Heavy Plays

Locally owned & operated

Free parking

Great food and our waitress Kara was excellent. We ordered the Chicken Fried Steak and it was good…read morethe Bacon was excellent the potatoes were fantastic. Nice clean comfortable place to eat with exceptional pricing.

Ian was our server and he was great (as always)! it's been a few months since we've been here and…read morehonestly the food is still amazing, the outdoor seating was great and will only get better as the construction wraps up! This is a great hotel restaurant and a wonderful spot to enjoy a good meal (or drinks) while visiting the waterfront. 100/10 recommend.

Ondus on the Waterfront - Strawberry Orange Salad

Semi-private dining space (PDR) accommodates up to 24 guests

See all

Outdoor patio seating

Oswego Grill at Columbia Shores

3.9(152 reviews)

Another great visit to Oswego Grill in Vancouver. It is incredible that it has been literally one…read moreyear since last experiencing the excellence at this restaurant. My friend had the Crab Cakes and the were wonderful. I chose the Cheeseburger with the fresh cut fries, and they were both perfect. We each had an Arnie Palmer that was very refreshing after a walk. We sat in the bar, and I was impressed by the amount of tv's and the location of them. Meaghann was also so friendly and just nice. She became quite busy when a party of 10 ladies sat down, but she still found time to take care of us. Great job again Oswego Grill

Been here a couple times now. Always full and busy of course due to location. But the food is…read moregreat and menus are expansive. Tuesday for us today at 6 and had reservations. Still packed. Nothing happens fast there but the servers are doing the best they can to keep up. If you go in knowing this- you'll be ok. If not - you're likely going to be frustrated. We feel like they train their employees very seriously and they reflect it in their assertiveness, demeanor and appearance. We arrived at 6. Got drinks at 630. Appetizers at 645 and food shortly afterwards- maybe 7. Overall very reasonable considering how packed it was. I can't even imagine what the kitchen looks like with all this going on. The only complaint I have (tho it was free!!! So I should not complain) They gave my wife this big banana split for her birthday- but it was after we had all eaten our dessert and were miserably full. So.. I guess I spent an extra $24 dollars on hers and my desserts that we'd been able to split the split had they timed it. Anyway they gave us a nice personal card for her. Pricing and the timing the only reason for less than 5 stars. But likely next visit will be 5. Over all loved it and will be back.

1.6 mi•Kenton, North Portland

Coffe favored ice tea. YUCK! ZERO stars!

Free Banana Split! And a cute note for our moms night out!

See all

Lots of shady tables

Northport

4.2(68 reviews)

Excellent, fresh, exciting....delicious salads, we had a Roasted Broccoli Caesar & a Beet and…read moreCitrus salad. Both were excellent, freshly made, very creative and quickly served!!! The only negative was the music was a bit too loud plus traffic going by made it difficult to hear each other. Service was great and friendly....totally great and highly recommended!!!

I've been here several times and found it to be good. Very friendly service staff. Their food…read moregenerally is well prepared and presented but I wouldn't say especially memorable. The grilled trout with zarandeado marinade is memorable ... wonderful flavor! The burgers are good, but not necessarily a knock out that stands above other places. I tried their salmon fish and chips. It's the PNW so salmon makes good sense, and I love salmon, but I discovered that the flavor profile of salmon isn't quite right for a battered and fried fish dish like white fish are. I've had only one truly disappointing experience. I had a light appetite so I ordered their Beet and Citrus salad. I declined any protein to be added. For $18 I received a large platter with the salad literally taking up ONE HALF side of the platter as if something else was supposed to be served beside it. The chef could've easily proportionalized the size of the salad and balanced it on the plate so it looked like a complete meal. Instead, what I got almost felt like the chef was telling me that I should've ordered something else with it.

