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Located in Southern Oregon, Medford has an abundance of incredible food, much of which is complemented by the local wines and craft brews. We check out the 10 best culinary highlights.

Oregon

Bambu

Restaurant, Asian, Thai, Vegetarian

Thai Tofu with Crushed Peanuts
© Amina Elahi
Established in 2001, Bambu is an award-winning — named ‘Best Asian Restaurant’ by Southern Oregon Magazine — restaurant specializing in regional Asian cuisine with a creative twist. From Japanese and Vietnamese to Filipino, there are many flavors to choose from. Within a beautiful, modern space, all guests will find satisfying options created by Chef Adam Ward. Dishes include Pacific Rim crab cakes with red curry aioli and Thai tofu on a bed of sauteed spinach topped with coconut-peanut sauce, chili flakes and crushed peanuts. With shareable dishes, it is the perfect spot to enjoy incredible fare with great friends.

BricktownE Brewing Company

Diner, Pub, Restaurant, American, Beer, Pub Grub

Cheese and Potato Soup
© jeffreyw
BricktownE Brewing Company is a cozy brewpub located in the historic downtown area. Open seven days a week, this venue pairs classic pub meals and American favorites with tasty brews on tap — a current list can be found on their website. A family-friendly establishment until 8pm, the menu comprises recipes that will suit various tastes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diners. Enticing options to note are the ESB battered fish and chips served with coleslaw and tartar sauce, the ghost burger with two all-beef patties stuffed with cheddar, bacon and jalapeños and Louisiana beer cheese soup made with a special cheese blend, house-made beer, potatoes, green onions and LA sausage.

Buttercloud Bakery & Cafe

Bakery, Cafe, Restaurant, Pastry Shop, Pastries, American, Coffee, Contemporary

Established by Ellen and Gibson Holub, Buttercloud Bakery and Cafe is an artisan restaurant delighting guests with its sweet and savory items. Open every day, this cozy bakery serves an array of scones, sticky buns, desserts. If available, try the apple spice cake with maple cream cheese frosting. The place also serves other baked goods, alongside savory items, all of which are made with the best ingredients available. Savory highlights include the farmhouse biscuit sandwich with a fried egg, bacon, tomato and basil aioli and the zuke and bell biscuit sandwich with zucchini, red bell pepper, house-made romesco sauce, goat’s cheese and spinach. Salads and soups, which are prepared with house-made stock are available as well.

Elements Tapas Bar

Bar, Restaurant, Spanish, Tapas, Wine, Vegetarian

Calamari
© J B
Located in OldTown Medford, Elements Tapas Bar is a vibrant place that focuses on Spanish small plates. Offering diners a variety of hot and cold and traditional and non-traditional tapas plus salads, flatbreads and paella, the menu is bursting with flavorsome combinations. Seeking out the best local and regional ingredients, the menu’s highlights includes crispy cauliflower with pickled raisins, toasted almonds and lemon aioli, lemon pepper calamari with smoked paprika aioli and cinnamon cherry duck with braised spinach. A full bar, complete with beers on tap and in bottles as well as an impressive wine list with many Spanish varieties, is also available.

Jaspers Café

Cafe, American, Coffee, Vegetarian

Founded in 1976 in the historic downtown neighborhood, Jaspers Café is a beloved place serving juicy hamburgers, including veggie varieties, hotdogs and other dishes. This friendly, popular cafe features more than 40 different types of gourmet burgers, many of which are deemed ‘extreme.’ The patties, which include beef, bison, elk, kangaroo and others, are fresh and hand-pressed daily. Creative highlights include the ‘Jiffy Burger’ topped with peanut butter, raspberry chipotle, bacon and provolone; the ‘Bandit Queen’ made from a turkey burger topped with green peppercorn mayo, smoke gouda, spinach and bacon and the ‘Jackaroo’ with a kangaroo patty topped with pineapple, beets, BBQ, bacon and egg. More than 20 different flavors of thick, creamy milkshakes are also available.

Jefferson Spirits

Bar, Pub, Pub Grub

Mac and Cheese
© Omid Tavallai
Located downtown, Jefferson Spirits is a gastro pub offering visitors a great selection of premium liquors, including single malt whiskey, beers and wine plus tasty food. In addition to beer and wine, there is also an array of specialty cocktails, such as the Jefferson shanty, which includes whiskey, beer, ginger beer and lemon. As for food, visitors can choose from appetizers, sliders and sandwiches, soups and salads and delicious entrees. Highlights are the warm Brie with bacon jam and crostinis, and mac and cheese with or without prosciutto. Low, sensitive lighting adds to the comfortable, relaxing atmosphere, making it a great location for a night out with friends.

Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub

Pizzeria, Pub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American, Beer

Part of Medford’s culinary scene since 2004, Kaleidoscope Pizzeria and Pub is a vibrant, locally owned venue specializing in stone-baked, gourmet pizza. Earning numerous awards since its inception, this pizza joint has a colorful, open dining space complete with art by local artisans. It also has a cozy patio where guests can eat a host of delectable items, including salads and calzones, which are all made from scratch with high-quality ingredients. They also offer gluten-free and vegan crusts. One must-try pizza is the award-winning Thai chicken pizza topped with roasted chicken, red onions, bean sprouts, carrot threads, cilantro, mozzarella, provolone and peanut sauce. Kaleidoscope also features 17 microbrews and wines, with an emphasis on local varieties.

Larks Restaurant

Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Meatloaf and Bourbon Ketchup
© randychiu
Located inside the Inn at the Commons in downtown Medford, Larks Restaurant is a lovely spot celebrating the bounty of Oregon. Procuring the best ingredients from local purveyors, the culinary team, headed by Executive Chef Damon Jones, makes classic dishes with a creative spin. Within a modern space, complete with 1960s decor, diners can sample made-from-scratch options such as vegan nut Bolognese with spaghetti squash and sunflower sprouts; meatloaf with bourbon ketchup, mashed potatoes and grilled green beans; and miso-glazed black cod served with orange-scallion marmalade, parsnip puree and crisp kale. Lunch, weekend brunch, desserts and local and regional wines and beers are also offered.

Portal Brewing Co.

Portal Brewing Co. is a brewpub serving house-made beer alongside tasty cuisine. With 14 rotating taps showcasing standard, seasonal and specialty brews, every beer lover is sure to find something of interest. Those seeking something edible to complement the brews will find a menu with an array of dishes inspired by global cuisines. Within a rustic interior providing a relaxed vibe, visitors can savor entrees such as gyros with spiced lamb and beef, cabbage and house-made tzatziki on pita bread; the ‘Schnitzel Master’ – grilled sausage stuffed into a pretzel along with cheese and bacon – and the veggie quesadilla with roasted chili peppers.

Rosario's

Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian

Established in 1975 and currently owned by Laura and Mike Hogan, Rosario’s is a charming restaurant delighting guests with authentic Italian cuisine. Making everything from scratch, the menu is full of appetizing choices, many of which are made using family recipes brought over from Italy. Within a typically welcoming Italian atmosphere, diners can savor entrees like ravioli di zucca with butternut squash, sage and butter; spaghetti alla carbonara with crispy pancetta and pasta tossed in a creamy egg sauce. A variety of wood-fired pizzas, gluten-free and vegetarian options are also offered at this gem of a restaurant.
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