5 of us had a fantastic dinner at Alma, sharing something like 9 dishes between us (half the menu?) Favorites were the squid salat, clams, grilled octopus, chicken wings, and anything with the charcoal roasted eggplant (lamb shanks with babaghanoush). Ambience was great and a little upscale -- would be a fun spot to take clients who have already done the "typical Portland" places, or meet with a bunch of friends so you can order everything that looks good (you'll have trouble deciding!)
Patrick
Unique experience with fantastic food. The clams, the beet salad and the crudo are must haves.
Tanya
Fourth time here and each time we lick the plates clean! They added a mushroom and cabbage dish that was amazing as well. We brought our in-laws from out of state and they loved everything as well. Quickly becoming our favorite restaurant. We nearly ordered everything off the menu and each dish was just as delicious and flavorful. We always make sure to get flatbread as a side to wipe all the sauces off the plate lol. Also love the Middle Eastern and upscale ambience and music.
Michael
First time at Alma and definitely intend to return. Group of four of us tried almost everything on the menu and were very pleased with the selections. Guthrie, our waiter, was spot on with portions that fit our appetite, did everything to accommodate a couple food sensitivities, and was attentive, warm but not hovering. He even remembered it was my wife's birthday and brought us complementary bubbled. Lovely experience.
Linda
I loved my dinner at Alma. I dined at their bar with a good friend & it was comfortable. It's a beautiful place with nice lighting. Bartender was great, food was delicious. The happy hour menu has some great items on it especially the wings & the lamb kabob. Lots of other attractive menu options too.
Chet
Not really being familiar with Balkan food wasn't sure what to expect but loved everything. Especially recommend the octopus
Eduardo F
Easily one of Portland's best dining experiences. Alma is an exceptionally wonderful restaurant. I had the kanpachi crudo, grilled octopus, and lamb shank & bana ganoush, with a kyoto sunset. Everything was excellent 10/10. Can't wait to visit again. Thank you.
Dick
Unique flavors in creative dishes! That, plus the attentive and knowledgeable service make for a special meal!
Jurija
It pains me to give less than 4/5 stars here because I had really high hopes. I booked a reservation for 4 nearly 2 weeks in advance. I put my credit card on the reservation and in the meantime invited friends to check out the menu. I told them I was most excited about the fish to share with the table + kebabs (chevapi) given it's significance to the Balkans. I am from the Balkans myself and recently returned from a 2 week trip to Montenegro so this was an opportunity to share some of the traditions, beverages, and dishes, with friends locally + support. We showed up, were seated promptly with tea, which was a cute and nice touch. Our server came up, wearing a mask, indicating he was likely sick and confirmed by his lack of interactions (words). As we checked out the menu it was immediately obvious there was no fish or kebab on the menu. When asked, the server said, it's not on the menu this evening and suggested 2 plates per person leaving us to order exactly the 8 dishes on the menu not including the two soups. The food came out, ALL OF IT, within 20 minutes and we could not only keep up with the pace but we did not have table room. We were cramped within minutes, and eating cold fold for the next hour. When I said, "We are unable to keep up with the pace of meals" the woman running the food said, "Well we got more coming. We're loading you up." And I thought that was so real low EQ of her. At the end of the meal, another man, not the chef/owner, asked how it was. We let him know it was good but disappointe in a large portion of the menu and larger mains being missing to which he said they had a delivery issue that morning. Not the same as what was shared by the server and honestly, this should have been shared before continuing with our reservation because it felt like much of the experience was missing without the menu items we had in mind. Overall, a miss in my opinion. Not sure when or if we'd come back. Much rather hit up Two Brothers for Balkan food and Raki
Cheyanne
The Branzino and clam dish were my favorites but everything was delicious. Also really enjoyed the cocktails 10/10
Food was good but not great. Multiple overly salted dishes, bread is served cold, server forgot to put in 2 dishes so timing was off. Overall just an average experience.
G. Scott
Surprisingly Great! Flavors were complex and delicious. Everything was great! Cocktails, wine ,food, service.
Pelson
Absolutely amazing experience. We dined with our kids aged 8 and 11 and all had a wonderful time
Jennifer Kass
We had a pre-theater meal here and so enjoyed it. They have a well-crafted menu with refined Balkan tapas well suited to sharing. Sophisticated interior, great for date night. We enjoyed lamb shank, eggplant, branzino, and a selection of dips and bread. Lovely Croatian red wine to go with. We will definitely be back! Such a nice addition to the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ross
Alma was a fantastic experience. Only bar seating was available for us, but despite that we were very comfortable. The ambiance is well thought out but not over bearing, the food menu is diverse in offering while being condensed and to the point, no frivolous items just to seem larger. The service was very attentive and organic, not like a team operating off of a strict script, but of a team that believes in their product who is eager to share. 10/10 would recommend. Don't forget to peep the dessert menu, with some of the best values in Portland!
