Everything we ordered was top-notch. I went with my parents for their 54th wedding anniversary. I had not been here in 10 years, and they had never been. We started by splitting a mixed lettuce salad and the burrata. The salad was fresh and had a great dressing. The burrata with the strawberries was mouth-watering. We also had some fresh focaccia bread, and it was so good. Then came the goat-cheese pappardelle and the fettuccine with clams. Both pastas were fabulous. If I had to choose one, the goat cheese was my favorite. My parents and I don't drink alcohol, so we got ginger, soda, and mocktails, which were very refreshing. The service was really good. The place was busy, but the servers seemed very relaxed and proficient. They weren't pushy, but they were there when we needed them and were all very polite. I love the ambiance. It is a large, light, and bright space. There is seating inside and out, and it has very high ceilings. I love the massive bar where you can watch the bartenders make drinks and the wood-fired pizza oven--also a nice touch. My parents had a great time on their anniversary, and we will definitely be back. read more

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Our experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. For a place that has been recognized among the "Top 50," the service was some of the worst we have ever received. Our server, Emma, seemed completely uninterested in providing good service. As soon as we were seated, she immediately wanted to take our order without giving us a chance to review the menu. When the bread service arrived, we requested butter, but it never came until I had to flag her down and ask again. She eventually brought it and offered extra bread for the delay. While explaining the menu, she mentioned that there was a happy hour special available, but the information was unclear and not very helpful. When our pasta arrived, it was completely dry and missing the cheese. We then had to wait quite a while before Emma returned so we could request additional sauce. During that time, she appeared focused on a regular customer who was enjoying multiple wine tastings, while our table was largely ignored. After that, she rarely checked on us. We were interested in ordering dessert, but instead of asking if we wanted anything else, we were simply handed the check. To make matters worse, a 22% gratuity was automatically added for our party of four. I have no issue tipping for good service, but mandatory gratuity for such poor service is frustrating. It felt as though the service standards dropped because the tip was already guaranteed. Great service should never be taken for granted. We were visiting from Houston and were looking forward to dining here, but unfortunately, this experience fell far short of expectations. Based on our visit, I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Nostrana - Burnt pizza - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Do you enjoy authentic Italian food? Do you struggle coming up with a good reason to drop some cash on a special dinner experience? Then do what my wife and I did and create your own celebration. In our case, we decided to celebrate friendship, by inviting two of our closest friends who have been working so hard dealing with the various things that life can throw at you, to share a special dinner with us at Nostrana. They deserved some pampering and we all deserved a night of food, wine, and warm conversation, the kind that comes easily for people who have known each other for years. And what better place to do this than at Nostrana in Portland? Read about this place before you go! The chef owner has a very interesting and impressive story, and the chefs who perform their kitchen magic nightly did a memorable job! So good! I, unfortunately, forgot to take a picture of the menu and may be unable to identify the photos I post here. Sorry about that! We did go on a Thursday, which means it was "pasta day" or rather in our case, "gnocchi day." Yay! This follows tradition as this is the same Thursday fare in Italy. We all began our feast with a glass of what Nostrana calls the, "quintissential Negroni." So tasty! We shared a couple of antipasti dishes and a couple of salads. Oh, and we shared an order of gnocchi, too. Then we each ordered our own secondi dishes. I ordered the grilled beef tagliata (flat iron steak) and it was cooked to perfection! To assist with this flavor bomb I ordered a glass of the Langhe Nebbiolo. (My mouth is watering just thinking about it. A perfect pairing!) We had a wonderful dessert, the name of which escapes me. And yes, we had leftovers to take home. We did not leave hungry! I did take a risk and order a side dish (contorni) that I think was called something like "whipped fat". I found this to not have much flavor. I was expecting it to have some meaty or steak flavor perhaps, but it was delivered as ordered and I can't fault the restaurant if I didn't like it. I'm going to drum up another reason to celebrate so we can return to the Nostrana. The chefs should be very proud of what they fed us that night! Thank you! read more

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Found this place on yelp as top rated and decided to try it while visiting Portland for the first time. Coming from east coast, where there is abundance of Italian food, i was a bit skeptical. Sat at the bar and the bartenders were sooo lovey. I was served water right away and asked if i had any questions about the menu. I expressed i wanted bread but i was dining alone. The bartender brought me couple pieces anyways as a courtesy. Soo sweet i cannot even explain. I ordered the alla fiamma, basically a veggie pizza, removed Olives and added cheese. The crust was incredible. The quality of ingredients was top notch. I wish i got the simple Margherita to really taste the simple flavors. Got the tiramisu for dessert. It wasn't a traditional tiramisu but it was good. It was light and not too sweet at all. I think i would try some of the other desserts next time. read more

