50 Best American Restaurants in Portland

“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!“

“Great food, lots of fun flavors.“

“We celebrated my husband’s birthday here and what a treat! Our server was phenomenal and helped us make great choices for amazing food + wine pairings. The chef also accommodated my food allergies with ease. Highly recommend! We plan to return very soon.“

“Their newer digs in the SE warehouse district are tougher to spot than their pre-covid NW ones, but the hunt is worth it. Look closely for an unassuming sign above the door. Their charcuterie and mussels are as good as ever, and the gazpacho, even better. The new space is divided: One part larger, more airy; the bar part darker and more intimate. Take your pick. The service isn't stuffy but very attuned to the menu and diners. We had a great experience. OP earned its recent rave review in the Oregonian's 2025 Best Restaurants.“

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

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

“I make it a point to visit Canard Burnside on all of my trips to Portland! The unique flavors and presentations on their menu keep me coming back for more. Had the roasted beets last night for the first time and the flavor was out of this world.“

“Everything about this place is phenomenal. The food is so delicious. We tried several things off the menu and couldn’t decide what our favorite was. They were all that good. And the staff are on top of it! Friendly, helpful, and happy. And we had the most sensational cocktails ever! Highly highly highly recommend this place. Great vibe and energy too!“

“Cozy neighborhood vibes. Had to remind myself it is a bar. Kinda loud, but then again it is a bar. Scored low on service because there is zero table service. You have to keep getting up to order at the bar. Good burger and fries. Trout chips and dip was different but tasty. Overall good experience.“

“Fresh pasta and inventive salads“

“In the city of breweries, this is the best brewery.“

“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!!“

“food was so very good. and the whiskey sour was lovely.“

“Real neat place with fun staff. I got the Beast and the Beauty sandwich, and it was huge! Absolutely delicious with a ton of meat and delicious toppings. My friend got a gluten free Rose City smashburger, and it was on a sliced sandwich bread that got toasted but no complaints from them. Definitely recommend.

Dietary restrictions: Seems like the only gluten free bread they have is sliced loaf bread.“

“Brunch here was everything I've heard. I've wanted to eat here for ages. The Besaws pancake is life! The crispy potatoes are uniquely delicious. The service is phenomenal.“

“Wow! Food was fabulous! We stopped by because we were in the area! What a pleasant surprise! We will definitely be back! Servers were phenomenal! We were seated quickly and they were so friendly! Burrito was awesome! Will be back for more!“

“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.“

“I think a couple weeks to the menu would be needed. We noticed the same garnish with caviar on both hot and cold dishes. The caviar on the hot pork chop wasn't very pleasing. The pork chop definitely needed a pineapple salsa or sauce with it to cut through the fattiness of the chop and grits.“

“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!“

“lovely atmosphere!! and very lovely food!!“

“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!!“

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

“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.“

“Ate here with my family in October 2024. Nice sunny, chilly day visiting Portland. I had the chicken sandwich and it was delicious. My boys had burgers and loved them. The lemonade was delicious but expensive for the little cup. In a little section off the street with 3 other food trucks, and some outdoor picnic seating. We had no problem parking around the corner, but no parking right in front. Free water and cups are available in the seating area.“

“So, I'd like to give this place 5 stars, but the place is a lie. They are named jojo, say they have jojos, but it's a lie. They have the best fried baked potatoes I've had in a while, but they sure as heck aren't actual jojos. They aren't pressure fried. They're double cooked. That's not a jojo. Liars.“

“This is a beautiful spot to sit and listen to some vinyls. Loved the atmosphere and the service was top notch. Why only 4 stars? The food was lacking a little in price and in flavor. We had the burger, BLT, and chicken parm sandwich. The chicken parm sandwich was 100% fantastic but we asked for no pickles. The burger was small for the price especially compared to the price of the chicken parm sandwich. The burger was very bland and I was disappointed that adding tomato would cost extra. The BLT had more lettuce than I'd prefer. One common issue was the garlic aioli is very strong! It was so overpowering that I couldn't taste the cheese on the burger or the bacon in the BLT. The fries were delicious. I would go back again for the chicken parm sandwich. Another issue was we had to wait quite a while for our food but we didn't know about the event down the road and our server apologized so I would definitely check it out on a less busy night.“

“Possibly the best chicken tenders I've ever had. Juicy and crunchy in all of the best ways. So much better than the frozen stuff most places serve.