The bar area

Mac & Cheese

See all

Pork Ribs

Cecilia

4.6(663 reviews)

1.9 mi

Came here for brunch with a girlfriend and I really appreciated all the vegan options they had and…read morethe coffee was delicious as someone who doesn't drink coffee like that! They have oat milk for those who are dairy free and their vegan chorizo was very delicious! They even gave us a free dessert to take home so I would highly recommend this place to go for brunch either with a few friends or by yourself to get a nice book. Brunch is kind, brunch is fine I am happy anytime my friend and I find a classy place to dine

Cecilia has garnered a 4 1/2 star rating, and I thought this was going to be a 5 star rating...but…read morenope. It is a strong 3. We loved Amaro's Table, another restaurant in the company, but Cecilia had a few glitches. First of all...we loved Hanah. She was very friendly and engaging. We don't know if it was her or the kitchen, but our food took too long. When it arrived it was beautiful. Two people had the Benedict and I had the Dutch Baby with a side of sausage. Both were excellent. But, I still don't understand why the accompanying maple syrup is served cold, and not heated?? Regarding the benedicts, the eggs were borderline hard. One person felt the hollandaise was too salty. The coffee delivery was very slow to one of the patrons. The restrooms and the general appearance of the restaurant was also perfect. We were surprised by a complimentary plate of donuts since it was our first visit to Cecilia. These were hot and very fresh. I noticed the tables around us remained dirty and were not bussed. Even if you don't plan to use the tables again, they should be cleaned and set-up quickly. It was just ok, and not a restaurant I will rush back to.

Bar for drinks any time of day.

Donuts @justgrindz

See all

The plenty mimosa (Tito and Cava)

McMenamins on the Columbia

3.3(579 reviews)

The food was amazing The views were amazing…read moreInside you can hear the music Outside you get the water view The vibes were awesome Drinks are delicious and they sell canned and merch inside also

The view and cocktails are great, however the food and service need much improvement…read more We had to ask for napkins and utensils twice along with sauce for our Cajun tots twice as well and by the time we got it, the tots were cold. My partner's burger was ok (you can get a better one at several different restaurants in Vancouver) and my "Aztec" salad was extremely underwhelming. It consisted of romaine lettuce (majority stem and very little leafy greens), thin tortilla strips, a tiny amount of avocado, tomato, a tiny amount of black beans and corn and came dressed in a chipotle dressing. There were no jalapeños or cheese in sight and you REALLY had to search for the black beans, corn and avocado, as there were barely any. This reminded me of a taco salad you would order at a Dennys or other cheap diner where you are expecting to be underwhelmed, yet the price tag for this salad was nearly $19 and didn't even have any protein unless you were willing to pay another $6-$12.50 for it. This was literally the worst taco salad I have ever had and it's a pretty simple dish to mess up. You can get a much better quality taco salad with adequate avocado, black beans and corn that also includes pulled pork at Seize the Bagel for $10.50. Maybe for drinks and the view this place is great, but don't waste your money on their overpriced and underwhelming food.

Art outside

Happy Hour Garlic Shrimp

See all

Outside view

13 Coins Vancouver

3.4(282 reviews)

We we're staying across the street at the AC hotel and arrived late. This is one of the only places…read moreopen we weren't that excited about going here because it didn't have good reviews. When we walked in though we were pleasantly supplies with the ambiance the food also was pretty good we were happy with most of what we got, Steak David was to die for the spaghetti with meat sause did not disappoint. DO NOT get the meat martini it was GRoSS. I am a dirty gin martini with blue cheese olives girl through and through but this thing was gross. The Manhattan and Cosmo were both good. The one thing we would have given this 5 stars would have been the service. When we arrived the host was standing outside picking up chairs. He then proceeded to have a five minute conversation with another guest while we were just waiting to be seated when we finally receded we requested a different table and he seemed to bothered. Our waitresses was beyond friendly and helpful with selections BUT everything took far to long. We did ask for a rush on the spaghetti for our starving child and it came out in a flash. The drinks were verrrry slow the check was very slow. Despite the slow service, we would totally come here again

Terribly disappointing! What successful restaurant would…read morebreak down the entire gas cooktop at primetime lunch hour? The only answer is one that has no business. The food was horrible. The toxic smell of cleaning and burning off a grill during lunch hour had a lot to be said for the overall experience. The food has gone downhill 100% We became ill over the next couple hours after trying to eat what used to be fabulous eggs benedict. We called in hopes of talking to management about our experience and were assured that we would get a call back. We did not get a call back. We did not get comped at all whatsoever. And we will never darken their door again.

