The Observatory Reviews

We had a wonderful meal and good service from our waitress. On the down side, this has to be the nosiest restaurant I've ever experienced. Normal conversations were bouncing off the walls.

We arrived in time for happy hour and were able to enjoy two salads, the mussels and Parmesan fries. All were excellent. For our main part of the meal we tried the halibut and beet salad and both were delicious. How's that sound

We stopped here on a trip going up to see river sites while visiting from California And had great food. Good oysters and salad. Good service too.

ate dinner with three friends. It can get a little noisy. Reservations not available but you can sit comfortably while you wait, and have a drink. If you like mac and cheese, try the mac and cheese with andouie sausage. It is a rotini pasta, and I thought it was excellent. The meat loaf with mashed potatoes was great too. Served with generous portion of carrots. All the dishes are generous size, and you won't go broke. Steak is 19 bucks. Fish, veggie options also available.

We visit Portland a couple of times a year. Our daughter brought us to the Observatory. Everyone had a great lunch...that is a feat when EVERYONE at our table is happy! The price was reasonable. I highly recommend.

Fast friendly service. The waitress was helpful with food descriptions and suggestions. I had a watermelon basil cocktail, an interesting combination of flavours and a salad with smoked trout. The salad had lots of fresh ingredients: new potatoes, crunchy green beans, roasted red pepper and lightly smoked trout but the olive dressing was a bit plain, not much taste. My husband had the macaroni and cheese with chunks of sausage. He said it was delicious and so creamy. My son’s fish (and chips) was very dry and tough. The food was delivered quickly.

While the environment of The Observatory leaves a lot to be desired, and our server was decidedly lackidaisical, the food was terrific. This is definitely a casual dining restaurant, but what The Observatory does with every day dishes is a knockout. Our group of four shared the oregano fry bread and shrimp ceviche as appetizers, all of which were delicious. I had the lamb burger with goat cheese, which was incredible. Two others loved their main course of the Greek meatloaf.

We stopped in Portland for one night en route to the Oregon coast and found this great gem for dinner. I had the coconut snapper which was the best meal of the trip; the fish was perfectly prepared and had a delicious sauce with a hint of coconut milk. My husband had the elk burger which he also enjoyed. We were very pleased with quality of the meal and will definitely return if we are ever in the area!

Had dinner at The Observatory with my daughter on short notice when I was in town, no reservations made ahead of time. Still, the wait on a Tuesday at 6:00 was only 15-20 minutes, and the food was well worth the wait. Our server was friendly and professional. I would definitely return.

If you find yourself on Stark Street, I highly recommend stopping at The Observatory. You will feel cool eating here and the food is delicious. It can get a little loud in the restaurant, so if you are looking to intimate, this may not be the place, however if you enjoy a great vibe and excellent food, drop in. They offer a drink of the day as part of their happy hour, and I haven't been disappointed yet. The pomegranate margarita was one of the best I've had. Also, the fry bread is a must try. It comes with two dipping sauces, and it is out of this world. I drop by for happy hour and get this, plus a small salad, and it is very well priced. For dinner or lunch, their salads are unique, healthy, and delicious. Their menu changes, so it's hard to give entree recommendations, but each is very good. Behind the restaurant is a bar called Over and Out which has pool tables, pin ball, and lots of TV screens. Same food and drink, but different vibe. It's a cozy bar and worth going back for a look-see or to have a meal.

Went to the Observatory for dinner last night. We have eaten there about 4 times and as always we had an enjoyable meal. The dishes are always interesting and the serving amounts are more than adequate. They were busy last night but we lucked out and got a table within 5 minutes of walking in the door. The wait staff is attentive and friendly!

Traveling alone nearby I found this quaint restaurant that was fun, clean, staff was friendly and very happy to offer recommendations. I had the snapper which was amazing but the portion size was HUGE. Snapper portion was normal for one but they add a lot of extras to eat with it. Only downfall was that it was so dark especially near the bar area.

Walked around Montavilla checking out all the choices and decided on the Observatory. Wow! Had the catch of the day (Halibut) and I am in culinary heaven. Brought my daughter and her husband and feel like a King. Small facility and always busy but worth it!

This neighborhood is one of the latest revival areas in Portland. Empty storefronts from a few years back now hold several higher end quality dining choices. If you're sampling venues on this street, the Observatory is a good first stop at the east end. Often crowded even on week nights, order a cocktail and grab a seat on the couch while you're waiting. My favorite dish is the mussels diabla, the lamb burger is also recommended.

An upper end restaurant in a working class section of town. You come here for the food and the reasonable prices. We had great soups, clams, and a very good sandwich---coupled with friendly service and a large booze selection. Great bar tenders. Will be back here again soon.

The 5 of us had great food and service here. We shared a couple of different salads and they were great, I had a steak and rest had fish. We all had great meals. We will be coming back to try more food from the menu.

I have mixed feelings about this place , I stopped by with my sister to grab some lunch . The decor and atmosphere is great , we sat outside since it was so nice out . I ordered the turkey club , great bread and fries , nice presentation . It fell short for me when I saw the turkey , it was prepackaged pre-sliced meat . If it was at lease deli cut meat , it would have bee nice . It tasted cheap like Oscar Meyer meat . It was a disappointment to find on my 12.00 sandwich . I had to pick it off and it was a shame since the rest of the sandwich was good quality. Detail !!! Wait staff was ok , was stuck up and not personal . I really hate going to places where the waitress are snobby , they appear ignorant . Your waiting tables so bring it down a level ,we're all here to have a good time .

Went on a Sunday afternoon. They have a great happy hour food menu. We sat at the bar and watched them make beautiful drinks. I had a hot buttered rum to die for. Kale salad was amazing. We had trout and the cheeseburger - both were excellent. Great service. We will definitely go back.

Friends brought us to this fantastic neighborhood restaurant and bar for a late lunch. The food was delicious and offered surprising twists on classic fare. Loved the herbed frybread, whitefish spread, shaved beet and apple salad. Comfortable atmosphere, great beer, friendly service, and a cozy place to hang out and talk.

We love finding little hidden gems of restaurants in the city neighborhoods, and thanks to some local insider knowledge, we ended up here for dinner - and it was fantastic! Beet salad, chicken salad, fry bread, capricorn cocktail, house ginger beer - it was all original, delicious, and served quickly. The wait staff were all super helpful (and cute). There are sidewalk tables and indoor seating. Parking wasn't a big deal as well. We are telling all of our fiends to stop here when they are in Portland.

My test for a lunch sandwich is the Reuben, bread, corn beef, coleslaw, cheese, all elements necessary to provide for a tasty and memorable bite experience. Yum - The Observatory pulled all the elements together in an excellent fashion. Companions had salads, soup,draft beer, also excellent. Apparently this place can be crowded and exuberant noise levels in the evening. If that is not your scene choice go for a great and memorable lunch.

I've eaten here during two recent trips to Portland. Both times the food was excellent. They don't take reservations, but both times we were seated within 20 minutes. The service is attentive but not intrusive.

Went for lunch. I had the chicken curry wrap with tomato bisque. Soup was very good. The wrap, however, was stone cold.....though it would be slightly warm. Hubby had buffalo chicken wrap with fries. It was good although a little more spicy than expected. Friend had the turkey club which was excellent......huge! Service was good. Noise level was a bit high. Really the only draw back to the place is parking. Lots of parking in the lot around the place but it belongs to McDonalds & they don't like to share so beware. Best to find a place on the street. Will visit again.

Such a cool place for a drink or food. The Starving Artist is a great deal. I also had the burrito which was really good. This place is worth checking out.

I had lunch here and enjoyed a generous salad and a cup of soup. The salad was quite large and filling and well appointed. My associate had the burger said it was delicious. I have to admit, I was really tempted to get the elk burger but did not, maybe on the next visit to Portland. Service was OK, there was one waitress doing most of the restaurant but the hostess helped out. This makes me want to give it 4.5 stars but I can’t.

Fills up quickly, can be difficult to get a table. Food and drink are interesting, service can be slow because of number of diners but is friendly. My only negative is that it can get very noise with noise bouncing off the stone floor.

Very good option for a casual spot with a neighborhood feel in Montavilla. I enjoyed lunch here with a friend I hadn't seen in years. We sat and kabitzed over the wonderful oregano fry bread which is an absolute MUST menu item. Even if you aren't super hungry, at least order it to go so you can enjoy it later. The tomato basil soup was the soup of the day and the perfect warm-me-up on a cold and drizzly Portland day, and the best thing is that it was vegetarian -- no chicken broth -- YAY! I typically don't like to order veggie burgers when I dine out as so many of them are just packaged burgers that are thawed out. However, The Observatory makes a really good homemade quinoa-mushroom veggie burger that did not disappoint. I ordered it sans the bun, and it was the perfect match with that soup! Really good and attentive service topped off this experience. I'll be back!

