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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Southwest Portland

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9 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Nostrana restaurant
1. Nostrana
4.7
Exceptional(5730)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Southeast Portland
Booked 72 times today
Nostrana—literally ours—invokes local. Simple food from honest ingredients. Pure, regional, Italian. Opened in 2005, Nostrana is Chef/Owner Cathy Whims’ love letter to Italy. This is a restaurant built on relationships: with our amazing farmers and purveyors, our dedicated staff, and of course with you, our guest.We hope to offer something timeless and authentic in a beautiful space, the regional specialties of Italy deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest. We strive to be better every day. We're currently reserving indoor tables and bar seating. When available, outdoor patio reservations may be subject to weather disruptions.A Service Charge of 22% is applied to all checks at Nostrana, providing a professional and equitable wage for all team members.
A photo of L'Orange restaurant
2. L'Orange
4.8
Exceptional(170)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Southeast Portland
Booked 14 times today
Named one of the New York Times America's Best Restaurants 2024! Tucked away upstairs in a charming old storefront and voted one of Portland's 'Best New Restaurants' in 2023, L'Orange features an intimate dining space that beckons you to immerse yourself in a different era. Chef Joel Stocks and his talented team will guide your palate through adventurous dishes that blend European culinary traditions with the finest local ingredients. Experience the taste of "Old Portland" with every bite. Enhance your dining experience with a thoughtfully curated selection of wines, personally chosen by Owner/Winemaker Jeff Vejr and his team. While our wine list boasts a European focus, we also showcase a variety of local wines, including the exceptional offerings from Jeff's own Golden Cluster label. Join us at L'Orange for a taste of history, innovation, and the vibrant flavors of the Pacific Northwest!
A photo of Magna Kusina restaurant
3. Magna Kusina
4.8
Exceptional(161)
Price: Moderate
• Filipino • Southeast Portland
Booked 22 times today
Chef Carlo Lamagna, one of Food and Wines Best New Chefs and a James Beard Awards finalist, brings a twist to the food he grew up on. A modern take on Filipino cuisine steeped in traditional dishes. Old school flavor with a new school style. Connecting with diners through flavor and story. Enjoy signature takes on popular Filipino dishes at this award winning restaurant.
A photo of King Tide Fish & Shell restaurant
4. King Tide Fish & Shell
4.2
Awesome(732)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 13 times today
King Tide Fish & Shell, led by Executive Chef Alexander Diestra, is a riverfront seafood restaurant and bar inspired by the laid-back fishing lodges of family vacations gone by. With sparkling waterfront views of the Willamette, a welcoming energy and a menu that ranges from no-fuss to fancy, here at King Tide we serve fresh, inventive seafood dishes with local ingredients that are uniquely Portland.There aren't many places that command the vantage point we enjoy here at King Tide, so we like to make sure it lives up to Portland. We do that with a blend of the traditional and the non, the comfortable and the slightly twisted, the satisfying food and the swinging drink.As we like to say, King Tide is where food & drink & people always complement each other, and everything goes with the view.
A photo of Proof•Reader restaurant
5. Proof•Reader
4.2
Awesome(22)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 2 times today
Our name reflects our devotion to local whiskeys and elevated cocktails while offering you an authentic taste of the Pacific Northwest through our selection of local, high-quality ingredients, 200+ whiskeys, inspired cuisine, and genuine Oregon hospitality.Proof Reader is a culinary gem that artfully blends modern comfort with refined elegance. Nestled in the heart of the city, this eatery boasts a menu inspired by both classic and contemporary cuisine, crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. The intimate, stylish atmosphere complements an innovative dining experience, featuring seasonal dishes and a curated selection of whiskeys, wines, and cocktails. Whether you're enjoying a casual meal or celebrating a special occasion, Proof Reader offers exceptional service and a memorable ambiance. Ideal for food enthusiasts seeking both quality and creativity.
