DineSpin

Best Date Night in Portland

Find the best date night restaurants in Portland, OR. Scored on what actually matters.

By DineSpin Team·Updated February 2026·10 spots

Portland's date night scene runs the gamut from wood-fired Neapolitan to Kashmiri small plates to basement speakeasies—which means you can either nail it or spend $200 on disappointing portions and inconsistent service. The venues that work are the ones where someone actually cares about execution, not just atmosphere. Here's where to go.

Recommended:

Best Date Night in Portland

1.

Scotch Lodge

92/100

A speakeasy where the cocktails and food actually warrant the speakeasy treatment. The mixologists know their work; the spirit selection is extensive and thoughtfully chosen; the small plates are playful without being gimmicky. It's hidden in a basement behind a nondescript entrance, requires a reservation, and costs money, but the people who find it tend to get why it exists.

Pro tip: The speakeasy location is actually hard to find—arrive 10 minutes early and look for the unmarked basement door rather than wandering.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its excellent taste, creative preparation, and high-quality ingredients, with many dishes highlighted as standouts.

How amazing everything tasted here

👋Service93

Service is frequently described as knowledgeable, attentive, friendly, and outstanding, with staff often going above and beyond to assist guests.

Great service, knowledgeable server

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as sophisticated, intimate, moody, and elegant, creating a speakeasy-like ambiance.

Beautiful moody place

💰Value80

While some find the prices high, many diners feel the quality of food, drinks, and overall experience justifies the cost.

Fair and expensive and ridiculously overpriced

📍 215 SE 9th Ave #102, Portland, OR 97214, United States
4.8$$$PortlandAmerican
Ideal for
Whiskey and cocktail aficionadosIntimate date nightsCelebrating special occasions
2.

Terra Mae

92/100

Terra Mae offers an excellent Portuguese-Japanese fusion dining experience in Portland, well-regarded for its creative and delicious food, outstanding service, and beautiful atmosphere. It's a highly recommended spot for special occasions and memorable meals.

Pro tip: Outstanding food, service, and atmosphere make this a standout dining experience.

🍽️Food95

The Portuguese-Japanese fusion cuisine is well-regarded for its creativity, fresh ingredients, and first-rate execution, with many dishes described as unique and flavorful.

Phenomenal food

👋Service93

Service is overwhelmingly described as top-notch, attentive, knowledgeable, and warm, with staff frequently going above and beyond to create a special experience.

Top-notch care of us

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as beautiful, energetic, warm, inviting, and sophisticated, making it ideal for celebrations and special occasions.

Vibe was perfect

💰Value75

While some diners note the prices are high or portions are small, most find the quality and experience to be worth the cost.

Reasonable for what you get

📍 1150 NE Alberta St 2nd Floor, Portland, OR 97211, United States
4.6$$$PortlandMixed/Fusion
Ideal for
Special occasions and celebrationsDiners seeking unique fusion cuisineThose who appreciate attentive service
3.

COQ AU VIN

92/100

Coq au Vin offers an excellent, intimate, farm-to-table French-inspired dining experience in Portland, characterized by the passionate involvement of owners Rose and George. While the food and atmosphere are well-regarded, the intentionally slow pace and high price point may not suit all diners.

Pro tip: An outstanding and deeply memorable dining experience, like being invited into a country farmhouse outside Paris.

🍽️Food95

The food is consistently described as first-rate, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared, often drawing comparisons to fine dining in France. Ingredients are sourced from the owners' farm and local suppliers, emphasizing a farm-to-table approach.

Food was phenomenal

👋Service85

Service is characterized by its personal, warm, and family-like approach, with owners Rose and George deeply involved. While generally celebrated, some diners note it can be slow or inattentive.

Wonderful service

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as remarkably warm, cozy, intimate, and family-like, often compared to dining in a European farmhouse or a friend's home.

Vibe is super cozy and welcoming

💰Value75

While the quality of food and experience is well-regarded, some diners found the prices high relative to the portion sizes or overall offering, though many felt it was worth the cost.

Prices were way beyond what the food was worth

📍 938 N Cook St, Portland, OR 97227, United States
4.7$$$$PortlandFrench
Ideal for
Special occasions — intimate and memorable experienceDiners seeking authentic European ambianceThose who appreciate unrushed, multi-course meals
4.

Madrina Cocina Mexicana

92/100

Madrina Cocina Mexicana is a highly-regarded Mexican restaurant in Portland, celebrated for its excellent food, vibrant atmosphere, and top-notch service. While generally offering a fantastic dining experience, some guests find the portions small for the price, making it ideal for special occasions.

