Chameleon Restaurant & Bar Reviews

If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor patio in NE Portland, look no further. Enjoy the Asian Fusion cuisine and meet the owner Patrick, who will treat you like family! We’ve been coming here for many years and look forward to many more!

This is probably the first "fine" restaurant where I became a regular. A mighty fine place to learn.

We ordered several small plates and a dinner to share and everything was delicious. The basil martini was so good. Great menu. Will definitely be back

Pat was amazing he allowed a dear friend and I to have the best dinner party ever. 19 of us enjoyed amazing food and awesome connections. We shut the place down that night. This is Portland's best hidden gem! Gorgeous space, excellent staff and amazing food. Yes, this Wisconsin girl will be back for a night out of the gorgeous patio!

Attracted by the menu and location, we completely enjoyed our meal and dining experience. Especially good were the small plate dishes Grilled Baby Romaine Ceasar and the Pan Roasted Vegetables. Completely delicious. A great variety of menu items, plus fine drink choices. We received friendly and considerate service from kind, caring people. We definitely intend to return!

We recently had the opportunity to have a Friday night dinner at The Chameleon in the Hollywood District of Portland. We were really looking forward to an amazing meal and owner Pat Jeung surpassed our expectations! We started with a few bites, that we managed to share (half bites!). We started with the Grilled Gulf Shrimp, Pork Belly, and the Grilled Dates. While the shrimp and pork belly were very tasty, the Grilled Dates blew our mind! It was stuffed with mascarpone and prosciutto and the flavors worked so well together! I was almost inclined to order a few more of those for dessert! After the bites, we knew that whatever we chose next would be great, but it was tough to decide what to get next! We shared the Thai Salad which was perfectly dressed with the peanut dressing and fresh veggie - I am a huge fan of cilantro and there was plenty of cilantro flavor to satisfy my craving. We also shared the Flank Steak with fresh chimichurri - this was also fantastic! My favorite dish of the night though was the Duck Ravioli, I wanted to try something new and it was the perfect entree to round out the meal. The duck, basil, ricotta and Asiago flavors complimented each other so well. I would definitely recommend this dish to anyone who has the chance to try it! The portions were perfect to share so that we could each have a little bit of everything we ordered. The favorite cocktail was the Bee Sting! The whiskey, ginger and honey on the rocks made for the perfect summer evening cocktail. The atmosphere was very relaxed and soothing on the outdoor patio. As the sun went down they put on an old movie (no sound played as to not interfere with conversations) to enjoy. Service was great! Food and cocktails came out in good timing and our water glasses were never empty. Pat thank you to you and your staff for the opportunity to share your love of great, local food (much of which is grown on your farm!) and wonderful company!

Made a trip to Portland for a job, and met my daughter for dinner. She found this place online and what a great choice! They were all set up for Valentine's Day, great decor. We each had a pasta dish and the lettuce wraps and we're totally not disappointed. Lots of choices for Creative cocktails and wine. Looks like it would be a good date night place.

We eat here because it was close to a show we were going to see. The staff was friendly and welcoming. The food was delicious we had - chameleon wraps, braised pork shoulder and Tom yum soup and green papaya salad with grilled shrimp . If your in the Hollywood district (Portland) this a great place.

Stumbled upon this place while walking with a friend one sunny evening. What a surprise!! The restaurant looked cozy with pillow backed cushion seating, dim lighting & flowy window treatments. But step outside & you'll be taken away to a whimsical wonderland. The trees filled with birds chirping, lovely bistro style seating, lighting & canopies made for a beautiful ambiance. The wine we ordered was fantastic, as were the appetizers. The caprese was my favorite. Our server was very professional & timely. Will be making a return trip very soon. I see a summertime ladies night out in my near future!

Chameleon is a neighborhood place that may not look like much from the curb (across from a McDonalds), but step inside, and you are in another place. The restaurant and enclosed "porch" area are beautifully done- the front would be a great place for a party. Great music, and great service topped off a wonderful evening. The four of us all tried something different on the menu, and everything was wonderful. It makes you stretch your palate a bit, but doesn't seem like they are trying "too hard: throwing everything but the kitchen sink as is the trend now. Cocktails were yummy too!

My husband and I absolutely LOVE this place! We love their enclosed, romantic patio.Their martinis are wonderful! Especially the Basil martini, quite refreshing in the summer months. The Chamelon Wrap is my favorite appetizer but my husband is fond of the Thi Salad. I love the butternut squash ravioli but last night we both ordered the night's special, chicken ravioli in a rosemary cream sauce with sun dried tomatoes and spinach. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! I wanted to lick the plate to get every last drop of the sauce (but refrained). The chef owner made an Oregon strawberry cheesecake that my husband ordered. I love the home made coconut ice cream and I always look forward to finishing my meal with a beautifully presented serving. However, this time I have to admit that while the ice cream was divine, the cheesecake was the best I have ever sampled. The food is excellant and beautifully presented, the atmosphere intimate and the service is friendly and always helpful. Easy parking is a bonus!