Good beer selection and killer seating in the garden if weather is nice.“

“Great live jazz on Thursdays!“

“Get to Stumptown and try it!!“

“The service at Arden is amazing. They really make you feel welcome and aim to give you a customized dining experience. Highlights include the beef tartar, fois gras, spaghetti, and the most tender and flavorful pork chop I've ever had...and of course the wine pairings our waiter suggested were perfection!! I visit Portland once a month for business and Arden is a must for every visit!! See you in September!! 🍷🩷“

“We had the three piece thigh combo with Mac and cheese and it was delicious! My husband has original and I opted for the honey garlic sauce and both were wonderful! Delicious and crispy even with the sauce, the chicken itself was juicy and the mac and cheese was awesome! Would highly recommend!“

“We had one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in years at this restaurant. After a long day of walking, we arrived with our kids—ages 3 and 5—tired, cranky, and full of energy. From the moment we walked in, the service was nothing short of outstanding.

Every member of the staff—from the host to the bartender to our server—went out of their way to make us feel welcome and at ease. They were genuinely kind, patient, and completely unphased by our feral kids. It was clear they not only tolerate children, but understand them.

Without us even asking, the staff offered to bring the kids’ meals out first, provided toys to keep them entertained, and even cut the crusts off their sandwiches. The extra attention to detail made all the difference—our kids have never cleaned their plates so well.

The food was equally impressive. Both my wife and I had delicious meals—well-prepared, flavorful, and clearly made with care. We left full, happy, and incredibly grateful. It’s rare to be able to finish meals with preschoolers in tow.

If you’re looking for a restaurant that welcomes families with genuine warmth and delivers excellent food and service, this place is a gem. We’ll absolutely be back.“

“Loved the customer service & my meatloaf burger is amazing“

“Surprised the cost was more than Eugene.“

“Fantastic time at Cabezon! They made special mocktails for us and asked us our preferences of flavors- we felt really taken care of! Food was delicious too, my favorite was the pork chop and the cheese board, but the basil shrimp and butter lettuce salad were also so good! Don't forget dessert, we loved the honey lavender crème brûlée! Ambiance was nice, I loved the jelly fish light fixtures!“

“Great customer service, there was a mix up with my order, was unclear who was at fault but he was willing to do anything to make it right. I told him no problem and was happy with the cheesesteak sando instead of the fries. Moments later he came over to my table to make sure I was happy with my choice.“

“I had the Lox plate and it was FABULOUS! I'm from a Chicago suburb that had several delis and it felt like I was back home. My husband had the avocado toast and enjoyed it very much. This will definitely be our breakfast place when we come back to visit Portland again. My husband picked up our take-out and said that the staff was very friendly. GREAT EXPERIENCE!!“

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

“Great food and views! Drinks are tasty too.“

“That food is no joke! It is wonderful! In my opinion, best seafood in Portland.“

“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“

“My toddler, his daddy and I visited this establishment today and it was delicious. The staff were friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed how sweet and patient the staff were with my on the spectrum toddler who thinks he is an imaginary cat. I absolutely loved the art work on the walls.“

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

“I absolutely love this place. I don't have the excuse to go here very often, but I drop by when I can. The restaraunt is dripping with personality with all the decorations and the service has ranged from adequate to personable. A few times I have been they had live music playing, which was nice. The food though? Best I've ever had at a Cafe. I've tried about a third of the menu and every dish has been stellar. Prices are very reasonable; this is not some super pretentious overpriced Portland brunch place, this is the real deal. Highly recommended.“

“Great food and service ☆☆☆☆☆“

“Randomly found this place when the restaurant we wanted to go to was booked. I was very surprised that it was inside a hotel. The food was so good with great flavor combinations. And they made an excellent old fashioned and even a fancy mocktail! I would eat here again next time I see a show at the Keller center. And easy walk to the show.“

“Went here as a early Mother’s Day treat with my daughter. Had the sample plate…. So delicious and we learned we liked it all! Also got a sundae….. totally recommend. For take home I got the cookies. This place is a gem! Stop by and check it out for sure if you are ever in the area.“

“I got the riesenschnitzel. It was delicious.

Anita does all the baking here and she's amazing, so make sure to save room for dessert, or take something home with you. I got the black forest cake, but sadly forgot to take a picture of it.“

“I had a memorable dinner at Higgins Restaurant. I ordered their Oregon Mushroom Set Menu, and each dish reflected their respect for local ingredients. The wild mushroom bisque was particularly delicious, with a smooth texture and rich aroma. The waiter was very professional and attentive, explaining the background of each dish. The elegant yet relaxed atmosphere was perfect for a leisurely meal with friends or family.“

“THE BEST SMASH BURGER OF MY LIFE AND IT’S NOT EVEN CLOSE. THE ONLY THING MORE ANNOYING THAN ALL-CAPS IS NOT HAVING A SURESHOT BURGER IN MY HAND 24/7

**I have been here over a dozen times and it never EVER disappoints. God-tier PDX food.“