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    Covert Café

    4.9 (15 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    Covert Café Photos

    Business Info

    COVERT CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Covert Café

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    Nico B.

    I'm really happy I settled on the Montavilla neighborhood when choosing a home in Portland. This neighborhood has a long history of growing outstanding businesses that cater to an eclectic community, and Covert Cafe is no exception. I absolutely love this venue. Though I've only just discovered this fantastic business, I can tell it has morphed into its current state through constant community engagement. This is the cafe the neighborhood wants! It's a meeting space, it's where you go for Sunday breakfast, it's the place to listen to music or play Star Trek Trivia! With inviting indoor and outdoor spaces, Covert is filled with dusty old books, quirky art, pop-cultural knickknacks, musical instruments and so much more. There's something for everyone here! In the past week I've been to two events in this space. I attended a Montavilla East Tabor Business Association networking event a few days ago, and also had breakfast and listened to live music this morning. The staff were friendly and accommodating both times, and I felt like I was being invited to a neighbor's garden party rather than a local bar. Covert is that kind of community. I plan to return for more delicious breakfasts, and for their monthly Murder Podcast series that records live in the venue. In fact, look for Covert Cafe videos online. They produce really high quality content from the events that take place in their space. Yet another way these amazing folks help serve the community.

    The cheesesteak, full of chunks of sirloin
    John K.

    I'm thrilled that we read about Covert Cafe on a Montavilla neighborhood site. It's a wonderful addition to SE 82nd. It's always nice to see a smallish menu, which makes me confident that everything offered will be done well, since they presumably gravitate towards their strengths. Based on my first visit, I'm certain this is the case. Red meat is a rare indulgance for me, and steak is even rarer. The Covert version is simple perfection - a slab of perfectly cooked meat, topped with rosemary and butter, accompanied by a terrific salad. My wife went with the cheesesteak, which turned out to be made with chunks of the same sirloin as my entree. Despite us being thrilled with our choices, I'm currently looking forward to returning and trying the pulled pork. Food aside, the decor at Covert is welcoming and comfortable. There's a glass front bookcase full of Star Trek memorabilia, a small stage that hosts a variety of performances and quizzes (check the calendar on the web site), and a TV that was showing a Star Trek TNG episonde, with the sound loud enough that we could have paid attention if we wanted, but there was also music playing through the same speaker, all in all forming a pleasant background for diners.

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    3 months ago

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    3 days ago

    The best! Great cheeseburgers! Small, intimate, the perfect place to hear local musicians from all genres of music.

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    21 days ago

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    2 years ago

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    Joseph M.

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    Review Highlights - Covert Café

    Excellent food (try the grilled cheese with bacon jam!), super friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere with lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The menu was diverse and interesting and what we chose was prepared beautifully. We really enjoyed…read morethe ambiance, the food and the service. Delightful!

    Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their…read moreHappy Hour on the weekend, which is what drew my partner and I in. You can absolutely smell the fish and vinegar as soon as you walk through the door, which I think gives the place a very homey pub feel. I ordered a spiked peach Arnold Palmer, which I enjoyed (and it was pleasantly strong) and a glass of the house white, which was good for the price. Our server was very fast and attentive. To eat I got the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was absolutely fantastic. The soup was so creamy and flavorful, and I cannot imagine a better meal after spending all day walking outside in the rain. The fries were super crispy and I liked the batter. My partner and I shared some of their breadsticks, which were deliciously baked (fresh!) and came with a super refreshing basil crema and a nice tomato-y dip. Wonderful all. My partner ordered fish and chips, and was surprised to find that it is one large fillet of fish, not multiple pieces like you would typically expect. He said the fish was fine, but a little tough. Overall, a wonderful experience. I definitely hope to return. I highly recommend this place as a refuge during the cold winter months!

    Photos
    Love the decor and ambiance
    Love the decor and ambiance
    Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)
    Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)
    Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)

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    Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)
    Tinker Tavern

    Tinker Tavern

    4.6
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    Stopped by here with my partner after seeing some hype online, and it definitely lived up to it…read more The wings and cheese curds were incredible, they put this seasoning on top of the curds that completely elevates them. The staff was super genuine and friendly, the place was really clean, and the prices are great (especially for a date night). We'll absolutely be back!

    Stopped in to Tinker Tavern with my husband today after delivering keys to my client in SE…read morePortland. We decided to try out some of Paul's reminiscent hometown grub that he has been missing. This being one of two bars in Portland dedicated to Buffalo Bills(his team, not mine), he's been hinting that he wanted to come and try to catch a game here but it's quite a hike from home in Beaverton. Well today was our day since we were so close. Walking in his face lit up as he took in all the Buffalo Bills decor around the restaurant. It was pretty busy on a Saturday afternoon holiday weekend; we found a couple seats up at the bar. So many things in the menu screamed out at us to try but "Weck Royale" was his choice, a delicious twist on the sandwich he's been craving since we last visited his hometown in 2018. The "Royale" version was served with bone marrow. The cheese curds were good with a Buffalo spice dry rub. I committed one of the cardinal East coast sins and asked for Ranch dressing!! I opted for the crab roll and a cup of clam chowder that were featured as their anniversary special. We'll definitely be back to try the wings as well as the "chicken finger sub" known to Buffalo folks!

    Photos
    Decorations
    Decorations
    Pepperoni tavern style
    Pepperoni tavern style
    Von Ebert Brewing Tinker Pils

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    Von Ebert Brewing Tinker Pils

    Covert Café - bars - Updated June 2026

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