Though the prices are not moderate the food, service and ambience are wonderful. Great restaurant in a neighborhood setting in Hollywood district. Pork shoulder appetizer was excellent. Butternut ravioli was one of the best I have had.

We stopped in for dinner our first night in Portland. We've never been disappointed in the past and certainly weren't disappointed this time. It was too chilly to dine in their outdoor patio area, but we were cozy inside. They change the menu periodically so there's always something new to try. Their food is varied and met all our needs/desires. They do a nice job integrating flavors and textures. And we were celebrating my birthday, so the owner brought us a coconut cream pie (with a candle in it) that was possibly the best I've ever had. Ever.

The Risotto was absolutely to die for. My hubby's rib eye, also wonderful. The setting is definately unexpectantly romantic (from the outside you wouldn't know it), and full of couples. Two very unfortunate things changed our perfect birthday dinner. The waiter smelled so heavily of cigarette smoke that we could hardly get thru the descriptions without falling over. Very gross- I even didnt get pepper because his breath was so awful. The second thing was there was a VERY drunk man at the bar chatting with a couple, he was vulgar and we could hear expletives and sexual references across the room. We were surprised the management did not ask him to leave, it even appeared that they knew him. Several other couples were also uncomfortable with his slurring, loudness and lewdness. Food best I have had in Portland in years!!

The food is just amazing! The first time we went, the owner came to the table to say hello, asked how the food was and then introduced himself to us. He was very friendly and explained to us that he would travel around the world for several months to learn other countries' dishes with excellent cooks, and then he brings them to his restaurant. It is on the higher price range, but I would totally recommend it for a special occasion or celebration :)

Pros: good meal - I had the prawns. Caprese starter was pretty good but they did NOT use Bufala mozzarella as advertised. Our server was nice. There were only 4 other patrons. Place was empty. I'm sorry to say, the ambiance was hideous. The server charged us for 2 glasses of wine when we only ordered one. Pretty strange, as the place was empty. We brought it to his attention. Place felt old.

We went to The Chameleon for Valentines Day, although we visit whenever we're in NE Portland, and had a fantastic steak dinner. Their basil martinis are always amazing and the ambience is warm and inviting, as well as the owner, Pat Jeong. This is his 20th year in business, and he never disappoints. Their outdoor patio is beautiful decorated with plants and murals. It also features a viewing area for summer movie nights.

We checked out all of the Portland Dining Month restaurants and their menus, and this one was at the top of the list because of what was offered. The root vegetable salad with roasted beets, carrots, other roasted vegetables with the goat cheese and dressing was beautifully presented and tasted absolutely delicious! We then had a panko crusted salmon on a bed of rice and kale in a red curry sauce which was also very good. For dessert, there was a lavender shortbread cookie with panna cotta and small fruits such as blueberries, a chocolate coated strawberry, raspberry. We were quite impressed by the outline of a fork in cocoa which decorated the side of the rectangular plate! It was pretty unusual and unique! We loved all of the food presentations and although we hadn't really known about this restaurant, we now think we will return at some point in the future. And oh yes, not to forget our great server! I told him as we were leaving that he had made our visit very special! He was gracious, friendly, helpful, and all of the other things that make a wonderful server. The chef also came out to visit with the customers. Very nice touch!

It feels like you’re eating in a secret garden. It’s a lovely setting for a leisurely dinner. The food is every bit as good as the surrounding. I love fresh flowers in my food. A real treat.

I’ve tried to dine here twice. No one ever bothered to greet me or take my name down. (The place was empty yet I couldn’t get anyone to seat me. Huge red flag. I’ll never come back. Friends say food is mediocre at best anyway. I only try and eat here before a film screening at the Hollywood theater.

We had a delightful dinner with friends. The patio is lovely, with no road noise. Their mixed drink menu was intriguing and I understand the drinks can be quite strong, but we stayed with wine since their selection by the glass was good. My friend's butternut squash ravioli were just right. I enjoyed my fish and my husband enjoyed the chicken curry. Nice variety of menu choices. Serving sizes were generous but not huge, so we didn't get to dessert. Service was relaxed, giving us lots of time to talk. This is definitely a good choice for dinner if you're in the Hollywood area.

I don't typically eat dinner out in Portland very often and wasn't sure what to expect. But so glad this was recommended to me and what an amazing experience! Between the fresh sourced food, the wonderful staff and the atmosphere this place was beyond a 5 star review ! Highly recommend taking some time and enjoying an evening here!

I am not one to complain or jump at the chance to leave a bad review. I always try to give places the benefit of the doubt, and myabe there is more to the situation I'm not aware of. The atmosphere is great, the menu looked amazing, but we waited for about 20 minutes at the table and no one even brought us waters. There were only 2 people working on a Friday night which just doesn't cut it. When the bartender is leaving the back of the bar to tend to tables, the entire flow of the process is broken. We waited, we wanted to stay, but after seeing the table next to us who had been there well before us just get there drinks, we left. There seem to be a lot of good things about this place so I really hope they can get the service portion figured out. Never walked out of a restaurant before, but at 8:30pm on Friday, food was the focus.

Always a hit! Best lamb in town. And Benjamin's lemondrops rock!

First,time on this restaurant with guests out of town, we wait nobody came,to,see what we need. We ask for a,table outside they told,us was 35 minutes wait, we settled for,a,table inside the said 35 to,40 minutes wich by the way the place was empty again another 35 to 40 minutes. Not eye contact no very friendly. We left and went to Altamira bar , best choice very friendly people beautiful view great food. Sorry I won't try you guys again.

Having a toddler and infant at home, we decided to get our order to go from Chameleon after my wife and I saw a matinee show. We ordered the bow time pasta, the Risotto and he Thai beef salad. The Thai beef salad was a little bitter for our taste, but I understand that some places make it this way. The beef was very tender however and the texture was excellent. The bow tie pasta was good, not great. The risotto was absolutely outstanding! Its one of those dishes that after eating you are still savoring it. I definitely know what I am going to get when we return. Although we couldn't stay, we looked around and the restaurant itself has a lot of charm. We'll definitely be back for another date night.

This is a great place for special occasions, out of town guests or just a nice dinner. The service has always been outstanding and the food excellent. The have a nice outdoor patio that's perfect on hot summer nights and cozy ambiance inside. We came here for an early dinner with our baby and the waiter was very accommodating with our wee one.

This was our first visit to this lovely restaurant. Having seen a movie in the neighborhood, we were ready to relax and unwind. They have great cocktails and the basil martini was very refreshing. So many great looking items on the menu it was hard to choose. We started with the shaved Brussels sprout salad which was amazing and we plan to try to replicate at home. Spring rolls came next and were nice and crunchy. Duck ravioli was awesome as was the risotto. Not sure we had room for dessert, but we had to try the coconut cream parfait and were so glad we did! Great service, food and atmosphere. We look forward to our next visit.

I like to try new restaurants as they open - but we find that Chameleon remains on the top of our favorites year after year. Atmosphere is wonderful - romantic indoors (especially in Winter) and the outside area is a great place to enjoy during Summer.

My wife's severe dietary restrictions mean we rarely eat out any more. And when we do, it's with the often vain hope that the chef can give the very special attention needed for her not to become ill. So we tried Chameleon for my 66th birthday dinner. With a limited ingredient list, Chef/owner Pat Jeung took special pains to adjust his wonderful Chameleon Wrap for her and created a very fresh snapper dish with a modified ginger garlic sauce that my wife thought was marvelous. Kudos for creativity, execution, & presentation. I yummed my way through his "normal" chicken curry, with every ingredient cooked perfectly. Afterward Pat surprised us with a birthday desert that my wife could enjoy too. Overall we were amazed that Pat could create such a fantastic dining experience with so many limitations. And when we saw the bill, we both thought it was way low for the quality & freshness of the food, the presentation, and the delightful indoor setting (it was too hot to try the beautiful patio). There are many great restaurants in Portland that serve fresh, sustainable food with creativity. Count Chameleon among them - except you'll walk out having spent much less than expected.

I have never been here but it was my daughter's birthday dinner and I came with her friends. This place is weird in a good way. The menu is kind of Thai with a pasta twist. I had the Curry Chicken which was very filling and had potatoes, carrott etc. I also ordered the Chameleon wraps appetizer. THEY WERE SO GOOD! I am going back to try out the patio which is bigger than the restaurant dining area. The prices are reasonable and the service was excellent!

First time at this restaurant and the 6 of us loved it. My husband and I split the papaya salad (actually the restaurant did it for us, along with splitting the pork tenderloin, and they did a lovely job of it) and we both agreed that it was the best one we've ever had! Not sure why - maybe the perfectly grilled shrimp on top and not over strong with fish sauce. The staff and chef-owner were great, mixed drinks delicious. We heard from our friends with us that the salmon special and beef salad were very good too. We don't know why none of us have been here before -- we will be back to dine on their lovely looking outdoor patio when the weather warms.

I have to say I only wish I knew about this place sooner. Incredible food and an amazing atmosphere. We didn't really know what we were getting into when we stopped by Chameleon, but, are very glad we did. The indoor and outdoor decor is beautiful. We elected to sit out on the patio where they had a beautiful set up and heat lamps. Through COVID, they were able to space everyone at a safe distance and provide a great experience. Food & drink was great. The Spicy Mango Margarita packed a nice little kick and left you craving for more after every sip. As an appetizer, we tried the Chameleon Wrap which was very tasty. Wishing there was more food in the plate though. The main course was a toss up between the Pork Shoulder and the King Salmon. Upon recommendation from the waiter we went with the salmon. You could tell each ingredient was pick with intention. The flavors blend together so well, melting in your mouth and keeps you coming back for another bite. Prices are on the higher end but it is well worth it for the quality of food you are getting. Excited to return and try many more dishes.