Portland is a city of abundance. Towering mountains shield us, bountiful rivers feed us, and vast forests shelter us when Trader Joe’s is out of the good sunscreen. But our greatest resources are the people who choose to live here, local and transplant
alike. The farmers who keep us stocked in organic broccolini, the restaurateurs who bring the tastes of home to the Pacific Northwest, and the kitchen crews who keep the plates moving at the height of a rush. It’s what’s made us a world-class food town, the rival of larger and more cosmopolitan metropolises. To thrive in Portland is to come in hot with a dream, and then slog it out until that dream has a cocktail menu and maybe table service if you’re feeling fancy.
The Eater 38 isn’t a list of the best food in Portland, which is both subjective and also far more expansive than 38 slots could accommodate. But it is a record of what’s being executed at the highest level, at a variety of price points, neighborhoods, and culinary traditions. Because having a dream is all well and good, but executing it is a whole other thing. The map is updated quarterly with a mix of hot new critical darlings and old-school classics alike, so if your favorite isn’t on it now don’t despair: there’s always next season!
This summer 2026 refresh includes two of the most exciting sushi restaurants in town: the award-winning Nodoguro, a culinary playground of curiosity and invention, and Masu, a multi-decade celebration of elegant simplicity. We’ve also added a couple of uniquely Portland neighborhood bars that make style look easy, and an all-star Indian deli nestled between a market and a micro cinema.
This list includes a rough range of pricing for each restaurant on our list. One $ means entrees are mostly under $10; $$ signifies entrees under $20; $$$ means the average entree is under $30; and $$$$ indicates pricier entrees or tasting menus.
For some of the most exciting new restaurants and carts in Portland, check out the Eater Portland Heatmap.
