9 Best Restaurants in The Oregon Coast, Oregon

Although it bills itself as a wine bar, this casually upscale dining room with local art on the walls is also one of the southern Oregon Coast's most sophisticated little restaurants. The dinner menu emphasizes freshly made pastas, often served with local seafood (the pan-seared jumbo shrimp over a saffron-parsnip puree is a standout). 

At the north end of town, making it a perfect drop-in after a hike at Ecola State Park, this colorfully decorated spot with its own little tiki bar serves big portions of creatively prepared Caribbean and Creole fare, along with a fittingly extensive selection of tropical cocktails (the Yellowbird, with fresh-squeezed tangerine and lime juice and Tia Maria, is a favorite). Kick things off with Dungeness crab fritters with mango salsa and Bahamian brown stew, before savoring a heartier main dish, perhaps braised pork tenderloin in a rich mushroom-Marsala sauce or New Orleans–style jambalaya with smoked pork shoulder.

With its soaring windows, cathedral ceiling, earthy tones, and vibrant timber beams and flooring, this stylish and airy farm-to-table restaurant has become one of the coast's top destinations for a romantic meal—or even just a memorable breakfast or happy hour overlooking the Pacific. The kitchen sources as much as possible from local farms and seafood purveyors with its seasonal menu, which might feature char-grilled, wine-braised octopus with house nuoc cham and harissa, or a land-and-sea plate of beef tenderloin and pan-seared scallops with a wild-mushroom demi-glace.

Immensely gifted chef-owner Justin Wills presents a short but memorable menu of creatively prepared, modern, Pacific Northwest cuisine each night in this romantic, contemporary dining room at the Whale Cove Inn. The menu changes regularly, with chef Wills sourcing largely from local farms, ranches, and fisheries, but you might start with an elk crepinette with chanterelle mushrooms and Asian pears, followed by pheasant breast with kalamata olives, brown-butter crumbs, and beet-pickled leeks. Save room for dessert; it's impressive here, with the apple pie tart topped with hard-crack caramel and candied almonds a particular standout. 

As diners enjoy a romantic view of Haystack Rock, this luxe hotel's sophisticated, supremely romantic dining room prepares a new menu nightly, crafting exquisite dinners using fresh, local ingredients. Diners can expect dishes such as cedar plank–roasted salmon, rack of lamb with chanterelle risotto, and a lemon-curd tart with wild berry sauce. You can order à la carte or opt for the four-course prix-fixe, with or without wine pairings. There's an extensive regional and international wine list. The view, cuisine, and attentive service combine to make it one of the finest dining experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Flowers and candlelight set the mood for romance at this cozy, art-filled restaurant with a sweet brick courtyard and first-rate live music most evenings. The menu draws on international influences but with an emphasis on regional ingredients and might feature a starter of Korean-style braised pork belly with gochujang barbecue sauce, followed by Pinot Noir–brined fillet of beef with leek–blue cheese soufflé, port-shallot-tarragon butter, and a porcini glaze.

His lordship has a lot going for him: a cliff-top setting, a comfortable and spacious dining area in a dramatic contemporary building, sunsets visible through picture windows overlooking Face Rock Beach, and occasional live music on weekends. The upscale menu features plenty of steaks and local seafood; try the nut-crusted halibut, Pacific lingcod with a coconut curry sauce, or wild prawns with garlic butter and sherry. 

The thoughtful prix-fixe menu at this offbeat restaurant in the outstanding Sylvia Beach Hotel changes nightly, but there's a good chance one of the handful of entrée options will be fresh local seafood, perhaps a moist grilled salmon fillet in a Dijonnaise sauce, served with sautéed vegetables, fresh-baked breads, and rice pilaf; a decadent dessert is also included. Note that dinners, which start at 6 pm, are quite leisurely, so young children may get restless.  Call for reservations and daily menu; you can't reserve online.

The dazzling beach and ocean views, especially at sunset, are just part of the story at this casually elegant restaurant at the Surfsand Resort; it's also a reliable if very traditional destination for a leisurely feast of local seafood and steaks, such as panko-breaded Pacific razor clams with rémoulade, seared Chinook salmon with risotto, and the prodigious 22-ounce "tomahawk" rib-eye steak with sweet potato–andouille hash. There's a nice list of Oregon wines, and breakfast—featuring delicious crab cake Benedicts and cinnamon roll French toast—is offered daily.