Expatriate
Bar · Concordia
5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
Highlights
Swanky cocktails & global bites; known for nachos & burgers
Swanky cocktails & global bites; known for nachos & burgers
"One of Portland’s best bars, Expatriate, also serves one of the city’s best burgers. The American Standard comes with two burgers on a single plate — the patties are cooked to medium rare before being stacked with slices of American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and raw onion. A soft bun holds it all together for a simple but unparalleled bite. While at the bar, grab a drink from its signature cocktail menu, or opt for the Diplomatic Pouch, a drink of the bartender’s choice." - Rebecca Roland
"Dark and moody, usually with some kind of classic rock or new wave record playing, Expatriate drips with style. Its cocktails match those vibes, generally deep and bold with high-proof spirits mixed with aromatic bitters and vermouths. It’s always been at the forefront of Portland’s cocktail scene, and many seasoned bartenders have put in time stirring, shaking, and swizzling its innovative drinks. Those in the mood for some fun bar snacks would be hard-pressed to find a more playful and satisfying menu, as its thick cheeseburger, lemongrass-beef nachos with wonton “chips,” and James Beard onion sandwiches have wowed diners since its opening." - Rebecca Roland
"Mentioned as the bar Akwai was headed to for a drink while scouting locations — the outing to grab a drink at Expatriate coincided with spotting the available space that led to opening the restaurant." - Thom Hilton
"It would be hard to name a more distinctive plate of Portland nachos than the version at Expatriate: Wonton chips arrive in a gooey Thai chile cheese sauce, with lemongrass-scented beef and makrut lime-tomato salsa. They have that nice balance of smart twists with all the messy, unfussy charm of bar nachos — Portland bar food in a nutshell." - Ben Coleman
"Records spin on the turntable at this moody Killingsworth cocktail bar, where couples pull wonton chips laden with Thai chile cheese sauce from piles of nachos and sip cocktails from crystal glasses. The drinks often involve hard-to-find spirits and liqueurs — great conversation starters — though the indecisive can also let bartenders mix them something improvised by ordering the Diplomatic Pouch. Several restaurants nearby can serve as a worthy second stop, whether it’s one of the residencies at Dame across the street or the cozy bar at Wilder." - Katrina Yentch
