The Fishwife Restaurant

This place is an institution in North Portland for a reason. Whether you get fish and chips or one of the incredible specials for dinner, it's all fantastic. Love the atmosphere with the red chairs and nautical decor that isn't all dusty and forgotten. Great for date night or a casual dinner. Photos are halibut fish & chips and clam chowder with house hot sauce.

Definitely a hidden gem of North Portland. Absolutely delicious and reasonably priced seafood. Everything was fresh and delicious. The oyster shooters were the best I've ever had. I will definitely be back!

I was blown away by this little neighborhood restaurant. The staff was friendly, attentive and worked as a team to seat, take orders, clear tables and bring the check. The food was quick and well-timed. The prices are the most reasonable I’ve seen in Portland for a very high quality. The building and furniture are older but clearly cared for and inviting. I cannot say enough about the food. I got the grilled steelhead. The seasoning was incredible, the fish was flaky and moist, and there was a perfect crust of flavor. The cod fish and chips were also amazing. You’d think something so common like that can only be a little different than the competition, but the fish/breading/flavor/temperature were perfection. The waffle fries were like Chik-fil-a at peak performance. I also had grilled green beans, and I dunno how they were prepared but they had such a beautiful, full flavor far past plain salted green beans. I am so excited to have found this place!

Easily the best seafood we have had in Oregon, served by the kindest people. Be aware that the surroundings are informal at this traditional seafood spot. But it’s the food and service that stand out. Ashley made recommendations and went the extra mile to make sure we had a great time. We have visited three times, and each was very special for us. Be sure you try an oyster shooter or two — delicious!

Everything we had was beyond delicious. I ordered the Almond Crusted Rockfish and my fiancé ordered the oysters; both Devine!!!

I am so grateful that this cozy little long-standing restaurant is in my neighborhood. I had driven by it a few months ago, and the windows were boarded up. My heart sunk as I thought they had closed their doors. I was happy to learn that they were replacing windows..whew! They offer a great menu of fresh seafood prepared in many different ways, from traditional fried fish, clams, and scallops to broiled, breaded, poached, and pasta dishes and salads. Don't forget to check out the daily specials! On this hot day, I indulged in a big shrimp, Louie salad with a bowl of clam- shrimp chowder. Their side salads are delicious, too. Let's keep this great place in business!

I live on the Oregon coast, fish, obsessively cook seafood, and enjoy lots of restaurants on the coast. The sturgeon with risotto meal I was able to have here at the end of a long day was truly special. I hadn't had wild sturgeon since I was a kid. While the sturgeon was perfect, the overall dish is what made the meal. It made me really happy.

Great little place full of seafood! Wonderful service, it didn't take long for us to get seated. We had clam chowder, calamari and the seafood combination to share.

I always get the oysters in the winter--such a treat for this NOLA boy, but their panko trout with arugula pesto on risotto got my attention. it was delicious! The fresh made bread pudding with vanilla ice cream was the bomb. Love the service, vibe right on the money. Thank you!

I love The Fishwife. It's a cool, hole-in-the-wall spot right off Lombard with a great new neon sign. The atmosphere is always chill, whether you're dressed up or just off work. But every time I leave, I'm annoyed. My boyfriend loves it because it's close, but I always feel ripped off. The food isn't pricey, but it's inconsistent. The steelhead, for example, is $26. Sometimes it's perfect, sometimes it's too salty, and today it was dry and flavorless. There are highlights though. Their ranch dressing is the best ever, and I hate beets, but their homemade beets on the house salad are amazing. The garlic mashed potatoes and veggies are always top-notch. Today's visit was off. The usual servers weren't there, and the service was only so-so without them. (I'm sorry, not trying to be mean, it was busy but our table was never pre-bussed). Fishwife, I'll be back - but not on a Friday. Love you, despite your consistent inconsistencies.