A photo of Urban Fondue restaurant
6. Urban Fondue
4.6
Exceptional(2070)
Price: Expensive
• Fondue • Downtown
Booked 3 times today
Urban Fondue offers a unique perspective to fondue dining. From the indulgent cuisine, and boldly delicious and extensive martini selections, to the chic and smoldering décor and expert and personable service, Urban Fondue is a feast for the senses. Enjoy house made cheese fondue, succulent meat entrees cooked "fondue" style and delectable dessert fondues accompanied with side dishes such as fingerling potatoes and garlic sausage.
A photo of Cibo restaurant
7. Cibo
new
4.8
Exceptional(158)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Southeast Portland
Booked 11 times today
Cibo is a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Portland, Oregon, that serves up delicious wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta dishes, and other classic Italian fare. The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with red leather booths, wrap-around windows, and an open kitchen with an imported Ligurian pizza oven. Cibo is a great place to enjoy a casual meal with friends or family, or to celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant also has a full bar and an extensive wine list, so you can find the perfect drink to pair with your meal.
A photo of Hal's Cafe restaurant
8. Hal's Cafe
4.2
Awesome(163)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Our upscale yet comfortable Hal's Café welcomes you in, where the familiar touches of McMenamins’ signature art combine with natural light, phenomenal stained glass and an open kitchen with a view of chefs, for a sophisticated dining experience.Breakfast and brunch feature dishes ranging from chilaquiles to brioche french toast, and fresh bakery items and espresso. Meet up for lunch and enjoy the wood-fired pizza fresh from the custom oven, or a specialty salad or Nashville hot chicken sandwich.Dinner is a feast, with options such as roasted chicken, lamb and halibut. House-made desserts and the extensive spirits, wine, ale and craft cocktail list are pairings to any of these dining experiences. The Bloody Mary with house-pickled vegetables is highly sought-after, as is the Zeus Fizz—with house shrub syrup.
A photo of Tartuca restaurant
9. Tartuca
4.7
Exceptional(113)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Northeast Portland
Booked 16 times today
Since 2022, Tartuca has been a quintessential Pacific Northwest restaurant, contextualizing its hyper-local, farm-direct produce through an Italian lens on the active strip of Mississippi Avenue in North Portland. Inside Tartuca is a hip, bustling environment with an open kitchen, powered by a grooving soundtrack, house made pastas and focaccia, inventive composed dishes, and abundantly flowing wine from a tightly curated Italian list that exclusively features small, artisanal producers making wine naturally from organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards. For those seeking a quieter experience, Tartuca's best kept secret is a cozy back patio open all year round. We can't wait to serve you!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • BarbaraB
    Portland / Oregon •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    We loved the freshness and balance in all the dishes, not to mention the deliciousness! Great suggestions from our gracious and knowledgeable server - lovely service overall. Warm and inviting, lively with a big party but still able to easily converse. Can’t wait to go back and I’m already recommending it to friends.
    More info
    Magna KusinaPrice: Moderate• Filipino• Southeast Portland
    •
    4.8
  • AlisonVIP
    Portland / Oregon •46 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Interesting Nostrana salad. Fettucini was a little dry but had a nice flavor. Excellent service.
    More info
    NostranaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Southeast Portland
    •
    4.7
  • OpenTable DinerVIP
    Portland / Oregon •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Delicious! I have tried everything on menu and always fantastic!
    More info
    L'OrangePrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Southeast Portland
    •
    4.8
  • Becky
    Portland / Oregon •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on 5 Mar 2025
    rank and Shay were absolutely incredible! We stopped in for dinner before a show at the Keller, and the entire experience blew us away. The staff was outstanding — so warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Their recommendations were spot-on, and the food was nothing short of amazing. Every dish was prepared to perfection, and our whole group left happy and excited for the musical. This place is truly a hidden gem, and we can’t wait to come back!
    More info
    Proof•ReaderPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
    •
    4.2
  • annVIP
    Portland / Oregon •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 27 Feb 2025
    My friend nor I had had a Cosmo in many years and it was on the menu so we decided to try it and it was one of the best ones I’ve ever had. Fabulous bartender. Really great waiter and service. And the food was delectable. I had the salmon my friend had the scallops. Both amazing I’ve been here many many times over many many years. Better than ever.
    More info
    King Tide Fish & ShellPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
    •
    4.2

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