Portland’s Top Restaurant Standbys in 2018

As the year comes to a close, Eater sites across the globe are tipping hats to all of 2018’s restaurant memories, meals, and surprises. Here in Portland, we asked some of the city’s best fed about their favorite standbys in the local food scene. From a creative Korean restaurant to a fried-chicken-hawking dive bar, these are the restaurants that continued to please in 2018:

Michael Russell, restaurant critic for The Oregonian:
“I’m a creature of habit. Hat Yai, Stammtisch, Apizza Scholls made up the bulk of my non-expensed bills this years.”

Gary Okazaki, co-host of the podcast Walk-ins Welcome with Gary & Michael:
“Han Oak. my second home.”

Mattie John Bamman, author of Ravenous Traveler and former Eater PDX editor
“Bari Food Cart, Reel M Inn, Rose VL Deli, Park Avenue Fine Wines, Ava Gene’s, Kachka.”

Michael C Zusman, restaurant critic for Willamette Week:
“My neighborhood faves, as always: St. Jack and Ataula. Apizza Scholls, the almighty and eternal, for pizza and caesar salad. Aviary for a creative, still under-appreciated nice dinner. Ox for meat.”

Nick Woo, author of Feast Meats West and Eater PDX contributor:
“Rose VL on Saturdays for the cao lầu is basically the perfect way to start a day.”