13 Unique Restaurants in Oregon: From Belly Dancing to Dockside Dining

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Oregon’s dining scene mirrors its dramatic landscapes: coastal shacks serving just-caught Dungeness crab, Portland’s experimental farm-to-table kitchens, and Willamette Valley restaurants where estate wines meet garden-fresh ingredients.

The Columbia Gorge celebrates immigrant culinary traditions, Eastern Oregon delivers authentic ranch-to-table beef cooked over juniper, and Southern Oregon blends California flair with Pacific Northwest staples. Here are my top picks of the 13 restaurants that capture Oregon’s soul on a plate!

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re serious about wine, then you NEED to do this.🍷 I highly recommend this full-day, private wine experience through Oregon’s world-famous Willamette Valley – hosted by Carmine, a veteran winemaker with 30+ years in the game. You’ll get VIP access to four top-tier wineries (handpicked to your taste) and sit down for a chef-curated picnic lunch in the heart of wine country — all paired to perfection. This is Oregon wine country done right!

Unusual places to eat in OR

Ready to check out Oregon’s best restaurants? Join me as we explore a mix of high-end dining experiences and hidden gems scattered across this Pacific Northwest gem.

Think belly dancing performances paired with your meal at Marrakesh in Portland, offering a feast for both your taste buds and your eyes. Or, dive into the lively atmosphere of Oma’s Hideaway, where Indonesian and Asian fusion dishes meet creative cocktails. This guide is your passport to discovering the most unique restaurants in Oregon.

1. Cowboy Dinner Tree

• 📍 Location: Silver Lake (Remote Eastern Oregon)
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $60 per person (Set menu, cash only)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Old West / American / Steakhouse
• 🔥 Standout Features: Extremely remote, set menu (whole roasted chicken or massive steak), and authentic cowboy experience.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters seeking an off-grid meal, hearty meals, and a true taste of the Old West.

Saddle up for a frontier adventure at the Cowboy Dinner Tree! This legendary spot in remote Silver Lake is an experience. There’s no real menu – you choose between a whole roasted chicken or a gigantic, perfectly cooked 26-30 oz. sirloin steak.

Both come with all the fixin’s: a fresh green salad with house dressing, fluffy yeast rolls with honey butter, and a baked potato the size of your fist. It’s cash only, no frills, just incredible food in a rustic setting.

• 👉 Pro Tip: Looking for waterfalls and wine? This is the ultimate Oregon tour with iconic waterfalls, jaw-dropping Gorge views, and a wine tasting finale in the Columbia Gorge AVA. You’ll hit Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, Vista House, explore the charming town of Hood River, and wrap it all up with a relaxing vineyard stop. This tour is a must-do in Oregon in my opinion!

2. Broder Söder

• 📍 Location: Portland (Nordic Northwest Cultural Center) / Other Broder locations exist
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Scandinavian / Nordic Cafe Fare
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Scandinavian breakfast/lunch, aebleskiver, pickled herring.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Scandinavian food lovers, unique brunch/lunch experiences, cultural explorers, and fans of minimalist Nordic design.

Experience a true taste of Scandinavia at Broder Söder, charmingly located within the Nordic Northwest Cultural Center. This bright and airy cafe serves authentic Scandinavian breakfast and lunch dishes that are both delicious and beautifully presented. It’s hygge on a plate!

You should definitely try their famous aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) served with lemon curd and jam. Other popular choices include classic pickled herring with rye bread, savory smoked salmon smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), or hearty Swedish meatballs. Broder Söder offers a delightful journey.

3. Dar Essalam

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Moroccan
• 🔥 Standout Features: Moroccan decor, traditional tagines and couscous, and belly dancing.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic and exotic escape, North African flavors, and immersive cultural dining.

Prepare to be whisked away to a sultan’s palace at Dar Essalam in Portland! This place is a feast for the senses, with stunning, opulent Moroccan decor. The air is thick with the intoxicating scents of cumin, saffron, and cinnamon.

Indulging in one of their incredible tagines, slow-cooked to perfection, is essential. The lamb tagine with prunes and almonds is a flavor explosion, as is the chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives. Their fluffy couscous royale is also a highlight.

