Fab Spots to Eat Outside in VanPort
When the rain and clouds have the day off, take advantage of the opportunity and dine outside. These are the best eateries to enjoy the great outdoors.
1. Twigs Bistro
Vancouver – Waterfront
Twigs has a nice range of delicious offerings. There’s something for everyone. Their pizza is decent. The tacos are really good if you like their PNW slant. The pasta is yummy. Twigs has a cool vibe and a spacious outside patio. Their drinks are decent but not craft cocktails. Unfortunately, their only sweet vermouth is Martini & Rossi. Amaro’s and Chartreuse are absent. PRO TIP: Twigs has great salads.
2. Waterfront Taphouse
Vancouver – Waterfront
Located above Twigs, Waterfront Taphouse has a patio with a fab view of the river and the bridge. They serve simple but well presented food and drinks. The pepperoni pizza board is $15. It’s decent. For some strange reason, it reminds me of the pizza I was served at school. Perhaps it’s the way that it’s cut. It’s not amazing, but it’s a enjoyable, savory dish. I wish the pepperoni weren’t so large. If they used the small cup, more flavorful pepperoni, it would elevate this dish. More notable is the bruschetta. You order three for $17. They can be the same or mix and match. I went with the 1) Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Glaze 2) Soppressata Salami, House – Made Pesto, Black Pepper 3) Brie, Red Apple, Fig, Chives. The latter was surprisingly delightfully sweet. It could almost be categorized as a dessert. There’s several other choices on their menu that look tasty.
Don’t let the taphouse name fool you. Some of the better cocktails in Vancouver are served here. I tried their barrel aged Manhattan. Normally I steer clear of barrel aged drinks. Prior to this, they’ve always tasted deluded or weak. But the bartender was kind enough to let me try a small sample. It was legit. I also had a bespoke, Willette rye with Antica formula Manhattan. Both were $18 each. That’s a few bucks less than you would pay at Witness Tree (and without the mandatory 20% service fee). This is a good joint. It’s a great choice to take people out or for a date night.
3. The Cove
Vancouver – South
One of the more upscale restaurants in Vancouver. The Cove has a serene patio over looking the marina and the river. The ribeye is really great. The fresh baked bread is good. I’m not an asparagus fan but theirs is fab. Cocktails are decent, but the bartenders free pour. So it’s the luck of the draw if the ratios are right. . Their biggest challenge is location and price. It’s at the end of Columbia way. Only those seeking out this restaurant will find it. And the prices for most of the menu will raise eyebrows. Like $33 for fish & chips. The best bang for the buck are the sandwiches. Happy hour is until 5:30 and only in the bar. The staff are savvy and friendly. Ample free parking.
4. Willful Wine at The Grant House
Vancouver – Central
The eateries come and go over the years at The Grant House. The current one is Willful Wine. I always enjoy stepping out of the hustle and bustle into a the slower paced vibe. They have outdoor seating on the porch. Willful has wine (of course), some spirits and cocktails. There’s nothing quite like this anywhere else in the area. It’s great for place to go to switch things up.
5. McMenamins on the Columbia
Vancouver – South
Scenic eatery on the river with a nice walking trail. Their selection of sandwiches were better before COVID. Parking can be challenging during busy hours. Fish & chips are small. The 19th hole sandwich is my go to. Cajun tots are good. Cocktails are pedestrian but a nice selection of beer and cider.
6. Radio Room
Portland – Central
Radio Room has a mid 20th century vibe and is in a vintage gas station with a dual level outdoor area. The decor has a Pulp Fiction feel that we both resonate with. The fried brussels and the chicken pesto pasta are really good. The chicken sandwich is decent. The tomato soup is perfect. Their bar has excellent stock. The Take Manhattan is a good spirit forward drink. For something lighter try The Upper Deck Lemonade (vodka, lemonade, sprite and raspberry puree). PRO TIP: For an earthy variant of a Manhattan ask for a Black Manhattan with Basil Hayden dark rye and Averna Amaro and angostura bitters. It’s not on the menu but it’s fab. Sunday’s they have live jazz. They’re open 9- late 7 days a week. Bunch until 3pm. Happy hour 3-6 Mon-Sat and 3-close Sunday. BTW: Radio Room is a sister restaurant to Keys Lounge.