Enough said. It's the best restaurant we've experienced considering the factors above. And Susan our wait person was warm, personable, and helpful.

I was looking for a HH meet place in SE. I read the online reviews before going and it did not disappoint! Everything was pretty darn spot on: the food, the drinks, and the service. What I like best is that this restaurant doesn't serve the same o same o Happy Hour food that most places offer.

We really enjoyed ourselves here. The atmosphere was great, the servers were nice and the food was delish!

Dinner with family before departing for the airport. Casual attire is fine. Parking is street front only. A 20 minute wait on a Sunday evening; several patrons left rather than wait (very limited wait space). The atmosphere was very noisy, difficult to carry a conversation at a table of four. Each member of our party ordered a different entrée, a different drink and one dessert. All our items were edible but uninspired, drinks were basic and the cheesecake was very bland with an odd texture. Service was average. Overall I see no need to try this restaurant again.

First, LOUD. Struggled to hear a dining companion sitting within arms length. The menu is small but everyone in our party of seven found something that appealed to them. Too bad our opinion changed so much after we were served. The Caesar's salad was the strangest version I have ever eaten. I think the dressing was misted on from 5 feet away. The lettuce was very fresh and crisp, however. My husband ordered meatloaf; I ordered fish and chips. His meatloaf had a very sparse drip of gravy and a ton of black pepper. My cod was in the fryer too long; the batter was actually burned. One of our party got the shrimp skewer appetizer for her dinner and she raved about it. Wish we had ordered that, too. This place has work to do. We'll try something else next time.

Go for the food, and eat outside if you want to talk. The interior walls are hard and reverberant, so voices are very, very loud. Fortunately the weather was great for sidewalk dining, as the restaurant was jammed even at 6:30 on a Wednesday. Food quality was excellent. My coconut snapper was perfectly prepared, and accompanied/supported by two different salads and rice with an excellent sauce. The evening's special peanut was excellent. My wife's smoked trout salad was fresh and tasty. Drink prices are moderate. A great destination in the Stark Street strip. Check out the nearby Montavilla Brewery as well!

Great little place with great staff. Jillian was a great server. Really enjoyed the garlic rosemary fries and the soup de jour. blood orange specialty cocktail was good

This was very great restaurant. I had the salmon that was very excellent. I have not had a good piece of salmon in a long time and I was not disappointed. Highlight experience was bartender made me a bourbon cocktail hecwas developing. For those that like manhattans or old fashions, step out of your comfort zone and try a that bourbon pineapple thing. You want be disappointed.

The Observatory is in a small storefront sort of place, with a bar, a few booths and tables. I'd guess that it seats maybe 35 or 40 people max, but I didn't count. My cousin and I, both older guys, went there after he read a review of it somewhere. Anyway... I had the "Pan Fried Idaho Trout Piccata." It was served sitting on a pile of sautéed bell peppers and onions, accompanied by a pretty big serving of saffron rice." The fish and the veggies were delicious, the rice was rice. My only criticism of the food is that the serving of trout was one filet: half of a pretty small fish. It was done perfectly, on its skin, and tasted wonderful. If only there had been a bit more of it. My cousin really seemed to enjoy his "Chili Rubbed Pork Tenderloin." He had no negative comments at all...in fact he hardly said anything beyond one version of "delicious" or "yum" or another. We didn't sample their desserts. The server was a really nice young woman, good at give and take, and humored the old guys. I'll be back in Portland next month (with my wife this time) and I hope we can find time to get back to The Observatory

The Observatory is a great neighborhood hangout in Southeast Portland. The food never disappoints and the wines are well chosen. The place tends to fill up, so you need to get there early or wait for a table. Good service, friendly and attentive staff. Parking can be a challenge.

My wife, two-teenaged sons and I visited The Observatory after a visit to the peaceful Grotto down the road. The restaurant was fairly easy to find in an eclectic district that included convenience stores, churches, single-family homes, townhouses, strip clubs, porn shops, etc. We visited during the day and we felt safe, but the area might be a little sketchy at night. No parking lot from what we saw, but there was lot of street parking available. We were promptly greeted by a waitress with big smiles and she invited us to sit anywhere. The place is essentially an average-looking neighborhood bar from the 70's with about a dozen indoor tables and a few outside on the sidewalk. The tables were smartly set and the establishment was clean, if a little crowded with furniture; but the ceilings were high, giving the room a more spacious feel. When we chose a table we liked we were practically lectured by some guy (manager/cook?) that we should go to a table that sat four and not six as "this place will fill up real fast." Not a problem; so we moved. But the waitress who had said we could sit wherever, went to where we just vacated and "tidied" up as soon as we stood up, straightening the chairs, silverware, etc. It was quite demonstrative. Was she making statement, or was it just OCD? Anyway, our order was taken quickly and the food came out fast. We started with a fried herb-bread (Oregon or Oregano?) that was served with two dipping sauces. The white sauce I think was sour cream or yogurt based and had a great taste and was well-seasoned. I am quite confident that the other sauce was condensed tomato soup from a can--it looked and tasted exactly like it. Other than that, a good appetizer. We ate it all up, 'cept the tomato "sauce". I ordered a field salad with smoked trout. Rather elegant, delicious, and a large serving. The trout was moist and flaky and the salad was topped with boiled eggs, olives, potatoes, and other garden vegetables--somewhat like a cross between a nicoise salad and a Cobb salad. The vinaigrette was tossed into the salad before it was served but it could have used a little more dressing, and of course I could have asked for more, but didn't so a moot point. My younger son had a lamb burger. HIs eyes lit up when he took his first bite. Before I could ask for a taste it was all gone. I asked him to describe what was good about it, but he is alas a teenaged-boy so all that came out of him was that it was "great." My older son and my wife had sandwiches also (chicken club?) and they commented that they enjoyed it very much. So the food was better than average and the service fast, but maybe too fast. I don't know if they were really expecting a load of people to stop by (it was a Sunday afternoon) because they sure acted like it. Every bit of table service action was quickly followed by a swoosh to go here and a swoosh to go there. Every smile quickly tumbled flat as the servers turned to swoosh away, as if determined to get to some other more pressing matter. I normally do not get personal with the criticism in these posts, but it was like these people were void of personality; almost like Stepford Wives. For example, one of the patrons on the table next to us was celebrating her birthday and when the servers brought a dessert with a candle the Happy Birthday song quietly, and uncomfortably wafted from the servers lips. It was the quietest Happy Birthday to you I ever heard. But they were smiling all the while. Before the birthday gal even blew out the candle the servers swooshed away. Awkward, to say the least. Perhaps this was the third string crew, I don't know. The crowd never came and the few tables that were occupied were all bunched up in one area. There was but one patron at the bar talking intimately with the bartender but he soon left also. I wanted to chat with a server; perhaps ask why the place was called the "Observatory" and maybe inquire about dessert or a local craft beer. But it seemed they wanted to get rid of us quickly. I believe service is more than competence and speed; those are very important, but if the friendliness that is trying to be conveyed is not genuine, even fake, then that detracts from the speediness, hence the low rating for service although we were in and out of the place quickly. I would go again if in the area, but would not seek it out. Prices were moderate, but there are too many other great eateries in Portland to try and to revisit...

My boyfriend and I are foodies and we are always trying to find new placed. At first I had mixed feelings. I ended up loving the decor, it is quite unique. BBQ Pulled pork sliders were to die for. The garlic fries are delicious too, and they have actual garlic. My boyfriend had the mushroom quinoa burger which he absolutely loved.

Over the past few years, SE Stark has become a local gem for good eats at fair prices. The Observatory has a nice array of food (pork loin, halibut, burgers..) I had the puled pork with sweet potato fries. Very good. The front has a nice restaurant area, while the back of the building has a large bar area.

It is a very popular restaurant, there is always a wait unless you go at off hours.They have good food with good prices and service is always prompt and friendly. They also have a decent happy hour menu. Definitely recommended.

Enjoyed the delicious food and atmosphere. The soup was great and sweet potato fries! YUM! Will be back.

And, the atmosphere is totally relaxing. I had the chicken linguine. So, very, amazingly good. The sauce was creamy and rich with hints of pesto. Hubby had the fish. It was kind of Cajun thing and he loves a bit of spice. A huge mound of really good rice, beans seasoned perfectly. And, the drinks are fabulous. Hubby accidentally ordered a mixed drink (he usually drinks a shot of something) but he loved it! I have been here twice now and taken some family members one time. We will be back for more.

