Departure Restaurant + Lounge Reviews

This is great spot to grab a drink in the summertime. We went in the winter and it was cold but the views are still great.

This was a must-go destination for us on our trip to Portland and we were not disappointed. Great staff and even better food! We were impressed by the front end asking about any food allergies at check in. Very thoughtful and appreciated!

Very spectacular experience. The staff and the ambience were excellent. The food was amazing and well priced. I will go with the shareables. The whole duck looks delish as well going by my neighbors who ordered it. Also, don't forget to hang out in the balcony. Overall it was a great experience. Highly recommended.

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

This place will always be a favorite! The stunning roof top experience gives it a swanky and stylish feel - perfect for a night out, especially on a warm summer night. Drinks are delicious, but a bit pricey - to be expected given the level of luxury this place has. Definitely a must-do if you're exploring the city life and want a taste of fabulous.

Sadly an example of a restaurant that did not live up to the hype. While the views were beautiful, the food was inconsistent. Some of the dishes like the short rib buns were delicious, but others like the scallops were barely edible. Many were very average. The service was also strangely inconsistent. We felt both rushed and forgotten -- our waiter would forget about our table for long periods of time, even when we were waiting to order another drink or dish and actively looking for him, and then forgot a dish and presented us with the bill without ever offering us the desert menu. Overall, not awful, but we probably won't be back.

Good food, plenty of vegan options. The bibimbap was excellent!

Food and experience were great! Service and atmosphere even better!!

I love top chef and even more so, I loved watching Chef Gregory. This place was delicious and just as good as I had hoped.

Amazing vegan options and cocktails. Some of the best customer service in Portland too.

We had the Whole Ducking Experience. Wow. Really special and so much fun. I'm very grateful that they do this every December.

I picked this trendy and popular downtown restaurant for our final day of our Oregon adventure. It had great ratings for both food, cocktails, and views. We sat out on the deck and did have a view of the river but there was also a lot of construction around. As the sun set it was blinding so we had to hide in the shadow of others sitting around us. The food was fabulous and the drinks were excellent. We got the whole snapper. Yum! Good wine list and we had an after-dinner drink that was well-crafted. The inside of the restaurant was very noisy and busy. Our server was not as attentive as she should have been and we waited long periods of time in between seeing her to ask for water, Etc. Very expensive meal but great for special occasions.

Very delicious and excellent customer service! Definitely my go-to place for dinner in Portland.

This restaurant is on the top floor (15th floor) of the Nines Hotel. The Nines hotel and this restaurant are amazing. It is a bit more pricey than what I usually go to but it is worth it.

This location is in the middle of downtown so you have to find street parking or garage parking. It was fairly easy for me to find both.

The atmosphere, mood, lighting here is amazing. This place attracts some very trendy people.

I heard the happy hour here is one of the best in the city.

The drinks are good and the food is better.

You must come here.

Great view. Good food options, decent drinks. The view and vibe on the patio is the only reason I would really recommend this place. Very down to earth clientele considering the establishment is well kept and very classy.

I absolutely love this restaurant! The service, food, and view was amazing! My family went here for my sisters birthday and our waiter was so friendly and suggested foods for the vegans (including me) in our group. All the staff was so kind and even took photos for us. All the staff went out of their way to make sure everyone enjoyed their time. Everyone in our group loved their meals (even the picky eaters). The restaurant itself is really cool, its like a spaceship/cruise ship and weird fact: it has a unique bathroom. Highly recommend this place!

Great place to dine! Views and ambiance are very romantic. Take a date or a group of friends and spend the evening. I highly recommend trying the chef's tasting menu. It's lots of fun. Be sure to have reservations. They have valet parking.

Great views of the city and amazing food. Departure never disappoints

Not a great place to eat the food had a nice visual presentation but the charm stops there as the taste and quality were just so so nothing special by any means. We had a group of 4 and we all agreed that we would not be motivated to ever eat here again.
The final analysis the fare is overpriced and overrated. Strong point its a very cool bar but not at all a great restaurant. Nice atmosphere and staff with a great manager running the place, to bad the food was sub par.

Crystal and chef Gregory are the stars of this amazing restaurant.
Nestled atop Nines hotel, offers great views.
Food is absolutely delicious by Top Chef winner chef Gregory.
Crystal sang his praises and described him as down to earth despite his great fame.
However, for us Crystal was the star of the evening.
Thank you Crystal. Thank you chef Gregory.

Great classy restaurant with vegan menus. Spectacular views of the city and the mountains. Expect to pay about $30 a person. The dessert menu could use some additions, really tired of sorbet for vegans.

