8 Must-Try Romantic Restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Bamboo Sushi

Bamboo Sushi is a unique sushi restaurant based in three locations across the city with the aim of operating the highest level of sustainability.

Partnering with some of the largest organizations in marine stewardship and oceanic sustainability in the United States, Bamboo Sushi ensures that every product that enters their kitchen is 100% sustainably-sourced. Menus include traditional sushi platters, tempura, nigiri, and other seafood dishes.

836 NW 23rd Ave, 971-229-1925; 310 SE 28th Ave, 503-232-5255; 1409 NE Alberta St, 503-889-0336

Swiss Hibiscus

You’re in for a tasty treat when you dine at Portland’s Swiss Hibiscus – a cozy family restaurant serving authentic Swiss dishes since 2010.

Stop in and try the cheese fondue appetizer, before diving into delicious entrees such as the Szegedin Goulash and the wienerschnitzel. Don’t miss their famous Swiss Inn salad dressing! Before there was the Swiss Hibiscus, there was the Swiss Inn in Honolulu, which was also founded and run by owner Chef Martin Wyss.

Born in Switzerland, Chef Wyss has traditional Swiss recipes in his genes.

4950 NE 14th Ave, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 503-477-9224

The Waffle Window

The Waffle Window is a family-friendly eatery that serves Belgium-style waffles with a Portland twist. With two locations in the city, on Hawthorn Boulevard and Alberta Street, Waffle Window is owned by Mary O’Rourke and her two sons, Max and Brendan, who bring their ample experience in traveling and tasting European foods, particularly waffles, to Portland.

Basing their waffle recipe on the famous Liege sugar waffles from Belgium, Mary serves a variety of the sweet treats with delicious toppings for breakfast and lunch. A Berry Bliss Waffle is the perfect start to the day while a Pulled Pork Waffle makes lunch a special treat.

Waffle Window also serves a range of waffles-based sweets, decadent sundaes, and cold drinks.

3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 971-255-0501

Mother's Bistro & Bar

Mother’s Bistro & Bar is a cozy and comfortable eatery in the heart of downtown Portland that serves traditional, home-style cooking in a casual and welcoming environment.

Owned by Lisa Shroeder, whose dream was to bring to the people of Portland delicious, home-cooked fare, Mother’s Bistro has grown by leaps and bounds from a small, unassuming restaurant to a veritable Portland institution.

By day, the bistro serves guests in the sunny lunch room, which is decorated in shades of yellow and green, while at night the restaurant’s sultry bar, the Velvet Lounge, exudes an elegant and romantic ambiance for late-night dining with gilded mirrors, crystal chandeliers and an extensive cocktail menu.

121 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204, Phone: 503-464-1122

Langbaan

Langbaan serves dishes featuring exotic Thai flavors, tastes and aromas. Meaning “Back of the House” in Thai, Langbaan offers guests a complete Thai-style dining experience in a casually elegant space.

Owner/Chef Akkapong Ninsom began cooking at an early age, and this shines through in his simple combinations of flavors. Scallops in coconut cream, woven egg net covering succulent pork and sublime poached lobster are just some of the delights on the menu.

The restaurant serves dinner, as well as a tasting menu with two seatings per night.

6 SE 28th Ave, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 971-344-2564

Cabezon Restaurant and Fish Market

Cabezon Restaurant and Fish Market is an award-winning seafood bistro close to the Rose City Park and Hollywood neighborhoods. Owners Chef David Farrell and wine maven Jackie Speck strive to bring their customers creative dishes made with the freshest ingredients possible by supporting Portland’s fishing and food communities.

Combining the bounty of the Pacific Northwest with local farmer’s produce, the menu showcases delights such as wood-fired fish, smoked meats, handmade patés and seasonal ice-creams.

Keeping in line with their sustainable practices, Cabezon’s diverse wine list features vintages from small, local and regional producers.

5200 NE Sacramento St, Portland, Oregon, Phone: 503-284-6617

Kachka

Kachka is a Russian restaurant on Southeast Grand Avenue that will delight even the toughest foodie with their Slavic-inspired fare. Boasting a homey setting with Russian décor, Kachka is run by Chef Bonnie Morales, a first-generation American from Russian parents, who presents a delectable menu of Russian classics.

With an emphasis on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, small plates, known as “vodka snacks” are the perfect way to prepare for a vodka-filled evening. Adventurous dishes such as veal feet terrine, cured salo (thick slices of fatback –the hump of the pig) and Siberian pelmeni will have you returning time and again, while the vodka menu, which features more than 50 brands of the tipple is just as impressive.

960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, Phone: 503-235-0059, See the Map

Nodoguro

Nodoguro serves traditional Japanese dishes in a formal setting. Known as “sousaku” as opposed to sushi, dishes are made-to-order from fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the restaurant’s very own Phantom Rabbit Farm.

Serving dinner only, the restaurant offers an eclectic range of courses that are frequently changed according to the season and chef’s inspiration.

The restaurant is elegantly furnished in simple Asian style, with low lighting for an intimate ambiance and crisp linens for a refined touch.

2832 SE Belmont, Portland, OR 97214