Beyond the Buzzer: Where NBA Stars Feast in Portland After the Game

The final buzzer sounds. The crowd roars one last time. Players file off the court, jerseys soaked, bodies battered, adrenaline peaking. But for NBA stars, especially in a food-forward city like Portland, the night isn’t over.

Post-game meals aren’t just a necessity; they’re a ritual. It’s about replenishing carbs, refueling muscles, and finding comfort after three hours of physical and mental warfare. It’s also about camaraderie. Players often break bread with teammates, coaches, family, and close friends — a quieter victory lap away from the lights.

Portland may not have the bombast of Los Angeles or the round-the-clock buzz of New York, but for those who know, it holds a culinary cachet that hits differently. Players talk. Word travels. Quietly but steadily, Portland has earned its reputation as a city where you can both ball out and feast like a king afterward — no red carpet needed.

Local Legends: Player-Favorite Spots

Ox
After a grueling game, when protein cravings hit hard, players often head to Ox. This Argentine-inspired grillhouse manages the rare balance of upscale and unpretentious. The wood-fired meats — short ribs, house chorizo, thick-cut ribeyes — draw NBA regulars. The vibe is relaxed, with open flames, rustic charm, and sturdy restaurant furniture that holds up to even the biggest diners unwinding after a hard-fought game. The “Asado Argentino for Two” is a favorite, though players usually order it solo, doubling up on cuts like morcilla and skirt steak.

Departure
For players riding the high of a major win, Departure’s rooftop setting provides a victory stage. This modern Asian fusion restaurant inside The Nines Hotel offers sweeping views of downtown Portland. It’s part culinary journey, part celebration. The menu leans pan-Asian — Korean fried chicken, spicy noodles, Peking-style duck — ideal for sharing around the table. Players with bigger entourages love the expansive seating and semi-private nooks. Departure’s Executive Chef also understands the importance of discretion, often sending out off-menu creations for familiar faces.

Le Pigeon
When players want flavor fireworks without the paparazzi, they sneak into Le Pigeon. This small French-inspired bistro doesn’t scream “NBA hotspot” from the outside, but inside, it’s a temple of bold, inventive cooking. Duck liver mousse, beef cheek bourguignon, and foie gras profiteroles headline a menu that rewards risk-takers. Smaller groups — two or three players max — often book the chef’s counter for an intimate, front-row seat to the action. The unassuming location and low-key interior make it easy for stars to blend in among serious foodies.

Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
Overtime game? Tight finish? Midnight appetite raging? Luc Lac is the answer. Open until late, this casual Vietnamese joint dishes out steaming bowls of pho, crispy rolls, and spicy wings. It’s affordable, fast, and no-frills — three traits NBA players value when hunger hits after an exhausting double-overtime. Regulars often customize their pho orders heavily: extra brisket, double noodles, side orders of banh mi stacked on the table. In an era where every move can land on Instagram, Luc Lac offers anonymity and soul-warming plates in equal measure.

Under-the-Radar Haunts: Where They Go to Avoid Crowds

Hat Yai
When players crave comfort food without the crowds, Hat Yai is a sanctuary. Specializing in Southern Thai fried chicken and vibrant curries, it’s tucked away just far enough from tourist zones to feel safe. Players, especially locals and visiting friends who prefer flying under the radar, order the fried chicken by the platter alongside roti and curry. The turmeric and spice-scented air hits you the second you walk in. For players, it’s all about maximum flavor with minimum fanfare.

Eem
Equal parts Thai, barbecue, and tropical cocktail bar, Eem is a hybrid restaurant that somehow works perfectly — and players have taken notice. It’s not unusual to see a small cluster of pros ordering brisket burnt ends over coconut rice, sipping on bright, citrus-forward drinks (mocktails for the early risers). The casual, tiki-inspired decor lets players relax, their post-game intensity melting into easy laughter over sticky, spicy plates.

Güero
When simplicity calls, Güero answers. Their tortas — Mexican sandwiches stacked high with juicy pork, beef, or vegetables — have a cult following among hungry NBA regulars. The soft bolillo bread, the smoky meats, the house-pickled veggies: it’s a bite that satisfies without weighing you down for tomorrow’s shootaround. Players often swing by in sweats and caps, blending easily into the low-key crowd of locals grabbing a quick, unforgettable meal.

