Born downtown on SW 2nd Ave, Luc Lac is a Vietnamese kitchen and cocktail bar built around one stubborn idea: that broth simmered the right way, in the right hands, doesn't need a shortcut. Often imitated, never duplicated.
Our pho is our pride and joy. Fresh rice noodles ladled with a five-spice beef broth pulled straight from our grandmother's secret recipe — garnished with cilantro and red and green onions, served alongside a side plate of bean sprouts, Thai basil, jalapeños, and lime. The way it's supposed to be.
Round steak and meatballs. Lean brisket. Three beef cuts. Train. Chicken. Tofu & veggies. Tom Yum shrimp. Every bowl, every shift, the same way — because the version that earned a line out the door is the version we still serve.
We're a counter-service Vietnamese kitchen with a full cocktail bar. The list of things we focus on is short on purpose.
Pho. Banh mi. Vermicelli and rice bowls. Coconut curry and lemongrass stir-fry. Charbroiled skewers, sugar cane shrimp, and the wok-seared, Hennessy-spiked beef tenderloin that gave the restaurant its name.
See the full menuA full cocktail program: the Southern Dialect with our LL barrel-select bourbon, Blood of Tiger with tiger prawn tequila, Sassy Sour with Thai tea-kaffir lime syrup. Draft beer from Breakside, Stormbreaker, Pfriem — plus the J. Scott "Luc Lac Cuvée" Pinot Noir, poured by the glass.
Cocktails & wine"We are just one big, pho sling'n, fish sauce cookin', cocktail pourin', Portland lovin' family." That's the answer we give when someone asks who we are — and the standard the team holds itself to, every lunch and every dinner, seven days a week.
Come say hiLuc Lac is a counter-service restaurant. You order first, then we seat you. We don't take reservations — we're a first-come, first-served, walk-in kitchen for complete parties only, and we work our tails off to get you a table fast.
We seat complete parties only. If you're early, grab a number to hold your spot in line — but no ordering until everyone's in the door.
Pho, banh mi, rice bowl, cocktail — order it all in one go. Spice level 1 through 4. Allergens flagged on every dish.
Dining room, bar, or one of two covered, heated patios. Food finds you. Drinks come up fast.
Order ahead on Toast. We handle to-go orders up to ~$250 without prior notice — call 15–30 min ahead.
Catering is built into the DNA of the kitchen. Family-style trays packed in foil, or individually boxed portions — for offices, weddings, wakes, birthdays, and the random Tuesday department meeting that decided it needed banh mi.
For nights when you're not coming to us, we're on Caviar, DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats. Or order direct on Toast — that's the version that goes straight to our screens.
Order on Toast"The broth was the first thing that stood out. Deep, clean, rich without being heavy. You can taste the time and care that went into it. The round steak was tender, the brisket was lean but still packed with flavor, and everything came together exactly how good pho should."
"Went in for some warm food and was not disappointed. Ordered pho with steak and meatballs. The meatballs were very tasty and the broth was rich. Loved the atmosphere. Also ordered cocktails — the Asian Vacation and the Blood of Tiger, an amazing cocktail to try."
"One of my favorite spots when I crave a spicy coconut curry dish. The atmosphere is cozy, modern and has a PNW/Asian vibe, which perfectly complements Portland's foodie scene. All the dishes and cocktails here are beautifully crafted, vibrant and flavorful. Two covered/heated outdoor seating areas and full bar."
835 SW 2nd Ave, downtown Portland. Lunch 11A – 2:30P. Dinner 4P – 11P. Seven days a week. The wait is worth it.