Portland is one of the greatest places in the nation to eat out on a plant-based diet, regardless of whether you’re a lifetime vegan or trying to cut back on your animal consumption.
Readers reacted to our request for the top vegan restaurants in the Portland region last week by sharing their favorite places to eat without meat. The following list of ten finalists includes the restaurants that people most frequently named as well as some suggestions from Michael Russell, a dining critic for The Oregonian/Oregon Live.
Voting is available once daily until 11:59 p.m. at the link at the bottom of this post. Feb. 3, 2025, Monday.The results will be made public on Thursday, February 6 at atoregonlive.com/readers-choice.
Comfortable, caramel-colored swivel chairs at Astera, the plant-based chef Aaron Adams’s planned fine-dining comeback.Thanks to Joshua Chang/Astera
Astera
The majority of readers who submitted Astera also made sure to mention Aaron Adams, the plant-based chef responsible for some of the previous mainstays of Portland’s vegan cuisine, such as Farm Spirit and Portobello. Russell noted last year that “Astera signals a return for fine-dining,” with a changing tasting menu that emphasizes fermentation and farmed and foraged ingredients.
Tables are available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1407 S.E. Belmont St. Thursday: menu for botanical tasting Friday, 5 and 8 p.m., 6 p.m. 6 p.m. on Saturday. Supper is at 4 p.m. on Sunday. SundayThe website https://www.asterapdx.com
Chilango PDX
Tacos stuffed with stewed tofu or garlicky mushrooms and topped with sauces like almond queso fresco or sunflower crema are just two examples of the plant-based twists this vegan Mexican street food restaurant puts on well-known favorites. On Yelp’s 2023 ranking of the top 100 taco restaurants in the nation, Chilango PDX came in at number 39.
Albert Street, 2215 N.E., noon–8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; https://chilangopdx.com/
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DC Vegetarian
Since opening its physical location in 2017, this Division Street fast-casual restaurant has gained recognition for its vegan sandwiches. Although the menu also offers sides like mac, chicken, and potato salads, the eatery is best renowned for its meatless burgers and (one reader said) delicious sub sandwiches.
Division Street, 5026 S.E., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. http://dcvegetarian.com/ on Sunday
Dirty Lettuce’s vegan fried chicken is comprised entirely of plant-based components.Thanks to Dirty Lettuce
Dirty Lettuce
Dirty Lettuce, which was named the nation’s best vegan soul cuisine by VegNews magazine, has already received a lot of positive reviews. The Black-owned eatery began as a food cart in 2020 and moved into a brick-and-mortar location on Northeast Fremont Street the following year. Throughout the pandemic, it continued to serve vegan Southern cuisine, including seitan ribs, catfish, and chicken. One reader commented, “The food is so delicious even non-vegans love it.”
5-8 p.m., 4727 N.E. Fremont St. (https://dirtylettuce.square.site/) Wednesday through Sunday
Feral, located at 1640 N.E. Killingsworth St., opened its doors in November of last year and won the Best New Vegan Restaurant of the Year award from VegNews.Thanks to Feral PDX
Feral
Despite being relatively new to Portland’s vegan culinary scene, Feral has gained a following both within and outside of the city since opening in November. Seasonal recipes like baked leek fondue and delicata squash donuts highlight foraged and wild ingredients. Feral’s inventiveness was commended by one reader, and its artisan cocktails were recognized by another.
Killingsworth Street, 1640 N.E., 5–9 p.m. 5–10 p.m., Wednesday–Thursday. Friday through Saturday;Check out https://feralvegan.com/
Norah
The owners of this pan-Asian restaurant grew up in southern Thailand, where manora is a traditional joyful dance, which is referenced in the name Norah. Its menu offers both well-known and unique foods, though some were suggested by readers: the hot holy basil eggplant, cauliflower curry, and pad see ew.
The hours are twelve to three p.m. and four to nine p.m. at 1451 N.E. Alberta St. and 3801 S.E. Belmont St. Visit: https://norahpdx.com/ Tuesday through Sunday
Obon Shokudo
One reader praised the homemade food and laid-back atmosphere of Obon Shokudo, a vegan Japanese comfort food restaurant in Portland that is truly unique. In addition to serving traditional dishes like okonomiyaki (savory pancake), katsu curry, and onigiri (rice balls), the restaurant also offers gluten-free options for several of its menu items. Even an episode of The V Word, a documentary series about vegan restaurants in Portland, included it.
Grand Avenue, 720 S.E., 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; https://www.obonpdx.com/
Jade Rabbit
Russell claims that Jade Rabbit, a vegan Chinese restaurant that recently reopened on Belmont Street after losing its old location, is experiencing some success. Dim sum and pan-Asian dishes are on the menu, but if you want to indulge, you might want to book a table.
Belmont Street, 2304 S.E., noon–9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 12 to 10 p.m. https://www.jaderabbitpdx.com/ Friday–Saturday
Mirisata
As a worker-owned cooperative on Southeast Belmont Street, Mirista serves vegan Sri Lankan cuisine, occupying a delectable niche in Portland’s plant-based culinary scene. In his 2021 review, Russell suggested that patrons concentrate on the fiery curries and the string hoppers, which are a nest-like crepe made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk that are fried in a specially designed bowl-shaped pan.
Belmont Street, 2420 S.E., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Saturday from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. https://mirisata.com/ on Sunday
Mis Tacones’ chicharron tacosThanks to Mis Tacones
Mis Tacones
This vegan Mexican eatery has received recognition for its efforts: It ranked as the top vegan Mexican restaurant in VegNews magazine last year and as the fifth Mexican restaurant in a recent Readers Choice Awards. One reader wrote, “The food reminds me of my childhood,” describing the restaurant as a favorite in Portland. Their flavors are deep and their quantities are substantial.
Killingsworth Street, 1670 N.E., 3–9 p.m. noon to nine p.m., Monday of the week. Thursday from 12 to 10 p.m. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Saturday from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m. https://mistaconespdx.com/ on Sunday
Vote here
Voting is open once day until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 3, 2025, Monday.The results will be made public on Thursday, February 6 at atoregonlive.com/readers-choice.
Veronica Nocera writes on culture and life. She can be contacted at 503-221-8111, [email protected].
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