The Best Restaurants on the Oregon Coast: Where to Eat from Lincoln City to Depoe Bay
Last Updated on August 20, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
I’ve been eating my way up and down the Oregon Coast since before I could read a menu. My family’s beach house is in Gleneden Beach, which means the stretch between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay is less a vacation itinerary than a set of reservations and must-eat spots between wine and fire pit sessions on the deck — the places we go for birthdays, the places we order from on a random rainy Tuesday, and the ones we drive out of our way for because they’re worth it.
This guide covers that stretch: the central Oregon Coast, the one I know best. Not every restaurant along the 101, but the ones I’d send you to without hesitating — plus a couple I haven’t gotten to yet myself, but have flagged for the future, because my family visits more often than I do these days, and I simply have yet to visit.
Before you scroll: If you only have one dinner on this coast, make it Side Door Cafe in Gleneden Beach. The marionberry cobbler is one of my favorite things on the Oregon Coast. For a view worth planning your evening around, make a reservation at Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay. And for the most reliable crowd-pleaser, Kyllo’s in Lincoln City has never done us wrong.
A quick note: you’ll notice more Thai food along this coast than you’d expect from small Oregon towns. That’s not a coincidence. Thailand ran a “culinary diplomacy” push back in the early 2000s, helping chefs and families open restaurants abroad to build tourism interest. The Pacific Northwest ended up with a good share of it. My two most recommended in the central part of the coast are Thai Bay in Lincoln City and Bayview Thai in Depoe Bay.
Kyllo’s Seafood & Grill – Lincoln City
Best for: Reliable family dinners, oceanfront views, and a wait worth having a drink over
Kyllo’s Seafood & Grill has been a family favorite of ours for years. This spot on the beach is renowned for its spectacular oceanfront views and seafood done right: locally caught crab, oysters, and salmon served with fresh vegetables and tasty sides.
Kyllo’s doesn’t take reservations, and if you’re coming for dinner during peak season or on a weekend, plan on a wait…that’s just the reality here. They have an outdoor bar window, which makes the wait pleasant on summer evenings (less so in a February downpour). The garlic toast basket is an explicit reminder of my childhood spent on the coast and many, many Kyllo’s meals. Keep an eye on the specials, too!
What to Order:
- Clam Chowder – a cup of the good stuff to start the meal
- Grilled Garlic Toast Basket – I’ve already said this, but…yes.
- Fresh Cooked Potato Chips – I’m a potato chip lover, but fresh ones just hit different
- Dungeness Crab Linguine – if you’re in the pasta mood, go for this
- Fresh Catch Fish + Chips – Lauren recommending fish & chips? Shocker !!!
- Parmesan Crust Halibut – when I want something that’s not fish and chips, this is my order
Otis Cafe – Taft
Best for: A classic breakfast, the dish they’re actually famous for, weekday mornings over weekend crowds
Otis Cafe is nothing flashy, just an old-school breakfast spot that takes you back in time. It started in the tiny community of Otis, burned down, and moved to Taft (part of greater Lincoln City) with its own distinct feel. It’s open daily from 7:00 am-2:00 pm, and it gets busy, so earlier is always better. Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends, same as most popular breakfast spots anywhere.
I’ve only ever been for breakfast, so I can’t speak to lunch, but they have lunch if you’re popping in mid-day.
What to Order:
- White Cheddar Omelette – or build your own, if you wish
- Two Big Buttermilk or Sourdough Pancakes – buttermilk are my personal favorites (add eggs or bacon if you wish)
- “The Original” German Potatoes – crispy, delicious, and the dish that Otis is known for
- Classic Two Eggs Any Style – with hashbrowns and toast, if you’d rather keep it simple
Pelican Brewing – Siletz Bay
Best for: Views over Siletz Bay, group meals, and elevating what used to be limited in this area
I’ll be honest: I haven’t made it to Pelican Brewing yet myself. Max and I lived at the beach house while the Siletz Bay location was still under construction, and we’ve only been back to the coast once since (without enough time to stop in). It’s firmly on my list, and every single member of my family who has been there recommends it.
Pelican has six locations along the coast, the original dating back to 1996 (the year I was born!) in Pacific City, but the Siletz Bay location is the one closest to our home away from home in Gleneden. It sits right on the water with views over the bay that my family describes as some of the best. It’s good for groups big or small, though they don’t take reservations. They also do beer and cider pairings for the menu, so you’re not left guessing what goes with what.
What to Order (by Family Report)
- Fried Tillamook Cheese Curds – with housemade aioli that’s supposedly wonderful
- Pelican’s Famous Tower of Rings – who doesn’t love onion rings?
- Pear Prosciutto Flatbread – they all said this was a flavor combo I’d love, minus the balsamic (it’s just not my thing)
- Clam Chowder Bread Bowl – clam chowder is a coastal must, and a bread bowl makes it next level, always
- Pelican Fish and Chips – beer-battered, usually wild caught Pacific cod (I prefer halibut along the coast when available but have had plenty of amazing cod options, too)
- Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese – local crab and Tillamook cheese? Yes, please!
