following day (Sunday)- no manager there, nothing they can do, the manager will call me when he is in on Monday
-Attempted to call again as I did not hear back, again was offered to leave a name and number- I refused as this needed to be addressed ASAP. I was connected to the food and beverage manager, who was very sympathetic and understanding. He told me he would be following up with a resolution.
-This resolution was removing the original tip that was left the first time and only charging the base amount
-The next day I see a new charge on my card for that second amount that I did not sign for
-I called back and spoke with Brent, another manager, who asked me what they could do to make it right. I asked they do their best but ideally they would compensate for the whole bill- my bank account has been negative for days, and I could not seem to get in touch with anyone. Brent told me he would be following up with their accounting team. Again, I did not hear back.
-Called again on Thursday as I still had not seen a credit and I was running low on time to correct the situation with my bank. I spoke with Brent again and asked if he had come to a solution. He immediately connected me with Samantha in accounting after telling me he was waiting on an answer to what additional compensation could be provided given the new events.
-Samantha called me back and told me she did not speak with Brent about issuing any additional refunds and she was only calling me to let me know about the credit coming for the tip amount. She told me she was going to speak with her manager to obtain approval to credit the full amount
-I heard back from Samantha this morning letting me know they will not be issuing any additional credits.
-So, my compensation for this entire situation was removing a tip for a bartender who probably didn’t deserve it to begin with. I am surprised there was nothing else they could offer me, considering I could have gone to the police as this behavior could be perceived as attempted theft.
Again, this place is great but please double check your receipts before signing as well as your bank account after you leave. Very disappointing customer experience- I will not be returning and will ensure this story is told whenever appropriate.
It is a shame I am writing this review because Top of the East truly is a nice place, however I will not be going back, and I think everyone should be aware of what I experienced this past week. My husband and I attended a wedding reception for a close friend. We arrived at the bar and let them know we were there for the wedding. They could not find the reservation- the night did not start off on the best note. When we were closing out our tab, we filled out the receipt like any other transaction and left a tip. The waitress glanced at the receipt, proceeded to run our card, and then came back with a new receipt with a 20% gratuity added. We did not sign this receipt as we had already tipped on the other receipt and felt it was unethical to force us to leave a 20% tip after they made an error by not including it the first time and having us sign. We went home, but the chain of events that followed was extremely problematic: -My card was authorized 3 times for the original bill pre-tip, an added 20% as a separate charge, and then the amount with the 20% added -This caused my bank account to be negative for 4 days -I attempted to call the following day (Sunday)- no manager there, nothing they can do, the manager will call me when he is in on Monday -Attempted to call again as I did not hear back, again was offered to leave a name and number- I refused as this needed to be addressed ASAP. I was connected to the food and beverage manager, who was very sympathetic and understanding. He told me he would be following up with a resolution. -This resolution was removing the original tip that was left the first time and only charging the base amount -The next day I see a new charge on my card for that second amount that I did not sign for -I called back and spoke with Brent, another manager, who asked me what they could do to make it right. I asked they do their best but ideally they would compensate for the whole bill- my bank account has been negative for days, and I could not seem to get in touch with anyone. Brent told me he would be following up with their accounting team. Again, I did not hear back. -Called again on Thursday as I still had not seen a credit and I was running low on time to correct the situation with my bank. I spoke with Brent again and asked if he had come to a solution. He immediately connected me with Samantha in accounting after telling me he was waiting on an answer to what additional compensation could be provided given the new events. -Samantha called me back and told me she did not speak with Brent about issuing any additional refunds and she was only calling me to let me know about the credit coming for the tip amount. She told me she was going to speak with her manager to obtain approval to credit the full amount -I heard back from Samantha this morning letting me know they will not be issuing any additional credits. -So, my compensation for this entire situation was removing a tip for a bartender who probably didn’t deserve it to begin with. I am surprised there was nothing else they could offer me, considering I could have gone to the police as this behavior could be perceived as attempted theft. Again, this place is great but please double check your receipts before signing as well as your bank account after you leave. Very disappointing customer experience- I will not be returning and will ensure this story is told whenever appropriate.
I waited 35 minutes for just four drinks, and the service was incredibly slow, especially considering it wasn’t busy. With two bartenders on duty, I expected better efficiency, but it was disappointing to see such a lack of urgency. Definitely not a place I would recommend or return to.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rude bar tender and poor service opened late and food was disgusting
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Great place, with the best views in Portland! I will be back... 💯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place, with the best views in Portland! I will be back... ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I brought a friend to check out the newly-renovated Top of the East (TOTE) in June. Unfortunately what held our attention was our TERRIBLE SERVER who ruined the vibe of an otherwise lovely early afternoon. This person was simply not fit to be a server -- they were visibly stressed (maybe also crying?), kept apologizing for everything, forgot our food & drink orders twice, and to top things off our bill came inaccurate (twice--after we pointed out the errors once). What was also confounding is the place was half empty! This server needs to retrained or let go to find a line of work that better fits their skills -- cause this ain't it honey! Honestly, the service reflected so poorly on TOTE we chuckle about the bizarre experience months later and have no plans to return until hopefully time resolves this. On a positive note, the food & drinks that managed to arrive after oddly long wait times was delicious. The brie/honey app was a stand out. Geez, it would just reflect better on TOTE to hire a 2nd fast bartender and have people order drinks at the bar and pick up food there as well, rather than allow for such strange and abysmal service to go on. And as I read more recent reviews, it's clear things still need addressing up there.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Best view in town! Gorgeous view of the city and ocean. Service was excellent, drinks were amazing, and the new raw oyster bar was delicious! Relaxed lounge atmosphere and the live piano were perfect for relaxing after a busy day.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recently, a group of my friends had a birthday gathering at this place, and they've had a horror story to tell about the incompetent wait staff and management. Including lumping a check for 20+ people who don't know each other well, charging $140 to "cut" a birthday cake, yelling and calling the cops on someone for standing up at the bar, etc...
While I read the other reviews, I see owner's passive-aggressive, fake-polite, "go somewhere else to your liking" response on more than one occasion, too.
That's unacceptable and unbelievable... By the way, I've been to this bar once last year, wasn't too impressed with limited food menu and subpar culinary qualities. I wasn't going to write this review until I realized how horrendous the management runs this establishment.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
This was literally the worst service I have ever had at a bar. The bar tender yelled at the server. I would never come here again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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