Portland, Oregon, is renowned for its vibrant and diverse dining scene. The city offers a wide range of culinary experiences, from traditional Italian fare to innovative West African cuisine. In this article, we will delve into the best restaurants in Portland, highlighting their unique offerings and what makes them stand out.
One of the top recommendations from The New York Times' list of the 25 Best Restaurants in Portland is Akadi. Located in the vibrant Hosford-Abernathy neighborhood, Akadi offers an immersive dining experience that evokes conviviality and inclusivity. The restaurant is particularly popular among Portland's vegan community, with dishes like peanut stew with fufu and beef brochette skewers served with smoky jollof rice. Chef Fatou Ouattara's homemade sauces are a standout feature, with one crafted from tomatoes, ginger, roasted carrots, and African spices being particularly delightful (The New York Times).
Another standout on the list is Cafe Olli, known for its all-day caf experience. This charming spot produces fresh boules daily and offers an eclectic mix of breakfast and lunch options, including Neapolitan-style pizzas adorned with seasonal ingredients. The employee ownership of Cafe Olli fosters a palpable investment from everyone involved, evident in every dish served (The New York Times).
For those seeking a more traditional dining experience, Campana is a must-visit. Tucked into the Woodlawn neighborhood of Northeast Portland, Campana serves old world and new world Italian fare with hand-made pasta, risotto, fish and meat, house-made desserts, an all Italian wine list, and both classic and contemporary cocktails. The restaurant began as a monthly pasta night in 2019 and quickly gained momentum before becoming a brick and mortar establishment in the summer of 2020. Over the past four years, Campana has continued to grow and is considered one of the top restaurants in Portland by both The Oregonian and Portland Monthly Magazine (Campana).
Another highly-recommended Italian restaurant is Coquine, located in the Mount Tabor neighborhood. This warm and thoughtful eatery has quietly morphed into a must-know destination for Italian cuisine. Chef-owner George Kaden brings both New Jersey food DNA and New York fine dining to the table, evident in his gorgeous beef-pork meatballs swaddled in a near-spiritual evocation of East Coast tomato sauce. Pastas are tone-perfect, elegantly silky tagliatelle to rustic cavatelli, while risotto is scratch-made to order. Roasted chicken scarpariello, braised with sausage, pepperoncini, and deep, deep savor, vies for Portlands chicken crown. Good cocktails and a nerdy wine list impress, yet the service remains total pro while maintaining a laid-back Portland vibe (PDX Monthly).
For those looking for a unique dining experience, Akadi is refreshingly immersive, designed to evoke conviviality like few other restaurants. The overall effect is personal, approachable, and inclusive, with a particularly ardent following among Portlands vegan community. Order peanut stew with fufu (a kind of sticky cassava dough perfect for dunking), or beef brochette skewers served with smoky jollof rice and a dash of Akadis homemade sauces. These sauces are so irresistibly delightful especially one crafted from tomatoes, ginger, roasted carrots, and African spices that you'll be searching for additional items to dip into them. They are so popular that Chef Fatou Ouattara now bottles and sells them in local grocery stores (The New York Times).
In addition to these top-tier recommendations, Portland offers a plethora of other dining options. For on-site dining at the Portland'5 venues, visitors can enjoy the ArtBar & Bistro located in Antoinette Hatfield Hall. This affordably chic menu centers around Northwest ingredients and international flavors, offering appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts that bring culinary art to each plate nightly. The ArtBar also offers handcrafted cocktails, local craft beers, and a wine list that will quench even the most hearty thirst (Portland'5 Centers for the Arts).
For those seeking fine dining just steps from the city's venues, several restaurants near Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Newmark Theatre, Dolores Winningstad Theatre, and Brunish Theatre offer exceptional experiences. The Tavern at Heathman is Portlands home for the holidays with its return of Heathmans Holiday Tea. Gather your family and friends for special Thanksgiving and Christmas prix fixe menus or let them customize your experience with private dining. Make your reservations on OpenTable today (Portland'5 Centers for the Arts).
Other notable mentions include Bellwether Bar, a neighborhood jewel off the shoulder slope of Mount Tabor. Chef Jimmy Askren approaches the idea of a PNW public house with genuine intentcrispy prawns with Old Bay cocktail sauce, locally sourced beef and pork protein mains, deviled eggs for snacking, and a bar burger that disappears by the dozen from the kitchen each night. The whole is greater than the parts in a well-worn dining room that creaks with history and leads to a surprisingly large and hidden back patio (PDX Monthly).
Lastly, for those looking for a unique breakfast spot, Mothers Bistro is an underrated gem. Screen Door is still amazing, and Kens Artisan makes some of the best pizza in the region. Franks Noodles is another underrated gem worth visiting (Reddit).
In conclusion, Portland's dining scene is a treasure trove of culinary delights. From traditional Italian fare at Campana to innovative West African cuisine at Akadi, there is something for every palate. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy caf experience at Cafe Olli or a fine dining experience at Coquine, Portland's restaurants are sure to impress. Learn More at Direct Post.