4 and a half stars for the price, service, and location. Good quality food and decent portion for what you get in a fish place. Place looks pretty historic, 50s/60s looking decor and age all around. Lots of locals of various ages here.. mainly older as I believe a lot of them are neighborhood regulars since they were kids and have came here for years. Cioppino I got had a light tasting broth, but the fishes such as catch of the day salmon, scallops, shrimp were pretty fresh.. if only their scallops were bigger Wife's Captain Platter type dish was perfectly executed with light batter of scallops, oysters, scallops, cod.. very addictive.. but They have the best waffle fries.. tasted like something McDonald's would taste like

Food was exceptional. Service was good and fast. Mom and pop place. You'd never know!

Good local place, super fresh fish... though reflected in the prices. Half price wine on Tuesdays is makes it worth it ... nice to have a casual local restaurant with such great food.

Don't sleep on this place. It's chill, simple, and kind of a hole in the wall but the food truly packs a punch. They have daily specials, alcohol, and dessert. Big menu selection and some amazing chowder!! I've had the chicken and dumplings both times I've visited. Can't help it. It's out of this world. Excellent favors-thyme and rosemary stand out with a nice hit of salt. Carrots are perfectly tender and the biscuits are melt in your mouth perfect. Calamari is truly great and has a nice dip to go with it. Nice crunchy breading on it. Will go back again for sure.

Food was all fantastic. I had been wanting to go and it did not disappoint. I wil laterally be back. I had the scallops in white wine and the whole dish was seasoned well and had great flavor.

Halibut Bleu, do it thank me later. Great staff, oldskool vibe. Fresh ingredients and people who care!

Delicious fresh flavorful seafood! We had the Seafood combo Cod, little bay scallops, shrimp, and oysters, with green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes. I had a side salad. We also had the Calamari which was lightly coated and served with a house made sauce. The food was DELICIOUS, the waitress was very kind. We definitely will be back, even though we live all the way in the Beaverton area. It was a cute small 1 room with a few tables, small parking out back, down an alley.

Amazing food! Fresh ingredients, beautifully plated Cajun fish salad and deep fried fish and chips that tasted delicious! Service was amazing as well. Friendly and attentive staff who offered their service with a smile. We will be back!

My honey and I were out and about enjoying ourselves in a different part of town and ended up here. This is one of those classic fish fry restaurants you find in the north east and on the Oregon coast, with the same expected decor. Somehow, everything was better--you could also choose non-fried options, so we ordered a blackened cod dinner and a cajun fish sandwich. The sandwich came with your choice of coleslaw or potatoes and we got the waffle fries which were really good. My cod came with a dinner, salad, and the vegetable of the day, which were brussels sprouts tossed in a mustard cream sauce. The service was awesome, and everybody checked in on us, not just our main server. It's family run restaurant, and they clearly take a lot of pride in their efforts. For example, there was not even a hint of fry oil in the seating area, despite the fact that , it's an open kitchen

If you're in north portland craving seafood I highly recommend trying the Fishwife! With amazing friendly service to their freshly homemade sauces I'd give this place more then 5 stars if it was an option! We had to order our usual of the smoked salmon Alfredo which comes with a green salad & bread. Unbelievable garlic cream cheese sauce is so worth the calories and lactose! Next up is the Fishwife seafood combo dinner size which felt like 2 servings in 1 order! I only ate 1/4 of the dish because it was that filling. The seafood combo includes cod, prawns, scallops & oysters along with your choice of the dish being grilled or fried. This time I decided to get it grilled which was chefs kiss! The seafood combo also comes with a salad and your choice of dressing along with your choice of mashed potatoes, steamed red potatoes, rice pilaf or waffle fries. I decided to get my salad with 1000 Island ranch & steamed red potatoes which was delicious! Highly recommend this restaurant for all of your seafood cravings! So worth their prices! We also ordered oyster Shooters which was out of this world- we usually go to the coast if we want oysters because they have them readily available but I'm glad we were able to get our oyster shooter fix here & they're much more tastier and flavorful. The cocktail sauce had capers, red onions & a lemon on top! Which was just fire! Highly recommend this place! I can't forget about their drink specials! Tipsy Mermaid Cocktail Coconut and Captain Morgan's Rums, Lime, pineapple, blue curaçao $9.50 The beets in the salad were delicious too! It was delicious

The food is great. The prices, not so much. Seriously, how do you justify $35 for a piece of halibut in a place that looks like a run down Cracker Barrel?? Do better.