We toyed around with staying here for dinner, but nothing on the menu really caught our fancy. The cocktails, on the other hand, were fabulous! Usually when I go out, there's only one or two drinks on the menu that intrigue, but this time around I wanted to try them all! Ended up ordering a mojito with strawberries and rhubarb flavors. It was super delicious! My friend also really enjoyed her drink, as well. Even before six on a Friday night, the front room (where people eat) and the backroom (where people mostly drink) were packed! We eventually found a table in the back. Staff was friendly. Would come back for the booze.

This is bit out of the central Portland area but well worth the drive. Not far off of I-205, the Observatory is a great stop. We were here for an after theater matinee, early dinner and hit Happy Hour. Ther HH menu is good but feel free to order off the regular lunch/dinner menu for added choices. Their house wines are Spanish and very good for a house wine and the price. Other wines also available and the list is a good one. All snacks looked great, lots of sliders, oysters, mussels,hummus plate and more.Very fair prices and excellent service. Recommend!! (It;s only a four as we didn't have a complete meal)

Have eaten here many times and also gone in later for conversation over drinks. Unique atmosphere. We love the charcuterie and cheese plates. Nice selection of beers on tap. Service is quirky and personal. Can be a bit slow at busy times.

I had hoped for a nice lunch to catch up with a friend, but the noise level was unbearable. We had to leave. I have eaten here a few times in the past and enjoyed it, but we couldn’t stay.

I am so glad I found The Observatory, definitely be back on the next visit to Portland. Great bar and "just the right size" in terms of the rest of the table seating area. The ambiance was excellent, with a mixture of two, four and six person tables all clearly excited about being there. Food choices were spot on, a great balance of unique and exciting alongside down to earth "just what i am looking for". The ribs were superb, and the other dishes folks were eating looked great and plates were being cleaned everywhere. Put this one on your list!

We stopped in for a quick lunch and The Observatory did not disappoint! The look and feel of the restaurant was a bit eclectic but comfortable, and our waiter was very friendly. Both the Beet Salad and the Chinese Chicken Salad were fabulous. The waiter described the pulled pork as a huge sandwich, but it was pretty average sized when it came to the table. Nothing to complain about, just not as giant as the waiter made it sound. They have a really cool area for pool/a bar in the back, and some interesting art for sale. Worth a second visit!

Just had lunch today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Service was great and prompt. I had a grilled cheese with a generous amount of Tillamook cheese and had bacon added on for $2 more. The fries were amazing. Crispy but not greasy. Had a bowl of tomato soup with was also nice. Total was $15. I bet this place is rocking on weekend nights. The menu has a long list of drink options and the people that I had lunch often have had dinner there with a fair amount of liquid refreshments. No lot parking. Not needed since there is a ton of street parking. Look forward to returning again in the near future. Enjoy.

My gal pal has been telling me how amazing this place is & so we went on a Friday night. We were still within the HH food & drinks before 6pm so we stayed on that menu. Thought we would venture outside to the dinner menu but we filled ourselves with mussels, soup & siders. We could not consume anymore! For the sliders we tried garden burger & BBQ pork. Both were delightful but if you aren’t into sweet BBQ- like me & I am from TX 😆- it’s a little too saucy-sweet for my liking. The mussels were soaked/steamed in sake - I was thoroughly impressed with the flavor it promotes on your tasters. Definitely reasonable prices for what we got too. If you like martinis or cosmos try their Rosemary Pear Martini- I asked for vodka instead of gin and they complied. It was so tasty- I had two!!

We decided to return to the Observatory after 4 years. Can't believe it's had been that long. We sat in the back this time, good thing as it better AC'd. It looks more like a bar in the back with booths and a pool table. Pretty shabby crowd too. Our server was very prompt and helpful and took our drink and food order right away. We had a lamb burger and a trout entree. both dishes were fresh and delicious. We very much enjoyed our visit...Not pretentious, but a great option.

We meet with some fellow grandparents each month at different locations. We trade selections every month and this month was our choice. We do some research on menu items and location then read the reviews and finally make a decision. We have driven by The Observatory many times as we visited family in SE Portland but never had time to stop. We visited today and met our friends at noon. The short, but very diverse, menu caught our eye. When we arrived we greeted very warmly and seated while we waited for our friends to arrive. Shortly after they arrived we ordered our food. I had Elk Burger with salad. My wife had the Chicken Salad. Our friends ordered the Elk Burger and the Burger Burger. The food was over the top delicious and prepared just as we asked. The service was perfect. My coffee cup was never empty, our water glasses were always topped off, the iced tea and soft drinks were always refilled. We only get a chance to visit once a month so we spent some time catching up. We never felt rushed. We agreed that we will make this a regular stop for our visits. Excellent food, excellent service and the prices are great for a couple of retired couples. Our entertainment dollars are very limited and we are careful to not waste them. We will be regulars.

It was a fabulous experience for us as we went through Portland area. So why not a 5 Star rating? I loved my lamb burger and fries. And it was delicious, juicy, fresh, and just hit the spot. But my wife’s quinoa mushroom veggie burger was just good. We also really enjoyed the super attentive workers and the general ambience. So, would love to come back again. Oh, I almost forgot, the sesame chicken wings served on top of some dressed up greens was very good. And only $5 during the happy hour.

Great food. One of the most delicious veggie burgers I have eaten. Adding one more vote for the oregano fry bread-- can't be missed when you are here. Service was great. Nothing to complain about.

We had heard about this place from family and other acquaintances and we were still not prepared for how good and how much food they serve you! Staff was excellent, and it isn't a surprise that the place is packed much of the time. Beverages are nicely varied. The menu is great, but we were advised to stick to apps, which we did. Fish tacos, fry bread, fries, and to top it off - bread pudding. Much food traveled home with us. A must see/eat in the Portland area.

Portland, Oregon is known for it's food scene, but The Observatory deserves to be a noted part of the culture. My wife and I met a high-school friend of mine here for dinner. This restaurant is a bit eclectic but has very good, and healthy, food with service to match. The girls had a beet salad and agreed it was quite good. I had an all-natural pulled pork sandwich which was tender and flavorful. The price was very reasonable especially for the quality of the meals. Highly recommended.

I had a pulled pork BBQ sandwich. Very bland sauce. Probably a better place to drink and socialize than eat.

My husband and I just had lunch at The Observatory, and we were impressed. The soup of the day was one of the best soups I’ve ever had at a restaurant...better than homemade! We also had a very tasty buffalo chicken wrap and yummy fries. The food is fresh and very well-made! And bonus, it’s also very affordable, the staff is polite, and it’s a cozy place on a rainy day.

Tasty inventive/locally inspired and beautifully presented drinks. Love the lavender lemon drop and strawberry rhubarb mojito! Charcuterie plate: pate' overall good too much cardamom or something in that family though large portion wrapped in prosciutto, the meats are cut far to thick missing the mark would prefer 50% of the volume cut thinly also the crackers could use an upgrade ritz (charcuterie & ritz?). Pickles and pickled onions, olives, all very tasty. Meals: jerky chicken super amazing favors chicken cooked perfectly and pleasant presentation Beet, Apple blue cheese salad- the beets and pears sliced beautifully the dressings is light and adds to the flavor (not masking it). We also shared Oregon fry bread- fabulous and tasty!!!

3½* The Observatory 8115 SE Stark Portland 97215 Great food, bad neighborhood Nice bar Fantastic pulled pork sandwich Have lamb and quinoa burgers Large sesame chili chicken salad Friendly service by Jamie

Eating with family members that love the place. Front restaurant was usually full so we opted for rear bar which reminded me of old tavern atmosphere. Pool table, pinball machines, several big screen tv's with varied sports on if conversation lulls. Miguel brought full menu and Happy Hour menu with bargain items. We all mixed between the two. $6 pint of IPA. $9 Habanero Pain Killer that was rated as best cocktail in the house. Everything from sirloin steak to lamb burgers on the menu. Great service and food at decent prices.

First time visit to this busy locale. It was a nice sunny afternoon so we opted to sit at a picnic table out front. That turned out to be a bit noisy as it's right off the street, but that didn't really detract from the overall experience which was very nice. Service was attentive and the menu provided some interesting selections such as the chipotle elk burger and an unusual Quinoa-Mushroom Veggie Burger offering. We settled for a side of sweet potato fries, an appetizer of Basil and Garlic Prawn Skewers and a red pepper salad. All good choices. Tasty and fresh. We did a little exploring before we left and discovered that there are pool tables in the rear and a direct entrance from that side of the building. The place also has two bars - one in the front dining area and one in the rear where the pool tables area. All-in-all we think this is a nice spot and plan to make a return visit very soon.

