Kann

Kann, live-fire Haitian cuisine in Portland

Kann is a Haitian cuisine and live-fire restaurant located in Portland, Oregon, led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Gregory Gourdet. The establishment combines the chef's Haitian heritage and culture with Oregon's seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The name Kann, meaning "cane" in Haitian Creole, recalls a childhood memory of the chef in Haiti, when he would listen for sugar cane vendors passing by with wheelbarrows overflowing with the freshly harvested product.

A Haitian cuisine and Pacific Northwest pantry concept

Kann's menu is built around traditional Haitian cuisine and dishes inspired by the cuisines of the African and Caribbean diaspora. Haitian cuisine, as described by the restaurant itself, features Caribbean and tropical ingredients such as Scotch bonnet chili, coconut, plantains, root vegetables, and aromatics like djon djon, sour orange, thyme, clove, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla. Proteins are marinated to add layers of flavor. The offering is also seasonal and makes use of Pacific Northwest seasonal produce, with local vegetables, fruits, meats, and seafood.

Beverage bar: zero-proof cocktails, cocktails, wines, and beers

Kann's beverage program includes a zero-proof cocktail list that draws on fruits, spices, and flavors from the Caribbean and the local pantry. The cocktail program with alcohol follows the same line of Caribbean and local flavors. The wine list is concise and focuses on sparkling wines and wines that pair well with spiced dishes, Oregon labels, and a diversity of producers. The beer offering is presented in bottle format, with a focus on local craft beer and a variety of brewers.

Background and accolades

Planning for Kann began in 2018. The American public got a first taste of the concept in an episode of Top Chef All-Stars LA (season 17), in which Chef Gregory Gourdet participated; the pop-up received praise from the judges and won the show's "Restaurant Wars" challenge. In August 2020, mid-pandemic, the pop-up debuted in Portland with two sold-out nights at the wood-fired restaurant Mama Bird in northwest Portland. In December 2020, in partnership with American Express and Resy as part of their Yurt Villages program, The Redd on Salmon, an 8,000-square-foot historic foundry in southeast Portland, was transformed into Kann Winter Village, an outdoor fine-dining experience in heated yurts, with a six-course tasting menu and wine, beer, or zero-proof pairings. Kann Winter Village operated until April 2021. The restaurant opened its doors in 2022.

After opening, Kann was recognized by Eater and The New York Times as one of the best new restaurants; Esquire named it the best new restaurant in America. Portland Monthly and The Oregonian also distinguished it as restaurant of the year. Kann received the 2023 Best New Restaurant award at the James Beard Awards. In 2024, The New York Times included it in its inaugural "25 Best Restaurants in Portland, OR Right Now" list and it appeared on La Liste's 2025 list of the world's best restaurants. In 2025, The Oregonian named Kann the best restaurant in Portland and it ranked 27th on the inaugural North America's 50 Best Restaurants list.

Nationwide shipping and other products

Kann ships its signature dishes nationwide through Goldbelly, from Portland to the customer's door, with a guarantee of fresh arrival. The site also mentions the possibility of pre-ordering the cookbook The Weeknight Table, as well as kann coffee and kann chocolate products. The company has an event series called Kann Cellar Series and accepts event and donation requests.

Reservations and operations

Reservations are managed through Resy. The restaurant does not accept reservation requests by email and asks interested parties to sign up on Resy to receive notifications of cancellations for their desired date, time, and party size. Party size includes children.

Location and contact

548 SE Ash St, Portland, OR 97214 · Phone: 971.489.2202 · Email: hello@kannrestaurant.com · Hours: Wednesday 4 – 7 PM; Thursday 4 – 9:30 PM; Friday 4 – 9:30 PM; Saturday 4 – 9:30 PM; Sunday 4 – 7 PM; Monday closed; Tuesday closed