Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Portland / Oregon

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Portland / Oregon? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fallow's Rest Wild

4.8

4.8 (33)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Southeast Portland

About the restaurant

Fallow's believes that great food (& good vibes!) starts with great ingredients. Our menu, inspired by herbs and spices from around the world, offers a diverse array of flavors to inspire the adventurous. From the aromatic spices of India to the fresh herbs of the Mediterranean - most grown from our relationships with local micro-farmers, each dish is made to provide an unforgettable dining experience that leaves you feeling wow'd.

Rest Wild with us at Fallow's -

Our aim is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of love, sustainability, and the joy of sharing a meal. We invite you to join us and discover the magic that happens when passion for food and commitment to health come together.

Top review

Petervip

Dined 5 days ago

Roast chicken was incredible, 5-spice mushroom dish and gem salad also fantastic with inventive and flavorful presentations. Attentive service and bespoke cocktails.

Wilfs Restaurant & Jazz Bar

4.7

4.7 (1201)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Pearl District

About the restaurant

Voted one of the top dining destinations for 2023 by OpenTable!

Welcome to Wilfs...
Located at Union Station, at the foot of the Broadway Bridge. Cozy red wing back chairs provide guests with an intimate escape from the world, 'Mad Men' atmosphere best describes the lounge and it's modern menu of classic house made cocktails, while listening to the best jazz, performed up-close and personal.
Our expert staff and Chef A.G. prepare local and regional dishes with a modern twist. Tableside preparation of our award winning Caesar salad, Steak Diane or fresh local seafood, pasta and local micro brews and house shaken libations.
Catering and event planning for graduations, rehearsal dinners, weddings, holiday and more.
We accept Visa. Mastercard, American Express, cash. 24 hour security on premises. Easy street parking.

Top review

Rich

Dined 6 days ago

Lovely 60’s elegance with live jazz music and excellent menu of fresh and seasonal dishes. Highly recommended.

Discover more

Experience

Our midweek hustle! 3-course dinner for $40

Thirsty Lion – Tanasbourne, OR

4.7

4.7 (915)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Hillsboro

About the restaurant

Offering gastropub fare and from-scratch cooking with a culinary commitment to local and seasonal ingredients, the food is both craveable and bold. At the bar, a wide range of local craft beers are available, an option for every palate and plate. Craft cocktails are made with fresh fruit purees, juices, and premium liquors, while wines come in 25 varieties. Enjoy your lunch, dinner, daily happy hour or weekend brunch craft brew while watching the game on one of the flat screens amidst an open kitchen, central bar and a patio that soaks up the sun. Whether it's a cozy dinner for two or lunch with the whole office, Thirsty Lion is the perfect destination for any party size, including large groups and events.

Top review

Debra

Dined 4 days ago

Everyone loved their entree as recommended by our terrific server!

Discover more

Experience

Daily Happy Hour 3-6pm!

Experience

Late Night Happy Hour

Fort George Brewery And Public House

4.7

4.7 (713)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Astoria

About the restaurant

Open Table Reservations are for the Upstairs Pizzeria where our pizza menu is available.
Our downstairs space is separate and is first-come, first-served. Our pub menu is available downstairs only.

Fort George opened its doors to Astoria as both a brewery and a public house, and that desire to serve the community continues to this day. The brewers and pub staff here share a common goal, to create a welcoming space where anyone in town can pull up a stool and enjoy a pint and a bite to eat. We take pride in our house-made offerings and our hospitality, and we’re always looking for improvements that bring us one step closer to perfection. It’s a goal Sisyphus could appreciate, even if he doesn’t have as much fun pushing that rock as we do rolling those kegs. And that’s why we like to call Fort George beer the best beer you’ve had today. Tomorrow it will only be better.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 5 days ago

Server made me feel rushed. Presented me the bill while I was still eating~! Thanks.

The Star Portland

4.7

4.7 (290)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Pearl District

About the restaurant

At The Star Pizza, we have take enormous pride in serving our award-winning deep dish and thin crust pizzas. By offering organic salads, appetizers made from scratch, house made dressings and sauces, oven baked sandwiches, and fresh dough tossed daily, our once small pizzerias have blossomed into a dynamic neighborhood restaurants. Beyond dozens of signature dishes, our bar serves artisan cocktails, carefully selected wines and beer in an elegant yet comfortable environment. Our commitment to our employees, community, schools and local nonprofit organizations embodies who we are. We treat our guests like family, invest in our employees, and use responsible and high quality ingredients to continue The Star legacy. Thank you for choosing to dine with us.

