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Restaurant St Jack
Restaurant St Jack
Dina Avila/EPDX

Where to Eat in Portland's Northwest District

byEater StaffUpdated
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Restaurant St Jack
|Dina Avila/EPDX
byEater StaffUpdated
2comments/new

Northwest Portland's Alphabet District is one of Portland's most walkable neighborhoods. It has bars, the occasional food cart, lots of boutique shopping, a killer art house movie theater, and, of course, plenty of restaurants where you can score old school deli Reubens, pizza by the slice and as much fried chicken that you can swallow.

Your options are many, but there's a little something for everyone. If you're visiting from out of town or day tripping from the other side of the river, let this map be your NW Portland dining guide.

If we missed your favorite restaurant, let us know in the comments!

(The points on this map guide are not ranked; rather, they're organized geographically.)

—Katherine Berman, Mattie John Bamman and Chad Walsh

All photos by Katherine Berman unless otherwise noted.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See ourethics policy.

Ringside

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For dry-aged steaks in a classic steakhouse setting, there's no better spot in Northwest than Ringside, which has operated for 70 years. Ringside has the waiters in tuxedos; an old-school menu with bacon-wrapped scallops and the wedge salad; and one of the best wine lists in the city. [Ringside Uptown]

2165 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 223-1513
(503) 223-1513

Also featured in:

Kells Brew Pub

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After a stout and a shot of whiskey, hearty Irish pub fare is not a want but a necessity. Kells marries comfort food of the Emerald Isle with the Portland state of mind. It sources from local ranches and farms when possible and offers beers brewed in-house. [Kells Brew Pub]

210 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-5931
(503) 227-5931

Also featured in:

Ken's Artisan Bakery

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The butter croissants are flakier than all of your ex-hookup buddies combined. The breads are baked daily with local ingredients and pastries are delicate and sweet, though not saccharine. It’s far from a best-kept secret, but still, for a sandwich to-go, totally worth the occasional wait.

338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-2202
(503) 248-2202

Kung Pow!

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It's hard to find good Chinese in Portland, but when it comes to gusto and spices, Kung Pow packs a serious punch. Fried food is not the enemy here. Its whimsical cocktail menu is a tasty and creative play on the Chinese zodiac. [Avila/EPDX]

500 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Also featured in:

Serratto

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[Photo:Facebook/Serratto]

2112 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 221-1195
(503) 221-1195
Serratto Serratto

Also featured in:

Paley's Place

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]">Yelp/Gabriela S]

1204 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 243-2403
(503) 243-2403

Also featured in:

Please Louise

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[Photo:Facebook/Please Louise]

NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Please Louise Please Louise

Besaw's

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[Photo:Facebook/Besaw’s]

1545 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-2619
(503) 228-2619
Besaw's Besaw's

Also featured in:

ATAULA

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To the delight of food enthusiasts, Ataula offers the opportunity to experience its spectrum of traditional and modern Spanish tapas, all given the playful signature touch of chef Jose Chesa. Patience on weekends is required, but it’s a fair price when octopus carpaccio and house-cured salmon with mascarpone yogurt and black truffle honey are the reward. [Facebook/Ataula]

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 894-8904
(503) 894-8904

Also featured in:

Rae's Lakeview Lounge

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[Photo:Facebook/Rae’s Lakeview Lounge]

NW 27th Avenue, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-6494
(503) 719-6494
Rae's Lakeview Lounge Rae's Lakeview Lounge

Restaurant St Jack

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With an upscale atmosphere, St Jack has "nice night out" written all over it. The menu sticks to French flavors—Lyonnaise to be exact—and the bar and dining room are separated, which lets the party people do their thing while serene, romantic dinners take place just steps away. Try one of the city's best chicken liver mousses, as well as pan-roasted sweetbreads with figs and Duck Aux Mures (duck breast with blackberries). [Avila/EPDX]

1610 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 360-1281
(503) 360-1281

Also featured in:

Lela's Bistro

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Lela’s budget-friendly Vietnamese fare accomplishes the task of tasting clean and light without compromising flavor. Delve into the decadent with its pork belly banh mi, served on fresh, crusty French bread with house-made aioli. Pho, salads, and salad rolls, too.

1524 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-4744
(503) 719-4744

The Waiting Room

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[Photo:The Waiting Room]

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
The Waiting Room The Waiting Room

Also featured in:

Bamboo Sushi NW

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This well-established PDX sushi institution seems to have new outposts cropping up faster than you can say, “Certified sustainable.” While Bamboo works on saving the ocean, you can save some money and beat the crowds at its impressive happy hour, served Monday through Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.

836 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(971) 229-1925
(971) 229-1925

Also featured in:

Kornblatt's Deli

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You could stop at the Matzo ball soup, but then there are the knishes, the blitzes, the lox, the corned beef on rye, the latkes, the rugelach, and the salami tires. TIRES! Oy vey! Kornblatt’s you are a glistening meat tray in a desert of kale.

