The Tastiest Pubs in Portland

Whistle Stop Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (76) • $

"Our visit at the Whistle Stop was spontaneous; we'd seen it from the road while headed up to the Skyway for dinner, thought it looked quaint, and decided to pull in and check it out, on the way home.It's a little on the dive-y side, but has touches of charm throughout. Our server was a little timid, yet very friendly, attentive, and efficient. My wife ordered an off-menu cocktail (something akin to a hot toddy), which they were able to assemble to reasonable accuracy; most other dive bars we've visited are missing one or more vital ingredients to make this happen, so kudos for them!The outdoor patio was cute, and heated, but we'd had enough of the cold and wet, so we remained inside. We weren't hungry, but I glanced at the orders of nearby patrons, and noted that the food seemed decent, with hearty portions and very reasonable prices. Seems like most of the Sunday night guests were locals, unsurprisingly, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, so I imagine this pub is a local favorite.The Whistle Stop does enough things correctly, that they've earned the right to toot their own horn...err...whistle."

Cats Paw Saloon

★★★★☆ 4 (49) • $$

Ankeny Tap & Table

★★★★☆ 4.4 (214) • $$

"I likely would not have found this place on my own. I am not in this area often and this is a true hidden gem - especially the amount of space they have between the inside and outside. We took over the outer patio area for my friend's birthday gathering and it holds quite a crowd with a very open fee yet not open to the street and tucked back. I was planned to just drop by but then I met a bunch of fabulous people, was bought a drink - how can I refuse. I had their Pretty in Pink which they normally make with gin. This was vodka with Elderflower liquor, grapefruit juice and sparkling rose.... Orange rind - delicious! Here's the thing Portland bars - what is with the gin craze? I can't be mad at it - I just wonder what happened during lock down that everyone came out of the gate drinking gin... Sorry kids but I am a vodka gal and with that said ... the Pretty in Pink is delicious with vodka but probably delicious with gin too. Their food looked pretty great but I had just eaten so I will have to go back since their menu looks pretty great. This is a happening part of town so fair warning about the parking situation - maybe you could bike or ride a thing."

Duffys Irish Pub

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (67) • $$

"Duffy's has been a downtown Milwaukie staple for years. From it's famous "train beers," to it's Irish honoring music (especially during the non-pandemic monthly performance or award winning artist Darby O'Gill), to its solid selection of food and drinks, Duffy's is a great go to local bar and pub. Their karaoke is phenomenal as well, as is their poker nights. Get the chicken wrap, pictured below. It is incredibly good."

10 Barrel Brewing Portland

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"Got some good beers and okay food at this brewery in the Pearl District. It has plenty of room inside but still gets packed full. 10 Barrel has the original location in Bend in addition to this one in Portland. Has the same good beers. The food isn't as impressive, and the service can be slow it seems. Best things here are the beers of course. It's certainly better than the food. That's not saying the food is bad though. Has a good variety to choose from. It's about $7 a pint. That's okay for being a craft brewery and the quality. Best one of these we had was the Neptune High. This is a West Coast IPA that's dank with pine notes that's also tropical. Has a pretty okay food menu. It's about $6 for the House Starter Salad. Basic but it's got the expected carrots, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. There's a lot of burgers, including one with an Impossible patty. Besides that there's also the usual stuff that's fried. The service was kind of slow, so we didn't order a whole lot of things. Has lots of good beers to choose from. It's located on NW Flanders Street. The food has plenty for both meat eaters and vegetarians."

The Sundown Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (81) • $

The Ship Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (68) • $

Barlow Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.8 (84) • $

"Had brunch at the Barlow Tavern today for the first time and was very pleased with the results. I can't believe I didn't try this sooner as I am only a couple blocks away.I had the huevos rancheros and took the cooks advice with getting my eggs sunnyside up. The egg yoke mixing in with the salsa, sour , and black beans was delicious. I also tried their bloody mary and enjoyed that as well. If you like your mary on the spicer side you should for sure get the jalapeno infused vodka. They have patio seating out front and also in back. The only thing I could do without are the creepy taxidermy animals that peer down on you from the walls. I will absolutely be back again.Thanks Barlow, you make a great addition to the neighborhood!"

