When visitors ask what’s good to eat in Portland, the answer is – we have everything, and it’s all amazing! We are lucky to have a treasure-trove of authentic international food in our city. So if you want to travel but don’t plan on leaving Stumptown in the near future, taking a tour of Portland’s array of multi-national eateries is a great place to start. But be forewarned--this tour of cuisine will make you want to travel for sure! Use the latest Where To Eat Guide as your guide.
NE/Alberta:
Bollywood Theater’s unique vibe, casual and vibrant menu and in-restaurant ingredient market make the meal a journey. Chef Troy MacLarty, owner of Bollywood Theater’s dual locations, says he wants diners to really experience being in India (hence the steel plates and cups). Whet your appetite with a plate of Pappadums (lentil wafers) accompanied by a trio of chutneys. Then enjoy Paneer Makhani (house-made cheese cooked in a tomato and cashew curry) served with saffron rice. The Fried Okra is delightfully thin and crispy, seasoned with chile and lime and served with raita (yoghurt sauce)--a fantastic side.
Bollywood Theater
2039 NE Alberta St and 3010 SE Division St
Photo credit: Boke Bowl Facebook
East:
Think you know ramen? Asian Fusion superstar Boke Bowl’s two locations will treat you with dashi (broth) flavors like Slow Smoked Pulled Pork, Seafood Miso, Caramelized Fennel and Spicy Chicken Miso. Add some Steam Buns and salads to the table, and you’ve got yourselves an incredible spread. Want to kick your noodle bowl up a notch? Ask for add-ons like Slow Poached Egg, Pork Belly (soooo yummy) and Cornmeal Crusted Oysters. One more thing-- Boke Bowl’s Northwest location also offers Dim Sum; the Eastside location features Korean Fried Chicken on Thursday nights from 5 - 9 pm. The kids can come along for this adventure, as Boke Bowl serves Bambino Ramen or Rice Bowls. Don’t forget the treats at the end--Boke Twinkies and Coconut Kaffir Lemongrass Tapioca.
Boke Bowl
1028 SE Water Ave and 1200 NW 18th Ave
Photo credit: Le Pigeon Facebook
Le Pigeon is well-known for being THE Spot for adventurous French-inspired cuisine. Your memorable dinner could include Beef Cheek Bourguignon 2015 with Époisses Risotto, Oyster Mushrooms, Dijon Pickled Onion and Sweet Herb or Fried Quail with Masa Poblano Hummus, Pears, Spicy Honey and Feta. Or, treat your party to the five or seven course Chef’s Tasting Menus (ask about beverage pairings as well). And, of course, there is also the famous burger. Don’t miss Le Pigeon’s sister restaurant in downtown, Little Bird.
Le Pigeon
738 E Burnside St
Photo credit: Grüner Facebook
Downtown:
Grüner Think cozy Alpine cuisine. The bounty of the Pacific Northwest is prepared according to the culinary traditions of central Europe at Grüner. One of your party can enjoy a plate of House-made Bratwurst and Saucisson Sausages with Sauerkraut, Sweet-hot Mustard and Yukon Gold Potatoes; another could try the Cornflour Spätzle with Smoked Chicken, Sweet Red Peppers, Corn, Maiitake Mushrooms, Leeks, Chives and Thyme. Selections from an extensive wine list are from as far away as Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland.
Grüner
527 SW 12th Ave
Photo credit: Mucca Osteria Facebook
Mucca Osteria Love Italian food? Prepare to be comforted by a balance of originality and tradition at Mucca Osteria. Six or eight course tasting menus are available, or you can select your own antipasti, pastas, local farm-to-table meats and fresh seasonal seafood and desserts (Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Affogato and Gelato, for example!)
Mucca Osteria
1022 SW Morrison St
Photo credit: Raven & Rose
Raven & Rose/The Rookery Bar The restaurant and bar, located in the historic Ladd Carriage House, feature farmhouse cookery inspired by the British Isles. If you are “feeling a bit peckish,” this is the place where you can enjoy Welsh Rarebit, Herb Roasted Chicken, Buttermilk-Fried Rabbit and--not to be forgotten--a side of Yorkshire Pudding. For dessert, cozy up with Butterscotch Pudding or a Warm Peach Hand Pie.
Raven & Rose/The Rookery Bar
1331 SW Broadway
Photo credit: Sake Facebook
Saké For those who love fresh, spicy, flavorful cuisine, Saké is the jackpot--Thai and Japanese food served in one location. You can have Ramen and Salad Rolls. Or Pad Thai and California Rolls. Or… you get the picture. Sake’s peaceful, relaxing environment makes it a welcome retreat as well. One last thought--the house-made Coconut Ice Cream will change the way you think about dessert!
Saké
615 SW Park Ave and 3272 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Photo credit: Marrakesh Facebook
Northwest:
Marrakesh Get ready to experience a Moroccan evening! Lounge on cushions on the floor surrounded by tapestries. You will be treated with graciousness and attentiveness as you and your group enjoy a five course prix fixe meal (you can also order dishes a la carte) that begins with traditional Lentil Soup and Salad, followed by the B’stilla Royale (chicken served inside a pastry crust, dusted with powdered sugar--it’s delicious!) Each diner then selects a dish. Tagine of Chicken, Honey and Prunes, Braised Lamb in Ginger, Saffron and Garlic Sauce with Fried Eggplant or Marrakesh Vegetarian Delight are some examples. Usually each dish is passed around, and everyone scoops up the feast with pieces of bread. Your Moroccan culinary experience will come to a delightful close with mint tea and sweets. Marrakesh is a fantastic pick for a celebration, or a unique place to take out-of-town guests.
Marrakesh
1201 NW 21st Ave
Photo credit: Oba Facebook
Pearl District:
¡Oba! Portland’s hotspot for Nuevo Latino cuisine, dining at ¡Oba! can include Ceviche, Paella de Oba, or “Gaucho Style” Hardwood Grilled Prime Rib with Chipotle Horseradish, Manchego Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables. ¡Oba! is also a well-loved Happy Hour meet-up, with tasty small plates like Yucatan Arepas (Colombian corn cakes with achiote braised pork, cabbage and pickled onion) or Camarones con Coco (coconut crusted prawns with fig-tamarind chutney). Pair these with a hand-crafted cocktail and you’re on your way to an evening that is muy caliente.
¡Oba!
555 NW 12th Ave
The word Zaatar is a Lebanese spice blend that is said to make the mind alert and the body strong. A meal at this family-owned business will similarly nourish your senses. Dinner for Two will include Lentil Soup or House Salad, two appetizers, such as Tabouli, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Falafel, Arnabeet (Cauliflower) or Veggie Grape Leaves, two entrées such as Chicken Shawarma or Kafta Kabob and a handmade dessert (the Baklava is lovely). Prefer to spread the table with a traditional Lebanese Mezza? That’s an option, too. Ask about Zaatar’s events, like live music or belly dancing!
Zaatar
1037 NW Flanders St
Here’s a toast to your trip around the world inside Portland’s city limits!
