Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Portland

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.

Horse Brass Pub is the perfect place to raise a pint and get lost in a very colorful crowd. Do not be surprised if someone offers to play a tune on a bagpipe. The Northwest's best microbreweries are here, including Rouge YSB, as well as a huge selection of scotches. A full menu of British cuisine is offered. If you have ever wanted to order steak and kidney pie or see someone who actually would, bring a friend and have a ball.

If you're in the mood for Japanese cuisine, Yama Sushi & Sake Bar would be a great restaurant to pick. The chefs at this eatery make use of the freshest possible seafood to craft creative lunch and dinner menus that are sure to please even the most discerning of critics. Apart from sushi, you get to gorge on scrumptious preparations like curry tonkatsu, chicken teriyaki, salmon misoyaki and more. No visit is complete without trying something from the sake list, which makes your traditional Japanese meal complete.

When it comes to a unique cafe experience in Portland, it would be hard to top Oblique Coffee Roasters. This quaint and wonderful little coffeehouse serves a great selection of coffees and related beverages made from exquisite beans roasted on-site. Along with some superb coffee, they also serve a small but delicious selection of snacks including baked goodies. Oblique has WiFi, so carry your smartphones and/or laptops if you don't have company, and relax with a wonderful cup of joe!

With the aim of addressing the stark absence of quality restaurants offering home-style food in the area, chef and owner Lisa Schroeder has taken the experience gained at the likes of Le Cirque to create wonderfully fresh, bistro-style cuisine in the light and airy ambiance of this old Irish bank building. Breakfast and lunch menus at Mother's Bistro & Bar offer an excellent array of Northwestern specialties prepared to the highest standards. There is more variation in the dinner menu, with everything from salads to pot roast and vegetable couscous. The excellent wine list offers choices by the bottle or glass. The restaurant interiors sport an excellent play of natural light with huge windows and soft white curtains creating an airy and cozy atmosphere. Ornate chandeliers add to the charm. The bar has a refined atmosphere with exposed-brick walls and vivid decor creating an elegant vibe. With the food consistently garnering critical acclaim, it's no wonder that Mother's has become one of the city's favorites.

The fried chicken served at Reel M Inn has been an inspiration for many food connoisseurs including renowned chef, Sean Brock. This small tavern is low on frills but high on value. Known for their delectable fried chicken, which is made to order, its secret three-hour, pre-breading works wonders on ever bite you take. Along with chicken, the jojos are a must-try. Beer accompanies the meal perfectly and prices are such that you cannot settle for just one order. So, the next time you are looking for a spot where you can eat to your heart's content, without burning a hole in your wallet, you known where you should be heading to!