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

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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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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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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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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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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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

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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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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What an interesting place!! I will definitely come back again. It's a restaurant/bar on the marina with great vibes. Open air dining with water flowing by and it almost feels like a mini vacation in Portland. We ordered the special watermelon slushies and they were decent. The flavor was okay, but I don't know if i would order again. The booze all sits on the bottom because it's not premixed - but you choose the alcohol. We got tequila. For a snack, we got the lobster salad stuffed avocado appetizer. It was a strange presentation still in the skin, but in an oval dish. I'm not sure why they didn't peel it. The lobster is finely minced and loses some of its flavor due to that. The mango salsa was okay. All mixed together it tasted pretty good. We only got three pieces of pita while pics show 4. hmmm The fish and chips look good. Think bar menu on the water with tunes like Jimmy Buffett. read more

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Thanks to yelp,I found this great place while in the area on business. Who knew, Margaritaville in Portland with a dog friendly floating patio! Very busy on a Sunday afternoon, but the drinks were cold, and the view was awesome so waiting was not a problem. Clam chowder was great, so were the coconut shrimp... Highly recommended! read more

We'll be back! First time visit in August 2025. The atmosphere is so comfortable, the music is relaxing and cheerful, our food was tasty. The halibut fish and chips were piping hot and stayed hot for quite a while. We love seeing a boat pull up at the dock and the couple got out to get a "to go" order. We saw ducks swimming by. Fun to see several people in canoes paddling by. Sunny, but they had good overhead shade. ** I read reviews and that said there could be a 40 minute wait. So we made sure to show up right when they opened. ** Please take note, that the ramp to get down and up is very steep right now. (So proud of my 83 year old mom for going down with help and her walker.) read more

This place was the most delightful discovery today. I don't spend much time in this area of town (Hayden Island), and just by chance met up with a friend here. Amazing views, sweet island vibe. Really! I'm like "where am I??" This can't be Portland. This is my new favorite place. I feel like I unearthed this incredible gem, I want to go every weekend. Maybe they don't need to advertise, but I never heard of this place until today. We got there just about 11:45 and every table was full with a waitlist. We had a short wait. Loved the water stations. Mariah was our server, she was very pleasant. In fact, everyone we encountered was very enjoyable. We both had chicken Cesar salads, but everything looked good. Sorry no photos of food or the restaurant, I was just too busy soaking in this heavenly oasis. The only thing to add is if you have any mobility issues it would be a challenge getting up and down the steep ramp to/from the restaurant, unless you're arriving by boat. *They do not take reservations. GO! CHECK! THIS! PLACE! OUT! NOW!!!! read more

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

Little hidden island gem. This place has been on my "please try soon" list for 5+ years and I am glad I finally explored the area. They are known for their onion ring wedges and key lime pie - both were great. Service was fun and easy going and friendly and honestly I thought I was in Florida for a few minutes with the views they offer! We had their buzzy cocktail punch which was strong (in a good way!). It's a neighborhood style spot and I can't wait to come back and sit outside on a warmer day. read more

Having spent many years in Florida loving the local tiki bars and beach bars, it was awesome to find this rare gem on the Columbia River! It helps that it was an absolutely gorgeous day but the ambiance of the Island Cafe was that of being in the Caribbean. People were friendly, Jimmy Buffet was on the radio, drinks were flowing, and it did feel like you were having a cheeseburger in paradise. The french fries are particularly good and crispy. The bacon cheeseburger was my food or choice. My preference is to have medium rare but it was pretty well cooked. I am sure if I would have brought that up to begin with it would not have been an issue. This is definitely a spot to visit! read more

This was a awesome place, The locals that were hanging out, we're freekin awesome!!! Looking forward to going back! read more

We had great food with an amazing view in a relaxing atmosphere! Our food came quickly and our servers were polite. read more

Island Cafe - Chicken veggie Wrap, Grilled Wild Ahi Tuna Salad, Alaskan Halibut Fish & Chips - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We went near the end of the season. It was a beautiful Saturday night and the weight was an hour and a half. We went because we wanted to eat on the water. But by the time we sat down to dinner, there was nothing on the menu left that we wanted to eat. The owner comped our meal, which was nice. What we did eat was fried and not particularly interesting or exceptional. It was OK. read more

