Portland City Grill

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Thirty Floors Above Portland

Portland City Grill occupies the 30th floor of the US Bancorp Tower — known locally as the Big Pink — and delivers what is genuinely the most dramatic panorama in the city: a sweeping arc of the Cascade Mountains framing the Portland skyline below. The setting alone would draw a crowd, but the kitchen earns its own attention, and Wine Spectator has recognized the restaurant's wine program with its Award of Excellence, a distinction that reflects the seriousness with which the list is curated.

The restaurant describes its ethos as a place "where original hospitality, creative culinary, and modern energy meet" — and the menu bears that out. Over two decades of operation, Portland City Grill has maintained a commitment to fresh, locally sourced seafood shaped by classic island, Asian, and Northwest flavors, set alongside USDA Prime steaks and an extensive sushi program.

What's on the Plate

The raw bar and sushi section anchors the seafood identity of the menu. Highlights include a Hamachi Crudo with chili ponzu and lemon zest, a Surf + Turf Roll combining filet and lobster, and an Ahi Poke Stack layered with avocado, English cucumber, and togarashi. For something more substantial, the Pan Seared Steelhead arrives on a lemongrass black rice risotto with Mama Lil's pickled peppers and tangerine beurre blanc — a dish that reads as distinctly Pacific Northwest. The Dungeness Crab Cake, served with street corn purée, grilled corn salsa, and cotija, is a perennial on the shared plates section. Those wanting the full theatrical treatment can order the Seafood Tower — Maine lobster, chilled shrimp, king crab legs, tuna poke, and oysters — in either a two- or four-person format.

The dinner menu also features Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass Cheeks over crispy rice with ginger soy butter, and Steamed Manila Clams with pancetta, shallots, and grilled bone marrow toast. Soups run to a Lobster Bisque and a New England Clam Chowder, both available by the cup or bowl.

The Bar and Beyond

The lounge hosts live music nightly and a craft cocktail program that complements the Wine Spectator–recognized wine list. Regular Wine Dinners — multi-course evenings paired with bottles from producers like Duckhorn, Caymus, and Willamette Valley Vineyards — give enthusiasts a more structured way to explore the cellar. A recurring Terroir Dinner Series adds further depth for guests who want to engage with wine on a regional level.

Private and semi-private dining rooms are available for events, managed by a dedicated sales team. The combination of altitude, city views, serious seafood, and a genuinely lively bar scene makes Portland City Grill one of the more complete evenings out that downtown Portland has to offer.