The South American-inspired vegan restaurant Epif is set to reopen its doors on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with a renewed focus on serving a vibrant Epif Portland Brunch menu. This strategic shift comes after a temporary closure in September 2025, during which the restaurant reassessed its offerings and operations. Epif, a long-standing establishment in Portland known for its commitment to plant-based cuisine, aims to fill a perceived gap in the local dining scene for a full-service vegan brunch experience.
A New Chapter for Epif Portland Brunch: From Dinner to Brunch
For nearly a decade, Epif has been a staple in Portland’s culinary landscape, offering a unique dining experience inspired by the Andes region of South America. Previously operating primarily as a dinner restaurant, Epif’s owners, Nicolle Dirks and Pepe Arancibia, observed a downturn in evening dining and cocktail sales, prompting a desire for change and new challenges. The decision to pivot to a brunch-focused model was influenced by the positive reception from several brunch pop-ups held in the summer of 2025, which generated encouraging feedback from the community. This strategic move also builds upon Epif’s history, as it previously offered full brunch service before the COVID-19 pandemic, making the Epif Portland Brunch a highly anticipated return.
The restaurant will initially be open Thursdays through Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm, with plans to extend operating days to Mondays and potentially other days of the week if the new schedule proves successful. Epif’s location on NE 28th Avenue, part of Portland’s “restaurant row,” is considered a strategic advantage, leveraging its established presence and community embrace for its Epif Portland Brunch service.
A Completely Vegan Epif Portland Brunch Experience
Epif’s commitment to its vegan ethos remains unwavering with the reopening. The new brunch menu will be entirely plant-based, featuring creative interpretations of classic brunch dishes for the Epif Portland Brunch. Diners can anticipate a selection of espresso-based coffee drinks and artisanal mocktails to complement their meals. While specific menu items for the reopening brunch were not detailed in all sources, past offerings at Epif included vegan interpretations of dishes like eggs benedict, pancakes, quiche, and caprese sandwiches. Their previous brunch menus have also featured items such as scrambled chickpea eggs, biscuits and gravy with maple-glazed soy curls, and even vegan cinnamon rolls, indicating a creative approach to plant-based brunch fare, a hallmark of the Epif Portland Brunch.
The restaurant’s history includes a transition to a fully vegan menu in April 2017, which was met with positive reception from both vegan and non-vegan patrons, paving the way for the exceptional Epif Portland Brunch. Epif is known for its South American flair, transforming traditional meat and seafood dishes into innovative vegan versions, promising exciting additions to the Epif Portland Brunch.
Portland’s Thriving Vegan Dining Scene and Epif Portland Brunch
Epif’s reopening comes at a time when Portland, Oregon, continues to solidify its reputation as a leading city for vegan and plant-based dining. The city boasts a diverse array of vegan-friendly establishments, from casual cafes to more upscale restaurants and bars, catering to a growing demand for plant-based options. The vegan brunch scene in Portland is particularly robust, with numerous spots offering creative and satisfying plant-based breakfast and lunch fare. Epif’s re-entry into this market aims to provide a full-service option, distinguishing itself from many counter-service vegan eateries and contributing to the overall richness of Portland’s culinary offerings with its distinctive Epif Portland Brunch.
The restaurant’s founders, Nicolle Dirks and Pepe Arancibia, have a long history in the food industry, having previously operated a vegetarian restaurant in Valparaíso, Chile, before establishing Epif in Portland. Their dedication to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with unique architectural details in their restaurant space, has contributed to their enduring appeal and the promise of a delightful Epif Portland Brunch.
Epif’s renewed focus on brunch marks an exciting new phase for the restaurant, promising to bring its distinctive South American-inspired vegan cuisine to Portland diners during the morning and early afternoon hours with its highly anticipated Epif Portland Brunch. The move reflects a dynamic approach to business, responding to market shifts and community feedback while staying true to its core culinary identity, solidifying the Epif Portland Brunch as a must-try experience.
Conclusion: The Highly Anticipated Epif Portland Brunch
With its rebranding as a dedicated brunch spot, Epif is poised to re-engage Portland’s vibrant food community with its exceptional Epif Portland Brunch. The restaurant’s commitment to a completely vegan menu, combined with its established reputation for South American-inspired dishes, positions it as a notable contender in the city’s trending vegan restaurants and bars scene. This Oregon establishment’s strategic pivot underscores the evolving nature of the culinary industry, aiming to capture a specific market niche and offer a beloved dining experience to the Portland community with its unique Epif Portland Brunch.