We were running late and there restaurant we had planned took eat at was closed when we arrived so I quickly looked at TripAdvisor and found that the Observatory was close by and open so we headed there. The décor is comfortable neighborhood bar and there welcome is relaxed and warm. Beyond having a good bar, the surprise comes with the menu. It contains not just well executed comfort food like burgers and meat loaf but some really interesting choices like elk and trout. We had the trout served over fingerling potatoes and green beans and were served a large portion that sufficed for both of us and was perfectly prepared and served. The wine we ordered was also excellent. We will definitely return earlier when we are hungrier and try more of this excellent menu.

I ordered fried chicken with greens & gravy. Sat at bar. 2 dried, cold, hard, bland, bread-crumbed patties showed up with a teeny, tiny bit of bland gravy. Could have gotten something more interesting, moist & crunchy at KFC for half the price! The lamb burger was TINY, with teeny dot of goat cheese on regular bun (disappointing also). Not a good value. Maybe it was an 'off' night. But, BOTH our meals were mediocre & pricey & cold! Very, very, very Noisy too. Couldn't talk to my partner right next to me.

Been several times and have never been disappointed. Usually start with happy hour and then it leads to dinner and drinks... Lovely space with charming fixtures and art and a very shiny bar. back room is more for drinking, front is for dining and drinking. short waits no uncommon, long waits at peak hours. parking usually just west and north of the venue on the side streets. or park at mcdonalds and hope for the best... #1 item to order is the cheese board. $15 and it can feed 2-3 along with a salad or just 1 more entree. their roasted garlic just melts out of the cloves so you can pour it onto the bread and with any of the cheeses... lots of fruit and bread and 4 or 5 cheeses. you cannot not order this. Also had a beet salad which has red and yellow beets and if you like beets, you will like this salad as beets rule the plate. The fish and clips comes with 3 sauces, but why not just go with the hot horseradish cocktail sauce on everything? fish is extremely crisp on the outside, but behold - on the inside the fish is moist and hot. not overcooked at all. had the elderflower punch which i think is not only a delicious alcoholic treat, but a cure for all that ails you. bartenders are expert at all they do, so tip well. drink well.. worth exploring the food and drink menus more fully.

We really enjoyed a casual dinner with great friends. The restaurant was a bit noisy, but we waited for a booth in a quieter section and all was fine. We enjoyed appetizer, drinks, dinner and deserts. And the bill didn't raise any eyebrows. Service was attentive and prompt. I am certain we will be back. Everyone enjoyed their food.

Omg!! The reviews are on point! Came from LA, CA to Portland on Vay-K & this was my first stop! The staff is friendly & the food is great! Recommend the pull pork sliders or sandwich. 😋

We have frequented The Observatory. One of our favorites in their Lamb Burger; another is the meatloaf. It's hard to go wrong as everything we've tried has been excellent. The service is also consistently strong. If you go during the early part of Happy Hour, it's usually easy to get a seat. Later in Happy Hour and during dinner hours, there can be quite a wait...it is a very popular place.

A friend went to Portland to visit family. They recommended that he and I meet at "The Observatory" on SE Stark Street. It is a small place, not at all noisy as I recall. I looked that the menu before I left to drive down to Portland. We got a booth by the front door, but it wasn't chilly (fall weather these days). My friend had an Elk Burger with cajin fries and an IPA beer. I had a Ruben sandwich with plain fries. Since I was driving home after lunch I stuck with water. I was quite pleased with my lunch, and the fries were the best fries that I have had in a long, long time. My friend praised the IPA on the first sip. He too liked his burger and fries. We got there around 11:30 AM, and by noon all of the seating was occupied. The service was really great! There was not any kind of excess noise problem. I imagine some rowdy folks would come in from time to time, but the atmosphere was very nice during our visit. Before we finished eating there was a small crowd gathered outside the door, waiting to get in. There was a crowd still there when we left. The servers didn't try to encourage us to leave, we left when we were ready.

The Observatory atmosphere is that of a bistro, noisy and lively, but the kitchen does a good job in preparing sumptuous meals. Portions are generous without being excessive. I had the catch of the day, the albacore tuna, turned medium-rare to keep it moist. We also started with the Mediterranean plate, essentially some grilled peppers, pita and hummus - more than enough for two. The restaurant is located in the Montavilla district. There is no parking lot, but street parking is generally available.

My wife and I took our adult son to the Observatory for a birthday dinner. We mentioned to the Hostess that we would be celebrating a birthday but we received no more than a disinterested response. We ordered oysters on the half shell as an appetizer and they were good. My dinner was the catch of the day, which happened to be halibut. The fish was way over cooked and dry enough to be a hockey puck. Our son’s dinner was a seafood “stew” that had elements ranging from good to mediocre. My wife was satisfied with her red snapper dish. All in all we were not impressed with our meals. The ambience of the restaurant was good but a little too loud for good conversation. Can’t say we’d recommend this place for a special occasion.

We went on a Monday evening fairly late and we still found The Observatory quite busy and with a late. After having dinner there, I could see why. They serve great food for great value. We sat at the bar and started our evening with a Blood Orange Negroni and an Orange Blossom. Both cocktails were creative and delicious. We moved on to share a shrimp ceviche appetizer, then a bowl of tomato bisque, a dahlia salad and a trout entree. All were wonderful. I’m used to a multi-course meal having some misses among the hits, but this was wonderful and creative food all the way through. We were also very favorably impressed with the great value. I’m a fan!

I took my son, daughter-in-law, and hubby here the other night. The food was amazing. I had the trout and it was perfect. My daughter-in-law had the veggie burger and she loved it. My son's dish was the special - a baked pork chop. He loved it. And, hubby has the seared tuna. He loved it as well. The waiter was great. Made some awesome recommendations. Drinks were fabulous. We sat outside and the area is not really loud or weird like you may think of on 82nd Ave. It was just really a nice evening with good food and drinks and my amazing family.

We found this restaurant by chance, so glad that we did. The front part of the restaurant was packed but we chose to sit in the bar. The restaurant has a very relaxed vibe and the menu had something for everyone. We ordered the andouille mac and cheese for my mac and cheese lover friend who said it was delicious. Her husband ordered the elk burger and said it was cooked perfect and I ordered the chicken linguine in sage cream and YUM! We also had a few different drinks that we all great. Service was fantastic, our server helped us with picking great items. Parking is a little hard as you have to find it on the street.

Family dinner for Birthday. Great varied menu and wonderful service. No reservations, waited for 25-40 mins. We had the smoked fish platter and fry bread as appetizers and coconut curry snapper, fish of the day and trout as entrees.... all were great. The lavender creme brûlée’s and bread pudding were amazing

A friend suggested lunch here the other day, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the place was. Because it was lunch time it was busy and all the tables in this small open airy place were full. We opted to sit at the bar and had a lovely friendly wait staff who was very attentive and intuitive. The food was very well prepared with quality ingredients, and the soups are just delicious! I really love when you get what you would like in a timely, friendly manner, just makes going out what it should be. The prices were very reasonable, portions were healthy but not overwhelming. Didn't try the Mussels but friend said they're fabulous served in a broth and Grand central bread served alongside. I'll definitely be returning!

As repeat customers, arriving early with limited time, we decided on doing the Happy Hour food instead of dinner. We had all that was offered and was pleased with almost everything. The chicken liver pate was outstanding, perhaps the best I've had. The variety of sliders were all well prepared and very tasty. And the soup - excellent. Many of the items could have been a meal by themselves. Two negatives: The parmesan fries, although tasty, were not crispy, and the biggest disappointment, the salads. There were two salads on the HH menu and both lacked taste, texture and an appealing appearance. Of all the items, the major disappointment, which I would recommend to avoid, is their interpretation of the Caesar Salad. The dressing was wrong,there was NO cheese, and if there were anchovies they were well disguised. It was a plate of lettuce! Yes, still a five as everything else about the place was great.

Found this foodie secret in Yelp. Easy to find establishment in a funky neighborhood with street parking only. Service was a bit slow but food was excellent and unpretentious. The mussels are to die for. The hamburger was juicy and super tasty. The chicken pate wrapped in prosciutto yummy.

The food here is really good, Ive tried several things and liked it all. The Vegetarian burger is also really good. The Salmon was very tender and not overcooked.

Went here on a early Saturday evening. All tables in the front dining room were full with a 15 minute wait but the back "bar" area was open. I think the back area is MUCH cooler. Same menu but more spacious and comfortable. The menu is varied and we wanted to try just about everything. The fried bread is a must. The chicken sliders were yummy, they have pulled pork as well that we saw many orders of. The Mac and Cheese with andouille sausage is perfect and the fish and chips are good too. Best whiskey sour I've had anywhere. Our server/bar tender was Torben. Ask for him. Polite, funny and gracious and on top of his job! Would definitely go back next time we are in Portland

Had a lovely dinner with family.Our server Jamie B was very attentive. We had fried chicken, mediterranean platter and salmon salad special.

