Portland's Most Iconic Restaurants

4.7 (6728)

$30 and under

Seafood

Downtown

Jake’s Crawfish is definitely famous. They’ve been around since 1892 as part of the McCormick & Schmicks family of restaurants (along with Jake’s Grill, also on this list), and Zagat considers them one of the most iconic restaurants in America. They take freshness seriously—from the hand-squeezed juices used in their cocktails to the Pacific Northwest seafood they’re constantly overnighting—so don’t question the quality here, go wild. The restaurant has a very old school feel, with neon lights aglow on their exterior sign, and it’s wonderful to come enjoy an American classic that’s still going strong.

Top review

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Kathy

Dined 2 days ago

We've come over the years to Jake's for special occasions, and it's as warm, friendly, delicious and wonderful as ever. The service is superb! Thank you, Jake's!

Jake’s Crawfish is definitely famous. They’ve been around since 1892 as part of the McCormick & Schmicks family of restaurants (along with Jake’s Grill, also on this list), and Zagat considers them one of the most iconic restaurants in America. They take freshness seriously—from the hand-squeezed juices used in their cocktails to the Pacific Northwest seafood they’re constantly overnighting—so don’t question the quality here, go wild. The restaurant has a very old school feel, with neon lights aglow on their exterior sign, and it’s wonderful to come enjoy an American classic that’s still going strong.

Top review

K

Kathy

Dined 2 days ago

We've come over the years to Jake's for special occasions, and it's as warm, friendly, delicious and wonderful as ever. The service is superb! Thank you, Jake's!

clarklewis

4.3 (2513)

$31 to $50

Regional American (Northwest)

Southeast Portland

When you first walk into this expansive Italian-American eatery, you’ll see a neat stockpile of wood near the entrance and an entire wall of the restaurant covered in glass-paned garage doors that stretch the length of the industrial-looking space. The wood is used for their oak-burning rotisserie grill, which is at the heart of their open kitchen and fills the restaurant with the unmistakable smell of wood smoke. With an allegiance to all things local, fresh, seasonal, and organic, the chef alters menu items daily. There are two things you can count on, though, their meat dishes are all pretty strong, and (droves of devoted fans refuse to order anything other than) their tagliatelle with lamb ragu, which has become an unshakable staple on the menu.

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Sally

Dined on Apr 8, 2025

Zack took excellent care of us. The restaurant was very cozy when more people arrive and the sun set.

When you first walk into this expansive Italian-American eatery, you’ll see a neat stockpile of wood near the entrance and an entire wall of the restaurant covered in glass-paned garage doors that stretch the length of the industrial-looking space. The wood is used for their oak-burning rotisserie grill, which is at the heart of their open kitchen and fills the restaurant with the unmistakable smell of wood smoke. With an allegiance to all things local, fresh, seasonal, and organic, the chef alters menu items daily. There are two things you can count on, though, their meat dishes are all pretty strong, and (droves of devoted fans refuse to order anything other than) their tagliatelle with lamb ragu, which has become an unshakable staple on the menu.

Top review

S

Sally

Dined on Apr 8, 2025

Zack took excellent care of us. The restaurant was very cozy when more people arrive and the sun set.

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4.7 (2523)

$31 to $50

Italian

Pearl District

If you like European food, but can’t choose a favorite, the answer for you lies in Serratto’s seasonal menu that mixes together Italian, French, and Mediterranean flavors. Their inviting dining room resembles an earthy mountain home, with high ceilings, tons of wood, and natural light flooding in. They’ve created beautiful dishes from each of their cuisine influences. Start out Mediterranean and get their calamari (with paprika and a lemon-caper aioli), it’s well-crisped and refreshing. Their rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage is also a standout, and if they’re pairing any kind of meat sugo or ragu with one of their homemade pastas, get that. We also have to mention their French bouillabaisse (made with the season’s freshest seafood), which is rarely seen on a restaurant menu nor prepared this well.

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Rizwan

Dined 6 days ago

Our server was excellent. Gave the perfect recommendation for wine. Very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was of the highest quality and impeccable service. This has now become our favorite spot for a romantic meal.

If you like European food, but can’t choose a favorite, the answer for you lies in Serratto’s seasonal menu that mixes together Italian, French, and Mediterranean flavors. Their inviting dining room resembles an earthy mountain home, with high ceilings, tons of wood, and natural light flooding in. They’ve created beautiful dishes from each of their cuisine influences. Start out Mediterranean and get their calamari (with paprika and a lemon-caper aioli), it’s well-crisped and refreshing. Their rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage is also a standout, and if they’re pairing any kind of meat sugo or ragu with one of their homemade pastas, get that. We also have to mention their French bouillabaisse (made with the season’s freshest seafood), which is rarely seen on a restaurant menu nor prepared this well.

