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Best Authentic Restaurants in South Waterfront

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63 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Il Terrazzo restaurant
1. Il Terrazzo
4.6
Exceptional(756)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • SW Portland
Booked 13 times today
Incredible Italian Fare & An Amazing Wine Selection Il Terrazzo honors simplicity and history. With a beautiful view of Mt. Hood and the Willamette River diners enjoy an experience unlike any in Portland.
A photo of Proof•Reader restaurant
2. Proof•Reader
4.2
Awesome(19)
Price: Expensive
• American • Downtown
Booked 2 times today
Our name reflects our devotion to local whiskeys and elevated cocktails while offering you an authentic taste of the Pacific Northwest through our selection of local, high-quality ingredients, 200+ whiskeys, inspired cuisine, and genuine Oregon hospitality.Proof Reader is a culinary gem that artfully blends modern comfort with refined elegance. Nestled in the heart of the city, this eatery boasts a menu inspired by both classic and contemporary cuisine, crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. The intimate, stylish atmosphere complements an innovative dining experience, featuring seasonal dishes and a curated selection of whiskeys, wines, and cocktails. Whether you're enjoying a casual meal or celebrating a special occasion, Proof Reader offers exceptional service and a memorable ambiance. Ideal for food enthusiasts seeking both quality and creativity.
A photo of Nostrana restaurant
3. Nostrana
4.7
Exceptional(5599)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • SE Portland
Booked 74 times today
Nostrana—literally ours—invokes local. Simple food from honest ingredients. Pure, regional, Italian. Opened in 2005, Nostrana is Chef/Owner Cathy Whims’ love letter to Italy. This is a restaurant built on relationships: with our amazing farmers and purveyors, our dedicated staff, and of course with you, our guest.We hope to offer something timeless and authentic in a beautiful space, the regional specialties of Italy deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest. We strive to be better every day. We're currently reserving indoor tables and bar seating. When available, outdoor patio reservations may be subject to weather disruptions.A Service Charge of 22% is applied to all checks at Nostrana, providing a professional and equitable wage for all team members.
A photo of Kachka restaurant
4. Kachka
4.9
Exceptional(2231)
Price: Expensive
• Eastern European • SE Portland
Booked 74 times today
Kachka features an award-winning menu of post-soviet inspired dishes including famous dishes such as the Herring under a fur coat, Rabbit in a clay pot, dumplings and much more. The restaurant is an homage to the dishes our chef/owner grew up eating. Kachka is open for indoor onsite dining. Walk-in lounge and bar seating are also available. Our Lavka grocery is open from 11am-9pm daily with counter service ordering from our Lavka cafe and deli available from 11-3. Seating is first come first serve on our upper patio or indoor lounge tables. We have proudly replaced tipping with a 22% service fee in order to provide a base wage of $25 per hour and free healthcare for all employees. More information is available at kachkapdx.com/wage-equityFor more info about Kachka, and our deli Lavka please visit our website: https://www.kachkapdx.com/about-us
A photo of Le Pigeon restaurant
5. Le Pigeon
4.8
Exceptional(1626)
Price: Very Expensive
• Contemporary American • SE Portland
Booked 7 times today
Le Pigeon serves adventurous French-inspired food, along with a varied selection of wines in an intimate dining room on Portland’s East Burnside Street.
A photo of Dolly Olive restaurant
6. Dolly Olive
4.8
Exceptional(164)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • NW Portland
Booked 49 times today
Located in the heart of Downtown Portland, OR on the bustling corner of SW Alder & SW 12th, Dolly Olive centers around Southern Mediterranean ingredients and flavors, with an emphasis on an in house bakery program, fresh made pastas, and Italian aperitifs. Dolly Olive sports an inviting atmosphere featuring soft leather banquettes, warm wood accents, and custom patterned tiles. We're currently serving brunch & dinner daily with a midday aperitivo hour. Whether you're stopping in for a pre-show dinner, celebrating a special event in your life, or just popping in for a quick bite at Dolly Olive you can expect an excellent experience, start to finish.