4. Eem: Thai BBQ & Cocktails

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Thai Barbecue / Isaan Thai / Tropical Cocktails
• 🔥 Standout Features: Smoky and spicy Thai BBQ and tropical cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Fans of bold Thai flavors and BBQ, cocktail enthusiasts, and a lively, trendy group dinner.

Get ready for a flavor inferno at Eem: Thai BBQ & Cocktails! This Portland hotspot brilliantly combines Texas-style BBQ with fiery Isaan Thai flavors. The air is a tantalizing mix of woodsmoke, chili, and lime.

You should definitely try their incredible white curry with brisket burnt ends – a smoky, spicy, creamy dream. The BBQ pork steak with jaew (Thai chili dipping sauce) or their spicy chicken wings are also phenomenal. Pair it all with an inventive tropical cocktail.

• 👉 Insider Tip: The Underground Donut Tour in Portland is perfect for donut lovers! You’ll taste everything from classics to crazy flavors, so come hungry and wear comfy shoes. It’s a fun way to explore Portland’s donut scene!

5. Izakaya Jinsei

• 📍 Location: Bend
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Japanese Izakaya / Sushi / Ramen
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Japanese pub fare and sushi, extensive sake list, and a modern izakaya atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Sushi and sake lovers, sharing Japanese small plates, and a vibrant, contemporary Bend dining experience.

Kanpai! Get ready for a taste of Tokyo in Bend at Izakaya Jinsei. This stylish spot brings the lively energy and delicious flavors of a Japanese izakaya (pub) to Central Oregon. The menu is packed with tempting small plates and sushi.

The black cod with miso, flaky and rich, is a must-try. Their tonkotsu ramen with tender pork belly, or a selection of fresh nigiri and sashimi, are also excellent choices. Wash it all down with something from their impressive sake selection.

• Read Next: 12 Underrated Places in Oregon That Deserve to Be on Your Bucket List

6. Screen Door Eastside

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Southern / Soul Food / Brunch
• 🔥 Standout Features: Fried chicken and waffles and Southern hospitality.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch fanatics and Southern comfort food.

If you’re looking for a brunch that will change your life, get yourself to Screen Door Eastside in Portland! This place is a Southern food mecca, famous for its absolutely legendary fried chicken and sweet potato waffles – a crispy, savory, sweet masterpiece.

The aroma of frying chicken and baking biscuits is pure heaven. Don’t miss their creamy shrimp and grits with tasso ham gravy, or their fluffy buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy. Be prepared to wait, but every single bite is worth it.

7. Oma’s Hideaway

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Malaysian / Singaporean / Asian Fusion
• 🔥 Standout Features: Funky, retro-tropical decor, Southeast Asian street food-inspired dishes, and creative cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters seeking unique Asian flavors, group dinners, and a tropical “grandma’s” cooking.

Get ready for a flavor-packed trip at Oma’s Hideaway! This Portland hotspot serves incredibly vibrant Malaysian and Singaporean-inspired street food in a super fun, retro-tropical setting. The air is fragrant with lemongrass, chili, and coconut.

You should definitely try their amazing char siu roti (flaky flatbread with sweet BBQ pork). The rich and savory beef rendang (slow-cooked coconut curry), or their popular roti canai with curry dipping sauce, are also fantastic. Their playful cocktails are a must.

8. Local Ocean Seafoods

• 📍 Location: Newport
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood / Pacific Northwest
• 🔥 Standout Features: Dockside restaurant and fish market, fresh and locally sourced Oregon seafood, and Yaquina Bay views.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Seafood purists, fresh-off-the-boat catches, and an Oregon coast dining experience.

It doesn’t get any fresher than Local Ocean Seafoods in Newport! This gem is perched right on the docks of Yaquina Bay, offering stunning views and serving seafood that practically jumps from the boat onto your plate. You can even buy fresh fish from their market.

Trying their incredible Dungeness crab, simply prepared to let its sweetness shine, is essential. Whatever the fresh catch of the day happens to be, grilled to perfection, or their classic fish and chips made with local rockfish, are also excellent choices.

9. The Cozy Taberna

• 📍 Location: Salem
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Spanish Tapas / Wine Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Spanish tapas and pintxos, extensive Spanish wine list, intimate neighborhood vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Small plates sharing, Spanish wine enthusiasts, and a relaxed evening.

