Family-friendly, retro atmosphere diner featuring vegan comfort foods with breakfast served all day alongside cocktails, wine, and beer. The large menu offers choices like breakfast burrito, biscuits n gravy, nacho mamas, spicy fries, ranch burger, philly cheese steak sandwich, the vertical rueben, pancakes, and french toast. Opened 2019, this is a sister-restaurant to the Vertical Diner in Salt Lake City. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-8:00pm. Delivery 12-7pm.
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8124 SW Barbur Blvd (at Capitol Hill District), Portland, Oregon, USA, 97219
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 23 Oct 2025 by OperationChowhound
Update business info -
Added by Tomatillo on 17 Jul 2019
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126 Reviews
First Review by IdeaFarmer1
sophiaothman
Points +28
Delivers a great comfort food experience - Edit
Had all the comfort food items I want but can’t get at regular restaurants and that I just don’t bother to cook myself: French toast, Mac n cheeze, biscuits and gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, with all the usual sides fries hash browns broccoli. We had to come twice in one week!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-11-12
Pros: Great Comfort food selection, Great textures, Generous portions
Cons: Some items seemed too oily
Guest
Sorrelsprout
Points +138
Great Diner Vibes - Edit
Friendly staff and hefty portions, chill diner. Got the Chickun Caesar Salad which was super good and filling, and a decadent hot chocolate perfect for the cooling weather. Have been by before too and also recommend the Fiesta Salad. I look forward to the next visit every time.
Read morePros: Portions, Chikun Caesar Salad, Hot Chocolate
Cons: Parking lot is a smidge difficult to get into
Guest
LOliva19
Points +454
😯 Selections galore! - Edit
The menu had lots of options, something for everyone. Portions were generous. Food was tasty. No one complained. Server was attentive and helpful.
Read morePros: Broad selection of foods, Comfortable atmosphere and seating.
Cons: Music could have been more Happy Days, diner-y., Jazz music seemed wrong for a diner., Could be better selection of sugar free drinks.
Guest
wiseharts
Points +3195
Good Variety - Edit
Yes, the typical diner vibe…but at least it’s tasty vegan food. We tried the Ian Mackaye on rye, which was fantastic! The lentil veggie patty was great and we’re thankful they had a non-“fake” option available. The side salad was huge and delicious. Also the PDX cheeze stake, which okay (not much flavor) but would have been better on rye. We took a tiramisu to go and it was perfectly moist and flavorful.
Read morePros: Accommodating
Cons: Turning out of parking lot can be difficult.
Guest
yummy81
Points +190
One star - Edit
This place is in desperate need of a major overhaul. It doesn’t matter how good the food is—and honestly, it wasn’t even close to acceptable—because the environment completely overshadows everything. The space feels dirty, tired, and neglected. It’s clearly a repurposed old-school diner that went vegan without making any real effort to update or clean up. The floors were sticky from harsh cleaning products, the air smelled off, and the booths still look like old leather. It just feels gross.
Read moreIn a city like Portland, where vegan options are abundant and the bar is high, this place falls embarrassingly short. We’ve been to many vegan spots around town that blew us away. That’s why the glowing reviews on HappyCow feel suspect at best. This place can do better.
Adding to the strange experience was an Arabic food truck randomly parked in the lot—completely unrelated and out of place. Overall, it felt chaotic, uninviting, and nowhere near the kind of vegan dining experience Portland is known for.
Updated from previous review on 2025-08-01
Pros: Friendly staff
OperationChowhound
Vertical Diner leases the building, but they don't own the property, so they have no affiliation with the food cart.
Read moreGuest
Dariush
Points +1134
Can I clone this place??? - Edit
I found Vertical Diner on Happy Cow. We need more vegan diners like this- somewhere you can go regularly together with non-vegan friends and family. Service was friendly and prompt. My coffee cup was always full, as it should be. The menu is broad without being unwieldy, with all-day breakfast (of course). I ordered the Mountain- country style potatoes, sauzage, tofu and guac. Great breakfast.
Read morePlease bring a Vertical Diner to Hong Kong!!!
Addendum- restaurant still here, still awesome.