Pro tip: An absolutely phenomenal Mexican restaurant, indistinguishable from a table at cool spots in CDMX or Puebla.

🍽️Food95

The food is well-regarded for its outstanding quality, freshness, and authentic flavors, with many dishes highlighted as outstanding.

An absolutely phenomenal Mexican restaurant

👋Service90

Service is frequently described as top-notch, friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, contributing significantly to a positive dining experience.

The service was great

Vibe95

The atmosphere is consistently lauded as beautiful, vibrant, colorful, and inviting, creating a transportive and engaging dining experience.

The atmosphere is incredible

💰Value75

While the food and atmosphere are well-regarded, some diners note that portions can be small and prices high, suggesting it may be better suited for special occasions.

Portions were small and expensive

📍 1235 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201, United States
4.7$$$PortlandMexican
Ideal for
Date nights — beautiful ambiance and delicious foodSpecial occasions — high-quality dining experienceExploring authentic Mexican flavors — nostalgic and classic dishes
5.

La Patroncita

88/100

La Patroncita is a highly-regarded Mexican restaurant in Portland known for its excellent ambiance, creative cocktails, and flavorful food. While the atmosphere is a major draw, some diners find the portions small for the price and service can be inconsistent.

Pro tip: The vibes were immaculate, it was so cute. Homey vibes but elevated.

🍽️Food88

The food is frequently described as authentic, flavorful, and delicious, with many dishes receiving high celebrate, particularly the enchiladas, quesabirria, and tacos. Fresh ingredients are noted, and the quality is generally considered high.

Food was amazing

👋Service78

Service is generally positive, with many servers known for attentiveness and friendliness. However, a few instances of dismissive or rude interactions, along with some order mistakes and slow pacing, indicate inconsistency.

Ruth was attentive to us

Vibe95

The restaurant is consistently lauded for its outstanding atmosphere, decor, and music, creating a trendy, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing environment that is a major draw for diners.

Vibes were immaculate

💰Value65

While many find the food quality justifies the price, a recurring theme is that portions can be small or average for the cost, leading some to feel it is overpriced.

Pretty overpriced

📍 2832 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214, United States
4.5$$$PortlandMexican
Ideal for
Date nights — romantic and trendy atmosphereGirls' nights out — lively vibe and shareable platesCocktail enthusiasts — creative and well-executed drinks
6.

Mx21 Mexican Bar and Grill

88/100

Mx21 Mexican Bar and Grill is a vibrant Mexican restaurant in Portland, celebrated for its authentic and delicious food, excellent rooftop ambiance, and friendly service. While generally well-received, occasional inconsistencies in wait times and service speed have been noted.

Pro tip: Authentic flavors, great rooftop, and outstanding service make this worth trying.

🍽️Food90

The food is well-regarded for its authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and delicious preparation, with many dishes receiving specific commendations.

Food was fresh with good flavors

👋Service80

Service is frequently described as friendly, attentive, and first-rate, with several staff members, particularly Juan David, well-regarded. However, some diners note slow or inattentive service.

Staff were very friendly and attentive

Vibe95

The atmosphere is a major highlight, with diners consistently celebrating the beautiful decor, rooftop patio, and festive, vacation-like ambiance.

A warm and homey vibe to it

💰Value80

The value is generally considered good, with many diners finding the prices reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, though one diner found churros overpriced.

Honestly was cheap for what you get

📍 2110 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202, United States
4.2$$PortlandMexican
Ideal for
Date nights with rooftop viewsCasual dinners with friendsCelebrating special occasions
7.

Departure Restaurant + Lounge

88/100

Departure Restaurant + Lounge offers a sophisticated dining experience with stunning city views and a modern, 'space-age' atmosphere. While the food is generally well-regarded and service is well-regarded, diners should be aware of potentially long wait times and a high price point for smaller portions.

Pro tip: Amazing view. If you want sunset view come early and notify them during booking

🍽️Food85

The food is generally well-prepared and flavorful, with many dishes receiving high celebrate, though some diners found certain items to be bland, overly salty, or disappointing.

Everything was excellent and great service

👋Service80

Service is frequently described as knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly, with several staff members highlighted for their outstanding care. However, isolated incidents of unapproachability and forgotten items have been noted.

Staff were incredible and so knowledgeable

Vibe95

The restaurant boasts a well-regarded, sophisticated, and modern atmosphere with a 'space-age' or 'plane-like' interior design and stunning city views, making it ideal for special occasions.