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We had a business event hosted. The upstairs seating was nice and quiet. The waiters were polite and did well at keeping everyone's beverages refilled. The food tasted good, however the portions were small so everyone left feeling hungry. The tiramisu was amazing! We are planning to return on our own so we can have a better experience. The pizza looked delicious! read more

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Came on a trip with some friends. The restaurant decor is really nice. The server was attentive but not overly so. The radicchio Caesar salad was outstanding and very fresh. My daughter loved her gnocchi dish. I had the flank steak and it was good but a tad bit too salty. For dessert we had tiramisu and it was one of the best I've had! read more

Nostrana - Menu - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Had another lovely dinner at Nostrana, one of our go-to spots in Portland for Italian food and cozy date nights. We've visited a few times and always love their pizzas, but this visit was extra special because we came on a Thursday, which happens to be gnocchi night. On Thursdays, they swap their usual pasta menu for house-made gnocchi dishes, and it's absolutely worth planning around. We tried the ragu gnocchi and the creamy tomato gnocchi, and both were incredible. The creamy tomato gnocchi had a rich, slightly sweet sauce that felt comforting without being too heavy. Each bite was smooth and satisfying, and the gnocchi were perfectly soft and pillowy. The ragu gnocchi leaned more savory and hearty, with a balanced meaty flavor that paired beautifully with the delicate texture of the dumplings. Service here is always wonderful. The staff are welcoming, attentive, and make the whole dining experience feel relaxed and well-paced. The warm, rustic atmosphere makes it a great spot for date nights or relaxed dinners with friends, and the consistency in both the food and hospitality keeps us coming back. If you love Italian comfort food, gnocchi night here is a must-try. read more

Nostrana - Ragu Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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10/10 ambiance. Rustic but modern? Food is too good. You must try radicchio salad. Service was kind and very quick. The earlier you go, the quicker the service. read more

Nostrana - Birthday celebration chicken! - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Food was pretty good, nothing crazy and IMO not worth the price. We paid over $150 for 2 main dishes, an appetizer, dessert, and 2 drinks (1 alcoholic, 1 soda). I would say that you're more so paying for the upscale ambiance and the experience. I did love the variety of unique flavors. Gnocchi was good but a bit bland and pizza was normal. They do have a rotating menu which is fun, so every time you go it's a different experience. I did enjoy my food more the last time I came so I'm sure it depends on personal preference and also luck. read more

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Wow this meal was the best thing I've had in my mouth in a long time (no offense to my husband). Highlights were the Sangiovese wine flight, the goat cheese stuffed pappardelle, and the Margherita pizza, with the pappardelle taking top spot for me thanks to my crippling weakness for chèvre. We also sampled several desserts, all of which were delicious. The peanut butter-chocolate gelato was probably the most unique, as in something I haven't had at a fancyish restaurant before, but the dense chocolate cake with Chantilly cream was absolutely divine. The tiramisu was a neat little slice with an even distribution of cream and sponge. This isn't my favorite style (I like a bowlful of mascarpone with like a 2:1 ratio of cream to ladyfingers, but it was a lighter but still delicious counterpart to the chocolate desserts. Service was attentive and quick despite being busy, with all workers chipping in to ensure all sections were getting what they need. The ambiance is welcoming with lots of light and a trattoria feel that isn't too stuffy. I can't wait to return. read more

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This review is a little overdue. Gina is a star! x's 100 I read how amazing this places pizza was. So, being pizza lovers we naturally decided to celebrate my boyfriends birthday here. We were excited to try pizza, unfortunately they do run out. Be prepared, not like us. However, even with that I must say the service we received was not typical being an LA native. Let me explain: We were greeted by this fun and bubbly woman. Offered us time to look over the menu, brought over water and yummy bread. No pizza. Ya, it was a bummer. We both don't partake in seafood indulgences. Anyway, Gina immediately went into cure mode. She offered to immediately bring a dessert and continuously checked on us throughout the evening, creating an experience I simply cannot put into words. Friendly, warm, and genuinely excited to showcase the menu, she offered a brief history of how the restaurant curates their dishes. WHAT a rare and wonderful touch. The evening ended in the most unique celebration, and we left feeling full not just from dinner, but from the entire experience. Truly memorable. I cannot thank her enough. Butterscotch Budino, it is absolutely amazing. read more

