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    Cafe Rowan

    4.5 (351 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    CAFE ROWAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Rowan

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    Ham eggs bene
    Andrea K.

    A sweet small spot. Loved this. Good bloody Mary and creative menu! Service was great and everyone was very friendly. Would definetly go back.

    Dungeness Crab Benedict
    Elizha-Grace F.

    Food was amazing! The Benedict's were very flavorful, I only wish they added a little bit more crab cause I felt like it wasn't enough but non the less it was really good. Banana French toast, probably one of the best French toasts I've tasted, it was very flavorful and well balanced. Service was great, I thought it was a little odd that you wait to be seated but you have to get up to order. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Cafe was cute, very open and airy, lots of windows![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely will be going back to try their seafood trio rolls lol

    Menu
    Winter B.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Came her on a Saturday at 12 and not too busy at all.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You order at the counter and employees were so friendly. I like that the menu has healthy options. Portions are large breakfast burrito was a little too big. It was very messy too I would not order that again. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Drinks and coffee here as well. Reasonably priced. Overall would come here again but order something else.

    Honeys Breakfast Sammie
    Adrienne M.

    Breakfast here was phenomenal! Driving in the area when in town found this place and was pleasantly surprised. You walk in get seated and then you'll order at the counter and they will drop it off. I had the breakfast burrito with Chorizo. So good! Service was good considering I placed my order myself. hehe Honey loved his breakfast sammie too! Loved it!

    Victoria L.

    The food is amazing. They definitely do a great job with variety and the flavors. The service was great granted - you have to order at the counter and tip before you even get your food and or service which I am not a fan of. If you need anything, you have to get up and go ask for it at the counter. Smaller location, but they do have parking which is great and we were seated quickly .

    Lobster Benedict ($27) - way too much going on, do not recommend
    Calder S.

    I was looking for a good breakfast spot while visiting Portland and Cafe Rowan came up. I got the Lobster Benedict ($27), Chatham Burrito ($16), and a drip coffee ($3.50). The burrito was pretty good. It was filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and potatoes and came with two small sauces on the side. I like that it was toasted. It was very large; I took half for leftovers. The Lobster Benedict I did not like. It had a single large piece of toast (brioche?) on the bottom, not English muffins. It came with two poached eggs, shaved asparagus, watermelon radish, avocado, hollandaise, old bay seasoning, and lots of greens on top. It had way too many ingredients, flavors, and sauces. It had some nice pieces of lobster, but they were lost among everything else. The toast was a little difficult to cut with my knife. They need to completely rethink this dish. The space is rather basic and spare, without much decoration. Service is non-existent; you order at a counter, get your own water, drip coffee is self-serve, and you bus your table.

    Lobster Roll
    John H.

    "Have you tried the lobster roll at Cafe Rowan?" is a question I was asked several times before I made it here. Luckily, I came on a Thursday where you can get a lobster roll and mimosa for $20! Great deal! Deal is Wednesday or Thursday - normally $35 or so. It was fresh, tender, briny, buttery lobster served in a warm, soft, yet crispy bun. I loved it! I only wished it was larger - it's small - but still delivers! The breakfast sandwich was good, but the eggs were a little overdone. My friend's eggs were runny - mine were not. The gochujang flavor was mild - sausage and bun both scrumptious! Latte and Mimosa were both delicious, too! It's counter service and casual vibes. I would definitely eat the lobster roll again!

    Bloody Mary
    Isabel C.

    First time going here and it was good but was expecting more flavor. The food is plated beautifully but there's not much there for the price. I got their special the BLTA. It had flavor but just like any other BLTA. My husband got their crab eggs Benedict. It had lots of flavor but he said he was still hungry at the end. The service is good; they have you order at the counter which makes it easier to just leave when you're done. I do wish the waitress/ waiters would check up more often. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is great.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Monalisa H.

