These Are The Seafood Restaurants In Portland, Oregon, Everyone Is Talking About
The Pacific Northwest knows its way around a tide chart, and Portland, Oregon, proves it with seafood that feels pulled straight from cold, misty waters.
Step inside these kitchens and you’ll hear oyster shells tapping on marble, smell grilled salmon drifting across candlelit rooms, and see chefs treating every fillet like a small ceremony.
These are the places locals whisper about, the ones travelers bookmark, and the ones that make a simple weeknight dinner feel like a waterfront adventure.
1. Jake’s Famous Crawfish
Walk through the doors of Jake’s, and it feels like Portland is letting you in on its favorite old secret. Dark wood, polished brass, and servers who’ve carried plates of Dungeness crab longer than some diners have been alive.
The room buzzes with happy hour chatter, salmon specials glide past your shoulder, and that first spoonful of cioppino tastes like a tribute to a century of tradition.
I still remember my first visit here after a rainy afternoon walk, when the warmth of the dining room felt like a hug.
2. Dan & Louis Oyster Bar
Slip into this century-old oyster house, and the city outside softens. Stained-glass windows glow gold, chowder cups steam up their surface, and trays of freshly shucked Oregon oysters settle onto cold marble like jewelry.
Locals know the hours shift midweek, but no one minds because the feast is worth planning around.
Every visit feels like stepping back in time, when oyster bars ruled the waterfront and Portland was just beginning to find its culinary voice.
3. Southpark Seafood
In the heart of downtown, Southpark feels alive from the moment you step in. The raw bar glistens under soft lights as oysters are shucked with practiced ease, while roasted fish and crudo arrive with a modern touch that still honors Portland’s roots.
Even on quiet nights, it feels like the kind of place where something good is always coming out of the kitchen.
The energy here strikes a perfect balance between polished and welcoming, making it ideal for both special occasions and spontaneous weeknight dinners.
4. Flying Fish Company
Part market, part restaurant, all heart. Flying Fish pulls you in with its chalkboard menus and the smell of salmon hitting cast iron.
Up front, the cases shine with fresh catch while in back, guests gather around oysters like old friends. Order the grilled fish and listen to the sizzle, that’s the sound of a spot that’s earned its fanbase.
I once chatted with the fishmonger for twenty minutes about rockfish varieties, and that kind of passion shows up on every plate they serve.
5. Cabezon
Cabezon feels like that little seafood bistro you hope to find in every city but rarely do. The dining room glows softly, and the chalkboard menu reads like a love letter to whatever the boats brought in that week.
Their cioppino arrives aromatic and overflowing, the kind of dish you lean into and remember long after the bowl is empty.
On a chilly Tuesday last winter, I sat at the bar and watched the chef work magic with halibut that had arrived that morning, turning simple ingredients into poetry.
6. Jacqueline
There’s mischief and magic in the air at Jacqueline. The room is playful, the oysters are piled high during happy hour, and the plates, modern, bright, and Pacific Northwest to the core, feel crafted by someone who wants seafood to have fun again.
Since the move to SE Clinton, the energy somehow got even better. The creativity here never overshadows the quality of the seafood itself, which is a rare balance to strike in a city full of ambitious kitchens trying too hard to impress.
7. Salty’s on the Columbia
The river steals the show here. Sunlight flickers across the Columbia as towering seafood platters arrive like edible architecture.
Sundays turn indulgent with a buffet locals swear by, and it’s the kind of place where a simple meal becomes a memory the moment you look out the window.
I took my parents here for their anniversary, and watching the boats drift past while cracking crab legs felt like the perfect Portland afternoon.
The views alone are worth the drive to NE Marine Drive.
8. The Fishwife Restaurant
Out in St. Johns sits a throwback spot where seafood comes unpretentious and perfect. Fried oysters crackle when you bite, rockfish arrives golden, and the chowder warms you in that nostalgic, road-trip-to-the-coast kind of way.
It’s homey, dependable, and exactly what you hope a neighborhood seafood house will be.
The staff remembers your name after just a couple of visits, and the menu stays true to classic preparations that let the freshness of the fish shine through without unnecessary fuss.
9. Portland Fish Market & Fish-and-Chips Window
Some days you want something simple and unforgettable, and that’s exactly what this market delivers.
Fresh fish practically gleam on ice, while out the side window, paper boxes of crisp, flaky fish-and-chips are handed over to delighted customers.
It’s Portland’s version of a seaside stand, only you’re a short walk from Woodstock Boulevard.
The beauty of this place is how it refuses to overcomplicate things, letting quality ingredients and straightforward cooking do all the talking without any pretense.
10. King Tide Fish & Shell
Perched along the Willamette, King Tide rewards you with quiet river views and a menu that gives seafood its full moment.
Ceviche glows bright with lime, whole-grilled fish comes smoky and tender, and the two-dollar oyster hour pulls in a lively crowd.
Brunch on the weekend feels downright celebratory. I love grabbing a seat on the patio when the weather cooperates, watching kayakers glide past while digging into perfectly prepared halibut that tastes like summer on a plate.
11. Bamboo Sushi
Sustainable, sleek, and always buzzing, Bamboo Sushi proves that great seafood doesn’t need to be complicated.
The nigiri is pristine, the rolls are inventive without being showy, and the afternoon happy hour draws both locals and travelers.
If you want sushi that captures the spirit of Portland’s eco-minded palate, this is your stop.
The commitment to sustainability here isn’t just a marketing angle; it’s woven into every decision, from sourcing to plating, making each bite feel responsible and delicious.