Best Cozy Restaurants in Southeast Portland

Kachka has been on my bucket list for years, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Growing up in the same Russian-Jewish community in the suburbs of Chicago as Chef Bonnie, the experience felt deeply personal—like a nostalgic trip home, but elevated in every way. The menu was not only fun but incredibly thoughtful; you can tell so much care went into curating both the dishes and the space. The service was fantastic, and I have to give a special shoutout to one of the food runners who delivered each dish with an intensity that made the experience even more memorable. My favorite part of the dinner was sampling the different flavored vodkas. The birch flavor was phenomenal and stood out as my favorite, with horseradish coming in a close second. And do not miss the apple dessert—it tasted like something my mom used to make, but somehow even better. Kachka is everything I hoped it would be and more. I can’t wait to come back!

I love le pigeon - it was one of the main reasons why I chose Portland for our family vacation

Love the way this spot is somewhat a hidden jewel. We sat at the bar and the fun and knowledgeable service was tops. That chicken liver mousse pate was like butter;smooth and perfectly seasoned. I want more! Next we had the sturgeon, cauliflower and gnocchi. All was superb. I want to go back next week. Not a thing was less than 5 stars.

Service was excellent. Limited menu and very loud. Unable to converse well with the friends on the other side of the table (Party of 4)

Incredible. This place has been on my list of places to try for a while. Reservations only but we were able to snag a quick counter spot for an early dinner. Will be back for special occasion for sure!