    My first visit to Cafe Rowan for brunch turned out to be a real gem! This place embodies everything that's quintessentially Portland -- relaxed, local, and brimming with creative energy. The food was outstanding, with each dish prepared with such attention to detail that you can taste the care in every bite. I ordered something that felt like it was straight out of a Portland food lover's dream -- fresh, flavorful, and just a little quirky, in the best way. It's the kind of spot that makes you feel like a local, even if it's your first time there. A quick heads-up, though -- this place tends to get busy, especially on weekends for brunch, and they don't take reservations. So, it's worth planning ahead and being prepared to wait a bit if you arrive during peak hours. Still, it's completely worth it. The staff are super friendly, ensuring the vibe stays relaxed and welcoming, even with the place buzzing with energy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere strikes that perfect Portland balance of cozy, minimalist design with a splash of playful charm.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It feels like stumbling into a hidden spot that only the in-the-know locals know about. I can't wait to go back -- next time, I'll get here early to beat the crowd! If you're after that Portlandia vibe with a dash of practical tips for future visits, this place fits the bill. Happy to add anything else if needed.

    Bananas Foster French toast
    Gabe P.

    Brunch is best. Brunch here is lovely. Rarely is incredible presentation matched with equal flavor. This place got close. Really good food, but it was so pretty I almost didn't want to eat it. But honestly, it never stood a chance. A real simple yet diverse menu. The French toast was unique and tasty. Love the concept. Breakfast burrito was huge and very good. Honestly, the most incredible part of this meal was the salsa. They do an incredible job with the salsa. Idk if that gets talked about in regards to this place. Overall great brunch spot. No brainer. (4.4 Stars)

    Greens bowl and crab Benedict!
    Elle T.

    Pretty darn good! Very fast service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were offered a table outside and didn't realize the seats were damp- wooden bench absorbed water oops! Wish they didn't offer that today or had sat and tested before offering it.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The bowl had really nice eggs, wish it had more potatoes. I didn't eat the edamame it was too tough, the leaves of lettuce and kale were buried at the bottom with no flavor so just left them alone. My friend enjoyed her benny, she said good. Not WOW enough to return any time soon but glad we went once

    Jamon Benedict
    Emma

    Food was absolutely amazing. I got a brown sugar miso latte with almond milk and it was flavorful and frothy. The service was pretty good, we got checked up on multiple times. The restaurant was an order at the counter style and food came out in around 15 minutes! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Super cute and cozy in there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Paulina H.

    Went to this place for brunch and I have mixed feelings about it. You have to order beforehand at front but they will bring the food to you. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We got seat right next to the dirty dishes and it's kind close to it. So if someone accidentally dropped some dishes a little hard it would get those dirty stuff on us.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have WAY too many cilantro on my dish! I ordered lobster egg Benedict! It's a bit over seasoned! Tasted very salty but the veggies balanced it out a bit. I personally do not like cilantro and it didn't mention on the menu. When I got this dish I was so shocked how much cilantro in it! Thankfully the server was so nice!! He was able to help me fix it and took out a lot of cilantro. I also ordered espresso martini and wow it tasted pretty strong and it has a gingery taste! It's unique and amazing! Definitely give it a try!! My husband got the harvest burrito and it was sooo good! It was my first time trying squash! And wow the whole dish tasted amazing! Highly recommend that! Overall, I like this place but the lobster egg Benedict was a bit too salty! And way too much cilantro

    Grandma's grits w lobster special

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    4 years ago

    Really top quality food and drink! I can't wait to go back and try more of the menu. Ham and Eggs Benedict was fantastic.

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    6 years ago

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    Spencer I.

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    4 years ago

    Try the lobster roll. You won't regret it. My gf got the Dame egg sandwich and it was also phenomenal.

