Old Town Chinatown brings a wide-ranging mix of Japanese curry, Moroccan plates, Irish pub fare, Latin-inspired small plates, and food-hall staples, with prices that often feel approachable for the quality. It is a strong choice for a flavorful meal that can shift easily from a relaxed curry or tagine to ceviche, dumplings, ramen, and cocktails. The neighborhood rewards diners who want polished dishes and comforting international flavors in the same outing.
Preliminary reads are early assessments from a smaller review sample, not full Seemor analyses.
This longstanding downtown pub pairs brick-lined historic character, live Irish music, and a lively social scene with consistently appealing comfort food. Shepherd’s pie, Reubens, fish and chips, and sausage rolls draw strong praise, though service can swing from warm and attentive to painfully slow or dismissive. Try: Shepherd's pie.
This modest Old Town cafe feels like a friendly slice of Morocco, with colorful decor, traditional music, and a notably warm owner-chef presence. The food is hearty, distinctive, and unusually generous for the price, though service can drag or feel uneven on a bad day. Try: Chicken bastilla.
This is a wonderfully scruffy Portland institution, packed with history, quirky décor, and a genuine old-school oyster-bar feel. Chowders, fried seafood, and many oysters win plenty of repeat fans, but a minority of visits report serious inconsistency in cooking and attentiveness. Try: clam chowder.