Cancel

Open app

Search

Bellwether Bar

4.5 (89 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago
Loading...

Bellwether Bar Photos

Business Info

BELLWETHER BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Hipster
Casual
Trendy

You might also consider

More like Bellwether Bar

Recommended Reviews - Bellwether Bar

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Cauliflower
Jacqueline C.

I can't believe it's been a year since I first tried this place. I honestly don't know why I only gave 4 stars back then. This spot is a gem and the food is amazing.

Tabor bread & burrata
Jenna H.

Very casual vibes with surprisingly amazing food. Everything was fresh, flavorful and perfect for sharing with friends. I can't wait to return when the weather is nicer to sit on the back patio!

radish and farro
Benjamin S.

This is a popular neighborhood bar, especially the back patio when the weather is nice. Very low-key casual vibes and the food menu has a lot of options whether you want to snack and drink or have a full dinner. You order at the bar and get a number. Like I said, pretty low-key, so sometimes there's just two people at the bar, one doing the drinks and one taking orders and the line can build up. But it does seem like the kitchen is pretty quick and the people bringing out the food is super nice and helpful. For the food, I really liked the "tomato cured shrooms," which are button mushrooms marinated in a tomato sauce. If you like ketchup and mushrooms like I do, then this is a fun snack. Something about the tomato flavor gives the mushrooms a pop. The roasted radish and farro was good, but the radish was cut a bit big. I didn't want a big entree, so I got the sausage, which was decent with white bean romesco and grilled scallions. The graham panna cotta was a nice way to cool down on a warm night. I went early and sat outside, and it was getting busier when I left so the recommendation is to go early. It's nice having places like Bellwether in the neighborhood.

This was a special--whipped cheese with chickpeas, roasted radishes, and beans. Perfection!
Ashley R.

I love Bellwether! Impeccable drinks, food & atmosphere. I can't wait to see what they do with the fantastic back patio--changes are coming!

Cheeseburger with a side of fries
Simply Sarah’s A.

We've passed by this place several times and always wanted to check it out and we're so glad we did. The atmosphere was just so amazing and cozy and inviting the food was just perfect and just enough. The service was amazing. We sat on the bar and just enjoyed a beautiful date night.

Grilled Prawns $21
Ben C.

Naturally cute ~ cozy indoor with a few tables around the house bar. A lot more picnic tables outside in the backyard though the overhead covers could use some mending for rainy days. Fun on sunny days, fun on rainy days too. Menu ~ somewhat pricey but tasty plates to share and nibble together. Decent beer on tap and interesting cocktails. Service is cordial & polite. Self serve utensils & water. Go early for a relaxed afternoon vibe. Stay longer for a much louder social scene with elevated music & talk. Much louder. Simple street parking around the bar.

Burrata and asparagus, grilled bread in the shadow in back.
Leif B.

Awesome cocktails and really good food! Order at bar and take a number with you. They have a great back patio for the summer, and definitely a cool old building vibe inside.

Burrata & Peaches, Seafood Roll, Harissa Roasted Cauliflower
Hee Y.

Street parking was easy. We arrived at 4pm Sunday and there were plenty of open tables inside and outside. We ordered at the bar. Cocktail 61 - one of the sweeter options. Harissa Roasted Cauliflower - it was good, but I was expecting a bit more flavor Burrata & Peaches - delicious & would order again Seafood roll - delicious; it was the favorite dish we ordered!

Brittani C.

Items we ordered: Devilled eggs Burrata & peaches with grilled bread Chickpea panisse Chantrelle tartine Beef tartare Braised pork belly Cocktail 62 Cocktail 57 Ferment "garden" lager You can't go wrong with any dish/drink you order. Everything had great texture, flavor, variety that created seamless dishes. You do order in the front so we recommend just keeping a tab open! Indoor and outdoor area is cozy and fun. They do have limited seats, but had no trouble finding one at opening. Staff was friendly and all around good vibes. We will be coming back!!

Steak
Nicolette S.