¡Salud! Get ready for a taste of Spain at The Cozy Taberna. This charming Salem neighborhood spot is all about authentic Spanish tapas and pintxos, perfect for sharing with friends over a good bottle of wine. The aroma of garlic and cured meats fills the intimate space.

You should try their classic patatas bravas, crispy and spicy. The delicious gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), or a selection of their Spanish cheeses and charcuterie, like Manchego and Serrano ham, are also fantastic. It’s perfect for a relaxed evening.

10. Han Oak

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $100+ per person (Often set menu/prix fixe)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern Korean / Family Style
• 🔥 Standout Features: Backyard courtyard dining, creative and refined Korean dishes, communal feel.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Personal dining experience and modern Korean cuisine.

Prepare for a Korean dining experience unlike any other at Han Oak. This isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an invitation into Chef Peter Cho’s family home, where you dine in a beautifully designed backyard courtyard. They offer incredible, family-style modern Korean set menus.

The dumplings (mandu) are always a highlight, delicate and flavorful. The ssam board with various grilled meats like pork belly or short ribs, served with fresh lettuce wraps and an array of banchan, is a flavor explosion. Reservations are essential.

11. Kachka

• 📍 Location: Portland
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Russian / Eastern European
• 🔥 Standout Features: Russian cuisine with modern touches, extensive vodka selection (including horseradish vodka!), retro-Soviet vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Exploring Russian flavors beyond the stereotypes, vodka enthusiasts, and a fun, unique cultural dining experience.

Na Zdorovie! Get ready for a delicious dive into Russian cuisine at Kachka! This acclaimed Portland restaurant serves incredible, authentic Russian dishes with a modern sensibility, all in a super cool, retro-Soviet chic setting. The air is filled with dill and dumplings.

Trying their amazing pelmeni (Siberian meat dumplings) served with butter and vinegar is a must. The “Herring Under a Fur Coat” (a layered salad classic), or their savory blini with smoked salmon and smetana, are also essential. Don’t skip the vodka service!

12. Marrakesh

Marrakesh in Portland is one of the most unusual restaurants in Oregon, hands down. You’re in for both a show and a meal, with belly dancing as the cherry on top. At about $30 per person, it’s an absolute steal for the full experience you get on your perfect Portland night out.

I’ve had the pleasure of dining there, and it’s an experience you don’t want to miss. Opting to sit low to the floor truly immerses you in the Moroccan dining tradition. From the flavors to the presentation, everything about Marrakesh is designed to delight and engage your senses. Try the chicken tagine – it’s delicious!

If you’re in Portland and looking for a dinner spot that’s fun, unique, and gives you a whole lot of bang for your buck, Marrakesh is where it’s at. Trust me, it’s a full-on experience that’ll make your night, all while surrounded by Oregon’s breathtaking beauty.

• Read Next: 12 MUST DO Things in Portland at Night

13. Oberon’s Restaurant and Bar

Step out of Ashland and into a Shakespearean fantasy at Oberon’s. This whimsical tavern, inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” feels like a magical forest with its enchanting, tree-like decor. It’s the essential pre- or post-theater stop for fantasy lovers.

Beyond the incredible ambiance, Oberon’s boasts a massive whiskey collection and pours plenty of mead. Don’t miss their legendary Scotch Egg or the perfectly crisp Fish & Chips. It’s not just a meal; it’s an escape into a lively, enchanted world, making it a uniquely Southern Oregon experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the quirkiest restaurants in Oregon

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Oregon? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Oregon’s most unique restaurants.

What foods is Oregon famous for?

Oregon is known for its incredible array of foods. This includes marionberries, hazelnuts, truffles, and fresh seafood like salmon and Dungeness crab. It’s a feast for food lovers!

What city in Oregon has the best food?

When it comes to the best food in Oregon, Portland often steals the spotlight. Its diverse culinary scene offers everything from food trucks to fine dining, making it one of the best places to live and visit in the Pacific Northwest.

Is Oregon known for blueberries?

Yes, Oregon is known for blueberries! The state’s climate is perfect for growing these juicy, flavorful berries. They’re a staple at local markets.

Is Portland a foodie city?

Definitely, Portland is a foodie city. Its innovative restaurants, food carts, and love for local ingredients make it a paradise for anyone who loves to eat and explore new flavors, making it one of the top places to live and visit in Oregon.