Come for the coffee, stay for the whole meal. by Marie Richie
Portland, the City of Roses, is a tightly knit collection of cohesive neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive charm. You’ll be amazed at the diversity of dining choices in each one. From incredible breakfast haunts to romantic dining in old downtown and world-class fusion cuisine from some of the finest chefs in America, it can be wrenching to choose just one.
THE RINGSIDE STEAKHOUSE 2165 W Burnside St. Portland, OR 97210 (503)-223-1513 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5:00pm-12:00am (Sun) 4:00pm-11:30pm A Portland institution, the Ringside has specialized in preparing high quality steak with all the best fixings since 1944. Even the door handle is substantial as you come out of the cool rain to find the great stone fireplace ablaze in a classic steakhouse atmosphere. Prime rib and lobster are also on the menu as well as delicious sides such as baked corn casserole. The wait staff is attentive and detail-oriented. Choose from over 600 wines in their well-stocked cellar. Step down into the attached tavern with a boxing theme and enjoy after dinner spirits and tobacco with your other diners. Diners arriving after 10pm and ordering from the bar can take advantage of the famous $2.25 happy hour menu.
Estimated cost per entrée: $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Open
GENOA 2832 SE Belmont St. Portland, OR 97214 (503)-238-1464 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5:30pm-9:30pm Genoa has served the finest Italian food in Portland for over thirty years. A dark and velvety dining room allows total immersion in a three, four or seven course meal. The menu changes daily and is created by one of two expert chefs on staff. The appetizers will delight you with innovative Italian inspired preparations of antipasto and salad courses of exquisite preparation. Choose your entrée from selections such as sole wrapped crab, or pheasant breast wrapped in pancetta. The wait staff will expertly assist you in choosing the perfect accompanying wine. The desserts encompass the palate from chocolate and nut tortes to fresh fruit tarts.
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open
WILDWOOD 1221 NW 21st Ave. Portland, OR 97209 (503)-248-9663 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 5:30pm-9pm, (Fri-Sat) 5:30pm-10pm; Lunch (Mon-Sat) 11:30am-2:30pm If you took a trained, master chef, added a rabid love of the Northwest, wrapped it up in a beautifully designed building on trendy NW 21st and you’d have Wildwood. Consistently one of the best places in Portland to take your foodie friends, you will find dishes that not only excite the palate with fresh, local ingredients, but also expertly crafted and presented dishes such as their signature grilled Tombo tuna with fingerling potatoes. The appetizer list is perhaps even more impressive, with exquisite soups, salads and seafood plates. Check out the pizza of the day with house cured meats and seasonal ingredients.
Estimated cost per entrée: $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
LA CALACA COMELONA 2304 SE Belmont St. Portland, OR 97214 (503)-239-9675 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5:30pm-10:00pm This little gem of a truly authentic Mexican restaurant, among the best on the West Coast, is easily located by the colorful Day of the Dead-inspired skeletons that cover nearly every square inch, inside and out. But, don’t come here looking for beans, rice and burritos. The fare is light and full of interesting flavor combinations. Their grilled signature dishes feature succulent cuts of various meats, homemade chorizo and a medley of authentic vegetables many North of the Border have never heard of but will immediately fall in love with. Vegetarians can happily feast alongside their carnivorous counterparts on a selection of Quesadillas and dishes to “raise the dead.” Check the “specials of the hungry skeleton” for current, seasonal offerings.
Estimated cost per entrée: $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Closed, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
CAFÉ CASTAGNA 1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214 (503)-231-7373 Hours: (everyday) 5:00pm-10pm Italian for chestnut, Café Castagna is a charming Art Deco-styled restaurant tucked in the corner of the historic Ladd’s Addition Neighborhood. The daily menu is a fusion of French and Italian cuisine, served in a café atmosphere, of local and seasonal ingredients. Always featuring what is perhaps one of the best burgers in town, theirs is always done to specification. Light pasta combinations are their specialty with sides such as braised pork, chard gratin or fresh chanterelles. It is impossible to go wrong with the fish here, and there is always one on the menu. Desserts such as the pear and fig crisp with vanilla ice cream, often include local and seasonal fruits.
