Little Chestnut Man

Restaurant · Vernon

Little Chestnut Man

Restaurant · Vernon

1

1733 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

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Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null
Little Chestnut Man by null

Highlights

Handmade pasta, innovative dishes, cozy ambiance and great service  

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1733 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 Get directions

gumba-pdx.com

$$ · Menu

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1733 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 Get directions

+1 503 975 5951
gumba-pdx.com

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 17, 2025

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Little Chestnut Man Cart Opens on NE Alberta - Eater Portland

"Little Chestnut Man, Gumba’s newest cart, opened on Alberta next to Townshend Tea Company September 5, serving an eclectic breakfast menu with everything from tomago kake to fried sticky rice salads. Gumba has already developed a loyal following for its delicate and intricate pasta dishes, but Little Chestnut Man strays from noodle territory, whipping up breakfast fare with spice-laden fall flavors and funky salads. The breakfast menu at Little Chestnut Man leans on the sweeter side, with dishes like a coffee caramel dutch baby, baked coconut cream french toast, and chai spiced farro porridge with miso syrup berries. On the savory side, the tomago kake, a white rice and egg dish, arrives topped with toasted chiles, curry leaves, and furikake. Once we hit lunch-o-clock, Little Chestnut Man starts tossing a number of salads, from simple caprese with house burrata to a briny number with radicchio, olives, pepperoncini, and salami. The most eye-catching is the fried sticky rice salad, which arrives with fried shallots, fish sauce, and candied peanuts. For those looking for something heavier, a tall fried chicken sandwich comes with a helping of zucchini pickles and iceberg." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

https://pdx.eater.com/2018/9/13/17856206/little-chestnut-man-portland-food-cart-gumba
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Will Taylor

Google
Really pleasantly surprised - SO GOOD
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Josh L.

Yelp
Unfortunately didn't get any pictures but really enjoyed my recent trip over to Gumba. Had been looking to go for a while now and finally got the chance. Worth the wait! The place is cute and tucked away in the back corner of a small plaza. The restaurant does appear small from the entry but extends around the corner to offer ample seating. Definitely best for small groups. The menu is not huge but does have a nice group of rotating options to choose from. I'll also note that 2/3 pastas when I went were vegetarian which I was surprised by. They all had the option to add meat. I personally went with the Pappardelle which was well cooked and came with a tasty ragu like sauce. It was a little on the oily side which would have been my only feedback but was overall a good portion and delicious. The fry bread we also got as a table to split which was tasty. It's much more dense than the classic fry bread you might expect but was tasty with the pasta and sauce. One thing to note is that if you get the burrata it's more of just a side sauce dish rather than a full burst on plate etc. Can't say it quite justified the additional price. The service was lovely and the atmosphere is quaint and homey. Enjoyed a great evening and would definitely come back again to try more. Just check the menu before you go!
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Lisa N.

Yelp
My cousin recommended this spot for Italian food. I made reservation for myself during dinner time. Gumba doesn't have a huge menu selection like other places. Very simplified menu. The interior and ambiance is cozy and nice. My server was attentive and listened to what kind of cocktail I liked and made me a "secret labubu." (Not on the menu anymore). Let me just say, it was pretty dang good! Something I would totally order and drink. Thanks!! I ordered the pappardelle and it came out piping hot! The pasta was made fresh and had a nice bite to it. Flavor of the meat and sauce was so yummy. Not too oily or salty. I would have liked some sort of burrata on top though. That would be *chefs kiss* Overall, solid spot that I would return.
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Rayna A.

Yelp
Hidden gem! The beet salad is amazing as is the pasta and fry bread. I've been known to order take out but really like the ambience-- chill vibes. The bar is nice and the drinks are tasty. Very unassuming-- check it out.
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Jeremy L.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised with this place. We happened to be hungry early enough for happy hour, and the menu has some fun treats. The HH Old Fashioned was great too. We had a normal entree and the HH mac n cheese. Loved both, but the mac might have been the highlight Very pleasant service and great vibe in the dining room. Will be back for sure
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Daphne S.

Yelp
Absolutely will be back. I was invited to a birthday dinner here. We had a reserved table. The waitress was very kind. All of the pastas are very hearty and filling. I had the lasagna and loved it. The vodka gnocchi was the star of the show. I will say that it is quite expensive. And there is automatic gratuity for parties of 5 or more I believe. We had a bit of trouble with a bill on our ticket with the free birthday dessert but the staff were so friendly and helped us understand what happened. The inside of the restaurant is very cute!!
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Ivonne G.