This is a great spot for small plates and hanging with friends. Great atmosphere.

Amazing food! I also am very happy with the level of service that they provided. I was able to find a table quickly.

Food was very experimental but surprisingly tasty. Great beer, great atmosphere, and great food. Would definitely eat here again!

We went to Departure on Sunday night for our anniversary. Making the reservation on Open Table was quick and easy and I really appreciated that they asked where I'd like to be seated. I got a call the day before to confirm the reservation. When we got the restaurant, the hostess made us aware that even though we booked outside, it's a little chilly and might rain. We opted to stay inside while our server reassured us that if we really wanted to be out the deck, she could take us out there whenever we wanted.
We got 2 free champagne flutes for our anniversary and the interior of the restaurant was tastefully done and just as beautiful as the skyline outside. Though we opted to stay inside, we were encouraged to take photos outside if we liked, the deck itself wasn't exclusive to those who have a table outside.
Our food was some of our favorites. The ahi sushi raised some brows for being $20 for 8 rolls, BUT that fish really just melts in your mouth and it was so delicious. The miso and squash soup was also a hearty and satisfying starter. We got the black pepper chicken and the miso halibut for the entree and I have to say that there are literally layers to the flavors in Departures food. I tackled each bite differently and noticed something new each time. The quality of food was up to par and the atmosphere is chic and trendy. I enjoy the chefs taste and I find Departure being my new celebration spot. Excited to try more things on the rotating menu!

Love duck month at Departure in December! Cocktails are on point, need to give your mixologist some props. Your house red wine is not bad at all. Sushi as always is great and thanks for having authentic wasabi, I can tell. The duck is amazing as always with the sauces, well-done chef and team! The only gripe I have from giving you a five-star rating was the person sitting next to our table. I do believe enforcing attire when you got someone in sweats looking all depressed and sitting alone. Please tell him to need to have the correct attire next time he stops by and also tell him please score more points and save the Blazers! ;-)

This is my favorite place to go to for dinner!! Best fried rice best spices used on the food! Yum!! It's something special how the flavors just burst in your mouth!!! I have My mouth watering before I even get to the place!

The food and drinks are always top notch. We love the open balcony seating. Has beautiful views.

Asian food, mmm, excellent. I love this place. Prices that won't break you. Menu is like a place in San Francisco I liked.

One of my favorite Asian fusion places. My favorite is the fried rice choices they have and their famous departure wings. Their pork belly and other dim sum items are great as well. Great place for date night!

Great service and atmosphere. All the sports on tv. Mediocre proof reading

Amazing place, atmosphere was amazing, the food was amazing, the octopus skewers we had were absolutely out of this world and the service was outstanding, specifically Billy... he really made our night awesome, super friendly, super informative about the food, drinks and food processes. Very impressed. Thank you!

Very beautiful, upscale, modern, I felt very "high class" while dining here.. rooftop views famous for selfies. Gorgeous location. And the staff- every staff member that we encountered was absolutely charming respectful, knowledgeable and on the ball.. Would definitely return..

Eating vegan can be socially awkward at times. But I was asked to pick the place for this business dinner, so I checked on line and they had plenty of options. However all the vegan options listed on their website were not available, possibly due to a reduced covid menu.

I always love this place!!! It is the roof top restaurant at the Nines hotel and I try to make it here whenever I'm in town. The food is exceptional, the view is great, and the service is top notch!

Such a fantastic meal!!! Definitely a memorable evening

Two words... mahogany noodles. You won't regret it. The staff is friendly and the ambience is swanky and chic.

What a treat! I worked at Departure Denver, so coming to the OG home base in Portland for my anniversary was literally a dream.

It lived up to all the hype and standards that were drilled into us about what "Departure" should be. Great service, warm hospitality, amazing food.

Management come over and wished us well, and gave us a "once in the family, always family" dessert. Made us feel so welcome and thought of.

Thanks guys! You're crushing it.

Is food just extra good in Portland? Vegan sushi, curry soup and mahogany noodles...wow. Fancy gin drink to round it out. Look y'all. If you live here and have bypassed this restaurant for whatever reason, remember it when thinking about a special event dinner. I live in Texas and I'd like to have family Christmas dinner here. Something for everyone. Vegan menu is substantial and oh so tasty. Get downtown. Eat at Departure.

Great atmosphere. The sushi was great. Awesome view.

This spot is a must see if you want to check out the nightlife in Portland. You can just come here for drinks and when the rooftop patio opens up the view is amazing. The summer nights here is always a great time! Their speciality cocktails are also pretty good. They have non-alcoholic options too!

