Island Cafe is one of the best spots to spend a summer afternoon! This cafe is floating right on the Columbia River! It's a great place to watch the boats and floating homes. The service has always always been top notch. They are also dog friendly! I came here with my parents and their small dog. When we sat down they brought a little dog treat and a water bowl for him. I ordered the halibut fish and chips. The breading is light and not too greasy. The fries were yummy too! I plan to visit again before the summer is over. read more

We just happened to come on the very last day of the season and if you are wondering when that is, it's the last weekend of September. Because it's the last day, food and appetizers are half off until they run out. Drinks and desserts are not and togo orders are not. You will see a board out front with items that are 86'ed, so get there early enough. Parking is almost always a pain here as it fills up quickly in the lot and you might need to park on the street. The ramp down to the dock is very steep. If you have mobility issues, you may want to pass. Once you get there, there is a nice waiting area with island music playing that is covered and the restaurant itself also has that island theme. There is an inside and outside seating area. Outside means you can see the boats and river. Our service was fantastic and our food was delicious. Definitely another one I might choose to share with my partner. Wait staff were friendly. I just love the vibe of the whole place and you can just eat and drink your worries away. read more

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I come here at least once a year, the view and vibe truly is worth it, feels like you're on vacation! Service is always good as well. We ordered popcorn shrimp, poke and shrimp ceviche, the popcorn shrimp was the best out of the 3, but I'm not sure they're made onsite? The poke desperately needed salt, and the ceviche had BABBBBY shrimp, and was very watery. If your name is ISLAND cafe, I expect as close to authentic ISLAND foods. Meh I'll at least go for the drinks and key lime pie read more

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Went in today for one of the last three days of the season. Really good Rubin sandwich and fries. The bartender was really sweet and talkative. All the windows were close, it was way too windy today. Can't wait till next year for another piece of key lime pie. read more

Island Cafe - Kitchen window - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

5 stars all the way! What a great spot in Portland! The views of the water the indoor outdoor seating it's like you're on a little mini Vacay! We had the fish tacos and the clam chowder along with a beer and the happy mermaid cocktail! Service is quick friendly and efficient! The fish tacos are delicious crispy fish nice portion definitely shareable! The clam chowder is probably one of the best I've had! Look forward to going to this spot again!! I also love that you can order a cocktail while waiting for your table because there's always a way to this great spot!! read more

Island Cafe - Great views while waiting for a table! - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Paid my first visit to Island Cafe just before hopping on my flight home. My friend and his sons love this place and I can see why. Definitely a fun place with friendly staff and unique location. They were very accommodating and gave us a table after a 20-minute wait even though they said it would be closer to 45 minutes. I'm sure that's because I mentioned that I had a flight to catch. Unfortunately, that meant that we had an interior table very close to the bar so we didn't have a view of the river ~ but we could watch the World Cup so that was a bonus. Loved the onion petals and virgin piña coladas! Food was delivered piping hot, which is always great. Only downsides (besides not getting a table with a river view) was the lackluster cole slaw and the faint funky smell to the place, almost like dirty carpet in a bar, but the breeze generally kept that at bay. Would gladly come back again! read more

Cute place to have some food and enjoy the view, especially on a nice day. Drinks were good, but not very strong. I ordered the beer battered halibut tacos. The fish was delicious and fresh, but the tacos needed some salsa for extra flavor. The staff were very friendly. read more

Island Cafe - Beer battered halibut tacos - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food - 5 stars (especially the onion petals) Server - 4 stars (would've gotten 5, but we think he mixed up our drinks even though we asked) Ambiance - 5 stars until the guy docked next to us started up his loud, stinky boat Drinks - 5 stars for flavor but since we couldn't tell which Bloody had tequila & which had vodka, they must not have had much in them, but the flavor was great. Other - 3 stars for the girl who came by asking to take our plates away while I was still eating. read more

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I'm Hooked!! What a fun vibe here, you feel like you're on a tropical vacation there if the weather is cooperating! I have just recently moved back to Vancouver/Portland area after 20 years in Arizona- I don't recall ever being here before and I'm bummed to have missed out until now! To make it up I have already revisited- so, 2 visits in a month is a pretty good indicator that I really enjoy the place. Staff is super friendly, seating can be a wait especially at peak times and weekends. Parking is also pretty difficult at times- because it's popular! I loved the Pina Colada there, my friend had a Moscow Mule and both were perfectly prepared. First, visit we shared the Lobster wrap and thank goodness- it's huge! Second time I dash the Fired Calamari and my friend had the BBQ Pork Tacos- we both loved our meals. What always makes it so special is the views of the marina and boats on the water. It definitely makes you feel very Jimmy Buffet going to Margaritaville!! read more