What a cute little spot! You order at the bar for both drinks and food - amazing cocktail list and menu. Popped in for an impromptu date night and sat at the bar. The staff were super friendly and the food was delicious. You can tell they use seasonal ingredients to curate their menu. We got steak, a salad (forget which), the bread & butter and the squash. We liked all of it! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because there was quite a wait for food. Even the bread and butter took more than 20 minutes to come out, then we got the sides, and finally the steak after probably 35ish minutes. Probably just an off night or kitchen super slammed all at once. Either way, we will be back!

Back Patio at the Bellwether. No action on a drizzly winter Saturday.
Michael H.

Really enjoyed my first visit to the Bellwether Bar! A friend and I visited on a recent trip to Ikea in Portland. He had identified this bar as a place he'd like to visit. So, on a rainy Saturday recently, we finally made it. The decor is great! it feels like a pub. It's kind of dark in various areas, but it is definitely cozy. We enjoyed some deviled eggs and a couple cheese burgers. I had one of the Bellwether's signature cocktails, the '69 (Don't).' Amaretto, Overproof Rum, Lemon, Dr. pepper and Coconut. It was pretty d4mn good! We will definitely be back when we're in East Portland! Especially in the Spring or Summer - their back patio looks awesome...

Chicken Tartare
Kareem A.

Bellwether bar was mad (British accent)! Seriously, if you can get a seat inside, it's the perfect vibe. Their drinks were great, beer and cocktails. This is also the first place I've tried chicken tartare and it was impressive. The mushroom toast was also filling and artisanal. The folks working there were super helpful and helped us get a seat, it was great. Highly recommend!

just a lil view from our seat at the bar

See all

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Superb burger and their "Burger Wine" was a good pairing choice. Nice location and seating choices.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Nice little garden patio and about 5 booths inside. Quality food and great mixed drinks.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 3 of 3

Ask the Community - Bellwether Bar

Is the restaurant and bar wheelchair accessible?

Are children allowed?

Yes. Fun setting out back.

View All 3 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Bars 18,320 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

Verify this business

The Chinese Cowboy

The Chinese Cowboy

4.1(20 reviews)
2.7 mi•Industrial District, Buckman, Central Eastside, Southeast Portland

Sad to hear this place closed…read more Warsugai rebranded as the Chinese Cowboy. A western / Chinese fusion of not just food but vibes. The food became a bit more paired down and focused more on sandwiches and burgers. BBQ with Asian slaw for example. It was still pretty good but I think it may have gave off a small identity crisis with what it was trying to do. I'll miss some of the food I've had at Warsugai and Chinese Cowboy.

TL:DR Lovely bar with unfortunately subpar food…read more.. To be painfully truthful I do hate writing sort of meh reviews especially for establishments that are locally owned but there are a couple of things that unfortunately left a bad taste in my mouth. To start off entering the bar was elegant, it feels high class. The ambiance was dark, intimate and again elegant. We stopped by before heading out to some clubs for the evening for some food and drinks. The drinks were delicious and refreshing. They really do take care of their cocktails. The server was pleasant and attentive, although it was a slower night. However when it came to the food it was disappointing to say the least, for a place when you first walk in that looks classy and upscale, you would expect the food to be somewhat decent. We ordered the dumplings and brisket fried rice. To be short the dumplings were chewy and felt undercooked in terms of steam dumplings. The brisket fried rice was overly salty and the brisket was not at all tender; in fact when I tried to share with it my wife I could not tear it apart with a fork or with even my hands, it felt fatty and chewy. Again, the vibes and general area of the bar was immaculate, I appreciated eating by a candlelight and enjoying some drinks, but when it came to the food I felt underwhelmed. I do wish the best for the place however.