Super unique and beautiful. Breathtaking views of the city and pioneer square. Definitely somewhere to take a date or your significant other for perhaps an anniversary.

Departure is an old staple of the PDX foodie scene. Great roof top bar and very posh restaurant. Food is Asian fusion with a splash of experimentation.

This is a great place for a date or ladies night out. I was with my friend from out of town and this is her favorite place to go when she visits Portland.

Make sure to check out the restrooms. It is like you stepped into a Star Wars flick. Oh, and bring a jacket... there isn't a dress code per se but my friend always says the ladies restroom can get pretty chilly.

On our last night in Portland, we enjoyed dinner at Departure Restaurant & Lounge. While waiting for our table, we sipped on drinks at the rooftop lounge which had great views of Portland. For food, we ordered the Ishiyaki Steak, Bibimbop, Smoked Octopus, Skirt Steak, Crunchy Crab Roll, and Kombu Cured Salmon Roll. I thought the sushi was just okay (probably because of my higher expectations since we are super spoiled with too many great sushi spots in Vancouver), but everything else was good.. a great dinner!

A bit of a futuristic entrance .. leading to friendly service and tasty shareable plates. We shared a few plates and enjoyed the interaction with the staff .. it was a little pricey for what was delivered but good.

Food was excellent and the service was superb. Great food suggestions from our server!

Amazing views from the 15th floor of The Nines hotel. Excellent sushi, bibimbap cooked tableside, steamed Korean short rib buns, all very nice. And an Asian old fashioned. Overall an impressive evening, watching the city lights come on while dining.

The bar is lovely, but not a lot of open seating. Bartenders are quite skilled and knowledgeable. Food is well prepared and balanced.

Beautiful views and delicious food. Fun drink specials! Cool bathrooms:)

Super yummy, sharable Asian dishes of all sorts with a great atmosphere. Get an outdoor table when it's sunny but not too hot for nice views.

Would recommend for the views alone. Good atmosphere on a weekday. Good whiskey selection. Trendy spot.

Delicious and fabulous food paired with top notch service, best views and exquisite cocktails. Best pork dumplings I've ever had!!

I love taking people here, perfect spot for a memorable date. Every single dish is presented with flair, and the decor is unique and futuristic, "like we're on a space station". It's also obviously on the rooftop so if it's nice out that adds to the experience. The food is small dishes to share, and it will definitely rack up a bill if you're hungry. I'd recommend the dumplings, pork belly and squid. Also worth mentioning the service is amazingly attentive.

Super amazing and friendly service. The cocktails were a bit pricey but excellent.
The pork belly is amazing!

Last week was the first time in this excellent restaurant. But It is absolutely not the last time. We had great time with the courteous service, with the fine cuisine and wine and with the modest price. We will no doubt come back soon.

What an experience! I'm not made of money so this is the nicest place I've ever been. All the food was amazing, servers were very nice (helpful with my allergies), and the food got to us surprisingly quickly. I'm told the menu changes frequently so it's probably not worth recommending a dish, but everything I tried was great. It's all family style, and they recommend purchasing 2 dishes per person. I would say that's probably right, but some items were huge (the bibimbap in particular), and some items are tiny (steak was 6 bite size pieces of heaven). Be aware, this place is expensive for your average Joe. It's easy to blow $125 a person here. This will not be a regular place for me simply for cost reasons, but I would say everybody should go there at least once.

Savings hack a bottle of wine or champagne , food is delicious but on small portions side

The pork was delicious! Succulent flavor. And the view off the balcony is beautiful while the weather is warm and clear

We reserved a table for 9 people. Got a table at 9 30pm. We ordered food and drinks but half of the order got cancelled as the order was not conveyed to the chef before 10pm(kitchen closing) which was sad. I like the customer service here as the waitress took 50 dollars off the bill on her because of that reason. Sushi here is good and the drinks are really good. Do give it a try when in Portland!

I was in this hotel for a conference, heard they had a rooftop bar. For me it wasn't obvious you had to make a sharp left at the reception desk. Don't make that mistake.

I didn't eat here, only had some beers and cocktails.

The view from the outside is amazing.

Would definitely come back here for the view.

Kristina(Krissy) did a fantabulous job providing great service and the food was wonderful as well

We went for my husband's birthday. The smoked octopus and crispy pork bellys were phenomenal! We received a glass of rose wine and ice cream as a courtesy. Austin, our waiter was incredible! He took us to the open deck to see the view and take us some photos. We felt like VIP. Highly recommend!!!

