Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Portland / Oregon

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

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

The Pacific Way

5.0

5 (192)

$50 and over

Seafood

Gearhart

About the restaurant

Our menu is farm-to-table, changes based upon what is fresh this week & our culinary team offers chalkboard menu items regularly. You'll find our menu is seafood forward, but it is worth noting there's always something special on deck for the vegetarian and carnivore in the group.

For the latest information on our menus, please see our website: www.thepacificwaypnw.com.

We recommend making reservations for dinner, but accept walk-ins when we can.

Top review

winston

Dined on Nov 15, 2024

Excellent restaurant in every respect; food, service, decor, you name it. This is a genuine diamond in the rough. I will never understand how a small town restaurant can find such talented kitchen staff. Pretty amazing. You won't be disappointed.

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 Dec 28, 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 on Jan 4, 2025

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

Yalla

4.8

4.8 (143)

$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

Bill

Dined 1 day ago

Yalla has wonderful food and drinks - such great flavors. We love the minor to the menu items that appear each time we visit. Service and environment are lovely and arm feeling. Be aware the noise level in the main dining area with music and when full of diners can make it tough for folks with slight hearing loss.

Washington Dining & Cocktails

4.7

4.7 (1251)

$30 and under

American

Bend

About the restaurant

Washington Dining & Cocktails combines traditional with swanky and rustic with industrial for a welcoming feel. We feature neighborhood cuisine in a traditional American style, as well as beer, wine and cocktails served in the bar. The Culinary Director, John Gurnee, has created a consistent and approachable menu with some fun twists, like daily specials, a raw seafood bar and salads you can build yourself with a variety of toppings. The kids' menu also gives families better options for healthy food and appealing choices for their children.

Top review

DONNAVIP

Dined 5 days ago

We dine here often: - nice atmosphere - down to earth staff - weekday specials - menu changes seasonally - great outdoor patio (think spring) Had the Thursday spaghetti and meatballs special. Huge meatballs and fresh marinara...yum! We also enjoy their other restaurants... Drake and Mountain Burger!

Lucca

4.7

4.7 (575)

$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

Nancy

Dined today

The food was delicious. I had the tagliatelle, one friend had the mushroom risotto and another, the pork. Each of us was very happy with our choices.

Verde Cocina en la Perla

4.7

4.7 (327)

$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

Judi

Dined 3 days ago

As always, the food and staff were excellent! One of the few places we can eat confidently and delicously with our celiac daughter and vegan son.

Fallow's Rest Wild

4.3

4.3 (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 on Jan 4, 2025

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 Nov 3, 2024

Our server Daniel was great! Food was really fantastic!

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