Alma

D Dianne Namgung 265 reviews · Local Guide August 2026

We came here for a birthday dinner and our whole party was absolutely blown away. We tried about 85% of the menu because several items we ordered again in different ordering rounds of the 2hr all you can enjoy Balkan Hospitality. Everything we ate we would order again. I was so focused on our dining experience I did not a single photo of the food! We split 2 wine bottles between 4 people (bubbly and a refreshing white Croatian wine) and two of us ordered a night cap cocktail and both were perfectly balanced and bright. Such a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy good company. Every Alma team member we interacted with were absolute gems of people. I cannot stress this enough...YOU MUST GO TO ALMA. It truly is an amazing price point for what you get. Everyone walked away very full and satisfied. I would recommend reservations for weekend dinner especially if you have a group of 4 or more. The place was full when we were there Friday night

K Kyle Alexander 5 reviews 30 June 2026

I fear this food has changed me - in a good way! I have been thinking about the ćevapi beef sausages for a week straight and Im not even a beef person (it was my husband's dish I snuck a bite from!) The chef was even kind enough to chat with me about how they are prepared (no gatekeeping here!) Don't get me started on the baklava. Dreamy! The all you can eat is actually a fabulous business model to experience in a cuisine I wasn't exactly familiar with! To be honest I didn't know what Balkan food was and that it is a whole region of multiple cuisines mixed together. I am now obsessed with it and cant wait to go back! After perusing the menu the wait staff can take your order or treat you to a coursed experience of their faves of the menu while you decide what else you would like! It was so fun. Vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, meat lovers alike can all enjoy some truly perfectly executed yet not pretentious food here. Do not sleep on the seafood, the crispy skin on the mackerel was the one of the best fish moments ever for me. Calamari was delicate and crunchy. The food was so flavorful without getting too spicy. Very good breadth on the menu to cover all palates, even the picky non-adventurous can find things here! We ate and ate until full and we still have stuff to try for next time. My eyes are on the Adana kabob, the cockles, and braised beans. Some of the dishes were so good we opted for more of those rather than branching out, and the staff brought out some surprises to try that and I'm glad they did (sautéed mushrooms doesn't sound exciting to me but they seriously were sooooooo good!) a The ingredients in everything were so great! Alas I didn't try the traditional brandy (made locally here) but I am excited for that next time as well! I had a raspberry shrub that was and perfectly tart and sweet! Multiple NA beer offerings were a nice option for my husband and paired well with the food. Finally a nod to the staff: when in Portland I find it's sometimes hard to find amazing food with authentically warm and enthusiastic service, they genuinely seem like they love working here, who wouldn't? The shift meal alone would have me locked in for sure. The decor was also really lovely and there is easy parking right outside in the building's parking lot, something you don't find often in Portland.

A Adrienne Sabin 1 review 8 June 2026

Alma was such a fantastic experience! It's not everyday you get to enjoy delicious Balkan fare! We were greeted and seated right way, and the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly from start to finish. Everyone made us feel welcome, and the whole evening had an easy energy to eat. Right after we sat down, we ordered our beverages (enjoyed some lovely and unique red wines), and enjoyed an array of three different dips. The Baba Ganoush, Tarator (similar to a Tazizki, but even better) and the Mousaka (spicy and oh so flavorful). It was such a great way to start our meal. The food had some serious standouts. The dips were delicious (don't skimp on the Green Zhoug), the braised beans were incredibly flavorful, and the kale salad was refreshing, crispy, spicy, and sweet in the best way (it's a must to order, and we ordered two of them for the table). We also loved the roasted cauliflower (we had to order 3 plates of it!), all the kababs (one has the most amazing melty cheese on it) and the baklava, which was not too sweet and made for a perfect finish. The pickles, clams, tomato dolma and mushrooms were okay, but not something we would order again. Although we are not vegetarian, there are so many incredible and flavorful options that are a must try! The atmosphere is beautiful and lively, with a cozy back area and a fun, vibrant feel throughout the restaurant. The music brought a lot of energy to the space and made the meal feel even more special. Overall, Alma is beautiful, welcoming, flavorful, and fun. It’s the kind of place that makes dinner feel like an occasion, and we can’t wait to go back!

R Rachel Brandt 38 reviews · Local Guide June 2026

I had dinner at Alma tonight and it was so great. The new tasting menu is amazing. Stand out items for me included the kebab, carrots (the sauce was amazing), cauliflower (again, the sauce), and the toum (yummy garlic!!). It is so beautiful inside and you can tell the decor is very thoughtful. Such a warm and inviting space. Service was great. I even tried a couple new (to me) Croatian wines. Delicious!! I’ll be back soon

A Ammar T 38 reviews · Local Guide 26 April 2026

First time at Alma and it blew me away.easily one of the best meals I’ve had in Portland in a long time. We tried almost the entire menu (everything except four dishes), and every plate was on point. Bold, balanced flavors with a nice spicy kick without being overpowering. We tried soup ( Corba) , grilled mackerel ( I don’t usually eat fish unless I make it but this was impressive), baba ganoush, mtuma potatoes ( soooo good) , Imam Bayildi, lamb Adana kabab, grilled olives & feta, and the calamari with saffron harissa aioli wow . The cheesecake was perfect—great balance of sweetness, tang, and crust. The space itself adds to the experience—warm, modern, and intimate with beautiful lighting and a clean, stylish design that feels elevated but still comfortable. Service matched the food. Our waitress and the whole staff were genuinely kind , attentive and helpful you can tell they enjoy being there. Great experience from the moment we walked in to when we left. Huge shoutout to the chef—what you’re doing is seriously impressive. Now, if we could just get a location over in Vancouver, my life would be complete! If you like bold, flavorful food with some heat, this place is a must. Can’t wait to go back and try the rest.