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We were seated outside right away at 12:30 on a slightly chilly weekday, which was nice. The menu is large with lots of options. I had a Hawaiian burger with chicken subbed for hamburger, and my husband had a pulled pork bowl. Both were very tasty, and I also liked the curry mac salad. Service was very friendly but also slow, which is fine since you're probably not in a hurry here. However, the server got both my husband's drink and his main course wrong. Both were corrected, but it was a little annoying because he had to wait for the right food while I was eating mine. Prices are a little on the high side. But you're floating on the river, so that's entirely forgivable. (Why doesn't Portland have more restaurants beside or on the water? It's a little weird.) read more

Can't wait to go back Halibut Fish and chips were the best I have ever had and staff was slammed but still so sweet. Ambiance on the river was so fun !!!!!! Best spot to be Drive up dining !!!! From your boat too read more

Island Cafe - Halibut fish and chips best ever !!!!!!!! - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I like writing reviews for places like this. Seasonal restaurants come with a vibe and only a limited amount of things that they can offer and do. Makes it easy to give easy compliments. We discovered Island Cafe for the first time this past summer. Hot day, been at Rooster all day, exhausted and needed a drink and dinner... why not end the day on the River? Island Cafe is a floating restaurant on the Columbia River. It holds a great deal of people, but expect to wait. That's part of the charm. They're busy. They're always busy. Doesn't matter when you go, they're busy. Staff is always seemingly smiling and friendly. Be ready to give your order fast, everyone wants a table and they're always working through their wait list. The drinks are just fine. Nothing special. They usually show up in a timely fashion. They do well at both cocktails and martinis, I've had both (of course!) Food is pretty solid. This is a glorified bar but their chef does right by their patrons. I've had a chicken sandwich that was good and one of their salads. I really like the salad. It was huge and filling. The place is pricey. You're gonna pay for a floating restaurant on the River... but you're also floating while you eat! Enjoy the experience! We always love coming back. Looking forward to next Summer! read more

Island Cafe - Ahi Tuna Salad - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Still worth a trip during their online season from May to fall. P cleaned his plate of clam strips and onion petals ($3.50 upgrade) and the halibut & chips were as good as I remember from 2025. I learned my lesson and ordered a cup instead of a bowl of chowder to dip the fries in. Their food is so good but too rich to indulge more than once a year. We'll be back in 2027! read more

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Such a cool spot! This whole area is just totally unique, but a tropical themed restaurant & bar on the water is great. Especially in summer. Around 5 pm on a Saturday you can expect a wait but all the employees were positive and friendly. They had all the roll up doors open to the water and outdoor seating, so even sitting inside felt like being outside. Our waiter was great, especially given our three grumbly children that had spent all day on the water and were exhausted. I ordered a spicy blood mary, popcorn shrimp & the onion straws (whatever they call em) and the pulled pork sandwich (which I shared with the husband who ordered the cubano). Everything was ready fairly quickly, we truly didn't have to wait too long. Popcorn shrimp was just ok, kind of the generic solid breading. The onion was better but wish there had been more (we had 9 people afterall). Pulled pork was good but it need the BBQ sauce, as it was a touch dry. The cubano was the best of everything, lots of flavor. And the bread wasn't so thick or tough that was too much work. My drink was very good but I'm not entirely sure there was alcohol in it. This is a cool spot and worth a try. read more

Island Cafe - Pulled pork sandwich - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Beautiful harbor view with a fun coastal island vibe. Service was fast and friendly. We had the clam strips and coconut fried shrimp which were both delicious. Prices were reasonable and portions were generous. Parking did seem scarce, so I could foresee that posing a challenge on busier days. It was a little bit out of the way for us based on where we were staying but it was well worth the drive. read more

