Best Authentic Restaurants in South Waterfront

60 restaurants available nearby

1. Il Terrazzo

4.6

Exceptional(762)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Southwest Portland

Booked 10 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

Booked 2 times today

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(5624)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Southeast Portland

Booked 17 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

4.8

Exceptional(2251)

Price: Expensive

• Eastern European • Southeast Portland

Booked 24 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. Dolly Olive

4.8

Exceptional(171)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Northwest Portland

Booked 21 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.

6. Le Pigeon

4.8

Exceptional(1636)

Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Southeast Portland

Booked 8 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.

A photo of Taylor Street Tavern restaurant

7. Taylor Street Tavern

4.0

Excellent(133)

Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown

Booked 4 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.

A photo of Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District restaurant

8. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District

4.5

Awesome(169)

Price: Expensive

• Thai • Pearl District

Booked 13 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.

9. Serratto

4.7

Exceptional(2455)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pearl District

Booked 20 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. Alpenrausch

4.5

Awesome(195)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary European • Southeast Portland

Booked 13 times today

Named one of 20 Best New Restaurants in America for 2024 By Bon Appetit! In a distant European city, Fabian and Miriam vanished into the Alps, trading their city lives for mountain solitude. Once busy young professionals, their days were consumed by demanding careers, their rare weekends cherished for dining out and dancing, occasionally venturing into the mountains.But destiny intervened when Miriam inherited her grandfather's Alpine hut, nestled amidst the rustic charms of the mountains. They cut ties with the city, forsaking it for good. Days were spent farming, foraging, crafting cheese, and making wine. Nights brought cooking, baking, wine-drinking, and stargazing.Friends from the city visited, but Fabian and Miriam never looked back. They were drawn deeper into the mountains, caught in the Alpenrausch's dual meaning—the exhilaration of mountain air and the intoxication of good company, fine wine, and schnapps.Come experience Alpenrausch!

‘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
Monica
San Francisco Bay Area •8 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We’ve always had a great experience at Nostrana, and love to celebrate special occasions there. Ensalata Nostrana and Pizza with extra fixings are a great standby; last night we got the Papardelle as well, so good! Excellent wine list and the Tiramisu is a perfect way to end the meal.
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NostranaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Southeast Portland
•
4.7
T
Tara
Portland / Oregon •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
I came here with a friend because we wanted to try something different and neither of us really knew what to expect. The waiter was so nice and patient explaining what everything was and answering our questions. And the food was delicious!!! We were already planning what we wanted to get next time we come
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KachkaPrice: Expensive• Eastern European• Southeast Portland
•
4.8
L
Lindsay
Portland / Oregon •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Visited for the first time to see the Christmas Ships this year. Absolutely blown away by the level of service from the entire staff, their friendliness, and of course the food and drinks were fantastic. What a gem on the riverfront in Portland, don't miss it!
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Il TerrazzoPrice: Moderate• Italian• Southwest Portland
•
4.6
E
Elizabeth
San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
They had me at Focaccia! This restaurant is a total gem. Wonderful intimate ambiance, great staff, nice to see the chefs working away in the open kitchen. The food will keep you coming back - I know I will! I visited with a friend and we shared focaccia bread and three dishes and then each had a dessert - so perfect!!! Top notch fresh ingredients make the difference here - Yum!
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Dolly OlivePrice: Expensive• Italian• Northwest 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!
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Proof•ReaderPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
•
4.2

Best Authentic Restaurants in South Waterfront

Price

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Top Rated

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Award-winning

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60 restaurants available nearby

1. Il Terrazzo

2. Proof•Reader

3. Nostrana

4. Kachka

5. Dolly Olive

6. Le Pigeon

7. Taylor Street Tavern

8. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District

9. Serratto

10. Alpenrausch

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