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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

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6 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Hal's Cafe restaurant
1. Hal's Cafe
4.2
Awesome(163)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 4 times 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.
A photo of King Tide Fish & Shell restaurant
2. King Tide Fish & Shell
4.3
Awesome(710)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Downtown
Booked 13 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.
A photo of Magna Kusina restaurant
3. Magna Kusina
4.8
Exceptional(128)
Price: Moderate
• Filipino • Southeast Portland
Booked 10 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 Tartuca restaurant
4. Tartuca
4.8
Exceptional(63)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Northeast Portland
Booked 15 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!
A photo of Urban Fondue restaurant
5. Urban Fondue
4.6
Exceptional(2066)
Price: Expensive
• Fondue • Downtown
Booked 12 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.
A photo of Proof•Reader restaurant
6. Proof•Reader
4.2
Awesome(19)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 4 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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Vance
    Cleveland / Akron / Canton •33 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    I really love Tartuca. The menu changes from time to time and is always amazing! I come here often and have never been disappointed. The specialty mixed drinks complement the meal. The staff really make you feel welcome. If your considering come here to just come!!! You won’t be disappointed!
    More info
    TartucaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Northeast Portland
    •
    4.8
  • miriam
    Portland / Oregon •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 19, 2024
    Each dish was creatively designed, thoughtfully executed and presented in a way that made sense from an aesthetic standpoint in addition to functionality around which would be individually plated vs family style. The space was cozy but not cramped and a portable speaker in the restroom creates a vibe for anyone using the facilities. 10/10, no notes.
    More info
    Magna KusinaPrice: Moderate• Filipino• Southeast Portland
    •
    4.8
  • Stevenvip
    San Francisco Bay Area •65 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 17, 2024
    Great food experience. Wait staff, when they could, was good. Never had to ask for wine glasses after somebody brought us a decanter for our wine. Also, our pre-dinner cocktails didn’t come until we were halfway through the cheese fondue. The food and presentation was great. Price was very reasonable.
    More info
    Urban FonduePrice: Expensive• Fondue• Downtown
    •
    4.6
  • Ann
    Greater Boston •1 review
    5.0
    Dined on Oct 27, 2024
    We went to King Tide for dinner before a show at the Keller. The food was great and the server was very attentive. They even had themed cocktails for the show! The fast service left us plenty of time to walk to the theater.
    More info
    King Tide Fish & ShellPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
    •
    4.3
  • JulieB
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Jul 1, 2024
    Sunday dinner was tasty, our service was quite attentive. I’d go again
    More info
    Hal's CafePrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown
    •
    4.2

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