Just ate here for the first time and really enjoyed. My young adult daughter, who's a picky eater, demolished her gnocchi, corn on the cob, and creme caramel. My husband loved the penne with vodka sauce. I ordered the risotto and bread pudding, both of which were among the best I've had. My Aperol spritz was maybe a tad too watery (I'm used to them in Europe, with no ice), but my kid enjoyed her blood orange cocktail. The ambience is sort of casual elegant? Upscale casual? In other words, nice but not at all stuffy. Our waitress was excellent. It wasn't a hurried meal, which was fine with all of us. The restaurant is located just off Hawthorne (three doors down, of course) on 37th. That block has been made into a plaza, which may or not be a permanent change. But for now it's pleasant and there was live music. We live in the neighborhood and will definitely be returning. read more

We had a lovely dinner (early Valentine's Day). I had the special (sole) and my hubby had his fav - penne with vodka sauce. Service was excellent! I was sad to learn a week later that they are closing at the end of this month. So sad to lose this high quality establishment. read more

Beautiful street walking day in Hawthorne, relaxing in the makeshift outdoor seating off the sidewalk. Enjoyed some lite bites ~ beets, meatballs. Gnocchi a bit too soft. Cavatelli Bolognese $29 & Sea Scallops $32 were tasty. Service was reasonable but expected more from a $$$. Kept us from ordering dessert and opted to pass. Yes, there are actually 3 doors ;) read more

3 Doors Down - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Could not be happier that the original owners are back and have resurrected this Portland classic restaurant. The food was amazing as it always had been. I had the albacore and it was cooked perfectly, very fresh and just a delicious summer dinner. They have some of the best chicken pate I've ever had and the scallops were outstanding. Great cocktails, wine. Our waitress was great. Even on a busy evening she made time to chat with us and she made a great selection of wine to pair with my dinner. I have been going here since 2003, it is a true Portland classic and it is so nice to have it back. Do not miss this place. read more

3 Doors Down - Albacore - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It's hard for anyone to lay claim to the most visited portions of Hawthorne, but there are many ways to make them yours: Bypass multiple McMenamins to hit the Backstage Bar on a day when there's no football playing. Skip Powell's and thumb through the sidewalk racks at David Morrison. Bypass the crowds at Hawthorne Vintage and Red Light and duck into telephone. Breeze by the brunch lines at the Waffle Window, Jam, and Fried Egg I'm In Love and take a seat at Bread and Ink. But with the new plaza now shutting down 37th between Tov and Straight From New York, the best advice is to just enjoy 3 Doors Down now that it's back. During its original incarnation, 3 Doors Down was one of maybe a handful of places in the city that actually cared about producing viable, consistent Italian-American fare that extended beyond a date night in the Pearl. Dave took an East Coast staple, a mild vodka sauce over penne, and gave it a peppery kick and a healthy mix of local, seasonal ingredients. His fusilli with sun gold tomatoes, pan squash, and ricotta, his gnocchi with fresh corn and poblano sauce... even a basic summer batch of steamer clams is better with fresh garlic, basil, and the right white wine. You now hear Dave's goal of combining traditional Italian-American recipes with Pacific Northwest ingredients echoed among a new generation of the city's chefs. Vin Picone's sandwiches up north, the parms of Sit-Tite and Gabbiano's, the sauces and pastas of Montelupo, the foccacia's of Sebbasitano's... all take cues from Dave and work with the region instead of fighting it. You can have the comforts of the place you remember while embracing the best of the area you love, and I'm glad Dave found the energy to come back and give Portland a second crack at this place that clearly understands it. Seeing all tables packed for an August Sunday dinner made me grateful that the neighborhood would have 3 Doors Down as its own for a while longer, and that more people would have a chance to claim it as part of what they take away from their visit or lives along Hawthorne. read more