628年西北23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 242-0055
(503) 242-0055

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Escape From New York Pizza

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Escape holds the honor of being the first in Portland to serve pizza by the slice, and they've been doing it since 1983. The tiny outpost is a living shrine of customer memorabilia—all pasted to the wall until, according to owner Phil Geffner, it falls off. The pies induce equal parts hunger and nostalgia, especially for anyone craving a New York-style slice. [Facebook/Escape from New York Pizza]

622 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 227-5423
(503) 227-5423

Thai Bloom!

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[Photo:Facebook/Thai Bloom]

333 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 243-7557
(503) 243-7557
Thai Bloom Thai Bloom

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Ringside

2165 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97210

For dry-aged steaks in a classic steakhouse setting, there's no better spot in Northwest than Ringside, which has operated for 70 years. Ringside has the waiters in tuxedos; an old-school menu with bacon-wrapped scallops and the wedge salad; and one of the best wine lists in the city. [Ringside Uptown]

2165 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 223-1513
(503) 223-1513

Kells Brew Pub

210 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

After a stout and a shot of whiskey, hearty Irish pub fare is not a want but a necessity. Kells marries comfort food of the Emerald Isle with the Portland state of mind. It sources from local ranches and farms when possible and offers beers brewed in-house. [Kells Brew Pub]

210 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-5931
(503) 227-5931

Ken's Artisan Bakery

338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

The butter croissants are flakier than all of your ex-hookup buddies combined. The breads are baked daily with local ingredients and pastries are delicate and sweet, though not saccharine. It’s far from a best-kept secret, but still, for a sandwich to-go, totally worth the occasional wait.

338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 248-2202
(503) 248-2202

Kung Pow!

500 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

It's hard to find good Chinese in Portland, but when it comes to gusto and spices, Kung Pow packs a serious punch. Fried food is not the enemy here. Its whimsical cocktail menu is a tasty and creative play on the Chinese zodiac. [Avila/EPDX]

500 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Serratto

2112 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo:Facebook/Serratto]

2112 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 221-1195
(503) 221-1195
Serratto Serratto

Paley's Place

1204 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Facebook/

]">Yelp/Gabriela S]

1204 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 243-2403
(503) 243-2403

Please Louise

NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo:Facebook/Please Louise]

NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Please Louise Please Louise

Besaw's

1545 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209

[Photo:Facebook/Besaw’s]

1545 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 228-2619
(503) 228-2619
Besaw's Besaw's

ATAULA

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210

To the delight of food enthusiasts, Ataula offers the opportunity to experience its spectrum of traditional and modern Spanish tapas, all given the playful signature touch of chef Jose Chesa. Patience on weekends is required, but it’s a fair price when octopus carpaccio and house-cured salmon with mascarpone yogurt and black truffle honey are the reward. [Facebook/Ataula]

1818 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 894-8904
(503) 894-8904

Rae's Lakeview Lounge

NW 27th Avenue, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo:Facebook/Rae’s Lakeview Lounge]

NW 27th Avenue, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-6494
(503) 719-6494
Rae's Lakeview Lounge Rae's Lakeview Lounge

Restaurant St Jack

1610 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

With an upscale atmosphere, St Jack has "nice night out" written all over it. The menu sticks to French flavors—Lyonnaise to be exact—and the bar and dining room are separated, which lets the party people do their thing while serene, romantic dinners take place just steps away. Try one of the city's best chicken liver mousses, as well as pan-roasted sweetbreads with figs and Duck Aux Mures (duck breast with blackberries). [Avila/EPDX]

1610 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 360-1281
(503) 360-1281

Lela's Bistro

1524 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Lela’s budget-friendly Vietnamese fare accomplishes the task of tasting clean and light without compromising flavor. Delve into the decadent with its pork belly banh mi, served on fresh, crusty French bread with house-made aioli. Pho, salads, and salad rolls, too.

1524 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 719-4744
(503) 719-4744

The Waiting Room

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo:The Waiting Room]

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
The Waiting Room The Waiting Room

Bamboo Sushi NW

836 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

This well-established PDX sushi institution seems to have new outposts cropping up faster than you can say, “Certified sustainable.” While Bamboo works on saving the ocean, you can save some money and beat the crowds at its impressive happy hour, served Monday through Friday, 5 to 6 p.m.

836 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(971) 229-1925
(971) 229-1925

Kornblatt's Deli

628年西北23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

You could stop at the Matzo ball soup, but then there are the knishes, the blitzes, the lox, the corned beef on rye, the latkes, the rugelach, and the salami tires. TIRES! Oy vey! Kornblatt’s you are a glistening meat tray in a desert of kale.

628年西北23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 242-0055
(503) 242-0055

Related Maps

Escape From New York Pizza

622 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Escape holds the honor of being the first in Portland to serve pizza by the slice, and they've been doing it since 1983. The tiny outpost is a living shrine of customer memorabilia—all pasted to the wall until, according to owner Phil Geffner, it falls off. The pies induce equal parts hunger and nostalgia, especially for anyone craving a New York-style slice. [Facebook/Escape from New York Pizza]

622 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 227-5423
(503) 227-5423

Thai Bloom!

333 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo:Facebook/Thai Bloom]

333 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(503) 243-7557
(503) 243-7557
Thai Bloom Thai Bloom

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