Happy hour here turned into a great event for everyone. We were able to pick small plates of all variety , vegetarian, picky, child, and low carb. We sat outside and they arranged for the perfect setup for the hearing impaired senior. The fries of all kinds were addictive! Best “well” gin and tonic, and a beer our son admires and doesn’t often find that supports great causes. The service was very attentive and gracious!!

Nice atmosphere, food, drinks, and service! We had steaks and our son had fish...delicious and awesome! Service was very good. Our cocktails were tasty and unique. We were especially impressed with the flavor of our steaks.

My husband and I live in the Montavilla neighborhood of Portland, but even before we moved nearby, we found this great place. The food is consistently awesome, with by far the best burger in town- great bun, nice and meaty, cooked to order, clean tasting- not greasy. They keep their prices reasonable. Their fries are amazing, crispy as hell but nice and fat. Other things I love there are fish and chips, the chicken salad with crispy bacon and blue cheese, the mussels, the smoked whitefish appetizer plate (who knew?) and most recently, the happy hour fish tacos. We mostly sit in the back which is technically a different restaurant- the Over and Out, which has a pool table, and alot of TVS with sports no one is really watching as far as I can tell. What I like about the back is its not as loud and there are no kids. If you have kids, the front (Observatory) is great. Staff is very accommodating, servicee is pleasant- we love this place!!

Great food & atmosphere as well as fair prices! Super yummy food and amazing prices to boot! We love the bread and the cheese plate. All the salads are delicious and the portions are great too. Not one of those places you spend tons of $, but go home hungry still. Plenty of food for every plate. Love this place!

My sister and I came here for lunch. We both had the fish and chips. It is Alaskan True Cod, and comes in one big piece about 8" long, at least. It's breaded in Panko crumbs which lends a nice crunch. We substituted the regular fries for rosemary parmesan fries! Yum! It came with napa cabbage coleslaw with red onion, carrot and sweet bell pepper. It wasn't cloyingly sweet like some coleslaws. Other food we saw being served to others looked equally delicious! The atmosphere was very Portland. We don't drink, but the bar was huge.

This place is surprisingly big. There is a back bar and restaurant in the back with a pool table, bar, and tables all around. I went out with girlfriends and it was really fun because there is all types of food, cocktails, beer and wine! Something for everyone. The staff was awesome, I liked our server Cori (girl) she was great! I ordered the coconut snapper and it was pretty good! The fish was perfectly cooked, and it was not an overwhelmingly coconut flavor. My bill was under $40 for a large entree, appetizer, and two cocktails! All the girls enjoyed their food! I recommended, and I will come back as well. I've been told the front of the restaurant has a larger menu also.

The Observatory (which I found by lucky accident, not far from my residence) is one of those Portland-typical-great food & atmosphere places where, although if you don't get in early you might wait a bit for a table (no reservations!) you'll, at the end, be glad you did! Yummy on the artisan cocktails, the limited but oh-so-good menu of "new American", and the great dishes at amazing prices on the "happy hour" list. I tried "trout piccata" because I love trout and seldom find it on menus...and it was TASTY, piquant, tender and just right...excellent piccata treatment! The mixed grains below it were perfect, and the side of rabe was perfect. On the happy hour menu on another occasion I tried mussels in a garlicky, buttery, broth with two huge pieces of bread to do all the soaking up of juices. The mussels themselves were uber-tender (!!!), and I was amazed. OK, this place IS a bit on the loud side, so "intimate convos" are going to be a challenge, but the atmosphere is happy, relaxed, and leaves you pleasantly exhausted. JUST GO!!! Try anything...I've been twice and will be going again soon. Last good note: Staff is excellent, friendly, chill, and fun.

we hit portland at the end of a 600 mile trip and it was a warmish day. we were exhausted and hungry and had out dog with us. id heard about the observatory and im so glad we stopped for lunch. there was plenty of street parking (this was a monday afternoon) and we were welcomed to sit outside with our dog (it was shady). the waitress immediately brought her a bowl of water, unasked. service for the humans was a tad on the slow or inattentive side, but we didnt mind as we hate constant interruptions by servers. my husband tried their hot dog lunch and salad, and we shared the cheese plate and order of fried bread. the cheese plate is nothing short of amazing and is a FULL meal for 2-4 people. there were cheese options (not all identifiable by us or the waitress...) and fresh fruit and bread and spreads and roasted garlic and all in large quantity. the fried bread wasnt super special and we didnt eat much just because it wasnt worth the carb load/calories to us so we stuck to the baguette slices that came with the cheese. he also enjoyed his hot dog. for lunch for 2 plus nibbles for pup, it was a tad expensive but in all fairness, the hot dog was totally unnecessary!

Food and drinks were awesome! Service by our hostess Cory topped it! Atmosphere is very nice, staff seem to care for the restaurant...dusting, wiping furniture and wall art. Made me feel like I'm in a clean hygienic restaurant as we all should feel...I ordered the Elk Burger and Italian sausage soup. Highly recommend both! Will have lunch here any day! Gonna come back and have dinner!

Six of us had dinner and while the service was good. The food was plentiful. My pulled pork sandwich was average as were the fries. The others in the group enjoyed the meal but none were wowed. We must be missing something because place was full and others were waiting for tables.

We had a dinner there with friends and it was so delicious. We had trout and snapper as well as some appetizers. Everything was fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We will definitely be back soon.

Stopped in as this venue is somewhat close to PDX. Managed to catch the happy hour. The $5 wine is not fancy, but niether is it unreasaonable ... and the serving is generous for a happy hour special. Service was very good. I ordered a chicken fried steak - bad choice. An overcooked Sysco Systems "meal." My dinner partner chose better selecting a burger. It looked great. Stop in for ambiance - beware the pre-made dinner fare.

Nice vibe with low lighting, interesting artwork, beautiful wood bar, couple of booths and tables. Delicious food & friendly service. Start with the fry bread wedges & dipping sauces, beet & apple salad, sandwich choices are plentiful and they offer daily specials (a soup, fish and or pasta). We've been here for family lunches, date dinners, friend lunches and have always enjoyed our meals. My dear 90 year old Mom loved this place too!

Had a great lunch at this great spot for lunch. Large menu with reasonable prices. here a soup and salad is more than enough. You will take some of the large salad home with you. My daughter got the veggie burger and took half home with her. We finished off the fantastic fries with the Portland ketchup.

We didn't expect too much after seeing the menu and prices. However, after a $$$$ meal in Sun Valley Idaho the night before we were pleasantly surprised by the food, and at 1/4 the price. The mussels were outstanding. Fresh, juicy and plump, cooked with sake instead of wine. The snapper was superb and surrounded by excellent mix of beans and vegetables. The service was pleasant and unpretentious. This is my new favorite place in Portland. Be prepared to wait for a table because the word is out.

Arrived in Portland late at night and starving, googled restaurants and found The Observatory, had the cab driver drop us off here on the way from the train station. Was like landing in a little piece of heaven, the food was absolutely fantastic, service was great, beer was great and all-in-all, in was a perfect end to a long and good day. Absolutely recommend this place, wish we could have gone back during our whirlwind visit.

I appreciated the nice but low key vibe of this place. Food was reasonably priced and high quality. That's hard to find in and of itself. I appreciated the kind service we had. At first glance you might think this would be a place with wannabe hipster waiters who act like they have so much better things to do than wait on you but not the case at all. We had a petite dark haired server that took great care of us & food was prompt and delicious! We will be back!

great fresh foods served in creative choices, seA food, pasta, vegetarian choices, great service and great desserts too! Yummmm ,nice inside or outside seating as well.

Sidewalk, inside, and back porch seating on Stark street with easy parking and great options make this a great brunch spot. 10 am on a Sunday is prime brunch time and we were seated immediately in a great spot. They accommodated my dietary preferences with no problem and had great options for non and alcoholic drinks.

Good food, good prices. Jamie was a great server! Casual place with cloth napkins. One side is a family restaurant and the other a fun bar. I had the lamb burger, yummy. Good fries and an interesting menu.

Visiting Portland. We went Sat. night after THxgiving. A little crowded. We had to wait about 15 min. for a window booth. Nice atmosphere. The server was helpful with helping us make our meals choices. Con: the Caesar salad was below average. It had huge pieces of Romaine lettuce. Pro: I ordered the Meatloaf , mash pot and baby carrots. All excellent. My husband ordered the Ribeye, fingerling potatoes, fresh green beans. His steak was cooked perfect. I would recommended The Observatory.