Adding these comments simply as requiem for 3 Doors Down now that reports have been confirmed that they closed a few days ago, without notice in advance to staff or customers who held reservations, and the closure is permanent. Alas, a sad way for this wonderful place to execute the closing. Since we discovered it in 2013 when we spent a month in Portland in observation (note I did not say celebration) of a Big-Zero birthday for me to eat at places serving delicious food, 3 Doors Down was one of our favorites for all the reasons I mentioned in my review at that time. In those days we lived only 3 1/2 hours from Portland and when we'd go back to visit for a couple of days at a time, 3 Doors Down was often on our list to visit. We now live 6 1/2 hours away and the combination of distance and covid and post covid issues in Portland means we haven't been back since 2020. Even so, every once in a while I would read their current menu to my husband and ask, "Why can't restaurants in our town do delicious dishes like this and at these manageable price points?" Creative food, responsibly sourced, neighborhood prices and welcoming interior. There is a kind of grief that goes along with places like this bidding arrivederci to the community. Particularly when the leaving is so sudden. read more

Excellent food and really helpful,friendly and knowledgeable staff. You deserve. 5 * rating! Thank you. Arline and Ron C. read more

3 Doors Down has been our go-to neighborhood spot for as long as we can remember. We loved the menu, team, & cozy environment. When the place changed hands some years back we remained regulars, having dinner on Sundays most often. The menu changed slowly, & not for the better. The staff changed, & eventually we found other spots to call our headquarters. 3 Doors closed not that long ago, & we were not all that surprised. Fast forward to this evening. The new owners are the old owners! The menu is back! Some of the staff is back! We had an awesome meal & a completely enjoyable evening. Again!! read more

Just like I remember! The original owner and chef, so very awesome, prices that are reasonable, so very good, so delicious, romantic atmosphere and awesome service. PERFECT! Cavatelli and Banana cream pie. read more

3 Doors Down - Cavatelli - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place is back! We frequented this place under the original owner--it was our favorite restaurant, but after it was sold, the place just lost its way. We visited recently after we heard that the original owner returned and OMG! The food was just as good as i remembered. Looking forward to going back! read more

Great food. Service is excellent. I've been eating here for years. I'm glad they are back up and running.

I've been eating at 3 Doors Down since it opened initially in the mid-90's. I'm Italian and it's been my favorite and my family's go to restaurant. When it sold a few years back and continued under new ownership, it remained good if not great, and I was sad when the new ownership suddenly closed it down. But that turned out to be fortuitous as it led to the return of original chef Dave who was always the main attraction. His take on mixing traditional US E Coast Italian cooking with NW fresh ingredients and seafood is the real deal. The prices are reasonable, the cocktails and wine list are first rate, and the banana cream pie and tiramisu are exquisite. The signature pasta with vodka sauce and sausage remains, and 3DD still presents the best caesar salad in Portland. Let's turn out and support the triumphant return of Portland's most reliable and underrated Italian restaurant! read more

I tried two pastas. They had a special for 2 pastas and a bottle of wine for $40. That is the price a full dish on their menu. The tomato base pasta was heavy with anchovy and olives. The other is a cream sauce with mushrooms and parmesan. Classic dishes that are done perfectly. With great mixed drinks and service that come with fine dining, I can't wait to return. read more

3 Doors Down - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Went here years ago and couldn't remember much so went back last weekend. Got a last minute reservation for 4 on a Saturday night but didn't get fully filled all night but was busy. The fresh pasta was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed their dish. I had a Bolognese sauce. I had a Pinot Grigio and it was good. Maybe the owner stopped by or manager when we had a dietary question and was very nice. All in all we need to come back soon. read more

