Fine coastal dining
Beach food favorites
Great coastal picnic spots
FINE COASTAL DINING
Here are our favorite places for a special-occasion dinner
with plenty of local flavor (restaurants are listed from north to
south).
CANNON BEACH
1.
The
Stephanie Inn. There's no ocean view at this sumptuous inn's
dining room, but the four-course prix fixe meals are riveting
enough. The menu changes nightly. $$$$; dinner daily, reservations
required. 2740 S. Pacific St.; 800/633-3466, or 503/436-2221.
LINCOLN CITY
2.
Blackfish
Café. Original art hangs on painted concrete walls, and
the menu ranges from complex marriages of local ingredients, such
as local pork with house-made applesauce, to simple beach-food
favorites, like rockfish and chips. $$; closed Tue through May,
then lunch and dinner daily. 2733 N.W. U.S. 101; 541/996-1007.
3. Bay House. As close to perfect as any Oregon coast restaurant, from the drop-dead view of Siletz Bay to the sophisticated menu: pan-seared scallops with Oregon Chardonnay clam sauce, or rack of lamb flavored with cumin, cinnamon, and Cabernet. The wine list is outstanding. $$$; closed Mon-Tue through mid-May, then dinner daily and brunch Sun. 5911 S.W. U.S. 101; 541/996-3222.
NEAR BANDON
4.
The
Gallery Restaurant at Bandon Dunes. The setting is excuse
enough to dine here: Huge, west-facing windows showcase the sunset
over the golf course at this world-class resort. Enjoy Pacific
Northwest-style steak and seafood; beach fare includes crispy fried
local oysters with homemade tartar sauce. $$$; breakfast, lunch,
and dinner daily. 57744 Round Lake Dr.; 888/345-6008, or
541/347-4380.
GOLD BEACH
5.
Chives Oceanfront
Dining. Two years ago, Chives was relocated from Brookings to a
gracious ranch-style house overlooking the ocean and the dunes at
Gold Beach. The standard menu offers more than a dozen appetizers,
from pear and chèvre (goat cheese) salad to local shiitake
mushrooms with Madeira cream sauce, and entrées like beef
fillet with Yukon potatoes and roasted garlic. Additional daily
offerings are geared toward the current catch and the chef's whim.
$$$; dinner Wed-Sun. 29212 U.S. 101; 541/247-4121.
BEACH FOOD FAVORITES |
Top
If it's chowder or fish and chips you're after, you can't go
wrong at any of these eateries (listed from north to south).
SEASIDE
6. Norma's Ocean Diner. The baconless chowder is good
― thick with potatoes and clams ― and the fish and
chips are even better; choose the lightly breaded option, which
lets the fish's flavor shine. $$; lunch and dinner daily. 20 N.
Columbia St.; 503/738-4331.
PACIFIC CITY
7.
Pelican
Pub & Brewery. Enjoy the light, fresh, sweet homemade clam
chowder as well as grand views of the ocean and Cape Kiwanda. $;
breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr.;
503/965-7007.
NEWPORT
8.
Quimby's Restaurant.
Stellar clam chowder and unsurpassed fish and chips served with a
spicy coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce. $$; lunch daily, dinner
Mon-Sat, breakfast Sat-Sun. 740 W. Olive St.; 541/265-9919.
SOUTH BEACH
9.
Lighthouse
Deli & Fish Co. Your choice of more than a dozen fresh fish
and shellfish options, cooked fast in a light tempura batter. $;
breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 3640 S.W. U.S. 101;
541/867-6800.
GOLD BEACH
10. Indian Creek Café The clam chowder at this
family-friendly, burger-and-fries cafe 1/2 mile off U.S. 101
deserves its cook-off award. It's made only on Fridays, but there
are often leftovers on weekends. $; breakfast and lunch daily.
94682 Jerry's Flat Rd.; 541/247-0680.
HARBOR
11. Great American Smokehouse The fish and chips are crunchy
and fresh, and the decor is maritime kitsch. $$; lunch daily,
dinner Thu-Mon. 15657 U.S. 101 S.; 541/469-6903.
GREAT COASTAL PICNIC SPOTS |
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We list the best picnic sites on the Oregon coast from north
to south. All offer plenty of picnic tables, beach access, ocean or
coastal forest views, and rest rooms. For more information, visit
www.oregonstateparks.org
or call 800/551-6949.
12. Ecola State Park, near Cannon Beach. $3 day-use fee.
13. Oswald West State Park, near Manzanita. Free.
14. Cape Lookout State Park, near Netarts. $3 day-use fee.
15. Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, Depoe Bay. $3 day-use fee.
16. Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site, Newport. Free.
17. Ona Beach State Park, near Newport. Free.
18. Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, near Florence. $3 day-use fee.
19. Humbug Mountain State Park, near Port Orford. Free.
20. Whaleshead Beach Picnic Area in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, near Brookings. Free.