I totally forgot to post a review when we went last September right before they closed for the season. I absolutely loved this place. It felt like we were on vacation. We had just moved to Portland so we haven't decided where to buy a house, but now I really want a floating house so we can kayak over to Island Cafe. The food was great, the atmosphere was fantastic, and I'm just waiting for them to open up for the new season because I'm going back as soon as they do. read more

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A long wait for outdoor seating, but our immediate seating at the bar was just as good! I love the staff here... such a good vibe! read more

I got a strong Chowder Barge vibe from this place, but with a more tropical theme. We got to sit on the part that bobs up and down. Wheee! They seem to have their share of fruit flies and wasps enjoying the fruity, sugary drinks and we had a flower arrangement on the fence behind us that wanted to join in but otherwise, the staff was friendly and on top of my BF's ever-empty glass of Sprite. The only real question mark was that 45 degree plank that you have to walk down to get to the restaurant. It's the only way to get to the pier from the parking lot that I could see, but I felt danger when my wedge sandals hit the almost smooth surface. I noticed people waited in batches for the people ahead of them to go down so we're not the only ones! Wish they'd fix that. I advise sneakers for visiting this place. Food was great. The Wooden Chicken recently closed near PDX after 40 years in business and we were delighted to see halibut and chips on their menu. The pricing is market but this visit it was $26.95 for 3 pieces and a generous amount of fries which was on par with WC and not as daring as the pricing as you see in the city. I had a bowl of clam chowder and a side of fries. About $20 for the privilege. They offer breaded and seasoned fries which hold up well even as they start to cool. The soup was very creamy and probably a little saltier than I like. I usually like my chowder more flour based due to lactose intolerance and this one had me feeling iffy a few hours later, but I still enjoyed it! We ordered too much. A 2 piece for him and a bowl for me with the fries in the fish and chips would have been perfectly adequate. We'll be back to test that theory! read more

Island Cafe - Bowl of chowder with a basket of fries - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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A cute little spot floating on the dock. You can watch the waves hit the deck as you eat in this appropriately named location. The food is good, I do which more seafood options were available, or at least less fried sea food. But it's good none the less and the drinks are great too. Happy hour is a deal! Service here was quick and helpful. They were pleasant to talk too! read more

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I always enjoy going to Island Cafe even though there may typically be a wait. If you're 21 and up, the bar has open seating and you can usually get seated more quickly. It's a fun spot to go to during the warmer season. The fish and chips is good and I absolutely love the jumbo coconut shrimp. They have some good apps too, I usually like the popcorn shrimp or the onion petals. My go to cocktail is the coconut mojito when I get a drink there, it's always tasty! read more

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Wow- what fun. the location on the the river was awesome! the service was great as well. had the chicken and it was good, not great, but good. the prices were on the higher side, but for the views and relaxed feel no issues! you will need to walk a bit from the parking area but well worth it. read more

Island Cafe is always a warm weather favorite of mine. They are only open in the warm months, unfortunately, because they are outdoors on the docks on Tomahawk Island. They have shade, with some seating under a roof and some under shade cloth & umbrellas. The food is good. I always get their halibut fish & chips. The "chips" are better than a lot of fries-seasoned & crispy on the outside & soft & creamy on the inside. The halibut is beer battered, just how I like it! Others in my family got the bacon bleu cheese burger, the BLT & the Turkey sandwich. They forgot the T on the BLT but the server quickly brought some after it was pointed out. They were serving a lot of people and it was an easy mistake we forgave. Everybody liked their food. read more

Island Cafe - Turkey club sandwich - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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What a fun place this was to eat. It was our first time on Hayden Island by boat and we discovered this floating cantina by the brightly colored umbrellas and the happy chatter coming from the customers. After tying up, we were all seated at a riverside 4-top for dinner. The weather was perfect (July) and we ordered up food and drinks. The wait staff was very friendly and the setting was amazing. The casual, beach-like vibe reminded me of Florida or Mexico. We all ordered something different and were pleased with our selections (except for the lobster mix wrap that could use some TLC). I'm kind of a fried calamari guy and was happy with what they served. It's not fancy, just good food on a floating dock. Hard to beat when you're in a boat. Trust... read more

Island Cafe - 2 thumbs up for their fried calamari! - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Adorable little place. Wonderful setting on the water. Staff is very friendly. Portions are huge. read more