A photo of Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District restaurant
7. Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine - Pearl District
4.6
Exceptional(165)
Price: Expensive
• Thai • Pearl District
Booked 27 times today
Not your typical Thai! We are a Thai New Generation restaurant focusing on bringing you adventurous, bold flavors of traditional and non-traditional dishes using the freshest ingredients. Look out for our nightly specials from regional home cooked dishes to market fried grasshoppers. We are consistently voted the "Best Thai Restaurant" in San Francisco by Michelin Bib Gourmand 2016 - 2019.
A photo of Taylor Street Tavern restaurant
8. Taylor Street Tavern
4.2
Awesome(129)
Price: Moderate
• American • Downtown
Booked 4 times today
Located across from Director’s Park in the Paramount Hotel, this dual concept engages all the regions of the palate. Taylor Street Tavern polishes the ruggedly natural aspects of the Pacific Northwest into precisely crafted plates for daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings. Locally sourced ingredients also make an appearance in the house crafted cocktails and west coast wine selections.Just across the lobby, Swine Moonshine and Whiskey Bar explores the history of the American whiskey tradition, complete with a reclaimed authentic still and extensive whiskey list. Early and late happy hours keep people sipping all night long.
A photo of Serratto restaurant
9. Serratto
4.7
Exceptional(2449)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Pearl District
Booked 28 times today
Serratto is widely praised for its authentic Italian cuisine. Customers highlight the consistently great food, excellent service, and warm ambiance. One reviewer even compared it to places they've been in Italy, confirming its authenticity. Another customer mentioned the restaurant's commitment to using natural meats and the freshest seafood, which is a key characteristic of authentic Italian cooking. Overall, the rave reviews and the restaurant's dedication to quality ingredients and authentic Italian cooking make Serratto a true Italian eatery.
A photo of Mama Mia Trattoria restaurant
10. Mama Mia Trattoria
4.3
Awesome(1788)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary Italian • Downtown
Booked 24 times today
When you step through the doors of Mama Mia Trattoria, you've taken a step back in time to a traditional Italian kitchen where everything is made from scratch, including our mozzarella cheese, fresh pastas, sauces, and our scrumptious desserts. We are committed to providing the highest quality food and service and spare absolutely no expense when using the best local products and sustainable resources available. Our old school classic Italian food, like that offered at the finest restaurants in “Little Italy’s” across the United States. Our guarantee is to exceed your expectations.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Stuartvip
    Portland / Oregon •46 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Such a wonderful dinner! We celebrated our visiting family by taking them to one of our favorite restaurants. It was the right choice! Everything was amazing: the food, the service, the ambiance. Thanks for the perfect dinner!
    More info
    NostranaPrice: Expensive• Italian• SE Portland
    •
    4.7
  • Alexandervip
    Chicago / Illinois •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Kachka has been on my bucket list for years, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Growing up in the same Russian-Jewish community in the suburbs of Chicago as Chef Bonnie, the experience felt deeply personal—like a nostalgic trip home, but elevated in every way. The menu was not only fun but incredibly thoughtful; you can tell so much care went into curating both the dishes and the space. The service was fantastic, and I have to give a special shoutout to one of the food runners who delivered each dish with an intensity that made the experience even more memorable. My favorite part of the dinner was sampling the different flavored vodkas. The birch flavor was phenomenal and stood out as my favorite, with horseradish coming in a close second. And do not miss the apple dessert—it tasted like something my mom used to make, but somehow even better. Kachka is everything I hoped it would be and more. I can’t wait to come back!
    More info
    KachkaPrice: Expensive• Eastern European• SE Portland
    •
    4.9
  • Jonivip
    San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    I love le pigeon - it was one of the main reasons why I chose Portland for our family vacation
    More info
    Le PigeonPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• SE Portland
    •
    4.8
  • michaelvip
    Seattle / Eastern Washington •10 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 22 Nov 2024
    This place is diamond in the rough. Excellent food and wonderful service I’m going back soon
    More info
    Il TerrazzoPrice: Moderate• Italian• SW Portland
    •
    4.6
  • Therese
    Tampa / Central Florida West •60 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 12 Sept 2024
    Great drinks, food was served quickly and server was good!
    More info
    Proof•ReaderPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
    •
    4.2

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