This was a little bit of a surprise. We wanted to go to one of our regular restaurants but they had closed for vacation (they earned it!). So we went to a new Indonesian place - well new to us but they close at 9 and it was 8:50. So we ended up here at 3 doors down with the late-night bites menu. Being very hungry I was disappointed first. Even more when I heard the meatball was out. They instead had a fish cake, a halibut fish cake. I had the cheese plate and a summer salad which was a delicious greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette some almonds and cheese. And the fish cakes came! What a treat! Since I was so hungry we had to order a second serving of salad and cakes - and we have been lucky since we got the last portion. This is a new takeover from Jef as the new owner and he will take this place to a gem. We keep all fingers pressed since he deserves it he and his chef have great ideas and a tasty concept! So we will be back to enjoy more and more! read more

This place will make you want to celebrate everything little in life, if it involves coming here to celebrate. We came here for an anniversary celebration and they really hit the mark, and more, on all aspects. We weren't sure if this would be "too fancy" of a place but they couldn't be homeier or more welcoming. The decors were nice and warm, just like everybody that works there. Needless to say, service was impeccable. Water constantly filled, extra complimentary bread, desserts on the house for our anniversary. For food, we felt like we're taken on a whole new experience. The food sounded familiar but they're put together in such a unique and interesting way that we felt like we've never had a version of that this like that before. The Eggplant Parm was comforting with fresh ingredients. The Pork Tenderloin packed a punch with the coffee and chocolate rub. The Brocollini on the side was also very tasty. If there was one dish I demand that everyone tries is their Seasonal Scallop and Peach. Everybody their reccommended and said that it's "crazy good". We didn't know what to expect but those exact two words are the only way to describe them. CRAZY GOOD. We practically wiped the plate clean. The sauce was caramel-y but paired amazingly with the huge scallops that were seared to perfection. Those and the slices of peach...I still think about the dish. For our complimentary desserts, we went with the Banana Cream Pie that was, of course, delicious. Great consistency of the banana cream. The fresh banana went very well with the whipped cream and buttery crust. Eventhough we're stuffed we had to really resist the urge to get multiple desserts...They all sounded so good. I really don't know what else to say but I'm ready to go back. Honestly, a great spot for any occasion even if you just wanted a drink. Theirs is flavorful and strong. Do go check them out, if you haven't already! read more

See all

Barry is the best Seever I have Ever had. Ask for him please!!! You will not regret

Three Doors Down is amazing! The bread appetizer with white bean spread is very unique, slightly garlicky. We ordered the Pappardelle bolognese which had al dente noodles, a sweet tomato sauce (almost like a vodka sauce) and a special of Eggplant parmigiana which had a very breaded flavor but great tomato sauce. The outside heaters were super warm and the drink menu had a wide variety of wines and some specialty cocktails. read more

3 Doors Down - Pappardelle bolognese - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Consistently excellent! I try to catch them on an off day and it's impossible - they are just that good! Wait staff is on it! Friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. The restaurant has remained comfortable and unpretentious while still a great intimate spot for date night. The bar tender is a hoot and chats it up with everyone. Our pasta was cooked to perfection, husbands bolognese was rich, flavorful- excellent. They accommodated my request to leave the prawns off and adjusted the pricing. The dish was still 4 stars and I had to guard the plate from the hubby. Lastly, their bread and white bean dip... need I say more? I could make this a meal! read more

Very glad this place is open again. Great supper, and fun, every time. Original owner knows what he's doing, and considering wonderful ingredients I think the pricing is really fair ( vs San Diego esp ). Love to hear what is on special. read more

