50 Best American Restaurants in Portland

“My friend and I visit here every Friday evening. The staff are always friendly and accommodating. Especially Jason. He remembers regulars, and is very genuinely caring about the people he serves. The servers, including Lupita, are very prompt and nice. Your drinks never go empty! We prefer this location because it’s not only open until 10pm, but because we have had such pleasant experiences with the staff. Food is pretty darn good too! Fresh breakfast meats and French toast! Thank you!“

“Awesome neighborhood sandwich shop in a bustling neighborhood with plenty going on to keep it exciting. Diamond in the coal mine!

The food is exceptional, which is no surprise considering it's a Your Neighborhood Restaurant Group location, which has over half a dozen chef/butcher/owner operated locations around Portland.

Quality meats and well sourced ingredients. Great selection of beer and cider, and a surprisingly diverse menu with great options for all appetites.

We've tried the smashburgers, hot sandwiches (hot honey chicken and turkey), steak salad, and the sides. All meals were well received by ages 5-45, from foodie to redneck. They look as good as they taste, which is such a nice change of pace, considering the price point, which is very fair.

We will keep supporting this location as long as it's here in our neighborhood! Great work guys!“

“Love Javi's. It's in our neighborhood and we can walk. It's such a welcoming and warm atmosphere the minute you walk in. They were busy on Sunday morning and we opted to sit at the bar, which is a cute 3 spaces. Bar stools aren't the most comfortable but we didn't want to wait for a table. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict and it was phenomenal. It was the special so if it's available when you visit, get it. So delicious. We also ordered bloody mary's and watched the bartender make them in front of us. Spicy with a long celery stick and green pimento olives. You can get bacon added if you want (we didn't). We love this place. The family that owns it is gracious and trains their team well as their service is excellent, friendly and an extension of the family. Javi's menu items for both breakfast and lunch items will keep everyone happy with enough options for the next time you visit. It's just a great, local restaurant that focuses on the quality of its food and service. Definitely go check it out.“

“This is a hidden gem. Service was great. Enthusiastic and welcoming. Drinks were served swiftly and competently. Menu is conservative but still fun to explore. My club and French fries were satisfying. Was thrilled to see actual chicken meat in my sandwich and not sliced deli meat. Lots of real avocado, bacon and grilled thickly sliced sour dough made it a meal. Beet salad to start was dressed a bit heavily but delicious nonetheless.
This is a small space with only me and my 4 comrades and another party about the same size sat directly next to us. Why?
Would be nervous to see this place filled as I'd worry about hearing conversation.
My friends told me that both servings of garlic fries weren't hot. And my other friend did not get his requested avocado on his burger. Also, we were celebrating a birthday and don't think they serve dessert as none was offered.
Also, I assume you can park in motel lot for dining. If so, that's a bonus in NW!“

“Had family in town with their kiddos and we wanted to do a night out. OP was the perfect choice. The staff was great getting a spot set up that could handle a wheelchair, stroller and energetic 3yr old.

They have a great cocktail and wine menu, but as the designated driver I stuck to the N/A drinks. Luckily they have one of my top 3 N/A cocktails- red ferrari (think negroni).

The food was fantastic. I highly recommend starting with a meat and/or cheese plate (we did both) then do a Round 2 of small plates. For us it was a few salads. All were good but I especially liked the chicories salad with Caesar-like dressing. Next we grabbed entrees. It was hard to narrow down to one option so I ended up doing a split plate situation and shared the gnocchi and the chicken plate. The gnocchi was pillowy with a perfect amount of mushrooms and carmelized onions. The chicken thigh had crispy skin and the potatoes were smooth and buttery which paired nicely with the chard.
Sadly, there was no space for dessert so I'm just dreaming of the Basque cheesecake, but guess that just means a return trip is needed.“

“This is a great first date place. The food presentation was outstanding. However, we felt it was a little blan. They use RC soda products here, which are flat at the bar but have carbonation if gotten from the back. Amazing happy hour!

Kid-friendliness: Not great for kiddos.

Wheelchair accessibility: Plenty of wheelchair accessibility tables.“

“Had a fabulous dinner here! The venison special was better than any steak I’ve ever had, and dessert was just as incredible. A true gem worth supporting!“

“Friendly staff, good food and portions, great long time neighborhood restaurant!“

“Service was great! Food was delicious, locally sourced and affordable.“

“It was delicious!!! Rabbit, foie gras, pigs feet, escargot, halibut, eel, scallops, all the fancy sauces….SOOO good!! Every bite was just perfectly executed. The staff was so friendly and engaging which made it really fun to sit at the chef’s counter!“

“Excellent food. Rotating menu of inventive, tasty dishes. Excellent service.“

“Probably the best breakfast in Portland, biscuits are amazing!!“

“One of the best brunch spots in Portland. Everything is high quality, and they even have delicious mocktails! The seasonal veggie hash was a clear winner for us. The fried chicken was so juicy and tender. Highly recommend- come early because it’s crowded and there’s always a line!!“

