Some restaurants feel like they’ve been part of a neighborhood forever, even when they’re brand new.
That’s Fantino.
Tucked into Southeast Portland on SE Division Street, Fantino is a cozy neighborhood restaurant and bar that has quickly become one of the city’s more exciting new places to spend an evening. The space is intimate and warmly lit, with a playful horse- and jockey-inspired design that gives the restaurant a personality all its own.
But the real reason to make the trip is what’s coming out of the kitchen.
Italian at Heart, Portland in Spirit
Fantino’s menu has an Italian foundation, but it doesn’t stay strictly within the lines. Classic Italian dishes share the menu with Mediterranean and Spanish influences, creating a lineup that feels familiar while still offering plenty of surprises.
Housemade focaccia starts things off beautifully, while dishes like pan con tomate, gildas, and patatas bravas bring a little Iberian energy to the table. Then there’s the pasta — the kind of pasta that has helped put Fantino on the radar of Portland diners.
The bucatini al limone is creamy, bright, and vibrant. Linguine with clams brings the flavors of the sea to the table, while baked conchiglie alla vodka offers a comforting take on a classic. For those looking beyond pasta, dishes such as chicken Milanese and grilled branzino add even more variety to the menu.
It’s the sort of menu that makes ordering a little difficult — in the best possible way.
A Little Bit Unexpected
Part of Fantino’s charm is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The horse-racing theme runs throughout the space, with jockeys, horses, and racetrack-inspired details giving the restaurant a distinctive sense of place. The result is stylish without feeling formal and polished without losing the warmth of a neighborhood spot.
It’s a setting that works particularly well for a date night or an evening with close friends — somewhere you can settle in, order a cocktail, share a few plates, and let the evening take its own course.
And the bar deserves attention of its own. Fantino’s drinks are an important part of the experience, making it just as appealing for a cocktail and a bite as it is for a full dinner.
The New Place People Are Talking About
Portland is a city that embraces its neighborhood restaurants, and Fantino has quickly found its place among them.
There’s something exciting about discovering a restaurant while it’s still new — before every table becomes familiar, while the menu continues to evolve, and when the feeling of finding a great spot still feels like a secret you get to share.
Fantino has that feeling.
It’s small, lively, welcoming, and full of personality. It’s the kind of place where you can stop in for dinner and leave already thinking about what you’ll order the next time.
Make an Evening of It
Fantino is the kind of restaurant that invites you to settle in and enjoy the evening. Come hungry, start with the focaccia, order some pasta, try something you haven’t had before, and stay for another drink.
Located on SE Division Street, it’s a fresh addition to Portland’s dining scene that already feels like it has staying power.
New restaurants come and go, but every once in a while, one arrives with that special combination of great food, atmosphere, personality, and genuine hospitality.
Fantino feels like one of those places.
