The Top Restaurants by Cuisine in Portland

AMERICAN: This reasonably priced dinner-only spot has a regularly changing menu of globally-inspired American dishes that celebrate ingredients from the pacific northwest. This is also reflected in the ambiance they’ve created using calming earth tones and lots of wood. The standout menu items (if they're available) are the cauliflower soup, scallops, swordfish, and beef goulash.

STEAKHOUSE: When you walk into this classic steakhouse that’s been operating for over sixty years—with waiters in tuxedos—you’re transported to another time. Wooden beams, a brick fireplace, and red leather booths feel like a storied steakhouse mixed with an old hunting lodge. A perfect intersection for serving prime cuts of meat, like their filet mignon and prime rib, which are popular orders along with oversized onion rings and a great French onion soup.

SPANISH: Beautiful, elegant, and delicately decorated Catalan restaurant in the wonderful Pearl district. Their original location is in Spain, and their menu is specifically inspired by Barcelona, as is some of the design. Their unmistakably authentic food will make you feel like you’re eating at their original location. The octopus appetizer, Spanish rioja, and assortment of paellas (the traditional one with squid is top-notch) are popular choices, and as a bonus, you can see them make most of it from their open kitchen.

SOUTH AMERICAN: Nestled right alongside the waterfront—with a very rare dining view of the Willamette River—is this sizzling South American restaurant that marries flavors from Argentina, Chile, and Patagonia. Their menu not only features tapas, empanadas, and ceviches, but also has a variety of veggie dishes and grilled seafood and meat. They even have an outdoor pig roast, which is where their smoked and slow roasted pork gets its intense flavor from. Their octopus with chorizo and bacon wrapped duck dishes are also strong standouts.

MEDITERRANEAN: Dark wood walls and white tables, anchored by dimly flickering candles, set a beautifully romantic tone in this upscale mediterranean restaurant. “Philoxenia” means hospitality, and their service is truly lovely and spot-on. Whatever Greek treats you’re after, you’ll find them all done perfectly here. From traditional moussaka and spanakopita to a generous list of pastas and wonderfully-seasoned meats, you won’t leave disappointed.

INDIAN: Hello India hails from—well, you guessed it—India, where they’ve been beloved for over four decades. The family-run restaurant decided to open up in Portland, where they offer a fine dining experience for their guests. Beautiful throne-like chairs and Indian artwork fill the space, and classic dishes like biryani, lamb curry, and mango lassi are favorites among Portlandians. Don’t forget to get some of their garlic naan too!

JAPANESE: Afuri is a hugely popular ramen chain in Tokyo, and they were generous enough to bring their savory slurpy goodness to Portland. Their signature bowl of yuzu shio ramen is very unique, because it has a chicken broth instead of the pork-based broth of tonkotsu-style ramen that’s more typical in the U.S. Their lighter broth isn’t as rich as most other ramen, and it has more delicate flavors—like dried seafood with a hint of citrus—that serve as the base for the very tender chicken in it. They also have the only genshiyaki grill (an older, more traditional version of a yakitori or robata grill) in the country, which they use to grill meat, fish, and veggies.