Food News

Dish Exploder

What Makes Afuri’s Vegan Ramen So Damn Good?

Why use pork or chicken when you have sunflower seeds and bananas?

12/29/2025 By Alex Frane Illustrations by Amber Day

Room for More

Potlucks Are the Feasts That Meet the Moment

They ask for our participation twice: first as cooks, then as diners.

12/22/2025 By Lola Milholland

closings report

The Show Is Over at Lollipop Shoppe

The music venue has closed its doors, while food truck pizzeria Reeva goes on indefinite hiatus.

12/12/2025 By Alex Frane

Fine Dining

Why Portland Chefs Are Going All In on Omakase

Local Japanese restaurants are turning more and more to the traditional tasting-menu format.

12/10/2025 By Andrea Damewood

Holiday Guide

The Best Takeout, Dine-In, and Pop-Ups for the Holidays

Where to find holiday-themed bars, latke parties, Feasts of the Seven Fishes, and restaurants open on Christmas.

12/03/2025 By Alex Frane

openings report

Revived Vegan Restaurant Epif Brings Brunch to Kerns

Plus, Bangkok Belly arrives on SE Belmont Street.

11/25/2025 By Alex Frane

History Lesson

Dining Out in the Ancient World

Two Portland restaurants are turning to the distant past for inspiration today.

11/19/2025 By Ben Coleman

Closing Report

A Beloved Division Street Bar Has Served Its Last Cocktail and Handpie

The Richmond Bar, Cider Bite, Grand Amari, and Doc Marie’s join the list of 2025 closures.

11/17/2025 By Alex Frane

Food History

The 25 Restaurants That Made Portland

Portland was not a food city in the year 2000. Over the past quarter century, these restaurants changed that.

11/14/2025 Edited by Matthew Trueherz By Portland Monthly Staff Illustrations by Max-O-Matic

Opening Report

A Michelin-Starred Texan Barbecue Restaurant Is Now Open at Tough Luck

October was a stacked month for Portland restaurant openings, including Lil’ Barbecue, Bar Nouveau, and Sunday Sauce.

10/28/2025 By Alex Frane

Superfan

Gino’s Restaurant in the Genes

It’s hard to eat in when you live so close to this Italian favorite.

10/28/2025 By Margaret Seiler Photography by Michael Raines

Restaurant Review

What to Order, or Skip, at Portland’s Newest Vegan Fast-Food Spot

With recipes designed by Molly Baz, Swan Island’s Face Plant wants to overthrow the McDonald’s empire.

10/23/2025 By Alex Frane

Openings

In a Sea of New Italian Spots, Sunday Sauce Floats on Family Recipes

The upcoming New Jersey–style pasta shop comes from the team behind Normandie.

10/16/2025 By Alex Frane

Closing Report

Portland’s Best Vegan Burger Shop Has Served Its Last Meal

Gnarly’s, Assembly Brewing Annex, and Hit the Spot Burger have all shuttered.

10/09/2025 By Alex Frane

Openings

Slabtown’s Next Cocktail Bar Is—You Guessed It—Italian

Hey Luigi, from chef Gabriel Pascuzzi, proves Portland’s growing Italian scene can’t be stopped.

10/08/2025 By Alex Frane

In Memoriam

Longtime Castagna Chef Justin Woodward Has Died

He was once called “the only Portland chef cooking Michelin-level food.”

10/07/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Opening Report

Sun Rice Has a Permanent Home, and Other Fall Restaurant Openings

Filipino brunch, a new cider house, and a Mexican diner come to town.

09/30/2025 By Alex Frane

Eat Your Veggies

In Defense of the Pizzeria Salad

Portland goes far beyond the uninspired, half-wilted salads of days past.

09/25/2025 By Alex Frane

dining news

Portland’s Most Hotly Anticipated Restaurants for Fall 2025

A Chicago tavern-style pizzeria, rockabilly bar, and new Thai restaurant come to town.

09/18/2025 By Alex Frane

Fun with Fungi

A Beginner’s Guide to Mushroom Foraging in Oregon

Intimidated? Don’t be. Here’s all you need to know to get started—including the ultimate hack for finding the freshest intel.

09/17/2025 By Emma Marris Illustrations by Michael Novak