While visiting our daughter in Portland today we decided to get some lunch. She lives on the east side of town near The observatory. I decided to have the pulled pork with BBQ and am glad I did. My husband had the Reuben and my daughter had soup and a grilled veggie sandwich. All items were very good and am planning to return when we are in Portland again.

It's a little off the central part of the city, out in Montavilla neighborhood, but absolutely wonderful and worth traveling a little for. Loved the unusual salads--black kale, dahlia tubers, and tender fish. Very nice staff. You will probably have to wait--popular and no reservations taken.ome early for dinner.

Local eatery to our neighborhood. Seems to do good business all the time (you may have to wait for a table) but the staff are friendly and the food is interesting. My wife really likes their cocktails (especially the Flu Shot).

ate here for lunch one day, and dinner another. good vibe, interesting menu. my lunch salad (chicken and bacon) was excellent. my dinner options (i got two large appetizers as my meal: ceviche and chicken/corn chowder) were good, but not great. i had searched for a place for "quiet conversation" and this came up. it does NOT fit that description -- quite loud, which would be fine if you weren't looking for a place for quiet conversation. also, there are only four beers on tap, which seems really limited for the style of restaurant (i would expect 2 - 3x that many in this type of restaurant).

We made it in time for happy hour and had local craft beer for only $2.50. We ordered the catch of the day, which happened to be fresh king salmon grilled perfectly. Service was fast and friendly. We stopped in while on a road trip, it was easy access to 205. We would definitely go back!

Seriously one of NE Portland's best places to eat with family or friends. There is something for everyone, and you will leave very satisfied. Some of my favorite menu items would be the cheese plate, BBQ pork sandwich and anything on the happy hour menu! Give this place a try, you won't leave disappointed..

I had the reuben sandwich without the thousand island dressing. The side I chose was a mixed green salad. Both items were delicious. The dressing on the mixed greens was the best viniagrette was absolutely the best I have ever eaten. The waitress was friendly, courteous and she brought me a list of ingredients for the viniagrette. The atmosphere was hip and upbeat. Would go there again.

I had not heard of this location until reading of it in a 'best bars for lunch' in a local newsrag. It was in my old neighborhood and right down the street from the Academy Theater and my favorite restaurant in town, Ya Hala. The ambiance is comfortable and uncrowded, the service was fast and friendly, and, most important, the food was excellent. We have already made plans to return for coffee and creme brule.

This restaurant has a friendly service, good portions with fair prices. And all this in a very nice environment.

The reviews were spot on. Reasonably priced dinner with friends. We ate in the back bar which was great. Service was very good. We started with the Fry Bread and Cheese Platter which was awesome. Our group had the Elk Burger or Coconut Curry Prawns and no-one was upset. Great beers and cocktails.......We will be back!!

We had time to kill before we our flight so we went for lunch per Tripadvisor reviews. Probably one of the best hamburgers I've had in a long time. They served it with dill mayo which was different but might start making mine like that after that one. Husband had the Rueben. He said it was really good too. French fries are great, sweet potato fries are really good also.

Recommended by friends and it lived up to the billing. Not a large place and parking was a little difficult, but I loved the atmosphere. The food was excellent. I had a ribeye cooked just as ordered. Accompanied by fresh asparagus and potatoes. The service was excellent. I would never have found this place without the recommendation of friends. I now know where it is and I will be back.

Skidded our way here on a very icy Sunday night when many restaurants were closed. We were quite pleasantly surprised. Portions were large and the menu offered a wide variety. My pork tenderloin came with grilled polenta and a substantial serving of garlicky braised greens. Others at the table ordered fried chicken, pulled pork sandwich and an oriental chicken salad. All received thumbs up. Two of us ordered shrubs - one pineapple and one ginger. While I normally enjoy the sour/bitter vinegar of a shrub, these were definitely pucker-worthy. Bit of a shock at first sip! As we were celebrating a birthday we ordered two desserts. First was the special, a chocolate caramel pecan tart. Very rich but a bit too sweet for our tastes. Second order was Coconut Delight. For the two of us who like coconut, the creamy coconut custard with almonds and dark chocolate was truly a delight.

Recently completed our second visit to The Observatory in one month. Both times the service and food were excellent. We had a variety of options, from dinner salads to meat courses, and all were well prepared. Our server both times was fantastic, attentive and friendly. There are no reservations, so a wait for a table both times, but the hostess makes sure drinks are available quickly. A fantastic time was had by all.

We were promptly greeted and seated. I tried a drink with fresh blood orange juice. It was very good. We started with a side of tater tots. Some of the best we've ever had. Our party had 2 elk burgers and an order of fish and chips. We were all pleased with our food. Overall good drinks, food and service. We would return if in the neighborhood.

I’ll start by saying I hate to leave reviews & usually don’t; so when u do it’s only when I’m very impressed or very disappointed. I’ve been here several times & never been disappointed. This time was different unfortunately. My first red flag was when our food came out in less than ten minutes. Fresh food takes longer than that to cook. My partner & I came by for dinner because she wanted the trout salad. Which she seemed to enjoy. I was in the mood for white fish so I ordered the pan fried Idaho trout piccata, with broccolini & lemon mushroom risotto. Sadly, the menu said nothing about the trout actually being farm raised steelhead (I hate steelhead) so that was my first disappointment. Next, the risotto was complete mush. I asked the server to ask the kitchen when it was made. He said it was “prepped” yesterday. Having spent 20! Years in the culinary industry including culinary school I know what that means. @ lastly, the broccoli was just unseasoned broccoli. Zero salt, pepper, or butter. The server was friendly enough & not rude at all, but when I made my disappointment visually & audibly known, he showed & offered zero in the way of fixing the situation. I did say that will take the remaining 2/3rds of the disappointing meal to go partner would have it at work later, so I understand that. I despise people who complain just to get free stuff & so that’s why I try not to leave bad feedback. I think the biggest disappointment was that from my very first sign of displeasure, there was no offer to fix the situation from beginning to end. I left the couple stars because the staff were fine. But I won’t return.

My first-time experience with The Observatory, thanks to suggestion from my grown daughter's suggestion for a great, fast, local take-out meal with both families socially distanced in her back-yard. Diverse menu. Delicious, nutritious food for all ages. The take-out cartons seemed compostable and came in large brown earth-friendly paper sacks. The food fresh, prepared well, and worth the price. Not spendy, not cheap. Just right. All entries were wonderful. The hidden gem was the Cheese Platter starter. Looked expensive, but Ohhh such a treat. Definitely worth the price.

My wife and I needed a restaurant after a busy Sunday morning. We found the Observatory with its slightly eclectic, thoughtful dishes and (with one important exception) comfortable atmosphere and tolerable prices. The smoked trout salad evoked positive memories. The crispy chicken salad had plenty of variety. We look forward to exploring the rest of the menu, particularly the lamb burger and ceviche. Atmosphere: high ceiling, lots of wood--comfortable bistro-esque. When we left, we asked one of the staff if next time, I could get the trout salad without so much dressing. (Dress was good but chef needs restraining!). This was answered very positively. To make this place a 5 only one thing is needed: reduce, turn-down or best of all eliminate the techno music. The incredibly deep bass throb just doesn't go with the rest of the atmosphere or food. It might be the manager's favorite or keep the wait staff hoppin' --but it's heck on people trying to have a conversation or actually have their own thoughts. We got the volume turned down to just the tolerable level, but neither my wife nor I could stand to stay for another 5 minutes. A couple of times between songs, a minute's silence provided the best part of the meal. Suggestion: try another kind of music or best of all silence! There's enough chatter from happy customers to keep the place feeling live! Thanks for reading.

Menu has many unusual options. I chose Chicken pesto linguini with goat cheese. YUMMMMM!!! Large portion so no room for dessert. Parking was challenging.

I honestly can’t say enough about this place. From the eclectic drink menu to the creative and delicious food options. Not to mention everyone working that day was awesome. Alissa served us at the bar and was awesome and I even bought a T-shirt from the manager. If you’re there for brunch which we were I highly recommend the lox bagel and breakfast enchiladas

I had the small kale salad and the andouille mac & cheese. If I hadn't been working hard all day it would have been too much food. Excellent quality and portions for the price. And the beer selection didn't suck either. Highly recommended!!

I went here because it was rated as one of Portland top five places for veggie burgers. With this build-up expectation however this burger didn't succeed to impress me much. I still liked it and was happy that I could switch out the fries on one plate for a salad, but if I had know how amazing the fries were I probably would not have done it. Drinks were fine, no non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu though which would have been nice. To sun it up, good atmosphere, OK veggie burgers and great fries.