Photos
The Chinese Cowboy
The Chinese Cowboy
The Chinese Cowboy

See all

Navarre - King Salmon

Navarre

3.9(482 reviews)
1.7 mi•Kerns, Northeast Portland
•$$

We did the ten-course chef's tasting menu at Navarre, and it was such a fun way to experience this…read morePortland institution! Navarre has been part of Portland's food scene since the early 2000s and guests are encouraged to explore a variety of small and large plates and eat however they want. The cuisine draws from French, Italian, and Spanish traditions, while incorporating seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients. Based on my research, Navarre also works with 47th Avenue Farms, with specials changing based on what arrives each week. So, getting to sit back and let the kitchen choose ten courses felt especially fitting for Navarre. Instead of deciding what we wanted, we got to experience a little bit of everything. We started with a pâté dish served with green beans and Dijon mustard, which was delicious and had a wonderful savory richness. There was also raw radish with butter, which was a very unique combination! It wasn't my favorite dish of the night, but I appreciated how unexpected it was. The cod over a green sauce was one of my favorites. The fish was excellent, and the sauce really brought everything together. We also had a delicious crab-and-potato cake that paired beautifully with a kohlrabi salad. The meats were excellent as well. The steak was delicious, and the lamb was flavorful and tender, served with what seemed to be a quinoa-like grain. We also had greens and a salad that helped balance some of the richer courses. And then there was the potato gratin. My gosh....flavorful, crispy, and wonderfully comforting. Honestly, potatoes rarely need to do much convincing with me. I loved the variety of the tasting menu. Over ten courses, we got fish, meat, vegetables, salads, grains, and plenty of different textures and flavors. It felt less like simply ordering dinner and more like going on a little culinary adventure. This was an extremely memorable meal for us!

We met a friend here last night - - he had been several times before, but it was our first time…read more Tables are pretty close together with a decent sized dining area and both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is clipboard style with lots of options - - just choose what you want in a small or large size. We shared a bunch of things - - but we were limited a bit because I am gluten-free and dairy-free, but what's new. The menu isn't marked for allergens, and our server wasn't quite sure what was safe for me - - she said to stay away from the gratins and that she would double check on the items we ordered to make sure they were ok. I'm not sure if what I had was made the way the chef normally prepares the dishes or if they altered dishes for my diet. So, keep this in mind while I run through my thoughts. Food came out in good time. Our table was filled with lots of little plates. Most of the vegetable dishes we ordered were kinda dry - cauliflower, zuchini, greens and the beets were ok. Nothing really special. The shrimp and tuna were prepared well. Wine, beer and cider only. Server was efficient. Street parking.

Photos
Navarre
Navarre - Zucchini Benedict, Bacon, Lamb + Tapenade, Cumin Cauliflower, Chard, Fried Eggs.

Zucchini Benedict, Bacon, Lamb + Tapenade, Cumin Cauliflower, Chard, Fried Eggs.

Navarre - Beer, wine and cider only

See all

Beer, wine and cider only

Parallel

Parallel

4.8(30 reviews)
1.7 mi•Kerns, Northeast Portland

We've been here twice now, and I thought I already wrote a review because it was really great the…read morefirst time. We have only been for pickup, breakfast items on sat. My wife found this place, and it has been on our list to check out. We were very happy to find out that they are selling biscuits now on sat, and you can preorder them. I also found out you can order through delivery apps too. We have tried breakfast biscuit sandwich. French toast sticks (wooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww!) Hashbrown sticks We need to come back and try some chicken. The biscuits: very tender, very moist, soft and fluffy texture. Good size, very buttery flavor, you would not need to add butter on this thing. My wife got sausage, I got an egg. The egg was really nice, like an omelet, with the cheese inside. They are not like southern biscuits, but that is ok, I'm not complaining at all. The texture reminded us of Salvadoran quesadilla, which is amazing if you have ever had it. It has dairy, buttermilk, sour cream and parm cheese, and sugar. Yum. Ok, back to the French toast sticks, these were both our favorites. I think this will be a permanent stop for us. The flavor and texture is like heaven. I chatted with the chef, it really is bread pudding, then fried up. That's how it should be, right!? It has some really nice spices added. It comes with a syrup butter glaze to dip them in, wooowww. Hash brown sticks: I don't think this name is really fitting. They are something more. Hash brown would be shredded potatoes, and these are not. They are crispy, and the seasoning is A+! they have so much spice and seasonings, really great job. For potatoes, they are really impressive. The texture is very creamy inside. Everyone these has been friendly. I got to chat a bit with the chef. Very nice guy. Everyone, order some French toast sticks!!! Some get some chicken. If you are a fan of carl's Jr. this is like the adult high end version that you always needed and didn't know existed.