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    Screen Door Pearl District

    Screen Door Pearl District

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    This is my go-to spot for My nail Care and foot care and waxing for a long time. I love the energy…read morepositivity and just kindness and as well as talent. I have never had a bad experience, I am always so incredibly happy with the results with my nails especially because I'm so regular about getting them done that I like them to look nice and they always go above and beyond with the shaping and so many varieties of color and style and everything you could want with nail Care.

    Took a short walk here from the Royal Sonesta hotel to have dinner after a long adventurous day out…read moreand about in Portland. We decided on outdoor patio seating since the weather was nice & it was generally quieter outside. We were people watching for a bit and noticed that our fellow restaurant goers were waiting for quite a bit, but we weren't in a hurry, so it was fine. When our waiter eventually tended to us, he was incredibly friendly & apologetic, owning up to the delay being on him, but we were cool with it -poor guy was working a double shift. We started off with deep-fried okra, I ordered the fried chicken meal, & hubby ordered the burger. I got to pick the chicken pieces I wanted, so I went with 2 thighs, thinking they'd be smaller pieces, so I could maybe finish my meal. I opted for collard greens as well. The food came relatively quickly and was super-fresh. The fried okra bits were piping hot down to the last bite. They went well with the spicy aioli. We hung onto the aioli so hubby could dip his fries. My meal was so good. The chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. The batter was just perfect and crisp. Mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy. Gravy was rich and well-seasoned. Collard greens were so tasty. The balance of textures was just perfection. I ended up having to pack up a piece of chicken because it was so much food, but I enjoyed every bite I was able to take of my meal. I appreciated their welcoming vibe & the beautiful pride balloon arch inside the restaurant. I appreciated the friendly service. I appreciated the thoughtfully and expertly made food. It was a perfect way to end my culinary experience for this Portland visit.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Deep-Fried Okra
    Deep-Fried Okra
    Chicken & Waffles - 1 Piece

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    Chicken & Waffles - 1 Piece
    Mother’s Bistro & Bar

    Mother’s Bistro & Bar

    4.3
    (5.3k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Ok, if you give this place any less than 5 stars you are broken inside! I read some of the less the…read morestars and honestly wonder how you could be so jaded or picky. Dude, I'm from NYC so I figured I was the biggest snob but stand back CA is in the house! lol I had the eggs Benedict which were perfectly cooked and had a Hollandaise sauce that came straight from heaven! My son had two breakfasts one sweet with a waffle and then eggs and sausages well. The staff was amazing , the food was perfect! And such a cute space! 10/10

    I thought the staff was nice. It was really busy as it was Mother's Day, so I don't think it's a…read morefair representation of timely and attentive service. But when our server was with us, they were very nice and patient with my questions and requests. It's a bit loud when the place is on the full side, making it difficult to have a conversation. I wouldn't bring my girlfriend who is hard of hearing, at least with a group. I'd be curious to try more of the menu. I was very much not wowed by the breakfast. The beverages were however very nice, and I recently had the cobbler dessert and it looked amazing and tasted better. We had the coffee (Extracto, love.), I had a really good hef and my mother a very well balanced Bellini that I was very pleasantly surprised with trying. From what I saw, the lunch sounds very good and I'd be more apt to recommend folks give that a shot if they happened to be going there too. I'm not sure if I'd recommend as a must go stop. Vibe wise, the ambience is overall really nice. I think having rolled flatware, even with just upgraded napkins, would better complete the aesthetic you initially see and feel. This would also connect with the price point of the food and quality of the beverages. As a fellow server, on that note I would expect more consistent stronger visual appearance standards with servers. (Sorry guys! But some of you looked great!) Overall, I'd definitely join a friend for coffee and lunch over there in the future. Just wouldn't be my top pick for a celebratory brunch or intimate dinner with a date or friends and fam.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Getting ready for Strawberry Shortcake Week!!!
    Getting ready for Strawberry Shortcake Week!!!
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Cheryl’s on 12th

    Cheryl’s on 12th

    4.4
    (3k reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    After what I thought was an interestingly long wait (5-6 mins) when we walked in the door, we were…read morefinally seated and ended up having a really great breakfast here this morning. Our server, Sara, was absolutely delightful; one of the best servers I've had anywhere at any time. The food came out quickly, and it was a very ample portion of vegetable scramble that came with red potatoes and wheat toast. Our coffees and lattes were very good. Very clean and orderly restaurant.