7. Puffin Cafe
Vancouver – Camas
Puffin has a great view and is a rather unique experience for Camas/Washougal. Where else can you dine floating on the river? They serve comfort food ranging from tacos, fish & chips to burgers and a few sandwiches but they have salads too. Their salsa is kind of sweet (mango and pineapple). The waffle fries are pretty good. Don’t attempt to order a craft cocktail here. It’s not that kind of joint. The cocktails are pedestrian but they have a very good selection of beer and a few token choices for wine. Ample parking in a gravel lot but you’ll have to walk the plank…I mean ramp. Not a great choice for folks on crutches or wheelchairs.
8. Nuestra Cocina
Portland – Central
Delightful Mexican eatery has a patio with roll up doors for when weather permits. Tacos are street size. Yummy but small. The chicken enchiladas look great. Chips and salsa cost $3.50. The habanero margarita is excellent.
9. Salty’s on the Columbia
Portland – North
.I think Salty’s is a decent value compared to other eateries on the water in the area. I like the clam chowder. The peppercorn steak is nice. I asked for medium-well but was well done. Still was enjoyable. Cocktails are the standard, pedestrian variety so I went with the wine (malbec). I’m not a wine connoisseur so I’m more easily pleased. (Ignorance really can be bliss). My wife had a salad. A bit of the lettuce was wilted but she picked out the few bad leaves. The rest was fine. Her entree was cod/ crab combo with Hollandaise sauce. It was a bit over cooked. Next time we we’ll ask for our food to be cooked a little less. The view is awesome!
10. Eem – Thai BBQ & Cocktails
Portland – North
Epic, elevated Thai fusion. The BBQ fried rice with brisket is a must. White curry with brisket burnt ends was fab. We also loved Massaman curry with smoked lamb shoulder. Cocktails are good. Some are better than others. The Shoulda, woulda, coulda was the best by far. This joint is super popular. They don’t take reservations. Be prepared to wait. They give you a pager. We had a drink around the corner while we waited. It was definitely worth the effort.
11. Hickory Restaurant + Bar
Vancouver – Camas
Nice restaurant on a golf course. Very good food. Decent cocktails. Only has Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth but good selection of gin. Service is with a smile. Adequate parking. The halibut fish and chips were very good but small. I like their steak salad, pasta and club sandwich. The garlic cheese bread is delicious.
12. Cameo Cafe
Vancouver – Walnut Grove
Dependable neighborhood eatery on a golf course. Outside seating is pleasant when weather permits. The wait staff are old school. Breakfast is always available and is a nice place for brunch. I like their omelettes. Chili is kind of sweet. Unfortunately their website is hacked.
13. Grains of Wrath
Vancouver – Camas
Dependable bar and grill with great outdoor seating. They have a variety of comfort food. Very good beer selection and base spirits. Street parking is adequate.
13. Departure
Portland – Downtown
Uber popular Portland spot for expensive dining and adult beverages with an amazing view. When most people think rooftop bar, Departures is front of mind.
14. Ondus
Vancouver – Waterfront
Ondus is in the AC Hotel on the waterfront. Their menu has 6 starters and 13 different appetizers which makes for a target rich environment. You could just order a few in lieu of entrees. We had to try the French Onion soup. My wife says it’s the best she’s had. The Ricotta & Spicy Meatballs are very good, but not spicy. My wife like the Brussel Sprouts & Spicy Honey although the spice level was just a little more than she likes. We ordered the Steak Tip Skewer with truffle parmesan fries to learn what Ondus’ steak is like. They were tender and nicely seasoned. This could pass for a meal if you weren’t very hungry. Next time I’ll try the Steak Frites. The Waterfront Burger is top notch. The pepper bacon is legit. The focaccia bun has a different look and texture than a garden variety bin, but pairs amazingly with the burger and toppings. I don’t know if it’s the Facerock cheddar, the black garlic aioli, or what. But this is an amazing combination. For several years the cheeseburger at The Multnomah Whiskey Library has been my high watermark for a gourmet burger. The Waterfront Burger has surpassed it. The Marry Me Chicken was tender and perfectly seasoned. The polenta with the cheese sauce was delicious. The broccolini was steamed just right which resulted in an excellent texture and flavor addition to the dish. The Sausage Stuffed Shells pasta are stuffed with whipped burrata, sweet Italian sausage, herbs and parmesan that are baked in a marinara sauce. It’s a nice dish but too polite for me (I like bold flavor), though for some folks this will be just right. The carrot cake is a show stopper. It’s massive. It looks like they took an entire round cake and cut off the curves. I put a fork in the photo to indicate the scale. SIDE NOTE: The carrot cake tastes delicious.
