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Restaurants, Dining in Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Wheeler, Nehalem |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Dining: Eating Your Way Through 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.
Be prepared for a happy tummy as you venture into this part of the north Oregon coast.
For a complete list of dining possibilities on the Oregon coast, see the Oregon Coast Restaurant Dining Guide
Nehalem
River Inn and Restaurant. One of the most
hidden yet scrumptious upscale delights on the Oregon coast, the restaurant
utilizes organic produce along with the finest meats and seafood, prepared
in Chef Hamic’s famed style. An outdoor patio allows you to dine
in a lush, forested setting in nicer weather, while warm, elegant surroundings
typify the interior. A new wine bar in the lobby boasts a small menu and
outdoor area. Menus change, but you may find items like Gravlax-style
salmon with English cucumber, roast quail with green lentils and chicken
apple sausage, New York Steak with truffled potato gratin and portabello
mushroom, seared diver scallops with crème fraiche and goat cheese
grits, Muscovy duck breast with risotto-style barley, or pan roasted Japanese
black bass. Entrees in high $20's to low $30s. $40-$50 per person with
food and wine. Reservations required. On Highway 53 - just 1.3 miles east
of Highway 101. 34910 Highway 53, Nehalem, Oregon. (503) 368-7708. www.nehalemriverinn.com
Left Coast Siesta. Tasty, inexpensive and innovative are the key words. Glorious enchiladas or burritos come stuffed with ingredients in an intriguing and unforgettable recipe that's a combo of spices, herbs and one spunky sauce. There are tacos that are much larger than you'll expect, and other Mexican goodies as well. Most items are $4 to $8, and most single items are meals in themselves. You won't go away hungry. With a little bit more coin, you can double up or triple up on items. You can choose between a great number of ingredients, and how hot you want your Mexi-delicacy to be. Outdoor dining on the porch is something you must experience, with some lovely views of the ocean in the distance. It's a famous little eatery on the coast - and for good reason. 288 Laneda Ave. Manzanita, Oregon. (503) 368-7997.
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.
Blue
Water Grill. One of the best views on the entire Oregon coast:
their outdoor dining and its ocean vistas and breezes cannot be beat.
Right next to the main wayside of Rockaway Beach, the Blue Water features
a stunning array of NW and coastal cuisine favorites, done with a warming,
downhome style. Classy pastas that lean towards seafood, a variety of
seafood platters that lean towards out-of-this-world, and a big selection
of applaud-inducing steak and chicken dishes all have an upscale twist
($12 to $25). Burgers are delicious and rather monstrous, such as the
weighty house special that comes with smoked bacon, Tillamook cheddar
and a fried egg (all around $9). Hot sandwiches go some exciting places,
such as the Cajun Muffuleta (all around $10). A variety of seafood, veggies
and other cool tidbits make up the appetizer menu. Many different salads.
Perfect for kids; great adjacent bar with entertainment at night. 210
South First. Rockaway Beach, Oregon. (503)-355-3111.
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)
Cannon
Beach Fultano's Pizza. It’s some serious gourmet Italian
at a family price. This one delivers to local hotels, and they feature
slices for lunch. There's a special thin crust recipe that's especially
tasty, crunchy and yet still tender in a way that manages to combine both
those latter qualities seamlessly.
There are many of the 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. One item features a distinctive sausage with mashed grapes for the sauce, providing a subtle, sweet tang. The sausage is spicy and zippy, making a nice balance to the slight sweetness.
One must-try is their pasta (about $10). They have a homemade tomato sauce that stacks up against anything Europe could dish out. This is one stunning, mother-of-all sauces, and their penne pasta with meatballs is a seriously addictive dish. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street. www.CBfultanos.com (503) 436-9717.
Inspired!
Café. A café inside an art gallery creates
more than a place to simply sit, sip and down truly inspired cuisine,
with bright colors, a multitude of levels of things to look at and intriguing
furniture. All this comes with a green slant and emphasis on local organic
ingredients, including fair trade, shade-grown coffee. Munch on 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), as well as other fine breads and muffins.
Fruit plates available too. To drink you’ll find a large menu of
gourmet teas, as well as fine wines, imported beers and Oregon-made, organic
sakes. At the corner of 1st and Hemlock in Cannon Beach. 503-436-1533.
www.DragonFireStudio.com.
Pacific
Oyster, Bay City. It's hard to get fish fresher than this,
as it's processed right here after coming in from the sea. At the end
of the dock here, it's probably Bay City's only recognizable feature,
with piles of shells near the landward side. But it's also a 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). Find seafood
sandwiches with shrimp, tuna or crab, as well as burgers, around $9. Finally,
a 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 - during the summer you can sit
outside and take in the sea air. All sorts of fresh seafood and flavorings
on sale to take home. Also visit their Portland and Newport locations.
5150 Oyster Drive, Bay City, Oregon. (503) 377-2323. www.pacseafood.com.
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 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. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
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