Salty's on the Columbia

Service was impeccable. View was a delight. Salmon had perfect robustness of smoke. The shrimp for the grits were a tad overcooked as we're the clams (less so than the shrimp) which is a challenge with brazing pans but we're still flavorful. The only true disappointment in food was the creme brulee which was a bit heavier than I am accustomed to and the torched sugar top was gritty and soft instead of the crisp crack I love.

My wife and I went here to celebrate her birthday this year and had a fantastic experience. We made reservations and I had requested seating with a good view for my wife’s birthday. When they seated us, they had a birthday card for my wife which was a nice touch. Then we met our server, Dena, and she is amazing. Dena’s service was above and beyond, and her recommendations were on point. We absolutely enjoyed the clams to start, followed by fantastic Garlic Chile Prawns and Scallops, the Grilled Mahi Mahi, and finished with an amazing White Chocolate Mousse cake with a raspberry sauce. All were excellent and we’d recommend.

Very solid place, the employees were spot on and the food was really good, we had 10 clients at an event and everybody was well attended to. The location is primo, great views.

We had an amazing experience at Salty’s Brunch, everyone was so friendly and attentive from the very beginning the hosts and staff were so kind. It was our first time and it sure was everything we imagined and more. We were so happy and surprised to see Santa. Our server was Meghan and she was an amazing server, she took care of us so well. Thank you soooooo much for the amazing experience it was a great start to our special day. Definitely coming back.

Celebrated my husband's 60th birthday at Salty's for brunch- what an amazing experience! The service was above and beyond our expectations! The food is always wonderful - we had a fantastic time, what a beautiful restaurant to celebrate such a milestone.

Came here for the ambience Got a lively spot just beside the water Our server Cody was amazing Gave us great recommendations Desert menu is amazing as well We had the steelhead trout and the drink selection was comprehensive The clam chowder was also good Remember to come on Friday for live jazz

Went to watch the boat parade while dining. They lowered the lights so it's easier to see the. It was suvh a fun experience and the food was absolutely delicious.

5 Stars across the board. I enjoyed celebrating my birthday dinner with Salty's! Beautiful atmosphere nice view accommodated with superior white glove service from Matt! It was chilly out awaiting sunset Matt helped swiftly by providing the outdoor heaters. Food was delicious and fresh! Drinks perfectly mixed! I’ll be back again ! Thanks again Salty’s team!

Come for the view, stay for the seafood, pay for the whole experience are my twice experience since May, 2025. They often have Live Jazz on Friday nights. I finally made it to Salty's for my birthday celebration in late May, after hearing about it for ages, and l've already been back once since. That should say something. We loved everything we ordered both times. The mocktails and desserts were just okay, but nothing to complain about. Yes, it's on the pricier side of expensive, but for the riverfront view, excellent service, and overall experience, it's absolutely worth it, especially for special occasions (or more often it your wallet allows!). They have a large, rotating menu with themed offerings depending on the day, so there's always something new to try. The servers were attentive and polished both times we dined in, without being stuffy. I'm planning to come back again this summer for dinner and a Columbia River sunset, can't beat that combo. I'm specifically thinking about their OYSTERS GALORE ON THURSDAY NIGHTS: 3 OYSTERS $8, 6 OYSTERS $15, and 12 OYSTERS $24. They were delicious both times I had them. Parking Tips: Their small private lot fills up fast on weekends. There's additional parking along Marine Drive, but you'll be parking at your own risk on a narrow road, so drive carefully. Reservations are smart on weekends or holidays, but there's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating if you're more spontaneous. The decor? Definitely a little dated, but in that charming, nostalgic "seaside fine dining" way.

Food was absolutely delicious. Kinda dated setting but great service and a good view.

Delicious food. We had steelhead trout for a main dish and crab-artishok-spinach dip. Everything was very delicious. Servers and Valet were professional, kind and very attentive. Definitely recomend to come to see a sunset in their patio and have a great restaurant experience.

