Dining on the Coast: Restaurants, Menus of Lincoln City, Oregon

Sometimes the best dining in Lincoln City can be grabbing something to go and munching on the beach.

(Lincoln City, Oregon) - On Oregon's Central Coast, there's much ado about eating.

Something about the ocean air just makes for a heartier appetite - or maybe it's all that bouncing around the beach. Lincoln City has the largest array of restaurants available on the coast, and no shortage of something for everyone. Upscale, mid-price range, family joints to fast food: you'll find everything, often with a stunning ocean view.

Before you head out to the coast, indulge in this preview of Lincoln City’s most dynamic and engaging restaurants, along with a sampling of stunners in nearby areas of Newport and Yachats.

Fathoms Restaurant. Dine to one of the most breathtaking views on the entire coast, several stories above the surf, inside the Inn at Spanish Head. Breakfast features various griddle classics like pancakes, waffles, French toast to pigs in a blanket around $7, along with a large array of omelets in the worlds of seafood, veggies and meats around $10 - $13, or build your own. A choice of more elaborate breakfast skillet dishes is available too. For lunch, there’s plenty of seafood specialties, pastas, salads and sandwiches. At dinner, steaks, clams, fish, chorizo, pastas and dozens of intricate, gourmet dishes grace the menu, made with extravagant flair and creativity, often in the $20 - $30 range. Find delicacies like Surf ‘n’ Turf, Blackened Ahi, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Lobster Tails and chicken dishes, featuring interesting additions like stuffed mushrooms or Thai-influenced aspects, all creating the many layers of delirium. 4009 SW Highway 101. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-994-1601 or 800-452-8127. www.spanishhead.com/site/restaurant.html (Fine dining, family, lounge)

Mo's Lincoln City. Situated on Lincoln City’s Siletz Bay, where seals and other marine life abound, creating an unparalleled show. Start off with appetizers like oyster shooters or in the half shell, skewers, seafood cocktails, fries, clam strips and fried goodies ($3 - $10). Salads include many seafood varieties. Sandwiches (around $7) may find you munching a tuna melt, cod, sole, deep fried shrimp, clam fritter, or various hamburgers. Mo’s famous clam chowder comes in various sizes, including a gigantic sourdough bread bowl. Also, there’s chili and a scrumptious slumgullion (chowder w/ shrimp), and a bouillabaisse of shrimp, salmon, cod oysters, halibut and clams. For the land-dwellers, there’s BBQ ribs, chicken strips, grilled chicken and country fried steak (served with mashed potatoes and country gravy). Dinners come with chowder, salad and choice of rice, fries, vegetables or mashed potatoes – all with just about any seafood option possible, as well as fish ‘n’ chips. 860 SW 51st Street. Lincoln City, Oregon. 541-996-2535. www.moschowder.com. (family, seafood, burgers, lunch, dinner)

Dining Near Lincoln City - in Newport, Yachats, Pacific City

Village Market Bistro & Deli. In Newport’s Nye Beach district, lunch on gourmet cuisine to a beautiful view of the ocean. Specializing in cutting edge sandwiches, soups and specialty meat, cheese and veggie plates. Sandwiches (around $9) include wonders like the Tuscan Turkey (Hickory smoked turkey breast, sun dried tomatoes), Citrus grilled chicken breast or an ethereal pulled pork barbecue. You can also design your own sandwiches. Plates ($6 - $12) include artisan breads and cheeses, a luscious housemade pate, and imported meats. Try the Artichoke-Fennel-Parmesan Spread (Artichoke hearts sautéed in white wine with fennel seed and blended with fresh grated Grande Parma), for example. Fine wines from around the NW and world are sold. Generous deli assortment to take home. Specially made “beach baskets” can be ordered, with gourmet foods, cheeses, wine, etc. Open Wed – Sun, 11 a.m. to around 7 p.m. Village Market Bistro & Deli - 741 NW Third, Newport, Oregon - 541-574-9393. (30 minutes from Lincoln City). www.beachconnection.net/village_bistro_newport (Fine Dining Lunch)

Pelican Pub & Brewery. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and microbrews – all in a family restaurant with an amazing ocean view. It all begins with breakfast (generally around $10), that includes a large menu of egg concoctions, omelets, pancakes and surprises like breakfast burritos and benedict a la Florentine. Lunch ($9 - $11) has bundles of salads, seafood, chowder, sandwiches, fish and chips, and interesting morsels like wings, calamari, bangers and mash and even shark. Plenty of pizzas dominate. Amidst the usual toppings you can find chicken, spinach or even a barbecue sauce. Calzones as well. Dinner ($10 - $20) brings a fancier slant to the gourmet vibe, including salmon, beef brisket, prime rib, beef medallions, chicken and other seafood specialties dishes. Many pastas and a kids menu rounds out the culinary action. 33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive. Pacific City, Oregon. 503-965-7007. www.pelicanbrewery.com. (30 minutes from Lincoln City). (family, seafood, microbrews, breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Landmark Restaurant and Lounge. The view here presents a flood of wonders from the natural world, including all manner of wildlife wandering past you or in and out of the ocean or bay. The free show gives way to some of the finest Italian cuisine in the state. Sauces are light, delicate and very subtle, for pleasures like baked ziti, spaghetti or mushroom pasta.

Plenty of pancakes, eggs in various incarnations, sausage, ham and omelets are available for breakfast – from $6 to $10. Also some interesting Italian items, like a pesto omelet, eggs simmered in olive oil or seafood omelets.

Lunchtime and dinner brings numerous seafood appetizers around $8, chicken and beef entrees like Chicken Parmesan or steak, their fab Italian specialties and a bundle of seafood specialties from fancy to fish and chips ($10 - $18). There’s also a kids menu. A late-night menu boasts simpler items like nachos or burgers around $10. Hwy 101, Yachats. (541) 547-5459. www.landmark-yachats.com. (45 minutes from Lincoln City). (Family Restaurant, Adult Dining in Bar/Lounge)

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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