Chef Alexander Diestra — formerly of Andina and his pop-up, Chicha — interprets classic seafood dishes for the menu at King Tide Fish and Shell, like ceviche with shrimp and ono, and Spanish octopus with Romesco. The seafood tower is a show-stopper with oysters, crab ceviche, sashimi, and prawns.

Sitting al fresco with a view of the boats, regulars of Il Terrazzo twirl tagliatelle in black truffle cream sauce or cut into ravioli in sage brown butter at this friendly trattoria. This is classic, comfort food Italian, served without pretense; however, the sauces here exhibit a nice depth of flavor, be it a six-hour Bolognese or a briny puttanesca.

The South Portland location of this Seattle-born chain is massive, just off the water and surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The move here is in the name: The restaurant’s dough-centric dishes, like noodles, dumplings, and bao, are well executed and consistent, particularly the Berkshire-Duroc pork xiao long bao.

Al Hawr dishes up some of the best Lebanese food in the Pacific Northwest, offering a harmony of the cuisine’s essential components: creamy hummus, fluffy pita, piquant olive oil, tender beets, and delicate grape leaves, each supporting flavorful chicken, lamb, and veggie falafel entrees. The dessert menu might be the real stand-out, however, with the lightly sweet knafeh and cotton candy-topped ice cream. Dine in the richly decorated dining room or order takeout.

Frank Wine Bar opened in 2013 and has cemented itself as something of a foundational establishment in the South Waterfront. Even on sleepier nights, Frank has the warmth and organic energy of a long-time neighborhood gathering place. Enjoy complimentary popcorn and creative tasting flights while waiting for a table — the exceptionally curated glass pour list is worth the wait. The food menu refreshes seasonally, with a tasty range of salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or skip dining in and grab a bottle from the bottle shop — Oregon wines are supplemented by a thoughtful selection of smaller European labels, including wine from exciting regions in Croatia and Hungary.

Walking past JoLa Cafe — a portmanteau of John’s Landing, the southernmost section of the South Waterfront — it might be easy to mistake it for another sleek, cozy Portland coffee shop, serving espresso drinks and a handful of pastries that are long gone by noon. Step inside and find a sprawling space, with tables spread across multiple sunny dining rooms, and espresso drinks complemented by an expansive breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic beverage menu. With such ample real estate — including picnic table seating outside — JoLa is a perfect spot for remote workers to camp out on a weekday and a spontaneous brunch destination on weekends.

New Taste of India has been serving a menu of comforting classics since opening in 2002. Start the meal with some samosas and an order of paneer pakora before moving on to mains like saag, chicken tikka masala, and chana masala. Among the menu options, there is plenty for vegans and vegetarians to enjoy alongside meat-eaters.

For a taste of Hawai‘i, seek out Bamboo Grove in John’s Landing. This casual spot cooks up classics from the islands like loco moco, Kalua pork, and seared mahi mahi. The restaurant is owned by David Kahoilua who was born and raised on Maui in Lahaina. After the 2023 fires devastated the island, Kahoilua jumped into action and raised over $27,000 to send back home. On most days Bamboo Grove is quite busy, but the outdoor deck is a perfect place to escape the crowd and enjoy the balmy weather in Portland.

The Fulton Pub has anchored the southern end of the waterfront for nearly 100 years and has been in the steady hands of McMenamins since 1988. Featuring the expected elevated pub fare heavy on Northwest ingredients found throughout the franchise, the Fulton location sets itself apart through especially cozy charm. The small dining room, limited but lovely street-side seating, and less-than-ample street parking all but telegraph that this is a neighborhood joint and not necessarily a destination — all the better for locals enjoying a leisurely Terminator stout or seasonal cider. Yes, Keanu Reeves drank here once, and, yes, your bartender will tell you all about it.

A riverfront location may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a saloon, but Buffalo Gap may be the exception. This classic restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner out of a wood-thatched building in John’s Landing. The menu leans all-American with biscuits and gravy, Buffalo wings, and a giant cinnamon roll available. From 11 p.m. to midnight on certain weekdays, a separate late-night menu is also available with corn dogs, chicken tenders, and pizza available by the slice.