Cool vibe. It has a space-age feel

💰Value65

While many find the experience worth the price, a recurring theme is that the portions are small for the cost, leading some to question the overall value.

Aggressively mediocre for price

📍 525 SW Morrison St 15th Floor 15th Floor, Portland, OR 97204, United States
4.3$$$PortlandMixed/Fusion
Ideal for
Special occasions and date nightsDiners seeking impressive city viewsThose who appreciate modern, upscale ambiance
8.

Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant

88/100

Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant offers an immersive and authentic Moroccan dining experience, celebrated for its delicious, flavorful food, vibrant atmosphere enhanced by belly dancing, and excellent value. While most service interactions are positive, a few instances of rudeness have been noted.

Pro tip: An amazing experience with authentic food, vibrant atmosphere, and great value.

🍽️Food90

The food is well-regarded for its authentic Moroccan flavors, with many dishes described as delicious, amazing, and outstanding. Specific highlights include the B'stilla Royale, lamb dishes, and lentil soup.

The food is very authentic, varied and delicious

👋Service85

Service is frequently described as great, friendly, attentive, and outstanding, with specific staff members like Aurora and Mohammed receiving commendations. However, a few instances of rude service and inattentiveness when busy have been noted.

Aurora was fantastic and took care of us all night

Vibe95

The atmosphere is a major draw, consistently described as amazing, vibrant, authentic, and transporting diners to Morocco with its decor, music, and belly dancing performances.

The atmosphere is also really nice, a legitimate moroccan space

💰Value90

The restaurant is widely considered to offer first-rate value, with generous portions and a multi-course dining experience often cited as a great deal for the price.

Five courses for $30, which is not only outstanding value

📍 1201 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
4.5$$PortlandMediterranean
Ideal for
Experiential dining — offers a unique cultural immersionGroups celebrating special occasionsDiners seeking authentic Moroccan flavors
9.

Han Oak Restaurant

88/100

Han Oak offers a highly creative and flavorful Korean fusion dining experience in a unique, home-like atmosphere. While the food and ambiance are frequently lauded, some diners find the value proposition questionable due to portion sizes and pricing.

Pro tip: Excellent food and a unique, inviting atmosphere make this a memorable dining experience.

🍽️Food90

The food is frequently described as outstanding, creative, and flavorful, with many dishes receiving high recognition for their unique Korean fusion approach and quality ingredients. Some diners found certain dishes unremarkable or overly salty.

Food was spectacular

👋Service85

Service is generally lauded as attentive, friendly, and accommodating, with staff often going above and beyond. However, a few instances of forgetfulness, curtness, or rudeness have been noted.

Staff were fantastic

Vibe95

The atmosphere is well-regarded as unique, creative, warm, inviting, and fun, often described as feeling like dining in a home or a hidden garden oasis.

Creative decor and lovely vibe

💰Value65

While many find the experience worth the cost, a notable number of diners consider the restaurant overpriced for the portion sizes, particularly with the tasting menus.

Overhyped and overpriced

📍 511 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
4.5$$$PortlandKorean
Ideal for
Date nights and intimate gatheringsFoodies seeking creative fusionCelebrating special occasions
10.

Tope

78/100

Tope is a popular rooftop restaurant in Portland known for its vibrant atmosphere, stunning city views, and generally well-regarded food, particularly tacos and cocktails. While many celebrate the service and ambiance, some diners experience inconsistent service and find the prices high for the portion sizes.

Pro tip: Great tasting food and served fast. Views were incredible and there were so many cool seating options.

🍽️Food75

The food generally receives positive remarks for its flavors and quality, with specific recognition for tacos, ceviche, and churros. However, some diners found portions small and ingredients less fresh than expected.

Great tasting food

👋Service70

Service is a mixed bag, with many staff members receiving high recognition for attentiveness and friendliness, particularly bartenders. However, there are recurring complaints about indifferent, slow, or rude service from some staff.

Our bartender Jackie was so sweet

Vibe95

The restaurant is well-regarded for its excellent rooftop ambiance, decor, and city views, creating a desirable atmosphere.

Ambiance is effortlessly cool

💰Value55

Diners frequently find the prices high, especially for drinks and smaller portion sizes, leading to a perception of poor value.

Drinks were very very overpriced

📍 15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, United States
3.9$$$PortlandMexican
Ideal for
Date nights with a viewCasual drinks with friendsEnjoying Portland's skyline

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