Best Casual Restaurants in Southwest Portland

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!

We had a great time sitting at the Chef’s counter. Everything from the drinks, my wife had the Rosé and I had the Moroccan mint tea, to the incredible crispy lamb hummus with fresh hot & puffy pita, to the roasted beet salad and the lamb chops were incredible. The service was timely and the atmosphere was so lively. Really nice place to go while in Portland. Can’t wait to go back with some friends.

Everything was delicious and well paired, for example the gravy really enhanced the fried chicken rather than overpowering it or making it soggy. Mac and cheese was just the right richness and texture. Cocktail was very tasty. Presentation of everything was thoughtful. Generous portions. I was super impressed with the quality, especially for a casual come-as-you-are restaurant. Would definitely come back if we lived in Portland!

We absolutely love this place. They always take special care with my food allergies and service is always top notch. And the food is delicious!

Everything we ate was amazing and the ambiance was really fun. The service started really good but then our waiter kind of disappeared on us for long stretches, so that was a bit of a bummer. Still, would go back again in a heartbeat