Island Cafe - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

On a recent work trip to Portland, I had lunch here, on the recommendation of a coworker. I was not disappointed. The place has a semi-touristy island/beach vibe with an also local cult that one might expect of Lahaina or San Diego. This makes sense, given that it's located on an upscale island (Tomahawk Island) in the Columbia river. It appears to be quite popular, as there was a substantial wait for groups. Luckily, I was lunching solo. So many seafood offerings were tempting, and I settled on the seared ahi tacos. I left off the ranch dressing, because I actually like tasting the fish. They were perfect. Service was quick and friendly. I will try to return for dinner, because the marina view, casual vibe and delicious food are just begging me to order a beer or some wine. read more

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Today i&my dog visited Island Cafe. The place was extremely busy and we waited almost 2 hours for a table, but honestly, it was worth it. We came here to relax by the river, enjoy the beautiful view, and have a peaceful time -- and the atmosphere truly delivered that. The food was excellent. The Spicy Chicken Wings were absolutely perfect -- crispy, flavorful, and not overly salty at all. The Lobster Salad Stuffed Avocado was yummy too. Everything we ordered was delicious. I also want to compliment the serving staff today. Even though the restaurant was very busy, they were attentive, friendly, professional, and had great service mind throughout our visit. I really appreciated their hard work and kindness.(Thank you Rachael) Unfortunately, our experience ended on a sad note. As we were walking out of the restaurant, there was a dog underneath a table located along the exit walkway. We did not even notice the dog was there until it suddenly jumped out and attacked my dog. It shocked and scared me very much. I am a-dog lovers, and i forgive the dog itself -- animals can react unexpectedly sometimes. However, the owner was not following the restaurant's leash policy, which is clearly stated by the restaurant. My dog behaved very well the entire time: calm, quiet, and never aggressive toward anyone. I hope the restaurant can kindly remind all customers with dogs to keep them leashed and close at all times for everyone's safety and comfort. What upset me the most was that I never even received an apology from the dog owner, even though their dog initiated the attack. read more

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Hava great lunch on the Colombia River on a sunny Sunday at the Island Cafe. Can life get any better? read more

Island Cafe - Hawaiian burger with lots of fries and a Pacifico Beer. - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Super cool restaurant located on the river. Great food, service and drinks. We went on a summer day and there was a wait, but wasn't too long. The building is located down on the dock so may be a challenge for some. read more

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Very cool location! See the water. See the mountain. Even inside feels like you're sitting outside. Very busy while we were there, but bar and railing seats are open seating, so we managed to grab a couple of seats on the railing and got to look out on the water. Service was excellent! Our server, Rachel l, was great! Super sweet and honest about what to order. We had fish and chips and coconut shrimp sub onion petals for the fries. No complaints about any of it. I do wish the onion petals had been a little crispier. The sweet chili sauce that came with the shrimp was really good. Just the right amount of heat and sweet. I'm not usually a fan of tartar sauce, but I took some home with my left overs. Good stuff. Four stars because the margaritas were the best. Good but not great and I've had my fair share of margaritas. It didn't stop me from drinking it, but I'll probably try something different next time. So yeah, we'll be back. read more

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This place was slightly better than okay for me. If I could give half ratings, this place would have been a 3.5. The service and location were great. The food wasn't bad at all or anything (it wasn't particularly amazing or anything either). I felt like I was on an island with all the interior decorations and the venue being right on the river. I was here with a big-ish group so I got to try a few different menu items and I thought that fried oysters were the best (fried to perfection). I also wanted to note that their hamburger patty was charbroiled (a very nice touch!). I actually did not like their key lime pie all that much but the salted caramel brownie was good! If you're in the area craving fried seafood, I would recommend it. read more

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Super staff, great views and ambiance and tasty food. Dog friendly. Good fish and chips and burgers. Fun place. Worth the wait for a table.

Great food great service Larry was cool and so nice Super patient with a 1st timer looking over a big menu Loved being in the water... felt transported to a vacation read more

Island Cafe - Halibut fish tacos - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The atmosphere is amazing! A wonderful tiki bar style restaurant right on the water. They have a bucket of salt water taffy out for customers and a delicious drink menu. First restaurant I've been to since childhood that had fried clam strips on the menu so that was very exciting for me! My partner got the market-priced white halibut fish and chips. Overall, pretty good. We both wished there was more seasoning on the food, but they do have salt and pepper and condiments at the table. The cocktail sauce and tartar sauces were very good and really helped bring flavor to the food. We were too full to try dessert, but we would go back again to try the burgers and dessert. read more