I highly recommend visiting Departure! We stopped by while in Portland and enjoyed the tasting menu. The food was fresh and tasty. It's served as the kitchen completes each item while you overlook the city from their rooftop patio. A really unique experience.

The vibe alone is epic. We decided to do Christmas Eve here and try their duck dinner. From stay to finish, it was sublime. Our server was wonderful. The gentleman who brought ot the pre-carved version of our duck was helpful all the way down to placing it just right on the table for a picture as he explained the cooking process. I will be going back with family and friends for sure. The was a lot on the menu tempting me to be sure and come back. Yes, the prices are premium, but so is everything about this place. Value is matched by service and quality.

I came here for my birthday, and everything was amazing! They brought out the food as soon as it was made and they were very polite. Each dish was amazing in its own way. I would recommend the chili prawns and any of the sushi. Again, amazing food, amazing atmosphere, amazing service. I will definitely be coming back soon!

Came here with a friend for Portland Dining Month but we actually ended up not even eating from the Portland Dining Month menu because the stuff on their regular menu was just as good and just as reasonable priced.

Food: I really liked the Crispy Pork Belly. That is a MUST if you come here. The textures and the flavors are just so great and so fresh that I couldn't have asked for a more great dining experience. I thought the scallops were just okay, they weren't amazing but they were still savory. They were a bit on the plain side. Finally, the Bibimbap was a huge portion size! Definitely would fill me and my friend up even by itself.

Service: The server here was super super nice and checked in all the time to give us water.

Ambiance: This is definitely a place you go to when you want to eat well, I think this would be a great date location with the really nice view off the 15th floor.

Anyways, I wouldn't come again since this is more of a treat-yo-self place but it's a great dining experience!

Unique, explosive flavors. Try the chef's selection dinner course - does not disappoint. Attentive and knowledgeable waitstaff. Beautiful views.

A great place to grad a drink and socialize, it's pricey but you pay for the service. The food is super good I would say it's worth it

This is an upscale Asian fusion restaurant on the roof in downtown Portland and features a fantastic balcony for pre or post dinner drinks and an impeccable atmosphere inside. The food was excellent and the servers were very attentive. Reservations are highly recommended, though if you have to wait - head to the balcony!

My best friend took me there for my birthday. It is a great place for casual fine dining. Trendy 'swanky' atmosphere, friendly and attentive staff. We ordered several dishes- crunchy crab roll was good but more or less just standard sushi. Their broccoli with cashews and Szechuan was really tasty. The harami-beef steak was also really good- it was well prepared. The bison massama curry was by far my favorite, most flavorful dish. It was very spicy. I would definitely go back for other special occasions.

Unreal atmosphere - almost futuristic. Coming from a city with lots of rooftop bars this one was up there! The sushi fusion style food will have you craving for more. 15th floor patios with views of DT Portland. Excellent date spot, or a great place for drinks. I ll be back

The view from this restaurant is incredible. In addition, the food is unique and well-presented. The menu airs on the side of being slightly spicy, but even then, the flavors in all the dishes are appreciable. My server was very attentive and helpful in choosing menu items, and I would definitely eat here again.

Food is amazing. Staff is very professional and knowledgeable. Reservations a must.

Took my girl here for valentines...five stars...pricey but sometimes gotta treat your selves

This restaurant boasts great food and a unbeatable view but I wouldn't know. Twice i made a reservation and twice they tried to put us in a 3 walled isolated cubicle dinning area. First time I made reservation 3 days in advance, Second attempt a week in advance and directly requested a good placement at a window seat once again I was directed to the plain white walled cubicle. In both cases I left the restaurant and had to eat elsewhere. This place is run by very disorganized and unprofessional staff.

Great views of the City, Drinks are a bit pricey for Portland, Food is decent but its really all about the atmosphere in this place

Went for an evening cocktail on the roof bar. Views were fantastic. Bartender made great cocktails. Even though it was cool outside, there were heaters. Ambiance was great. One of my favorite spots.

Fancy af. Very good food. Wagyu steak is fire. Environment was nice. Felt like I was flying first class.

Sushi is good but a little overpriced, but you are mostly paying for the view.

Don't order cooked food... it's literally drenched in soy sauce, it's inedible.

Delicious food, great ambiance, view and service! Spendy but definitely worth it on a fancy date night out.

Wonderful atmosphere, fantastic Wait Staff and fantastic view of the city. The food was fabulous and the selections fit everyone!!

Great view, and the prices for drinks are a bit steep. But you're paying for the view really, which I won't complain. It's really nice. Other than that, the place feels a bit generic and I get the vibe it's a bit overrated now for locals. With that said, I keep going back, because, "Why not?"