Nostrana - Birthday Celebration and Butterscotch Budino dessert. - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Cute Italian restaurant with a romantic and aesthetic ambiance! Felt like a very intimate restaurant even tho they were definitely busy on this Friday night. Everyone was very nice & helpful, they helped us pick out a bottle of wine and we're not disappointed with the pick we came to!! All the food was delicious and definitely shareable and able to eat family style if you want to. One of us got the prefixed menu for dine month and that was also delicious!! Definitely recommend. read more

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5/5 service and ambiance We wanted to order the octopus appetizer and since there was only one order left available, our server made an effort to go to the kitchen right away to put it in. Sadly, it was sold out and they comped us the burrata and prosciutto app! 3/5 food Some of our pastas came out cold, and some were more al dente than we would like. The pastas weren't anything to write home about. They all could've used more flavor. We really enjoyed the salad and the prosciutto and burrata though. Ps. The candies they have up front are really good read more

Nostrana - Goat cheese stuffed pappardelle (left), crab and fennel cream pasta (right), spaghetti (middle) - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The atmosphere is very sweet for a date night. Went on a Tuesday for dinner and it was bustling. They had a special pizza with dungeness crab, chili oil, and lemon. It was unreal! I had the goat-cheese stuffed papparedelle and it was very thin and delicious. The steak and braised greens was just ok. If we go back, I would only order the pizza because it was so good honestly. We were celebrating and they brought out the "wishing chicken", a candle in the shape of a chicken that you blow out. It was cute! read more

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My wife and I joined a dear friend who recommended this restaurant that she knew in Southeast Portland. After arriving, we noticed immediately it was a nice day that they had an outdoor patio, which really made the difference for us. So we sat down. We ordered our food and I wasn't sure how it was going to be the menu changes regularly, but I haven't any personal knowledge of how good the food is. I have to say that is some of the best food all around, no matter what you have. They grow their own produce across the street in a lot that they set up for growing, and all the pasta were al dente, and all of the pasta sauces were creamy and rich and full of herbs and flavors that you would wanna have married together , and the squid that was in my pasta was so tender. There is no chewing that is unpopular with a lot of overcooked squid. It was so tender and succulent. Everything we had was perfect. We sampled each other's plates. I would like to mention, though that they have an excellent flavored cider there that if you're not in the mood for beer or wine try the cider. All the wait staff we're smiling, pleasant and knowledgeable about the food product and proud of what they served. And they should be they were all very pleasant and helpful for me at the table in all areas. Bravo to the staff, I highly recommend this place. read more

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The food was well flavored and paced nicely to allow for great conversation and coursing of meals. I will say the meat pasta dish tasted a lot like hamburger helper but everything else was phenomenal. The pork shoulder stole the show. read more

Such mediocre food... honestly, I was shocked ! My pasta arrived lukewarm, not plated nicely and was a ton of pasta w very little shrimp. You need to step it up Nostrana !! read more

What an absolutely beautiful space! The patio area is charming and the interior is spacious and beautifully decorated as well. The staff was warm and friendly. Came for the pizza (as it was just named one of America's 50 best), but the pasta was the clear star! The goat cheese stuffed pappardelle was light, creamy and luscious, and full of flavor. Loved the added sage and balsamic drizzle. You must be a true mushroom lover to enjoy the funghi verde. I like mushrooms, but even this was a tad overboard for me. The pizza is served with scissors to cut yourself, thin crust, light with a slight chew. I always enjoy arugula added to pizza and the shaved parmesan help cut the mushroom a bit. We were here celebrating my birthday and at the end was brought the cutest rooster candle to make a wish paired with two butter cookies - really sweet touch to end an amazing dinner! read more

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TikTok overhyped this place. Food was mid. Server had a weird vibe not very welcoming, the only thing nice was the restaurant itself. Cute for pics but not worth the price plus they add an auto 22% gratuity to your bill. read more

I had such a fantastic experience here tonight. This was my first time here and I will absolutely be returning. First and foremost the service was fantastic. Everyone was so friendly. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu and answered all of our questions and gave great recommendations. The space is warm and inviting. It's pretty big inside and they have a small outside seating are as well. The food. The food was absolutely amazing. I tend to feel like most Italian cuisine is one note; aka you can get the same experience most anywhere. But Nostrana is next level. Fresh ingredients, unique combinations, layered flavor profiles. Eating here is an experience and no dish disappointed. I'm already so excited to go back. Also, do yourself a favor and get the Butterscotch dessert, it's INSANE! read more