Yelp
This was a quaint spot with great staff. The ambiance was romantic so it was unfortunate I went with friends. The food was delicious but the menu was limited and I wasn't up to what they had. I did enjoy the lasagna and the bruchetta. I would go again!
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Emmie M.

Yelp
Love me some Italian! Tried this spot while staying in Portland for a few days and wow, it was delicious. The ambiance was lively, pasta was cooked perfectly, and the cannoli was scrumptious. Not pictured, but the star of the show - THE FRY BREAD. Oh my gosh. I still dream of it. I'm a big bread girly so 10/10 recommend if you're a bread lover!!! Service was quick, and staff were nice. Would come here again!! (and get multiple fry breads to go)
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Angela V.

Yelp
A cute, fun, and bright spot for yummy Italian food! We made a reservation for 7 and got seated right away. The service was quick, but not that friendly. And for an automatic 25% gratuity, which we were not told about prior, I expect excellent service, which we did NOT receive. I eventually saw it at the bottom of the menu...but that's neither here nor there. You're knowingly getting a 25% tip, so either you're not even trying because it's automatic and/or you just don't care and maybe you shouldn't work in customer service. Our server seemed smug and dropped off dishes too quick to answer any questions or ask for any other requests. I had to ask if there were any specials; he didn't openly tell us about it. The food was really good, though, and I loved the ambience. But the service really put a damper on the experience.
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Tara R.

Yelp
Wow what an amazing dinner for our last night visiting Portland! The service was so good; the host especially took great care of us. We started with the fry bread and burrata. The burrata was some of the best we've ever had and went well with the bread. I think the bread would have been too heavy and plain on its own, so glad we had that. The Pappardelle dish was my favorite of the night, there was so much short rib in there and all of the "extras" added a delicious crunch. It was much bigger than I was expecting as well. My finance had the Pork Saltimbocca and we actually shared our dishes which I would recommend. It was very good as well, the pork was so tender and everything was so flavorful. Even though we came hungry, we couldn't finish everything which is quite rare for us. The prices are very reasonable for both the quantity and quality of food. I only wish we had this spot at home as we would love to return. We were seated at a table in the bar area which had great cozy ambiance, perfect for a date night. The main dining room is lighter and brighter. We had no trouble with street parking right out front. We did make a reservation shortly before going on a Monday evening. Don't hesitate to take yourself to Gumba for amazing food and service!
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Katie C.

Yelp
We visited on a Monday evening and were so delighted we did! Gumba an ideal spot for a charming dinner, with indoor and outdoor seating. We made a reservation ahead of time just in case, but they do take walk ins. I'm glad we didn't chance it, while it wasn't completely full the place did start to get busy as we were dining. The lasagna was delicious, and while the tagliatelle leaned a bit salty, the flavors were still satisfying. What truly stood out was their top-tier service. Every single staff member was warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind!!! Their hospitality really made our evening special. Gumba delivered not just a great meal, but a genuinely memorable experience.
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Devin R.

Yelp
This place is much bigger inside than it appears and the decor was very cute. The service was fast and attentive - the only misstep was that our server described different wines they were suggesting as salty and chalky. That said, the wine we did settle on was neither of those things and tasted delicious. The fry bread and pan fried artichoke were my two favorite dishes, both being extremely flavorful. The clams on the spaghettini were also very tender and flavorful.
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Yvonne F.

