Portland Special Occasion Destinations for Any Budget

From kid’s birthday party to anniversary dinner

by Michelle Lopez@hummingbirdhigh Aug 29, 2018, 10:42am PDT

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Ava Gene’s

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by Michelle Lopez@hummingbirdhigh Aug 29, 2018, 10:42am PDT

One of the best things about Portland’s dining scene is how unapologetically democratic it is — you can find good food literally everywhere: restaurants that serve bank-breaking tasting menus, random pop-ups from upstarting chefs, humble food carts, and dank and dirty dive bars. As a result, finding a restaurant for the big graduation dinner, anniversary date, or retirement party is relatively manageable regardless of price-point or neighborhood. We’ve rounded up our favorite places to celebrate on any budget, whether you’re looking to impress a hot date with a big blowout dinner or you’re tight on cash but want to get rowdy with a group of friends.

(Note: The points on this guide are not ranked; rather, they’re organized geographically.)

Pok Pok NW

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If you’re hosting food-minded out-of-towners, don’t be surprised if you end up at classic Portland dining behemoth Pok Pok. Don’t panic — despite the crazy crowds and lines, the food is still as good as you remember. The trick is to go to Pok Pok NW, which isn’t quite as touristy as the original SE Division location and, best of all, takes reservations for parties of 6 or fewer. To really celebrate, be sure to take advantage of their cocktail menu with drinks that feature their iconic drinking vinegars, Thai spices, and coconut milk.

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1639 NW Marshall St, Portland, OR 97209

(971) 351-1946

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OX Restaurant

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If you’re the kind of person who celebrates with a hearty, high-quality steak, Argentinean steakhouse Ox is definitely the place to go. Considered one of Portland’s best steakhouses, Ox offers a variety of cuts and sides like empanadas, wood-fired vegetables, and the famous bone marrow clam chowder. The restaurant only takes reservations for parties over six, so get there early and don’t be surprised if you end up waiting at the bar next door.

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2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212

(503) 284-3366

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Le Pigeon

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Le Pigeon, the home of opulent treats like foie gras profiteroles and beef cheek bourguignon, is perhaps Portland’s quintessential French restaurant — though now it has strayed far from France. Within James Beard winning chef Gabriel Rucker’s tasting menu, foie may appear in fajitas and pigeon may come confit in rangoon; still, this tiny Burnside institution is essential for romantic special occasions, a go-to for proposal dinners or big-deal anniversaries. Make sure to spring for a bottle of wine or pairings — co-owner Andy Fortgang is a wine-world legend for a reason.

738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

(503) 546-8796

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Bar Casa Vale

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If you’re looking to celebrate with tapas and pinxtos and a big group of friends and family, Bar Casa Vale is the perfect spot: It is one of the larger tapas bars in the city, complete with a killer happy hour and a side patio perfect for group dining. Both the alcohol and food menus are on the larger side, with a variety of dishes that will satisfy a wide-range of tastes and dietary restrictions. Standouts include the albacore crudo, beef tartare, burger, and of course, sangria.

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215 SE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

(503) 477-9081

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Look Inside Nate Tilden’s Bar Casa Vale, Opening Saturday

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Kachka

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With its old-fashioned Soviet decor in a bright and modern space, Kachka is still one of the most fun places to celebrate with oh, so much vodka. To kick off a rowdy night, order a vodka flight, several plates of Russian dumplings like pelmeni and vareniki, and the Ruskie Zakuski Experience, which will cover your table with small plates of cured dish, tartares, and more.

960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

(503) 235-0059

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Castagna Restaurant

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For classic fine dining, Castagna is the restaurant worth shelling out for. Though the interior of the restaurant feels a little quiet and muted, Chef Justin Woodward’s stellar tasting menu is the complete opposite: bold and inventive, featuring a wide range of culinary techniques resulting in little works of art on every plate. Be warned that the prices here are some of the most expensive in the city, though you still have the option to choose between the lower-end $55 weekday menu, a mid-range $100 menu, and the most expensive $165 full chef’s tasting menu (alcohol pairings not included).

