Top Rated Restaurants en Cafés in Portland

Sitting on the Columbia riverbank, Salty's on the Columbia definitely is not a fish out of water. The superb service and seafood equal the enchanting dining experience on the river. Besides their superb seasonal seafood fare, they are also known for their steaks and happy hours. Savor their sublime dishes in the romantic interiors or in their lovely deck. Live jazz music adds to the ambiance on weekend nights.

As Irish as its namesake, this cheery downtown establishment is warm, welcoming and close to the city's heartbeat. The wood and brass tones exude an authentic yet casual tone. Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub's full bar is accommodating, boasting one of the largest selections of malt scotches in the Northwest. Varied menu offerings include traditional Irish cuisine as well as salads, sandwiches and more. Catch your favorite football team, Gaelic games or rugby on their television screens or tap your feet to the nightly live music.

Inspired by her sons' trip to Europe, Mary O'Rourke, a pastry chef, decided to try her hand at making Leige sugar waffles. After many attempts and a few secret ingredients thrown in, O'Rourke took these decadent street food waffles and made them her own. With the help of an old service entrance to her husbands restaurant, Bread and Ink Cafe, and a Dutch styled half door, the Waffle Window was born. Patrons can enjoy a variety of sweet or savory waffles, from seasonal favorites like the pumpkin pie creation to the Three B's - fresh basil, brie, pepper bacon and homemade peach jam. The outdoor covered patio is great in the summertime and the dinning room of the Break and Ink Cafe is perfect for raining winter days.

Smoky wood-fired pizzas and delicious homemade ice creams beckon children of all ages to this quaint eatery with an intriguing name. Don't expect an explanation for it though, as food is the only thing in focus here. The interiors invoke a mild sense of nostalgia, though it's probably not a deliberate effort. Basic interiors, wooden tables, plastic chairs and the wood-fired oven roaring away give a very comforting vibe to the place. Choose from a selection of delectable pizza pies with a selection of Italian as well as American toppings. The salad selection proves to be a good complement to the pizzas. Ice creams are a specialty and come in some delightful flavors from salted caramel to huckleberry. Almost all ingredients used in Lovely's Fifty Fifty are locally sourced with the addition of being organic when possible. Even the ice creams are made using organic eggs and cream. There's a perennial bustle to the place thanks to the number of families coming in with kids. How can you blame them with a menu like that?

Taking the concept of vegan food and dining to the next level, the award-winning Blossoming Lotus has made such an impact on Portland's dining scene, that making this lifestyle shift for Portlanders has become a much easier and even an enticing affair. The nationally acclaimed restaurant firmly believes in the virtues of healthy cooking and offers an all-organic menu of world fusion specialties. The menu spans global specialties and has influences from every region from Europe to Asia. There's also a selection of raw food preparations. Dietary requirements are exceptionally well catered to. The restaurant offers a well-stocked bar with organic beers, wines as well as a selection of cocktails. Food has received critical acclaim and has changed many perceptions about vegan cuisine. The restaurant has also released a series of books on vegan cooking and lifestyle that have become an instant hit. Food is available to go and the catering service is perennially popular.

From its humble beginnings as a food stall at the Portland Farmer's Market, Lauretta Jean's bakery quickly came to be known for its amazing sweet pies composed of fresh, flaky crusts and seasonal fillings that are sure to delight. While the pies are certainly worthy of rave reviews, the bakery also whips up a variety of sweet treats including lemon bars, sea-salt brownies, cookies, Nanaimo Bars and quiches. Prepared using the best of each season's natural bounty, Lauretta Jean's pies would be right at home in a foodie's dreamland.