Yelp
Gumba is an absolutely charming restaurant, perfect for either a date night or a girl's night. The restaurant has fun prints on the wall, dim lighting, and the coziest ambiance. My friend and I ordered too much food for just 2, but couldn't resist after looking at the menu - For appetizers, we ordered The Frybread and added the chicken mousse. The Frybread was delicious, deep fried and sweet, but with a hint of saltiness from the parmesan cheese they sprinkled on top. Unfortunately, I learned I wasn't the biggest fan of chicken liver mousse, but the bread still complimented it well with the balance. The addition also comes with pickled onions and pickled grapes I believe which was delicious. We also ordered the artichoke, perfectly grilled with a spritz of lemon on top and the most delicious salsa verde. It was spicy, sweet, and the best sauce to pair with. For our main dishes, I had the seafood pasta. It lightly spicy and the Calabrian chili gave it the perfect finish. It was a bit oily, but honestly, I ate every last bite. I wished the restaurant offered table side bread to soak it up. One thing to note, the mussels gave off a slightly fishy scent which made me worried. My friend ordered the short rib pappardelle, she thought it was tasty but found it a bit too salty for her taste. We wanted to end the night with dessert, but looked like they were out of the banana split and the brownie sundae. Luckily for us, our server offered their cannolis since that was the only dessert they had left, on the house. Extremely generous, and probably one of the best cannolis I have ever had. The shell was crispy, and the pistachio cream was amazing--light yet flavorful. The host from the beginning and our server made for a wonderful experience.
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Asha B.

Yelp
Pleasantly surprised by Gumba. We came in for a Friday night dinner and the host was able to sit us with little wait time. Simply put, this is one of the best Italian places in Portland. THE FOOD We had the flatbread, the Tuna & White Bean salad, and the Lasagne & EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS. The white bean tuna salad was the best tuna salad I've had! It comes with generous amounts of tuna, marinated corona beans, quinoa, an apricot puree and is dressed with a lemon aioli. All the flavors came together so well. We opted for the lasagna with two beef meatballs and these are huge, the pasta is actually a spinach bechamel (which we didn't realize at first), zucchini, ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Highly recommend it! The flatbread is a MUST TRY - it comes out warm, is a HUGE portion size and literally makes you happy. THE ATMOSPHERE It's a cute space and could serve larger groups but it felt very comfortable for the two of us - I might not go larger than 4-6 if I were coming with others. Cute Goomba decorations are near the entryway which adds a light touch to the space. It was a nice relaxing dinner. THE SERVICE Service was great, she helped me pair my dinner selection with a nice cocktail. I got the "Tried and True" Overall I would say it's a little expensive but the food was well worth the prices.
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Cynthia T.

Yelp
Saw Gumba and knew it was perfect for a birthday dinner for my husband. We had a little glitch with making a reservation, initially didn't have the time we wanted but came back and got the exact time! So glad it all worked out as our meal was wonderful! Service was quick and attentive. The ambiance is cozy, inviting and comfortable. Our dinner was fabulous - the mushroom gnocchi plus meatballs was pillow soft and flavorful, and my husband loved the squid ink spaghettini. Drinks were inventive - I had the olive washed martini and my husband the Manhattan. We also had to have the fry bread with burrata and the calamari. Everything was fresh and delicious. We will definitely come back and have already recommended this place to family.
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Kayla W.

Yelp
Service was stellar. Gnocchi were so pillowy and airy, flavor and textures unmatched. Will absolutely be back, this will be a pasta staple!
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Sharika M.

Yelp
Food was nice. We enjoyed the Dessert immensely. The gnocchi was slightly chewy but everything else was excellent! Tres Bien! The staff was courteous. The atmosphere was lively.
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Helen A.

Yelp
A must-visit in Portland! I stopped by during a weekend trip, and this was by far the highlight of the entire trip. Service and ambiance was great. Highly recommend, and I can't wait to return! - The fry bread was delicious. It was warm and to die for. A must get! (5/5) - Love the combination in the Caesar salad. The pistachio brittle added a nice crunch and flavor. (5/5) - Short rib pappardelle - thick and wide noodles with tender short ribs. (5/5)
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Jane L.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the subtle but on point flavors of all the dishes. I can't wait to come back and try the seafood pasta. The fried bread with burrata, tagliatelle pasta, tuna and white bean salad, pork chop, artichoke, octopus salad,.. oh man I'm drooling thinking about it. And don't skip the canoli for dessert

Madison L.

Yelp
We went to Gumba last night for a friends birthday and we're not disappointed! The service was great, the decor is adorable, and the food was amazing. My friend had what she called "the best espresso martini she ever had". Do not skip the fry bread! It will be on my mind for a long time!
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Jovita W.