5 of us had a fantastic dinner at Alma, sharing something like 9 dishes between us (half the menu?) Favorites were the squid salat, clams, grilled octopus, chicken wings, and anything with the charcoal roasted eggplant (lamb shanks with babaghanoush). Ambience was great and a little upscale -- would be a fun spot to take clients who have already done the "typical Portland" places, or meet with a bunch of friends so you can order everything that looks good (you'll have trouble deciding!)
Unique experience with fantastic food. The clams, the beet salad and the crudo are must haves.
Fourth time here and each time we lick the plates clean! They added a mushroom and cabbage dish that was amazing as well. We brought our in-laws from out of state and they loved everything as well. Quickly becoming our favorite restaurant. We nearly ordered everything off the menu and each dish was just as delicious and flavorful. We always make sure to get flatbread as a side to wipe all the sauces off the plate lol. Also love the Middle Eastern and upscale ambience and music.
First time at Alma and definitely intend to return. Group of four of us tried almost everything on the menu and were very pleased with the selections. Guthrie, our waiter, was spot on with portions that fit our appetite, did everything to accommodate a couple food sensitivities, and was attentive, warm but not hovering. He even remembered it was my wife's birthday and brought us complementary bubbled. Lovely experience.
I loved my dinner at Alma. I dined at their bar with a good friend & it was comfortable. It's a beautiful place with nice lighting. Bartender was great, food was delicious. The happy hour menu has some great items on it especially the wings & the lamb kabob. Lots of other attractive menu options too.
Not really being familiar with Balkan food wasn't sure what to expect but loved everything. Especially recommend the octopus
Easily one of Portland's best dining experiences. Alma is an exceptionally wonderful restaurant. I had the kanpachi crudo, grilled octopus, and lamb shank & bana ganoush, with a kyoto sunset. Everything was excellent 10/10. Can't wait to visit again. Thank you.
Unique flavors in creative dishes! That, plus the attentive and knowledgeable service make for a special meal!
It pains me to give less than 4/5 stars here because I had really high hopes. I booked a reservation for 4 nearly 2 weeks in advance. I put my credit card on the reservation and in the meantime invited friends to check out the menu. I told them I was most excited about the fish to share with the table + kebabs (chevapi) given it's significance to the Balkans. I am from the Balkans myself and recently returned from a 2 week trip to Montenegro so this was an opportunity to share some of the traditions, beverages, and dishes, with friends locally + support. We showed up, were seated promptly with tea, which was a cute and nice touch. Our server came up, wearing a mask, indicating he was likely sick and confirmed by his lack of interactions (words). As we checked out the menu it was immediately obvious there was no fish or kebab on the menu. When asked, the server said, it's not on the menu this evening and suggested 2 plates per person leaving us to order exactly the 8 dishes on the menu not including the two soups. The food came out, ALL OF IT, within 20 minutes and we could not only keep up with the pace but we did not have table room. We were cramped within minutes, and eating cold fold for the next hour. When I said, "We are unable to keep up with the pace of meals" the woman running the food said, "Well we got more coming. We're loading you up." And I thought that was so real low EQ of her. At the end of the meal, another man, not the chef/owner, asked how it was. We let him know it was good but disappointe in a large portion of the menu and larger mains being missing to which he said they had a delivery issue that morning. Not the same as what was shared by the server and honestly, this should have been shared before continuing with our reservation because it felt like much of the experience was missing without the menu items we had in mind. Overall, a miss in my opinion. Not sure when or if we'd come back. Much rather hit up Two Brothers for Balkan food and Raki
The Branzino and clam dish were my favorites but everything was delicious. Also really enjoyed the cocktails 10/10
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was good but not great. Multiple overly salted dishes, bread is served cold, server forgot to put in 2 dishes so timing was off. Overall just an average experience.
Surprisingly Great! Flavors were complex and delicious. Everything was great! Cocktails, wine ,food, service.
Absolutely amazing experience. We dined with our kids aged 8 and 11 and all had a wonderful time
We had a pre-theater meal here and so enjoyed it. They have a well-crafted menu with refined Balkan tapas well suited to sharing. Sophisticated interior, great for date night. We enjoyed lamb shank, eggplant, branzino, and a selection of dips and bread. Lovely Croatian red wine to go with. We will definitely be back! Such a nice addition to the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alma was a fantastic experience. Only bar seating was available for us, but despite that we were very comfortable. The ambiance is well thought out but not over bearing, the food menu is diverse in offering while being condensed and to the point, no frivolous items just to seem larger. The service was very attentive and organic, not like a team operating off of a strict script, but of a team that believes in their product who is eager to share. 10/10 would recommend. Don't forget to peep the dessert menu, with some of the best values in Portland!
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