Top review

Chris

Dined 6 days ago

Ive been craving deep dish. Nice to find a place that does it right. Just like home!!

Bar Dolly

4.6

4.6 (9)

$31 to $50

Dining Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Bar Dolly, a new wine and cocktail destination from the Sesame Collective Restaurant Group, serves as a companion bar to next door sister southern Italian restaurant Dolly Olive. Bar Dolly offers an
extensive collection of Mediterranean wines, and regional dishes. The spritz menu includes Italian classics like Aperol spritzes and Bicicletas and the house Negroni is an instant classic, poured tableside. Bar Dolly shares a kitchen with Dolly Olive, which centers around Southern Mediterranean ingredients and flavors, with an emphasis on an in house bakery program, fresh made pastas and other dishes that are treated simply and presented elegantly. Chef Casey Brigan and Sesame Collective Culinary Director Natalie Gullish have developed a menu of featured Dolly Olive favorites, as well as a few more snack-forward options like salami and cheese boards.

Top review

Guy

Dined on Sep 17, 2024

Great food and service. Was relatively quiet on a Monday night. September sparklers is a fun event and well worth it.

JIA Asian Street Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (117)

$30 and under

Pan-Asian

Bend

About the restaurant

Jiā Asian Street Kitchen is inspired by the bustling night markets of Asia, where food, culture, and community come together. From fragrant street food to spicy noodles, our menu features a mix of traditional and modern Asian dishes.

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, date-night spot or a place to bring your family, Jia Asian Street Kitchen is the perfect destination for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Asian flavors.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Hidden gem - worth the drive, food was shockingly good, ambiance was delightful.

Margarita Factory - Tigard

4.5

4.5 (182)

$30 and under

Mexican

Tigard

About the restaurant

Margarita Factory Tigard is locally owned and operated by dedicated restauranteurs who are equally passionate about the guest experience, and creating an enjoyable and rewarding environment for team members. We are especially proud to serve the Best Happy Hour in Town! You can savor festive and delicious margaritas while receiving friendly and genuine service in our covered patio, at our large central bar, or in a comfy booth. Best of all, we offer a great dining experience for all ages in a celebratory atmosphere. Cheers and hope to see you soon!

Top review

Mike

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

Wonderful food, great happy hour and the best margaritas in town. Will definitely be returning again soon.

Mermosa

4.4

4.4 (89)

$30 and under

Southern

North Portland

About the restaurant

Mermosa PDX is a brunch and supper club specializing in gatherings, celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays and everyday meet-ups. We are known for bringing people together of all walks of life through our award-winning Oregon wines, welcoming atmosphere and elevated Caribbean + Southern cuisine. Please check our website and instagram for Chef's featured Prix Fixe menus, live music and our event schedule.

Signature dishes include Shrimp & Grits with Tomato Gravy, Chicken & Waffles, Jerk Cornish Hen and Oxtails with Coconut Corn Succotash. Wine and cocktail pairings on beautiful floral towers are top beverage choices - along with winemaker recommended pairings for Chef's Prix Fixe menus.

Large parties are welcome and can easily book online using Opentable. Please also check out our website for our Event Guide on private events and buyouts.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Super dope brunch experience at Mermosa! Next time I'm in Portland, it's a definite return visit for me! Bravo

North Fork Tavern

4.4

4.4 (20)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Eugene

About the restaurant

North Fork is a brand-new eatery that pulls its inspiration from the northwest outdoors, with a key focus on sourcing ingredients from local farmers and purveyors within Oregon. Our space, crafted from reclaimed fir down to the bar, and the locally-sourced garnishes in our cocktails, all contribute to a superior farm-to-fork dining experience. We proudly serve Oregon grassfed beef and wild seafood harvested from the rivers and coastline of Oregon. Moreover, we showcase Oregon's award-winning beer varieties and present a curated wine list from the region's smaller vineyards. It's our mission to become the preferred dining spot for individuals looking to savor Oregon's distinct flavors and aesthetic beauty, and the local's choice for a friendly gathering place.

Top review

Raquelvip

Dined 6 days ago

Fun place! We went for early brunch. Food was great, service was awesome. HUGE tv screen and others throughout showing various games. I’m sure the place gets super fun during big games!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Portland / Oregon

Explore more Diners' Choice lists