Wow, just wow! Do not judge this book by its cover. The service is amazing. Very attentive and friendly staff, shout out to our waitress Sam, she was a 5 stars! The food should not be slept on. Started the night off with some sautéed prawns and these were yummy. Ordered the grilled salmon with garlic mashed potatoes. The CRISPness of the salmon exterior was AMAZING! Fresh juicy flavor, not fishy! 10/10 recommend the salmon grilled, you will thank me! Capped off the evening with some berry crumble served warm with fresh ice cream!

Excellent food! I usually get the fish and chips, but everything seems to be good here. The service is good, they don't rush you on eating in house. Overall it's a very good experience , if you love seafood it's for you!!!

Reservations recommend and ask for what's fresh of the day. If you don't have a favorite way of preparation, ask for the chef would make it. Can't go wrong. If halibut is available try the halibut blue. It's baked with blue cheese and is soft, flaky, and delicious. It's not super strong in the blue cheese flavor but definitely accentuate the sweet halibut meat.

I always feel like Fishwife is the seafood restaurant you wished you ate at on your trips to the coast but instead you got overpriced tourist food. We've been going for almost 10 years now and love how its so consistent in quality and service is always above anywhere else in Portland. When you step in the door you're always greeted with a warm smile and friendliness ( Sammy). The seafood is amazing, we always order the Dungeness crab linguine or seafood scallop/shrimp pastas or the Fishwife seafood specials are always delicious and creative.

I rarely leave reviews anymore but this place was worth driving out from Portland for. The crab roll tasted fresh and delicious. My clam strips were seasoned and fried well. My kid liked the mac n cheese. The server was attentive and friendly. We sat outside and while the location doesn't offer the most attractive view of the adjacent shopping center and intersection, with tasty food and a cold beer in front of you who cares.

Some of the best seafood in town in a low key setting. Great service too. Come during the week to beat the crowds. All the old salts know about this place, and the hipsters too, so weekends are packed for dinner.

This has to be one of my fav PDX gems! Such a cute and friendly dining locale. And the food... well, it's all serious business! And oh so yummy! The clam chowder is consistently fresh and piping hot! Love the oyster crackers they serve it with! They have a nice selection of wines, beers and cocktails. They have a rotating cocktail special and would highly recommend trying it out! Every one I have tried has been perfect! This time I tried the seafood linguine and had to take the leftovers home! I was so full! My only whomp whomp in the dining experience is their bread. It's not the best...hard and cold...but other than that...one of my best go to places to eat!!

Very charming space. Fresh fish. Very reasonable portions. Kind and personable staff.

I love giving positive reviews. I hate giving ones that don't show a business at its best. Perhaps they were having an off day but here's my experience: my partner's family and I ordered dinner to go. They were told it would be about 20 minutes. Almost an hour later, they had the food in hand and were bringing it home. When we all dove into the take out containers, everyone was disappointed. My fish and chips special was pricey, yet tasted like frozen fish (very dry). The half order had 3 2" pieces of fish, and about 10 frozen waffle fries- doesn't seem like the price covered it. I could have made it myself. My mother in law's fish was even worse. My partner's combo meal made his stomach upset. My father in law's sandwich was poor quality, and absolutely fell apart. I think I was excited to try this place, given the positive reviews, but I believe there's some improvements to be done.

Third time customer. They're just what you'd expect at a wharf. Simple decor, busy, happy crew, alcohol and some outstanding recipes. Great service; Fantastic value!

