Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Portland

OpenTable

Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems in Portland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Magna Kusina

4.9

4.9 (136)

$30 and under

Filipino

Southeast Portland

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Angel

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

The food, the people, the drinks, you can’t go wrong. Your dining experience can be adventurous or safe with lots of well known options and maybe something you’ve never tried before, but it’s all made with love and care. You feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door and are taken care of right up until you leave. One of my favorite restaurants in Portland.

Cabezon Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2338)

$30 and under

Seafood

Northeast Portland

About the restaurant

Cabezon is a bustling neighborhood seafood bistro and fish market. Opened in December 2009,
Cabezon is located near both Portland’s Hollywood and Rose City Park neighborhoods. Offering
“Coastal Cuisine with Passion” – elemental seasonal cooking driven by the offerings of the day
from local producers and the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Owners, Chef David Farrell and
wine maven Jackie Speck, look forward to delighting you with their unique menu, and invite you
to stop by for our local wood-fired fish and meats, chef made pates, and seasonal ice creams.
Our diverse wine list features small hands-on producers.

Top review

KennethVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our favorite restaurant due to great food, service, staff and owners!

Yalla

4.8

4.8 (139)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Southwest Portland

About the restaurant

Yalla is a neighborhood Mediterranean smokehouse from the Sesame Collective restaurant group. Opened in summer of 2020, Yalla brings a Mediterranean smokehouse to the heart of the Multnomah Village neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. With a menu of smoked meats, seasonal vegetables, and comfort dishes, Yalla is currently open for delivery, take out, and full service dining. Yalla is helmed by Chef/Owner Kasey Mills and Chef de Cuisine Daniel Valley.

Top review

Stacy

Dined on 29 Dec 2024

Third time at Yalla. They have this dialed in! Excellent flavors, nice presentation, comfortable dining room. Service is always "spot on". What impresses me most, is how they handle unexpected situations. We showed up for a reservation (for 4), and they offered a table in the front of the restaurant by the door. Was a little cold and breezy on that day, so we asked for a different table. We were told that unfortunately, none were available, as they had a large party coming in, so many tables had been combined. A minute later, the hostess came back and told me they'd rearrange things for the other party, and offered us a table further away from the door. Very nice gesture - they totally could have just forgotten about it, but they made an effort to be accommodating. Same reservation, we were waiting on one last plate (food is served family-style, so plates come out throughout the meal). Asked about it, and the server told us that she thought it was coming up. She left, and a couple minutes later, the manager came out and apologized for the delay. He acknowledged that they had missed the dish, so he immediately brought it out, with an extra appetizer, and comped them both. Again, could have just brought the plate and not said anything, but they went the "extra mile" to provide an exceptional experience. Will certainly be back.

Lucca

4.7

4.7 (571)

$31 to $50

Italian

North Portland

About the restaurant

Lucca, a wood fired Italian-inspired restaurant is located in one of Portland's favorite historic neighborhoods. This vibrant eatery serves farm fresh ingredients in a bustling, stylish dining room reminiscent of the trattorias found within the walls of their Italian sister city Lucca, where families and tourists gather to celebrate and enjoy the seasonal bounty.

Top review

grantVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Live in the neighborhood and used to go to Lucca often. For some reason stopped going but returned last week and was so happy to see Lucca had actually improved. Great menu Great service Great value. Great vibe. Will be back.

Zilla Sake

4.7

4.7 (14)

$31 to $50

Sushi

North Portland

About the restaurant

We have changed reservation systems! Please visit our website at zillasake.com to book a table.

Top review

Timothy

Dined 5 days ago

The food is excellent. The offerings are both traditional and uniquely adventurous. We enjoyed both. Sake flight was fantastic. 21-day aged salmon was a highlight as well as 7-day aged sea bream. The portions are smaller than most sushi restaurants and more expensive. As many have mentioned in other reviews, the service is slow. Very slow. Having read that, we settled in for a relaxed meal. The pace pushed us beyond relaxed to impatient. We would definitely return when we have plenty of time.

