Salty's on the Columbia River
About This Spot
Stepping into Salty's on the Columbia River is like arriving at a cherished coastal retreat where the river’s rhythm sets a gentle, unhurried pace. This seafood restaurant and bar & grill invites you to lean into the quiet luxury of wood tones, expansive waterfront views, and that fresh, briny air that only a riverside spot can offer. It’s the kind of place where the atmosphere feels thoughtfully relaxed—perfect for lingering over a meal without feeling rushed, where conversations flow easily against the background hum of clinking glasses and occasional jazz melodies.
The interior strikes a balance between polished and approachable, embracing a warm, coastal charm that makes every visitor feel immediately at ease. Whether you’re here for a leisurely brunch or a celebratory dinner, there’s a subtle sense of care woven throughout the experience—from the attentive but unobtrusive service to those small personal touches that turn ordinary moments into meaningful ones. It’s a space where you might notice thoughtful details like fresh rose petals marking a special occasion or live jazz softly filling the room on a Friday night, adding just the right layer of magic to the evening.
Of course, the food at Salty’s is deeply intertwined with the setting. Plates arrive that carry the ocean’s bounty thoughtfully prepared, with dishes that evoke the flavors of the Pacific Northwest—crisp, fresh, and comforting. Whether it’s the delicate crunch of coconut-crusted prawns or the satisfying warmth of a seafood cioppino, each bite feels like part of a shared moment, often accompanied by carefully crafted cocktails or a sparkling glass of champagne. There’s a genuine sense of celebration in the way food and drink come together here, making every meal a quiet event to savor.
Families feel equally welcome here with a menu that offers comforting options for younger palates, while adults can explore a thoughtfully curated drink list—whether it’s a perfectly executed martini or a spiced old fashioned. It’s the kind of place where you might end a meal with a slice of white chocolate mousse cake or key lime pie, desserts that provide a gentle, sweet punctuation to the experience.
Ultimately, Salty's is a reminder that good things happen when great food, attentive service, and a distinctive setting come together without hurry or pretense. It’s a local gem where the atmosphere invites you to slow down, enjoy the company you’re with, and embrace the joy found in the simple pleasures of a beautiful place by the water.
What’s Available Here
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Identifies as women-owned
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Outdoor seating
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Kerbside pickup
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Delivery
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On-site services
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Fireplace
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
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Live music
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Serves local specialty
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy-hour drinks
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Happy-hour food
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Healthy options
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Private dining room
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Wine
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Wi-Fi
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Wi-Fi
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Cosy
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Historic
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Romantic
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Trendy
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Upmarket
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Family friendly
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Groups
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Tourists
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Transgender safe space
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Brunch reservations recommended
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Lunch reservations recommended
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Dinner reservations recommended
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Accepts reservations
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Usually a wait
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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Credit cards
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
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Valet parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | Closed | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM - 08:30 PM | |
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| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 08:30 PM | |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM - 01:30 PM , 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM |
Sarah Villanueva 22 Dec 2025
Went to Sunday Brunch Buffet for our anniversary and they had rose petals and a card for us. They were attentive even though busy and had hot towels to keep our seafood hands clean. Traditional breakfast foods and delicious seafood brunch options. Delicious buffet with a beautiful view!
Crystal Collard 19 Nov 2025
The only thing that rivaled the amazing food and drinks was the exceptional top tier service from Matt. The views and the atmosphere are a cherry on top. They also make celebrating a life event impeccable from cute table decor and card to an extra dessert. We went all out and regret nothing (except being so full the dessert had to come home for tomorrow). We ordered: Spiced Apple Old Fashioned - hearty and reminiscent of a warming hot toddy. Huckleberry Lemon Drop - sweet and divine. Oysters on half shell - the raspberry mignonette was fabulous. Burrata Bruschetta - read the menu description, the colors, textures and flavors overlapped deliciously. Seafood chowder - we came here for this, it did not disappoint, always order the chowder. Parmesan Herb crusted albacore tuna - absolutely cannot go wrong with this, pairing with gnocchi was fantastic. Smoked Steelhead - this is brined and smoked and absolutely the best trout I’ve had in my entire life Desserts - tbd if I can I will update, had to get these to go!
Lillian Sun 11 Nov 2025
Fresh ingredients. I like the oysters a lot, order almost every time. Next time I will try the smoked steelhead. Yesterday was Halloween. Some staff dressed in costumes. It was fun. Upstairs had 2 jazz music players playing too. Yesterday was Friday. Not sure if the jazz live music was a Friday night thing or not. (I allowed google map to track me now, so I got an alert asking for review after last night’s visit at the restaurant. I actually owe this restaurant a nice review from a while ago. I was upset due to something happened between me and my husband on the dinner table, so I moved myself to a small remote table… the staff there was understanding and tried to cheer me up and the effort from more than one staff made me feel better of course).
Claire Hayes 01 Nov 2025
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.
Sofia Favaloro 20 Oct 2025
From parking to seating this is the gem of the PDX area.Daniel and Aaron are wonderfully sweet and provide THE BEST service. It was my birthday and the manager paid for desert for my whole table. Not to mention the chef curated the most amazing soulful Authentic Sicilian food!! Thank you for making it a memorable birthday <3
Linda Rea-Smith 17 Oct 2025
We just want to say how wonderful Daniel was with tending to All of our needs , placement of our table and making sure we are comfortable. Meghan was an exceptional server, great suggestions. Alex was so fun and helpful (making sure I looked beautiful in my birthday photo ) Fun environment right next to the river
Collin Cambridge 25 Sep 2025
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.
Ninette 18 Sep 2025
Very accommodating staff. They left us time to converse and checked in without being annoying. I got the restaurant week special. The octopus had decent flavors but was a bit over cooked and could have had a more smoke flavor. The king salmon while small portion was fabulous. I was delighted with the carrot cake and that it wasn’t overly sweet and oily like so many are. It could have stood to be out of the fridge a bit longer so the icing wasn’t hard and would be more creamy. Everyone else at our table enjoyed their food. Great views from the window. Nice price points.