Portland, Oregon’s vibrant culinary landscape is in full bloom, marked by a surge of exciting new restaurant and bar openings, significant national accolades, and evolving dining trends. As September 2025 unfolds, the Rose City and its surrounding areas continue to solidify their reputation as a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts.
New Flavors Emerge on the Scene
The city is welcoming a wave of new establishments, each bringing unique flavors and concepts. Burger Ritual celebrated its grand opening at the popular Cartopia Food Cart pod on September 14th, adding to the city’s renowned food cart culture. Nearby, Creo Chocolate’s Chocolate Lab officially opened its doors on September 13th in Northeast Portland, offering an immersive experience where visitors can craft their own chocolate bars, taste artisanal varieties, and purchase their favorite creations. This expansion marks a significant step for the award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier.
North Portland sees the reopening of SUN RICE, a Filipino restaurant that has established itself with its take on traditional silog dishes and Filipino breakfasts. The restaurant, founded by Chef TJ Cruz and Ken Tran, has moved to a new space and celebrated its grand opening from September 11th to 14th, featuring special collaborations. In Lake Oswego, Artisserie Fine Bakery has expanded its French pastry offerings by opening a new location in the former Blue Star Donuts spot on First Street, serving croissants, macarons, cakes, and lunch sandwiches. Meanwhile, Maglia Rosa, located in the former Bollywood Theater space on SE Division, has begun offering lunch service from Wednesday to Sunday, featuring a rotating menu of sandwiches, salads, and pastas, alongside its market operations.
Culinary Excellence Recognized Nationally
The Oregon food scene’s growing prominence has been underscored by significant national recognition. The prestigious New York Times’ “The Restaurant List 2025” highlighted two Oregon establishments: Portland’s Vietnamese eatery The Paper Bridge and Yardy Rum Bar in Eugene. The Paper Bridge, known for its dedication to Northern Vietnamese cuisine and handmade rice noodles, earned praise for its authentic flavors and culinary depth. Yardy Rum Bar was lauded for its unique offerings, including notable split-pea fritters.
Further cementing the state’s culinary prowess, several Oregon chefs and restaurants were named James Beard Award semifinalists for 2025, including JinJu Patisserie for Outstanding Bakery and Timothy Wastell of Antica Terra for Best Chef Northwest and Pacific. Ken’s Artisan Pizza also received international acclaim, ranking #43 on the 50 Top Pizza World 2025 list.
Shifting Landscapes and Community Hubs
While new ventures are flourishing, the dynamic nature of the restaurant industry is also evident in shifts and closures. Carina Lounge, a fixture on NW 21st Avenue for eight years, closed its doors on August 30, 2025. However, a new restaurant, Constantinople Restaurant, is reportedly seeking the same location, signaling a potential new culinary chapter for the space.
Established spots like Lombard House, a beloved beer bar in Portland’s St. Johns neighborhood, continue to thrive as community hubs. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Philly sports culture, and curated beer selection, it remains a popular gathering place for locals.
Trending in Oregon
The overall trend in Oregon’s dining scene points towards a continued diversification of culinary offerings, with an increasing appreciation for authentic, locally-sourced ingredients and innovative concepts. From niche cuisines like Northern Vietnamese at The Paper Bridge to the artisanal chocolate experiences at Creo Chocolate, Portland and its surrounding areas are setting trends in the national food and beverage market. The consistent emergence of new bars and restaurants, coupled with national recognition, indicates a robust and ever-evolving culinary future for Oregon.
As the year progresses, the state’s commitment to culinary excellence ensures that diners can expect a continuous stream of new and noteworthy experiences across its diverse and trending restaurants and bars.
