In a place like Oregon, there really is no shortage of amazing dining options. It’s a special time in the state’s food history. Some of the best chefs in the country are making Portland their home. The Willamette Valley’s wine country pairs perfectly with farm-to-table establishments. And, well, given our background as a frontier territory, there are plenty of downright unusual Old West-themed restaurants that are fun for the whole family to check out. We decided to explore some of the truly unique restaurants in Oregon, just for you. Prepare your taste buds.

  1. Rimsky Korsakoffee, Portland

“Rimsky-Korsakoffee House-2” by Visitor7 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, filled with kitschy whimsy, is one of the oldest coffeehouses in Portland. It’s easy to see why this local business has weaved its way inside people’s hearts! With so much character and class, you’ll never want to stop at a Starbucks ever again.

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, 707 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA

  1. Brunch Box, Portland

Facebook Editor’s Note: Brunch Box is permanently closed.

Burger lovers and grilled cheese lovers unite at this spot, known for sandwiching giant beef patties between two grilled cheeses instead of buns. Believe us, it’s one of the best restaurants in Oregon! You’ll want to come back again and again.

  1. Canyon Way Bookstore and Restaurant, Newport

Yelp Editor’s Note: Canyon Way Bookstore and Restaurant is permanently closed.

Pick up a good read and some really amazing clam chowder at The Canyon Way Bookstore and Restaurant. This Newport gem belongs on your bucket list.

  1. Celilo Restaurant and Bar, Hood River

Facebook The menu at Celilo Restaurant and Bar changes constantly to go with what’s locally available, so you know the food is always fresh and delicious. Plus, it’s set in a sleek dining room. Sounds like it’s worth the drive to Hood River! Celilo Restaurant & Bar, 16 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031, USA

  1. Grilled Cheese Grill, Portland

Facebook Insane grilled cheese combos that come right out of a school bus, turned food bus? Yeah, must be Portland. When it comes to comfort food restaurants in Oregon, nothing beats Grilled Cheese Grill. Trust us, you’ve never had tasty eats quite like this.

Grilled Cheese Grill, 2315 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211, USA

  1. Haines Steak House, Haines, Oregon

Haines Steak House Come for the beef, stay for the Oregon Trail ambiance. Haines Steak House offers a rustic and welcoming dining experience that you can’t find anywhere else.

  1. Jacksonville Inn, Jacksonville, Ore

Facebook The storefront of Jacksonville Inn dates all the way back to 1861, but the menu and wine offerings are definitely modern and vast. It’s the best of both worlds at this beloved local eatery! Come see why this business has stood the test of time.

Jacksonville Inn, 175 E California St, Jacksonville, OR 97530, USA

  1. Multnomah Falls Lodge

Facebook The building for Multnomah Falls Lodge was built in 1925. It’s a gorgeous setting, and we just love the location - right up against the falls trail head. Visit during autumn and enjoy all the magnificent colors around you. Multnomah Falls Lodge Visitor Center, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA

  1. New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro, Talent, Ore

Facebook Editors Note: New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro is permanently closed.

Tucked away in the Southern Oregon town of Talent, New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro this place is said to have to one of the best wine lists in the country. Who knew?

  1. Noah’s Ark Restaurant, Winston, Ore

Noah’s Ark Restaurant Editor’s Note: Noah’s Ark Restaurant is permanently closed

This place, set aside the Wildlife Safari in Winston, is one of the most unique restaurants in Oregon. It’s got replicas of the ark itself and is surrounded by “animals,” but it’s run by the nicest old lady who will welcome you into her menagerie.

  1. Renata, Portland

Renata Renata has been named Restaurant of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. The restaurateurs Sandra and Nick Arnerich earned their stripes at acclaimed French Laundry in the Bay Area of California, and they brought their culinary expertise to this gorgeous restaurant in Portland. Renata, 626 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214, USA

  1. The Roxy, Portland

Yelp Editor’s Note: The Roxy is permanently closed.

Fun and snarky waitstaff, open 24 hours, and bottomless coffee. A night owl’s paradise.

  1. Thistle, McMinnville

Facebook A 2011 Oregonian Restaurant of the Year, Thistle is easily the best spot in downtown McMinnville. Whether you’re coming for a date night or solo adventure, you’ll love your meal. Thistle, 228 NE Evans St, McMinnville, OR 97128, USA

  1. Wishing Well, Portland

Facebook 1970s kitsch, old school, big plates of Chinese food and… That palm tree. Perfect combo. Check out Wishing Well Restaurant to see it for yourself. There’s nothing else quite like it. The Wishing Well Restaurant, 8800 N Lombard St #3735, Portland, OR 97203, USA

So that’s just a taste of some of the most unique restaurants in Oregon. Obviously, Portland is a treasure trove of weirdness that would require a series of stories, but we wanted to give you an array of strange, classic, New American and upscale. What’s on your list of totally unique dining experiences Oregon? Tell us in the comments below!

“Rimsky-Korsakoffee House-2” by Visitor7 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, filled with kitschy whimsy, is one of the oldest coffeehouses in Portland. It’s easy to see why this local business has weaved its way inside people’s hearts! With so much character and class, you’ll never want to stop at a Starbucks ever again.

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House, 707 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214, USA

Facebook

Editor’s Note: Brunch Box is permanently closed.

Burger lovers and grilled cheese lovers unite at this spot, known for sandwiching giant beef patties between two grilled cheeses instead of buns. Believe us, it’s one of the best restaurants in Oregon! You’ll want to come back again and again.