Great little spot on Hayden Island. Service was great considering we had about 15 people. The crew took care of us fast and checked in constantly. Food was great. Would go back again. read more

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Our first time here! Great food, cider and service! Loved the decor We shared a turkey and bacon club sandwich with fries and a side of onion petals! read more

Jen and her crew blew me away with their team work when I attended a private party ( Celebration of Life ). The ultimate in customer service and food. ~ I came the night before and received the same great service and the food was so delicious. The owners really have made this place wonderful with the team they've hired to carry out their vision for making their business a success. read more

I'm not sure what I did in a previous life to be assigned table C-2; unquestionably, the worst table on the deck. we got to see every table's order being delivered and dishes cleared walked right by our table. C-2 is positioned perfectly in the middle of two POS stationed so we were involved in all the transaction. when three servers were strategizing for who's covering for which station, we felt like we were part of the team confab. I was bumped twice - and the table kept our reflexes tested as it wobbled with the slightest pressure. The service was terrific! The Curry Mac Salad was excellent. My teriyaki burger was only missing one ingredient teriyakI. It was a beautiful day with a lively atmosphere. We didn't see the water, but I'm sure it was beautiful. We'll be back and know better what to avoid; table C-2. read more

Great atmosphere, good food Come by land or river Service is good to Can get super busy when the weather is nice read more

Good food, bad service, long wait times, no call ahead list or reservations. Nice views though

A sure-fire chpice for summer/Columbia River good times! Outstanding service plus long time ownership makes for comfortable surroundings and excellent lunch choices. read more

Perfect day on the water. Food is always above a regular restaurant. The service has always been outstanding, everyone is so friendly. Fun to watch boats, kayakers, wildlife while dining. Sorry, forgot the pics of our food but it was delicious! read more

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This was such a fun experience. First of all you could not ask for a better location. Right on the water and you get to watch all of the boats/kayaks etc. going by, it feels like you're on the beach. Our server was so kind and attentive and the food was great. read more

It was a beautiful day the food was excellent, service just as good I would suggest to everyone to visit

First off sitting outside on a sunny day next to the river was awesome all by itself, but then my Coconut Shrimp came, and it made it even better! I will be back read more

We made it on the final day of the season! I've been here many many times and each time has been a good time. The drinks, the food the service and the view are always super fun.. One thing to keep in mind is that there is a very large ramp that is sometimes at a very difficult angle due to the tide. This could create major access challenges for anyone with walking or mobility issues.. read more

We've been eating here on & off, or we have sandwiches to-go, during our sail with guests, I'm surprise that I've not given them reviews, (I thought I've done that). We were seated right away. This was a perfect day for a picnic by the water, for tomorrow it will be another hot weather day! And we ordered almost right away. Hubby had the Bacon Blue Cheeseburger with Macaroni & Curry Salad for the side. He thought it was excellent! I ordered the Lobster Wrap with coleslaw for the side. It was so thick & soooo good! The table I wanted is closer to the water viewing area, so we can actually seat facing each other, and still be able to enjoy the marina. (I asked to be moved, and they honored it). I love looking at the planters, filled with flowers! Negatives: The toilet, it's a little hard to flush, you have to press it longer, to flush properly. The ramp, too steep! Wear your boat shoes. They don't take group reservations, first come first . . . As we climbed back up the ramp, I spotted a lady struggling to come down, someone who is probably 10-15 years older than me, while her friends were waiting for her to come down. It was the Tuesday, after Labor Day, and we notice they're busy! Don't people have jobs? LOL I see many people, our own age, with their parents, enjoying retirement. That's what we do. . . And they're HERE! Our waitress, is extra friendly, and sexy! read more

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I've been going to this restaurant for years and it never disappoints. Great food, views and vibe. A happy happy place to enjoy a good meal. And Jen their manager did me a huge favor to help celebrate a family wedding anniversary-went out of her way to make it special. read more

The best fish and chips in town and the scenery is second to none. It gets busy so get there early read more

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A fun seasonal restaurant! You know a place is good when everyone waits for a table to be ready without a single complaint! Friendly staff, food that tastes great, and a view that makes you feel like you're on vacation. Been a few times but recently went for my birthday and the server was so kind and attentive even with the restaurant as packed as it could be! Not a single error with anything our table ordered. Ever year I wait for them to open up again! read more