Cannon Beach, Oregon, is popular with vacationers who are drawn by its sandy beaches, coastal rainforest, and not to mention its great food culture. Here are 10 of the best restaurants Cannon Beach has to offer.
With a great waterfront location with dazzling views over the beach, ocean, and Haystack Rock, the Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge is a popular venue. The restaurant specializes in Pacific Northwest cuisine, emphasizing the very finest in seasonal, fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Fish, seafood, poultry, and steak, along with egg-based dishes for breakfast, all feature prominently on the menu. The Wayfarer offers a particularly impressive wine list. It features an extensive range of local Oregon and Northwest varieties. In nice weather, the outdoor seating area is an atmospheric place to unwind, enjoy the view and dine on the delicious cuisine.
Led by celebrated chef John Newman, Newmans at 988 offers guests a delightful array of French-Italian inspired dishes, served up in sophisticated surroundings. Highlights of the menu include the crispy crab cakes, lobster ravioli with hazelnuts and marsala sauce, as well as the chicken marsala pasta. Alternatively, opt for the chef’s ever-changing prix fixe menu. Housed in a cozy converted beachside cottage, and with only 10 tables, Newmans is refined and intimate. It is the perfect choice for a romantic dinner.
The Stephanie Inn is another Cannon Beach favorite, with views over the Pacific Ocean. It prides itself on using only the very best in fresh local produce. The exceptional breakfast buffet, featuring freshly baked pastries, locally brewed coffee and a fantastic selection of seasonal fruits, is not to be missed. For lunch or dinner, be sure to try the butternut squash risotto, hazelnut-crusted wild chinook salmon, or the marinated rack of lamb. As the name suggests, guests can also opt to stay overnight at the inn in one of the stylish rooms. The cuisine, spectacular view, and exceptional service combine to make this a standout choice.
Castaway’s is a beautiful establishment along the Oregon coastline. Laid-back, with a colorful interior, great drinks, and friendly service, it’s a great option for a fun evening out. The fusion-style cuisine draws inspiration from Creole, Caribbean and French cookery, treating diners to a host of innovative dishes featuring bold, spicy and tropical flavors. The Jamaican jerk chicken, honey-orange coconut prawns, and seafood chowder are all guaranteed to delight the palate. Don’t forget to complement your meal with one the many fruity, thirst-quenching cocktails on offer.
Touting its world famous Oregonian clam chowder, Mo’s is one of the very best places to sample this delicious regional dish. In addition to the chowder, there is a wide array of other seafood dishes to dig into, from fish tacos to shrimp mix, oyster stew to crab melts. The restaurant is housed in a rustic building, featuring retro decor and wooden bench seating, not to mention a wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, which offer impressive views of the Oregon seashore. The very reasonable prices, casual atmosphere, and kid’s playground out back also make Mo’s a great choice for families.
Marking it out from other restaurants in Cannon Beach, Bistro specializes in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Housed in a cozy, French-style inn with rustic decor and high-vaulted ceilings, this place treats diners to a wide range of imaginative and beautifully presented dishes. Highlights of the menu include the Greek lemon soup, pansotti, seafood stew, and lamb with eggplant relish. The rum-soaked flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce is also a must-try for dessert. Complement your meal with a range of rustic breads and a selection from the extensive wine list. The Bistro also has a friendly bar serving up a range of inventive and playful concoctions.
While Driftwood does offer plenty of seafood dishes, its best known locally for serving up some of the best steaks in the area. For more than 70 years, guests have been treated to traditionally prepared hand-cut steaks, cooked to perfection and presented on sizzling grills. Try the famed filet mignon, or dig into a juicy burger and fries. Alternatively, opt for the succulent clams or the Oysters Rockefeller. The Driftwood prides itself on its warm, relaxed atmosphere. It has also recently added a large sun porch to the venue, which is a great place to enjoy the food while watching the activity on Main Street.
Providing an exceptional menu and an inviting ambience, The Irish Table is another Cannon Beach favorite. This place dishes up fresh seasonal food which draws on Irish inspirations and is well known for its knowledgeable and friendly service. Standout choices from the menu include the Irish lamb stew, curried mussels, shepherd’s pie, and the freshly caught halibut. The Irish Table is also a great place to come for a relaxed drink. Sample some authentic Irish whisky or opt for a selection from the wide range of local wine varieties. Tables tend to fill up fast, so be sure to arrive early or make a reservation. Adjacent to the restaurant is the Sleepy Monk Café. This is a great place to grab a cup of locally roasted coffee along with a freshly baked pastry.
Pizza a’fetta, which ranks among the Top 50 pizza restaurants in the US, is a place not to be missed for fans of Italian cuisine. Dine on the generously sized pizzas, all prepared with the freshest of ingredients and featuring a range of meat, seafood and creative vegetarian toppings. Beyond this, there are a superb range of salads, appetizers and soups from which to choose. Enjoy your pizza in one of two intimate dining areas, or alternatively, buy by the slice and take it away to enjoy at the nearby beach.
Marketing itself as ‘Natural, Organic, and Wild,’ Sweet Basil’s Café, is a health-conscious restaurant offering a delicious range of Cajun and Creole dishes, along with sandwiches, wraps, salads, and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Headed up by chef and owner John Sowa, emphasis is placed on sourcing organic, local and sustainable produce and treating diners to food that is both healthy and a treat for the palate. Standout dishes from the lunch and dinner menu include the pork shank osso busco, the crawfish étouffée, and the vegetarian rueben.