Updated from previous review on 2023-01-02
FieldRoaster🌱
This is the kind of place I’d pay $1k/year to have in my neighborhood. Eating there is like dining on a cloud.
Read moreDariush
I was just getting something to eat!!!
Read moreGuest
elv.eg.an
Points +44
Sloppy Joe! - Edit
Visited with my partner and we both were impressed with the wide selection! We had not planned to find this spot so it was a pleasant surprise.
Read moreI ordered the Sloppy Joe and was worried about the portion size but it was more than enough since you get a side as well, it tasted great and I think you'd agree if you like a meaty experience with a bit of spicy kick! The fries were average but still complementary, my partner recommends the Mac and Cheeze! He had the TBLAT (GFO) which is also pictured, and enjoyed that as well!
also couldn't help but order the Mocha and Strawberry milkshakes and both were delicious!
Pros: Great Service, Full menu
Guest
vegantothemoon
Points +118
love all of the options, a little bland tho - Edit
such a cute place, wanted to love it. did enjoy seeing so many options on the menu, so I would definitely go back and try something else.
Read morePros: lots of options
Cons: food was a little bland
Guest
kattycow
Points +84
Another tasty visit - Edit
Got a breakfast instead of a burger this time and it was delicious. Got the mountain breakfast with bacon tempeh and it had a really yummy cheesy sauce on it. Would recommended for a savoury breakfast.
Read moreGuest
ElleseGarcia
Points +215
100% worth the stop! - Edit
I WISH something like this place existed in Dallas TX. I loved every bite of my food, service was fast, place was clean, waiter was nice😄I highly recommend this place!!!! Great food and so many options it’s bound to make everyone happy.
Read morePros: Great food, Plenty of parking and seating, Reasonable prices
Cons: None!
Guest
Jensunset
Points +30
Best brunch stop - Edit
Mother’s Day had us waiting for about 40 minutes to be seated but it was worth the wait. Biscuits and gravy with Soyrizo for protein and tones of potatoes!
Read morePros: Food, Atmosphere , Friendly staff
Cons: No reservations , Loud if crowded
Guest
teresamkc82
Points +43
Great food - Edit
I had the biscuits and gravy bonanza. It was so good, I went back the next day
Read moreGuest
mjaux
Points +450
Always am thankful for a vegan restaurant but don’t feel the need to return - Edit
Headed south from downtown Portland we stopped at the Vertical Diner. I had such good memories from eating at the Salt Lake City location several years ago.
Read moreWe were greeted and welcomed warmly, and after hearing the run down of the menu we chose the Vertical tacos and the TBLAT. I’m sure the jackfruit tacos are some peoples favorite but the tangy flavor didn’t hit home with me. My wife thought her sandwich was okay, but she was disappointed in the fries.
Four stars for being a vegan restaurant but overall underwhelmed.
Pros: Wonderful staff, Fully vegan
Guest
Veganfromtheheart
Points +36
Excellent Vegan Food right off the freeway!!! - Edit
Wait staff was great. The building is classic style. Our food came out so quick! We got 2 meals, cup of Mac and carrot cake for $50. The Mac n Cheeze was so good and the Parmesan topping I could eat all day. I loved the gravy! we will definitely be back to try more!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-04-26
Pros: Quick service, Good size portions, Clean restaurant
Cons: Wish could choose fruit or veggie for side.
Veganfromtheheart
Also no cross contamination with animal products
Read moreGuest
jennboww
Points +199
YUM!!! - Edit
Everything here was incredible! I’m not even a huge fan of tofu scramble but theirs was heavenly. And possibly the best pancakes I’ve ever had. Definitely will be back to try lunch options!
Read morePros: Fully vegan
Guest
purplegrover
Points +108
Great all vegan diner - Edit
Love the many all day breakfast options in a classic old diner! Friendly service, too 😺
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-03-18
Guest
KurtHermansen
Points +443
Classic diner - Edit
Great service. Very friendly. Hreay food.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-03-16
Pros: Right off highway, Great service., Healthy and comfort food yum
Guest
Smitty1931
Points +464
Excellent Vegan Diner - Edit
Truly amazing all-vegan diner with so many different options available. I got a burger with a root beer float that really blew me away. Great food with a sick atmosphere!