Starting out with seafood in mind choosing 3 doors down knowing the have the scallops on the menu. Reservations online we arrive and enter the front door greeted by a big ol' husky with professionalism reminds me of the dinner in Budapest where in the back of the restaurant mafiosa type laughter came from the owner and his guests smoking cigars and drinking whiskey while the chef served each dish personally. A gypsy band with white cloth on the violin played for the guests table side. Oh...back to 3 doors down. Nice bar to the left with a couple guests sipping on high ball type refreshing summer drinks. We were seating outside at an impressive street addition next to the traffic across the street is the Buffalo 2nd hand store for people watching. We started with bread and olives. The bread had a bean spread. The olives are your standard mix of green and black olives in olive oil. I set the bar from my time with my 2nd family in Benalua, Granada, Spain where all the village families of Benalua grow olives. Anthony Bourdain once commented on their olive oil their logo is "amaro y pico" Bourdain said this while placing the bottle for the camera to pick up on the picnic table. We then moved to the scallops and summer peaches with truffle oil, basil and cream in a sauce which would make a YouTuber proud you could spoon the cream sauce. Next were the steamer clams with the parmesan cheese you could spoon this sauce as well. All OG induced coma not a morsel to spare. Pasta was the fettuccine, prawns & clams and the pepper had a real kick with a reddish orange glare coming from the sauce. At the same type we had the pork chop mashed summer squash at the height of inn season. Fava beans and sage flavors lingered a bit as well. If you want great service, nice ambiance and astounding food this is a great place. Tip your wait staff! read more

3 Doors Down - Conde de Benalua Olive oil label from the pueblo en Spain - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Excellent food! The penne with vodka sauce and sausage is absolutely spectacular. Highly recommend.

Came here while i was visiting Portland, I am glad Portland can represent when it comes to Italian cuisine! For appetizers we got the Italian meats and the scallops. The scallops were perfectly done as the texture was nice and soft and not that of rubber. We got Pork chop and the Short rib special dishes. They were both just oozing of wonderful flavor and were very savory. The sauces and both were both excellent, I could have really used a straw to lap up what was left of them. The drinks are also worth a mention. I have noticed in alot Italian restaurants cocktails are on the drier side, but 3 Doors Down has a nice mix of sweet drinks as well. Its too bad I had not eaten here sooner! I heard its been around for awhile so i am a little bummed I did not find it sooner. read more

See all

Impeccable service, great food and a strawberry mojito I would go back for alone. I hope people realize that this place is back open and worth visiting. The location is also wonderful, we had early reservations, so we were able to visit the Buffalo Exchange before dinner and Powells after. read more

The staff and owner were very friendly. Plus, the food was delicious. The clam chowder was different from most I'd had before, but it was amazing. The chicken special was also very good, with a great sauce as well. They made a delicious mocktail-almost reading my mind on how to make it. I'm very glad I stopped by for dinner! read more

See all

I love Italian food and I have great options in my neighborhood. Decided to go to Hawthorne instead this time to have dinner with the parents. From a decor perspective you can tell it's 2000's era. I've heard of this place but had never gone in. Do not pass up this place! It's not trendy but I can understand how they've been in business for awhile, the food is simple, the decor is tasteful and the place is warm and inviting. I had the seafood pasta and it was delicious. A little spicy, plenty of clams and shrimp and a great sauce to noodle ratio. The noodles were cooked perfectly, I ate the whole dish and almost licked the plate. I would come back for this dish alone. read more

Had dinner here on a Friday night. Parking was difficult but it was beyond worth it. We had a fabulous dinner and perfect cocktails. We met the owner Jeff and he's so welcoming and personable. Made us really feel like we were dining at his home. Our server Kerry was an absolute rockstar. We could have easily just hung out to talk to them both all night. The bean spread and chicken liver pate were so creamy and delicious. We had some sliced meats and they were decadent. We almost didn't save room for our meal. The dinner special was chicken with perfectly sautéed greens on polenta with a rich sauce. It was perfection!!! My boyfriend had the ziti loved it. We will come back again and again. You should go too!!! read more

Returned here after several years and it was just as good as we remembered. The waitstaff were very friendly and helpful. The restaurant is really cute and quaint. We didn't realize that there was outdoor seating until we got there, and it was covered and also very cute. We were sat next to a lovely bay window. The food was excellent. Nothing went unfinished and we didn't even have anything left to go. The pasta was perfectly tender and you could tell it was made in house. While bolognese may not normally be very fancy, this is special. The ground meat is incredibly soft and flavorful, and pairs perfectly with the pasta and sauce. The fettuccini pasta had a kick, and the seafood was cooked perfectly. I've had my fair share of flourless chocolate cakes and this was one of the very top! So rich and decadent. The piece looks small on the large plate, but it is plenty! Everything was fantastic and made for a great night! read more

