No doubt, Portland is blessed with a vibrant and creative restaurant scenery and very few cities the size of Portland can boast of the same vibrancy and creativity. The presence of the numerous farmer’s markets and urban gardens is a testament to how seriously Portlanders take their food. And the bar is so high that one will not be wrong to expect excellent, tasty and affordable meals from the food carts parked around the town. This has created some sort of competition, with restaurants trying hard to keep up their standard, especially because they charge more; therefore, patrons should get the value for their money.
There is also the factor of the influx of immigrant populations. And only in Portland will you find the abundance of local cuisines, excellent Ethiopian, Thai, Lebanese, Italian, Japanese and Indian foods.
So, if you are ever in Portland or planning to take a trip to Portland, ensure you try out at least one of the following restaurants in our list of Top 10 Restaurants to visit in Portland in 2021.
- Quaintrelle
Quaintrelle is the definition of cozy and exquisite. According to reviews by regular and even one-time patrons, the food from Quaintrelle is perfect for a fall day. With a seasonal menu change and locally sourced ingredients, Quaintrelle does not only rely on the tastiness of the food on its menu or the brilliance of its chef. But also, the ambiance and scenery are another feather to the hat of the restaurant, which from any angle you choose to make your list from will always make the top 10 restaurants in Portland.
At Quaintrelle, happy hour is available every day, 5-6:30 PM in the bar. And you also get to enjoy Quaintrelle on their heated, covered patio.
If you are ever in Portland, Quaintrelle is definitely one of the places you must check out, or your trip is incomplete by our standard.
Website: www.quaintrelle.co
- Luc Lac
Luc Lac easily offers some of the best food in Portland, Oregon. It is a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Portland. What stands Luc Lac apart from the rest is their low prices and delicious food, one of them being the chicken curry jammed packed with veggies and their secret family recipe pho, which comes in heaping portions. Aside from great food, Luc Lac also has incredible beer, cocktails and wine.
Luc Lac is open for lunch on weekdays and opens for dinner every day. On weekdays, they are open until midnight and open till 4 AM on weekends making this the perfect venue for late-night dining.
Indeed, Luc Lac is not your typical restaurant; it is a complete package with good food, a tasty menu, and affordable for everybody.
Website: www.luclackitchen.com
- Screen Door Restaurant
Are you looking for a restaurant where southern cooking is done right? Then Screen Door is your best bet. Screen Door Restaurant is currently considered one of Portland’s best weekend brunch spots and is open for dinner five nights a week.
Screen Door offers some of the best southern food, and the food on the menu caters to palates ranging from simple to the most sophisticated tastes. There is also the availability of dining on lighter food options thanks to their extensive salads and vegetable dishes that change according to availability.
Screen Door is the home of great comfort and food that is creatively prepared and is currently offering pickup and delivery as part of its services.
Website: www.screendoorrestaurant.com
- Acadia
Acadia is a taste of New Orleans in the Pacific Northwest. Described as an intimate bistro, Acadia is located in the northeastern section of the city.
With a fantastic menu list ranging from classic Cajun and Creole favorites such as Shrimp Creole and seafood gumbo jambalaya, patrons are sure to come back for more just for the food. In addition, Acadia operates on a distinct customer satisfaction policy, and regardless of who or what they are buying, every customer gets treated equally and with respect at Acadia. In short, Acadia is the home to some of the best chefs and the most fantastic menu lineup in the Pacific Northwest.
Acadia is available for pick up and currently offers a full range of menu options through their delivery described as timely and detailed.
Website: www.acadiapdx.com
- Podnah’s Pit BBQ
Podnah’s Pit Barbecue makes honest and one of the most slow-smoked fresh Texas-style barbecues for their patrons every day. Podnah is best known for their slowly smoked meat unsung 100% oak hardwood without charcoal, electric or gas assistance. Brisket, pulled pork, sausage, prime rib, collard greens, broccoli casserole, potato salad, pecan pie and banana pudding are just a few of the menus and one of the reasons you will love eating there. Another reason is the size of each potion, as it has been described as big enough to feed two people.
