Yama Sushi & Izakaya
Division/Clinton, Portland
Restaurant in Portland, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Yama Sushi & Izakaya works when the goal is an easy Portland sushi-and-izakaya meal rather than a high-ceremony dinner. It is especially useful for solo diners or pairs who can keep the meal flexible, while Quaintrelle or Jacqueline make more sense for a more planned, special-occasion night.
About Yama Sushi & Izakaya
Yama Sushi & Izakaya is a Portland venue with a casual dress code and daily service listed in two windows: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM and 5–10 PM.
Choose it for a casual Portland meal, not a fully documented destination profile
Yama Sushi & Izakaya is in Portland, has a casual dress code, is listed as open daily for midday and evening service. If you are comparing it with other venues, Quaintrelle or Jacqueline may be useful reference points.
Plan around the listed hours rather than assumptions about seating, service style, or specific dishes. For the most reliable experience, confirm current details directly before going, especially if timing, availability, or a particular menu item matters to your group.
The room works better as a lightly planned Portland option
The safest recommendation is to use Yama Sushi & Izakaya as a casual Portland option whose schedule includes both midday and evening hours every day. Avoid building a plan around claims such as a tasting format, counter setup, drinks program, or specific dish list.
For broader planning across the city, use Our full Portland restaurants guide; if the night is turning into drinks, lodging, or a longer itinerary, pair it with Our full Portland bars guide, Our full Portland hotels guide, Our full Portland wineries guide, or Our full Portland experiences guide.
Know Before You Go
- Location: Portland.
- Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM and 5–10 PM.
- Dress code: Casual.
- Best use case: A casual Portland meal when the listed hours fit your plan.
Planning details
- Location
- 2038 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- yamasushiportland.com
- Phone
- +15032312859
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Yama reads like a quietly confident neighborhood spot: modest on the outside and focused on reliable, thoughtfully executed Japanese fare inside. The sushi-and-izakaya hybrid balances the intimacy of a small counter with the conviviality of a pub-like small-plates program, producing a cozy, casual atmosphere rather than a staged, fashionable experience. Regulars prize it for being steady and unshowy — a restaurant you return to rather than photograph — and that gives the dining room an intimate, lived-in warmth that fits Southeast Portland's residential streetscape.
Best For
This is a dinner-first destination that suits everyday outings and low-key celebrations alike. The izakaya format encourages groups to graze and share plates, making it ideal for casual hangouts, after-work drinks, family dinners and relaxed date nights. It deliberately avoids the formality of an omakase bar, so reservations and fuss are less central than the social flow of ordering in stages. If you're looking for a dependable neighborhood meal focused on shared flavors and convivial pacing, Yama fits that bill.
Ordering Tips
Ordering at Yama rewards a staged approach: begin with lighter, delicate preparations and move toward richer, more assertive small plates as the evening progresses. The venue's signature dishes—scallops and the sashimi deluxe—make clean, early choices; follow with bolder items like the stuffed jalapeño and crunchy spicy tuna to ramp up intensity. Treat the meal as shared grazing rather than a single prix‑fixe arc, and pace rounds of plates so the kitchen can deliver successive waves of flavor that pair well with sake and drinks.
Venue details
Ambiance
Light and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, artistic decor, and welcoming casual atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- scallops
- stuffed jalapeño
- crunchy spicy tuna
- sashimi deluxe
Planning details
Location
2038 SE Clinton St, Portland, OR 97202 · Directions
Also consider
Where to Go If This Is Full
If Yama Sushi & Izakaya does not work for the schedule, try Scottie's Pizza Parlor SE for an easier casual meal in a different format. For a more planned dinner with a stronger occasion feel, choose Quaintrelle instead.
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Choose Yama Sushi & Izakaya over Quaintrelle or Jacqueline when ease matters more than ceremony. Quaintrelle and Jacqueline are stronger choices for a longer dinner with more occasion energy; Yama is the practical pick for sushi-and-izakaya ordering, especially when the group wants flexibility and an easier booking.
Against Scottie's Pizza Parlor SE and Scottie's Pizza Parlor, the decision is less about quality and more about format. Scottie's is the simpler call for pizza, quick comfort, low-commitment group eating. Yama is better when the table wants Japanese categories, smaller rounds of ordering, a meal that can work for one person as easily as for a pair.
Fifty Licks Ice Cream is not a dinner substitute, but it is the useful add-on if the night needs a casual finish rather than another seated reservation. For a full evening, book Yama for the meal and keep Fifty Licks as the lower-effort second stop.
Explore Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Yama Sushi & Izakaya guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Yama Sushi & Izakaya
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yama Sushi & Izakaya | Portland | ; | No published awards |
| Scottie's Pizza Parlor SE | Portland | ; | No published awards |
| Scottie's Pizza Parlor | Portland | ; | No published awards |
| Fifty Licks Ice Cream | Portland | Ice Cream | No published awards |
| Quaintrelle | Portland | ; | No published awards |
| Jacqueline | Portland | ; | Michelin Guide Belgium & Luxembourg 20262025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate |
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How Yama Sushi & Izakaya Portland compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Yama Sushi & Izakaya?
The specific menu items are not listed here, so avoid planning around a particular dish without checking directly with Yama Sushi & Izakaya. If you want another comparison, Quaintrelle is a different option to consider.
Is lunch or dinner better at Yama Sushi & Izakaya?
Yama Sushi & Izakaya is listed as open daily from 11:30 AM–2:30 PM and again from 5–10 PM. Choose the window that fits your schedule, confirm current hours before going. Fifty Licks Ice Cream is another option to consider.
How far ahead should I book Yama Sushi & Izakaya?
Is Yama Sushi & Izakaya good for solo dining?
The venue has a casual dress code and daily midday and evening hours, which can make it practical to consider for a simple Portland meal. Jacqueline is another option to compare.
What are alternatives to Yama Sushi & Izakaya?
Other options to compare include Quaintrelle, Scottie's Pizza Parlor, Scottie's Pizza Parlor SE, Fifty Licks Ice Cream, Jacqueline. Check current details directly before deciding which one best fits your plans.