See all

This is a classic Portland spot, which was recommended to us by a Hawthorne veteran. Their wine and pasta is super tasty and it's pretty nice to sit outside or at the bar. The bartender has always been really friendly and we always look forward to stopping in for dinner. read more

We did enjoy our experience, however, we were quite disappointed in the serving size of the Capellini with Mushroom Pasta dish. My husband can eat a lot, and there was barely even a cup of pasta in his bowl. I wish our waitress would have informed us that the portion size was so small. I ended up giving him both of my sausages from the vodka sauce dish, and asking for more bread, so he could be filled up before we left for our event. We did order the bean spread (which was very yummy, but could have definitely used a bit more salt) as an appetizer, but that wasn't enough including his pasta plate to satiate him, which sadly left him hungry as we left. It was a bummers, since the dish was about $25 and he didn't get much for it. The vodka sauce dish is always a delight. The Capellini pasta with mushrooms tasted AMAZING, but the portion size was simply way too small. As many of us know, budgets can be tight, and not every diner can afford to order an appetizer, a starter, a pasta course and a dessert. I'm not sure we will be back, since leaving hungry wasn't on the agenda that evening. read more

I've lived in Portland for longer than many Yelpers have been alive, and it seems to me that 3 Doors Down was already a destination restaurant when we moved here. If that's not strictly the case, they have at least been a part of Portland's food culture long enough to truly be called a classic. And 'classic' is the way I'd describe the experience here - I mean that in the best possible sense - efficient, reliable staff and a varied, reliable menu. Pasta with Vodka Sauce has been their signature for as long as I can remember being aware of 3 Doors Down, and it remains my go-to. On a recent visit, we found that the bar menu had everything we wanted on that particular evening, and we saved a few dollars in the process - but regardless of where you find yourself sitting, you're in for a treat. read more

See all

The only reason we're giving two stars instead of one is that our server was phenomenal. We came in for Valentine's Day, and had a pretty late reservation. It was crazy busy, as all holidays can be but everyone who greeted us was very polite. The first course was a shrimp cocktail and a endive and radicchio salad, and they were both great!! The second course was where it started going downhill quick. My wife got the scallops, which were disappointing. They were only seared on one side and very rubbery in texture. I got the lobster bisque, and while the flavor was good it was no way even comparable to a bisque. We have a suspicion that the bisque was just the broth used in the third course cioppino, as it was very thin and had the same exact flavor. The cioppino was alright, but seemed to lack substance, as well as the fish being overdone. The lamb from the third course lacked any flavor, but the polenta and vegetables were great. Dessert was similar to the first course in that they tasted good and seemed to be the correct dish. All in all, we understand it was an extremely busy day and we were at the end of the night, we just weren't satisfied nor did we feel that we got what we paid for. $300 for good apps/desserts and less than pleasant entrees seems a bit odd. read more