We visited a beautiful restaurant that offers stunning views of the waterfront. Timing our arrival perfectly, we got to enjoy the mesmerizing sunset while sipping on delicious drinks. My husband opted for a delightful appetizer of coconut shrimp accompanied by a zesty Thai dip, as well as fresh oysters served with a tangy seafood sauce and a hint of horseradish, both of which were absolutely delectable. For our main course, we chose the crab mac and cheese, which was rich and creamy with a generous portion of crab meat, and the halibut fish and chips, perfectly cooked and crispy on the outside while tender inside. Overall, the dining experience was lovely, particularly due to the warm and inviting atmosphere filled with the sounds of soft jazz music that plays on Saturday nights—a nice touch to the experience. However, I found the prices to be a bit on the higher side for what we received. Nevertheless, if you're a seafood lover and appreciate a stunning waterfront view, I would definitely recommend checking this place out.

Went here for our 2 year wedding anniversary and the ambiance was wonderful. We sat out on the patio the day was perfect and the food was delicious so was our service.

Salty’s on the Columbia River is a true Portland gem! From the moment you walk in, the customer service is outstanding, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely warm. The panoramic views of the Columbia River are absolutely breathtaking, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing meal or special occasion. Don’t miss their steamed Dungeness crab legs, fresh, and perfectly served with warm butter. And the clam chowder? Easily one of the best in the Pacific Northwest, creamy, rich, and loaded with flavor topped with Dungeness crab. Whether you’re visiting Portland or a local looking for an unforgettable seafood dining experience, Salty’s delivers every time

Danny took such wonderful care of us at lunch yesterday! He was attentive, gave great recommendations, and friendly. The food was delicious and the view outside is unbeatable. Thank you Danny and Salty’s for a great experience helping us celebrate our bachelorette! :)

---------- Sunday brunch buffet ---------- Really fun for the price. It's 90 dollars for all you can eat. Warning: 5 people in our party got norovirus after this. We think it came from the oysters. Facts to know before: - 90 per person - they don't necessarily kick you out after 90 minutes but you probably won't last 90 minutes anyway - some drinks are included but you can purchase extra alcohol - free vallet, maybe bring cash for tip? TLDR: I liked the steelhead the most. I also liked the shrimp and grits surimprising. It has a Cajun flavor to it. I also like the dessert table, I made my own little sample plate. In the buffet: - crab legs - blackened steelhead - eggs benedict - eggs, bacon, normal breakfast fare - popcorn shrimp - mini corn dogs - shrimp and grits - pasta salad - shrimp with cocktail sauce - ceviche - clams - 2 salads Carving station: - seafood chowder with sherry + pepper - prime rib - seafood chowder - oysters Action stations: - made to eat pancakes - made to eat omelettes Desserts (all were made in house): - creme brulee - pan au chocolate - brownie - fondue fountain - various tarts

Not only do you get amazing food , you also get an amazing view perfect date place! I ordered the pesto seafood pasta I had to pace myself it was scrumptious

Lovely view, delicious seafood. Didn’t like octopus one that much but clam chowder and crab cake were top notch!

Not only are the views stunning from inside the restaurant but the food was delicious. I’ve had New England clam chowder on the East coast in the past but Salty’s seafood chowder beats it for my taste. I’m glad they don’t put a bunch of potatoes in it like other restaurants do. Their calamari was also breaded in the best way which was crisp and accompanied by a delicious dipping sauce. Ahmed was also a fantastic server and I was very helpful with the dining experience. 10/10 would recommend this place. Posted 9/18/2024

A great place with stunning views. We came right at sunset so it was really nice catching that with drinks in hand. My bf ordered prawn pasta and it was pretty tasty. I had a cup of clam chowder and a spinach and lobster dip. I wasn't a fan of the dip though, it didn't taste fresh and was kind of bland. Otherwise everything else was lovely, especially the atmosphere. A bit overpriced in my opinion. If you're a fan of seafood and enjoy a waterfront view, I'd check this place out.

Absolutely delicious food, an awesome view, and great service. Highly recommend!!

I had the Steelhead with Brussels sprouts and an order of focaccia bread. Easily one of the best meals I have ever had. Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Worth every cent.

