9 Best Restaurants in Pearl District, Portland

This vegetarian-friendly tribute to Mediterranean cuisine occupies a handsome former warehouse on historic 13th Avenue in the Pearl. MEC (for short) is an energy-filled, open space with a mix of communal and individual tables (the food is served family-style)—it's surprisingly affordable considering the extraordinary quality and generous portions.

You'll find some of the tastiest sweets—including heavenly pistachio-rose croissants and blueberry-blackberry scones—in town at this cozy patisserie and café a few blocks south of Jamison Square. Be sure to check out the ever-changing selection of fluffy macarons.

The flagship restaurant of a fast-growing, nationally acclaimed group of sensational Latin American–inspired bars and eateries that include Lilia Comedor, Comala, and several others, this high-ceilinged, unpretentiously elegant spot serves prix-fixe tasting menus of gorgeously plated dishes that often utilize Pacific Northwest ingredients. The nightly offers change according to what's in season but might feature venison with Oaxacan chiles, king trumpet mushrooms, pears, and walnuts, or albacore with avocado and chile de agua.

At the center of Portland’s locally steeped tea scene is Smith Teamaker, founded by the late entrepreneur Steven Smith, who the New York Times said “helped transform the nation’s tea-drinking habits.” Duck inside to learn about the tea’s origin stories, sample different varieties at the tea bar, and leave with a few gift boxes.

This popular upscale Pearl District restaurant offers an inventive menu—a combination of traditional Peruvian and contemporary "Novoandina" cuisines—served in a large but nook-filled space that features live music most evenings. The extensive seafood offerings include several ceviches, grilled octopus, and a Peruvian-style paella that abounds with shellfish. A late-night bar offers sangria, small plates, and cocktails. 

A self-taught cook who grew up on the island of Crete, chef-owner Eleni Touhouliotis serves up flavorful Greek fare in this unassumingly romantic neighborhood bistro where lamb, rabbit, and shellfish figure prominently on the menu. Share a variety of the more than 40 tapas-size dishes, from traditional dips to refreshing salads to hearty pastas, and note the well-chosen selection of wines, including a number of Greek favorites.

This tiny creperie just outside the hubbub of the Pearl District can serve as a romantic dinner-date spot or just a cozy place to enjoy a cocktail and a late-night snack. You can get sweet crepes with fruit, cheese, chocolate, and cream or savory ones with meats and cheeses; in addition, the dinner menu is rounded out with salads and steaks.

A joint venture between James Beard Award–nominated chef Cathy Whims and renowned cocktail mixologist Ryan Magarian, this aptly named late-night spot specializes in creatively topped wood-fired pizzas and deftly crafted cocktails that rely heavily on local spirits and fresh juices. The salads and appetizers are also terrific, especially the radicchio version of a classic Caesar salad.

A slightly snazzier but still informal outpost of a classic blue-collar burger joint in Portland's industrial Swan Island neighborhood (there's a third location just across the river from downtown on East Burnside), Tilt is a worthy stop for massive burgers, sandwiches, biscuits and gravy with fried chicken, house-made jalapeno tots, and hand-dipped pie shakes. On the right side of this cavernous order-at-the-counter space, there's a full bar as well as a coffee counter serving espresso drinks. There's ample seating on the patio, a former loading dock; sadly, there are no loading trucks to help you out of your seat.