Island Cafe - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Started off great with the bartender in the tiki bar. Then we were seated for food. Bartender messed up 2 different cocktails. We had to show our server what the menu said. The burgers were wayyyy well done and so dry. Ran out of Mac salad. I ordered onion petals but they put fries on my plate and brought a side of onion petals because they messed up. They would not allow any substitutions even though the menu did not say that. My son wanted a wrap instead of bread and they wouldn't do it . Then he asked for chicken instead of turkey. They didn't do that either. I've tried it and will not be coming back read more

Worth the wait! We decided to stop by here before I flew back home from PDX. Guess it was the first weekend of Joe big for the off season or whatever, so things were chaotic with the seating and such, hostess was very overwhelmed but the ladies seemed to figure it out. We waited at the bar with a drink until our patio table was ready. Bartender girl did a great job with our drinks and was super nice to chat with, all the girls behind the bar were actually! The fish and chips were very good, ended up taking them with me they TSA, haha. My friend liked her chicken tenders as well! The weather was warm and the views were satisfying on a Sunday! read more

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Food is great. My favorite is the bay shrimp Salad, son loves their burgers and husband raves about the coconut shrimp. . Drinks are great quality. My favorite, the Black Pearl. Casual great vibe. It is a good place to take the dog when sitting outside. Be aware they do have rules in order to have your dog with you If the water level is low be prepared for a very steep ramp to the dock. Can be tough going down and harder going up. I wear good shoes with non skid soles. It can be a leg burner! Caution for falls older or people with any stability issue be sure to have assistance just in case. The ramp it self has tracking it is metal and very industrial. Good railings. Peak times Parking can be an issue as well. Service for the most part is good. It can be hit or miss on any visit. read more

Great service and food. This is always a stop for me during summer. It's like being on a mini vacation!

One of my friends recommended this place just because of its ambience. It was my first time here and I already noticed the vibes. The restaurant is located along the marina, overlooking the waters with boats driving by. What's cool is that people can park their boats nearby to the restaurant and dine here. Talk about convenience. I really love the open air dining especially on a nice sunny day. Our server was also friendly and gave us some recommendations. The menu had mainly seafood and island inspired dishes. My friends and I got the halibut fish and chips and their halibut fish tacos. We also ordered the calamari as an appetizer. Overall, the foods were pretty good. The fish were nicely battered and fried crisply. Fries were well seasoned. We asked for a sample of all their sauces to try at no additional charge. Calamari were seasoned well with a chipotle aioli dipping sauce. We came here around lunchtime so it was already filling up. Pro tip: come here early if you want a nice view by the water. read more

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Portland might be at the 45th parallel, but you're on island time at the island Café. You'd swear you were in the tropics. This fish tacos are to die for service is fast and friendly. ambience in spades. read more

Island Cafe - Island Café bar and dining area. - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delicious mojito great scenery good ambiance and very good customer service and food was bomb !!! read more

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We came here on the first day open for the season: 5/6/25. Ambiance = 5. A beautiful day to say the least. Food= for a floating dock restaurant, another 5. The fish and chips were fresh and delicious! The service was also a 5! All hands on deck for the first day. Attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Killer Mai Tais! Go. read more

Dining on a floating cafe on the Columbia River. Very popular with families. Excellent fresh shrimp salad with mango salsa. Burgers look huge. Salads sandwiches and some seafood on the menu. Definitely a vacation vibe. Open when weather is pleasant. Friendly staff. A little hard to find but worth the search. read more

Easy and Plentiful parking before you walk down a steep gangplank but totally worth it. The food and service are wonderful. Today was sunny and a parade of boats on the water added to the ambience. All the food, drinks and dessert were fresh and Andrea and Sandi made the experience even better. Thank you for the positive attitudes and smiles all around. Will be back. read more

We ordered the coconut shrimp and upgraded to onion rings which were fantastic. Plenty big to share. Cute vibe. We sat on the patio. Drinks were a bit watered down. I got the jalapeño margarita and didn't taste much tequila. Hubby ordered frozen pina colada and said it was okay. Service was good and it's a good place for lunch. read more

Island Cafe - American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

The vibe is always happy. The food is well prepared and fresh, the service excellent, and consistently so! It is a fun place to meet up with friends. Sometimes they have a line; sign in on their list and hang out. Parking can be a challenge, but not awful. The walkway has a bit of a pitch to it. Sensible shoes a must. read more