X

Oregon Coast Dining Information

-

Bonnie Henderson,

Fine coastal dining
Beach food favorites
Great coastal picnic spots

FINE COASTAL DINING
Here are our favorite places for a special-occasion dinnerwith plenty of local flavor (restaurants are listed from north tosouth).

CANNON BEACH
1. TheStephanie Inn. There’s no ocean view at this sumptuous inn’sdining room, but the four-course prix fixe meals are rivetingenough. The menu changes nightly. $$$$; dinner daily, reservationsrequired. 2740 S. Pacific St.; 800/633-3466, or 503/436-2221.

LINCOLN CITY
2. BlackfishCafé. Original art hangs on painted concrete walls, andthe menu ranges from complex marriages of local ingredients, suchas local pork with house-made applesauce, to simple beach-foodfavorites, like rockfish and chips. $$; closed Tue through May,then lunch and dinner daily. 2733 N.W. U.S. 101; 541/996-1007.

3. BayHouse. As close to perfect as any Oregon coast restaurant, fromthe drop-dead view of Siletz Bay to the sophisticated menu:pan-seared scallops with Oregon Chardonnay clam sauce, or rack oflamb flavored with cumin, cinnamon, and Cabernet. The wine list isoutstanding. $$$; closed Mon-Tue through mid-May, then dinner dailyand brunch Sun. 5911 S.W. U.S. 101; 541/996-3222.

NEAR BANDON
4. TheGallery Restaurant at Bandon Dunes. The setting is excuseenough to dine here: Huge, west-facing windows showcase the sunsetover the golf course at this world-class resort. Enjoy PacificNorthwest-style steak and seafood; beach fare includes crispy friedlocal oysters with homemade tartar sauce. $$$; breakfast, lunch,and dinner daily. 57744 Round Lake Dr.; 888/345-6008, or541/347-4380.

GOLD BEACH
5. Chives OceanfrontDining. Two years ago, Chives was relocated from Brookings to agracious ranch-style house overlooking the ocean and the dunes atGold Beach. The standard menu offers more than a dozen appetizers,from pear and chèvre (goat cheese) salad to local shiitakemushrooms with Madeira cream sauce, and entrées like beeffillet with Yukon potatoes and roasted garlic. Additional dailyofferings 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 gowrong 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 andchips are even better; choose the lightly breaded option, whichlets the fish’s flavor shine. $$; lunch and dinner daily. 20 N.Columbia St.; 503/738-4331.

PACIFIC CITY
7. PelicanPub & Brewery. Enjoy the light, fresh, sweet homemade clamchowder 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 aspicy coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce. $$; lunch daily, dinnerMon-Sat, breakfast Sat-Sun. 740 W. Olive St.; 541/265-9919.

SOUTH BEACH
9. LighthouseDeli & Fish Co. Your choice of more than a dozen fresh fishand 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 thisfamily-friendly, burger-and-fries cafe 1/2 mile off U.S. 101deserves its cook-off award. It’s made only on Fridays, but thereare 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 crunchyand fresh, and the decor is maritime kitsch. $$; lunch daily,dinner Thu-Mon. 15657 U.S. 101 S.; 541/469-6903.

GREAT COASTAL PICNIC SPOTS | Top
We list the best picnic sites on the Oregon coast from northto south. All offer plenty of picnic tables, beach access, ocean orcoastal forest views, and rest rooms. For more information, visit www.oregonstateparks.orgor 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-usefee.

15. Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, Depoe Bay. $3day-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, nearFlorence. $3 day-use fee.

19. Humbug Mountain State Park, near Port Orford. Free.

20. Whaleshead Beach Picnic Area in Samuel H. Boardman StateScenic Corridor, near Brookings. Free.