Portland’s dining scene continues its remarkable run at the James Beard Awards—the Oscars of the American food world, named for the city’s own legendary chef and food writer. In recent years the Rose City has claimed national titles for Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Bakery, Outstanding Bar, and Best New Restaurant, plus a string of Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific wins.
These awards recognize excellence in food, hospitality, and innovation. Here are ten standout spots (restaurants, a bakery, and a bar) where you can taste the work of James Beard winners or the restaurants that earned the medals. Note that a couple of locations are in transition—always check current hours and reservations.
Outstanding Bar, 2026 This intimate, subterranean whisky-focused cocktail bar in Southeast Portland took home one of the night’s biggest national prizes. Owner Tommy Klus and team deliver precise, thoughtful drinks with a strong Pacific Northwest and Asian-ingredient influence in a warmly lit, bottle-lined space.
randomdrake.medium.com | Scotch Lodge
Address: 215 SE 9th Ave, Suite 102
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific, 2026 (Ryan Roadhouse) Chef Ryan Roadhouse’s Japanese omakase restaurant delivers multi-course seasonal menus that blend Pacific Northwest ingredients with refined technique. After years of nominations, Roadhouse finally took the regional chef medal in 2026.
pdx.eater.com | Nodoguro
Address: 515 SW Broadway, Suite 100
Outstanding Bakery, 2025 Kyurim “Q” Lee and Jin Caldwell’s Korean-inspired bakery earned the national Outstanding Bakery award for its exceptional croissants, entremets, and chocolates. The original North Portland location closed at the end of 2025; a new space at 3494 N Williams Ave is targeted to open in October 2026.
Outstanding Restaurant, 2024 Earl Ninsom’s Thai tasting-menu restaurant claimed one of the Beard Awards’ highest honors. Intimate, seasonal menus explore regional Thai traditions with Pacific Northwest produce. Currently operating in Northwest Portland while preparing a return to a standalone eastside space (former Bar Casa Vale) later in 2026.
langbaanportland.com | Langbaan
Current address: 1818 NW 23rd Place
Best New Restaurant, 2023 + Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific, 2024 (Gregory Gourdet) Gregory Gourdet’s wood-fired Haitian restaurant made history as America’s Best New Restaurant, then followed up with the regional chef award the next year. Expect bold, gluten-free, fire-kissed dishes celebrating Haitian flavors.
oregonlive.com | Kann
Address: 548 SE Ash St
Rising Star Chef / Best New Chef 2011 + Best Chef: Northwest 2013 (Gabriel Rucker) Gabriel Rucker’s pioneering restaurant helped put Portland on the national culinary map. Creative, often offal-forward tasting menus and a lively open kitchen remain a Portland classic more than 15 years later.
Address: 738 E Burnside St
Best Chef: Northwest 2017 (Greg Denton & Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton) The married duo’s wood-fired Argentine steakhouse still delivers the asado platters, bone-marrow clam chowder, and big flavors that earned them their medallions.
alotea.com | Ox
Address: 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific, 2023 (Vince Nguyen) After earning the regional chef award for his Vietnamese tasting-menu restaurant Berlu, Vince Nguyen transitioned fully into bakery mode. Expect inventive, often gluten- and dairy-free Vietnamese pastries and savory items at the current Belmont Street location.
Address: 661 SE Belmont St
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific, 2025 (Timothy Wastell) Timothy Wastell won the regional chef award while at Antica Terra in Amity. He has since returned to Portland and is running the kitchen at this neighborhood bistro, bringing his refined, ingredient-driven approach to a more casual setting.
Address: 3350 SE Morrison St
Best Chef: Northwest, 2002 (Greg Higgins) One of Portland’s foundational farm-to-table restaurants. Chef Greg Higgins, an early Oregon Beard winner, is planning retirement and seeking new ownership, but the restaurant remains open and continues its long commitment to local, seasonal cooking.
Address: 1239 SW Broadway
Portland’s recent streak of James Beard recognition underscores why the city ranks among America’s most exciting food destinations. Whether you’re chasing a national Outstanding Restaurant medal, a perfect croissant, or a perfectly mixed cocktail, these spots deliver the goods that impressed the country’s top culinary judges. Make reservations early—many of these tables book up weeks or months ahead.