Jacqueline is a seafood restaurant and oyster bar at 2500 Southeast Clinton Street, Portland, Oregon 97202, in the Clinton neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Opened in 2016, this intimate neighborhood restaurant emphasizes Pacific Northwest seafood and seasonal vegetables. It moved to the corner of Southeast 25th Avenue and Clinton Street in November 2024. Travelers come for carefully sourced oysters, a daily-changing dinner menu, and the unusually accessible pleasure of a $1 oyster happy hour.
What to Expect at Jacqueline
The oyster program is the clearest introduction to Jacqueline’s cooking. The restaurant works directly with farmers in Puget Sound, along the Oregon Coast, and in Canada, bringing different growing waters to the same table. Ask which oysters are available that evening and how their salinity and texture compare. Rather than ordering only one variety, build a small selection and taste them side by side before moving into dinner.
The kitchen changes its menu daily according to availability, so approach dinner through ingredients rather than a fixed signature entrée. Seafood and vegetables share the emphasis; this is not simply a raw bar followed by predictable fish mains. The petite corner setting favors an unhurried dinner for two or a small group. Check the evening’s menu before choosing drinks, and ask the staff for a pairing that works across both oysters and cooked dishes.
- Daily oyster happy hour: Oysters cost $1 each from 5–6 pm, every day of the week.
- Direct farmer relationships: Shellfish sourcing connects the restaurant with growers in Puget Sound, coastal Oregon, and Canada.
- Pacific Northwest seafood: Regional seafood shapes the kitchen’s identity rather than appearing as an occasional special.
- Seasonal vegetables: Produce is a central part of the menu, worth considering alongside the seafood dishes.
- New Clinton Street location: Since November 2024, dinner takes place at Southeast 25th and Clinton, not the former 2039 address.
Jacqueline at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2500 Southeast Clinton Street, Portland, OR 97202 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Clinton neighborhood, Southeast Portland |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday, 5–9 pm; oyster happy hour daily, 5–6 pm |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$ dinner; $1 oysters during happy hour; other prices vary with the daily menu |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours for dinner; 45 to 60 minutes for oysters and drinks |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | TriMet Line 10 on nearby Southeast 26th Avenue; neighborhood street parking |
| Official Website & Phone | Jacqueline official website; +1 503-327-8637 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve through the restaurant’s official website, especially for Friday or Saturday dinner. Choose a 5 pm arrival if the $1 oysters are your priority; a later table leaves less overlap with the happy-hour window. Tell the restaurant about shellfish allergies or vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requirements before booking: vegetable dishes do not automatically mean an entire meal can meet every dietary restriction. Smart-casual clothing fits the neighborhood setting. Ask about current payment methods and split-check arrangements when organizing a group.
TriMet Line 10 provides a useful approach via Southeast 26th Avenue; check the official TriMet planner for your stop and evening return. Drivers should allow time for street parking and read residential restrictions carefully. For wheelchair or stroller visits, call about the entrance threshold, table clearance, and restroom access before reserving; request seating that minimizes movement through the petite dining room. Add a roughly five-minute walk to Piccolo Park, or walk north toward Division Street’s restaurants in about 10 minutes. The gardens and diagonal streets of Ladd’s Addition make a longer, roughly 15-minute pre-dinner stroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Jacqueline’s hours, and when should I arrive?
Jacqueline opens every day from 5–9 pm, including Sunday. Arrive at opening for the full 5–6 pm oyster happy hour, or reserve a later table if you prefer to focus on dinner.
How much does dinner cost, and are reservations needed?
This is a $$$ restaurant, with $1 oysters offered daily during happy hour. Dinner prices change with the menu; consult the official website and reserve ahead rather than relying on walk-in availability.
How much time should I allow?
Budget 1.5 to 2 hours for a relaxed dinner with oysters and several dishes. A focused oyster-and-drinks visit can fit into 45 to 60 minutes, depending on ordering and service.
Is Jacqueline suitable for wheelchair users or families?
Call ahead to discuss wheelchair dimensions, entrance access, restroom needs, or space for a stroller in the compact dining room. Families should review the daily menu before booking, particularly for children who do not enjoy seafood.
When planning your Portland travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Portland, pair this stop with standout local spots including Tusk, Urdaneta, Jupiter NEXT, and Oregon Rail Heritage Center (1.4 km away).