Our server was patient, helpful, and willing to make suggestions. Salty's food is excellent. It's also not inexpensive. I was surprised at how great the Crab Mac and Cheese tasted. Return trip 10/21 and food was great and our server (Andrew) couldn't have been better.

While visiting family Portland my niece recommended we all go to her and her husband's favorite restaurant ... Salty's on Columbia River. It was a rainy Friday evening but the restaurant was packed and we were glad we had reservations on the second floor. We were seated by Josh, a most professional waiter who provided exemplary service and recommendations. The wine selection is better than average, offering both reds and whites not quite top shelf but still a cut above most resturants. If not a wine lover, try one of their sinature cocktails like the Mango Chili Margarita. The entrees have more than grilled halibut. On this night my wife had the smoked steelhead and I had sturgeon, a fish I had never had. As we waited for our dinner, we all had a chance to look out the spacious windows and see rain falling and watched the mighty Columbia River make its way to the ocean. The food, wine and service brought happy faces to all of us. I recommend Salty's for a unique adventure in seafood dining.

The food is typically the best seafood in town, but tonight was not that usual experience. My wife and I celebrate most special occasions here, and they always make the time and money spent there worth while. Our food came later than we expected but, hey, they were busy, we get it. First bites of our food were met by our server with the question, "is everything okay?" We explained that it isn't what we normally what we experience at Salty's, and without even asking, the manager appeared. She greeted our feedback with care and grace. This is why we come back to Salty's. They stand behind their name and the incredible food they create. We look forward to many more celebrations with your food in the years to come.

We went on New Year's Eve; if you're going for the first time I would suggest going when it's light out to enjoy the view of the Columbia River. Ordered the focaccia as an appetizer (delicious and generous portion) as well as the chowder (definitely get the cream sherry added). We ordered the sturgeon and the smoked steelhead. The smoked steelhead was incredible, the sturgeon was very good as well (if you like sturgeon). Seasonal cocktails were great too. Will be returning for sure.

We’ve loved their brunch for years, so we decided to make this our anniversary dinner and we were completely wow’ed by the experience. We enjoyed delicious and festive cocktails at the bar while we waited for a window table (maybe 15 minutes). Our table was covered in rose petals and a sweet, handwritten card wishing us a happy anniversary. We were so lucky to have Chelsea as our waitress - she was friendly and attentive and paced our meal to perfection. We had the cioppino (a must!), prosciutto sturgeon, coconut prawns, burrata bruschetta, and Brussels sprouts, and literally everything was mouthwateringly delicious. The white chocolate raspberry mousse cake and champagne were just the cherries on top of one of the best anniversary dinners we’ve ever had. 11/10. Highly recommend. We will be back soon for some Friday night jazz!

A friend was in from out of town, so we had a nice holiday dinner at Salty's. The service was friendly and attentive. Seated by the window, our view of the Columbia river shimmered in the darkness. We split a divine shrimp linguine with a cream sauce, and a new york steak cooked perfectly, medium rare with creamed kale. The pasta was al dente and the shrimp, moist, tender and tasty. This location is a wonderful spot for a date night or a family dinner, especially if it is a special occasion.

Ok, this is tucked between the runwayatPDX and theColubia river. Nice decor, bright, comfortable to cold and late to eat outside this month but we will once it warms up like in July Menu, nice seafood and beef menu . One person had Steak. It was so big and cooked and seasoned perfectly. The chicken was moist and very tasty. One had salmon and honesty she didn't say a word to busyeatig. Dstaffprofessional and did not miss a beat , cocktails inventive adjust right. I would recommend this place for a celebration, or just to eat a winning unpretentious, because they deliver, restaurant give Saltys a try

How have I lived in Portland my whole life and never gone to this place before? It's absolutely wonderful! Although I think the answer to that question is because I've been a vegetarian my whole life... They have a few vegetarian items on the menu (strong recommend for the fried artichokes!), and they are also happy to alter other menu items to make them vegetarian, and to make any variety of vegetarian pasta. The only reason I didn't give the food five stars is because it would be nice to have one vegetarian entree that was "special." The cocktails were also amazing, and overall I found the prices to be quite reasonable for a "fancy" restaurant. Our server and all the other stuff that we interacted with were down to earth, friendly, helpful, and made for a delightful evening. The view is absolutely incredible at night, and we never felt rushed while our large party lingered at the table even after our food and drink was gone. I'll be back!

