Best Restaurants for People Watching in North Portland

8 restaurants available nearby

1. Tartuca

4.7

Exceptional(87)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Northeast Portland

Booked 18 times today

Since 2022, Tartuca has been a quintessential Pacific Northwest restaurant, contextualizing its hyper-local, farm-direct produce through an Italian lens on the active strip of Mississippi Avenue in North Portland. Inside Tartuca is a hip, bustling environment with an open kitchen, powered by a grooving soundtrack, house made pastas and focaccia, inventive composed dishes, and abundantly flowing wine from a tightly curated Italian list that exclusively features small, artisanal producers making wine naturally from organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards. For those seeking a quieter experience, Tartuca's best kept secret is a cozy back patio open all year round. We can't wait to serve you!

2. Nostrana

4.7

Exceptional(5662)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Southeast Portland

Booked 73 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.

3. L'Orange

4.9

Exceptional(130)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Southeast Portland

Booked 19 times today

Named one of the New York Times America's Best Restaurants 2024! Tucked away upstairs in a charming old storefront and voted one of Portland's 'Best New Restaurants' in 2023, L'Orange features an intimate dining space that beckons you to immerse yourself in a different era. Chef Joel Stocks and his talented team will guide your palate through adventurous dishes that blend European culinary traditions with the finest local ingredients. Experience the taste of "Old Portland" with every bite. Enhance your dining experience with a thoughtfully curated selection of wines, personally chosen by Owner/Winemaker Jeff Vejr and his team. While our wine list boasts a European focus, we also showcase a variety of local wines, including the exceptional offerings from Jeff's own Golden Cluster label. Join us at L'Orange for a taste of history, innovation, and the vibrant flavors of the Pacific Northwest!

4. Magna Kusina

4.8

Exceptional(137)

Price: Moderate

• Filipino • Southeast Portland

Booked 13 times today

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.

A photo of King Tide Fish & Shell restaurant

5. King Tide Fish & Shell

4.3

Awesome(727)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 8 times today

King Tide Fish & Shell, led by Executive Chef Alexander Diestra, is a riverfront seafood restaurant and bar inspired by the laid-back fishing lodges of family vacations gone by. With sparkling waterfront views of the Willamette, a welcoming energy and a menu that ranges from no-fuss to fancy, here at King Tide we serve fresh, inventive seafood dishes with local ingredients that are uniquely Portland.There aren't many places that command the vantage point we enjoy here at King Tide, so we like to make sure it lives up to Portland. We do that with a blend of the traditional and the non, the comfortable and the slightly twisted, the satisfying food and the swinging drink.As we like to say, King Tide is where food & drink & people always complement each other, and everything goes with the view.

6. Urban Fondue

4.4

Awesome(2071)

Price: Expensive

• Fondue • Downtown

Booked 14 times today

Urban Fondue offers a unique perspective to fondue dining. From the indulgent cuisine, and boldly delicious and extensive martini selections, to the chic and smoldering décor and expert and personable service, Urban Fondue is a feast for the senses. Enjoy house made cheese fondue, succulent meat entrees cooked "fondue" style and delectable dessert fondues accompanied with side dishes such as fingerling potatoes and garlic sausage.

7. Hal's Cafe

4.2

Awesome(164)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 1 time today

Our upscale yet comfortable Hal's Café welcomes you in, where the familiar touches of McMenamins’ signature art combine with natural light, phenomenal stained glass and an open kitchen with a view of chefs, for a sophisticated dining experience.Breakfast and brunch feature dishes ranging from chilaquiles to brioche french toast, and fresh bakery items and espresso. Meet up for lunch and enjoy the wood-fired pizza fresh from the custom oven, or a specialty salad or Nashville hot chicken sandwich.Dinner is a feast, with options such as roasted chicken, lamb and halibut. House-made desserts and the extensive spirits, wine, ale and craft cocktail list are pairings to any of these dining experiences. The Bloody Mary with house-pickled vegetables is highly sought-after, as is the Zeus Fizz—with house shrub syrup.

8. Proof•Reader

4.3

Awesome(20)

Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 1 time 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

E
EileenVIP
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Stellar experience all around, definitely will be back.
More info
L'OrangePrice: Very Expensive• Mediterranean• Southeast Portland
•
4.9
J
Jessica
Portland / Oregon •6 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent food and drinks. Our server was very attentive and friendly. Will definitely be coming back.
More info
NostranaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Southeast Portland
•
4.7
C
ChrisVIP
Portland / Oregon •20 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had a beautiful dinner with my brother and sister-in-law. The focaccia bread and bruschetta were out of this world! Everyone loved their entrees as well. We ate in the heated patio behind the kitchen, it was warm despite the cold temperatures outside. Overall this was a lovely meal at a lovely restaurant. We will definitely be back!
More info
TartucaPrice: Expensive• Italian• NE Portland
•
4.7
G
GaynorVIP
Portland / Oregon •1 review
5.0
Dined on 10 Jan 2025
We dined late and the staff person was so gracious and gave us incredible attention even though we were the only diners left in the restaurant. We tried to finish pretty quickly but were not hurried by staff.
More info
King Tide Fish & ShellPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.3
A
Angel
Portland / Oregon •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 Dec 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.
More info
Magna KusinaPrice: Moderate• Filipino• Southeast Portland
•
4.8

Explore OpenTable

North Portland

Best Restaurants for People Watching in North Portland

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating options

Accessibility

8 restaurants available nearby

1. Tartuca

2. Nostrana

3. L'Orange

4. Magna Kusina

5. King Tide Fish & Shell

6. Urban Fondue

7. Hal's Cafe

8. Proof•Reader

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable