Departure Restaurant + Lounge Reviews

BEN - remember his name! Such a gentleman and friendly server and person! He really went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of, always with a smile on his face! He and his coworker Geoff really made my night such a time to remember. Ask for Ben to be your server! You won’t regret it 😃

This restaurant is a true gem. It offers a chic atmosphere with breathtaking views. Our waitress was not only fun but also provided fantastic suggestions. The small-plate Asian cuisine here is a culinary delight. The halibut and steak were exceptional, and the sashimi and sushi were equally delicious. The cocktails were the perfect accompaniment to our meal. For a chic and delectable dinner experience, this restaurant is a must-visit. Whether you're a fan of seafood, steak, or Asian cuisine, you're in for an unforgettable evening.

Jennifer was excellent and kind throughout the whole dinner for the PDX Hit Squad! She’s the best! :)

This restaurant is a true gem. It offers a chic atmosphere with breathtaking views. Our waitress was not only fun but also provided fantastic suggestions. The small-plate Asian cuisine here is a culinary delight. The halibut and steak were exceptional, and the sashimi and sushi were equally delicious. The cocktails were the perfect accompaniment to our meal. For a chic and delectable dinner experience, this restaurant is a must-visit. Whether you're a fan of seafood, steak, or Asian cuisine, you're in for an unforgettable evening.

This floating restaurant is on the 15th floor of The Nines, Luxury Hotel. They offer a limited menu, daily specials, and cocktails. Nice ambiance and great service. The food was excellent and delicious. Definitely a must if you’re ever in Portland. Will definitely go back!!!

The best food we had in Portland, amazing restaurant, food was matched by the service and view. The food here is creative and packed with flavor. 3 outstanding dishes, Charred Carrots (not actually charred much, but loaded with many ingredients and really memorable), Tempeh Char Siu (amazing vegan dish, the beset Tempeh i've ever had, just as good as real Char Sui, in my opinion), Citrus Cured Shellfish (outstanding flavor, crisp, sharp, cool, generous portion). They have a vegan menu which is great. Make a reservation and order lots of food here. Highly recommended.

Centrally located restuarant and bar with deliciously conceived Asian fare for sharing family style. Occupying the top floor of the premier Portland hotel, The Nines, Departure offers an elegant modern setting with fabulous views and, weather-permitting, heated al fresco dining. It can be a bit noisy, but all is forgiven with the quality of the food, portion size and knowledgeable and competent wait staff. Best of all for those with food sensitivities, the entire restaurant is dairy free, and vegan options are always available.

So much delicious food. We tasted a dozen different items and all were absolutely amazing. Great food and great service. Ben was the best waiter.

My son-in-law & husband raved about this place so we went for dinner. Ambience was nice & the service okay. Prices for drinks & food were ridiculous for what you got! That being said, the one thing I would highly recommend is their wings ( not the happy hour ones but regular menu). They were different than anything you can imagine & AMAZING!!!

The rooftop bar was a nice view but there is only 1 bartender and a long line and it was a Monday. As far as the restaurant itself none of our group liked the food. It was very bland. I got spicy garlic broccoli that wasnt cooked well so the broccoli was crunchy and not at all spicy, surprisingly no flavor. I got the bibimbap which was also not good. It had way too much onion and mushroom in it and hardly any meat. I was digging around trying to find meat and it was basically all mushroom and onion which I do not like. Wouldnt go back here. My friends all said their food was bland as well. The outside rooftop bar is a nice place to hang but food is lacking.

Hard to find outside dining in downtown Portland. Great view up where we were. Kinda hot in the sun but I loved it. We had the spicy pork chop and it was amazing. Might be too spicy for some but oh, wow, it was wonderful with its cherry topping.

Always a view that does not disappoint. Great cocktails 🍹 and an Asian fusion food. Salads are the best, in my opinion. A great spot in Portland.

Had a great Experience, the imperial tasting menu is worth the price of admission. Our waiter Austin made my wife and I feel very special on our Wedding Anniversary. I will be coming back again . Spectacular view on the Patio ! Thank you to the whole Staff. Austin you keep doing what you do . Your first class.

Really nice rooftop Asian fusion restaurant and bar. We’ve been for dinner and drinks and just went back for a night cap at the bar. All the food is layered with many flavors and the drinks are creative and well-balanced. Have done the departure experience tasting menu which provided good access to several dishes and if you like a spicy cocktail, the thai chili infused vodka “Tasho Macho” is one of the best around. The “Lucky Number Seven” is a fun take on an old fashioned with a duck fat washed bourbon.

We just arrived in Portland and needed a restaurant close by. Our hotel concierge recommended Departure. It was only 2 blocks from our hotel. We arrived there and they sat us right away on the 18th floor patio. It was warm, but we were under an umbrella. We ordered a delicious tomato and beet salad, Brussels sprouts, trout and beet sushi and the red snapper. Everything was delicious. The view is beautiful. Our waiter Austin was awesome. He couldn’t have been more accommodating. Now, about the red snapper...it was roasted whole and served whole. The skin was crunchy and the inside was moist and savory. I have never had snapper so heavenly. You will not go wrong with this. It will feed 4. We could not finish the huge portion. Enjoy!!!

I scheduled reservations for my birthday. It was for 13 people. I had a little trouble getting into Arianna who manages the reservation but once I got her email... the process was very smooth. I've never made reservation for a big party. Arianna is amazing at her job. She communicates very well and provides you with all the necessary information needed. Anytime I emailed her she would respond within less than 12 hours. The service from the front desk, bartender, waitress, and people serving our food was amazing. Averie was our assigned waitress and made sure to cater to our needs. She made sure that questions are more than welcome and she had no problem re saying things due to people coming in at different times. Glasses of water was never than half empty. The quality of thefood is amazing. The wagyu and the squid melted in your mouth. I liked the fried rice and the bibimpop. Even tho this was scheduled on a Wednesday night, it was packed! I had a wonderful night. Thank you departure and special thanks to Arianna!

This restaurant is unique and the employees are top notch. The manager, Jim, always makes sure to come out to greet you and make you feel like family. Nia, Jennifer, Chrystal, and Jason are amazing servers! Be sure to ask for one of them. Jonathan, one of the chefs, is absolutely amazing and even showed us his roof top garden! Gaspar and Ogaidel take great care of you, always making sure everything is clean and that you are well taken care of. Gianna and Keem are very welcoming and accommodating. Definitely the best restaurant in Portland! Lynn from Seattle

When you get off the elevator to enter Departure, you feel like you’ve entered the ride queue for Space Mountain; it’s definitely a fun, trendy vibe. Departure supposedly has a wonderful view from from the outdoor deck, but I have never actually been able to snag an outdoor table to see it, as the wait is always an hour or more. However, the inside is still fun for happy hour. They have a nice offering of cocktails and wines by the glass. We ordered the wings and spring rolls for appetizers. The spring rolls were a bit fishy, but I could have eaten 10 plates of the wings. They serve them in such a way that your fingers don’t get messy and the chicken is so tender and flavorful that it practically melts in your mouth. This is a great spot for a girls night out or a fun date.

This place is definitely worth checking out. The views of downtown Portland are beautiful. I went on a Friday night. The line wasn't too long for a drink. The drinks are pricey. Cheapest cocktail on the menu $13. But the drinks were very good. The sunset was amazing!

Incredible view and ambience. Incredible food and menu choices. But by far the most incredible thing was our waitress Virginia. She was knowledgeable and fun and made us feel like we were the best customers she ever served. Now that is talent! I can’t wait to go back. Thanks Virginia.

We were so excited to try Departure, mostly because we love Top Chef and because it seemed different than any other restaurant in Portland. The difference was that it was awful . . . we tried to make the most of it but could not get into it. Our waitress was slow and awkward. (We did NOT like the waitress uniforms . . . c'mon, flight attendants? tacky). We had a 6p reservation, we did not order the tasting menu, and yet we were still not finished by 10p. The food was good, but for anyone who wants atmosphere, a culinary experience, this is not your place. Our excitement about the food decreased A LOT because of the service, ambiance, and general look & feel. We couldn't wait to get out and find a bar that seemed like they wanted us there.

My boyfriend and I went to Departure for the first time and were very pleased with the food and beautiful view of Portland. I recommend the crispy pork belly dim sum, and our waitress Jennifer was very sweet and friendly!

Austin was a great server and made my 21st bday unforgettable! Dine at department for great food and ever better drinks!

It's difficult to find a more amazing eating and drinking spot in Portland!. We had the most wonderful addition to our stay at the hotel and our visit to Portland by enjoying part of our evening at this incredible rooftop location. It has everything, great cocktails, food and of course the view in all directions. Departure is definitely one of the most amazing dining experiences in Portland!

Finally made it to Departure after many trips to Portland! We went during happy hour at 4pm and we were not disappointed. My son is vegetarian and Departure had plenty of choices for vegetarians/vegan and those of us that eat fish and meat. We stayed with the sushi theme and the server was very knowledgeable about all the menus and really helped us out. The food is prepared superbly and was delicious. The whole staff was welcoming and helpful!

My husband and I recently visited Portland for the first time and were enticed to visit Departure by a food blogger we follow. We arrived with no reservations as the earliest they had was 10pm, so we took our chances in the bar/lounge area. Firstly, the place is so cool, from the moment you exit the elevator they are creating an experience. I guess we looked lost as we had several servers ask if they could help us - they all went out of their way to find us a spot to sit and was a beautiful view overlooking the city (the restaurant sits atop The Nines Hotel) The food was amazing; Local Greens Salad, Steamed Short Rib Buns, Thai Sausage Egg Fried Rice & Yakitori Chicken (yes, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs) Everything was so flavorful and the service was just so amazingly pleasant.

Had an excellent experience at Departure. They have a great range of vegan options and non-alcoholic drinks; the carrot nuka roll is the best sushi I've ever eaten! You can tell they use fresh, good quality ingredients in each dish. Our server Laura was very accommodating and kind. The view and the atmosphere of the restaurant add to the experience too. I will definitely stop by again next time I'm in Portland.

Jennifer was our server throughout the night she was very professional an kind! Doesn’t get any better!! #PDXHITSQUAD

Happy hour tonight: Tasho Macho cocktail -Thai Chili-infused vodka, Thai basil, ginger syrup, and citrus. (Fabulous drink!) Steam buns with Wagyu beef meatball, sticky soy and ginger cabbage. (Fabulous and I’d order it again and again.) Sweet shrimp spring rolls with black mushrooms and spiced coconut honey. (Didn’t find the shrimp in there, and was only okay.) Chiang Mai duck sausage with strawberry-rhubarb mustard and turmeric pickle. (Disappointing as these weren’t the actual flavors, and the ones there really didn’t go together well.) Finished with pork belly with cherry candy, pumpkin seeds and cilantro salad. OMG YES! Best way to end this.

Departure restaurant and lounge makes you feel like you are dining in a swank pan-Asian restaurant in some place like New York City; but without having to travel there, or abandon the beauty of Portland’s scenic views. The views and food make this a great place for a date or special occasion. Tips: *The venue is smaller than you would think so make a reservation if you can, if you can’t make a reservation show up early (before 5pm) *There is lots of seating for large groups, so it would be a good place to host a group of friends or a family gathering (again, call ahead) *Bar seating is not optimal, you will miss out on the views, so see if they can seat you in the main dining area. *Picky eaters would likely not do well eating here, lots of new ingredients and very limited traditional selection of food (I.e. things like hamburgers or fries).

We went to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We did the three course meal, and left stuffed. Our waiter was awesome but seemed to have a large number of tables to take care of. I loved my stone fruit and tomato salad! Followed by the lobster tempura, and then the chicken katsu. All were very tasty!

We had a dinner as a group of 8. The food was Magnificent. Our entourage sampled a variety of dishes including sashimis, wagyu, halibut and sushi rolls. Everything was top notch. Spice ones maybe a rad on the spicy side, but great none the less.

Dined here last night with 4 other women to celebrate a couple of 4th birthday parties. Chose it because of their vegan and gluten free offerings, but everything about this place made for a perfect celebratory evening. The atmosphere was fun and glam - lots of people dressed up for a night out. Cocktails were top-notch. Every bite of food we had was terrific (except the desserts - I thought those were just OK). High on the list was the charred carrot salad, the whole roasted bass (especially the fermented chili sauce had amazing depth of flavor) and the sushi. We had phenomenal service by Austin from start to finish. He expained the menu, made suggestions, guided us to order the absolutely perfect amount of food, and gave us a sparkling rose toast and candles on our desserts for the bithday women. Have already recommended this to a couple of people and would suggest for anyone who is looking for a celebratory "event" dinner.

We came and had the Chefs Choice Imperial Tasting and the good was amazing as was our waiter Austin! He made our evening! Thanks for everything!

This is our number one restaurant when visiting Portland. Gianna, Haley, and Maddy are delightful and very welcoming. Nia our server was BEYOND amazing. She was so attentive, knew the menu well and her suggested items were wonderful. Jim always takes the time to come by and make sure everything is perfect, he has a great personality and is a terrific manager. He even remembered my name from many months ago! Anytime you come to Portland I highly suggest you eat here, great staff and great food!

Went in and everything looked so great we couldn’t decide, so we ordered 6 different things plus dessert for two and our server Jennifer was very attentive yet not intrusive and had all the answers for any questions and coursed things appropriately so we did not have 10 plates on the tables at the same time. The waygu, albeit 4oz, was one of the best steaks of my life. Would definitely recommend and will 100% return.

I booked a night at The Nines while passing through Portland, and at the same time requested a table at Departure (following up twice my request during that time). I arrived at hotel 2 weeks later and reservation was never taken care of, however concierge got me a table at the last minute. When I arrived at Departure they tried to put me next to the front entrance, the very 1st table by door. Of course, this was not going to work. Requested a better table and they finally gave me one with a beautiful view of Portland by night. And to be quite honest that was the best part of the experience. Food was average. I started with the Crispy crab roll, which wasn't too bad, then followed by the prawns and tuna hand roll. Prawns over cooked, but flavor good. Tuna roll was massacred in their spicy sauce, leaving zero tuna flavor. Thank God it was small. Lots of space to improve!!! Service was good, restaurant completely full on a Sunday night, unique space.

Departure has one of the best foods in Oregon. The ambiance and setting of the place is breathtaking with a view of the city (especially during sunset/evening). The food is so carefully thought out and each taste note is spot on. It is on the expensive side but it is completely worth it for the whole experience. Our experience with the staff there was also positive. We went for our Anniversary and our waiter, Austin, was really great. He went above and beyond to provide us with a great experience. I HIGHLY recommend coming here!

We ordered the smoked octopus, the skirt steak and the crunchy crab rolls. The food was cooked to perfection and the plate presentation was artful. Our server Mark was knowledgeable about the menu and very kind. I would highly recommend making a reservation here!

After seeing Wicked in Portland we headed up to Departure Lounge for dinner outside on the patio. Beautiful views and great service! Food is innovative and spiced just right! 😎

Due to weather our outside table reservation was changed by them calling the day prior. They provided us with seating away from others- greatly appreciated . Service was excellent as was the food and beverage. We tried almost every small plate (shared amongst four adults. Got seconds of the oysters. Only “average” item were spring rolls. Cannot wait to go back

The restaurant is a great theme, a futuristic airport lounge. The food is great, and wonderful to share. The best part of the meal though was our server, Ben. He was so responsive and wonderful to talk to you.

While visiting Portland, we wanted a restaurant that provided a great view of the downtown area. Departure has both indoor and patio seating. The architecture is interesting and unique. We enjoyed our dinner selections which were mostly served family style (a.k.a. to be shared). The chef was very willing to accommodate special requests (e.g. low spiciness).

This restaurant never disappoints. We have been coming here for six years, and it always serves up inventive delicious Asian cuisine...all at a reasonable price point. We just had an amazing dining experience at Zuma in London, and wanted a similar experience. And Departure delivered once again. The fusion food here ‘departs’ just enough from its authentic Asian roots to make it exciting without getting lost. All the dishes just make sense, and the flavors are cohesive and on point without being overwhelming. Jennifer, our server, was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and her cheery disposition really made our time great!

We ate here while staying at the Nines. This restaurant was a fun, lively environment. The food was delicious and reasonably priced— the waygu was a great deal. Our server Ben was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Delightful meal.

Kind of a cool place and the food is pretty good too, but the fact that you have to nearly yell when talking to your spouse or when ordering kinda ruins it. That being said, the service was pretty good, ignoring the girl that kept passing me up on the water refills. The waitress was on it and didn't make any mistakes and I feel like the menu was pretty well appointed with a variety of options. My recommendation is, go when it's not quite so busy, perhaps you'll be able to hear what your date/spouse/friend is saying to you.

I took friends up there to give them an unique and fun place to enjoy in Portland We had a minor with us and she was allowed to indulge in a mock tail. I have been there loads of times. I always have had a great experience. The Nine’s hotel is also brilliant. Great service, food, decor, view, & drinks. It a must go to while in Portland.

Some really great food- it's "small plates" so order a bit more than you think you need. And they have special menus for vegetarian/vegans eaters as well- just ask.

Had an absolutely phenomenal evening! Food was creative and delicious, and we seriously had the world’s best server (Austin)! Would come back for special occasions without question.

The Drinks, Views, and Service were fabulous! The food was another story SALTY in my opinion the chef working the night we were there needs to cleanse his palate for salt. We had the crispy pork belly which was just a crime against the pig. It was so salty it tasted as if it was crusted in salt and it was difficult to eat. Refill of water jug please! We also had the Koji chicken which was both spicy and very very salty as well. When we mentioned this to our server she said “ yes we have BIG flavors here” We are really pretty adventurous eaters and spice eaters but pure salt doesn’t = big. Such a disappointment for such a beautiful space It would be one star but the drinks, cool laser etched ice cube and attentive if vapid service added one more for me

Chose this spot to celebrate our anniversary based upon tasting menu and it did not disappoint. Located on the upper floor of the NINEs Hotel. We were greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and promptly escorted to a harbor-view table. Modern, yet casual, elegance is the vibe here with friendly but super-efficient service. Tasting menu options focus on Asian-fusion dishes wonderfully created and artistically presented. Depths of flavors leave you satisfied but not stuffed. We opted for the wine pairing with tasting menu. Highly recommend that if you're a wine-lover as each pairing was near perfection. Our server, Hannah, did a great job walking us through each dish and accompanying wine. She was friendly and informative with the perfect balance of attentiveness and leisurely dining time. Save room for a dessert. You can't go wrong with any selections which include sushi rolls, dim sum, tom kah, pork belly and beautiful scallops w/ prawns. This was a real treat for a pair of foodies.

We stopped here for happy hour drinks on our recent visit to Portland. Drinks were reasonable during happy hour, given the atmosphere and vibe. A must do, if just for the scenery, when you visit the city!

One of the hypest restaurants in PDX no doubt with a nice view. Nice food, efficient service, expensive though and very busy!

Fabulous atmosphere and the food is excellent. I had the pork belly and sushi (can't recall the name of the sushi but it had a garlic sauce). You need to order a minimum of two items as the portions aren't huge. A good idea would be to order quite a few things and share them. There's a great mixed drink menu as well.

Very disappointed! No where close to a Japanese restaurant! It's a Asian fusion restaurant! The produce was really fresh and service very helpful. But seems the chef doesn't really understand Asian food. Dishes were very salty and spices used overpowered the taste of the food. I'm not a fan of Asian fusion food where they try to blend all the different Asian cuisines together. It usually doesn't work. Sorry but not a fan!

This restaurant is easy to find, with its enviable location on the 15th floor above a hotel. We were welcomed by the staff and quickly escorted to our table. We ordered 3 dishes and each was more delicious than the last! Char-grilled Octopus - this was the most tender Octopus I have ever eaten. Chicken Wings, and Char-grilled carrots. The portion sizes were good for us. There are also fantastic cocktails and wines to choose from - we could not fault the whole experience. Highly recommended!

Cool bartender, great tasting oysters, quality beer, stellar views. Late night menu wasn't as extensive as I hoped it would be (was looking for the grilled octopus!) but I understand.

My husband and I decided to check this place out for date night. We started off by having a drink on the rooftop patio overlooking the city. Thanks to a reservation, we were seated promptly. Service was amazing from the time we walked in the door (they even offered me a vegan menu to meet my dietary needs). My husband and I decided to order a few different plates to share. Everything was amazing (though I found the Massaman Curry to be just a little too spicy for me). We also decided to share a dessert; try the Watermelon Shaved Ice, you will not be disappointed! Overall, we were very pleased with our entire meal and Departure. We are already talking about what will order next time!

Best place in Portland!!!!! Fantastic atmosphere, view, and an excellent variety food choices and great drink selection. Roof top view was stunning. Staff was friendly and very accommodating to our time restraint. Will definitely be our must stop restaurant when returning to Portland.

We had an excellent server and bar tender looking after us at this hotel. Very knowledgeable, friendly and not too overbearing. The 4 of us shared a number of small plates, all of which were excellent. The steamed buns, the crispy pork belly and the yakitori were my favourite. It's on the pricey side but the food and atmosphere are worth it

This restaurant charges a flat 4% surcharge on your entire bill…for the fun of it. The disclaimer is very small on one of the three menus you get and specifies it’s just extra for the company, not the back of house, not the staff, just extra for the owners. They can go to hell.

The food here was terrific. Unique flavours. Try the prawns, chicken, sushi for certain, the chefs tasting menu was divine. But we arrived on time for our reservation and were seated. We ordered tasting menu and waited 75 minutes for our first dish. While our server was great, this was not an acceptable wait. Once the dishes started coming, they were extraordinarily tasty. The restaurant was packed. A reservation is essential.

After a dizzy ride up to the 9th floor this modern, classy and superbly presented restaurant bar stands out as THE place to eat and chill with colleagues, friends and family. Mouthwatering dishes paced well for a hungry but chatty group. Top quality ingredients and preparation make this a stand out venue. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Red Snapper is just dining madness to add a crown to the meal.. but anything is worth trying. Great evenings to remember are made here .. not just food!

The food was incorrectly described, lackluster and served cold. Whatever ambiance ever existed was taken away by poor maintenance and failure to clean the public area.

Geoffrey's customer service and professionalism was outstanding. He came back and checked on us several times and was able to accommodate our needs. His sense of humor stood out most. We will definately be coming back for the outstanding service. Worth the trip from Australia.

I had the special for breakfast, which was an eggs benedict with heirloom tomatoes. It was delicious!

Dining at Departure was a real treat! The atmosphere was beautiful! It was a clear day in Portland and the sun lite the space in a beautiful way! The food was delicious and pleasingly different. The drinks were FABULOUS! thanks to the wonderfully knowledgeable bartender; Sarah!! She was professional, fun and very knowledgeable; CREATING a cocktail for me that was PERFECT!! It was unique, tasty and beautiful!! Managed by Billy, the restaurant felt like home, but in a very upscale way! I highly recommend it!!

This is most probably the worst restaurant i have visited so far service and food wise. We arrived seven minutes earlier and were told that our table is not ready when the restaurant was actually empty. We went to their bar and ordered one Scotch Whiskey and one red wine. The red wine was so old and bitter that my wife did not take another sip of that. We were sitting and waiting for our table when this very very rude hostess comes up to us and talks down to us and very very rude asked us to immediately vacate this place we were sitting. She could have said it in a very polite manner but as this is not a restaurant where they either take pride in their food or service so she was herself. I told her we did not know if this table was reserved as there was no sign and secondly we would be happy to move when someone comes. She refused to listen to us and went on insulting us. Our table was finally ready and i must say that there were six empty tables where we were seated. Now the food we ordered as starter chicken wings inedible, Sushi we ordered never showed up. We ordered Bibimbap which was returned immediately so bad again inedible. The only thing decent was the fried rice. This restaurant should be shut down and they should concentrate on training their staff and chefs. This rude lady knew she was condescending and rude. She should be fired.

Our experience at Departure was one we'll never forget. We came from Sacramento to celebrate my husband's birthday and I had made the reservation in advance. Staff was really courteous over the phone and helped me orchestrate bringing in a cake due to our diet restrictions. The restaurant atmosphere was special and unique, while also having a warm comfortable feel. From the moment we met him, our server Ben seemed genuinely happy to engage and guide us through the menu. His knowledge of the ingredients and confidence in the menu was obvious and so appreciated. He recommended the "duck flight" and it ended up being the standout experience, though EVERYTHING was exceptional. The flight opened with duck bone broth and ended with dairy free duck ice cream. The food was an experience in itself and we were floored with the creativity and execution. We tapped Ben for his sake sommelier expertise and he helped pair our food. It was truly a special night we won't forget and we'll definitely make our way back in the future. A huge thank you to Ben! Your care was evident and it made our night!

Restaurant on the top floor of The Nines hotel and as such gets a diverse crowd - from a family with small children to folks literally dressed to the nines. The space is decorated like a futuristic airport? Not sure. It’s a nice space. Tables are not too close. Big bar area. But onto the things that really matter. The food was very good, but not quite good enough for 5 stars; a little uneven. We ordered the departure experience, which had decent, but limited choices. The crispy dim sum had great chicken and overcooked pork belly. The steamed choice was good. The cod was very good. The steak was good, but not excellent. Decent wine list. Service was very good. I did not give any stars for the view. If that is going to be a big draw for you, then it’s probably worth a try, but enjoying the view might be tough from October- April.

I took my wife here for our anniversary. The restaurant and adjoining roof top bar have a very cool vibe. It didn't take long for our table to be ready on the patio. When making reservations, be sure to ask for the patio if you want to sit outside. This is a much more casual setting than the dining room. However, the view is better in the dining room. The food is brought to your table as it is ready, so everything is steaming hot and delicious. This is high-end Japanese cuisine and does not disappoint.

The setting is great and the drinks too. We had the scallops and they were not fresh and very chewy. The bibimbap terrible, lots of veggies, hardly any meat. Short rib buns were ok, but again, nothing special. Wouldn’t come back.

We were so looking forward to a wonderful family reunion at departure. How could we guessed the server would be arrogant yet uneducated, fish that had been previously frozen and a useless manager. I have never experienced such a disaster in hospitality. I like a nice view but not at the cost of everything else. Go anywhere but here. I promise you a experience you won’t forget I’m the worst possible way.

My husband and I came to celebrate our 11 year anniversary and from the moment we sat down every detail and interaction has been sublime! Ben, our server treated us with top notch service and was so kind! He really elevated our time here. The food was SUBLIME!!! Everything we tasted was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We tried something out of the box for us, the smoked octopus, and it was unreal! A must have. This has quickly become a place we want to keep coming back to. A must try in Portland!

Departure is a great place to have a very classy dinner and good drinks and AMAZING food. The staff is very nice and they have bar on the other side to have some drinks while you wait to be seated. The pork belly's are to die for thats for sure.

Super Excellent service and flavor, too much spicy for my but amazing combinations of flavor, from appetizer to dessert.

I brought my girlfriend here for her not-birthday dinner. The staff was great, friendly, helpful & attentive. Great atmosphere, upbeat & trendy. I tried the spicy tuna roll, it was just ok. The Pork belly was excellent & by far my favorite dish of the night. The Ishiyaki steak was also very good & was a close second. We had 5-6 items on the menu, & a couple of drinks. If you do the same, expect to pay around $150 or so (includes tip). Give this place a try, I think you will like it.

The staff is very friendly and accomodating. The craft cocktails were delicious and the view amazing!

This was an interesting lounge. The food, and the service, were both excellent. However, so were the prices. Two couples - we had four dishes and 2 drinks each, some at the happy hour prices. The happy hour drink prices were reasonable. However, walking away hungry after dropping over $150 was a bit much. Sorry but while the food was great this was a bit rich for my blood.

Went on Xmas eve. It was our 3rd try for a girls night out.The other 2 closed to public[Porter Hotel and the Q]. Nice atmosphere. Had to sit at the bar as we had no reservations!!! so we had no view which is the main deal. Anyway the service was good, food was very good, $$$$. Its ok for the occasional night out. Sushi was acceptable.

We chose this restaurant because we like to eat mostly veggies and there were plenty of great options plus a great view.....and we were staying at the Nines. :) When it came down to ordering, our server, Ben, recommended 2 items per person except count the bibimbap as 2. We decided to venture in to the world of fish and tried the scallops which were Amazing! Server Ben was super helpful and really elevated the experience. Try the vegan version of the bibimbap and the asparagus salad. Nice wines by the glass and lovely cocktails. The bottle list was medium sized but well curated. The food is quite beer friendly so I would have liked to see a few more adventurous choices on the beer side, but all in all, the beverage program was top notch especially some hard to find liquors by the shot.

We had a wonderful evening with great service and delicious food. They had just come out with the fall salad, which was a great balance of flavors. The Glasrai was also a delicious salad. The pork dumplings were a highlight of the evening and the skirt steak was also great. The dishes really captured the tastes of Asian fusion.

Another amazing experience at Departure!! Our waiter Mark was incredible, very attentive and kind. Also so helpful and informative! We were celebrating our daughter and her friends birthday and our experience was the best. Always delicious food. We loved the Brussel sprouts, veggie udon noodles, sushi rolls and bimibap! We also got to see Allie our first waitress we had for our first visit about a month ago. She was just as awesome and friendly as the last time. Our night ended with a sparkling non alcoholic for the girls and bubbles for us along with there spectacular chocolate cake for the birthday celebration!

Ben, our server went above and beyond. His menu knowledge is superb, his sake out of this world. I would follow Ben to any restaurant he works at.

Jennifer was our waitress and she was excellent. I would recommend this restaurant to all my famoly and friends because of the great food and ambiance. The place is absolutely gorgeous.

This restaurant is pretty popular, is at the 15th floor and has awesome views over the city...The menu offers fusion cuisine from salads to sushi, sashimi and delicious stakes. We were 13 people and ordered many small dishes to share...everything was super delicious!

To start Austin our waiter really set the tone for this experience being fantastic. My girlfriend and I are always indecisive when ordering because if possible we would order everything on the menu... With a few quick questions Austin was able to recommend cocktails that were just perfect to our taste and both amazing creations we’ve never tried before. For our food we opted to do the 5 course departure flight which Austin also helped us pick out. Everything was beyond delicious and it’s hard to mention just one thing but to start their steak entree is definitely worth trying. It melted in your mouth while having a crunch on the edge and the bed of greens it was on was a perfect melody of flavors to pair with it. We will undoubtedly be back next time we are in Portland!

Having relocated to Portland in July, 2019, my husband and I are greatly enjoying exploring the Portland dining scene. It's incredible, especially when compared to the city we left, Palm Springs, CA. As of today, Departure is the best dining experience we've had in our new city. We were skillfully guided through the menu by our server, Austin, who also provided dining suggestions, based on our individual food preferences/restrictions. All selections we chose were excellent. The scallops were some of the best I've ever eaten! The wings were a great start to the dining event. The noise level can be energetic and as we were a 2-top, we were seated off the main dining room in a smaller area which can get noisy. Being Thanksgiving Eve, the restaurant did get very busy by the time we left. We want to also acknowledge Ryan Rodriguez, who assisted our table, and made the evening a spectacular success. Of note, each food option was delivered by a different food runner, who explained what was being served. However, Ryan went above and beyond his duties to deliver a top notch dining experience, when his assistance was needed. Thanks to all the team here in creating a memorable evening; we will be back!

After hearing about the great view we booked reservations at Departures restaurant. For the view, we should have requested the outside space. We felt as if we were in an airport terminal IN the restaurant. The food matched that feeling...not in a good way. Overly spicy killed the flavor of fresh ingredients. Salad listed as made with avocado had unrecognizable pieces. We had to ask the server if we had the right dish. Where is the avocado? Where are the peaches? Is this asparagus or snap peas? The dishes were served mindlessly by one server causing food to slid in a lump to one side. At first we thought it was the style. Until we saw the same server hold the bowl on a neighboring table so all the ingredients slid to one side of the bowl. One dish was good, grilled octopus. All the others for a party of three was poor to nothing noteworthy. Service mixed with some helpful and pleasant servers and others very careless and unprofessional. The theme “Departures” made us too happy to do just that...depart.

My girlfriend and I had the chance to eat at Departure recently, on the recommendation of a friend. Totally worth the drive across town on Sunday night before heading back to Eugene! I had the ishiyaki steak and my girlfriend had the whole snapper. Post we're great. Obviously the quality of food at a restaurant is important, but to me personally, the most important thing is the staff and the atmosphere created by the staff. Our server, Virginia, was awesome! she was totally professional, and at the same time made us feel comfortable and welcome. If you happened to go, ask for Virginia. We will definitely be back

Not all "fusion" types of food actually live up to expectation. This one was good. If has a good variety of choices, beautiful presentation, and great tasty dishes.

We were seated immediately at checkin thanks to a reservation; had a corner table - thought it was going to be relatively quiet. However, given the vibe of this place - we knew that was not going to be the case. The busy atmosphere was made up for by the food and the service - everyone from the maitre’d to our server Jennifer were very accommodating. We would return - but likey on a week night or earlier on a weekend night when patrons may be more sedate. Overall a good dinner!

This restaurant is unique and the employees are top notch. The manager, Jim, always makes sure to come out and greet you. Nia and Jason are amazing servers! Be sure to ask for one of them. Jonathan, one of the chefs, is absolutely amazing and even showed us his roof top garden! Gaspar takes great care of you, always making sure everything is clean and that you are well taken care of. Gianna and Keem are very welcoming and accommodating. Definitely the best restaurant in Portland! Lynn from Seattle

Every time we come to Portland we always eat at Departure. The service and food are both top notch. Austin, our server was so knowledgeable and attentive. Yaidel, Nate, and Gaspar always make sure you’re extremely well taken care of. Jim, the manager, operates the Resturant beyond well. I’ve ate at high end steak houses and there is no better steak than the Ishiyaki steak, and you can cook it to your liking! If you have never ate here, it’s definitely a must!

While our group was thrilled to spend our girl's night here, we were treated horribly, and honestly, we have never had such a bad experience. We were rudely told by a manager we were being too loud, the waitress seemed very annoyed while serving us and then when asked to split the check and run different cards, then told it was against policy. The restaurant wasn’t even busy and sadly the locals with us all said this used to be the place to be and will now never be back. Having worked in the hospitality industry, I can say they need to do better and you have way too much completion to be treating guests this way.

Our first night in downtown and I made reservation ahead of time. The host did tell me that it would be hot on the outdoor area that time of day. We went outside and decided we would still eat outdoor. When we finally got settled, the city views were great! Happy hour food menu wasn't as great. The portions are very small and not a lot of selection. The concept & decor design is fantastic. It's good that we tried this place. Not impressed with the happy hour menu.

Small plate style very good food - octopus was perfectly tender and paired with tasty veggies. Service was friendly and fast. Drink options were 5 star but the drink prices matched. Food was reasonably priced. View of city was excellent. Make a reservation and make this part of your Portland experience.

We had drinks and shared items off the menu. The drinks were so good--I had the South Meets East. The pork belly, broccoli, dumplings, and chicken wings were divine. We weren't really interested in the wings, but our waiter suggested that we order them and we devoured every last morsel. We sat in the bar (very comfortable seating), but I'd like to return and have dinner there next to one of the windows--an amazing view from the 15th floor!

Ashley was amazing, perfect service. Prompt and friendly. We will be back!! Great place for drinks with friends

Great location with rooftop views of Portland. Food was great and staff was very professional. We ordered various dishes and shared them while the staff impressed us with their detailed knowledge of the drinks.

The view of the downtown is good. The reason for the somewhat poor review was the unfriendly vibe. Different night with other bartenders and I am sure this place would be so much better. Update of the decor is necessary. Nothing thrilling. One drink and we were out finding elsewhere to go.

My husband and I were headed downtown for a theater performance and decided to book a table at Departure. We had a reservation for 5:30PM and were seated promptly. Our waiter was very friendly, explained the menu well and kept track of water and cocktails. We absolutely loved the carrot salad and the BBQ pork bun. We ordered all three of the grilled items (prawn, chicken and beef). They were flavorful, but we expected them to be hot and sizzling with a charred crispness, instead they were just warm. The friend rice with Thai sausage reminded me of one of my favorite meals in Thailand, but it was short on the sausage. The pear galette for dessert was delicious and dairy free. While we get that the small plates come out when they are ready, it was a bit weird to get our grilled dishes before the salad and the rice dish long after the grilled items.. So, all in all a bit of a mixed bag, but we agreed we would likely give it a second try.

This place is the real deal. Great food creative cocktails and caring hospitality. Menu has so many hits. Order a lot and share with friends. Try all things sushi and the whole fish and scallops. Will I Go Back? Of course! Great place for drinks after dinner and the patio is perfect!

My husband and I had dinner here last week while we were staying at the Nines Hotel. It is very cool inside...looks like you are going a a plane (hence "Departure"). The menu is interesting with a lot of choices of sushi and typical asian cuisine. The service was pretty good and the food was also pretty good - not fantastic, but good. The views are spectacular as are the drinks.

We had the best waiter named Ben. He was so friendly and helpful to offer suggestions as we asked and provide a brief but clear walk through of the cocktail list and things to pair together. Overall, a great experience and we'll definitely be back looking to have Ben as our server!

Fabulous meal, drinks, atmosphere, and service from our wonderful server Jennifer. Thank you for a great night!

Team business dinner for 16. Service was impeccable (thanks Ashley!), food was amazing and the views from the rooftop could be beat. Everyone was pleased and happy.

We were taken care of by Yaidel and Jennifer.... what great staff! Attentive and cool. But you go to restaurants for the food and vibe. This place has both. I don’t know what it’s supposed to be - a space station? An alien spaceship? A restaurant in 2049? Whatever it is, it’s great. The food is awesome too. Creative, inventive. Delicious. Go. Here.

Austin was so great and really worked with us to figure out what we would like and enjoy the most from appetizers to cocktails. This is our new favorite spot and we cannot wait to come back!

Departure delivered our best meal thus far on our trip to Portland. Austin (aka “Texas”) provided excellent service and food/wine recommendations!! The “citrus sushi” and the pork chop were perfect. Highly recommend checking this place out if you are into fine dining.

Went to departure on a beautiful, sunny evening. I made a reservation about a month before requesting a window or patio table as we were in Portland for our honeymoon and wanted to make it a special dinner. The restaurant accommodated this request and we were given a table on the patio with great views. The grilled scallops and bibimbap were delicious. We would definitely return the next time we are in town. Thank you!

This is the most amazing place. We did the Imperial tasting where the chef chose 12 dishes for us. This was the best culinary experience I’ve had in a long time. Our waiter Austin is first class. He explained with detail each course. He knows the dishes and how to lend tasting notes. Thank you Departure and Austin for one of the most amazing dining experiences in Portland, Oregon!

Ben our server was amazing, along with Geoff who helped us out throughout the night as well! The food as phenomenal! The view was gorgeous. Was a great birthday dinner for the book

We went for the rooftop bar and it is quite impressive, clearly worth a drink visit if not a dinner experience. This is a place to go when you want to impress the one you’re with. The atmosphere is part elegant, park nightclub with fantastic views over downtown Portland.

We had a reservation and ordered an appetizer (scallops) and then ordered chicken and steak as a main course. We were quite hungry and it took forever. People who arrived later and ordered the wok dish got served very quickly. The food was delicious but it took too long and the waitress didn’t check on us meanwhile.

Even during Covid-19 the service and food is still good as ever. Kaela greeted you downstairs as you entered and made you feel very welcome and made the process simple. Austin is always a joy to see and is so kind. Virgina provided excellent service and explained the menu changes very well while recommending new items. The only thing missing was Jim, he added so much charisma to the atmosphere and it will never be the same without him!

The main reason for the several stars is the ambiance and staff. The staff is very friendly and the ambiance on the top floor of the Nines hotel is amazing. There is a patio as well as indoor dining. The Crispy Crab Roll was incredible but the Kimchi Rice, Tom Kha Soup and Cirtus Salmon Roll were above average and fresh but not incredible. I would highly recommend visiting here and getting away from anything on street level in Portland.

Really rude staff. We wanted to sit on the terrace but needed one of the more comfortable seats in the restaurant. (With arthritis from neck to hips, I can not sit on anything hard). Well, they outright refused this ADA request. That's what you get when 20-somethings are hostesses. They just don't get what life in your 60s and beyond will bring. They need to learn compassion. There was absolutely no reason to deny this very simple request for a customer. Was considering this for a huge group but now am not.

This amazing restaurant is located on the rooftop of the Meier & Frank Building in downtown Portland. The Executive Chef, Gregory Gourdet, was featured on top chef. He serves up innovative pan-Asian food, from street food-styled starters to meal-sized classics, rice and noodle specialties to market-fresh sushi. The menu is dairy free, and they offer vegan a gluten free options. A fun, trendy dinning experience!

Last night in town and we saved this place for last. Glad we did. Gave us memories to take home with us. The menu has something for everyone from sushi to fried rice to steak on hot stones. We shared a whole snapper......not a complaint in the house. Staff was excellent and always there when you needed them but not in your face.

My husband and I chose Departure once again to celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary just before Christmas on a Saturday night.Our last years celebration there was wonderful. The food and service were excellent so we thought we would repeat this year. Well, it was no where near the same experience. We arrived at 4 pm when they opened. I mentioned to our server that this was an anniversary celebration when we sat down (we had also mentioned this fact when we made the reservation initially). The server was attentive however that soon changed where he left us for great lengths even though no one else had sat down near us.. The room was on the cool side and the music was a bit loud. The food was excellent however the delivery felt rushed with too many plates being delivered at once...with a long wait after the meal was over. Our server arrived with check in hand without asking if we wanted dessert (last year they presented a lovely complimentary dessert honoring our celebration) or even coffee, tea or an after dinner drink. This was very disappointing to say the least. Before leaving I made these remarks to the hostess/manager. A couple that was leaving at the same time heard my objections and entered the elevator with us. They remarked that they had experienced the same issues and won"t be returning as well.

Tucked away on the 15th floor of a downtown building in an ultra modern setting is this Asian fusion restaurant with beautiful views and unusual food combinations served in a shared plate/tapas-like manner. I would go back for the pork belly alone but also loved the carrot salad, and I hate carrots. The sushi rolls and spring rolls were also excellent and everything was served by a team of servers who were incredibly versed on the menu and how everything was prepared. The mini ice cream scoop desserts served in ice cream cones was the perfect ending to the meal. The restaurant's scene is quite a place to be seen and for a larger table it can be a little loud for intimate conversation. Oddly, the temperature in the restaurant's bathrooms seems to be 20 degrees lower and cooler than the restaurant itself. An excellent experience and meal, and would certainly return.

This was one of the most fantastic meals ever. Everything was shareable and just absolutely mouth watering and fantastic. Every bite was something to savor and relish over! Well crafted cocktails as well. The harami beef skewers by far was the best thing I've ever eaten. Also our waitress Jennifer, was insanely awesome. She was so attentive and very friendly. Incredibly knowledgeable and her customer service far exceeds anywhere I've traveled and dined at. The customer service over all of this establishment is unparalleled in service. Truly a place to recommend to anyone and every one passing through. If I had the ability to give the Michelin Stars, I would.

We came here as a party of five for my 30th birthday celebration and Ben took the best care to make sure we had an excellent experience! We trusted him to bring us his suggestions and it did not disappoint! Every single dish he recommended was excellent beyond belief. The entire staff that helped us we’re all incredible as well. We love it here and can’t wait to come back for more celebrations! Thank you Ben and thank you to the rest of the staff! We felt so well taken care of and are grateful for our experience!

Departure Restaurant delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. The food was outstanding, beautifully presented, and full of bold, memorable flavors that truly lived up to the restaurant’s reputation. What really set the night apart, though, was the service. Jessica was absolutely phenomenal. She was warm, knowledgeable, attentive without being intrusive, and made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. Her recommendations were spot-on, and her passion for hospitality showed in every interaction. The entire team worked seamlessly together, creating a polished yet relaxed atmosphere that made the evening feel special. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything flowed effortlessly. Departure is the perfect combination of incredible cuisine, stunning ambiance, and top-tier service. Huge thanks to Jessica and the entire team for such a fantastic dining experience. We can’t wait to return and will be recommending this place to everyone we know.

My wife and I arrived at Departure for our very first visit with trepidation - “What do we order? Will this be good?” Ben appeared in just the right time with recommendations and pairings that did not disappoint. The smoked octopus and GF Fried Rice with Squash & Sausage. “Wow! Wow backwards,” we exclaimed. For dessert Ben recommended the Banana Split. Just the best suggestion to end an beautiful meal. Ben made our anniversary dinner feel special and made our evening one that was unforgettable. Thank you Ben! Departure will be a regular stop for special date nights out!

Came here on a business trip because one of the team was staying at this hotel. It was a Tuesday night & we were seated immediately without a reservation. Did not get a view seat but that was OK, the atmosphere was quiet and spaced-out enough to promote a great conversation. We ordered just small plates, and everything was fresh and delicious. We had the butternut squash roll, tiger prawns, edamame, and one more sushi roll which I think was a special. Service was friendly and prompt. Would definitely visit again and recommend.

Our server Austin was fantastic. His recommendations for food and wine were spot on. The space is really nice and a window seat is a big bonus. We ordered a la carte and it was plenty of food. Great that restaurant is open late.

Departures had been highly recommended to us and we reserved well in advance and looked forward to our visit. Unfortunately, we wee disappointed by the food, the ambience, and the attitude of the kitchen. The restaurant essentially surrounds the bar, so it is noisy and not particularly attractive. The atmosphere is definitely not one of fine dining. We found the food lacking in taste and quality. It was highly overseasoned, and the underlying meat, fish or seafood appeared to be of mediocre quality. A good chef would have seasoned a food to complement it, not to overwhelm it, but perhaps they were trying to cover up low quality ingredients. The tables are quite close together, and this led to good conversations with our neighbors at the next table, who agreed that most of the dishes were not that great. Between the two tables we tried over 10 items (a lot of sharing with new found friends) and only a few stood out. They were not accommodating to food allergies. If you mentioned an allergy you received a short menu that eliminated some of the most common allergens, but they were not willing to modify any items to account for specific allergies. I gave it two stars rather than one because they did two things well. Our server was friendly and attentive, and knew the menu well. The menu consists of many small plates and, unlike most Asian and tapas restaurants that bring everything at once, they correctly served one dish at a time so you could appreciate the flavors of each dish at the right temperature. For reasons I do not understand, the place seems quite popular as it was very crowded. There is an outdoor rooftop bar that was packed with people. It was pleasant on a warm summer evening, but the view from the rooftop was nothing special.

We showed up right at open and were sat immediately by the kind hostess who’s name I think was Kayla? The rest was a thrilling experience. Our server, Austin, was an amazing and attentive server and hilarious and professional person. That guy has the personality that makes you think he poops gold and farts perfume. Give that man a raise! The food was FANTASTIC! We got to try the daily special which was a shrimp salad with citrus and some sort of chili sauce to start, along with a tsukemono pickle board, and a wagyu sushi roll. All very incredible, making my mouth water as I type this. The octopus was cooked PERFECTLY! And for a little something heavy, we got the duck curry which was AMAZING (EVEN REWARMED AT HOME) The dessert was a passion fruit ganache thing with some pistachio ice cream that was the perfect finish to an amazing meal. 10/10 would go back for Austin (who he said I could call “Texas”) 12/10 would go back for the food and drink.

Departure is out of this world delicious. Every menu item is filled with flavor, a curated culinary experience. The beverages are just as good, refreshing and unique. What stood out the most to me is the service. Jennifer was so hospitable, enthusiastic about the menu, and communicative. She took great care of our table. Also, I’m not vegan, but the vegan menu is incredible. The best I’ve seen and tasted. Departure is a must. Just go there.

Wonderful food and beautiful atmosphere. Especially grateful for the gorgeous gluten free meal. Our server Jennifer was attentive and excellent. Thank you, Departure!

The food is outstanding, exceptional, every bite was incredible! Staff are fabulous, attentive without hovering, engaging, & professional. The NOISE nearly sent us off our rockers! Blasting loud thumping music, that you could barely shout across at the dinner table, nearly ruined our enjoyment and digestion. Shame. We struggled against the noise to stay and continue eating because the food was so good. If we ever return, it will be to ask for take-out. Bravo to the chef & staff! Ask the radio manager to re-think the job.

Eating vegan can be socially awkward at times. But I was asked to pick the place for this business dinner, so I checked on line and they had plenty of options. However all the vegan options listed on their website were not available, possibly due to a reduced covid menu. Regardless, what I chose from their convenient QR coded menu was awesome. One of the more satisfying meals I've had at a restaurant in a long time. I recommend the Cucumber Hosomaki, Spice roasted Carrots, and Mohogany Noodles. My non-vegan friends said everything they had was also excellent. 1st time there...but not my last.

To be clear, this place was “good”. But in a foody town like Portland, and compared to the other two restaurants we went to in one weekend, it simply did not stack up. Service was very good — friendly and attentive. Atmosphere felt like a hotel bar. However, I bet the rooftop deck would be awesome on a nice, warm evening. Food was just OK. Lot’s going on, but not sure it all worked. Drinks were over priced. As I mentioned, we went to three restaurants over a three day period, all in the same part of town. We rated the other two places a 5 each. Departure gets a three mainly based on the food (least favorite by quite a margin) and price — most expensive by quite a margin.

Went here for a birthday celebration and it was phenomenal. Our server (Ben) sold us on the Duck dinner special which was a great call. We'll be back!!

I'm going to try to keep this review from getting too long, but honestly, I really want to rave about our experience. Two of us came for a birthday dinner and everything lived up to our expectations. First, we lucked out getting Nia as our server. We told her we'd never been there before, and she was so helpful, walking us through the family-style menu and the martini list. She got a sense of what we were looking for and liked, and steered us in the right direction with excellent suggestions. Different staff bring the food to the table as each dish is ready and all of them were engaging, explaining the items. Everyone was professional but friendly. Decor is minimalist and elegant, and the views, of course, are tremendous. Some diners were dressed for a night out, other in jeans and tshirts. You'll feel comfortable if you come as you are. And the food. Every dish was amazing. There is so much flavour in everything and we savoured every bite. Two of us shared a salad, a sushi roll, a small dish and two larger dishes, and certainly did not leave hungry. It's pricey but absolutely worth it. Without a doubt one of the top five restaurant meals we have ever had. I can't imagine we would go to Portland again without making a point of eating here. In short, we loved everything and highly recommend Departure for a special meal.

The best restaurant I have been to in Portland. Fantastic food and a great wait person named Virginia who made it an extraordinary experience.

We arrived had reservations on Saturday night. Departures bar/terrace seemed packed but the restaurant was not as busy. We waited a long time before our server finally came to greet us. We were a bit disappointed in how long it took someone to even attend to us. He was very nice and asked if we wanted to move to a terrace seating, which we accepted. The ambiance was cool and chic. The vibe was very fresh. Our server walked us through the menu after we shared our restrictions (we are vegetarian). We couldn’t quite figure out what was happening because as attentive as he was, he seemed very forgetful too. The service was delayed but not enough to complain. It helped us pace out our meal. We ordered: Heirloom Tomatoes & Stone fruit salad: coal roasted shallot, Serrano chili, pine nut Cham dressing. We were underwhelmed with this entire dish! The peaches/nectarines were bland and dry, no flavor and not juicy. The combination didn’t satisfy by any means. The Cucumber avocado roll was typical, and nothing extraordinary. Mahogany Noodles: chili glaze, truffle marinated crispy tofu, sweet pepper, shiitake, rabe. This is as our favorite dish! It was delicious! We found it curious and funny, because at the time of ordering and at the time of being served, the server stressed 5 pieces of tofu. The dish literally came with 5 pieces of tofu. The drinks were very good and made well. We ordered Tasha Macho (their version of a Moscow mule) and 75-ish (their version of a French 75). We liked them so much we ended up ordering a second round, which we typically do not so. Well mix/made and consistent. We don’t like sweet cocktails and these defiantly were not. All in all, a great place to check out, but we experienced super slow service. Our server was Daniel who was very friendly and helpful but also very busy.

I had read good things about this place and we were staying at the Nines so decided to give it a try. While the food was ok, we were pretty disappointed with the overall experience. When the elevator doors open to the restaurant floor there is a serene cool approach to the reception desk but once you enter the dinning space the ambience quickly changes to a bright white almost blaring environment that was loud and busy-it was a bit of an assault on the senses. Throughout the meal it continued to be very loud and even our table neighbors commented. We had 4 dishes as recommended by our server, including the pork belly dim sum and sea scallops in miso. While the flavors of both were good as stand alone dishes they didn’t seem to pair well...scallops were more of a southwest flair with a corn, jalapeño, tomato base which also didn’t pair well with the sushi we ordered. The service was ok but some of the staff were surly and it wasn’t the usual welcoming feeling one receives in a fine dinning restaurant. There are a bunch of better dinning options in Portland. Find somewhere else to eat.

This place serves very good food and the dishes are well composed and the have sharing plates so order a lot of different dishes and try your way through the night. Excellent!

What a lousy experience, we made reservations and were looking to this night The server had no respect for us, the food came eventually and was less than a good experience Food options were minimal Great atmosphere and view

This restaurant is sooooo delicious. My group all flew in and met at this restaurant for a late dinner. I'm glad we had reservations, because I don't think we would have gotten a table without it. This place is busy, and there is a line, even at 9pm. Although we were unable to get an outside table, it was worth eating inside too. The food is A-mazing. I'm the type of person to ask for recommendations, and the server was spot on!! Trust them!! The service is perfect, and you will have a great meal and a great time. After we finished our meal, we did go outside and get a few picture of the amazing view.

After eating downstairs, at the Urban Farmer, I came up here to the rooftop bar in this Marriott and it’s very interesting! Very modern with great views of the city below. There’s a large bar with dining room all around it and the place was PACKED! I was able to grab a seat at the bar and enjoyed a 75’ish. It was nicely made and the visit was enjoyable. Definitely worth stopping in!

This was a last minute choice that worked out great. Far exceeded our expectations. Beautiful decor and atmosphere, very sleek. Short wait for table, and got a great cocktail in the bar that we brought to the table. Excellent service, and super food. Absolutely no problem for someone with celiac.

Wonderful terrace for cocktails. Food was very good. Loved the design and architecture of the restaurarnt.

Jason our waiter made our experience at Departure (Asian) restaurant in downtown Portland OR on the 15th floor of the Nines Hotel special for our 17th Anniversary. He let us sample wines, explained items on the menu with great patience and was always there to see if we needed anything. Thanks Jason.

My daughter and I went here during restaurant month. She is a vegan and the Asian fusion inspired dishes were amazing! You’ve got to try the dumplings! It unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! They look like clouds and taste like a bit of Heaven! The devour is innovative and reminds me of being inside of a spaceship. The service was excellent. We will definitely return.

I can't speak enough about the service and people working at Departure. I booked Departure for a big birthday surprise dinner. I was in constant communication with Arianna about a large group (that kept getting smaller) She was extremely communicative and flexible with us when things changed on our end. I can't speak enough about how wonderful she was to work with. The actual dinner was fantastic. We got the chef's tasting menu which was a flat amount per person. Our server, Laura, was an absolute joy! She was just as attentive and professional! Food was fantastic, view was fantastic, but the service really put it over the edge! Book early! They fill up!

A super sofisticated place in Portland Downtown work an amazing view to the city. Steep prices but good Asian cuisine. Besides the view, the attending is SUPERB. Unfortunately I couldn't grab the waitress name, but she was super lovely and attentive. Totally worth it

If you want a high-end experience with good food and good craft cocktails, this is the place. They have spaced out sitting areas for Covid so there is less seating and you may have to wait for a table. Service is good. Can be windy some nights but views are awesome. Great for family, friends, business gatherings.

Not having eaten a lot of pan-Asian cuisine, we weren't sure what to eat, so we tried the tasting menu and got a little bit of everything. Our servers were amazing, answering questions about what ingredients there were, and filling up our drinks (so many restaurants don't do that enough). Our favorites were the sushi, the pork belly, and an ice-cream dessert that tasted of chocolate and peanut butter (not sure what all was in it, but it tasted great). Some of the other dishes were a little spicy for our pallets, but were good nonetheless. We were VERY full when we finished, it was a little too much food on the tasting menu, but we would definitely go back again, and try individual items.

Great Asian fusion food. Multi menus include vegan and gluten free. Enjoyed and loved every dish specially the carrots salad and the broccoli to die for. A bit pricey but worth every dollar and the view is above addition. Service was good as well.

Many positives at this restaurant. Really cool ambiance and architecture. Roof top patio is a plus, even if the drinks are over priced and uninspired. We tried a number of items from across the menu. Some dishes, like the broccoli, were average at best, whilst other dishes, such as the octopus, were outstanding. Service was attentive. Overall, great meal and experience, only marred by a few average components that would otherwise be acceptable but seemed out of sync with the high quality of everything else. Would eat here again.

Excellent meal in a super cool rooftop restaurant. The food here was amazing, the drinks are unique and very tasty. We had 2 of us here for a team dinner and the service was top notch friendly, helpful, funny and attentive all night.

My best friend/singer of our band went to Departure for dinner NYE night and AGAIN... It was AMAZING!!! We are not exactly the typical Departure customers. Meaning, we don't wear suits to dinner and well... We only wear suits to weddings and what not. Having said that, every time we go to Departure as a band we are treated extremely well, even though don't exactly fit the norm for the clientele. It is a really nice feeling to walk in a place like Departure, feeling a bit out of place and be welcomed by every single employee! This is our band's third Departure experience together and we have officially made Departure the spot where we have our band meetings and pre-tour meals. The first time our band had a meal together at Departure we had Virginia as our server. She was absolutely AMAZING!!! So amazing, that now whenever we go we request her to be our server. I have personally been to Departure for dinner a few additional times and have had other servers. They have been great as well! However, there is something special about Virginia! When she ask how we are doing, she actually cares!!! She is not just going through the motions! Then from there, she NAILS the table service! Honestly, she is my favorite server EVER and we will always request Virginia whenever we have our band meetings at Departure! We had the duck and it was literally, LITERALLY the best dinner I have ever had! I would highly recommend Departure to anyone that likes outstanding food, service and overall good times and great oldies! Do yourself a favor and ask to sit in Virginia's' section!

This restaurant is absolutely stunning with impeccable service from everyone, especially our server, Ben. We chose the Imperial tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings and it was one of The best decisions I have ever made! Every course was flawless and I was surprised by the abundance of dishes served. I was extremely happy that I got to try everything that had appealed to me and some things I might not have thought to try. We will definitely be back!

Great menu for people with dietary restrictions such as vegans. Stunning view and exquisite menu. Awesome service.

If you are visiting Portland and are looking to go somewhere new, exciting, and memorable – the Departure Restaurant and Lounge is the place to be! The Asian-American menu, view of Portland (the restaurant is located on the 15th floor of the Nines hotel), and the service is what makes this place great! The good vibes, the prices, and the food are what makes it AMAZING!

There's pros and thers cons... I guess like with most things in life, except it was expensive, so I was hoping more for all pro's. The Asian dishes are fun and different and fusion, and the variety was amazing. However, the Nines Hotel did not provide good service and that carried all the way up to the 15th floor where this restaurant is located. I have decided I will return, the food is worth it, but I expect more from the service.

This was a delicious experience but very much a particular atmosphere. The dishes were very special if you are very comfortable with Asian fusion - if you are meat and potatoes don’t go you would be miserable. I enjoyed it

This one is difficult because I’ve enjoyed Happy Hour here so often. I was looking forward to dinner. Now; as I continue waiting, I am already thinking about what to order at the restaurant I go to next, as in- as soon as I get my check and can leave. The place is REALLY COOL. It has an amazing view from the rooftop deck, it’s super modern (like Ten Forward) and in the past I have really enjoyed coming here. Tonight sucks. I had to ask for soy sauce for my sushi (and by the time it arrived the sushi was soggy). I ordered a scallop main plate (dinner); it was 3 medium scallops with a flavorless miso broth and sweet squash purée. It was too sweet and needed salt. I ordered some giant white prawns, which smell and look amazing but are so tough I can’t eat them and the first bite I took squirted oil all over a brand new silk top. I ordered a cocktail when I arrived, to sip on as I looked over the menu. They no longer are able to make a former favorite drink, my server guessed at what I wanted and ordered it without sharing his idea. —-glass of bitters anyone???—- I switched to wine. 2 glasses. Both sat empty for a while. I am the only person in my section. It is not busy. I have written all of this as I wait for my server. He’s still not here, so I guess I’ll go back to my hotel room for a new shirt and then grab a pizza or something. 🤬 My server is very friendly just not always available.

Loved this restaurant from the incredible views, the inventive dishes and fabulous service. It was a great place to visit with a group and eat family style. Super yummy cocktails too!

12 buddies (most of us in late 40's, early 50's) show up to our reservation for a night cap after a great 3 days in Portland for an annual golf trip. Manager refuses us entry because we don't have "valid" ID - did I mention we are Canadians with valid CDN drivers licences?!? The Owner and Management should be embarrassed for handling the situation the way they did. This takes poor customer service to a whole new level. Apparently you need a passport to Departure if your CDN! Ridiculous. RW

Very chic place with great views and cocktails. The food was good, but we just got appetizers. Would recommend for sunset views and drinks!