I had the pleasure of stopping by Cliffs during a solo trip to Portland. I had stopped by to get their Steak and Fries (saw from TikTok) and it did not disappoint. I also had the soup paired with it and everything was so delicious. You can tell the food was made with care and just tasted like an elevated home meal. The service and staff? Absolutely lovely. The owner was so amazing to talk to and made me feel comfortable despite being the only one there at one point. The other bar staff was also so lovely to talk to and just made the overall experience so comfortable. Love the aesthetic of the bar as well with the cute tables and decor of a dive type bar. 10/10 WOULD strongly recommend
Overview
Walking into Cliffs Pdx for the first time felt like discovering one of those neighborhood spots locals quietly protect. It sits at 128 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212, United States, tucked into a part of town where diners, bars, and music venues naturally overlap. I stopped in after a long evening nearby, and within minutes it made sense why people talk about this place with such loyalty. The room hums with late-night diner vibes, the kind where conversations spill over booths and the menu reads like it understands cravings on a personal level.
The menu leans heavily into plant-based comfort food, but it never feels preachy or limited. Instead, it’s expansive and thoughtful. Burgers arrive stacked and messy, breakfast plates feel indulgent without being heavy, and the sides are treated like main attractions. One visit, I watched a group at the next table split multiple plates just to sample more options, which lined up perfectly with what I’d seen in reviews before arriving. Many guests mention how easy it is to bring mixed-diet groups here, and after eating my way through a loaded hash and a house-made sandwich, I understood why.
From a professional standpoint, Portland’s food culture sets a high bar. According to data often cited by the James Beard Foundation, the city consistently ranks among the top U.S. food destinations for innovation and accessibility. Portland also has one of the highest concentrations of vegan-friendly restaurants per capita, a statistic supported by annual reports from food-focused platforms like HappyCow. Against that backdrop, Cliff’s still manages to stand out, not by chasing trends, but by executing diner classics with consistency and care.
What impressed me most was the process behind the food. Watching the open kitchen during a slower hour, you can see a clear system at work. Orders are called, plates are built with intention, and nothing feels rushed or careless. That kind of workflow doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects experience, training, and an understanding of volume without sacrificing quality. In restaurant consulting, this balance is often where small diners struggle, yet Cliff’s handles it smoothly even during busy brunch hours.
The drink side deserves just as much attention. The bar menu supports the food rather than competing with it. Simple cocktails, local beers, and non-alcoholic options make it easy to linger. On one visit, a bartender explained how they rotate selections to feature nearby producers, which aligns with Portland’s broader commitment to local sourcing. That transparency builds trust, especially in an industry where diners increasingly care about where ingredients come from and how businesses operate.
Reviews frequently highlight the welcoming atmosphere, and that matches my experience. Staff interactions feel genuine, not scripted. Questions about the menu are answered clearly, and recommendations come from real familiarity, not upselling. While no restaurant is perfect every night, the consistency here seems to be the real draw. A few online reviews mention occasional wait times during peak hours, which is fair for a popular spot with limited seating, but most agree the food and experience make it worthwhile.
For anyone exploring locations in Northeast Portland, Cliff’s feels like a reliable anchor. It works as a casual dinner stop, a late-night refuel, or a weekend brunch destination. The food reflects the city’s evolving tastes while staying grounded in diner tradition, and that balance is harder to pull off than it looks.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great beer selection ✓ Great cocktailsPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toilet ✓ Wheelchair-accessible car parkOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Late-night food ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ GroupsPlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairsParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPets
✓ Dogs allowedPhotos
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Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 303 reviews
This place is wonderful! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting yet still has a fun buzz in the air. The food and service is excellent. This visit, I finally had the nachos - while normally I am skeptical of a cheese sauce, they do it perfectly. I had the mushroom toast years ago (pre-Covid) and I don’t know what it was but I still think about it regularly!
Without a doubt one of the best sandwich joints in Portland. Absolutely everything made here is created with a passion for delicious food, and you can certainly tell when you taste it. From the smoked chicken wings, to the burgers, to the properly layered and piled high nachos, you will not be disappointed with anything you get on the menu. Pair anything with their extensive liquor selection and great tap list, along with amazing cocktails they make in house. I feel like when I’m inside, it’s like I’m back in my grandparents basement. It’s cozy and has a great feeling. Patio is great for the summertime. I can’t recommend this place enough.
went here on a whim because the steak fries looked delicious online. bellied up to the bar and erin said i was too late and had to order off the late night menu. i got the smoked chicken sandwich and no lie it was one of the best i probably ever had!!! erin was a friendly, sweet, and attentive bartender and was a plus to my dining experience. i’ll be back for sure!!!
Great food, great service, and great ambiance! The flavors were authentic and the ingredients were clearly high quality. The waiters made sure we never waited too long for anything. The restaurant felt welcoming and relaxing. I can’t wait to visit again soon!
I’m on a mission to find the best nachos in Portland, and Reddit brought me here. Next time I’ll get them with no meat, they are just that good. Something about the chips is what put this one over the top, but the toppings did not fall short whatsoever. Everything was added with a purpose & a clear vision was understood eating my first chip. From the chipotle flavor in the beans, to the multiple layers of cheese, pickled red onion, jalapeño, radish, crema & chives, even the toasted pepitas & cabbage I was initially skeptical of. Everything tied together wonderfully. Absolutely solid! Easily the best we’ve had so far, & we loved the ambiance too. Highly recommend.
Had the burger, smoked fried chicken sandwich, and side of fries. Fries were excellent, burger was pretty good. The chicken was ok but the overall sandwich was lacking for my taste - the bread didn't work well. It's got a cool vibe and I would go again. It was pretty busy since there was a show but overall service was good. Little bit of a wait for food but tables were available.
The other reviews weren't kidding! Fries: some of the best in town! Smoked Fried Chicken sandwich: AMAZING! Pulled Pork Nachos: Piled high and delicious! Ballroom Burger: Flavorful! My family and I stopped by Cliffs PDX on a whim and we were blown away! The owners were incredibly friendly and attentive - even while being short-staffed for the day. We will definitely be back!