Solid visit here for family dinner with my mother and siblings…read more They do the exclusive chicken menu which was a pleasant surprise with flavor and quality of the chicken. They did a great job with the sides, as well as the wine selections. Gonna need to come back and try some of the other menu options. They have some good wine and sparkling selections. A must visit.

Photos
Parallel - Restaurant entrance.

Restaurant entrance.

Parallel
Parallel

See all

Luc Lac - Luc Lac

Luc Lac

4.1(4.8k reviews)
3.6 mi•Downtown, Southwest Portland
•$$
Outdoor seating
Family-owned & operated

Luc Lac is a great spot if you're craving Vietnamese food! The decor is really fun, with neon…read morelights and a dragon that gives the place a cool, almost club-like vibe. It's definitely a nice spot for dinner. The service was great, and our food came out pretty quickly. You order at the counter first, and they give you a number to take to your table. There's complimentary water and utensils available on the side, which makes everything pretty convenient. You can also choose to sit inside, outside, or get your food to go. We ordered the pho with steak and brisket, and it was delicious! We also got the vermicelli with pork, which had a lot of flavor. The portions are pretty generous, so the vermicelli would be great to share. Overall, we had a great experience at Luc Lac. If you're craving Vietnamese food, I definitely recommend checking this place out!

Came in here after visiting long-time family friends that live in Bend who later decided to meet us…read morefor some eats in Portland proper before we headed back to Seattle. Let me tell you, if they had this place in Seattle, it would be poppin' for sure. Loved the decor, and the service was amazing. We were a party of 8, and they did the most to get us seated. They even combined two tables for us without too much wait. We appreciated this so much! This is one of those places where you order at the counter, and they bring your food to your table, although they also seat you. So you wait in line to order, and then you wait a little longer to get a seat. The menu is on a huge, lit-up billboard behind the counter, so you'll see folks crowded in that area trying to read it. The food was alright, no one was particularly blown away. I got a pho, and I would say it was okay. I think you come here more for the vibe and scratching that craving than for out-of-this-world food/flavors. The music is good, the servers were all super friendly, and it's a great vibe. Fyi, there's mostly street parking.

Photos
Luc Lac - Boo'd Up

Boo'd Up

Luc Lac - Indoor Dining

Indoor Dining

Luc Lac - Papaya Salad, Luc Lac, Pho Train, Coconut Curry, Cream Cheese Wonton

See all

Papaya Salad, Luc Lac, Pho Train, Coconut Curry, Cream Cheese Wonton

The Observatory - Tomato Bisque

The Observatory

4.3(2.6k reviews)
1.0 mi•Montavilla, Southeast Portland
•$$

This was some of the best food I've had in a while! I was a little iffy about coming here for lunch…read moresince I had been here once for dinner and it wasn't my favorite experience, but I'm so glad I gave it another try. The lunch portions were incredibly generous, especially the grilled cheese and fries, which were actually a kids meal! The buffalo chicken Caesar wrap was a little lacking in Caesar flavor, but where it lacked in Caesar, it definitely made up for it with the buffalo flavor, and it was still incredible. 10/10 across the board! The customer service was also amazing, and the staff were genuinely such a pleasure to interact with. And the little doodle on the bag was just the cutest added bonus! Definitely left much happier with this visit than my first one!

Came here recently with a friend and left thoroughly impressed. We started with the oregano fried…read morebread appetizer, served with a crème fraîche basil sauce and a roasted tomato dipping sauce -- it was absolutely delicious and set the tone for the rest of the meal. For mains, my friend ordered the elk burger, and as a self-proclaimed elk burger connoisseur, her approval means something -- she thoroughly enjoyed it. I went with the pulled pork sandwich, which was good and flavorful, and paired really well with their pepper & cabbage coleslaw on the side. We also split a cup of the roasted red pepper and tomato bisque, which was honestly a highlight of the whole meal -- rich, well-balanced, and worth ordering on its own. Drinks deserve a shoutout too: their non-alcoholic options were great. My friend raved about the guava lemonade, and I had the blueberry vinegar shrub, which was excellent -- bright, crisp, and refreshing.

Photos
The Observatory - Love the decor and ambiance

Love the decor and ambiance

The Observatory - Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)

Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)

The Observatory - Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)

See all

Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)

Bellwether Bar - bars - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...