“Everything was great, highly recommend catching them when they are open for a laid back evening! Iced tea, cabbage, Caesar, half chicken, cookie, Tiramisu - everything had great flavor and came out super hot and quick. Service staff was also very nice.“

“Honestly, one of the best burgers I ever had. The only thing I hate it was that you have to do everything on the screen instead of the staff helping you. the lemonade has a lot of sugar. It could be better other than that it’s a great place to eat.“

“Enjoyed bar atmosphere. Jewel bartender was super friendly.“

“all I can think saying is it’s delicious every spoonful come out and have some …delicious I promise“

“This was the first visit, but there will be many, many more! We showed up and were told there’d be about a 10 min wait - which was fine! About 30 seconds later though, we had a seat and were looking at the menus! Service was excellent and kind. The food was so, so good! The portions were more than generous and the coffee was good! Can’t wait for our next visit!“

“Everything it has a cozy feeling. I love the decor. Also our waiter was very nice and friendly. I don’t live in Portland, but when I visit again I will definitely come back. My dinner was delicious. My daughter who lives in Portland suggested this restaurant.“

“Quick service, delicious food, laid back neighborhood vibe. Would love to return and try other dishes - had the Reuben and was very happy with the flavor and portion size. Staff was friendly and moved customers and food quickly. Low-key energy, lots of seating in various sizes and groupings throughout. Parking is limited immediately next to the building so prepare to park on the street or in the adjacent parking lot!“

“Its the best breakfast this side of 205, probably the whole state. Good diner food and people who care. One of these times I'll order lunch but I haven't gotten bored of breakfast yet. There's one plate size (large, oval) and they fill it unless you get pancakes which comes on a large, not big enough plate.

Stop deciding, go order a country breakfast, and the rest of your day will be good.“

“I've eaten at Good & Evil many times during the last 10+ years and eat from both the Good and Evil sides of the menu.

The wraps and bowls/salads are always tasty and consistent.

One of the very best food carts in the Portland area.“

“This is an old school blues bar with heart, warm and friendly people, a great chef and cool bartenders, and fantastic music Wednesday through Sunday. I love to dance, but this is the only bar I'll go to to dance. It is line Cheers for blues musicians and aficionados.“

“Excellent food and service.“

“Amazing little, literal, hole in the wall for some quickish eats. Food is fresh and on point and the staff is super friendly. What more is there? Highly recommend the Spicy Russian. The Pastrami is hard to beat at this price. $1 chips and sodas like the ole’ days. Do it!“

“I have been meaning to review Radio Room for a while now. My husband and I have lived in Portland for just over a year and we have eaten here a handful of times. We love this place and drive from the west hills to eat here. The food, atmosphere and service is fantastic - the staff is real and down to earth. We are huge music lovers so we really love the decor. The breakfast biscuit with honey butter is the best damn biscuit in town. Avocado toast is also phenomenal and really well priced. Dinner menu is just as good and I love the yogi bowl. We've eaten inside and outside in their upstairs area and downstairs area with a nice fire pit. It's dog friendly on the patio and our pup enjoyed her time there too! We have brought everyone that visits us here and always recommend this restaurant to folks too. Ya'll are absolutely killing it and we're stoked to have a great go-to spot to eat at that we know will always be great.“

“Surprised the cost was more than Eugene.“

“I stopped by with a friend and his girlfriend to check this place out, and overall, it delivered a solid experience. I ordered the Southern fried chicken, which was flavorful and well-cooked. Fair warning: it comes generously coated in sauce. It adds great taste, but it’s definitely a hands-on meal, grab plenty of napkins before digging in.

The JoJo’s were a standout. Perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of spice, they’re dangerously easy to keep eating. They reminded me of Pringles in the best way, once you have one, it’s hard to stop.

As for pricing, it sits on the mid-to-higher end. It’s not a budget spot, so come prepared to spend a bit more.“

“Found The Buffalo Gap last weekend while attending a bike Show. About a mile from my stay and way better than the Boujie hotel I was at. The Bartenders and Waitresses were all awesome Great service, nice smiles and great food and drink. Thank you all I appreciate you and my new hoodie.“

“As long-time fans and passport holders of McMenamins, we’ve visited quite a few of their locations over the years, but this was actually one we hadn’t managed to check out until now 😊. We stopped by fairly late in the evening for a late dinner, so the place was a bit quieter than usual.

The servers were friendly and polite, although they seemed a little distracted and possibly busy. For example, after our appetizer arrived we still hadn’t received water, utensils, or napkins, which made things a bit awkward at first 🍽️. It wasn’t a huge issue, but it was noticeable.

For our meal, we ordered one more classic-style dish and one of their specialty options. The food was definitely good and satisfying, though compared to some other McMenamins locations we’ve visited, it didn’t quite stand out as much. Still, the quality was solid and enjoyable 👍.

