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Oregon Coast Dining: Restaurants in Manzanita, Nehalem, Rockaway

(Manzanita, Oregon) - Oregon's north coast presents some of the best restaurants and dining possibilities along the entire shoreline. It's here where you’ll find long-standing gems that seem timeless and classic, yet often cutting-edge in their culinary fireworks.

It's no secret that in the Nehalem Bay area, you have to be among the best to remain in business during those often-lonely winter months where tourists can be few and far between. So those that have weathered the years do so because they are exceptional, competing with the best Portland can provide, and thus often thrive during the off-seasons.

Nehalem Bay consists of the towns of Wheeler, Nehalem and Manzanita, with Rockaway Beach on the outskirts. A 15 minute drive from Manzanita will land you in Cannon Beach, where numerous scrumptious possibilities reside, as well as down south in Bay City, overlooking the Tillamook Bay.

Looking for: Manzanita restaurants, Dining in Manzanita, Restaurants Rockaway Beach, Dining in Rockaway Beach, Oregon; Nehalem Restaurants, Wheeler Oregon Restaurants; Dining in Wheeler, Dining in Nehalem. Soups, salads and seafood in Rockaway, Wheeler, Nehalem and Manzanita. Steaks, Mexican cuisine, pasta in Wheeler, Nehalem, Rockaway and Manzanita. Korean menu, Asian menu, hamburgers, pizza menu.

For a complete list of dining possibilities on the Oregon coast, see the Oregon Coast Restaurant Dining Guide

San Dune Pub. With a historical, even slight maritime vibe, the San Dune Pub is a classy staple among locals, regulars and tourists alike. There is nothing typical about this place, it's all about the food. Known for their exceptional burgers, they create a menu that suites every palate. Homemade salad dressings, sauces, and desserts are amazing. Appetizers in the $3 - $9 range include hummus as well as the usual. Other highlights: Fresh Willapa Bay Oysters and Seafood Bisque (weekends only). Plenty of burgers in varied incarnations like chili, bacon, cheese, teriyaki, BBQ, chipotle, veggie or chicken; lots of seafood possibilities. Wraps and ciabatta sandwiches around $8 include chicken, Caesar, pesto, turkey and bacon/swiss, among others. Soups and salads abound. Less than ten minutes from the surfing paradise of Short Sands; legendary live music hotspot. 17 beers, large wine selection, full service bar. 127 Laneda Ave., Manzanita, Oregon. 503-386-5080. www.sandunepub.com (burgers, seafood, chicken, tacos, lunch, dinner)

Rick’s Roadhouse Bar & Grille. Classy yet not pretentious, this gem is another shot in the arm for Rockaway Beach, with the feel of a cozy, neighborhood bar you’d feel good about taking your grandma to. Exceptional food populates the menu throughout the day, such as the gargantuan toasted sub sandwiches. Turkey, pastrami, chicken and an exceptional Italian meatball sub all come with a gourmet touch (all around $8). There’s a hefty helping of coastal comfort foods, such as large portions of halibut and chips, prawns and chips, chicken wings, etc. Burgers have some nifty new takes, such as the chili burger, or the ones with cube steak or grilled mushrooms (all around $7). There’s a small selection of Mexican favorites, and some interesting extras like steak fingers, polish hot dog or egg rolls. They feature karaoke at night as well. 184 Highway 101. Rockaway Beach, Oregon. 503-355-2052. (over 21, seafood, burgers, tacos, lunch, dinner) See most of their menu at www.beachconnection.net/ricks_roadhouse_rockaway/

Tsunami Bar & Grill. Sandwiches, burgers, fish ‘n’ chips and a large variety of Asian cuisine with a view of Nehalem Bay. Set in a cozy, wood-themed interior, this very reasonably priced family dining favorite specializes in tasty delights from Korea, Japan and Thailand. Spring rolls, curry chicken, char grilled pork, Korean short ribs and bentos are some of the highlights. Most large dishes around $9.50. Stir fry yakisoba noodles come with chicken beef or tofu. Hot wings are Asian-style. Fish ‘n’ chips baskets are enormous and legendary among locals ($8 - $12). Full compliment of sides like tots, fries, steamed or fried rice and more. Cheeseburgers come in interesting varieties like BBQ bacon, mushrooms, chipotle black bean, gardenburger, chicken sandwich with honey Dijon, and others – all around $8. Full bar in back has one of the coolest retro interiors in Oregon. 675 Nehalem Blvd (Hwy 101). Wheeler, Oregon. 503-368-3778. (family, seafood, steaks, Asian, lunch, dinner)www.beachconnection.net/tsunami_grill_wheeler/

Nehalem Bay Winery. Looking for a little wine with your Oregon coast dining experience. At the Nehalem Bay Winery, you’ll discover a whole new take on the world of wine tasting. It’s fun, it’s funky and it’s very quirky – shaking loose all pretentiousness from the vino experience.

