Romantic restaurants in Portland mix forested stillness with urban soul: dimly lit hideaways, rooftop terraces with river views, and menus that celebrate the region’s wild bounty. It’s where I sip Oregon Pinot Noir beneath hanging Edison bulbs, the rain tapping gently on the windowpanes.
I’ve got cedar-planked salmon with hazelnut butter, a glass of Willamette Valley red, and the scent of rosemary and woodsmoke curling through the room—right here in artful, quietly passionate Portland, Oregon. Who knew romance could feel this raw and refined?
"Moss, mood, and flavors that whisper? This is Portland’s romantic rhythm—earthy, intimate, and effortlessly cool."
This is Why I Keep Coming Back for More:
Unique Romantic Restaurants in Portland:
1. Bamboo Sushi
Bamboo Sushi is a unique sushi restaurant based in three locations across the city with the aim of operating the highest level of sustainability.
Partnering with some of the largest organizations in marine stewardship and oceanic sustainability in the United States, Bamboo Sushi ensures that every product that enters their kitchen is 100% sustainably-sourced. Menus include traditional sushi platters, tempura, nigiri, and other seafood dishes.
836 NW 23rd Ave, 971-229-1925; 310 SE 28th Ave, 503-232-5255; 1409 NE Alberta St, 503-889-0336
2. Swiss Hibiscus
You’re in for a tasty treat when you dine at Portland’s Swiss Hibiscus – a cozy family restaurant serving authentic Swiss dishes since 2010.
Stop in and try the cheese fondue appetizer, before diving into delicious entrees such as the Szegedin Goulash and the wienerschnitzel. Don’t miss their famous Swiss Inn salad dressing! Before there was the Swiss Hibiscus, there was the Swiss Inn in Honolulu, which was also founded and run by owner Chef Martin Wyss.
Born in Switzerland, Chef Wyss has traditional Swiss recipes in his genes.
4950 NE 14th Ave, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 503-477-9224
3. The Country Cat
The Country Cat serves farm-to-table classic American cooking with innovative flair for brunch and dinner. Husband-and-wife team, Adam, and Jackie Sappington, bring diners a menu that reflects the evolving culinary landscape of American heritage cuisine, made from locally sourced ingredients and local farm produce.
Located in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood, the eatery is cozy and comfortable, with a soulful charm that is reflected in its food. Try the Manila clams in a chorizo sausage broth or the whole Idaho trout with artichokes and olive panzanella salad.
A sumptuous brunch menu is served on weekends only, with eggs, granola and other healthy options, as well as an array of signature cocktails.
7937 SE Stark St, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 503-408-1414
4. The Waffle Window
The Waffle Window is a family-friendly eatery that serves Belgium-style waffles with a Portland twist. With two locations in the city, on Hawthorn Boulevard and Alberta Street, Waffle Window is owned by Mary O’Rourke and her two sons, Max and Brendan, who bring their ample experience in traveling and tasting European foods, particularly waffles, to Portland.
Basing their waffle recipe on the famous Liege sugar waffles from Belgium, Mary serves a variety of the sweet treats with delicious toppings for breakfast and lunch. A Berry Bliss Waffle is the perfect start to the day while a Pulled Pork Waffle makes lunch a special treat.
Waffle Window also serves a range of waffles-based sweets, decadent sundaes, and cold drinks.
3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 971-255-0501
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- What makes Portland, Oregon a great culinary destination?
- Portland, Oregon is known for its incredible culinary scene, offering everything from home-style cooking to international cuisine, making it perfect for a weekend food adventure, combined with sightseeing and shopping.
- What types of food can you find in Portland?
- Portland offers a wide variety of food, including Belgian-style waffles for breakfast, tapas or wood-fired pizza for lunch, and sustainable sushi, Swiss, Pacific Northwest, Southern Italian, Argentinian, Thai, Russian, traditional Japanese, and classic American cuisine for dinner.
- Where can you find romantic restaurants in Portland?
- Portland has a wide selection of romantic restaurants suitable for nearly every taste and budget, offering an array of diverse cuisines.
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