Best Authentic Restaurants in South Waterfront

62 restaurants available nearby

1. Il Terrazzo

4.7

Exceptional(755)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Southwest Portland

Booked 14 times today

Incredible Italian Fare & An Amazing Wine Selection Il Terrazzo honors simplicity and history. With a beautiful view of Mt. Hood and the Willamette River diners enjoy an experience unlike any in Portland.

2. Proof•Reader

4.2

Awesome(19)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

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.

3. Nostrana

4.7

Exceptional(5587)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Southeast Portland

Booked 80 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.

4. Kachka

4.9

Exceptional(2218)

Price: Expensive

• Eastern European • Southeast Portland

Booked 55 times today

Kachka features an award-winning menu of post-soviet inspired dishes including famous dishes such as the Herring under a fur coat, Rabbit in a clay pot, dumplings and much more. The restaurant is an homage to the dishes our chef/owner grew up eating. Kachka is open for indoor onsite dining. Walk-in lounge and bar seating are also available. Our Lavka grocery is open from 11am-9pm daily with counter service ordering from our Lavka cafe and deli available from 11-3. Seating is first come first serve on our upper patio or indoor lounge tables. We have proudly replaced tipping with a 22% service fee in order to provide a base wage of $25 per hour and free healthcare for all employees. More information is available at kachkapdx.com/wage-equityFor more info about Kachka, and our deli Lavka please visit our website: https://www.kachkapdx.com/about-us

5. Le Pigeon

4.8

Exceptional(1622)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Southeast Portland

Booked 15 times today

Le Pigeon serves adventurous French-inspired food, along with a varied selection of wines in an intimate dining room on Portland’s East Burnside Street.

6. Dolly Olive

4.8

Exceptional(163)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • NW Portland

Booked 30 times today

Located in the heart of Downtown Portland, OR on the bustling corner of SW Alder & SW 12th, Dolly Olive centers around Southern Mediterranean ingredients and flavors, with an emphasis on an in house bakery program, fresh made pastas, and Italian aperitifs. Dolly Olive sports an inviting atmosphere featuring soft leather banquettes, warm wood accents, and custom patterned tiles. We're currently serving brunch & dinner daily with a midday aperitivo hour. Whether you're stopping in for a pre-show dinner, celebrating a special event in your life, or just popping in for a quick bite at Dolly Olive you can expect an excellent experience, start to finish.

A photo of Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District restaurant

7. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District

4.6

Exceptional(164)

Price: Expensive

• Thai • Pearl District

Booked 14 times today

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. Look out for our nightly specials from regional home cooked dishes to market fried grasshoppers. We are consistently voted the "Best Thai Restaurant" in San Francisco by Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 - 2019.

A photo of Taylor Street Tavern restaurant

8. Taylor Street Tavern

4.1

Excellent(125)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 11 times today

Located across from Director’s Park in the Paramount Hotel, this dual concept engages all the regions of the palate. Taylor Street Tavern polishes the ruggedly natural aspects of the Pacific Northwest into precisely crafted plates for daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings. Locally sourced ingredients also make an appearance in the house crafted cocktails and west coast wine selections.Just across the lobby, Swine Moonshine and Whiskey Bar explores the history of the American whiskey tradition, complete with a reclaimed authentic still and extensive whiskey list. Early and late happy hours keep people sipping all night long.

9. Serratto

4.7

Exceptional(2448)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pearl District

Booked 27 times today

Serratto is widely praised for its authentic Italian cuisine. Customers highlight the consistently great food, excellent service, and warm ambiance. One reviewer even compared it to places they've been in Italy, confirming its authenticity. Another customer mentioned the restaurant's commitment to using natural meats and the freshest seafood, which is a key characteristic of authentic Italian cooking. Overall, the rave reviews and the restaurant's dedication to quality ingredients and authentic Italian cooking make Serratto a true Italian eatery.

10. República

4.9

Exceptional(880)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mexican • Pearl District

Booked 13 times today

James Beard-nominated, Chef's Prix Fixe Tasting Experience by Executive Chef Jose Camarena, recontextualizes Mexican cuisine and culture through Storytelling. We exclusively offer a prix fixe tasting menu experience, with 7-Course and a 10-Course options. Both experiences are meant to honor the complex history that created each dish, as well as leave a lasting impact on all those who taste this beautiful food and listen to our stories. República is a tasting menu-only restaurant. We offer a 7-course menu at $128 or a 10-course menu at $150 per person. We kindly require all guests to disclose all dietary restrictions and allergies prior to their reservation. We are unable to accommodate allergies to nightshades, chile, allium, rice . Additionally we are not a gluten free kitchen and are unable to provide nut and seed free diners. Please note our menu offerings change daily.What you see below, is NOT our current menu.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
michaelvip
Seattle / Eastern Washington •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
This place is diamond in the rough. Excellent food and wonderful service I’m going back soon
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Il TerrazzoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Southwest Portland
•
4.7
E
Edvip
Chicago / Illinois •28 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Nostrana is a consistently great restaurant. Food and service are outstanding. Our server Emma was fantastic. Made us feel like we knew her our entire lives. Please ask for Emma when you do.
More info
NostranaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Southeast Portland
•
4.7
N
Nick
Portland / Oregon •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
The Ruski Zakuski experience was phenomenal, and with the addition of a cavier and a bread dish, was the perfect amount of food! We were too full for desert, but they still brought out a small frosted cookie with a candle, as it was a birthday event. Absolutely on my permanent dinner spot rotation.
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KachkaPrice: Expensive• Eastern European• Southeast Portland
•
4.9
O
Oscarvip
Chicago / Illinois •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
This was another excellent dining experience. Food and wine pairings were spot on and the atmosphere was fun. staff is very attentive.
More info
Le PigeonPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Southeast Portland
•
4.8
T
Therese
Tampa / Central Florida West •60 reviews
5.0
Dined on 12 Sept 2024
Great drinks, food was served quickly and server was good!
More info
Proof•ReaderPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
•
4.2

Best Authentic Restaurants in South Waterfront

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Award-winning

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62 restaurants available nearby

1. Il Terrazzo

2. Proof•Reader

3. Nostrana

4. Kachka

5. Le Pigeon

6. Dolly Olive

7. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District

8. Taylor Street Tavern

9. Serratto

10. República

See what locals rave about

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