Yelp
A restaurant that will be remembered for its amazing Pasta dishes Here's what I ordered: Pappardelle Pasta (Recommended) Perfectly cooked pasta with a rich and flavorful sauce, the best pappardelle I've ever had Squid Ink Spaghettini (Recommended) Fresh mussels and scallops accompanied by flavorful squid ink pasta, generous portions, and delicious flavors Cannoli (Recommended) The pistachio cannoli is fantastic!!Refreshing with balanced sweetness Restaurant ambience is very good and cozy, would have stayed longer if I did not have to go back to Seattle Staff is very friendly and helpful They recommend me the Pappardelle Simply amazing and a must-visit for pasta lovers
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Mike S.

Yelp
One of the best Italian meals we've had in Portland! Walked up at 5pm with no reservation and got seated at a quiet little corner booth. Service was quick and warm, drinks were out in no time. I was really nervous to try the Squid Ink pasta but wanted to step out of my comfort zone, and it blew me away. The clams were so flavorful and the pasta was perfect. All in all it was a great experience and we can't wait to go back!

Gina G.

Yelp
I have been following Gumba on social media for quite some time, knowing it was on my list to visit. I decided to bring my husband and my parents, telling them before hand how highly it was rated. All of us were very disappointed. My father had the short rib pasta and it was extremely salty. My mom and I had the lasagna and it had a strange sweet topping on it, very little cheese or sauce inside. The meatballs we ordered on the side were burnt on the outside. Our mixed green salad was fresh, but the dressing was oddly sour. Not balsamic or Italian flavor, but sour. We wont be returning and I felt embarrassed for recommending it.
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Katherine P.

Yelp
The food here is AMAZING! Everything tasted so good and had my friends and I scraping the plate for extras. The service was also great, and the wait staff were very friendly.
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Jenny T.

Yelp
Gumba is a cozy Italian restaurant located in Portland, Oregon, one of my fave food spots that I visited! Gumba delivered. The interior was cute and aesthetic and each room had their own vibe to it. I loved the atmosphere Gumba had. As for the pasta, tagliatelle was my favorite out of the two I tried. The tagliatelle dish is made carbonara style with caramelized shallots, roasted seasonal mushrooms, burrata, sesame and olive oil. Shallots is a game changer for me, I love how aromatic and flavorful it made the dish! The pappardelle was good but a little bit too salty for my taste buds. The pasta itself was delicious and it had the perfect texture! The dish was made with braised beef short rib, toasted chili, garlic, olive, tomatoes, pecorino cheese, and bread crumbs. Yumm!
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Bassell A.

Yelp
Phenomenal dinner. Had a resy, arrived early and they were still able to seat us. Place is upscale, nice decor with lovely lighting (not overly dim). But the food was amazing. We had the braised leeks for an app- the Gorgonzola paired perfect, and the nuts gave texture contrast. Our mains were the lasagna (10/10) and the ricotta (10/10). Pasta was perfectly cooked, even the interior. Would come back next time I'm in town.
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Patrick W.

Yelp
There's a lot to like, the entrees are quite unique and service was spot on but casual. The size of the establishment can house 1-2 large groups but I wouldn't say the venue is large per se so make a reservation, especially on the weekends. Nit-picky for the sake of doing it I would say the charred calamari everyone said it was a hair on the salty side. we had two folks who didn't want cheese on their entrées and they delivered. in fact, we wrote everything down as to ensure it wouldn't get too confusing for them. But they did miss the saltimbocca order. However, they apologized, gave us some finger foods to hold us over even though we had plenty of food, and the last dish eventually came... generously on the house to our surprise. It wasn't necessary, but I think it reinforces the subdued class Gumba wants to have. My thanks. With a not so large space any group 6+ will take a whopping 25% large group hit. that's understandable, large groups tend to stay longer and they take away from potentially other customers during peak hours. So just be aware of this. It was a shock for us because we didn't see a single warning. All in all a delightful unique Italian experience I will want to have again, just in a small group.
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Darren Y.

Yelp
Pretty good Italian food off Alberta. Food is pricey. The presentation and quality is great. Flavors so so. Not traditional Italian if that's what you're looking for
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LuFei L.

Yelp
Gumba is a lovely pasta place in Portland. We stopped by on a weekend Portland trip near closing time and really enjoyed the food. We ordered 3 pastas to share between 4 people and couldn't actually finish it all because the portions were quite large. But each pasta was so unique in its flavour so I'm super glad we got to try them all. The service was good but a bit slow. It fits the ambiance well but might be a bit annoying if you're in a rush.
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Cami S.

