About Us
Our story, our vision and the people behind it
Culture Mediterannean Restaurant and Social Bar, is Portland’s newest hidden gem in the heart of SE Hawthorne. A place where innovation meets tradition and classy meets casual.
Our dishes incorporate flavors from the Mediterranean region, with influences from Lebanon, Morocco, Greece, Spain and beyond.
Culture also offers Portland’s only table-side shawarma experience.
Our Table-side shawarma experience is perfect for sharing! While your choice of meat (chicken shawarma, beef sirloin, lamb kafta) or marinated veggies, slowly roasts at your table, you and your guests will be treated to our traditional mezza.
Once your shawarma is done roasting, you can slice into it yourself to create your very own pita sandwich, or of course, we are happy to do it for you!
We are proud to welcome Portlanders of all backgrounds to come together to eat, sip and relax!

ANDRE KARAM
Founder/ Owner
Andre is restaurateur who has opened several successful restaurants in Portland, Oregon.
The experience Andre has curated for diners at Culture from the food to the ambiance is inspired from his childhood upbringing in Lebanon.
Andre first decided to open Culture after taking a tour of the beautiful space. A few short months later Culture opened its doors.
You can find Andre here most days working alongside his two daughters.
FUN FACT: Worked with non-profits
ROOTS FOR: Trail Blazers
FAVORITE DISH: Chicken Shawarma
FAVORITE DRINK: Diet Coke

Cameron McNulty
Owner/ Director of Operations
FUN FACT: Has lived in many different states
ROOTS FOR: TRAIL BLAZERS
FAVORITE DISH: Crepe Salee
FAVORITE DRINK: The Culture

Dominic Finzo
Culinary Director
FUN FACT: Tennessee born and bred
ROOTS FOR: Dallas Cowboys
FAVORITE DISH: Biscuits and Gravy
FAVORITE DRINK: Makers Mark on the Rocks