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

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

Breaking Food News

Two-Michelin Star Chef Matthew Lightner Will Open ōkta and Tributary Hotel in McMinnville This Summer

The progressive restaurant and boutique hotel aspires to be a destination game-changer for Oregon wine country.

04/07/2022 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

As It Turns 20, Acclaimed Mod-Chic Castagna Is About to Get Bolder

His 20-course tasting menus are nationally recognized. Now, chef Justin Woodward will give us another choice, twice a week: experimental five-course menus, somewhere between refined and raunchy.

04/10/2019 By Karen Brooks

Hometown Pride

Portland’s 2019 James Beard Finalists Vie for Best Chef Northwest

Shut out of the national game, Oregon’s top chefs are still going strong for regional honors.

03/27/2019 By Benjamin Tepler

Dining Guide

Portland’s 50 Best Restaurants Right Now

Hungry? Here are top picks from Portland Monthly editors.

10/18/2018 By Eat Beat Team

Restaurant Guide

12 Portland Restaurants Every Newcomer Must Visit

From PDX classics to new faves, these spots will give you a crash course in deliciousness. Welcome.

08/03/2018 Edited by Benjamin Tepler By Eat Beat Team

Food Event Spotlight

Tickets on Sale Now for Seattle vs. Portland Wild About Game Showdown

The 18th annual cooking competition gears up with major chefs, judges, and plenty of wild meat.

07/18/2018 By Emily Davis

Food News

New Seasons Teams Up with Star Chef Matt Lightner to Reinvent the Meal Kit

The grocery chain tries its hand at a sophisticated, local version of Blue Apron.

06/22/2018 By Benjamin Tepler

Breaking News

First Look: Castagna Café Reboot OK Omens Is Ready for Prime Time

The casual modern wine bar from Michelin-caliber chef Justin Woodward and rising somm star Brent Braun is now open, and we’ve got the details.

06/07/2018 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

After 17 Years, Portland Icon Café Castagna Will Close Mid-May

The SE Hawthorne café calls it quits next month. Get the vaunted burger while you can.

04/10/2018 By Karen Brooks

James Beard Awards

Portland's 2018 James Beard Finalists Announced

Coquine, Clyde Common, Kachka, and Castagna are in the final running, along with a pair of local cookbooks.

03/14/2018 By Benjamin Tepler

Hometown Pride

Oregon Scores 18 Semifinalist Nominations at 2018 James Beard Awards

It’s another landslide year for Portland chefs, restaurateurs, and wine aficionados.

02/15/2018 By Benjamin Tepler

Dining Guide

These Are Portland’s Essential Sit-Down Restaurants Right Now

Hungry? Here are top picks from Portland Monthly editors.

10/12/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Dining Guide

17 Portland Restaurants with Stellar Wine Lists

From hard-to-find Slovenian wines to mile-long Champagne lists, here's where to eat out when you're serious about grapes.

09/13/2017 By Eat Beat Team

Weekly Planner

David Thompson Comes to Pok Pok, Feast, and More PDX Food Events

… including the Grand Aioli at Castagna, a Marshall’s Haute Sauce class, and a fundraising dinner at Aviv.

09/13/2017 By Benjamin Tepler

Food Event Spotlight

Acclaimed Chef Matt Lightner Teams Up with Langbaan for Dinner July 26

The former Castagna chef—a double Michelin star holder—jumps into the kitchen of Portland’s Thai hot spot for a night of intrigue. This could be the dinner of 2017.

07/05/2017 By Karen Brooks