10 Places Locals Love to Eat in Portland

Tasty n Alder is a modern steakhouse located in Downtown Portland. It’s a popular family-style eatery, with dishes coming to your table in no order – you might be enjoying your mains (try its steak tartare) before your entrees and sides arrive.

If you’re looking for an adventurous take on milkshakes, be sure to also try Tasty n Alder’s cognac-spiked chocolate milkshake. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations, so you’ll have to expect a queue for a table, but its atmosphere and delicious food makes the wait worthwhile.

Grassa is a no-frills Italian restaurant that’s known for its large eagle motif painted on its dining walls. There's little happening on the menu besides fresh handmade pasta, but it manages to capture the hearts of the locals in Portland.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is very casual, with communal tables laid out so you could share a meal and maybe strike up a conversation. Queues at Grassa move quickly, so there are no reservations needed – you won’t have to wait for long before you get seated.

Kachka is a Russian restaurant loved for its selection of zakuski – small sharing plates of snacks – and an extensive list of vodkas. Its signature dish is called the Herring Under a Fur Coat. It’s actually a traditional Russian salad, made of potatos, herring, carrots, beets, onions and topped with hard-boiled eggs, which makes for a great Instagram picture.

If you’re in a hurry, Kachka also offers an array of grab-and-go items available through lunch. You can find them at the Lavka Deli, located above the main restaurant.

OK Omens is a gastrobar set in the heart of Downtown Portland. They feature a long list of wines and spirits varying in prices, with playful names such as Salty, Chalky, Minty Oregon Goodness, and Good Cheap French Red up for picks.

Every Sunday, you can enjoy happy hour deals all day with house pour wines starting from $7 a glass. The food at OK Omens is highly influenced by Asian flavors, offering bites such as oysters with sansho dressing and their own take on the Vietnamese banh mi.

Nimblefish is a Japanese spot that has become a local favorite since 2017. The small, 20-seat restaurant specializes in fresh sushi and handrolls. While prices are quite steep, the high-quality ingredients and service make it a worthwhile experience.

If you’re feeling adventurous, do give omakase courses a go – in which the chef chooses what to prepare for you. You won't be able to make reservations before your visit to Nimblefish. Most locals leave their names at the door and head over to a place nearby for a drink while waiting for their turn.

Nong’s Khao Man Gai in downtown Portland is known for its namesake khao man gai (Thai-style chicken rice). Owned by a Thai chef, this establishment originated from a food cart selling only a single dish before moving into the brick-and-mortar store it is today.

While there are more dishes on the menu, many locals still order the flavorful khao man gai for their main dish. At the end of your meal, remember to also bring home a bottled sauce as a nice souvenir for your friends and family.

Master Kong is where you’ll find the locals of Portland visit for Chinese comfort food on most weekends. With large portions to share and cooked-to-order food, you’ll find congee, dumplings, and jianbing, a crepe-like snack available on the menu. We also recommend the roujiamo (Chinese burgers featuring jalapeño seasoned pork), stuffed within Master Kong’s homemade buns that gave this family-run restaurant its fame.

Tables are usually taken up by 10.30 am, especially on weekends, so it’s best to make your way to the restaurant earlier in the day to avoid a long queue.

Doe Donuts is a locally owned doughnut store serving fresh vegan doughnuts and artisanal ice-creams. Long queues form outside this wooden-clad store every day. Flavors such as Portland Fog – organic earl gray glaze, fresh whipped cream, and vanilla bean – and Cookies & Cream gracing its menu. Can’t make up your mind? Order the Baker’s Choice in-store and the staff will pick their favorite flavors for you.

Doe Donuts also specializes in custom orders for a set of 6 pieces and above, including unique alphabet shaped doughnuts – ideal for birthdays or if you’re looking to pop the question in a delicious way.