Came here based on the reviews and left with very mixed feelings. No appetizers on the menu at all. So we asked for a basket of fried calamari as a starter for the three of us. They were out of calamari on a Saturday night. So we ordered the fried shrimp basket, which comes in a 5 or 8 shrimp size. The waitress very helpfully said she'd give us six. We got six, but they were sautéed, not fried. My SIL had the fried platter, which he enjoyed. Daughter had a salad with blackened fish on top, also very good. She couldn't decide on a dressing and the waitress said she'd bring two, but didn't. I ordered a bowl of chowder, and had the salad that came with the not-fried shrimp. Absolutely the worst bowl of soup I've ever had in my life. Thickened to within an inch of its life, it had a skin, like a pudding, when she placed it on the table. Completely flavorless, not a bit of clam to be seen, no potato, no celery, nothing. As my daughter doesn't like me to complain, I ate some of it anyway. When the bill came, we had been charged for the eight piece shrimp, although we'd only gotten six. Again, due to the daughter, I just paid the bill. Can't really recommend this place.

We dined there 8/11/23. The chowder, shooters, clam strips, salads were all delicious. We were disappointed with the gagging amount of salt that was in the scallop and shrimp linguine, a dish literally ruined by the amount of salt. I ran hot water over a colander of the leftovers to remove what sauce I could at home, and it was still too salty. The large scallops were cooked perfectly. The service was slow, but we hit at a busy time. All staff were friendly and helpful. They were also out of chamoy for a margarita, so we were disappointed at that. The decor is filled with vintage photos, pictures, bobbers and floats. The temperature was ok, but we were under a ceiling fan. It would be unbearable in 90-100 degree weather.

Had the cioppino and throughly enjoyed. The seafood was mostly well cooked, one scallop was slightly under done but the hot broth cooked everything else to perfection, the shrimp was just right and fish flaked. Service was friendly and very accommodating. Just the right amount of spice, thought about requesting hot sauce, decided to try a few more bites and found nothing was needed. Several other menu items looked worth trying. Every table was taken but flow was great. In and out in 40 minutes (I was in a rush).

Service was good and food was tasty. I had a fried combination plate which was good. However the cod was a little plain and could have been a larger portion. The garlic potatoes were delicious. I'd like to go again.

We "heart" The Fishwife. The food is fantastic, and the staff is always super-nice. We bring our out-of-town guests (who prefer real, delicious food) to The Fishwife!

This was quite a nice find and a breath of fresh air from my previous night's experience. Tucked away in quiet north-west burb of Portland...you'll find this cute little place, unsuspecting yet charming...offering up a great menu - well prepared local farm-to-table vittles, all served up nothing shy of perfection. From the homemade Blue Cheese dressing to the locally caught Salmon - everything was amazing. I love how you can get a full view of the line as you walk in too....love to watch pros at work! It's a great place with great food - if you haven't eaten here...try it...you won't be disappointed. Enjoy.

Delicious seafood. Worth the wait to be seated. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. My portland pick for best seafood.

Very good food and the restaurant is charming. My only "complaint" is the prices, but I understand so that's why I can't really say it's a complaint. The staff has always been very friendly, and I haven't had any issues! Will go back after I save up some dough to go out! So I will give 4 stars just because of the prices. However, good seafood does cost money, and in these times, prices are bound to be high.

A gem in NoPo. Close to U of P on Lombard, it's a restaurant that is unassuming when you walk in. Red tables, not an ambiance restaurant, just damn good food & service.

Came in the other day for a brief lunch between meetings and was not disappointed. My server was kind and mentioned their daily specials. I decided on the grilled Willapa Bay oyster sandwich, which came with waffle fries lightly season w/ salt and pepper. The sandwich was wonderful. I'm not sure I've had oysters grilled (rather than fried), but it really reduces the overall heaviness of the sandwich, making what might be a heavy, deep-fries lunch into much lighter fare. I definitely recommend giving this spot a try.

Don't let the cinderblock building divert you from enjoying market fresh fish dishes that range from the Captain's Platter (Halibut!) to daily/weekly specials that are clearly designed by chef. The service is excellent and most waitstaff seem to enjoy working here and know how to describe what you're ordering. The diner decor seems historically authentic and local. I wonder if it was formally a fish market because it looks like you can hose out the inside like a Honda Element (concrete and no carpet). This makes it family friendly, albeit noisy. A hidden gluten-free gem is the chowder!