Yelp

Editor’s Note: Canyon Way Bookstore and Restaurant is permanently closed.

Pick up a good read and some really amazing clam chowder at The Canyon Way Bookstore and Restaurant. This Newport gem belongs on your bucket list.

The menu at Celilo Restaurant and Bar changes constantly to go with what’s locally available, so you know the food is always fresh and delicious. Plus, it’s set in a sleek dining room. Sounds like it’s worth the drive to Hood River!

Celilo Restaurant & Bar, 16 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031, USA

Insane grilled cheese combos that come right out of a school bus, turned food bus? Yeah, must be Portland. When it comes to comfort food restaurants in Oregon, nothing beats Grilled Cheese Grill. Trust us, you’ve never had tasty eats quite like this.

Grilled Cheese Grill, 2315 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211, USA

Haines Steak House

Come for the beef, stay for the Oregon Trail ambiance. Haines Steak House offers a rustic and welcoming dining experience that you can’t find anywhere else.

The storefront of Jacksonville Inn dates all the way back to 1861, but the menu and wine offerings are definitely modern and vast. It’s the best of both worlds at this beloved local eatery! Come see why this business has stood the test of time.

Jacksonville Inn, 175 E California St, Jacksonville, OR 97530, USA

The building for Multnomah Falls Lodge was built in 1925. It’s a gorgeous setting, and we just love the location - right up against the falls trail head. Visit during autumn and enjoy all the magnificent colors around you.

Multnomah Falls Lodge Visitor Center, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA

Editors Note: New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro is permanently closed.

Tucked away in the Southern Oregon town of Talent, New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro this place is said to have to one of the best wine lists in the country. Who knew?

Noah’s Ark Restaurant

Editor’s Note: Noah’s Ark Restaurant is permanently closed

This place, set aside the Wildlife Safari in Winston, is one of the most unique restaurants in Oregon. It’s got replicas of the ark itself and is surrounded by “animals,” but it’s run by the nicest old lady who will welcome you into her menagerie.

Renata

Renata has been named Restaurant of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. The restaurateurs Sandra and Nick Arnerich earned their stripes at acclaimed French Laundry in the Bay Area of California, and they brought their culinary expertise to this gorgeous restaurant in Portland.

Renata, 626 SE Main St, Portland, OR 97214, USA

Editor’s Note: The Roxy is permanently closed.

Fun and snarky waitstaff, open 24 hours, and bottomless coffee. A night owl’s paradise.

A 2011 Oregonian Restaurant of the Year, Thistle is easily the best spot in downtown McMinnville. Whether you’re coming for a date night or solo adventure, you’ll love your meal.

Thistle, 228 NE Evans St, McMinnville, OR 97128, USA

1970s kitsch, old school, big plates of Chinese food and… That palm tree. Perfect combo. Check out Wishing Well Restaurant to see it for yourself. There’s nothing else quite like it.

The Wishing Well Restaurant, 8800 N Lombard St #3735, Portland, OR 97203, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Restaurants in Oregon January 26, 2023 Elisa R. What are the best family-friendly restaurants in Oregon? The best family-friendly restaurants in Oregon are:

The Oregon Inn American Table Family Restaurant Luckies Barn And Grill Smokey’s BBQ Roadhouse Pizza Papalis Grumpy’s

  Are there any waterfront restaurants in Oregon? Yes, there are many waterfront restaurants in Oregon. The best ones are:

Riverside, Hood River Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria Tidal Raves, Depoe Bay Local Ocean Seafoods, Newport The Wayfarer, Cannon Beach The Waterfront Depot, Florence

  Which restaurants in Oregon look like nothing from the outside but have great food? The best hidden gem restaurants in Oregon are:

Cowboy Dinner Tree, Silver Lake The Waffle Window, Portland Northwest Wild Products, Astoria Cottonwood Cafe, Sisters

The OIYS Visitor Center

Restaurants in Oregon

January 26, 2023

Elisa R.

What are the best family-friendly restaurants in Oregon? The best family-friendly restaurants in Oregon are:

The Oregon Inn American Table Family Restaurant Luckies Barn And Grill Smokey’s BBQ Roadhouse Pizza Papalis Grumpy’s

  Are there any waterfront restaurants in Oregon? Yes, there are many waterfront restaurants in Oregon. The best ones are:

Riverside, Hood River Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria Tidal Raves, Depoe Bay Local Ocean Seafoods, Newport The Wayfarer, Cannon Beach The Waterfront Depot, Florence

  Which restaurants in Oregon look like nothing from the outside but have great food? The best hidden gem restaurants in Oregon are:

Cowboy Dinner Tree, Silver Lake The Waffle Window, Portland Northwest Wild Products, Astoria Cottonwood Cafe, Sisters

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The best family-friendly restaurants in Oregon are:

  • The Oregon Inn
  • American Table Family Restaurant
  • Luckies Barn And Grill
  • Smokey’s BBQ Roadhouse
  • Pizza Papalis
  • Grumpy’s

 

Are there any waterfront restaurants in Oregon?

Yes, there are many waterfront restaurants in Oregon. The best ones are:

  • Riverside, Hood River
  • Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria
  • Tidal Raves, Depoe Bay
  • Local Ocean Seafoods, Newport
  • The Wayfarer, Cannon Beach
  • The Waterfront Depot, Florence

Which restaurants in Oregon look like nothing from the outside but have great food?

The best hidden gem restaurants in Oregon are:

  • Cowboy Dinner Tree, Silver Lake
  • The Waffle Window, Portland
  • Northwest Wild Products, Astoria
  • Cottonwood Cafe, Sisters