/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67042360/pdx_restaurants_reckoning.0.jpg "Departure Restaurant + Lounge by All photos courtesy of Departure, Ava Gene’s, and Tusk")
This chic Asian-fusion spot boasts stunning city views and creative bites, perfect for everything from a romantic dinner to after-work cocktails.
"Overlooking Pioneer Square from the top floor of the Nines hotel downtown, Departure’s breezy, orange-accented outdoor deck serves up sensational views alongside its pan-Asian fare. From downtown and the West Hills to the Willamette River and East Portland’s wooded expanses, a scenic backdrop is guaranteed regardless of the assigned table. The skyline vantage point can also be enjoyed from the sleek, starship-esque ultra-modern interior at select seats next to towering windows." - Zoe Baillargeon
"With an ultra-modern, all-white aesthetic accented by orange umbrellas and chairs, the outdoor rooftop decks at Departure on the top floor of The Nines hotel in downtown are instantly recognizable as one of the most popular rooftop dining experiences in the city. With views overlooking Pioneer Square and encompassing downtown, the West Hills, the Willamette River, and the wooded neighborhoods of East Portland, a scenic backdrop is guaranteed regardless of the assigned table. Select indoor seats situated by the tall windows also offer city views as the restaurant’s pan-Asian dishes land on tables." - Zoe Baillargeon
"The cornerstone of Top Chef alum Gregory Gourdet’s cuisine is assembling a set of familiar-yet-sophisticated flavors and transforming them into fresh, vibrant plates. The curries at bright and modern Departure are no exception. A typical spicy coconut milk green curry could easily overpower the accompanying halibut and clams, but here, the refreshing sauce — paired with Thai eggplant, asparagus, and basil — balance the dish and accentuate the seafood." - Nick Woo
"Departure has unveiled a new east deck on its rooftop, featuring an automated pergola, fans, and ceiling heaters, allowing guests to dine al fresco in any weather." - Janey Wong
"Rooftop bar and restaurant Departure’s exquisite lighting, modern ambiance, stellar rooftop views, and Pan-Asian cuisine make it an ideal spot to get married in the heart of downtown Portland. Visitors can enjoy exceptional sushi, wagyu tataki, seared scallops with lobster saffron curry, and seven-spice smoked chicken as a part of their event menus, which start at $68 per person. Departure offers a couple indoor spaces for intimate gatherings — including the State Room and Sea of Love room — which can accommodate 12 to 30 guests. For summer weddings, couples can rent out the East or West Deck, and take advantage of some iconic city views during an outdoor cocktail reception of up to 85 standing. Alternatively, the hotel underneath the restaurant, The Nines, also offers an array of wedding services, including room blocks, planners, and several larger banquet spaces. Learn more about Departure’s options here, and more about The Nines here." - Jenni Moore, Eater Staff