Cocktails were good. The AC Hotel bar has decent, but not amazing stock, though Jeff the Bar Manager aims to please. He went above and beyond to work with the recipes I gave him. The result were very enjoyable drinks that paired well with our meal. The bar has savvy crystal clear king cubes with “AC” engraved on top. Price is a common Achilles heel for corporate restaurants. I was surprised to discover Ondus’ prices to be fairly reasonable. Starters are $14 each which is a little high, but appetizers start at $12. The highest price is $15 for the Steak Tip Skewer. Sandwiches are $18-$20 including the Waterfront Burger. Multnomah Whiskey Library charges $26 for their burger. They offer 11 entrees ranging from $16 (Pasta Pomodoro) to $55 (Baked Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes). Ondus serves a variety of pizza ($15-$18). I’m a pizza evangelist that has many wonderful pizzerias to chose from, so I chose to try theirs on another visit. In my opinion, the price for the food they serve in an elegant setting and being serenaded with live music is an excellent value.
On top of it all, the staff have so much heart and a strong desire for their customers to enjoy the experience of dining at Ondus. Every staff person we saw was on mission to make everyone feel special. Perhaps the greatest compliment is my wife asking for us to come back often. INSIDER TIP: They validate parking in their parking structure. That takes the pain out of going to the waterfront.
15. Oswego Grill
Vancouver – South
Oswego Grill has had a few locations in the VanPort area for years but their latest on the Columbia river (formally Beaches) is a fab spot to have a bit and sip a nice beverage on their patio. The happy hour has good food options.
The bar program is very basic, with only eight beers on tap, a small wine selection, and standard cocktails. Oswego Grill is a nice lunch/dinner option.
16. Sabor Del Río Café
Portland – NorthLocated on the water off of Marine Dr near PDX. Sabor Del Río Café serves traditional Puerto Rican/Caribbean food. It’s a long walk to the end of the pier but the view of the river is amazing. Boat owners can park in the empty slips next to the restaurant.
17. Island Cafe
Portland – Hayden Island
Wonderful eatery floating on the river. The halibut tacos are very nice. Cocktails are in keeping with waterfront/boating culture: Rum with fruit juice concoctions. The staff are friendly…and in demand.
18. Cecelia
Vancouver – South
Cecelia has a nice patio on the side that’s lovely when weather permits.
19. The Quarry Public House
Vancouver – East
The Quarry Public house’s biggest challange is the noise level but out on their patio it’s a non-issue.
20. The Hammond
Vancouver – East
The interior of The Hammond is lovely but they have a cool patio too.
21. Vancouver Station Food Carts
Vancouver – East
They have ample indoor and outdoor seating including tables with fire pits.
22. Oak Tree Station
Vancouver- East
Oak Tree has plenty of picnic tables inside and out.
23. Loyal Legion
Vancouver – Downtown
Loyal Legion has a few options for seating. You can sit inside in a booth or at the bar, outside on the spacious patio or under the covered patio.
24. The Deck
Portland – Marine Drive
The menu has beer, wine, cocktails, sodas, and comfort food that’s usually associated with this type of eatery, like burgers, tacos, and deep fried food. But they also have wraps and sandwiches. We didn’t come here to behave, so we went with fish and chips.
I chose a Cadillac margarita. My wife ordered the novel Shark Bite cocktail which had vodka, rum, blue curaçao, and margarita mix. But most importantly, it had a shark filled with grenadine.
The drinks were okay. My Cadillac margarita was all right but I really couldn’t taste the Grand Marnier. A real winner was the onion petals. We loved the batter We had fish and chips as our entree. We were hoping that the batter would be the same as the onion petals, but it wasn’t. It was a different type which we didn’t care for.
All in all, I’d say the Deck is a really fun place. We had a good time. I’ll try something different next time but we’ll definitely come back.
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