Leipzig Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.5 (13) • $$

"The spouse and I decided to try Gino's for our anniversary. Normally we opt for something a little more special, but with the Sellwood Bridge closed on a Friday night, we didn't want to broach the trip downtown. There was a bit of a wait since they don't take reservations for small parties, but the pleasant hostess took our name and said she would call us. We took a seat at the beautiful carved wood bar. They have an amazing wine list, but sadly only a few options by the glass. I ordered the one Pinot noir that they had at $11 a glass. I'm not sure what I got, but it wasn't a Pinot and it was almost undrinkable. It showed up on my bill at $9.00. As we were waiting to be called for our table, we saw another couple walk in and be seated immediately at a prime table. Not too cool. My husband went to inquire and was told by the hostess that she had called our name and someone came up, so she seated them. She apologized profusely and seated us at the next available table, but it was not one of the intimate tables the other couple was seated at. It was in the main dining room squeezed in between a couple of other tables. We were immediately told that they were out of the black cod special, which was really a shame, because based on the description, it's exactly what I would have ordered. Instead I ordered the cioppino. Oddly, it's served over pasta, which I don't eat. I asked the server if I could have it over veggies instead. She said, "how about I skip the pasta and bring you a side of veggies? Then you can do what you want." Perfect. The veggies were amazing - beautifully roasted but with no oil. The only surprise was the $6 charge on the bill when I thought I was getting a straight swap. The cioppino was quite tasty and did not suffer for lack of pasta. It was primarily clams and mussels. The bay scallops did not add anything, but the two good-sized shrimp were nice. There was a nice tomato-y, fishy, garlicky balance. I asked for a club soda, which they also charged for. Only about 15% of places charge for club soda. The spouse had the putenesca, which was well-balanced and briny. We shared tiramisu for dessert. It was good, but nothing special. They did nothing on plating or presentation except to scoop it and drop it on the table. Overall, we will be back for a great atmosphere and good food, but I could do without the nickel and diming. Our bill ended up at $66 for two entrees, one glass of wine, one beer, and a split dessert."

Concordia Ale House

★★★★☆ 3.5 (170) • $$

The Muddy Rudder Public House

★★★★☆ 4 (250) • $$

Bear Paw Inn

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (76) • $

"It's a dive bar, right? So my review and rating is based on the fact that it's a dive bar and I knew it was a dive bar before I walked in. These one star reviews because people don't like the place because it's a dive bar tend to irritate me. When I go to a Chinese restaurant I'd don't write a one star review because they don't have a veggie taco item on the menu. So when a dive bar turns out to be a dive bar experience exactly what were you expecting?First time I went in there I thought it was an Irish bar due to the O'Briens sign out front. I'm OFD and Irish bars are legendary for having great food, cold beer and "colorful" clientele. This place is not much like the typical Irish pub. Not a complaint, just a statement of fact.Good place to drop in for a brew. There are waaaay better pizza options in town but as others have commented, the scent of a pie in the oven does make you want one if you show up hungry.This is not a Biker dive bar and I am always easily twice the age of the next oldest patron in the place. The Brooklyn district is an interesting and very diverse area of town. I don't have a lot in common with most of the residents (and I'm sure it's visa versa) but from my limited experience over that way they mostly seem like nice, friendly people. I patronize several businesses over that way and I do like it over there. Way better than my own neighborhood which is mostly pretentious stuffed shirt yuppies and more money than brains geezers. Suffice it to say that I don't generally engage people in conversation when I'm in a bar but the patrons there seem like they are probably ok. Staff has always been fine but again, it's a dive bar so a friendly, helpful, efficient babe tending bar is a plus, not an expectation.I'm not really a darts/pool guy but they have all of the usual dive bar accouterments there if that's what you're looking for. As for me, I'm happy sitting quietly looking out the window and enjoying a cold Colorado koolaid. It's dark and can be noisy but it is what it is.Ample parking especially if you show up on a motorcycle and so far no one has said anything to me when I park my Harley up on the sidewalk close to the front door."

