Vertical Diner and The Gold Room

This place is in desperate need of a major overhaul. It doesn’t matter how good the food is—and honestly, it wasn’t even close to acceptable—because the environment completely overshadows everything. The space feels dirty, tired, and neglected. It’s clearly a repurposed old-school diner that went vegan without making any real effort to update or clean up. The floors were sticky from harsh cleaning products, the air smelled off, and the booths still look like old leather. It just feels gross. In a city like Portland, where vegan options are abundant and the bar is high, this place falls embarrassingly short. We’ve been to many vegan spots around town that blew us away. That’s why the glowing reviews on HappyCow feel suspect at best. This place can do better. Adding to the strange experience was an Arabic food truck randomly parked in the lot—completely unrelated and out of place. Overall, it felt chaotic, uninviting, and nowhere near the kind of vegan dining experience Portland is known for. Updated from previous review on 2025-08-01

Visited with my partner and we both were impressed with the wide selection! We had not planned to find this spot so it was a pleasant surprise. I ordered the Sloppy Joe and was worried about the portion size but it was more than enough since you get a side as well, it tasted great and I think you'd agree if you like a meaty experience with a bit of spicy kick! The fries were average but still complementary, my partner recommends the Mac and Cheeze! He had the TBLAT (GFO) which is also pictured, and enjoyed that as well! also couldn't help but order the Mocha and Strawberry milkshakes and both were delicious!

such a cute place, wanted to love it. did enjoy seeing so many options on the menu, so I would definitely go back and try something else.

Got a breakfast instead of a burger this time and it was delicious. Got the mountain breakfast with bacon tempeh and it had a really yummy cheesy sauce on it. Would recommended for a savoury breakfast.

I WISH something like this place existed in Dallas TX. I loved every bite of my food, service was fast, place was clean, waiter was nice😄I highly recommend this place!!!! Great food and so many options it’s bound to make everyone happy.

Full disclaimer I am not vegan. And only ate fries.
We were a big party of 9 but, the restaurant was not packed. Service wasn't great, extremely slow. I was ready to leave for about an hour but couldn't find my waiter. I only ordered fries, a lavender lemonade, and their house made ranch. The fries were undercooked, soggy, and greasy( their fries came with a housemaid sauce that was good and a ranch I paid xtra for that was okay.)
I wouldn't go back. Nothing special, my friends, who had ordered the more vegan options, weren't impressed but weren't disappointed. The portions were a reasonable size. And I felt my drink was not strong.

Always a pleasure when we dine at Vertical!

Solid vegan breakfast. Tofu scramble a little seasoned for my taste but who am I to say other than a down ass foo que?

Love this place! Best vegan diner in town.

Seriously just the best vegan diner food.

Mother’s Day had us waiting for about 40 minutes to be seated but it was worth the wait. Biscuits and gravy with Soyrizo for protein and tones of potatoes!

I had the biscuits and gravy bonanza. It was so good, I went back the next day

Headed south from downtown Portland we stopped at the Vertical Diner. I had such good memories from eating at the Salt Lake City location several years ago. We were greeted and welcomed warmly, and after hearing the run down of the menu we chose the Vertical tacos and the TBLAT. I’m sure the jackfruit tacos are some peoples favorite but the tangy flavor didn’t hit home with me. My wife thought her sandwich was okay, but she was disappointed in the fries. Four stars for being a vegan restaurant but overall underwhelmed.

Wait staff was great. The building is classic style. Our food came out so quick! We got 2 meals, cup of Mac and carrot cake for $50. The Mac n Cheeze was so good and the Parmesan topping I could eat all day. I loved the gravy! we will definitely be back to try more! Updated from previous review on 2025-04-26

Everything here was incredible! I’m not even a huge fan of tofu scramble but theirs was heavenly. And possibly the best pancakes I’ve ever had. Definitely will be back to try lunch options!