Yelp
WOW!! Gumba is 10/10, their menu is amazing and they have incredibly fresh ingredients, the peaches in the peach and tomato salad were perfect! I can't wait to come back and try more!
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Chris L.

Yelp
Came here for dinner with friends and I'm still thinking about how tasty it was. I got the pappardelle with short ribs and it was sooo good. Large portion, saucy, cheesy, and deliciously flavorful. I would definitely come back here again for that dish. Yum! The ambiance also was nice, and our server was attentive and efficient.

Bev B.

Yelp
Delectable, delicately prepared food. All staff were in service of customer. A perfect gourmet meal in a comfortable setting with ambiance conducive to creating a special culinary experience.
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Theresa A.

Yelp
Decided to stop by for a quick bite and forgot how good their pasta is here. Decor is eccentric. We were tucked away in the back by the bar which was a nice cozy setting. Beet salad: delicious dressing. So good that I saved it to dip my bread in. Don't miss this salad if you love beets. Albacore bruschetta: delicious, a bit hard to eat but still enjoyable if you cut it up into bite sized pieces. Pappardelle: I could have this all the time. The sauce was savory. The pappardelle was cooked al dente. Fantastic dish. The cocktails were good. However, I really wanted try their limoncello which they were out of. Sounds like I'll have to come back to try it!
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Olivia A.

Yelp
We ordered a pasta that had mushrooms in it and we added some confit duck to it for protein. We also ordered the spinach crepe. We LOVED both dishes. For an appetizer we did get the calamari, which was elevated! This little Italian joint definitely has its own twist on everything. I found it more on the intricate and involved side with some "juje". We ordered a cocktail with sour cherry juice in it and it was Smokey and tart. The seating in the bar area felt more intimate which we loved. It looked like they had outdoor seating too. Perfect place for a "fancier" but also casual Italian dinner, date night!
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Kasey W.

Yelp
Incredible food! Every dish was amazing. Had the fry bread and burrata (must try!), pan fried artichoke, beet salad, gnocchi tortellini (amazing), and the Pork Saltimbocca (wow! Tender and flavorful!), and finished with the Eggplant Coffee Caramel cake.
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Terrance S.

Yelp
Food was amazing, staff was great, and the ambiance was cool. The pappardelle pasta with short rib was one for the books, the watermelon salad was ok, and the fried bread was incredible. The beverages were delicious, and this place is great for date night. I'd definitely return. The cannoli's were out of this world. Don't miss this amazing culinary delight.
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Crystal L.

Yelp
This place is five stars all around. The ambience is beautiful. The staff are inviting and fun. They make the experience. The food is amazing. I loved ordering small dishes to share but I promise you will have left overs. Try the black ink pasta and the fry bread! I don't drink liquor so I can't speak to their drinks but they look beautiful! Go to Gumba. You won't regret it. Also I wanted to point out that I really don't like going out because Portland crowds are revolting. This place is not like that. Nor is the crowd that goes to this place.
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Ted W.

Yelp
Short wait on a Saturday night around 8, but staff we very friendly and accommodating. The Pappardelle was my person favorite with thick and wide noodles with the very tender short ribs. The Tagliatelle was a close second with its thinner and narrower noodles. It had a creamy sauce that was a great compliment to the Pappardelle. I shared the two dishes and almost finished them entirely. PS the jello shots are pretty strong
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Jacqueline C.

Yelp
We came here tonight (Monday) we were excited to come back and share this experience with our niece who is visiting from out of state. I don't know if they save the best chef for weekends but damn tonight's dinner was a little off. It didn't slap the way it did when we came here last. Tagliatelle was oily, the pappardelle was salty. But ya know what? The fry bread and burrata were still on point. Still a four star worthy joint. I'm asking Gumba... can we have the weekend chef train the Monday chef?
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Chere W.

Yelp
Had never been here and stopped by last Saturday night without a reservation. They were able to accommodate us. My friend and I shared; the fried bread, farm green salad and tagliatelle. We both had a glass of presecco. Everything was delicious and my only complaint was, they brought us each one small salad plate size dish and didn't even offer a clean plate for the pasta course. Really??
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Kim G.