Read moreGuest
DoctorVeg
Points +96
Cool spot, food quality mixed - Edit
Really cool building and interior vibe. Had pancakes, tofu scramble, sausage, potatoes. Pancakes were fantastic, everything else was a bit greasy, although the scramble had good flavor.
Read morePros: Pancakes, Building, Service
Cons: Greasiness
Guest
bEzz
Points +2130
Best chk’n ever! - Edit
It might be that the Monday night kitchen crew is of a different caliber than other days or times of day, but if I am being totally honest, this visit was a mixed bag! We all got some version of chk’n sandwich. We all agreed the chk’n itself was the best we have ever had. But also, all the sandwiches were super dry. Like, you could barely tell there was BBQ sauce on the BBQ chk’n or ranch on the “regular” chk’n sammie. It was barely discernible as a smear on one side of the bun. So we had to ask for more sauce. The ketchup was strangely tangy and watery, as was the “vertical sauce”. We also got a brownie sundae. The peanut butter brownie was incredible. The ice cream was inedible. It was so flaky and icy, it crumbled when we tried to scoop it with a spoon. It was like someone scraped freezer burn off normal ice cream. Really strange! Regardless, we will definitely return whenever we are back in town.
Read moreGuest
MaddieCartwright
Points +100
Perfect Diner Comfort Food 😍❤️🤤 - Edit
Really friendly, attentive service. Amazing classic diner comfort food with actually tasty bottomless coffee. I always get The Mountain & it always hits the spot. Wish I could get my hands on their cheeze sauce recipe. Chickun & Biscuits is like nostalgic midwest greasy spoon vegan heaven. 10/10- so good, I bought merch 👍
Read morePros: Superb tofu scram plates, All-day breakfast w/ delish bottomless coffee, Classic diner vibes
Guest
AFo10
Points +88
Love this place! - Edit
Scrumptious comfort food! Portions are large. The milkshakes are a must!!
Read morePros: Food, Dessert , Parking
Cons: Damaged Booth
Guest
Aniseed
Points +5323
Vegan Breakfast! - Edit
I love their vegan gravy n biscuits, pancakes and french toast!
Read moreGuest
annalisa.xcx
Points +62
just perfection - Edit
such a fantastic little gem, get the biscuits and gravy, it's mind-blowing!! staff is lovely and atmosphere is so comforting.
Read morePros: food, atmosphere, staff friendliness
Guest
tracyrocks
Points +1975
Super cool and yummy - Edit
This place is amazing! Not only is it an old diner (with a working jukebox!!), the food and service are great as well! We had reubeun, dude cakes, mac and cheese and a chocolate shake. The dude cakes were unique, savory and enjoyable. The Mac and cheese was light on the cheese, which is how I prefer. No step to enter. ADA stall in gendered restroom.
Read moreGuest
amandathorpe
Points +45
Proof that Vegan can be Delicious! - Edit
Visited the Portland restaurant, and inside, it feels like an older diner (like an old Dennys)… AND it’s been elevated to be such a great vegan spot! Had the Reuben sandwich and Mac and cheeze, along with an immunity tea. Soooo wonderful! Will be returning!
Read morePros: They have a full bar for different drink options, Unique ingredients to provide healthy choices
Cons: The diner is a little aged
Guest
Roux
Points +62
Comfort food, comfortable spot - Edit
This place is adorable and Nick is a lovely, friendly server. The portions were huge and delicious and there's something for every palate. We got the dude cakes and the breakfast Mac and cheese. Both were excellent. There's a great takeout fridge with burritos, baked goods, and sauces. The thing I loved most was how little they changed of the original diner- you can sit at the counter in the original chairs and watch everyone's yummy looking food come through the window slot. There are big comfy booths for groups and a large, sunny meeting room for larger groups. There's a big jukebox in the corner and a comfortable retro air to the whole place. Can't wait to go back!
Read morePros: Fast and friendly service, Tasty food, Fun atmosphere
Guest
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