Dining OutPublished: Nov. 12, 2026, 6:58 a.m.
Indonesian restaurant Gado Gado joined our top 10 for the first time this year.Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive
After months of eating, weeks of writing and a multi-day rollout leading to today’s top 10 announcement, The Oregonian/OregonLive’s new guide to Portland’s best restaurants is fully revealed.
These numbers tell the tale of how restaurant critic Michael Russell’s picks for the city’s best restaurants all came together.
76: Portland restaurants Russell visited since July to put together our guide to Portland’s best restaurants (77 if you count Güero and Farag’s separately).1: Restaurant from our 2025 guide that closed.10: Places added — or added back — to this year’s guide.16: Number of spots our biggest riser jumped in this year’s rankings (L’Orange, from No. 28 last year to No. 12 today).$12: Least expensive meal eaten for this guide (the brisket-trim burger at Lil’ Barbecue, just $10 on Mondays).$250: Most expensive meal eaten for this guide (the per-person price for Nodoguro’s creative Japanese tasting menu).
Restaurant critic Michael Russell travels throughout the metro area (and beyond) reviewing restaurants, food carts, brewpubs, bakeries and more for The Oregonian. He has worn many hats at the newspaper, from… more
Dining and Cooking