Top review

R

Rizwan

Dined 6 days ago

Our server was excellent. Gave the perfect recommendation for wine. Very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was of the highest quality and impeccable service. This has now become our favorite spot for a romantic meal.

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4.7 (2303)

$30 and under

Regional American (Northwest)

SW Portland

With glitzy chandeliers, ornate crown molding, and deep purple banquettes, Gracie’s is glam and guests have loved it that way for a long time. This classy spot is in a category of its own for several reasons: not only are they an unusually opulent place for Portland, but they’re actually one of the city’s oldest continually operating restaurants, and they do a great brunch and a British-style afternoon tea that are both more popular than their dinner service (which they also do well). For their very ladylike and traditionally English Afternoon Tea—with petit fours, scones, and tea sandwiches— they’ve added a Portland twist by incorporating some (not so traditional) tea-inspired cocktails, so grab some girlfriends and be Gracie’s guests.

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Nancy

Dined 3 days ago

Ordered 3 brunch items: German pancake, omelette with goat cheese and a burger. All were very well prepared and delicious. Elegant setting for a special brunch. Come here about once a month. Wish it were open more than just weekends!

With glitzy chandeliers, ornate crown molding, and deep purple banquettes, Gracie’s is glam and guests have loved it that way for a long time. This classy spot is in a category of its own for several reasons: not only are they an unusually opulent place for Portland, but they’re actually one of the city’s oldest continually operating restaurants, and they do a great brunch and a British-style afternoon tea that are both more popular than their dinner service (which they also do well). For their very ladylike and traditionally English Afternoon Tea—with petit fours, scones, and tea sandwiches— they’ve added a Portland twist by incorporating some (not so traditional) tea-inspired cocktails, so grab some girlfriends and be Gracie’s guests.

Top review

N

Nancy

Dined 3 days ago

Ordered 3 brunch items: German pancake, omelette with goat cheese and a burger. All were very well prepared and delicious. Elegant setting for a special brunch. Come here about once a month. Wish it were open more than just weekends!

Jake's Grill - Portland

4.7 (2943)

$30 and under

Steak

Downtown

American food can often seem like a melding of different cultural influences, but dining in a classic grill feels like a real cornerstone of Americana, and that’s what Jake’s is celebrating. Much like their famed sister restaurant, Jake’s Famous Crawfish (located just blocks away), they have a wonderful old-timey feel that’ll transport you. Oregon’s dungeness crab will remind you of exactly where you are, and can be spotted all over their sizable menu. It shows up in delicious dishes like their crab & bay shrimp cake, crab & lobster dip, and even stuffed inside a salmon entré (along with bay shrimp, brie cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes) that you must order. They also have a great prime rib and filet, but seafood steals the show here.

Top review

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PeterVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food was a little slow getting from kitchen to table. Plates were left on table too long after finishing and long wait before being offered water refills, by anyone. Meals overall were very tasty. Only one meal was returned as it was presented "Black and Blue" when it was ordered "Blue", The restaurant did make a correction. Oysters Rockefeller or seafood Rockefeller for the night was tasty. The bacon provided crunch but everything else was monotone. Drinks, exceptional, even the non-alcoholic offerings. We were not offered bread until we sent back the steak. Gave restaurant another try after last visit. Sent steak back 2 times during that visit, so there was definitely improvement.

American food can often seem like a melding of different cultural influences, but dining in a classic grill feels like a real cornerstone of Americana, and that’s what Jake’s is celebrating. Much like their famed sister restaurant, Jake’s Famous Crawfish (located just blocks away), they have a wonderful old-timey feel that’ll transport you. Oregon’s dungeness crab will remind you of exactly where you are, and can be spotted all over their sizable menu. It shows up in delicious dishes like their crab & bay shrimp cake, crab & lobster dip, and even stuffed inside a salmon entré (along with bay shrimp, brie cheese, and garlic mashed potatoes) that you must order. They also have a great prime rib and filet, but seafood steals the show here.

Top review

P

PeterVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The food was a little slow getting from kitchen to table. Plates were left on table too long after finishing and long wait before being offered water refills, by anyone. Meals overall were very tasty. Only one meal was returned as it was presented "Black and Blue" when it was ordered "Blue", The restaurant did make a correction. Oysters Rockefeller or seafood Rockefeller for the night was tasty. The bacon provided crunch but everything else was monotone. Drinks, exceptional, even the non-alcoholic offerings. We were not offered bread until we sent back the steak. Gave restaurant another try after last visit. Sent steak back 2 times during that visit, so there was definitely improvement.