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Experience

Omakase

Verde Cocina en la Perla

4.7

4.7 (325)

$30 and under

Northwest

Pearl District

About the restaurant

Verde Cocina brings the best of NW bounty to you with a fusion of Mexican flavors. Since 2009 we've been working with local farmers and purveyors to source the freshest ingredients we can find. Looking for a juicy steak, a delicious cheese filled quesadilla, AND a hearty vegan entree to satisfy everyone in your group? You've come to the right place. Our entire menu is naturally gluten-free and we offer options for a variety of dietary lifestyles. Paleo-minded and Vegans unite! Our full bar features fresh squeezed cocktails, Mexican and local draft beers, a large selection of premium tequilas, and a delicious selection of wines.

Come to Verde Cocina in Portland's Pearl District for a workday lunch, happy hour with friends, dinner, or a relaxing weekend brunch with family. We're conveniently located on NW Hoyt between NW 11th & 12th ave- just around the corner from some of Portland's hottest art galleries and a few blocks from Portland's beloved Jamison square.

Top review

Annalisa

Dined on 28 Dec 2024

I want to say a HUGE thank you for the most wonderful welcome, kindness and spectacular service at this beautiful, unique restaurant! Serving delicious food and beverage, the chicken enchiladas verde are exquisite… we cannot wait to visit again! I believe our amazing server’s name is Alina (smile and heart of gold)! Thank you so much!!!

Marco's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (137)

$31 to $50

American

Southwest Portland

About the restaurant

Marco’s Café and Espresso Bar, in the heart of Southwest Portland’s charming Multnomah Village, has been serving up consciously-sourced fare since 1983. We hope you’ll join us under the umbrellas, in the historic Nelson Thomas building, next time you’re in need of some nourishment.

Top review

Tyler

Dined on 26 Dec 2024

Met two friends for brunch. The bloody Mary's came out quickly and were very good, and our food seemed perfectly timed, and was delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Portland Hawthorne

4.5

4.5 (96)

$31 to $50

Thai

Southeast Portland

About the restaurant

Cheers for the New Year together. Please come join us for a FREE EXPERIENCE OF FARMHOUSE STYLE NIGHT MARKET from Fri DEC 29th - Sun DEC 31st for all the reservations.

Not your typical Thai! We are a Thai New Generation restaurant focusing on bringing you adventurous, bold flavors of traditional and non-traditional dishes using the freshest ingredients by Chef-Owner, Kasem “Pop” Saengsawang. Look out for our nightly specials from regional home-cooked dishes to market fried grasshoppers, Panang Neau, Hat Yai Fried Chicken, Basil Bomb, Volcano Cup, and many more. We are consistently voted the "Best Thai Restaurant" in San Francisco by Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 - 2019. The Best Thai Restaurant. San Francisco, Oakland, Menlo Park, Portland, and Los Angeles

Top review

Naomi

Dined on 25 Dec 2024

Great customer service! Amazing and truly unique Thai cuisine. We love the spice.

Fallow's Rest Wild

4.5

4.5 (51)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Southeast Portland

About the restaurant

Fallow's believes that great food (& good vibes!) starts with great ingredients. Our menu, inspired by herbs and spices from around the world, offers a diverse array of flavors to inspire the adventurous. From the aromatic spices of India to the fresh herbs of the Mediterranean - most grown from our relationships with local micro-farmers, each dish is made to provide an unforgettable dining experience that leaves you feeling wow'd.

Rest Wild with us at Fallow's -

Our aim is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of love, sustainability, and the joy of sharing a meal. We invite you to join us and discover the magic that happens when passion for food and commitment to health come together.

Top review

Shawna

Dined 4 days ago

We really enjoyed the happy hour tacos and chicken! We especially loved the cauliflower and beet tacos. The house red wine was lovely and the service was excellent. Can’t wait to go back!

Backwoods Brewing Company

4.2

4.2 (188)

$30 and under

American

Pearl District

About the restaurant

Backwoods Brewing Company is a family owned brewery that provides great beer, great food, and a taste of the outdoors. Pair any of our fantastic beers with some fun and friendly service while watching the big game. We have a full bar with wine and some local cider options if beer is not your thing. Private dining options are also available. Come hang out and enjoy our little slice of beervana in the Pearl! Cheers!

Top review

Melissa

Dined on 3 Nov 2024

Our server Daniel was great! Food was really fantastic!

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