The Best Places to Eat in Portland

Portland is known for being weird, but there’s nothings strange about the food scene. It’s Pacific Northwest setting allows chefs to work with some of the finest produce and seafood around. It encapsulated the “farm-to-table” ethos long before it was ever trendy to do so, and its craft beers are as iconic as any dish you’ll find in local restaurants. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. Embrace the best of it all and pair the iconic dishes with a local beer or wine. Here are some of Portland’s icons.

The OpenTable Team

6 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	clarklewis, Portland City Grill, Ruth's Chris Steak House - Portland…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Northwest, Seafood, Steakhouse…
Neighborhoods:	Southeast Portland, Downtown…

clarklewis

$$$$

Northwest

Southeast Portland

4.3

2327 reviews

Since 2003, clarklewis has welcomed diners to their spacious converted warehouse in the Central Eastside Industrial District. A glass-paneled wall that opens when it’s sunny frames stunning views of the river and Portland skyline. The food is Italian-inspired but the ingredients are all local and seasonal, with menus changing daily. Lamb from SuDan Farm, just 20 miles south of Portland, is often featured. A lovely example is the slow-braised lamb ragu with house-made tagliatelle, a comforting dish rich with roasted garlic and Grana Padano.

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Portland City Grill

$$$$

Seafood

Downtown

4.4

8698 reviews

With a setting on the 30th floor of the U.S. Bancorp Tower, Portland City Grill draws in the crowds with unmatched 360-degree views over the city and the Cascades, including the majestic peak of Mount Hood. Natural materials from Oregon, including river rock, reclaimed Douglas fir, and basalt accents, adorn the dining room and lounge, giving the restaurant a rich, rustic, and welcoming feel. Come for the views, but stay for top-quality cuisine, which is New American with Asian influences. The kung pao calamari appetizer is a favorite, and Portland City Grill takes great pride in their premium steaks, char-grilled in a 1800-degree oven. An Oregon red is the perfect accompaniment.

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Ruth's Chris Steak House - Portland

$$$$

Steakhouse

Downtown

4.7

1881 reviews

Started in New Orleans in 1927, Ruth’s Chris Steak House has grown to a chain of over 100 restaurants across North America. It offers Portland its signature upscale steakhouse experience near Pioneer Square. Unique to the Portland venue is an array of Oregon wines on the extensive wine list. Naturally, the signature dishes at Ruth’s Chris are their USDA prime steaks, seared at 1800 degrees and served sizzling in butter on hot ceramic plates. Cut options run into double digits, ranging from petite filets to a 40-ounce porterhouse for two. Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s signature dessert is a delectable crème brulee.

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Chart House Restaurant - Portland

$$$$

Seafood

Downtown

4.6

5861 reviews

The Portland Chart House atop the historic Terwilliger Building boasts some of the best views in Portland, on a clear day spanning Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount Saint Helens, along with the Willamette River. Steak and seafood dominate Chart House’s menu, with a slow-roasted prime rib and macadamia nut mahi mahi among the stand-out items. Seasonal menus showcase local ingredients, which in Portland means amazing king salmon. It might come cedar-wrapped or simply grilled and finished with lemony, buttery sauces along with fresh vegetables.

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Stanford's - Tanasbourne

$$$$

American

Hillsboro

4.5

976 reviews

The Stanford’s restaurant in Tanasbourne, conveniently close to a major shopping area and movie theater, reflects the local area with many of their menu options. Among the best are the crispy Northwest Pacific oysters. As an entrée they’re served with basmati rice and seasonal vegetables, and they also feature on the happy hour menu, minus the rice and veg. Other favorites for happy hour — twice daily and all day on Sundays — are a classic spinach and artichoke dip and the “ribs and ring,” baby back ribs with a jumbo buttermilk-battered onion ring and blue cheese-BBQ dipping sauce. Enjoy small plates with one of Stanford’s signature cocktails, such as the Huckleberry Rain Drop with huckleberry vodka, fresh lemon sour, and rosemary-infused simple syrup.

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The Melting Pot - Portland

$$$$

Fondue

Downtown

4.4

2348 reviews

On a gray and drizzly day in Portland, it might seem that there’s no more perfect place (outside the Alps) to indulge in a pot of fondue. Patrons at the dimly lit restaurant sit around their own stove and spend a leisurely meal dipping hunks of bread, seasonal fruits, and vegetables into a simmering vat of oozy, cheesy goodness. The Melting Pot offers a four-course menu, or you can just opt for the cheese fondue with drinks. This downtown venue offers a “Best of Portland” section of the menu with a local variation on their classics.

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Best Places to Eat