Chocolate chip cookie skillet

See all

Chocolate chip cookie skillet

Tap Union Freehouse

4.6(203 reviews)

1.9 mi

Great beer selection and the only bottle shop I know of on this side of town…read more I've never tried the food, but I hear great things about it. My friends all rave about the grinder sandwich. Service is always great, but can sometime slow down when the line gets long (there is no table service). The ambiance is very rustic and casual. If the main area fills up, there is an additional room with lots of seating through the hallway on the right.

The service was excellent, the pork tacos were really good, and I loved the Brazilian limeaderead more

0.8 mi•Hayden Island, North Portland

Order here

Italian Grinder

See all

Boomers Burgers & Ribs

3.8(203 reviews)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked in, bu this place completely exceeded my expectations…read more The vibe is caual, the food comes out fast and you can tell they care about doing this right. I ordered ribs and pulled pork and it was tender, oh so flavorful and cooked to profection. The fries and bbq sauce were just as good. The staff was friendly and the resturant was clean.

Best burger I've had in years. Casual, friendly atmosphere and excellent service. Thanks to…read moreJacqueline for great service.

Chicken and fries

See all

Booths

Amaro's Table - Downtown Vancouver

4.5(824 reviews)

1.9 mi

Perfect food and service for our first visit to Amaro's Table in Vancouver downtown…read more First of all...the service and friendliness of out server, Anne Marie was beyond great. Her awareness of timing and her general personality was the best. The food was incredible. Fromm the appetizer that were the Hush Puppies, and to the end with the fun and tasty donuts. But the lunch was the best part. I had the Fried Chicken and the meat was so tender and flavorful . A steak knife came with the plate, but the chicken could be cut with a fork. I will be back, and Amaro's Table delivered with food, service and the general vibe.

My husband and I have always been a big fan of Amaro's, both the downtown and Hazel Dell locations,…read morehowever the last couple times we have been disappointed with our food. Today my sister and I had lunch at the downtown location and we both ordered a Salmon Niçoise salad . The lettuce seemed old with lots of soggy pieces and green beans were limp and soggy as if they were cooked yesterday. I have had this salad before at the HD location and it was amazing. We were disappointed. Service was great as was the Brussels sprouts .

See all

The Waterfront Taphouse

3.9(268 reviews)

1.5 mi

We had a fantastic experience at Waterhouse Taphouse! Dinner was great, and everything came out…read moresmoothly despite our large group. A special shoutout to our server, Robin, who handled our party of 35 people incredibly well. She was organized, attentive, and kept everything running seamlessly. Managing a group that size isn't easy, and she made it look effortless. Highly recommend both the restaurant and asking for Robin if you're dining with a big group!

Still solid! Food, service and the facilities are top-notch. Utilizing updated techniques in the…read morekitchen lead to a VERY surprising treat....Carrot Soup!!! One of the people at our table ordered it and I thought, "carrot?!" Believe it or not...IT Worked!!! Creamy, smooth, slightly sweet and lightly spiced. Nice addition to the menu. My calamari was excellent as usual. If you want an enjoyable, non-stuffy environment to relax and take in the views of the waterfront and the Columbia River....this is it! A+

Interior

Northwest Beer Battered Cod Fish & Chips Beer battered cod, house-made slaw, fries.

See all

Hummus and veggie plate

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Dallas B.

0

2

1

4 years ago

Just found this place nestled in just off 15 and Marine Dr. Perfect pitstop for those stuck in traffic heading North on 15 - I have had the catfish basket, burger, chicken basket, and have been more rhan satisfied! The portions are huge and has left me with a snack the next day. Family owned and operated (you can tell by the love put in the meals). warm friendly atmosphere- brunch menu in moribg 10-2 I think with the regular menu 4-9. If you have ever been disappointed by mac-n-cheese at a soul food restaurant- you wont be here. I would put money on it that they make it the same way at home!!! read more

Paris S.