I found The Observatory on Yelp as I needed a nice restaurant for a client dinner. The restaurant is small and does not take reservations, but on a Wednesday evening, the six of us only waited about ten minutes for a table. The food was out of this world and the service was outstanding! I could not have asked for a better dinner. And with drinks, appetizers, dinner and desserts, the bill was about $170.00 (without tip). Absolutely reasonable for the wonderful food and service. Thank you!

We just popped in for a quick cocktail. I must say, Tom Kah blew me away. It was perfect. We also had the Citrus Chili Shrimp Ceviche which was also very good. Will have to come back for dinner on another visit to Portland.

We went for Saturday lunch with a group of friends and both my wife and I had the lamb burger which was excellent. The only reason I gave them a 4 star rating is because we ordered a draft beer each and the beers came after the food arrived. I actually thought they had forgotten about the beers. Other than slow service with the drinks everything else was excellent.

Hidden in plain sight. Cool setting. Sunday brunch on our table included baked eggs served in cast iron, chocolate waffles and mushroom gravy with biscuits. Don't forget to check out the cocktails. Sensational!

This place has good food and drinks. This time we sat in the bar in the back and Levi was our server. Not friendly, didn't smile, didn't check back after we got our food. Had wings as an appetizer and needed extra napkins(should have brought extra with them-service 101), we were out of water and drinks. Service is usually better than this. Ugh!

But it wasn't a bad thing, good people watching, plus a beer. Great food , very good service, once we got a table! Good sized portions. Full bar. This place is very popular and it was Friday night, so expect a delay. It is on the loud side, you will have to speak up across the table. I had no idea that this neighborhood was one of the "in" places of Portland.

I read through others reviews before I started mine... I do that quite often. I don't want to provide a repetitious review and like to add something new or helpful. So... Lets get this out the way.. YES! Parking stinks and the place is noisy! Other complain about the neighborhood... "Go eat in your own neighborhood!" The restaurant can't help the quality of the neighborhood or change the residents! Sheesh! I'd like to see more dining tables, myself. This is a busy place and needs more dining tables. That's good news for the restaurant, but not great news when you arrive at 6 PM... Hahahaha A quick overview of the decor.... It's OK. I like the big odd looking light fixture. The rest is just OK. Hard plywood booths and old wooden tables... meh... it's not the Waldorf Astoria. ;-) I did love the String art in the back hallway! Who knew those skills I learned in my 1970's Junior High SChool Arts and Craft class would pay out big dividends in 2010's! $150 for string geometrically looped around nails? Wow! Service was with a smile, helpful and they even updated us on our progress of getting seated! YOU JUST SEE THAT ANYMORE! MAJOR KUDOS! I reviewed Stanford's not long ago and commented on how the Host staff were like mindless mute zombies. I noticed there was a large bar room in the back... Large enough for a lot more dining seats... Maybe flip flop this operation? Food full of surprises, mostly good. Cocktails were well crafted and tasty! Everyone enjoyed their meal! Entree Salad was excellent. Big and well crafted and tasty. Burgers and fries all cooked to customers request, perfect. Good flavors and representation. The Andouille Mac-n-Cheese looked like a sloppy mess, but was amazing with flavor and quality Andouille! Charcuterie Plate was very nice. One of the better ones I've had. Nice mix of Salumi's, Pate, Pickled stuff and dippers. I could always use more Bread or crackers, especially when serving a huge chunk of Pate... I can't eat it right from the fork it needs a delivery vehicle. Desserts may have been the only mis-step. We all shared the Bread Pudding and brownie. Both came with Ice Cream. The GLUTEN FREE Brownie is just kinda wrong. Kinda like a half dried out sponge made of chocolate. Stick to the real thing. Bread Pudding was Ok, but a little bland and the Bourbon Caramel was lacking Bourbon flavor. All in all... It was nice meal and we'll be back.

As advertised the food was amazing and the atmosphere very relaxed and chic. My 8mos old was welcomed and we had ample space for his highchair. Def will go again!

What an AMAZING place. Sat outside because we brought our dog, but cool atmosphere nonetheless. The cheese plate was perfect! Food portions were great and dessert was delicious. Opt for the lavander creme brûlée and it was perfection. the service was friendly and attentive! I’d definitely come back next time I come to Portland.

This is our go to restaurant. We are there on a regular basis. They have great food, great cocktails, and reasonable prices especially happy hour. It can be a little busy and loud but if you are expecting that then relax and enjoy. We have tried a number of menu items and have not been disappointed. Ask for the soup or specials of the day.

The Bloody Mary's are over the top. Fresh ingredients and garnish. The food was very good and it's centrally located in SE Portland.

Stopped for a meal before a Bonnie Raitt concert :) Food was great. I had the pulled pork sandwich and my friend had fish and chips. Both were a cut above. Service was a little inattentive, but they were busy. I'd definitely stop here again!

They served a sirloin steak and also a pork dinner with the meat slathered with melted butter. This was perfect for my KETO diet. It was also so yummy good. The plate included vegetables. Perfect! I skipped the mashed potatoes but it was difficult because they looked very good. I started my meal with a dozen oysters. Very good as well. No dessert for us. Good service here as well.

My wife and I went here today. The place was full and we got the last table outside on the sidewalk. I was a little concerned we might be forgotten but we had great service. My wife started with their Red Pepper salad. It was excellent. I had the Red Pepper and Tomato bisque. It was also excellent. For dinner she has the Ribeye. She said it was very good but lacked some flavor. I had the Jerk Chicken special with Pineapple/Mango salsa, Black beans, Coleslaw and Rice. Mine was very good with lots of spice and flavor. The best part was dessert. We shared their Banana, Peanut Butter pie with Chocolate drizzle over it. It was almost like cheesecake and it was amazing!

Visited around 1PM to catch up with a friend over lunch. I noticed smoked trout as a house specialty, both salad and sandwich. I ordered the salad and it was a great mix of fresh spring greens, olives, nuts, and the nicely salty, smoked trout. Service was friendly and really quick for the high volume of people who were visiting at the time.

We visited Portland for the first time this past September and discovered The Observatory. After reading the reviews for so many restaurants, we agreed to drive over 20 miles to give it a try bypassing many higher rated establishments. We found ample parking right by the restaurant and walked right in without a reservation. Immediately, we felt the dynamic atmosphere created by a busy staff that was positively engaged with every patron. We were asked to wait a moment and offered a comfortable spot on the large leather couch in the waiting area. A waitress brought us drink as we waited momentarily before deciding to sit at the prominent bar in the middle of the restaurant instead of a table. Although very busy with a full counter, we were immediately and warmly greeted by the bartender who treated us like well-known and valued regulars. He assisted us in selecting two outstanding beers based on our individuals tastes and eagerly answered all our questions of the diverse menu. Our choices arrived shortly and we were impressed with the size of the portions and even more so with the quality of the food and preparation. The customers to our left and right at the bar were regulars and also provided useful suggestions, favorites, recommendations, and great conversation throughout our meal. We had such a good time that we promised to return someday. Ten days later, we decided to go back the night before departing Portland. To our amazement, the second experience was just as wonderful as the first. We sat at the bar again and although we had a different bartender, I was convinced it was the same person who treated us as friends. We experienced another sumptuous evening, selecting different menu selection and beers. And, of course, the regulars at the bar were equally engaging and we had a blast even for a couple of introverts. Look them up, go there, and try it!

In the past I have only been here for dinner today we tried the observatory for lunch and I was not surprised to discover that they deliver as well at lunchtime as they do in the evening!! We sat outside on the Stark Street When you sit outside you definitely get to experience the local residents. We are locals so would love that part of it. To us it added a beautiful element to our dining experience. My absolute favorite drink in the world is the Cumin Centipede (CC] !! The CC is delicate balance of spicy, tart with the hint of sweetness. I had the chicken bacon salad and my friend had the Apple Beet salad. Both salads have beautiful presentations and are quite yummy. The entire salads have very generous portions! The restaurant is huge and each offers a fabulous dining experience. The restaurant in the back called Over and Out and has more of a bar feel including a pool table.

No reservations taken but we got in without much of a wait on a weekday evening. Located in a bit of dingy area, there's lots of street parking nearby but lots of it is one hour only so you may have to park in the nearby residential area and walk a few blocks. It's pretty big inside, with seating at the bar, booths and tables, and some sidewalk seating outside as well. There is a fun cocktail list, and a small wine list. All the specials listed on the board inside looked great. We ordered a steak special and a pasta dish, and both were very good. Noticed a lot of burgers coming out of the kitchen - must be a specialty of theirs. Good service and great value for the quality of food. Would go back for sure.

