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Salty's on the Columbia, Portland, OR

Salty's on the Columbia

4.7 (8078)
$50 and over
Seafood
3839 NE Marine Dr., Portland, OR 97211

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A photo of Salty's on the Columbia restaurant

Salty's on the Columbia

4.7
$50 and over
Seafood
Northeast Portland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 61 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for scenic views
  • Charming
Salty’s on the Columbia River serves award-winning Pacific Northwest Coastal Cuisine with astonishing waterfront views and endearing hospitality. For nearly four decades, Salty’s has proudly welcomed generations of locals and travelers celebrating vacations, engagements, business, or simply a lovely day on the water. Beautifully decorated to lift your spirits, we welcome you to take in the amazing waterfront and mountain views and fresh air of the Columbia River. Salty’s on the Columbia River is ranked as one of Portland’s best restaurants winning honors as one of the Top 100 Most Scenic Restaurants and Top 100 Best Brunches in America by OpenTable, and Eater’s #1 of the 15 Essential Portland Seafood Restaurants. Our Northwest wine menu has won the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence since 2003. We are proudly independent, family owned and operated with woman ownership.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Northwest, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 9:00 am–1:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 3:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Josh Thorburn
  • Catering
    Whether you are planning a quiet affair or a lavish celebration, Salty’s will make your next banquet, private dining or special event memorable. From our breathtaking view of the Columbia River and majestic Mt. Hood in the background, to our award-winning Northwest cuisine, to our impeccable service — Salty’s has everything you need to create the perfect party, wedding reception, anniversary, birthday, holiday party or corporate event. Please contact us at 503-282-2208. We look forward to serving you.
  • Private party facilities
    Our Private Event Space features panoramic views of the Columbia River and Mt Hood, perfect for casual to formal events. Our Catering Director works closely with you to create your picture-perfect event. We offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, buffets & more.
  • Neighborhood
    Northeast Portland
  • Parking details
    Free private lot available.
  • Public transit
    Airport, James Gleason Boat Ramp
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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What 8,078 people are saying

Salty's on the Columbia reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Portland / Oregon

    Seafood

  • Portland / Oregon

    Most Booked

  • Portland

    Great for scenic views

  • Portland

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Salty's on the Columbia offers "amazing service" and a "beautiful view" of the river, making it a perfect spot for special occasions. Guests rave about the "fresh and delicious" seafood, particularly during the "best brunch" buffet. The "friendly and attentive staff" enhance the dining experience, ensuring memorable visits.
8,078 Reviews
  1. Andy

    Portland9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A suberb dining experience. Our waitress, Nancy? did a great job with serving and being sociable at the same time. Great job!!

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  2. Julie

    Seattle11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service and seafood. Oysters and crab were fresh and delicious. I’ve been eating at Salty’s since I was a kid. Still so worth the drive. Loved the desserts too!
    Salty's on the ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you so much for the kind words, Julie! It’s truly an honor to have been part of your family traditions since you were a kid. We’re thrilled to hear the oysters, crab, and desserts hit the mark. We’ll be sure to tell the team you think we’re still worth the drive—see you again soon!

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  3. Geri

    Los Angeles5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were celebrating our anniversary. Every service person who we had contact with, congratulated us. We had a table overlooking the water and they had rose petals on the table. At the end of the meal they comped us a delicious dessert.
    Salty's on the ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago
    Happy Anniversary Geri! We are so honored that you chose to celebrate such a special milestone with us. Our team loves being a part of these moments, and I’ll be sure to let everyone know their congratulations made an impact. We’re thrilled you enjoyed the waterfront views and that little extra treat at the end. Here’s to many more years of celebration together!

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  4. Mark

    Portland5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waiter was awesome! Great service from him, but the food order was extremely slow. You kindly offered free dessert and Focaccia to make up for the slow food service. The Stellhead was amazing and my friends shrimp pasta dish was also delicious! We’ll be back!
    Salty's on the ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago
    We love hearing that our team was able to take care of you Mark! While we aim for well timed service, we’re thrilled that the quality of the food and our staff’s hospitality made a positive impression. Thank you for being so understanding—it means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon for another round of delicious seafood!

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  5. Jan Gold

    Portland7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous day on the river with wonderful staff and food! Love your brunch! So fun!
    Salty's on the ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for the love Jan! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the food, the team, and that beautiful river view. Brunch is our favorite time of the week, and we're so glad you spent it with us. Until next time!

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  6. alan

    West Palm Beach4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The weather was magnificent, the view of the river was breathtaking and the delicious oysters and crab legs are worth coming back for. But don’t miss out on all the other great food.
    Salty's on the ColumbiaResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for the glowing review Alan! We’re thrilled that the river view and our seafood made such an impression. It’s great to hear you enjoyed the variety our menu offers beyond the classics. We look forward to welcoming you back for another breathtaking afternoon!

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  7. Jeffrey

    Portland2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were seated very quickly and the service and food were top notch. Highly recommend!

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  8. Peter

    Kansas City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Zach was a great server. Steered us to some great choices. Oyters were top notch. Chowder as good as you can get in Maine. Halibut was first of the season and outstanding. Wonderful decor and setting on the Columbia. Would go back when we get a chance to visit Portland again.

