This chic eatery could easily be located off the 18th hole of a country club. Rose & Thistle is a good place to grab a beer and a bite without a big production. Brew connoisseurs will love the single-malt beers, and a variety of Highland single-malts help you wash down a BLT or Veggie Sandwich. About 25 tables and booths are set on a split-level floor with a full, old-style wood bar. However, the ultimate spot to hangout with your friends is at the backyard patio. This is where to find friendly locals congregating over drinks.

Located on the hip strip of Northeast Broadway, this Ethiopian restaurant is a treat for the senses. Just a short jaunt from the Oregon Convention Center, it is a great place to escape the crowds. Sunlight filters into the small cafe through lace curtains. The earth-toned tablecloths add color to the dining area lined with small tables. The Awaze Tibs, beef chunks mixed in a thick, spicy sauce, are good for lunch or dinner. The favorite vegetarian dish is Misser Wot, split red lentils simmered in homemade hot sauce and seasoned with select spices.

Right from the eye-catching facade to the interiors and food, Der Rheinlander is German through and through. The restaurant is well-known for authentic German specialties like sauerkraut and schnitzels. Choose from any one of the entrees and get sausage, chicken, pork or veal in a hearty dish. The vegetarian meals are a good bet as well. The atmosphere inside is warm with cozy booths for seating and lots of German memorabilia adorning the walls. The friendly, singing wait-staff inside is accompanied by accordion players and is a delight to watch. Offer a request or two and sing along. A selection of rooms inside offer great opportunities for groups and private events.

This cool Mexican cafe and bar is popular affair with locals. The food is tasty, the beer choices are numerous and it is the only full bar in the area. An enchilada/tamale combo plate with rice and beans is plenty of food. Thirsty patrons will appreciate the selection of beers in the bottle and on tap. Drink specials offer serious discounts. There is a garden-like atmosphere inside and tables on the sidewalk outside. You are likely to see a regular crowd at happy hour.

You do not have to be a morning person to enjoy breakfast here. If it is a sunny day, sit outside and breathe some fresh air while you sip coffee and wait for good eats. The food is low on grease and heavy on fresh ingredients. The kitchen has a strong philosophy of organic ingredients with most of the menu specialties featuring organic foods. The Eggs Benedict is a satisfying affair. The Bridges Potatoes, served with most items and available as a side, come as large, cooked cubes with distinct seasoning. Sandwiches and desserts are also good and catering is available. Check website for more.

Ambassador Restaurant and Karaoke Lounge is a casual Hollywood District restaurant and lounge featuring great Chinese food at budget prices. The menu is diverse with an excellent selection of spicy Szechuan and Cantonese entrees. Shrimp lovers should try the Yuzi Shrimp or the Shrimp Lover's Delight. Hunan cooking is also featured extensively on the menu. The decor may exude a 1970s feel, but the atmosphere is current and fun. The dark, comfortable lounge is a popular retreat, with food available until closing time. Order a beverage or two from the full bar. Join the rowdy crowd for nightly karaoke or reserve your spot for large parties.

Schnitzel reigns supreme in this original German restaurant, but rotisserie meats, wursts (sausages), sandwiches and salads are also available. German beers are plentiful, but you will also find wine and a full bar. Come for the extremely economical daily happy hour. The decor is comprised of dark wood paneling with walls covered in German posters, flags and knickknacks. Enjoy this popular restaurant's Oktoberfest atmosphere or try the more formal dining next door at The Rheinlander. Either way, phone ahead for a table to avoid the constant rush.

Nestled in Portland's Northwest neighborhood, North 45 gives its patrons a tour around the globe while seated in one place. Established by two travel-loving friends who were influenced by their excursions, created this bar, that they love to call an 'upscale travel pub'. Alcohol lovers have an extensive range of libation to choose from: cocktails, 100 whiskey brands, cognac, bourbons, beers, brandy and a seasonally changing wine list. They offer a tantalizing menu of mussels, salads, chicken wings, beef sliders and burgers to feast on.

Offering a respite from the onslaught of small portions of food at pretentious Mexican eateries in Portland, this unassuming little eatery offers huge plates of mouthwatering burritos and tacos. Be it a take away meal or a quick bite within the deli-style setup, the family-owned Pepino's Mexican Grill ensures that only the freshest of delectable Mexican food is served. Many patrons have made this their regular dining spot who just cannot resist their specialties like Pollito Burrito, Fajita Burrito and Sweet Tequila Burrito. A delight for Mexican food lovers, also worth trying are the varieties in tacos as well as salsas, which can give any specialty chain restaurant a run for their money. For beverages, the restaurant serves their fruity specialty Agua Frescas and sodas to complement your meal. Make sure you visit Pepino's Mexican Grill for one of your binge-eating sessions.

With eye-catching black and wooden hues on the outside, the charming building that houses Noisette looks pretty much like a private residence, and isn't a setting one would normally expect for fine dining restaurant. But then, celebrated chef Anthony Demes isn't one for conventions, and with this venture in his home-town, he invites one and all to experience his cutting-edge cooking that was restricted to upscale places before. Modern French cooking is at the heart of Noisette, offering a diverse menu of hot and cold small plates allowing ample opportunities to sample a number of flavors. For a traditional experience, go for the chef's eight-course tasting menu; a satisfying affair through and through. The wine list is suitably diverse and has local varieties as well as influences from France. You can also bring in your own wine for a fee provided it's not on their list. The interiors, done up in cool hues, ornate chandeliers and ambient lighting makes for a very cozy and intimate setting perfect for a special meal with a loved one.