- Brewpub Cheesebuger – a pub classic for a reason
Squatchsami Fish and Chips Outpost – Siletz Bay
Best for: The best fish and chips and a food truck-to-restaurant story worth knowing
Squatchsami started as a food truck parked outside The Marketplace at Salishan — at least that’s how I first found it. From there, it became an “outpost” at the Marketplace, where you’d order at the truck and bring your food over to eat out of the rain. Since then, they’ve retired the truck and opened a true restaurant just down the way from Pelican Brewing. I haven’t been to the new location yet, but based on my experience ordering from the truck, I have zero doubt it’s still some of the best fish and chips on this coast. It’s counter-order, then find yourself a table – the relaxed way that the coast does best.
What to Order:
- Halibut Fish and Chips – served with rosemary shoestring fries, one of my all-time favorite things on this coast
- Clam Chowder – a great addition to the fish and chips if you’re hungry, or if the person you’re with is up for sharing
- Chicken Strips – the fish and chips are elite, and the star of the show, but for non-seafood people, their chicken strips are a great choice!
Beachcrest Brewing Company – Gleneden Beach
Best for: Wood-fired pizza, craft beer, easy takeout if you’re staying nearby
Beachcrest opened at The Marketplace at Salishan back when Max and I were living at the beach house in that strange in-between COVID stretch. They started with pub-style food and have since shifted entirely to wood-fired pizza, which, if you ask me, is exactly what this part of the coast was missing. There was pizza here before (and still is), but it wasn’t good pizza – not like this.
I got to try the new pizza-focused menu for the first time on our August 2026 trip, and it delivered. There’s indoor and outdoor seating (order at the counter and find your spot), and the patio in summer is genuinely lovely. If you’re staying at Salishan Coastal Lodge or anywhere nearby, takeout is always an option, too, though the atmosphere is worth sticking around for in the summer months. That said, it fills up.
I do miss their giant pretzel from the pub food days, but I’ll get over it.
What to Order:
- Simple Arugula Salad – shaved parm + Oregon hazelnuts (yum!)
- Margherita – my favorite, always
- Spicy Meat – good if you like a little kick and some ricotta!
- Sausage & Mushroom – a crowd pleaser when the one-person crowd (your dad) is a picky eater
- Greek – feta, Kalamata olives, mmmm!
- Salishan Supreme – a classic loaded house special
- Siletz Bay Hazy IPA – my go-to beer; worth asking what’s on rotation for cider, too!
Side Door Cafe – Gleneden Beach
Best for: A tried and true favorite restaurant on this entire coast, celebrations, the best dessert around
Side Door Cafe is my favorite restaurant on the Oregon Coast and has been since I was a kid. Nestled in the quiet town of Gleneden Beach just south of Lincoln City, it’s a cozy spot with some of the best seafood and desserts on this coast — and Brooke, the owner, is still very much at the helm. After living in Gleneden Beach for a year and ordering from Side Door at least once a week, I know exactly what I’m getting.
If you call ahead for a birthday or a special occasion, they’ll still write a celebratory message in chalk on the walkway leading up to the restaurant — something I adored as a kid, and something I got to see again firsthand on August 1, 2026, when both our families gathered here to celebrate my sister’s engagement.
Side Door sits just a few minutes from Salishan, which makes it the easy answer for dinner if Gleneden Beach is your home base.
What to Order:
- Dungeness Crab Cakes – my little sister’s favorite (so much so that we had to make sure we had plenty for her engagement celebration)
- Steamer Clams – so, so yummy
- Cappellini Pasta – add prawns (one of my go-to’s)
- Parmesan Panko-Crusted Halibut – probably my most ordered meal at Side Door
- Roasted Vegetable Risotto – d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s
- Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie – a safe dessert bet (Brooke makes only the best)
- Marionberry Cobbler – the dessert I’d fly back for
Tidal Raves – Depoe Bay
Best for: Cliffside views, sunset dinners, a reliably excellent seafood menu
Perched on the cliffs overlooking Depoe Bay, Tidal Raves offers breathtaking views and a menu of fresh, sustainable seafood. Get seated by the windows and you’ll watch the waves crash against the cliffs — one of the best sunset seats on this entire coast. The bar has a fun, looser energy if you’re not picky about where you land.
Tidal Raves now takes reservations, which is a genuine relief, but I’d still recommend booking ahead rather than trying your luck walking in, especially in summer.
What to Order:
- Green Curry with Fresh Rockfish – Max and I always order this a genuinely perfect meal
- Herb Crusted Rockfish – delicious alternative to all the cod and halibut you’ll find on the coast
- Pasta Rave
- Sautéed Wild Shrimp – yum, yum, YUM
- Fresh Seared Sea Scallops – another favorite on the menu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Side Door Cafe in Gleneden Beach. The marionberry cobbler alone is worth it, and they write a celebratory message in chalk on the walkway if you call ahead!
Tidal Raves in Depoe Bay sits directly above the Pacific with front-row seats to the waves and sunset!
Yes, if you go in expecting it – especially in peak season, dinner hours, or weekends.
Otis Cafe in Taft is a local legend, especially for its famous German potatoes. Get there early; it gets busy. Weekdays are calmer than weekends! Red Roof Munchery in Gleneden Beach is another good option!
Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza, or an old-school breakfast plate, this stretch of the Oregon Coast has built one of the best small-town dining scenes in the Pacific Northwest. If you haven’t picked a home base yet, here’s where I’d actually stay along this coast.