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  9. Kasey

    Central Coast2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 2, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    10/10 from the service to the music to the drinks and especially the food!

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  10. Jeannette

    Portland8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 30, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As a special place for my friend and me to get together there every few months, it lived up to our expectations. We love going there for girls time. The view, the food the service is always excellent.

    Is this helpful?

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Northwest, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 9:00 am–1:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Sat 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Tue–Thu 3:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 3:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Josh Thorburn
  • Catering
    Whether you are planning a quiet affair or a lavish celebration, Salty’s will make your next banquet, private dining or special event memorable. From our breathtaking view of the Columbia River and majestic Mt. Hood in the background, to our award-winning Northwest cuisine, to our impeccable service — Salty’s has everything you need to create the perfect party, wedding reception, anniversary, birthday, holiday party or corporate event. Please contact us at 503-282-2208. We look forward to serving you.
  • Private party facilities
    Our Private Event Space features panoramic views of the Columbia River and Mt Hood, perfect for casual to formal events. Our Catering Director works closely with you to create your picture-perfect event. We offer breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, buffets & more.
  • Neighborhood
    Northeast Portland
  • Parking details
    Free private lot available.
  • Public transit
    Airport, James Gleason Boat Ramp
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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FAQs

Yes, Salty’s is a popular choice for date night thanks to waterfront views, a casual‑elegant vibe and attentive service. Guests frequently mention window and deck seating for sunset views, special touches for anniversaries/birthdays (rose petals, cards, complimentary desserts), and Friday jazz nights that add atmosphere. Expect lively energy when busy; request a window or patio table when booking for a quieter, romantic experience. Dress smart casual for the best fit.

Portions are generally generous for seafood and shareable starters, though some mains are plated more like upscale entrees. Guests report hearty seafood portions (Dungeness crab, seafood towers, crab mac & cheese) and satisfying brunch servings; several note big plates and plentiful desserts. A few guests mentioned a smaller steak or a thin lobster tail versus price, so portions can vary by entrée. For buffets (Sunday brunch) expect all‑you‑can‑eat servings.

It depends on your goal: go for Sunday brunch if you want the full seafood buffet and lively atmosphere; arrive midweek (Tue–Thu) for a quieter lunch or early dinner and more attentive, relaxed service. Sunset and weekend evenings are beautiful for views but can be busy and noisy, reserve a window or patio table for the best experience.

Warm, waterfront, and lively, Salty’s blends a casual‑elegant dining room with stunning Columbia River views. Guests describe upbeat, celebratory energy for special occasions, live jazz on certain nights, and a busy, sometimes noisy dining room when full. Service is consistently praised as attentive and friendly, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere.

Yes, Salty’s welcomes families and accommodates accessibility needs, but note the dining is on multiple levels. Guests report helpful staff assisting seniors and guests with mobility; the restaurant will seat parties on the main floor when requested. For families with young children, the downstairs buffet area is often recommended and staff are used to accommodating celebratory groups.

Smart casual. Guests commonly dress up for special occasions but the overall atmosphere is relaxed‑elegant, comfortable collared shirts, dresses or nice casual wear are appropriate.

Yes, call ahead or note requests on your reservation. Guests frequently request window/patio seating, anniversary or birthday table decorations (rose petals, cards), dietary accommodations and accessible seating; staff often honor these when possible. Because popular seats fill quickly, it’s best to request specifics when booking and confirm by phone if the table view or accessibility is important.

Busiest: Sunday brunch (the seafood buffet), holidays (Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Easter), Friday jazz nights and summer sunset weekends. Quietest: midweek lunches and early week dinners (Tue–Thu) are typically calmer and faster service. If you want the best view without the crowd, try a weekday lunch or an early midweek dinner.

Yes, Salty’s operates special holiday services (many guests attended Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother’s Day buffets and holiday dinners). They run holiday buffets and special menus, though hours and pricing can differ, so check the restaurant’s announcements or call ahead for holiday reservations and details.

It depends on what you want: Sunday for the famed seafood brunch buffet; Tuesday for the Scampi 3‑course special; Wednesday for the Dungeness Crab & Prawn Boil; Monday for Surf & Turf and 50% off selected bottles; Thursday for oyster specials; and Friday for live jazz. Choose the day that matches the special or mood you want.

Yes, families dine here regularly. Guests bring children for brunch and celebrations; the buffet has kid favorites (chocolate fountain, pastries) and the kids menu offers standard options. For younger children, guests recommend booking the downstairs dining area (where the brunch and kid‑friendly stations are) and arriving early. Note that prices can add up for special‑occasion brunches.

Yes, Salty’s offers outdoor/deck seating with excellent river views. Guests often mention sitting on the upper deck or patio for sunsets and summer dining; outdoor seating can be wind‑exposed, so dress in layers. Reserve early for prime patio or window seats on nice days.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Portland / Oregon
  4. Portland
  5. Northeast Portland

Make a reservation

A photo of Salty's on the Columbia restaurant

Salty's on the Columbia

4.7
$50 and over
Seafood
Northeast Portland

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 61 times today
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