Bullseye Pub

★★★★☆ 4.1 (123) • $

"Bullseye is the best local watering hole. My husband and I joke that all of our best life decisions are discussed here. Bullseye is a great spot for a burger, patty melt, turkey melt (my 3 faves) and a beer! They always have a great tap list, especially for IPAs. The service is good for both locals and newbies. Seating can be difficult since there's only a handful of booths but sitting outside is very nice in the warmer months. No minors at any time. This is a bummer now that we have little ones but now we just make an extra effort to visit when the kids are at daycare or with a sitter."

Gateway Pub

★★★★☆ 4.4 (24) • $

Parkside

★★★★★ 4.8 (79) • $$

"I love my little neighborhood bar. Not only is it quaint and cozy the food is outstanding. The tuna melt skirt leaves you wanting to come back for it again and.again. They have cute stalls out front. Welcome dogs. Have games and a welcoming atmosphere. Definitely a jewel in kenton."

Tabor Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 (675) • $$

"I really DO recommend the Tabor tavern!Literally down the street from an airbnb I frequent in PDX. The first time I was there, I passed by multiple times, observing locals enjoying their meals outside and inside, but never stopped in.This past trip, when hungry and looking for something easy, we walked right over and were seated immediately. We got there at 5:40, JUST missing their happy hour, which looks pretty excellent. On the other hand, I ordered the kale caesar and my husband got the burger and we both enjoyed our meals tremendously. Fresh ingredients and skilled execution coming out of the kitchen.The other thing I REALLY like about the Tabor Tavern, something I wish were true where I live on the East Coast is that this is a true neighborhood spot. On the East coast, an establishment may be described as a "neighborhood" spot in the vibe they are trying to grow with their customers. The Tabor Tavern is actually embedded in a neighborhood, with not much else around. The realness of that is appreciated!"

Bar of the Gods

★★★★☆ 4.1 (201) • $

"Pretty interesting dive bar with concepts of gods and goddesses. This place can be quite loud but for a dive bar, it is not really rowdy or dirty - most things are well maintained and clean, aside from the intended grungy ambience. I personally got the strawberry margarita slush and it was solid for $8 before tip. I couldn't even finish it, and I can drink a lot of alcohol! The culprit could be the drink is grossly sweet, but I still enjoyed the vibes of the bar. There is a pool table and a bunch of arcades inside if you wish to partake. Maybe coming a bit later at night may be busier and you can socialize, but we mostly chilled and got a quick drink before our next stop."

The Lodge Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.2 (62) • $

"We usually meet a large group of our running friends here and always have a wonderful time - last weekend Michael and I came here because I had a hankering for their corn beef hash. It is so good that some days I wake up craving it or sometimes I just crave it for weeks and finally get to satisfy my craving. The bloody Mary's are fantastic the corn beef hash is some of the best I've had. I ordered a biscuit in lieu of toast and it is a mighty fine biscuit! Inside they have a jukebox that you can control with your phone using the Touchtone app, The Lodge also has darts, a pool table and video games. They also have a huge patio and more outdoor tables on the west side of the building. It's a laid-back local watering hole serving American eats with a great atmosphere and is fabulous for large groups!"

Pub 212

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (30) • $

"Great Food!Friendly Staff!Casual Atmosphere!Support Local!We recently moved to the area and we've been checking out the local food spots. We wandered into Pub 212 for dinner on a weeknight. We sat ourselves in the bar and our friendly server brought menus over and gave us a few minutes to check them out. We asked a few questions and got some recommendations, ordered drinks and food and then played some slots while we waited. We chose a chicken sandwich and a French dip. Both were very good! The hubby tried the soup, chicken and rice, and really enjoyed that too. Of course there's a full bar. The Bloody Mary was delicious and they have a great list of beers to choose from. They offer daily special but I don't know them all yet. We'll be back to find out. The pub is split in 2 with the bar in back and family dining at the entrance. It appears clean and nicely kept. It's a little dim inside but I prefer that over blaring lights in my face. The parking lot is narrow but spread out a distance with other businesses in the complex. It wasn't difficult to find a spot. Busier, weekend days might make the lot more crowded. We'll be back soon to check out more of the menu."

