Eat & Drink

Closing Report

February Saw a Sea Change for Portland’s Restaurant World

Institutions like Expatriate, República, and Stumptown all closed last month.

03/04/2026 By Alex Frane

Opening Report

Fancy Baby Reopens as Il Corso with Salumi, Pasta, and Italian Wines

A relatively quiet February also saw the opening of Korean fast-food spot Bbang!

02/26/2026 By Alex Frane

Olé! Olé!

Tapas, Paella, and Sangria Land at the Old Palomar Space

Vya helps fill Portland’s paella void left by Ataula and Can Font.

02/25/2026 By Alex Frane

dining picks

Portland’s Most Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Sticky hands, temper tantrums, and picky eaters welcomed.

02/23/2026 By Alex Frane and Portland Monthly Staff

Level Up

The Rise of Public Tabletop Role-Playing Games

A once-niche hobby exits the basement and enters the bar.

02/17/2026 By Alex Frane Illustrations by Stephen Dybus

Let’s Drink

NA Bubbles and Grilled Cheese at L’Orange’s Sibling Wine Bar

The tiny not-just-champagne bar recalls co-owner Jeff Vejr’s former digs, Les Caves.

02/16/2026 By Matthew Trueherz

Dining Guide

Portland’s Most Romantic, Date-Worthy Restaurants

Planning a date with that special someone? Peep this list first.

02/11/2026 By Alex Frane and Portland Monthly Staff

Molto Bene

Portland’s Best Italian Restaurants

Our favorite Italian-American red sauce joints and Old World trattorias.

02/10/2026 By Alex Frane and Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Dining Picks

Winged Victory: Portland’s Top Chicken Wings

Splits and full wings, tangy Buffalo and garlicky fish sauce, Portland has its wing game down.

02/04/2026 By Alex Frane and Jordan Michelman

Closings

One of Portland’s Foundational Mexican Restaurants Is Closing

República, the Mexican-forward tasting menu destination in the Pearl, will shutter in February.

01/28/2026 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

opening report

Portland’s Impressive Thai Food Roster Can’t Stop Growing

January sees the return of Yui and the grand opening of OK Chicken and Khao Soi.

01/27/2026 By Alex Frane

Best Restaurants

A Crispy, Crackly Guide to Portland’s Best Fried Chicken

Our favorite spots for gochujang-covered tenders, Nashville chicken sandwiches, and Southern-style chicken and waffles.

01/23/2026 By Alex Frane

Dining Picks

Portland’s Top Vegan Restaurants for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Deli sandwiches, elaborate tasting menus, and Sri Lankan street food, all made without animal products.

01/21/2026 By Alex Frane and Katherine Chew Hamilton

Award season

The James Beard Awards Announce the 2026 Semifinalists

Le Pigeon, Scotch Lodge, Coquine, and Heavenly Creatures are on the national longlist.

01/21/2026 By Alex Frane

Dish Exploder

Güero’s Hamburguesa Is a Beautiful Mess

Jalapeños, grilled ham, queso, and morita chile mayo make an amazing sandwich.

01/20/2026 By Alex Frane Illustrations by Amber Day

Openings

The Team Behind Eem and Yaowarat Open in the OG Pok Pok

Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom’s newest restaurant, OK Chicken and Khao Soi, closes a loop of Portland Thai food history.

01/16/2026 By Alex Frane

Superfan

Momos and Moms at Himalayan Dumplings by Kyikyi

For 3-year-old Luna, noodles taste better in a cup.

01/14/2026 By Alex Frane Photography by Michael Raines

Restaurant Review

Bar Nouveau Is an Endearingly Scrappy Send-Up to French Cookbook Cuisine

Chef Althea Grey Potter’s long-gestating vision puts down roots in St. Johns with style, bronze peacocks, roast duck, and all.

01/13/2026 By Jordan Michelman Photography by Thomas Teal

Closing Report

The Portland Restaurant and Bar Closures That Hurt the Most

A beloved neighborhood bar, celebrated dumpling shop, award-winning bakery, and other spots we lost last year.

01/08/2026 By Alex Frane

Zero Proof

Portland’s Best Bars for Nonalcoholic Tippling

Where to find creative mocktails, fauxgronis, and NA spritzes.

01/07/2026 By Alex Frane