56

6

15

2 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Heavy Plays, and it was an unforgettable experience! The food was absolutely amazing, bursting with flavor and made fresh to order. The hospitality was top-notch, and the welcoming atmosphere made me feel right at home. The owners and cooks were AWESOME - so nice and genuinely passionate about their craft. The music perfectly complemented the soulful vibe of the place. Plus, the portions were generous, so you'll definitely have food for the next day. My husband is not a "soul food" person and loved it. Worth every dollar spent. Highly recommend!!!!!! read more

JCC L.

Elite 26

14

331

78

1 year ago

Thought this place sounded good from some of the reviews, but I found it to be closed, and no longer in business.

Heavy Plays - soulfood - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Heavy Plays also viewed

Po' Shines Cafe De La Soul

3.7

(498 reviews)

I am here now and I will be back! I was here many years ago. Prepandemic sometime. It was very…read moremediocre. But I told myself then that "I want to like this place, I really do want to ... I just can't say it now." Times have changed! I haven't had a BBQ brisket in years. I tried it here and although a little small in portion it had a rich flavor, very tender, and respectable sauce. However, it was uniform in color, no apparent smoke ring, and thinly sliced. The service was especially attentive and friendly. The time to serve the food was perhaps a little slow at a time then the place was maybe 1/4 full of customers.

This place was insane how delicious this food is. I've lived near this area my whole life and am…read moredevastated I am JUST NOW trying because ever since I've eaten this I can't stop thinking about it. The Brisket is so tender and juicy (a little fatty but that's okay) the flavor is just divine. The cornbread was FIRE! Compliments the meal perfectly!! The Mac was amazing the right amount of cheese seasoned to perfection I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious meal. The service was great and the food is cooked very freshly so it is a bit of a wait when you order but it's sooo worth it. Inside it's a cute little set up with tables and chairs & lots of art on the wall. I will 100% be back VERY SOON!!

Taqueria Flores

3.9

(31 reviews)

Would like some legit Mexican? Look no further! Very cute…read moreplace colorfully decorated offering some outdoor seating as well. Parking has never been hard. The staff isn't the most cheerful, but I like it that way. Fast service. Good amount of options, but not overwhelming. Great food every time I go! Highly recommended

The food is always hot and ready in a good time it's even better that I live only 2 mins away I've…read moremade so many last minute trips when I can't make up my mind what I want to eat. They are always nice and I'm pretty sure I'm one of the regulars at this point. Love the breakfast burritos more than anything. I go at least 2 times a week.

Tik Tok

3.5

(123 reviews)

•$

Late night food spots with good vibes are elite, and Ali made this visit even better. Super…read moreknowledgeable about the menu, attentive, and genuinely treated me with great care the whole time. If you're looking for late night bites and a solid atmosphere, slide through and hang out with Ali and make sure you tip her well. I grabbed the chicken quesadilla, which I thought was listed around $11.95 on the menu and it was actually $14 . Either way, still worth it for the portion and the vibes. Huge patio, solid slot selection, and one of the few places open 24 hours that gives me a tiny taste of how spoiled Vegas made me with everything being open all night. If you and your friends are out into the early morning hours looking for good grubs on positive frequencies, TikTok is definitely worth the stop.

Gotta give Tik Tok five stars for being open on Christmas day and letting the three of us sit in a…read morecorner with an order of spinach dip & chips and sodas as we opened our Christmas presents. Our server was very accommodating, stopping by often to see if we needed anything, as we flung wrapping paper and bags everywhere (yes, we cleaned up after ourselves). The menu is huge, with a large variety of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, entrees, salads and desserts, so if you're looking for something to fill your hungry tummy, you'll most likely find it here. And it's open 24 hours! Go check out the clocks on the wall and get yourself some food. This "gang of three" was happy with our holiday appetizer experience.

Fishwife Seafood Restaurant

4.2

(382 reviews)

Service was great and fast. Food was priced good. Food came out fast and hot. Fish basket was…read moretasty. The pasta was good as well.

Cozy hole-in-the-wall seafood joint. The food is Yummers and there are quite a few options. The…read moreclam chowder is thick and satisfying. I'd say some of the portions are a bit small, but that's not a huge deal. They've got waffle fries too -- mmmm! The staff were all kind and attentive as well.

