The are plenty of great places to eat along 28th, but Navarre has got to be my favorite. What sets Navarre apart is not just the simplicity of their presentation but also the restaurant’s clear commitment to using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. Upon being seated, you’ll be handed a paper menu to fill out. You’ll then check off small or large plates from an ever-changing menu. Dishes are designed around seasonally available ingredients (no fresh tomatoes in February, sorry, it doesn’t work that way). The servers are friendly and helpful, in my experience. If you can’t decide what you want, just let Navarre order your wine and food for you ($25).

This place gets packed some evenings. Consider going for brunch, and order up an unlimited cup of Stumptown.

Dining at Navarre is surprisingly affordable, especially considering the quality. You could easily drop three times the cash for half the delicious at an overpriced tapas joint that’s trying too hard. It’s also a real way to support Portland’s food economy as Navarre source their ingredients very locally. They do import certain items such as olive oil and vinegar from Europe. These and other non-perishable goods are displayed on shelves (and are mostly for sale) around the eating area. This is telling; the food is the art.

To sum up, Navarre is dynamic, like no other restaurant in the States, and won’t break the bank, though this depends on what you order.

Oh yeah, did I mention it’s the Oregonian’s 2009 restaurant of the year?

Location:

10 Northeast 28th Avenue

Open Mon-Thu 4:30pm-10:30pm; Fri 11:30am-11:30pm; Sat 9:30am-11:30pm; Sun 9:30am-10:30pm

To view an interactive map of the Kerns neighborhood, where Navarre is located, click here!