They also offer their customized cocktail creations such as the Dr. Salty Pepper made with Aria gin, grapefruit, Peychaud’s bitters, lime juice and salted rim. Their Bloody Mary is also perfectly made and spicy that it will leave you craving for more.
So, next time you are in Portland, ensure you check out Podnah’s.
Website: www.podnahspit.com
- Can Font
Can Font is a traditional restaurant featuring traditional Catalan cuisine in an upscale contemporary space out of the Pearl District. Founded by Barcelona native Josep Vidal, Can Font is home to a host of Barcelona-inspired menus, including delightful dishes such as local meats, wild fish, and arguably the best produce the season offers such as Squid Ink Paella.
Can Fonts is also partly popular due to their desserts. Quick advice, save plenty of room for at least one.
Although currently closed for in-person dining, however, as soon as they re-open, ensure you attend their happy hour on Monday 5 – 10 PM, Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday 5 – 6 PM and 9-10 PM. But for now, they only provide takeout services.
Website: www.canfontportland.com
- Rader
Radar is a one-of-a-kind candlelit neighborhood-style restaurant operated by a team of husband and wife. Radar is a warm and inviting place to dine, especially enjoyable on a crisp fall day.
Radar is the perfect place to dine as an individual and as a family as they offer some of the most enjoyable menus of all bistros in North Portland. Radar’s menu is ideal for sharing with a variety of small plates and more extensive plate options. Small plates offer selections including deviled eggs, three ways, and large plates like the chicken fried McFarland Springs trout with radish, lettuce, shallots, celeriac remoulade, lettuce, trout chicharrones and several others are a heaping portion. You can also pair your dinner with cocktails such as Cacao Nib Ramazzotti and Night Owl made with bourbon and toasted pecan bitters.
Radar is currently available for limited seating or as delivery.
- The Waiting Room
For anybody looking for some Louisiana southern comfort food, the Waiting Room is the perfect spot to enjoy comfort food in a casual old house just a few steps away from the famous NW 23rd Street. Serving meals ranging from fried okra to dishes made with pimento cheese, this is truly southern food brought to you in the city of Portland.
One outstanding feature of the Waiting Room is their “small” portion of fried chicken which can easily feed on two to five people. In addition to this, seafood lovers can walk into the Waiting Room and order from the variety of seafood on the menu like steamed clams, BBQ shrimp, hamachi Crudo, cornmeal catfish, and 4 or 5 different delicious preparations or oysters including grilled, fried, fresh, unique toppings, and more. Save room for their mind-blowing dessert, Grand Marnier butterscotch pudding. They offer a lovely happy hour Tuesday – Friday from 4 PM – 6 PM when open for in-person dining. For now, they are available as taking out and delivery.
Website: www.thewaitingroompdx.com
- Bhuna
Bhuna is considered a hidden gem in NW Portland, thanks to delightful Indian soul food availability. Bhuna has cracked the code and crafted together unique and thoughtful dishes while utilizing Pacific Northwest ingredients. Some of the fantastic dishes to check out on their menu include their gluten-free Kashmiri Tomato & Eggplant rice bowl.
In 2021, Bhuna is one of the top restaurants to visit for lunch or dinner because the restaurant offers one of the best happy hours in the whole of Portland from 11 am to 6 pm with discounts on their rice bowls, beer, and wine.
With COVID concerns, Bhuna is available by pickup and delivery.
Website: www.bhunarestaurant.com
- Gumba
Are you looking for a food cart that offers fresh food? Yes, you read that right!
It has been proven severally that it takes one visit to Gumba to have your views about food carts changed forever. This is because not only do they serve some of the tastiest dishes you will ever come across, their menu changes so often that patrons are left in awe of the chef’s creativity and the divine presentation. A visit to Gumba will raise the bar of your expectation of food carts which may be unfair because not every food carts take the business as seriously and professionally as Gumba.
Gumba is available through pickup and delivery.
Website: www.gumba-pdx.com
Sponsored Post