Yelp
Chose Gumba for my birthday dinner because I had heard so many good things about their food going back to their food cart beginnings. Plus, I love Italian food. Inside is warm, fun andinviting. Lots of color and different seating areas. The bar area is very cool and includes bar seating. The states up front that this is not your typical Italian preparation, but Gumba's interpretation. Truth in advertising. We started with the homemade burrata, fry bread and orange flavored olives. The burrata was very creamy and almost had a melted marshmallow consistency. Along with the olive oil, it was delicious on the American Indian styled fry bread. I didn't care for the olives at all. The orange was so overpowering and the honey made it so sweet, inedible sweet. There was none of the salty brine taste that olives hAve and we were craving. I've had olives marinated in lemon many times and the lemon enhances, doesn't over power. These were just wrong. For dinner I got the pappardelle with braised short rib. The sauce and short ribs were so salty that I literally couldn't eat it. It was such a shame as the pasta was home made and I really wanted it! I even mentioned this to our waiter who didn't offer a replacement or even any comment. Should have listened to the many Yelp reviewers who made this exact same observation. My friend had a pasta with an asparagus and mushroom sauce that was much better so we ended up sharing that. For desert we shared a slice of their eggplant olive oil cake. The eggplant threw us off but I'm glad it didn't stop us from ordering it. This was by far the star of the meal. Since I hadn't really eaten dinner, I devoured my portion! Cocktails were fun and inventive. A decent wine list. But I'm doubtful I'll be back. Just not up for OK when there are so many places that are superior.
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Camille Y.

Yelp
This was just...ok. While the ambiance was cute and the service we received was great, the food at Gumba fell short for me. I'm kind of bummed about it because after reading all the positive reviews, I was really looking forward to spending some serious calories on their carb loaded menu. We ordered: Fry Bread with chicken liver mousse -- the fry bread was delicious and the mousse made for a great spread. The raisin things on the side that came with the mousse was just too sweet. We couldn't eat it and left it on the plate when we were packing up our leftovers. Squid ink spaghettini--my husband's choice for the evening. He said he really enjoyed this dish. I liked his meal more than my own because it was packed with some serious flavor. It was citrusy and refreshing. Pesto spaghetti with crab--on paper this pasta sounded delish. While the pesto flavors came through, the whole dish itself was very bland. It was just under seasoned. The pasta too was lacking and felt overcooked. I ended up not finishing the dish as I didn't want to spend anymore calories on it. Eggplant Olive Oil Cake--I've never had an eggplant cake before and I'm always down to try new things. This was surprisingly good! The slice we received was huge, big enough to share with 2 people. The cake was dense but moist. The eggplant was situated on top of the cake and the whip cream went well with it, I wish there was more of it.

Kevin F.

Yelp
Second time dining at Gumba's with 3 other friends. Love this restaurant & I will definitely be returning again! Alicia provided fabulous service & the food is always fantastic! We really enjoyed the charred Calamari for appetizers! Delicious! Plus the Caprese & arancini was fantastic too! For meals our friends loved the gnocchi with meatballs! Best ever they said. We enjoyed the Pork Saltimbocca & seafood spaghetti puttanesca! A fantastic evening on Sunday, 8/10. Great beverages too & they have a great happy hour until 5:30 PM. Hi enjoy this wonderful restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
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Rin K.

Yelp
I got recommendations for this restaurant from many friends, so I was already excited before I got there, and it did not disappoint. Gumba is located in the Alberta neighborhood, so has many places to go before or after dining here. (My favorite is going to the wine bar 'Les Caves and Le Clos', which is right by.) We booked the table prior to our visit, and it was ready when we arrived. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and relatively casual. It has a cozy, rustic charm rather than a modern feel. The staff are friendly and attentive without being overly perky, making it very comfortable to dine in. Gumba specializes in Italian cuisine. Their handmade pasta was amazing, with rich, flavorful sauces. We had the tagliatelle, pappardelle with short ribs, bruschetta, calamari, and the special of the day, chicken parmigiana. Everything was delicious. We only tried one dessert because we were so full after our meal. The portion size is not small here. The special lemon cake made with mascarpone cheese and served with ice cream and strawberries was so good. I can't wait to come back and try the dishes I didn't get to this time.

Morgan

Yelp
A must-try happy hour! Came with a friend and we shared some plates and it was only $15 each. I usually don't like meatballs but they were well seasoned and cooked. We were sat immediately at open without a reservation on a Thursday. The staff was nice. Would love to come back for a full dinner.
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Dylan S.