On Fire

4.5

(2 reviews)

The food choices here are nicely different from those you find at a zillion other carts, and the…read morefood is very tasty. Service was super friendly too. It did take a bit for the food to be prepared, but this pod is a great place to hang out, with both indoor and outdoor seating, so no problem there. Serving sizes were maybe a bit small for the price, although quality seemed high.

surf and turf packed with favor! And lemon grass chicken I could only dream about! so hard not to…read moreeat it all .. (half of it).. before i took these picture. Not my first time here and definitely not my last

42nd Ave Fish And Chips

3.3

(12 reviews)

Been coming to 42nd fish and chips for years now! A lot of people aren't aware that the new…read morelocation is open and just a few blocks up the road from the old one! Food is always hot, crispy and seasoned! My go to is the 3pc catfish basket with fries, always gotta get a slice of cake as well! Service is always great, the cook is usually also answering phone orders and working the register! No matter who's cooking that day the food comes out the same... delicious! The new restaurant is cute with some booths and some seating outside as well. I'm excited to see the finished mural in the dining area!

So happy that Fish & Chips is back open in a new storefront. While it may lack the Southern charm…read moreof the old house it used to be in, they inherited a good layout from Red Sauce (who are now in Beaumont). Fish & Chips can even host large parties now in the back room! This business is Southern fried fish, not British. As far as I know, it's the only restaurant of its kind in Portland, so we're very lucky that it's so good! In Southern style, the batter is light and thin, but very crispy, and the various orders come with an assortment of the classic "meat and 3" Southern sides -- okra, greens, slaw, fries. There's a few BBQ options for the person in your group who doesn't like seafood, but the fish is really where it's at. It's also very affordable, particularly when yo consider the amount of food you're getting. 2 pieces of fish sounds paltry but they're very big pieces -- order a 4 piece to split. While they do most of their business as takeout, I recommend eating in the restaurant so that you can get stuff as crispy as possible. Plus, their crowd of regulars always has some great stories. Don't skip the dessert case! Take dessert home if you don't have the room for it. (42nd Ave Fish & Chips was at Emerson & 42nd for more than 15 years, and just recently moved to the new location)

Thai Noon Restaurant

3.7

(345 reviews)

Our favorite Thai restaurant in Portland remains favorite…read more The ambiance, the location, the staff and the food ....all fantastic and exemplary in comparison to the zillion Thai food places we have around in Portland. As usual what we ordered this time was also awesome...if u r in Portland u must give this place a try

Got takeout, special house curry with tofu. Delicious and portion was massive! Loved the mix of…read moreveggies in it. The curry itself had SO much broth. A lot of Thai places don't give you enough but this one had a ton (in a good way) though could have used more filling to balance it out.

Makin’ Groceries

4.7

(6 reviews)

Great food, strong veggie options (multiple tofu dishes), and the folks who run it are just lovely…read more Live music from local bands every week + good desserts, awesome spot to have locally. Good place to hang out and play board games

I'm an instant fan. You have the option to pay: nothing, cost, market, or more…read more I recommend the Cajun Plate. The tasty catfish cakes were made to order. But it's the smashed potatoes and gravy that won me over. After enjoying my meal in a pleasing atmosphere I ordered some to go. The greens were above par and the cornbread way above average. Bread Pudding more than decent too. Owner is very kind (you need to be for this kind of business.) Parking is tricky.

Taste Of Mexico Food Cart

5.0

(5 reviews)

Asada burrito great authentic flavor. Food served hot. Had plenty of beef not too much rice and…read morebeans. You can add cheese if you wish for no addl cost. The red sauce is really good if you like it spicy if you don't go for the green. Kinda on the steep side, but hey there are only 7 places to eat on the island, so go figure. Nice friendly staff; don't know them but I gather they may be the owners. You can order ahead on most days. They were closed the week of the New Year without notice, but when you own the place why not.

I have been a few times and fast friendly food is good I have tried the burrito and tacos and…read morecarne asada fries and liked them all

Thai Ginger

3.9

(326 reviews)