3 Doors Down - Valentine's Day menu - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love this place! As a NJ girl from a large Italian family, when I moved to Portland 20 years ago, it was nearly impossible to find a good Italian meal let alone a great one. A friend brought me to Three Doors Down and I've been a regular ever since. They are a Portland Classic for a reason. During Covid they are doing take out, and when allowed, provide indoor dining. But how I miss sitting at the bar! Many nights after a hard day of work and a long commute, I would park myself at a bar stool and let the bartender mix me a cocktail while I enjoyed a delicious meal. The pork cutlet with a side of sautéed spinach was my go to and since it was always on the all night happy hour menu, it came at a stellar price. The tender pork was breaded and fried perfectly topped with a lemon caper sauce, it was so tender you could cut it with a fork. The spinach and garlic the perfect side. When I wanted decadence, I would get the Italian Mac and cheese. Rigatoni cooked in a rich cheese sauce, the top brown and crisp, and when the fork broke through, you would hit all the ooey, gooey goodness below. Divine. Their spaghetti with clam sauce is always a winner, classic flavors of garlic, lemon and white wine with lots of tender clams. Pair this with the crisp iceberg lettuce wedge topped with blue cheese dressing, always refreshing, and an order of bread from Lovejoy Bakery and their famous white bean spread for a perfect meal for two. And the dish that started it all, the Penne with Vodka Sauce is the benchmark for all vodka sauce dishes that I've had since. A rich tomato cream sauce with a kick that hits after a few bites. Two large sausage complete the dish making it easy to share or a follow up lunch the next day. Which is what I do. Even through the recent change of ownership, the consistency remains. This is a neighborhood restaurant where everyone is welcome even if you aren't from the neighborhood. Friendly service. Consistently delicious food. Always a good meal. When this Covid thing normalizes and we can sit at a bar again, this is the first place I'll go for a meal! read more

Delicious as always! Friendly service. Join their mailing list to learn about upcoming specials. read more

3 Doors Down - Chicken and pork meatball special - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

It's closed. Have made reservations twice but when we showed up the restaurant was empty.

Food..Spectacular. Service..Stellar Ambiance.. comfortable Owner.. amazing Support this place, it is a Portland treasure! read more

Been coming to 3 Doors Down for years. The food almost never disappoints. My favorites are the Bibb salad, Scallops, Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce. Also the Eggplant Parm is great. The Banana cream pie is so good. The staff are wonderful and very attentive. The ambience is very relaxing. The cocktails are great as well. read more

This was our first opportunity to dine out in the world again since COVID. That's right, I went nine months without being taken out proper! We selected Three Doors Down off Hawthorne this time around and we were pleasantly surprised. We opted to dine outside and thanks to the city opening up streets for patio space this could happen. We had a friendly masked server who was very prompt and attentive. I started out with a nice house mocktail. Sour cherry and cranberry made a delectable non-alcoholic beverage and so perfect on a summer evening. We were served a nice cannelloni bean spread to pair with Grand Central bread- and it was free! Second orders only three dollars more. While we enjoyed our first course, we decided to split an appetizer order of juicy heirloom tomatoes with toast points, fresh basil pesto and fresh burrata cheese. (14.00) The tomatoes were so plump and red, they tasted like someone had just plucked them from a vine outdoors! The cheese was mild and looked like it had just came from a kitchen cheesecloth! For an entree I opted for house made fettuccini with prawns, clams, chorizo, corn, green onion and red Fresno peppers. (30) These prawns were gigantic and in fact my dining companion told me they were too big to eat whole and instead of cut them up. That's how big and succulent they were! If you don't feel like dropping thirty dollars on an entree, you could try something like the house spaghetti with lamb rags! It comes in two sizes, 13 & 26$. Creamy ragu with minced lamb. We ordered that too and it did not disappoint! Now, for the best part, DESSERT! Try the banana pie (8) or the blueberry and peach clafoutis! (7) While the menu isn't very extensive, the food is great quality and it's a great place to take someone on date night night. Take it from me! read more

See all

Confirmed reservation for Thursday Oct 17. Arrived at 5:30. Place closed and locked up. No call. No explanation. Had chatted up my friends about the place. Doubt I can coax them back. What gives? read more

Being an East coast girl my standards for Italian may be a bit high. 3 doors down was on my "to try" for awhile. We did get the famous peach scallops along with a mixed seafood linguini and a mint eggplant Bolognese. It was just ok. The bolognese was just a bit too minty the seafood in a wine cream sauce was lacking cream and flavor. The scallops were oversold on the flavor though cooked well which props for that. Best part of the night was the adult slushy. read more

3 Doors Down - Italian Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all