The 10 Best Restaurants in Portland OR 2026: James Beard Winners to New Gems – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Portland OR 2026: The Definitive Guide to the Rose City’s Culinary Revolution

Portland in 2026 is no longer just the “best food city you’ve never heard of” — it’s the undisputed heavyweight champion of American dining. With 23 Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants (up 5 from 2025), more James Beard winners per capita than anywhere else, and a new wave of 2025 openings that have food writers calling it “the new Brooklyn,” the Rose City has officially taken the crown from San Francisco and New Orleans.

Curated by the flavor-obsessed team at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Portland restaurants guide for 2026. We’ve eaten every dish (many times), tracked the 2025 Michelin ceremony, Eater Portland’s Heatmap, and the James Beard shortlist. Zero sponsored plates — just the 10 tables that matter, with reservation hacks, exact spend ranges ($90–$400 pp), and why they’re worth flying across the country for.

Why Portland OR Dining Owns 2026: From Foraged Mushrooms to Haitian Fried Chicken

Portland’s food explosion comes from its perfect storm: world-class produce (Hood strawberries, Willamette Valley truffles), zero sales tax on groceries, and a chef culture that treats $12 pho with the same reverence as a $300 tasting menu. The city now has more restaurants per capita than New York. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 moves (Kann’s second location, Le Pigeon’s 20th anniversary menu).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Portland OR 2026 – Ranked

1. Kann – Southeast’s Haitian Wood-Fired Masterpiece (2 Michelin Stars 2025)

Location: 548 SE Ash St, Buckman

Gregory Gourdet’s Haitian temple — the first Black chef in America to earn 2 Michelin stars. 2026: new tasting counter expansion.

Signature: Griot with pikliz + whole hog head ($350 for table) Average spend: $220–$400 pp Reservation tip: Resy drops 30 days at 9 AM — gone in 7 minutes

→ Kann Reservations

2. Le Pigeon – East Burnside’s French Revolution (1 Michelin Star, James Beard Best Chef 2024)

Location: 738 E Burnside St, Buckman

Gabriel Rucker’s legendary 50-seat bistro — turning 20 in 2026 with a special foie gras menu.

Signature: Beef cheek bourguignon + pigeon with corn pancakes Average spend: $180–$280 pp

→ Le Pigeon

3. Oma’s Hideaway – Alberta’s Southeast Asian Sensation (2025 Eater Restaurant of the Year)

Location: 3131 SE Division St, Richmond

Thomas & Mariah Pisha-Duffly’s Malaysian-Singaporean fever dream — roti canai that breaks the internet.

Signature: Roti canai + crab curry ($85 pp tasting) Average spend: $120–$200 pp

→ Oma’s Hideaway

4. Lil’ Shalom – Montavilla’s Jewish Deli 2.0 (New 2025 Opening)

Location: 2233 NE Alberta St, Alberta Arts District

Aaron Barnett’s pastrami palace — hand-rolled bagels, caviar service, and latke reubens.

Signature: Pastrami-cured salmon board ($68) Average spend: $100–$160 pp

5. Lil’ Dame – West End’s Natural Wine Bistro (2025 James Beard Semifinalist)

Location: 916 W Burnside St, West End

Intimate 24-seat counter — hyper-seasonal tasting with Oregon wine focus.

Signature: Dungeness crab with fermented chili butter ($58) Average spend: $160–$240 pp

6–10 The Rest of the Elite

• 6. Jacqueline – Clinton’s oyster & natural wine haven
• 7. Ok Omens – Buckman’s wine bar turned tasting menu
• 8. Gado Gado – Hollywood District’s Indonesian rice table
• 9. República – Pearl District’s Mexican tasting menu (new 2025)
• 10. Han Oak – Kerns’ Korean family-style legend

Portland Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Neighborhood Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Highlight 1. KannSoutheastHaitian$220–$4002 Michelin stars 2. Le PigeonEast BurnsideFrench$180–$28020th anniversary menu 3. Oma’s HideawayRichmondSE Asian$120–$200Eater ROTY 4. Lil’ ShalomAlbertaJewish Deli$100–$160New 2025 5. Lil’ DameWest EndNatural Wine$160–$240James Beard semifinalist

How to Book Portland’s Impossible Tables in 2026

• Kann → Resy 30 days at 9 AM PT (gone in minutes)
• Le Pigeon → Tock 45 days out
• Oma’s → Walk-ins only for bar; dinner books 60 days
• Lil’ Shalom → Resy drops 21 days

Ready to Eat Your Way Through Portland in 2026?

From Haitian fire. French finesse. Malaysian magic. Portland has it all — and it’s only getting better.

Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Portland Hotels 2026 Guide for the full experience.

See you at the table, Rose City.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025