Yelp
Top 25 restaurants in Portland or don't @ me. FOOD Personally I think this is one of the better Italian places in the Portland area. Their unique take on some of the Italian cuisine is phenomenal. We ordered the calamari, Squid Ink Spaghettini, and a special Longioli. The calamari was not your typical batter fried bar food. It's grilled with sun dried tomatoes amongst other things. Definitely a must try in my book. The squid ink spaghettini was pretty decent as well. The seafood was PHENOMENAL. Not sure how they cooked it but it's softer than charmin for sure. The spaghetti sauce itself is a bit sour, especially when you reach towards the bottom of the plate but overall a pretty nice dish. The longioli was a special of the night, not sure if they offer it when you go but it's very very good for my taste. SERVICE The service was pretty solid. The waitress was attentive and very nice. The ambiance of the restaurant was also decent as well. Very relaxing while can be scaled up on a proper date if needed. ALL IN ALL, very solid restaurant. 10/10 would come back again.
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Nidhi T.

Yelp
We were here for our wedding anniversary with our daughter. We reserved a table ahead of time but when we got there, we had to wait a significant amount of time. Once seated, the service was great. We loved the fry bread and had to order extra to take back with us. The burrata? was great too.. The entrees weren't as flavorful as the appetizers had us anticipating. Beautifully decorated place though!
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Jackie L.

Yelp
It was my sister's birthday and she had wanted to go to this restaurant for some time. A bunch of our siblings and relatives came to celebrate with her. You would never know this place existed from the outside. I have frequented joints, like Pine State and Proud Mary's, on Alberta street many times. But this restaurant is tucked away in the back recesses of the street. Nothing fancy on the exterior. When you enter, the mood is very romantic and intimate. There are whimsical decorations surrounded by fun patterned wallpaper. Even though our table was very large, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The server we had was very knowledgeable and attentive. She was patient with our group and helped make some good recommendations on food and drink. We started on some appetizers. The albacore and tomato bruschetta was good but nothing to write home about. The fry bread on the other hand was the MVP. It doesn't look like much but the bread has a wonderful crunch on the outside with a soft and spongy interior. The Parmesan and rosemary add a nice little punch without overpowering the bread. The little flakes of sea salt and creamy burrata on the side helped marry everything together. For my entree I had the rotolo with shrimp. This was the least flavorful thing I had there. This dish did not have as much substance compared to the other ones. The ingredients like the shrimp, peas, and mozzarella were just muted and everything kind of blended together. I preferred the squid ink entree over this. After we finished dinner, the staff was very accommodating to provide us with forks and plates for the cake we brought in. Overall, I appreciated the unique Italian twist that this restaurant provides. Depending on what you get, some dishes pack a flavor punch more than others. The fry bread is on a whole different level though. One of the best fry breads I've ever had in my life. That is definitely worth trying if nothing else!
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Ang A.

Yelp
One word.... AMAZING! Went here for a friends birthday because she was craving Italian food after recently returning home from a two week vacay in Italy. This place did not disappoint.. food, service and ambiance were all on point. I will definitely be a regular here despite it being a trek from my home. Make sure not to skip the fry bread with the homemade burrata.
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Bryce H.

Yelp
My wife and I went here for our anniversary dinner during happy hour on Saturday. The service was fantastic, they seated us immediately (we made a reservation), and mindfully chose a corner booth spot that was relatively private and intimate. They also comped us a free glass of sparkling wine for each of us. We ordered appetizers and drinks from the happy hour menu. The caprese was super flavorful with deliciously ripe and slightly cooked tomatoes and in-house mozzarella cheese. The shrimp toast recommended as an underappreciated app by our waiter was as promised, amazing. The Old Fashions were traditional and tasty. For the main course we ordered Pappardelle and the Ricotta Gnochi. The Pappardelle was served with braised short ribs, and had a rich meaty sauce with just the right amount of spice. The Gnochi was soft and pillowy with a delicious vodka sauce that felt light compared to the Pappardelle sauce. The Gnochi also had a variety of roasted mushrooms that were a nice addition of texture. The gnochi dish seemed vegetarian friendly, but had the option of adding meatballs or chicken. We were overall delighted with the experience and thought the quality to price was a very good value.