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Nostrana is a gem as well as a full experience. Expect lovely decor and kind, fashionable service (22% auto-gratuity for all tables). My favorite pasta was the special this Friday of lightly fried octopus coins in a spicy red sauce on linguini- to die for! The most tender octopus I have ever had. The pizzas are delicious too (and come with scissors to cut into pieces). The dough is the star! Tasty turnip top soup and the radicchio Caesar with rosemary croutons were great starters. Their bread and butter to order is divine. Fun mocktails and beverage program. The butterscotch pudding for desert was decadent, salty and gave me an epic sugar rush. I was giddy leaving Nostrana and look forward to coming back to my favorite things on the menu and the new seasonal wonders to come. read more

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Amazing food, beautiful restaurant! I just wish it was clearer on how to get a reservation. My partner tried to make a reservation for a Saturday night but it unclear that the reservation was for the bar only. We still had a great experience at the bar, but I wish their system was more clear to get a regular table. read more

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First of all this place is beautiful. Really lovely and welcoming and "special" feel when we walked in. Nostrana would be a terrific date spot. Our server was lovely. Knowledgeable, took her time talking with us, listened to our questions, great advice about the menu, did not rush us or push at all. Food was terrific. The radicchio salad was a standout--makes me want to eat more radicchio--the pasta was fab and so were the ribs. Funny we both really loved the carrot side we got too. Everything is sharable. We loved Nostrana. I can't see why anyone would not give this place . It's a fab spot! read more

Admittedly I do not like the automatic 22% service charge on all checks that is not considered a tip. However, I give full stars to Nostrana because their food, service, and setting are all excellent. One of the finest restaurants in Portland imho. The Insalata Nostrana with radicchio should be the official salad of Portland. It's a classic. read more

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Didn't offer to take my coat despite having a place for them (I saw them offer this to other tables), had to awkwardly sit on it draped over the back of my chair. Got the arancini, ragu, trout, and skirt steak. It was all just OK, overly salted. Not bad, but also nothing special. read more

My last and probably final visit here was shocking to me, 22% fixed tip, the wine pours were like a tasting, what ever happened to "we want you back pour" or a "gentleman's pour" I thought we were in NY for a second with this marked up pricing. I guess "whatever the market will bear" applies here. All & All; Pizza is good, salads and good but when you own your own garden across the street, why does the customers have to pay more. Make it make sense. read more

The service and food were excellent. We sat outside and it was comfortable and not noisy. Waitress was attentive but also gave us our space. Highly recommend. read more

We had a great experience here. Came for our first wedding anniversary and loved it! The food was divine! The pizza, pasta, and tiramisu were all delicious. My wife had some sort of orange wine as well that she absolutely loved! Our server was very friendly and highly knowledgeable about the menu. Even his interactions with the patrons around us was fun to witness. Perfect date night spot. read more

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God where do I start? This place was phenomenal. Had reservations at 7:15 and got there a lil bit early to get a drink at their bar first. The bartender, Randy, was so enthusiastic to give us reccs and explain their menu more. The bathroom was so cute and fun LOL- definitely check that out. We were seated right away and the food came out at a great pace. It was a rather warm day, but they gave us cute fans to use (thoughtful). Service was great, food was great, ambiance and vibes- amazing! A fun date night place for sure, will definitely return! read more

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Incredible pasta, pizza is to die for and we always finish with the affogato. Excellent service and warm ambience. read more