Upon picking up an order I placed, I looked inside the restaurant and both individuals preparing the food, who are clearly visible, were not wearing masks. One individual had their mask under their chin and the other wasn't wearing one at all. I asked another staff member why and she stated that the mask fogs their glasses. They asked if he should put the mask back on, but my food was nearly done being prepared. I opted to ask for a refund which they agreed to with no issue. I have eaten here several times over the past 3 years. I have always enjoyed my meal. Their pastas are delicious! The staff have always been friendly and attentive. I also love supporting local restaurants and this is a go-to for a nice dinner. However, considering the current health climate, I have to give a one star review. I ended up going to get fast food for the meal to replace this, which was obviously incredibly disappointing. We had been looking forward to our meal for over an hour wait. We were pretty shocked with how the staff treats their customers' health with such apathy. Unfortunately we won't be able to return until this issue has been resolved.

We have lived in St Johns for several years now and had never been to Fishwife! We both love to cook so eat at home 95% of the time. Last night we really wanted fish and chips so ordered the Alaskan Cod Fish and Chips to go. Our order was just coming out when we arrived so everything was fresh and hot. My goodness - the flakiness of the cod was melt-in-your mouth delicious and not at all greasy. I wasn't too sure about the waffle fries as I was hoping for regular string fries, but I have no say - the waffle fries are some of the best I've ever had - and again, not at all greasy. I even loved the coleslaw! We will 1000% be ordering from Fishwife again - just wish they worked with a food delivery service - we'd probably order twice as much!

Our favorite restaurant in all of Portland and as people who have both worked in restaurants and eaten all over this town, that's saying a lot. Over the years, we've never had even one bad bite at Fishwife. Staff are as kind and welcoming as they come and food and overall vibe makes for a healthy and comfortable experience every time.

Always yummy food! Best Chowder in town and their combo plate is fantastic , as well as their Oysters.

Friendly service. Fast. Good value for our dining dollars! I would come again. Thanks

We came here from out of town. Absolutely outstanding, drinks, appetizers, salad, meals. All of it was perfect. We'll be back the next time we're in Oregon.

Good fish! Worth the trip for sure. They know how to do fish up really well! It's our local spot for fish when I don't want to cook my own catch..

I wanted to LOVE this place, and it I am a supporter of small businesses. This is your cute little, run of the mill mom/pop restaurant. Ordered their poached salmon, and their sea bass here. It was good. 3.5 Stars, not great or fantastic beyond what I've ever had. It was a ways out of downtown Portland, and service is good.

Love visiting my daughter and son in law in Portland. The Fishwife is usually my first dinner here. They are an unassuming diner with delicious seafood and a creative chef! Love it!

The food there is great I especially liked the fact that you can have broiled fish. Sumptuous sides make for a complete meal.

Seafood doesn't get any fresher than this! Our first time there and we are SO happy to have discovered this place! Glad we showed up when we did - 4 PM - because it got crowded right away. Staff was great! Food fantastic. I was craving a classic fish sandwich and got exactly what I was looking for. Really fresh fish! Perfectly cooked. Great fries. Fresh salad. We will definitely go back.

Unimaginative food created by an arrogant "cook" and served by grumpy servers with the personality of a crab cake! If you enjoy a dining "experience" that makes you feel like you are stepping into dinner hour at Shady Pines Retirement Home, then you will love it here. If you like great seafood in a welcoming atmosphere, look elsewhere.

Visiting Portland & considering relocating here for work. Decided to eat here based on the reviews & was not disappointed by this nice little hole-in-the-wall! My wife had the smoked salmon alfredo, I had the prawn linguine. Both were absolutely delicious! The service was also very good. Great seafood place!

I've been going to this place for 20+ years. Family owned, locals. My favorite place. Delicious food always. Owner, staff amazing.

I really enjoyed the salmon pasta, it was pretty tasty. Just a tad bit salty but overall really good place to eat