Chester's Pub

★★★★☆ 4.2 (27)

White Eagle Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.7 (191) • $$

"If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of the McMenamin's properties. I've got the passport and everything, and visit the one near my house pretty regularly (the Elks Temple!) During a recent trip to Portland, my boyfriend made a point to make sure we stopped here so I could see it! If you're a passport holder, make sure to bust it out for your stamp and a free appetizer. We are ROOOOKIESSS and forgot our passports at home in Washington, so now we gotta come back again. ;) We just stopped by for lunch, but this has to be on of my favorite McMenamin's bars! Just like the others, it's dark and has a very chill vibe. Lots of music centric memorabilia on the walls, but the back wall is my favorite (see my photo!) White Eagle Saloon has a hotel attached that I'd love to stay at for a night, but I've heard it's very no-frills. But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't want to drink the night away here and just stumble upstairs for convenience.White Eagle Saloon also does live music every night which is fun. Also, did you know this is apparently the most haunted building Portland?? All of that and I still haven't mentioned the food. I've noticed the Dilly Tuna Sandwich on the McMenamin's menus and have never tried it - which is weird for me, because I LOVE tuna! I decided to give it a try this time around and wow I've been missing out. So good. Love the light toast on the bread too. And of course, the tots on the side were delicious as always.Glad I got to check this spot off the list. We'll be back to redeem those passport offers someday."

The Dullahan Irish Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (88) • $$

"Love it!It's like 3 or 4 different establishments rolled into one.On my last visit I met travelers at the bar, had a quiet conversation and dinner at a table, played some games downstairs, and listened to live music in the back....it felt like I was on an expansive bar tour but really I was just wandering around the local pub!The fish and chips are amazing and the bartenders friendly and attentive!Cheers!"

Wichita's Puff's Pub

★★★★☆ 3.5 (97) • $

"We love everything about this pub. It all starts with the parking. There's plenty of it, so no worries there. There's plenty of space inside as well, so one feels welcomed which is exactly what happens when you walk in no matter who greets you. Then there's plenty of smiles when you are at your table no matter who the server is. In addition, they have heated outdoor space. Having said all that, the food is crazy good and keeps wanting me to go back there. The portions are large and the price is reasonable without sacrificing the taste. No really everything we have tried so far has been really really good. No matter what ones beer taste is, you will find a drink to enjoy with your meal. What! You say you don't like beer, do not fret. They have a good selection of hard and liquor including cream the banana. Go figure... Even the owner is pretty cool..."

Aunt Tillie's Deli & Pub

★★★★★ 4.6 (158) • $

"Frankly, Aunt Tillie's never disappoints. This time I went for the Aunt Tillie's Special sandwich on brown rye. It was loaded with fresh slices of salami, turkey and pepperoni, as well as pepperoncini and other delightful fixings. The sandwich is usually served on a French Roll. I just prefer rye. The Special has just the right amount of meat and spread. Enough to fill you up, without making you feel miserable, or making a big mess. Aunt Tillie's ingredients always seem so fresh and, they are always delicious. Often, I get a side of the macaroni salad, which is my absolute favorite.The staff are always very friendly and clearly care about producing a top-quality product. Aunt Tillie's is somewhat nostalgic, as it an old-fashioned sandwich cafe, with a very pleasant atmosphere. And, although I don't drink beer, they have a respectable tap list and nice little bar area.Thank you, Aunt Tillies, for always delivering a premium sandwich experience."

North 45

★★★★☆ 3.6 (350) • $$

"Came here for a quick drink for a birthday and I am so happy with it! I was surprised with the outdoor patio space since it's huge and even covered for the gloomy days. They even had TVs out there and the staff was kind to come out to the back to take orders and didn't need us to come inside to place our orders. I ordered a mule here and pretty standard. Fries here are also tasty and great options to share with a group! I didn't get to enjoy the indoor space or other food but there were plenty people inside so it's definitely a favorite in the area. Solid menu of drinks/food, affordable prices, and friendly staff."