    I walked by here in afternoon and it was packed so I came back the next morning with my friends for…read morebreakfast. It was packed, and the host told us it was 15 minutes. We came back promptly since phone never rang but they moved us over to the seated line. Upon seating their complimentary beignets were super good. I also thought their corned beef hash was a must order. I ordered their biscuit and gravy and also their poutine which had the same identical sauce/gravy. (I would probably skip these two dishes tho) One of my friends had the apple frittwhich which is a play on sweet and salty. It tasted fine but I was expecting more. I really dig how superb the service was here considering how many tables this place had. I also wanted to applaud the manager on duty that morning to offer a homeless man coffee / food / emergency services when he was saying his head hurts. She handled it professionally and ironically we saw that same homeless man an hour later walking down the same street. (He never asked for any of the services also) Overall, we had an enjoyable breakfast in a bustling area closest to downtown. Reasonable prices and terrific service makes this a spot i would come back in a heartbeat.

    Photos
    Hi-Life
    Hi-Life
    Complementary beignets
    Complementary beignets
    Mexican Ranchero Bowl
 Rice, black beans, roasted vegetables, ranchero sauce

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    Mexican Ranchero Bowl Rice, black beans, roasted vegetables, ranchero sauce
    Lardo

    Lardo

    4.2
    (1.5k reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This was an incredible introduction to the Portland food scene, delivering some of the best…read moresandwiches I've ever had. Between the genuinely friendly hospitality and the flavor combinations, this spot hits it out of the park and is a must for sandwich lovers. Griddled Mortadella (5/5): An incredibly delicious sandwich that perfectly balances rich, salty, and savory flavors. It comes loaded with a generous portion of grilled mortadella and melted provolone cheese, perfectly moistened with a tangy mustard aioli. The fresh lettuce and bell peppers added a satisfying crunch to every bite. Chefwich - K-Town Steak Sandwich (5/5): A limited-time creation packed into a banh mi roll. It had a generous portion of perfectly tender and sweet bulgogi steak that pairs with their melted jack cheese. The gochujang mayo sauce had a subtle and sweet heat, while the fresh kimchi added crunch and slight acidity to balance the rich meat. Elote Tater Tots (5/5): Definitely a creative side dish. The tots were perfectly fried and topped elote style with cotija cheese, pairing well with the smoky chipotle mayo on the side. Logistics Tip: Street parking is surprisingly easy to find in the surrounding area, even on a busy weekend evening. The restaurant has a spacious layout with plenty of seating options both inside and outside. If you're a first-timer, don't hesitate to ask the staff for suggestions, as they're exceptionally warm, welcoming, and passionate about the menu.

    I've only been to the Lardo in PDX (is it still there?), so I felt like I needed to give the brick…read moreand mortar a chance because, let's face it, the one in PDX is meh. We walked down here on a beautiful day after wedding deletes shopping, so spirits were high. Located on a busy corner, but with plenty of outdoor seating, Lardo is a good place to have lunch on a Saturday. I have nothing to say about the parking sitch. My daughter and I shared the Willamette Reuben and her friend ordered the Italian Flag. We shared the Lardo fries. Oh man, the Reuben was perfection! The flavor of the meat and everything on the sandwich, from texture to flavor--chef's kiss! We heard that the Italian Flag was excellent too. Definitely, you can share a sandwich especially if you're having fries. The fries were delicious--crispy and flavorful on the outside, perfectly hot and mushy on the inside. Yum!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Italian Flag
    Italian Flag
    Smash Burger

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    Smash Burger

    Cafe Rowan - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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