Estimated cost per entrée: $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
MASU 406 SW 13th Ave. Portland, OR 94205 (503)-221-6278 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 4:00pm-12:00am, (Fri-Sat) 4:00pm-2:00am; lunch (Mon-Fri) 11:30am-2:00pm Located downtown in a second story loft above busy Burnside Street, the original Masu is an ultra-hip and cozy space with a whimsical approach to architecture, design and Japanese food. Relax and enjoy a signature cocktail such as the Roger Moore or select from their sake list. The specialty rolls such as the Lotus Roll (spicy crab and cucumber inside with tuna and avocado on top) are inspired. If raw fish isn’t your thing, choose an exciting Northwest-flavored Japanese entrée such as the oven roasted wild sesame salmon. Tasty appetizers include light and crispy tempura and seared scallops. Open later than most Portland haunts, expect a D.J. on most nights.
Estimated cost per entrée: $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open
HUBER'S CAFÉ 411 SW 3rd Ave. Portland, OR 97204 (503)-228-5686 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11:30AM-10:00pm, (Fri) 11:30AM-11:00pm, (Sat) 4:00pm-1AM, (Sun) 4:00pm-10:00pm Portland’s oldest restaurant, in continuous operation since 1879, is also one of its best. This historic landmark is beautifully appointed in original mahogany with a stained glass ceiling. Very conveniently located in downtown, it’s a perfect place for business lunches and after work drinks. The signature dish is Northwest-raised turkey, but a full menu of steak, seafood and pasta is also available. Huber’s maintains an extensive list of imported and regional wines, but the performance spectacle of Spanish coffee flamed right at your table is perhaps their best-known attraction. Appetizers such as their unique fried olives or the artichoke and spinach dip are not to be missed.
Estimated cost per entrée: $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open
BESAW'S 2301 NW Savier St. Portland, OR 97210 (503)-228-2619 Hours: (Tues-Fri) 7:00AM-10:00PM (Sat) 8:00AM-10:00PM (Sun) 8:00AM-3:00PM Another of Portland’s oldest restaurants, Besaw’s began life as a saloon in 1904. Today, it is a premier breakfast, lunch and dinner destination on the window-shopper friendly NW 23rd Avenue. Breakfasts range from simple pancakes to the delightful house-smoked wild salmon scramble. Lunch and dinner menus prominently feature grilled meats expertly prepared to your specifications in their semi-open kitchen. Be sure to check out their extensive hamburger menu. Appetizers are available after 5pm and should not be missed. Outdoor dining is available during the summer months. Be sure to get there in plenty of time for breakfast because there’s sure to be a wait.
Estimated cost per entrée: $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed
LOVELY HULA HANDS 4057 N Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR 97227 (503)-445-9910 Hours: (Tue-Sun) 5:00-10:00pm Since 2003, Lovely Hula Hands has been quietly serving some of the menus in town from a bright pink, converted house just off the rapidly up-swinging Mississippi Avenue. Since then, they’ve moved to be on the avenue. This fresh and hip urban eatery serves basic foods of unparalleled quality. Sample a signature cocktail from the full-bar and start with a seasonal appetizer such as the house-made salt cod brandade with grilled bread. Entrees feature something to appeal to anyone -- try a burger or the pan-fried swordfish with kumquat and almond relish. You’ll hate yourself if you don’t save room for dessert.
Estimated cost per entrée: $18
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
SOUTH PARK SEAFOOD GRILL & WINE BAR 901 SW Salmon St. Portland, OR 97205 (503)-326-1300 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11:30am-3:00pm and 5:00-10:00pm; (Fri) 11:30am-3:00pm and 5:00-11:00pm; (Sat) 11:00am-3:00pm and 5:00-11:00pm; (Sun) 11:00am-3:00pm and 5:00-10:00pm In the heart of Portland, within walking distance of great theatres and concert halls, you’ll find South Park and some of the best before and after theatre food in the area. From the lush surroundings to the wood-fired oven, you know they’ve paid attention to details. Expect very friendly and helpful service. Sample wines from their extensive cellars with help from an expert. While dinners such as their trademark seafood are tempting, the generous appetizers and skillfully prepared, seasonal desserts really stand out. Sample the Fallen Napoleon: a rich concoction of fig, apple and mascarpone sorbet between chocolate cookies. The wine bar is open daily until midnight.
Estimated cost per entrée: $22
Holiday Schedule: New Years Eve-Open, New Years Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Portland, OR