Top Rated Nightlife 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.

This downtown restaurant is known for its local cuisine; all the ingredients are harvested here in Oregon. The small, split-level setup is cozy, but it can get bit noisy. Northwest seafood, local mushrooms and other veggies make up an array of uniquely Oregon dishes. Sustainability is at the core of the restaurant's food philosophy and it firmly believes in supporting and sourcing from local growers. The lamb sausage and Totten Inlet mussels are specialties not to be missed. The pastrami sandwich is a good choice for lunch. The freshness of the ingredients and the diversity it brings to the palate is an obvious advantage of this practice. This restaurant also claims to have the largest wine and beer list in the city; don't expect a Budweiser though. An excellent choice for a local culinary experience.

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.

The menu at Olympia Provisions is a merger of contemporary American dining choices with Spanish and Mediterranean sensibilities. The atmosphere is quite inviting for an intimate meal with ambient dim-lighting and a refined presentation. Olympia Provisions use locally-sourced ingredients that are assured fresh. Try the Pan Roasted Halibut or the Braised Beef Short Rib from the large-plates menu if you're too hungry to care for a sophisticated choice.

Fancy a bite into tantalizing wood-fired oven baked pizzas? Then head to this modern pizzeria on Everett Street in Pearl District. The decor and the ambiance may reflect the upscale quality and trendiness of modern American restaurants, but its menu is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Italian street food , which the award winning chef Cathy Whims has mastered over the years. The menu features the archetypal Pizza Margherita, and other regular varieties like Mushroom and Salami Pizzas which are infused with original ingredients and flavors. The Fennel Sausage Pizza, served on thin crust bread and topped with Italian sauces is also worth trying. As for the drinks, you can go for the usual wines to complement your meal, or rely on the expert mixologist Ryan Magarian's well-crafted cocktails.