The atmosphere felt a bit more low-key than what we usually experience at McMenamins spots, but considering the late hour and what looked like a slightly understaffed team, it made sense. Overall, it’s a decent place if you’re looking for a relaxed meal with friendly staff and above-average pub-style food 🍔🍻.

If someone is trying McMenamins for the first time, I might suggest visiting one of their more iconic locations first for the full experience. But if you already enjoy the brand and just want a solid, casual stop, this spot definitely gets the job done 👍✨.“

“Great restaurant, we go everytime we are in Portland. Great food, great ambience and wonderful staff. Plus an outstanding butcher shop“

“Elegant old world setting, great light, attentive service, lovely brunch food. The noise level depends on when you're there. We had an 11:30 am reservation. The first 30 mins were quiet and then at noon the noise level increased as all the table filled. You can have order a filling brunch for a relatively modest price if you're strategic (share a main dish and supplement with the add-ons) or go all out with drinks, benedicts, etc. We will definitely go back. TIP: if you're a guest at the hotel, even if you checked out before have your brunch, you can "bill" your room and you get 15% off your meal.“

“Went here for a work holiday party and had a blast. The staff was amazing and kind and very attentive. The food was delicious, we had prime rib, crusted chicken and shrimp with salad, veggies and Mac n cheese and everything was delicious. The creamy horseradish sauce was really good. The bowling spot was amazing, had the whole place to ourselves. We also had some pingpong and pinball games as well. Totally recommend for a fun night with a group.“

“The food was really good. Old fashioned, super friendly.“

“Out of all the places we've dined, this place takes the cake! Value=check. Ambiance=check. Food=double check!!

The bloody Marys were perfection in a glass. Although, this Midwestern still wishes the PNW would understand the need for a beer chaser!

The French toast is the best I've ever had!! Simply incredible!“

“Peter and Natana were AMAZING. They were so friendly and gave rapid service. I had a couple hours before my flight and loved sitting at the bar top to spend the time! I will be back.“

“Great breakfast place. Good Simple eats. Must visit when in John’s landing…“

“Move back to Cali and every time I come to through Portland I make a stop food is fire 🔥“

“First time here and it's a very nice looking place.

had the steak which was VERY good. very juicy , which is my favorite kind of steak.

I dont normally eat mushrooms, but decided to try them since they came with the meal, and they were pretty good. I would have mushrooms more if they tasted that good.

our server was also mega friendly. really appreciate her positive additude. made me feel welcomed there.

deffintly would come back again, next time I'm in the area.“

“We loved Hal’s so much that we ate there for breakfast all three days we were in Portland — and that says everything.

The atmosphere is incredible — fun, welcoming, and such a vibe to start your day. It feels like an experience, not just a meal. The walkability from nearby hotels makes it even better, especially when you’re visiting and want something easy and memorable.

And the food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every single morning was consistently delicious, fresh, and worth coming back for again and again.

Thank you for being such a big part of our time in Portland. We’ll be dreaming about breakfast here until our next trip back!“

“Great bartenders and owners. Good food, awesome drinks, excellent atmosphere. Love this place!“

“great cheese steaks , have the best customer service. all in all best experience“

“Incredibly nice staff, and the variety on the menu cannot be beat!“

“An absolute gem! Mother’s Bistro & Bar exceeded all expectations. The food was flavorful and comforting, the service was incredibly attentive, and the atmosphere felt warm and inviting. It’s the perfect spot for a memorable meal. Highly recommended!“

“Its been hard to be impressed lately. I’ve been in the industry for a number of years, and post pandemic good help is scarce. It’s been an ongoing struggle for the restaurant industry and i just have to say that I didn’t feel that way about this place on any level. A party of around 14 of us were looked after so well by our server/s. The DELICIOUS food came out fast, and hot, and all at the same time! The vibe was chill and not frantic. atmosphere was perfect. Clean. I had the “Mr. October”. Fried chicken breast over a fresh homemade biscuit, sausage gravy, bacon, fried potatoes.. absolute fire. Paired with their bacon infused bloody Mary topped with candied bacon.. sheesh! Only bad thing I have to say is that it’s not on my side of town and that part sucks! 😂 Go out of your way for this one if you have to. Totally worth it.“

“Salmon chowder is spectacular. Amazing flavor depth with generous chunks of salmon.“

“Amazing food and wine and excellent service form Mikey and his crew!“

“Wow, we've been meaning to go here and finally went and were not disappointed. Every plate was amazing and extremely flavorful. We were so impressed. Will definitely be back. We were also impressed at the price. For what you're getting it's a good deal. Highly recommend to anyone.!“

“Yummy donuts and Chai. Pleasant and speedy service. Mom loved it and a great atmosphere. We will be back.“

“This bar is great! I love how polite the staff is and the service. The food is great and the overall look of the bar is very nice and comforting“