Nostrana - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Nostrana used to be that place. The place you brought out-of-towners to flex Portland's food scene. The place where the radicchio salad had a personality, the focaccia disappeared before it cooled, and the Negroni special felt like a personal gift from the universe (or at least Cathy Whims). On my first vist in 2010, Nostrana felt special--cozy, intentional, and alive. Over the next 10 years, it became my go-to for birthdays, celebrations, and moments that mattered. You didn't just eat there; you were taken care of. Fast-forward to now, and... yikes. The food has lost the plot. The once-iconic radicchio salad arrived underdressed, under-massaged, and scattered with breadcrumbs like an afterthought. We used to fight over the last bites. This time, we left most of it behind--coarse, joyless leaves staring back at us in mutual disappointment. And what happened to focaccia and olive oil for the table? Fish Friday bruschetta with salmon mousse? A soggy, textural misfire. Untoasted bread soaking up mousse like a culinary sponge experiment. The pasta was fine (damning with faint praise), but the pizza? An absolute betrayal. A mountain--and I mean mountain--of arugula smothered any remaining hope of flavor. I've had better pizza at Oven & Shaker in the PDX airport. Let that sink in. We boxed the pizza. We abandoned everything else. A first in my entire history with this place. And then there was the service--impersonal, entitled, and vaguely condescending. I noted our anniversary on the reservation. No acknowledgment at check-in. We were walked past open, intimate tables and parked at a weird banquette with low pub tables in the back near the kitchen like we were being softly punished. When I politely asked to move, I was asked if I had told the host before sitting down. We were moved, but not before being instructed to "request table 7 next time." Happy anniversary, bitch. No warmth. No engagement. No ask about food allergies. Orders taken. Plates dropped. That's it. This is the restaurant where servers once folded your napkin when you stepped away, asked about your evening with genuine interest, explained why pizza is served with scissors, and eagerly offered tastes when you asked about a wine. Now? Bare minimum vibes. The final gut punch: a glowing rooster candle delivered with the check while I stepped away to the restroom. For one brief, hopeful moment, I thought they remembered our anniversary. As I approached the table (no folded napkin on the chair), I asked my husband if the candle was for our anniversary. He said no, the candle came with the check. The rooster candle used to mean something special and now it comes with the check--regardless of timing, context, or care and with an automatic 22% service charge. It's genuinely sad to watch a Portland institution hollow itself out. I wanted this visit to prove my own suspicions wrong. Instead, it confirmed them. I'll give them a pass that it might have been an off night in the kitchen. And it's possible that my standards are too high and informed by exceptional past experiences, but the result remains unchanged. The Nostrana I loved is gone. This version can keep the arugula. I won't be back. read more

Great ambiance! We started with the cannoli beans and they were ok. Also a margarita pizza which was over charred. Ordered the fish, steak, chicken, dessert and a good number of cocktails. I'd say food was overall good but not amazing. For a birthday, they will bring a wax chicken candle that they reuse. Service was great thank goodness because they automatically tip themselves 22% with the option to add more if you're not paying attention. Plan to dig very deep into your pockets (deep until it hurts! ) if you do a dinner night with drinks here. Will we return? Probably. Soon? Probably not! read more

Another great experience at Nostrana! Of course the service was excellent as always. Everyone is very friendly. The scallops were fresh and the corn crema was delicious. I love how every dish her is not too salty or too sweet and just made to perfection. Compliments to the chef, kitchen crew, and the staff! read more

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We had reservations for Enoteca Nostrana and were happily seated in the bar area. The service was great and it was fun to watch the action. We enjoyed our cocktails and the food. The radicchio salad was on point and the grilled peppers were excellent. A Sicilian wine tasting by the carafe was available and we gladly took the opportunity to explore the wines. I know their pizza is supposed to be amazing but while it was good it wasn't the highlight of the meal. So, I guess everything else was just that good. read more

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So good! It's a little loud so not the place for an intimate convo but that's because it's busy because the food and service are really good. I had the seafood tortellini, the oysters, bread, prosciutto, and a few glasses of orange wine. All of it was delicious and large servings. The waiters were great. Food came out fast. All good! read more

We concluded my birthday weekend with dinner here at Nostrana! Parking lot was spacious so that made it easy to park and head in. The overall atmosphere was cool. It was a well designed place. Our server was great. She was attentive and answered questions we may have. We ended up ordering an app, a salad, a pasta and a steak to share. Everything was great BUT the pasta was very salty. If I had to redo it I would ask for 1/2 the seasoning because it was like a punch in the face. I think that the espresso martini and the dessert were the show stopper though. Both were hands down amazing! It was absolutely worth the money! read more

The wine selection was vast. The ambiance was lovely. The server was knowledgeable but not very attentive for the additional built in tipping system. Food actually looked better than it was. Ours came out just sort of warm like it had been sitting a bit. We arrived at opening with reservations. For the price point there are better options in Portland. Don't plan to return. read more

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Excellent bread, pizza and pasta. Attentive servers. An all around great Italian experience!

Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Everything was executed perfectly. Lovely dinning experience. It's a special place to go for dates, chatting with friends, or families. read more

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We got last minute counter reservations, so kind of got entertainment too ;) Service is always great at Nostrana and they include your tip in the bill. This is to pay their servers a living wage and I am HAPPY to pay it. Ambiance is well, busy. There's always something and if you sit at the bar next to your date you can hear them fine. Some folks a little challenged in the hearing area (like me) may find it difficult to hear people at your table, so just lean in to talk. Because: The food. The Nostrana salad (basically a kick a$$ radicchio Caesar) is amazing and I order it every time. Both pasta and pizza dishes we got were amazing (veg options absolutely) I miss living on the east side, so getting back to Nostrana is a treat!! read more

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