Historic Springdale Pub

★★★★★ 4.6 (21) • $

"Didn't eat here - instead we ordered pizzas to go. So glad we did!! It was piping hot and LOADED with toppings. The gluten free crust was delicious and appreciated. I might stop in and eat here next time since there was a game on and it was packed and seemed super fun! They had pool table and fun ambiance."

Double Mountain

★★★★☆ 4 (215) • $$

"I have had Double Mountain in the past but I haven't delved into this particular location. Steve and I got their very refreshing and solid Kölsch beer. Being very light bodied which we can always appreciate. Flavor features to find with this beer is clean and sweet. It also goes down very smooth which we can appreciate as that is a typical preference of ours as well when enjoying beers on the lighter side."

Kenton Station

★★★★☆ 3.7 (125) • $$

"It's a bar so expect bar food. I can't complain about the food since I didn't look at the menu. The website states it's "KENTON STATION IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY RESTAURANT AND PUB" and I can say for my first time in the pub I found it to be exactly that, friendly. I met some friends there and they had already ordered, so I just told the waitress I would have what they're having. The staff is very cool and relaxed. It's a very chilled place to eat and drink. The food was okay and it' was lots of food. The flavors was just as expected for fish and chips. I would go back."

The Pocket Pub

★★★★★ 4.7 (200) • $$

"The food was delicious and very flavorful. The service was on point even with being extremely busy."

Gloria'z Pub & Grill

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (106) • $

"Great food , service is fantastic great afternoon and a good atmosphere ! All in all we found Gloria's to be a great pit stop!"

McMenamins Sunnyside Pub

★★★☆☆ 3 (168) • $$

"Always a great stop for tots & fries. No wait to get seated and plenty of parking. This is a regular hang out."

2nd St Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (31) • $$$

"Cool spot, nice atmosphere, free shuffleboard, photo booth, pool tables, they have everything it take to be great... Lottery machines are the only negative in terms of the inner workings of the place. It has one crippling feature... The location just off the main drag in downtown Gresham draws a lower class hoodish clientele that take away from the places potential... I like the bar, but walk in with your wife and you gotta deal with a bunch of older alcoholic types that look like they just drug themselves in from a long day on the docks staring like a stripper just took the stage for the first time all night... Which whatever I get it, not that bad of a deal... Better place to take your friends for a beer than your girl for a date."

Wayfinder Beer

★★★★☆ 4 (348) • $$

"Got some good beers from this local brewery in Burnside. It has a pretty cool location in an old warehouse so it fits in with the gentrification. Wayfinder has lots of beers but there's the food too. Has a variety of styles in the beers to choose from. The prices are pretty okay for around here. Big place that's good for big groups. It's known for the elevated outdoor patio. The beers are the main thing. Has quite a few to choose. It's about $7 a pint. Best one we had the last time was The Original. This is a cold IPA that's clean and clear, and it's hoppy but not too much though. A limited amount of food. It's about $9 for fries. There's not a whole lot to recommend to eat it seems. Has many styles of beers. It's located on SE 2nd Avenue at Oak. The patio is a good place for large parties and other things."

Valley Public House

★★★★☆ 4.1 (37) • $$

"Lots of yummy beer choices, with lots of seating. If things are too crowded downstairs, there's more upstairs. Staff are friendly and are happy to let you taste before you buy."

Bandits Bar And Grill

★★★★★ 4.7 (212) • $$

"This is a handsome neighborhood bar, with a lot of locals and a fun atmosphere. The service was always attentive without being in our face and super friendly, especially with us being our first time in. The food was an interesting dichotomy, they smoke their meat in house and the smoke chicken I had was incredibly tender and delicious. I had the enchiladas that they have on special occasionally. The enchilada sauce was odd, flavor was mild, tasty enough, but so mild it almost didn't add much, very little cheese as well. The wins were the meat, amazing!! The pico de gallo, so good! The rice was perfect and not broken. Lovely place to visit, especially if you are walking around downtown Troutdale. Price were reasonable too, especially in the area. Will likely go back to try just smoked meat because they know how!"