A Nutritionist’s Favorite Restaurants in Portland, Oregon
As a nutritionist and self-proclaimed foodie, I always enjoy exploring restaurants that are both delicious and have healthier options for eating out. Many of my nutrition clients are based in Portland, Oregon, and are often looking for restaurants they can enjoy that will still allow them to stick to healthier options.
I decided to devote a blog post to a few of my favorite restaurants in Portland, Oregon, and tell you why each of these is so great. Enjoy!
Mediterranean Exploration Company (MEC): This is my favorite restaurant in Portland - quite a statement, I know! But hear me out: flavor-wise Mediterranean food has always been my favorite because of its emphasis on veggies, and hummus basically flows through my veins. At MEC the food is always super fresh, they have a ton of innovative vegetable dishes that will convert anyone who says they don’t like vegetables, and they have a plethora of protein options to choose from. Olive oil is used in just about every dish. You can’t go wrong with their mezze options, and if you’re forgoing gluten and refined carbs they are more than happy to provide you with cucumber slices to dip instead of the pita. If they have the Fasolakia hummus when you go, get it (you can thank me later).
Bastion: This new(ish) Sellwood spot is an incredible restaurant for anyone with any dietary restrictions - seriously, they go above and beyond to make sure anyone can have an enjoyable meal, whether you’re eating vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, AIP, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, or following just about any other diet. Their commitment to sourcing is unparalleled, and really sets the bar for the future of food and supporting local farmers who are committed to practices that nourish the land, animals, and people eating the food. In terms of nutrient density and sourcing, this place is at the top of my list in Portland!
Murata: Murata is hands down my favorite Japanese restaurant in Portland - it’s authentic, fresh, and so delicious. Japanese cuisine is an excellent option for healthier choices when eating out, thanks to their emphasis on fresh seafood and sea vegetables (which most people don’t eat enough). It’s automatically dairy-free so you don’t need to worry about that if you’re avoiding dairy. If you’re trying to avoid rice or watch your carbs you can stick with lower-carb options like sashimi, miso soup, and seaweed salad. If you’re gluten-free they also have tamari you can use instead of the regular soy sauce. This place gets busy (for good reason), so make sure you have a reservation!
Mama Bird: If you like rotisserie chicken you’re going to love this place! It’s 100% gluten-free and has wood-fired grilled chicken with local seasonal vegetables and sides (the sides are seriously amazing). They also have many delicious sauce options for the chicken - I highly recommend the aji verde if you have to choose just one (it’s the type of sauce you’re going to want to put on everything, I promise). The pasture-raised chicken is always cooked to perfection, perfectly crispy and juicy, and the vegetable sides are incredible. They even have bone broth (great for gut health!) with fresh ginger and seasonal aromatics. You can automatically have a balanced meal with an order of chicken, a side veggie (like their cauliflower), and a starch (the sweet potato is my favorite). This is perfect for nights you want a satisfying, healthy meal that feels like comfort food but you don’t want to cook.
So there you have it - my top options for when you’re in Portland and want to enjoy some of the various cuisines the city has to offer while still having nutritious options. As both a foodie and nutritionist I always want to emphasize to my clients that healthy eating doesn’t have to feel restrictive or bland, but rather it can be delicious and filled with foods they’re excited about!
If you’re interested in working together one-on-one to balance your hormones, increase your energy, improve your gut health, and feel better in your body you can schedule a FREE strategy call with me so we can make you a game plan to get you feeling better. You can schedule that free strategy call here. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!