My list of tasty Portland lunch spots is two years in the making. This roundup of the best places to eat in Portland for lunch highlights the hottest restaurants to try in PDX, from trendy new openings to casual neighborhood favorites.
Updated with new 2022 Portland lunch spots. See the overview in the table of contents above.
Table of Contents
Let’s hop to the list of the best Portland lunch spots
The restaurants below list their PDX neighborhood and the style of service so you can pick the right vibe for your lunch plans:
- super casual = counter order or grab-and-go
- table service = sit-down service
- food cart / food truck = outdoor or mobile dining
Have a spot to add? Email [email protected] or message @sipbitego on Instagram.
Chicha PDX – (NW Pearl District)
table service
Sister to Andina, Chicha offers late-lunch options and a pleasant patio for sunny afternoons. The steak bowl is a standout with wok-seared beef, fries, rice and sautéed peppers in a savory soy-forward sauce. Their vegetarian tamale and the fried pork bao are also excellent, and cocktails like the pisco sour round out a fun meal.
10 Barrel Brewery Pub (NW Pearl)
table service & bar
When the weather is nice, the rooftop and open-window bar seating make 10 Barrel a lively lunch destination. Expect indulgent pub food: pizzas with bold toppings, and the over-the-top Steak and Gorgonzola Nachos. Friendly bartenders are happy to help you sample beers so you can pair the perfect brew with your meal.
Dave’s Hot Chicken (Tualatin)
super casual
Dave’s Hot Chicken launched in Portland with crunchy Nashville-style fried chicken, crisp fries and addictive dipping sauces. The food is simple and delicious — perfect for a casual, satisfying lunch.
il Solito (SW)
table service
Located in the Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland, il Solito serves comforting Italian dishes. The Hundred Layer Lasagna and the Fried Mortadella Sandwich are highlights, and the light pavlova dessert is a delightful finish. It’s a cozy downtown option when you want a relaxed sit-down lunch.
Rosa Rosa (SW)
table service
Vitaly Paley’s Mediterranean-influenced Rosa Rosa served dishes spanning Italian and Turkish flavors. The chicken kebabs with saffron rice and a silky cream sauce stood out, and the olive oil cake with panna cotta made for a memorable dessert.
Olympia Provisions (NW, SE)
table service
Famous for charcuterie, Olympia Provisions has a stellar lunch menu with sandwich options built from house-cured meats. The Italian Hero and seasonal soups are crowd-pleasers, often paired with a mustard-caraway potato salad.
Canard (SE)
table service
Canard delights with inventive small plates and unexpected flavor pairings — think Brussels sprouts with butternut-peanut purée, or savory truffle ice cream. The garlic fries and steam burgers are popular, offering an elevated take on familiar favorites.
Nicholas Restaurant (SE, NE)
table service
This family-run Lebanese restaurant serves recipes passed down through generations. The roasted red pepper and walnut hummus with warm pita is a personal favorite, and the menu accommodates vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets with plenty of tasty options.
Cornell Farms Cafe (SW heading towards Beaverton)
table service / super casual
Just outside Portland on a plant nursery lot, Cornell Farms Cafe feels like a countryside escape. It serves a solid brunch and lunch menu; the open-face breakfast sandwich on focaccia is a highlight and the plant-filled atmosphere is welcoming.
Serratto Italian (NW)
table service
Near 23rd Avenue, Serratto serves Mediterranean and Italian dishes with wood-fired personal pizzas and comforting soups. Don’t miss the French onion soup when it’s on the menu.
Grassa (NW, SW)
super casual
Grassa is a craft-pasta favorite despite its casual setup. Quick service and excellent dishes like meatballs, carbonara with a fried egg, and cacio e pepe make it a reliable lunch stop for fresh, handmade pasta.
La Luna (SE)
super casual
La Luna has a cozy, plant-filled atmosphere and serves all-day brunch and lunch. The Eggs Benedict — available in meat and vegetarian variations — is especially tempting and consistently excellent.
Thai Farmhouse Kitchen (SE)
table service
Thai Farmhouse Kitchen serves flavorful curries and noodle dishes, often paired with an unusual blue jasmine rice. Cocktails and mocktails, like Thai tea limeade, complement the fragrant menu.
Paadee (SE)
table service
Paadee offers a wide variety of Thai comfort dishes and is a great place to sample multiple flavors. The bustling dining room and shareable plates make it ideal for groups.
Shalom Y’all (NW, SE)
table service
Shalom Y’all focuses on Israeli street food with a large menu designed for sharing. Appetizers like roasted beet tahina and seasonal fried vegetables are standouts; the minute steak pita is a solid lunch main.
Lardo (SW, SE)
super casual
Lardo’s gigantic sandwiches and dirty fries are hearty and indulgent. Their stacked burgers and fried chicken sandwiches are perfect when you want something bold and filling.
Lovejoy Bakers (NW)
super casual
Lovejoy Bakers is a bakery and sandwich shop known for hearty sandwiches, daily soups and a tempting pastry case. It’s a reliable stop for a casual lunch and excellent coffee.
Hazel Room (SW)
table service
Hazel Room pairs a cozy dining room with a vintage shop next door. Their homestyle brunch and lunch menu features creative side dishes like rosemary grapefruit brûlée and delightful biscuit sandwiches.
Laurelhurst Market (NE)
super casual
By day, Laurelhurst Market serves generously sized sandwiches, soups and salads from a butcher-counter setup. It’s a convenient spot for a quick lunch or a leisurely midday meal. Favorites include the fried chicken sandwich and the smoked turkey with house bacon.
Besaws (NW)
table service
A longtime Portland classic, Besaws serves American comfort food in a lovely setting. Brunch favorites include eggs Benedict and their notable grits — expect a weekend crowd, but easy weekday seating.
Mother’s Bistro (SW)
table service
Mother’s Bistro cooks comforting, globally inspired “mother’s food” in a warm, bustling dining room. Dishes like crab cakes, pierogies and chicken and dumplings showcase homestyle cooking with thoughtful touches. Save room for dessert and try a cocktail from their inventive list.
Other notable PDX lunch options mentioned in the full guide include food carts like MF Tasty and Rollin Fresh, wood-fired pizza windows like Chiosco, classic delis such as Kenny & Zuke’s and Phil’s Meat Market, and treats from Salt & Straw. Whether you prefer a quick grab-and-go, a cozy sit-down or a food-cart adventure, Portland’s lunch scene delivers.
Where will you go next? Follow @sipbitego on Instagram to see new recommendations and message me for personalized restaurant suggestions in Portland.
I update this list often, so check back for new additions to the best places to eat in Portland for lunch and brunch.