Finding the Best Keto-Friendly Restaurants in Portland
The ketogenic diet has surged in popularity in recent years as more people discover the weight loss and health benefits of low-carb, high-fat eating. Portland has become a hotspot for keto and Paleo diets. This thriving city offers many delicious dining options for those looking to stick to their keto meal plan.
What is the Keto Diet?
The ketogenic or "keto" diet is a very low-carb, high-fat diet that induces a state of ketosis in the body. In ketosis, you burn fat for fuel instead of glucose. Typical keto macronutrient ratios are:
- 75% fat
- 20% protein
- 5% carbs
On keto, you restrict net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) to 20-50 grams per day. The low-carb state of ketosis causes rapid weight loss and provides many other health benefits like lower blood pressure.
Keto-Friendly Cuisine in Portland
Portland has a thriving food scene with farm-to-table cuisine focusing on local, organic ingredients. Many restaurants offer naturally keto-friendly options without unhealthy sugars and processed grains. Here are some of the best spots to dine out on the ketogenic diet in Portland:
The Spicy Olive
This food and wine bar offers Mediterranean-style small plates perfect for keto appetites. Enjoy tapas like prosciutto-wrapped prawns, charcuterie boards, meatballs, and cheeses. They also have keto-approved cocktails.
Tabor Bread
While regular bread is off-limits, this bakery makes high-quality ketogenic breads with almond flour and other low-carb flours. Enjoy keto sandwich breads, bagels, and sweets without grains.
Radiant Ravioli & Wine
Try the low-carb ravioli stuffed with fillings like mushrooms, chicken, and cheese. Build a custom keto salad or charcuterie board. Their gluten-free pasta options work on keto too.
The Whey Bar
This protein-focused spot offers keto-friendly options like grass-fed burgers wrapped in lettuce, protein bowls, and smoothies with MCT or collagen. Load your dishes with healthy fats like avocado.
Grassroots Garden
All the Mediterranean dishes like kebabs and falafel at this plant-based cafe can be customized for the keto diet. Load your bowl up with veggies, protein like grilled chicken, and healthy fats like tahini.
Fisherman's Porch
Order classic Pacific Northwest fare like wild salmon, crab, and oysters. Get fresh fish cooked simple with lemon and butter. Add sides like sauteed spinach for a filling keto meal.
The Original Pancake House
Yes, you can still enjoy breakfast out! Order eggs cooked any style with bacon or sausage and avoid the pancakes and toast. Ask for extra butter or olive oil.
Fire on the Mountain
This Portland wing chain offers traditional chicken wings and tenders seasoned with creative keto-friendly dry rubs instead of sugary sauces. Enjoy wings with blue cheese dressing.
Ground Breaker Brewing
Portland's first dedicated gluten-free brewery offers craft beers made without grains, perfect for the keto diet. Pair low-carb beer with their menu of sandwiches and salads.
AFuri Japanese Restaurant
Sushi is keto-approved, so enjoy rolls wrapped in cucumber or soy paper instead of rice. Order sashimi, miso soup, salmon skin salad, and skip the rice dishes.
Mucci's Italian
Build a keto-friendly antipasto with meats, cheeses, and veggies from the starters menu. Opt for meatballs over zucchini noodles instead of pasta in entrees.
Noble Rot Wine Bar
This upscale wine bar offers a rotating small plates menu with keto options like charcuterie boards, steak tartare, lamb meatballs, and cauliflower dishes.
Tips for Dining Out Keto in Portland
Dining out while sticking to a keto meal plan is totally doable in Portland. Keep these tips in mind:
- Check menus in advance and look for low-carb options
- Ask for any sauces, dressings, or marinades on the side
- Request veggies or side salads instead of starchy sides like fries or rice
- Ask for butter or extra olive oil to increase healthy fats
- Order meat, fish, and eggs cooked in olive oil or butter
- Skip the bread basket and ask them not to bring it
- Request drinks with zero carbs like dry wine, unsweetened iced tea, or sparkling water
The Takeaway
Dining out in Portland on the keto diet is easy with the city's focus on high-quality ingredients and customizable meals. Stick to dishes centered around meat, seafood, eggs, healthy fats, and low-carb veggies. There are plenty of keto-friendly restaurant options to explore in this Northwest foodie destination.