My mom has wanted to try Salty's for many years and we finally made it a priority. We have definitely been missing out and will certainly be returning! The staff was wonderfully nice and our waiter, Aaron, was exceptional. He went out of his way to make every accommodation possible! The food was delicious and presented beautifully. Of course, our windows seat at the water's edge was a lovely bonus. We will be returning!

Excellent view, definitely come for the view and a table on the water or next to the window. They have an excellent wine selection, bust you should expect to pay triple for a bottle. Their selection of hard liquor is above average, and the food is good. I'm pretty picky about my dessert selection, so check the menu.

I went to Salty on Columbia the other evening, and I’d say it was a very pleasant dining experience overall. The restaurant itself has a relaxed, coastal atmosphere with just enough polish to feel special without being stuffy. I liked that it wasn’t too noisy, so you can actually carry on a conversation without raising your voice. The service was attentive in a natural way our server checked in at the right times and didn’t make us feel rushed, which I always appreciate at my age. For my meal, I chose the salmon, which came with a green sauce, crispy little potatoes, and a handful of fresh greens on top. The salmon was cooked nicely moist inside with a crisp edge. The sauce underneath was fresh and light, though I personally wished it had a little more punch or seasoning to it. The potatoes were very well done golden, tender inside, and just the right amount of crisp. Together, the dish looked beautiful on the plate and tasted balanced. Overall, I’d call the food good, though maybe not something that will stay in my memory forever. What makes Salty worth returning to, for me, is the combination of the easygoing setting, the friendly staff, and the quality ingredients. It’s the kind of place where I’d be happy to meet a friend for dinner or enjoy a relaxing meal with family, especially if you want something that feels nice but not overly formal. I’d definitely go back.

My fish and chips was absolutely delicious. My husband really enjoyed his pizza. Unfortunately my daughter did not like the mushroom cap pizza at all. They did offer her a new meal complimentary. She choose the fish tacos. The flavor was good. But they fell completely apart. They ended up being like a salad. Our server was very nice. It was a beautiful sunny day to eat outside.

Unrivaled scenic view of the Columbia River. Mixed in with the live jazz made our meal and the moment wax poetic. First time back to Portland and Salty’s in quite some time. I hope to rekindle past magic memories into a renewed normal. Location, Cuisine, Music, Service, Ambience and most of all, good people enjoying the moment. Wow, what a night! Thanks Joe and Deb for choosing this exquisite venue!

We have been going to Salty's for many, many years--always excellent service and hostessing, along with good food. However, when we went tonight, the hostess called our name and, as we were walking to our table, said: "We are letting people know they need to be done with their food within 1 hour and 45 minutes because we are fully booked tonight." As someone who has been going to fine dining restaurants for decades--coming from a family that owned two of the top fine-dining restaurants in downtown Portland in the '90s and 2,000s--and who also worked in restaurants during high school and college--I have never in my life heard a hostess tell guests who are about to spend $500+ on dinner to "keep it short." Whoever instructed this young hostess to say this to customers must be out of their minds. I've been a patron of thousands of fine dining experiences--from New York to Beverly Hills to Paris to Munich--and I have never encountered this in any restaurant, ever. Not even Sherry's. I'm genuinely interested in hearing from management on this one. What gives, Salty's? Is this really something you do? P.S. We ended up staying more than two hours anyway, because the service was incredibly slow due to a rush-hour kitchen. We had a great time.

The food was good. My steak was cooked perfectly. The rest of my food and my husband's seafood was not the level of perfect we expect at the prices they have for their plates. The food was very good, just not perfect enough to warrant that high of a price. Our server was great, she just had too many people to wait on, so it took a little longer to get near our table for us to ask for anything more and for the check when we needed to leave a little sooner than we had originally planned.

