Al-Amir Restaurant

I have been going to Al-Amir restaurant several times a month since 1997. During that time I have attended many special events there and held many of my own parties including my wedding rehearsal dinner. I've been there for New Years Eve (really fun), regular professional business lunches and countless romantic dinners. I've introduced dozens of people to the restaurant and they always want to return there to meet me again for lunch. I have always found the food to be consistently excellent. more

We were a group of 4 and ordered teh standard items that we eat at most middle eastern foods. The Joe's famous dish which comes with Chicken, Lamb, Shrimp was what I ordered. The shrimp was pretty good, the lamb was okay, the chicken (which I considered would be the best) was a downer. The chicken kabob (differently named there) was not good too. It wasn't juicy at all. Falafels were good, which I never seen a middle eastern place mess up. The soup (lentil) was not good. more

I contacted every middle east restaurant in Portland. I went with Al Amir because from the first email, they were the most enthusiastic and personal. They made sure I knew they were the oldest and best in Portland. It didn't hurt that they came in a hundred of dollars less than the other restaurants. ;) Long story short...great service, great food, great price! Highly recommend! more

For over 10 years my wife & I have been going to Al Amir approximately 2 or 3 times a month. The food is always of the highest quality starting with the excellent bread & salad. The staff is attentive & friendly, while maintaining a professional bearing. We've been fortunate to eat in restaurants all over the world. Al Amir is a gem for us in Portland! Pros: food quality; service. more

I went here for lunch with a couple of coworkers yesterday and the food and the environment was great. The food was tasty and the presentation was beautiful. I thought the staff was very attentive - clearing plates, filling up water...etc. Pros: The food was great. Cons: I didn't have anything to complain about. more

This is another good spot for Lebanese food. I’ve been here a few times and found the atmosphere quiet and serene. Although not my personal favorit... more

I've been going to this restaurant for about three years. We went there about 2 or 3 times a year. Although it's a little overpriced, we enjoyed the food enough to go back occasionally when my wife and I were in the mood for a middle-eastern meal. I always thought the maitre D (I think he's the owner) was rude. They had one good waiter, but he hasn't been there our last couple of visits. Pros: decent food, good roasted lamb Cons: bad service, rude staff more

Everything was sooo good and the service was great. Makes you feel at home! Definately a best kept secret Pros: Best food and sooo friendly Cons: small place more

This is the best Lebanese food I have ever had. I love the hummus and baba ganoush (ok, so I can't spell!) so much that when I'm Portland, I go there specifically to get my fix and I don't even like eggplant! I love the belly dancer and the people (owners and servers) are so sweet. If they even get a hint that you're not pleased, they bring free food. Woohooo! Absolutely go, you'll love it! more

my bf and I went to al amir for dinner. It looked like a nice place to dine, but ughh worst place ever! The food wasn't good at all. The only good thing was the salad that came with the dish and the free bread. I ordered some kind of lamb and when I got it it smelled sooo bad. It looked like dog food. My bf got the sish kabob and it was okay. A little dry. I've had a lot better. Don't waste your money here. The rude waiter was a turn off and made the dinner very uncomfortable. Nothing special about this place! more

I was duped. I was sent to pick up take out and was told the name and that its on 3rd and Stark downtown. So into the car I go and rush down to what in my minds eye is the right place. I walked in the door and when an employee finally came over I told him I was here to pick up a togo order. He didn't ask my name but what I ordered. I told him I don't really know. An appetizer sampler and a customary lamb dish. I asked to look at a menu and maybe I'd recognize it. Looking at the menu didn't help. Nothing looked familiar. I was repeated prodded by the guy, this and this? That and that? I told him I didn't know. What's on the togo ticket in the kitchen. This kind of dialog went back and forth. Another employee came by. She was a flirty woman who made it all seem innocent and ok. So after waiting about 10 minutes I have a bag of who know what. I went home and my girlfriend wasn't impressed, said the meat dish wasn't made right. Then I grabbed the togo menu the put in and she saw the name and let me know it wasn't the right place. Then I told her about the wierd interaction. This makes me terribly upset. They obviously took the obortunity to take advantage of me who was at the wrong restaurant. Shame on them! This is like spitting in someones face. Stealing someones lunch from the fridge. Its unexcusable. Ill be sure to tell this story to anyone interested in this type of cuisine. And the food sucked on top of all that. more

I love this place. Even the tea is good. I have been to several Lebonese restaurants in Portland and this is the 2nd best. The atmosphere is the best, but the food is a little better at Hoda's. Pros: the food is fabulous and the servers are all friendly Cons: occasionally, the baklava is stale more

The food might be nice and the atmosphere quaint, but the noise level in the bar was out of control. We went on a Saturday night and discovered thumping music and housewives on top of the bar. Guess if we were all single and 30 we'd get it. Pros: Great humus and menu items Cons: Too loud - we were yelling over each other more

The food is wonderful! Hummus was incredible, Falafel is to die for...great friendly atmosphere. We will be back! more

First off let me say that the lamb was fantastic, the ambiance was excellent, and our seating came promptly. Beyond that however, my husband and I had a few issues. Once the waiter found out we were only drinking water and splitting a dish (one of the most expensive on the menu) he lost his friendliness and attentiveness. The meal we had was overall well prepared and eye-appealing but the Baba Ghannooj was over-smoked and the hummus was pretty bland. The arrival of the belly dancer was what truly made us want to leave however...... the restaurant turned the music up to its highest decibel. It was so loud that we felt it necessary to cover our ears and neighboring diners were exchanging pained glances. Like you could really miss a gyrating, flailing female in the middle of the room!! So in rescue of our future hearing, we quickly departed. When young folks have to leave due to noise pollution, you know you have a problem. So my suggestion - go during the week, enjoy a decent meal, and avoid the entertainment (truth be told, I've seen better performances without the extra baggage). more

Best bar service I have ever had anywhere. I can hardly get in the door before being served. Small place, dark (in a good way) - cozy. They have not made the mistake of going overboard with flashing lights and plasma screens. Has a very comfortable feeling to it. If you are not of Middle Eastern decent (I am not) you will most likely be amazed at how friendly and cool people from Lebanon really are - have not met an unfriendly person there yet. No that Pasha is gone due to the economic collapse, at least we still have AL AMIR. Pros: Friendly people - both the staff and other patrons; fantastic food Cons: Parking; there at lots nearly typically $3 for the whole evening though (Fri/Sat) more

Al amir is the best place to be its full of life and it is a great place to hang out with friends and even make new ones...You get the best service ever along with a great conversation with the staff are all nice and very friendly...The bar tender Moe is just way too cute and fun to have there also makes the best drinks in town...I love this place its a very fun restaurant and after dinner time on the weekend who needs a club when you got a great crowd and everyone is happy and go going wild and very harmless. Pros: Food,Drinks everything is great more

My friend and I went to Al Amir last weekend and what a fantastic meal! The waiter forgot to bring our salads but offered to give us a free drinks because of the mistake. The owner came over and apologized for the mistake personally. How often does that happen! This restaurant has great ambience with the brick walls and stained glass windows plus they have entertainment! A belly dancer performed! How fun is that! I will definitely be back! Pros: Free Entertainment and the best hummus in Portland! Cons: They forgot to bring our salads but made up for it with excellent cusitomer service! more

i love this restaurant. on the weekends you can start out with a great meal and then stay late for some great partying. great combo more

My favorite place. Super cute and small. I love the staff. The chicken is the best, the shrimp is even better. the hummus is to die for. Pros: the food is spot on more