Food Trucks and Late-Night Grabs

After a 48-minute grind and the adrenaline of a win or the sting of a loss, players don’t always want a drawn-out sit-down dinner. Sometimes, it’s about getting hearty food fast, no silverware required.

Cartopia
Cartopia is a legendary late-night food cart pod that has seen its share of NBA clientele. Lardo’s sandwiches (massive, messy, glorious) are player favorites — especially the Korean pork shoulder piled high on ciabatta. Potato Champion’s poutine satisfies carb-loading needs with crispy fries blanketed in rich gravy and cheese curds. At 1:00 a.m., no one’s judging that extra side of duck fat fries.

Matt’s BBQ
For serious meat cravings, Matt’s BBQ stands tall. Their Central Texas-style brisket — thick, smoky, juicy slices — draws players straight from the Moda Center. It’s not unusual to see a black SUV parked nearby as players line up, hoods up, hats low. Matt’s burnt ends and spicy jalapeño cheddar sausage links offer the kind of flavor gut-punch that even the most exhausted players will trek for. Matt’s food truck isn’t fancy, but when the meat’s this good, nobody cares.

Private Dining and VIP Setups

NBA players don’t just think about taste — they think about security. Privacy is non-negotiable. Portland restaurants have adapted by offering semi-secret private dining setups for their high-profile clientele.

RingSide Steakhouse
A Portland institution, RingSide is famous for its prime steaks and old-school vibe. For team outings or special occasions, players often book out the private dining rooms, hidden away from the bustling main floor. Here, team captains like Damian Lillard have hosted rookie welcome dinners, bonding events, and strategy chats fueled by tomahawk steaks and loaded baked potatoes.

Andina
In the heart of the Pearl District, Andina blends Peruvian flavors with Portland’s love of fresh, local ingredients. NBA teams often arrange for private rooms upstairs, indulging in causas, ceviches, and lomo saltado without cameras lurking. Security details typically coordinate ahead of time, ensuring entrances and exits happen swiftly and quietly. It’s a mix of rich flavors and total discretion that players respect and return to.

Private dining isn’t just about keeping prying eyes away; it’s about creating safe, comfortable environments where players can relax, laugh, argue over calls, and plan their next game-day assault without inhibition.

Player Stories: Memorable Meals and Mini-Traditions

Some NBA players are walking legends not just for their play, but for their post-game appetites.

Damian Lillard, for example, is known among insiders for a low-key obsession with tacos. It’s whispered that after home games, Dame occasionally orders double portions from select spots, preferring a blend of spicy chicken and carne asada. His loyalty to local taco joints is nearly as strong as his loyalty to Rip City.

CJ McCollum, during his Portland days, reportedly had a soft spot for Le Pigeon’s more adventurous menu items. Rumor has it he once ordered foie gras profiteroles to go — a power move few outside the NBA could pull off.

Other players carry superstitions from the locker room to the dinner table. A few always order the same pre- and post-game dishes, believing it keeps their shooting streak alive. One player insisted on always eating sweet potato fries before facing certain Western Conference rivals. Another ordered two entrees every time he played on a Sunday, citing it as his “good luck bulking ritual.”

These aren’t just eating habits; they’re rituals woven into the fabric of NBA life.

Why Portland’s Food Scene Hooks Them In

Portland’s pull on NBA players isn’t flashy; it’s foundational.

Players appreciate the city’s insistence on fresh, local ingredients — a welcome change from the processed offerings they encounter in some larger markets. They like that chefs here focus on craft over clout.

It’s not about the biggest plates or the fanciest interiors. It’s about serious food made by people who care. Portland offers a balance of indulgent comfort and refined artistry that fits players’ ever-changing moods — and rigorous schedules.

Closing Bites: The Next Generation of Spots Players Are Eyeing

As new faces enter the league and old favorites retire, the courtside food culture evolves.

Players are already talking about Kann, a wood-fired Haitian restaurant opened by Top Chef winner Gregory Gourdet, as a new go-to spot. Younger rookies have been spotted at Ok Omens, a playful wine bar with inventive small plates.

Meanwhile, private chef culture is starting to bleed into public dining. More players are booking bespoke experiences at pop-ups and chef residencies around Portland, merging old-school rituals with new-school tastes.

In Portland, the final buzzer is just the beginning — of the next great meal.