As the birthplace of what are known as “Hipsters” (move over Williamsburg), Portland has a hip restaurant scene to match its population. From carefully curated tasting menus to classic steakhouses to street food that will blow you away, Portland is full of fantastic restaurants to explore on your next business trip or vacation. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we do. In no particular order, here are the 7 best restaurants in Portland you should try next time you are in Stumptown.
Nomad.PDX
Featuring perhaps the most innovative menu in Portland today, Nomad.PDX serves up precise plates that try to revolutionize the way you think about fine dining. Even though the only option here is a tasting menu that can range from 15 to 20 courses, you won’t find white tablecloths or stuffy service here. Instead all of the focus is on the food, which is some of the very best you can get anywhere.
La Moule
La Moule is a little slice of Belgium in Oregon. Only opened this September, La Moule is the Belgian mussel bar that you didn’t know that you needed in your life. Delicious bowls of mussels and crispy fries are their specialty here, alongside their three mayo-based dipping sauces. If you’re not a seafood person, try their steak tartare or burger with triple-creme brie cheese.
Ringside Steakhouse
Ringside Steakhouse has been known as the best steakhouse in Portland for 70 years for good reason. It has timeless steakhouse style with low lighting, comfy booths, and waiters in tuxedos. But most importantly, they serve steaks the right way. Their locally-sourced and dry-aged steaks melt in your mouth and simply cannot be beat, making Ringside a great place to splurge on dinner in Portland.
Burrasca
Serving some of the best Italian food in the city right now, Burrasca sticks to the roots of Tuscan cooking. Using fantastic ingredients, the team at Burrasca cooks simply but retains a strong eye for detail, leading to dishes that you won’t soon forget. Come here for the homemade pastas that will make you think you’re sitting in a Florence trattoria.
Bamboo Sushi NW
Green living in Portland has always been important. This ethos is reflected at Bamboo Sushi NW, which is the world’s first certified-sustainable sushi restaurant. Not only is all the sushi here sustainable, but it’s super tasty as well. Fresh catches are elevated with gourmet ingredients like red miso dust and juniper olive oil. It’s no secret why Bamboo Sushi NW has already spawned 3 spin offs around the city.
Pok Pok
James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Northwest Andy Ricker helms the Pok Pok empire that brings truly authentic Thai cuisine to Portland. Serving up a variety of traditional Thai dishes like boar collar, papaya salad, and a variety of noodle soups, one meal at Pok Pok will make you forget all about your neighborhood Thai restaurant.
Portland Mercado
Portland Mercado isn’t really a restaurant per se, but rather is a collection of small marketplaces and food carts. Opened in April 2015, each food cart focuses on a different kind of Latin American cuisine, so you can sample the best food from South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean all in one trip (if you’re hungry enough). We can’t get enough of their tamales, pupusas, chorizo, and cubano sandwiches here.
If you’re in Portland, a trip to any one of these seven best restaurants in Portland is sure to make your taste buds happy. And if you want to make the rest of your body happy as well, consider staying in luxury corporate housing in Portland instead of another boring hotel. With services that cater exclusively to business travelers, PC Housing is the best option if you’re in Portland on business. Contact us today to find out more.
Image Source: Flickr via Krista