Have always heard good things about Saltys. People have raved about their food and how amazing it is. We decided to give it a try, my husband wanted Seafood and we wanted to try a new place. There was 4 of us in our party. We had a reservation and got there a little early. We were seated and given menus. It took our server 20 mins just to come to our table to get our drink order. 20 MINS! By that time we were ready to oder and she only let us order our appetizers. Then another 20 mins goes by and she finally comes back to take our order. We place our oder and she leaves. We got our appetizers maybe 5-10 mins after that. Then 30 mins go by and still NO DINNER.... our waitress hadn't came by at all to check on us. Only the people that fill drinks. My dad was with us and he had asked for creamer many times and never received it. So we asked someone walking by for some. We finally get our dinner. My son's lobster was overcooked and sticking to the shell. My husband's crab legs were the same way more over cooked then the lobster. My food and my dad's food was amazing. We were EXTREMELY disappointed with the food and the service. We were there for 2.5 hours. I never thought it would take that long. We saw people that came in after us get food before us. I have no clue what happened. But it was not the experience we were hoping for.

This review is for the Sunday brunch buffet only. We arrived early, had to wait 5 minutes with a reservation and maybe 4 tables sat, weird but we were still excited. Overall, the selection of food is pretty good but wasn't impressed with the majority of the food. Almost all of the hot items were not hot at all including the prime rib which was a huge disappointment. Cold and no flavor, also not tender like a prime rib should be IMO. We did not try the omelet, scramble, crepe station so no review on that. The chowder was good, the crab and cold shrimp were good along with the shrimp and grits. The grits on their own were not my favorite, but with the shrimp it was good. Everything else was a huge disappointment including desert. The creme brulee was good and the amaretto cookie all other deserts were sub par. Also, the melted butter for the crab was stale. It tasted like it was left out in fridge opened, it was gross. For 90 per person plus tip, it was not worth it. Service was OK, definitely not checked on enough as I was hoping I'd see her numerous times for coffee refill. We won’t be back.

We came here for my birthday celebration. We made a reservation in advance. When we arrived the table was ready and we were seated immediately. When we sat down we were greeted by our server and he wished me a happy mother's Day instead of happy birthday. Later on in the evening my husband had to inform him that it was a celebration for my actual birthday and not for mother's day. I had simply brought a gift for my mother-in-law (who would not be with me on mother's Day) and he automatically assumed we were celebrating mother's Day even though the table had happy birthday confetti all over it. Our service took over 2 hours from start to finish. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation, so we were there at 4:45 pm. We did not get into our car until 7:10 pm. When we first sat down the view was absolutely gorgeous and the noise level was totally manageable. But around 6:00 pm it was so hard I couldn't even hear my husband from across the table. And on top of that there was another server (male) who spoke so loud that the whole entire floor could hear what he was saying to the people he was talking to. Completely unprofessional. I am sadly not being over the top when I write this: I had the worst fish and chips in my whole life, here. This was my birthday dinner. That fish was disgusting and unedible. It looked like they had sunk the fish into the oil and just let it sit. I have had better fried fish from McDonald's that was less greasy than whatever I was given here. The fries were cold. My husband informed me that his fish was cold as well. Oh and by the way you have to pay extra for bread? Like people are spending hundreds of dollars here on dinner and you have to pay for the bread? Not only do you have to pay for it but it was really greasy and gross. I think the only redeeming factor was the wedge salad. I shared it with my mom and honestly should have just had it for my main meal. It was really good. The dessert was free because of my birthday and it actually was decent tasting too. But sadly these two things don't make up for the other things. The real kicker in the whole deal was that my father and my father-in-law split the bill half and half. The server charged my father twice and never charged my father-in-law for his half. Once the staff figured it out, they called us, because we had already left. Their first solution that they offered was for us to contact my father-in-law to "venmo" us the money. In my opinion that was the most unprofessional solution to the situation when it was clearly their fault and something that they needed to fix. We will not be coming back.