They ship wines right to you, wherever you are. One of their more popular features is visitors ordering more of this delicious nectar from wherever they live around the country, after they’ve gotten hooked on the stuff during a trip to the stunning Oregon coast. They also have some great specials that include free shipping. Call them or email them with an order and you’ll get it quickly. www.nehalembaywinery.com. Each year, the winery hosts a joyous blues festival, a legendary Fourth of July party, and the massive Bluegrass n’ BBQ festival that often features national acts like David Grisman, Laurie Lewis or the Austin Lounge Lizards. There are other intriguing, unforgettable music festivals as well, which differ from year to year. On Hwy 53 – one mile from the junction of 101 and 53, just outside Wheeler. www.nehalembaywinery.com. 1-888-368-9463.

Restaurants Near the Nehalem Bay Area (Cannon Beach, Bay City)

The Lumberyard Rotisserie & Grill. Classy but beachy laid back; lovely bar but family friendly. Lunch: main entrees $10 to $16, include rotisserie pot pie, rib-eye chili dog, ribs, Seafood like fish ‘n’ chips. Pork sliders or rib-eye philly around $10. Large burgers chicken, chili, halibut or sirloin are around $10 - $15. 10-inch gourmet hearthstone pizzas. Dinner many same dishes, also rotisserie chicken, rotisserie turkey, steak, top sirloin, pasta. Child’s menu. 264 Third Street. Cannon Beach (20 mins from Manzanita, Oregon) (503) 436-0285. www.thelumberyardgrill.com

The Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge. Legendary upscale classic, ocean view. Breakfast $6 to $15 range. Lunch: appetizers; large sandwiches include meats, seafoods and burger around $13. Tacos, filet and fries, wild forest mushroom and cheese ravioli. Dinner includes potato crusted halibut cranberry and brown butter sauce, a cedar planked honey mustard salmon, steamer clams - $25 to $30. Filet mignon, steaks, wild mushroom chicken. 1190 Pacific Drive. Cannon Beach (20 mins from Manzanita, Oregon). 503-436-1108. www.wayfarer-restaurant.com/

Cannon Beach Fultano's Pizza. Serious gourmet Italian at a family price. Delivers to local hotels, slices for lunch. Special thin crust recipe.

Standbys as well as gourmet varieties like the Margherita (garlic and herb olive oil, three cheeses, red onion and more), a Greek-themed specialty, a Goat Cheese pizza, and specialties with Teriyaki Chicken, Linguica, BBQ Chicken and a variety of seafood selections. Pasta (about $10) w/ homemade tomato sauce: their penne pasta with meatballs is a seriously addictive dish. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street, Cannon Beach (20 mins from Manzanita, 30 mins from Rockaway Beach). www.CBfultanos.com (503) 436-9717.

Inspired! Café. Café inside art gallery, with bright colors, a multitude of levels of things to look at and intriguing furniture. A green slant and emphasis on local organic ingredients, including fair trade, shade-grown coffee. Handcrafted flatbreads (about $7), like the Italian (herb infused mozzarella, goat cheese, parmesan and sundried tomatoes), or the Southwestern (spiced beans, corn salsa, pepper jack cheese), or the savory Indian (curried sweet potato, mango, goat cheese). On-site baked goods include Gorgonzola walnut bread (half loaf, $7; full loaf $12). Fruit plates too. Gourmet teas, fine wines, imported beers and Oregon-made, organic sakes. At the corner of 1st and Hemlock in Cannon Beach (20 mins from Manzanita). 503-436-1533. www.DragonFireStudio.com.

Stephanie Inn Dining Room. Four-star restaurant inside hotel. Soaring wood ceiling accentuated by a chandelier, w/ historic atmosphere. Seating times and days change seasonally and reservations are required. $59 per person for a masterful four-course prix fixe dinner in an innovative Northwest cuisine style, featuring fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Their wine list has numerous awards from Wine Spectator Magazine. The menu changes nightly. Sample menu: Tomato Basil Soup with gorgonzola cream; Seared Beef Tenderloin with Duchess potatoes, grilled onions and peppercorn reduction sauce. 2740 South Pacific. Cannon Beach (20 mins from Manzanita, Oregon). 800-633-3466. www.stephanieinn.com

Pacific Oyster, Bay City. Fresh fish as it's processed right here. Famous little family eatery, where the seafood practically gets shuffled from the sea straight into your mouth. Soups and salads include many seafood specialties, of course, including cioppino, chowders, crab Louie and cheese breads (from $3 to $14). Fish 'n' chips come in various incarnations, like oysters, halibut, cod, rock fish, prawns or chicken strips (about $8). Seafood sandwiches w/ shrimp, tuna or crab, as well as burgers, around $9. Small but tempting selection of dinners includes pan fried oysters, fillets of salmon or halibut, sautéed scallops and other goodies around $12. Stunning views of the bay. Portland and Newport locations. 5150 Oyster Drive, Bay City, Oregon. (503) 377-2323. www.pacseafood.com. (25 min drive from Wheeler - 15 min drive from Rockaway)

Also: Oregon Coast Seafood Restaurant Guide -

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