We eat all over Portland, Oregon. Some place receive great reviews, and we eat there, and wonder, "Why?" The Observatory deserves five star across the board. Their cheese plate is amazing! I had two Manhattans, and I am not always someone who likes Manhattans, but theirs are unbelievably good! We had the Coconut Snapper and the Chicken Fried Chicken--both were outstanding!!! Service was fab--not fawning but efficient and friendly. Atmosphere is beautiful. Can't ask for more in a restaurant. This neighborhood is blessed to have this place! We will be back, frequently! Photo is of their outstanding cheese plate. Beyond delicious!

My husband and I stopped in for dinner because of the great reviews. We were not disappointed. We had a slaw dog and a bowl of the Basil Tomato Bisque both were great. The drinks were creative and tasty. I had the Tom Hah and My husband had another spicy infused Vodka concoction. So good. The atmosphere is great, casually dressed or glammed up a bit, you will fit in regardless.

We found this restaurant via TripAdvisor while traveling down the highway. So glad we stopped! The atmosphere is casual yet nice and our server was very friendly. We were hungry from sightseeing all morning so my husband ordered a burger and fries while I ordered their Four Horsemen pulled pork sandwich with a small salad. While my husband thoroughly enjoyed his burger, we both agree the French fries were incredible! Something about the sea salt and method of frying....they were special! My pulled pork was also incredible. It was just zesty enough and not overwhelmed by sauce. The cabbage slaw on top was just a nice small amount to enhance the flavor when served on a soft, warmed deli-style bun. We really enjoyed our spontaneous lunch here and highly recommend it!

We love good food, I'm a pretty good chef myself so it's always difficult to find somewhere better than home! This place was 'top notch'😋 Customer service, food quality/ presentation and ambience were outstanding. $80 for two cocktails, two drinks, plate of oysters, starters and two mains!! (and a take out box) wow! We will definitely be going back as we didn't have enough space for the desserts.... The dessert cocktail and dessert menu looked amazing! All I can say is GO THERE!!!

Love sitting at the bar at this place and watching all the great food come out of the kitchen. And the bartenders making great drinks! I highly recommend the garlic/parmesan/rosemary fries, the smoked white fish, the chicken pate, and the red pepper/tomato bisque. More than enough for two people share. And they have some very interesting cocktails. I like "savory" and the Cumin Centipede was perfect.

My husband and I were lucky to get an outdoor table at The Observatory on a warm evening in Portland (the inside of the restaurant was lovely, too!). We were overwhelmed by the menu - though it's not enormous, everything looked great and we had trouble choosing. We ended up getting the oregano fry bread for an appetizer, which was a great choice - they're basically just really tasty breadsticks. My husband ordered the catch of the day, which was tuna cooked medium rare, and he really enjoyed it. I had every intention of ordering a salad, but couldn't resist the lamb burger. It was wonderful - the lamb, goat cheese, and other ingredients all worked together to make an awesome burger. Definitely give The Observatory a try if you're not sure what you're in the mood for - you'll find something delicious!

This is a fantastic restaurant with great staff. Our meals were innovative, used the freshest ingredients and were served with a huge dose of friendliness. I had a special - tuna with a chimichurri sauce (amazing) and my husband had the fish and chips (HUGE piece of fish). Both were absolutely delicious. We sat at the bar and had fantastic drinks, the strawberry rhubarb mojito and my husband a drink with tequila and had a beer bottle sticking out of it, a cute touch. I would be a regular if we lived in town. No wait when we showed up at 6 pm on a Thursday.

Had the Mediterranean plate and it was very good - generous serving, couldn't eat it all. The other 2 in our party had the beet salad, and they liked it, but just a trace of blue cheese even though the menu had blue cheese in the menu item title. Should either add some blue cheese or change the wording in the menu.

This is our first visit to the observatory, a friend suggested the resturant. The first thing one should know and remembering this is Portland, be prepared for limited parking. That being said the fish and chips were on every one’s mind and the observatory was said to be the place for this dish. We tried the Bloody Marys which turned out to be a bit more spicy then our typical libations. We did peruse the menu before ordering and it seemed to offer a lot of different items which should be adequate for most diners. Jenny introduced her self as our server and suggested the special of the day. The majority of our group went straight for the fish and chips while the lone hold out decided he wanted shrimp. The accompaniments for the fish and chips were cold slaw and french fries with the obligatory tartar and shrimp suace. We almost commented on the bread coating covering the fish, it was dark. After the first bite though, the dark coating was forgotten! The food was served quickly and hot from the kitchen! Jenny made regualr rounds to our table making sure every thing was in order. Most all small Portland busineses reside in repurposed buildings hence the interior of the observatory while a working restaurant had been something else in a previous life. Parking is restricted to curb side at the front door, more or less, so be prepared to include that issue in your plans should you be driving. It was baffling to pull in to the paved lot next to their building only to find McDonalds signs on every spot!

This is a cool, eclectic place. If you're looking for a Portland experience, I'd say you'd find that here. The food is quite good too. They have some pretty unusual drinks that will make your dining experience both unique and fun.

This place has a nice cozy and relaxed vibe! i ate in the restaurant area. We were on a date and the atmosphere was perfect. Our server was attentive and friendly yet not over present! We ordered the Fruit and cheese platter, the charcuterie platter, the Mussels Diablo as well as a beet salad. All of them were on point and great portion sizes. This place is truly a gift. Please go and experience it yourself!

Wonderful place. Great lamb dishes. Big size portions. Quick service. Crowded with locals. This is a great place to go for dinner. Their drinks are also fabulous.

We went here for lunch. Everything was well prepared…we had a good beet salad, which was huge, and then burgers. The only thing I didn’t like a lot was their homemade ginger beer. Too watery. We sat outside at the picnic tables next to the street. The neighborhood area was not the greatest, with homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks.

This is definitely a neighborhood restaurant. There were 4 adults and 2 kids (6 & 8) for dinner. The cocktails were very good as we waited for an inside table. They have a wide range salads and meals: burgers, meat loaf, linguine, fish.... All very affordable. The atmosphere is very relaxing.

My dining companion chose The Observatory for a special occasion and I'd say it's more of a neighborhood restaurant. But a very good one! We enjoyed fresh oysters, calamari and some daily specials, washed down with Prosecco and a nice glass of red wine. Service was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu.

Wish the music was more subtle, but highly recommend The Observatory in Montvilla neighborhood. My son and daughter-in-law suggested The Observatory on Stark for dinner on a Monday night. After a brief wait of less than five minutes, we had a table and an attentive waiter. We ordered the Citrus Chili Shrimp Ceviche and the Oregano Fry Bread for appetizers and shared among the four of us. I tried a Caesar and tasted everyone else’s dinner! By the end of the evening I had tasted the pulled pork, wilted greens that included dandelion tubers and kale, and rib-eye steak. Every bite was delicious. Service was intentionally paced, but a little slow. On our second visit, there was no wait for lunch a tad before noon. By the time we had our food, there was a waiting line. We were there with a family group of six and we wanted to chat and visit, but the music made it a bit difficult. We ordered shrimp on skewers, burgers, the Smoked Trout Sandwich, and greens. All were again excellent. I especially recommend the trout sandwich. The mid-day brunch cocktails were also very good, the Tart Cherry-Aperol Spritzer being the favorite. Service was perfect.

I've eaten through their menu at least half a dozen times, huge success.... kind of noisy but fast and professional service

Popular place but thought the food was average. Wasn't the type of place where you think man I have to go back there again.

American restaurant, has happy hours and open day long,good cocktails ,food is good delicious and huge amounts,service is smooth and friendly. Cheep.

The Observatory was recommended to us by our friends in Portland. We loved the atmosphere, service, and food!! Was a relaxing place with great food...bringing out the best of stories within each of us. Highly recommend!!!!!

I went to The Observatory on Monday evening, October 10th, with a friend who works nearby and has made it his "Cheers." We had a light fare: the Mussels Diabla and a drink before going to a concert. The mussels were excellent. We sat at the bar. Both the atmosphere and the easy-going bartender by the name of Seth, and Clarity, to name but one waitress, reminded me of my days in Portland when I too enjoyed a place "where everyone knows your name." Though I now live happily on the Coast, I must say I miss the variety of Portland's fare. Someone had once told me the place was expensive but I looked at the menu and if most dishes are done as well as the one I had, then it is affordable--much more so than where I live. It would seem that even a retiree on a fixed income like me can have a decent meal and good service at The Observatory and I plan to go back there when I visit friends who live in that neighborhood. Thank you! Claire

I went with a friend who is in his 70's and he really couldn't hear the waiter at all. I found the volume annoying too - the food is fairly good, but not good enough to justify having to shout to be heard. I won't be back.