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1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

(503) 231-7373

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Reel M Inn

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Reel M’ Inn is where you go when you’re broke as sin but still want to celebrate a birthday with something, anything. A neighborhood bar on SE Division, Reel M’Inn is sticky, greasy, and everything a dive bar should be. But folks don’t come here for the atmosphere; they come for the cheap drinks and fried chicken many see as the best in the city — rumor has it that celebrity chef Sean Brock allegedly based his James Beard-winning recipe on it.

2430 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

(503) 231-3880

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Langbaan

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Scoring a reservation at Langbaan is a special occasion in itself; the waitlist for this pricey prix fixe dinner is still around six months long. If you’re lucky enough to snag a reservation, prepare to feel inducted into what feels like a secret society of Portland’s food scene: Langbaan is “hidden” in an intimate space at the back of their sister restaurant, Paadee, with a unique menu that features flavors and intricate dishes from lesser-known regions of Thailand.

6 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

(971) 344-2564

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Beast

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Beast is the place to drop some serious cash for an intimate meal with impeccable service. The menu is prix-fixe only and one of the spendier meals in the city, but chef Naomi Pomeroy’s culinary creativity makes the dinner seem like a bargain. Be sure to request a seat with a view of the open kitchen to watch the team at work.

5425 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

(503) 841-6968

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Expatriate

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Expatriate is a swanky, slightly-elevated neighborhood bar with an impressive liquor selection and a record turntable to boot. Kyle Webster’s cocktails, although pricey, feature well-balanced flavors and unusual pairings perfect to celebrate any occasion. Don’t miss the food either — Naomi Pomeroy may be her most playful on the Expatriate menu, serving up casual bar snacks like Laotian Tacos and Rice Waffle and Hot Fried Chicken strips.

5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

(503) 867-5309

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The bar at Expatriate has an ornate gold mirror.

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Urdaneta

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A blend of a hip tapas bar and a cozy cocktail bar, Urdaneta evokes the festive pintxo shops of San Sebastian. Pick a bottle from its eyebrow-raising wine list; if you’re feeling especially jolly, you can even opt for a vermouth flight. Be sure to get a selection of small bites and the grilled cheese and gazpacho, an inventive take on a nostalgic favorite. It’s probably best to keep your group smaller and more intimate in this tiny Basque restaurant.

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3033 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

(503) 288-1990

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Ava Gene's

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The best way to celebrate any special occasion is with a lot of carbs like bread and pasta, and no place does bread and pasta better than Ava Gene’s. The vibe here is slightly elevated yet casual, and you’ll see a wide set of diners ranging from awkward first dates to families enjoying a night out together. For the best experience, stick to the Fritti, Pane, Giardini, and Primi sections of the menu, all full of the breads, pastas, and inventive combinations of vegetables that Chef Joshua McFadden is best known for.

3377 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202

(971) 229-0571

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Pizza Jerk

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Pizza Jerk will instantly bring you back to the ‘80s pizza parlors of your childhood, complete with plastic checkered tablecloths and peeling leather booths. It’s a great space for big groups with kids, especially if you can take advantage of the large outdoor patio. The pizzas impress with a thin and crispy crust and high-quality toppings — for a good time, be sure to order a boozy slushie and the It’s Always Sunny in Cully pie, topped with pepperoni, hot peppers, basil, pineapple, and hot honey.

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5028 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR 97218

(503) 284-9333

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K-Town Korean BBQ Restaurant

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Korean barbecue has always been a fun, interactive dining experience and is one of the best ways to eat lots of juicy, tasty meat on a budget. At K-Town Korean BBQ, the interior is a bit like going to an Asian dance club, with lots of blue and purple neon lights, smoke and haze from the barbecue grills, and K-pop blasting on the stereo. Bring a group of friends, order glasses of soju and Korean beer, and pick your meats — just be sure to get there early, especially on the weekend.