This place is amazing. I love the rooftop so much and the weather was perfect. I was in Portland for an awesome b-day party and we took a party bus to super cool venues in Portland. I only had a drink while I was here, but the food looked great. I hope to come back here for the food and to enjoy the view again.

I came here with a friend just randomly Googling the place. Didn't realize that it was a rooftop hotel restaurant. Walking in, the ambience was amazing. We were looking for sushi before our 120 mile drive back home. It was perfect for my companion as she was looking for something more upscale.

I will say the only dishes I enjoyed was the tuna roll, cured salmon roll and the miso halibut. The fried chicken appetizer we order came undercooked and bloody which in my opinion even without being professional taught, how you gonna undercooked a small piece of chicken drum you chopped up, and pressed around a bone?? It was really a beginners mistake. The waiter took it back and apologized and we didn't have it remade.

There is a beautiful view from the top that you can take photos on. I highly recommend coming here at night just for that.

The food was okay, I enjoyed myself and would only return for the view.

p.s the dessert has a candle as it was my birthday. You might not get that on yours hahahaha. I'm also the one with the pregnant belly. included that all you could see the view.

I am here to tout the dedication of the people at Departure and the entire building. I have been patronizing this venue for its food, service, and location for years. But, because of this story, I will always return.

My love and I went to celebrate our 3rd year anniversary 6 weeks ago. We were the last in and the last out. I went to the restroom and washed my hands before we left. I was wearing my wedding ring, which I designed, amd had forged for us, to match his ring. It was unique and very close to my heart. I got home and the next day realized I didn't have my ring. I contacted Departurd and for 6 weeks they kept in contact with me. Jess met me in person and followed up with phone calls. The head of security reviewed video and did interviews. They always reached out to me and kept me appraised. After a few weeks... I gave up most hope.

Yesterday, I got a call from Jess, and she informed me they found a ring in their basement, wrapped up in a linen bag. It was tarnished, but fine. I called in with my description and she stored it for me in the safe. I just recovered it today.

I am forever grateful for the diligence Jess and Departurr did for the ring and for me. They will forever have my patronage and my sincere gratitude.

Great food, servers and ambiance.

Hostess, not so great. We ve been staying at the Nines for a few days and decided to make a last minute reservation and to hop over to the Departure for a quick happy hour and snacks. We didn t dress up for place, just showed up in a shirt, denim and our sandals. Hostess gave us her elevator eyes and treated us like we showed up shirtless at her wedding. People need to chill out and realize that not everyone cares about appearance like they do. You re inside a hotel for heavens sake, business travelers practically live here and choose to be comfortable.

Amazing cuisine!!! The vegan dessert, even my non vegan boyfriend couldn't get enough of!

This isn't a sushi restaurant, despite the food photos shown. This is a great place to go if you want to escape the Portland vibe, and feel like you're somewhere upscale, like Vegas or LA. If you prefer straightforward/well-described or normal food, this is not the spot for you. It's an experience, for sure. For some people this will be a five-star experience, but it was too uncomfortable for me, and at that price point, that wasn't acceptable. Felt more like a club than the advertised "fine dining restaurant".

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

I've been here twice and will be going tomorrow. I love the food and the bartenders are always on point. GG comes up with some amazing food and the kitchen pulls it off *chef's kiss* It is expensive, and the vibe is definitely "upper crust tourist crowd" but that just means it's for a special outing and makes for some great people watching.

Super cool environment! Beautiful view, gorgeous plates of food with amazing flavors! We enjoyed the outdoor patio. Service was also good. Lost a star for bathroom cleanliness, but overall a very nice place!

This place is amazing!! Very beautiful & clean. Located on the top of The Nines Hotel. Conveniently 1 floor above our room. Food presentation was spot on! Everything looked so yummy. Great drinks. Service was friendly & professional. Gray went above & beyond his job at making us feel welcome & giving us information about this town.

For some reasons I have never checked this place out but we finally did tonight since the Rose Parade has us blocked in. It is located on the to floor of The Nine hotel. The first impression of the place is funky modern estabishment where there are angles in every all and almost sensory overload. We made a reservation through open table (recommended during peak time) so we were quicky seated. The menu caught our attention but we ended up picking the chef's tasting menu. We have no idea what was installed for us but I will explain in each of the photos in my post.

The chef's tasting menu has 11 different dishes. Each is uniquely prepared and the flavor combinations are almost as creative as the decor of this place. The details of each dish is on my caption of my photos.

The staffs are very friendly and attentive. Superb. If you have the means and time, do try out their chef's tasting menu. We learned that nostercium leaf actually are edible. who knew.