Trendy / Hip Restaurants

Much admired in the local Portland crowd, the below street level Doug Fir Lounge is not only a club, but it’s a club with appetizing food—not to mention a fan following of concert goers of all musical genres and ages. Designed to resemble a chic log cabin, this vintage inspired restaurant is also a bar and a club that is both successful and popular, standing as a staple in Portland culture. Located inside the hip Jupiter Hotel, Doug Fir is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a happy hour to boot. Featuring menu options for …

Le Pigeon’s burgeoning chef Gabriel Rucker has a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Having flown the coop from Gotham Building Tavern a few years back to open this small and unfussy eatery, he’s met with nothing but success ever since. His nose-to-tail philosophy of cooking has produced specialties such as Duck-Duck-Pigeon, a pan-roasted squab with duck confit, and Poussin (a young, small chicken) with shell beans, corn, and chanterelles. With his desserts, Rucker veers away from traditional sugar-laden concoctions and opts for savory treats; Apricot Cornbread with Bacon and Maple Ice Cream is one option. With a …

This tavern-style restaurant adjacent to the Ace Hotel offers a unique ambiance highlighted by creative and thoughtful fare by Chef Jason Barwikowski. With a culinary philosophy that incorporates foreign and domestic styles of cooking with local ingredients, one can expect foodie delights such as Foie Gras Torchon with rose sorbet and brioche croutons or Beef Tongue with seared scallops, beets and tomato jam. The space itself has a no frills minimalist décor boasting an open kitchen, zinc-topped bar, and long communal tables ideal for mingling with old and new friends alike.

Biwa, a Japanese restaurant located in southeast Portland, has a social awareness that will leave diners feeling good about eating here. Open until midnight, this restaurant features a special “late night” menu, offering up traditional Japanese dishes such as gyoza and specialty ramen. Biwa donates to local foundations such as the Newspace Scholarship Fund in addition to supporting global causes, such as tsunami relief. Add this to the fact that Biwa strives to use fresh, local ingredients, and it is easy to see why so many diners appreciate this refreshing take on dining.