In the Summer issue, we invite you to travel the state to meet the people and visit the places at the heart of Oregon’s rich food culture. Here are our top picks in four regions.
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Oregon Olive Mill
Taste local olive oils at the farm’s gift shop, or make reservations to take a walking tour with owner Paul Durant.
Red Ridge Farms
5510 NE Breyman Orchards Road
Dayton, OR 97114
(503) 864-8502
oregonolivemill.com
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 9am-5pm
Gathering Together Farm
Known as one of the best lunches in the mid-Willamette Valley, enjoy a meal prepared with fresh-from-the-farm produce. The farm literally surrounds this small restaurant, which is connected to a fabulous farm stand and store.
25159 Grange Hall Road
Philomath, OR 97370
(541) 929-4270
gatheringtogetherfarm.com
Store hours: Tues.-Fri., 9am-6pm; Sat., 9am-5pm
Restaurant hours: Tues.-Fri., 11am-2pm; Sat., 9am-2pm; Thurs.-Fri., 5:30pm-9pm
Ninkasi Brewing Company
At Ninkasi’s tasting room, relax on the patio with a tasting tray and soft pretzels made by nearby Hideaway Bakery.
272 Van Buren Street
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 344-2739
ninkasibrewing.com
Hours: Daily, 12-9pm (10pm Thurs.-Sat.)
Lane County Farmers’ Market
Truly an Oregon farmers’ market not to be missed, the Lane County Farmers’ Market is conveniently located in downtown Eugene’s park blocks next to the always colorful Saturday Market.
55 East 8th Avenue (8th & Oak)
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 687-6721
lanecountyfarmersmarket.org
Hours: Saturdays, 9am-3pm
U-Pick Farms
Take advantage of Willamette Valley’s incredible agricultural diversity, and go u-picking! Marion County’s namesake Marionberries (and lots of other produce) are right at home at Greens Bridge Gardens. Find more u-pick farms by going to localharvest.org and searching for “U-Pick Farm” in whatever city is closest!
Greens Bridge Gardens
3730 Jefferson Scio Drive SE
Jefferson, OR 97352
(541) 327-2995
greensbridgegardens.com
Hours: Daily, 9am-6pm
OREGON COAST
Local Ocean Seafoods
Learn the story behind your seafood at Oregon’s premier fish market and market-style restaurant serving sustainably harvested fish on Newport’s bustling bayfront.
213 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 574-7959
localocean.net
Fish Market hours: Daily, 10am-9pm
Restaurant hours: Daily, 11am-9pm (9:30 Fri.-Sat.)
Waves of Grain Bakery
Power up for a day at the beach with nutty sticky buns or a loaf fresh from the oven.
3116 S. Hemlock
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
(503) 436-9600
wavesofgrainbakery.com
Hours: Daily, 7am-3pm (closed Wednesdays)
Clamming in Yaquina Bay
Get a shellfish permit and read this to figure out where to start your foraging!
Wild Food Adventures
Not ready to search out shellfish on your own? Join wild foods expert Dr. John Kallas for a day of guided foraging for clams or sea vegetables.
6/23 in Tillamook: Butter, Steamer and Gaper Clam Dig
6/24 in Lincoln City: Sea Vegetables, Mussels and Other Seashore Edibles
7/21 in Tillamook: Pacific Coast Clam Dig
7/22 in Lincoln City: Sea Vegetables, Mussels and Other Seashore Edibles
wildfoodadventures.com
Newport Docks
There’s nothing like buying seafood straight off the boats from the hands of Oregon’s fishers. Head to Newport’s Bay Boulevard. Check out this video by Oregon Sea Grant for in-depth instructions on how to purchase tuna directly from a commercial fisher.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
While you’re in Newport, take time to visit the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse, learn about aquatic critters at the interpretive center, and go tidepooling below the headland. Find info to plan your visit here.
750 NW Lighthouse Dr
Newport, Oregon 97365
(541) 574-3100
Hours: Daily, 8am-4pm
SOUTHERN OREGON
Farm to Fork Events
Headquartered in Ashland, Farm to Fork Event Company organizes events throughout Oregon that give eaters authentic, intimate and delicious experiences with Oregon’s farmer and food artisans.
(503) 473-3952
farmtoforkevents.com
Applegate Valley Wine Trail
From Jacksonville to Grants Pass, explore Southern Oregon’s outstanding wine country, home to more than a dozen vineyards and some spectacular scenery. Find places to taste, stay and play throughout the region at applegatewinetrail.com. Here are two of our favorites:
Cowhorn Vineyard
1665 Eastside Road
Jacksonville, OR 97530
(541) 899-6876
Tasting room hours: Tues.-Sun., 11am-4pm
Quady North
255 California Street
Jacksonville, OR 97530
(541) 702-2123
Tasting room hours: Thurs.-Sun., 11am-7pm
North Umpqua River
Renowned for its excellent fishing, rafting and pure beauty, the North Umpqua offers opportunities for all kinds of adventuring. Find more recreation information here.
The Steamboat Inn
Secluded riverside cottages, fine dining (reservations required) and a convenient location make this inn a perfect home base for exploring the North Umpqua River.
42705 N Umpqua Highway
Idleyld Park, OR 97447
(541) 498-2230
thesteamboatinn.com
Rogue Creamery
Taste some of Rogue’s world famous blue cheeses, watch cheesemakers at work, and learn the history behind this historic creamery.
311 N. Front Street
Central Point, OR 97502
(866) 396-4704
roguecreamery.com
Cheese Shop hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; Sat., 9am-6pm; Sun., 11am-5pm
Lillie Belle Farms
Adjacent to Rogue Creamery is Lillie Belle’s shop and chocolate factory, where artisan chocolates made with the farm’s organically grown berries await you.
211 N. Front Street
Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 664-2815
lilliebellefarms.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am-5pm; Sat., 9am-6pm; Sun., 11am-5pm
Butte Creek Mill
Watch Oregon’s only active grist mill at work, then go next door to the Country Store for unique flours and spices, or find some new old treasures at the antique store housed in a 19th-century cheese factory.
402 Royal Avenue North
Eagle Point, OR 97524
(541) 826-3531
buttecreekmill.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 11am-5pm
CENTRAL OREGON
Redmond Smokehouse
Stop in to chat with owner Ben Moore and salivate over a massive selection of local smoked sausages, salamis and jerky.
353 SE Railroad Blvd.
Redmond, OR 97756
(541) 548-5575
Redmond Smokehouse on Facebook
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm; Sat., 9am-1pm
Terrebonne Depot
Enjoy an Oregon Farm Burger made with house cured pork belly and smoked cheddar at this kid-friendly restaurant housed in a 100-year-old train station near Smith Rock State Park.
400 NW Smith Rock Way
Terrebonne, OR 97760
(541) 548-5030
terrebonnedepot.com
Hours: Wed.-Sun., 11:30am–8:30pm (9pm Fri.-Sat.)
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock’s sheer cliffs and pinnacles attract climbers from around the world, and its hiking trails and epic views of the Crooked River make it a memorable destination for the whole family.
9241 NE Crooked River Drive
Terrebonne, OR 97760
Find trails, camping, and climbing info here.
Jen’s Garden
After a day of enjoying scenic Sisters, settle in for a locally sourced but French-inspired dinner crafted by owners T.R. and Jen McCrystal.
403 East Hood Avenue
Sisters, OR 97759
(541) 549-2699
intimatecottagecuisine.com
Hours: Daily, 5pm-close (closed Tuesdays)
CyclePub
Bend has combined its two true loves – biking and brewing – into a one-of-a-kind experience: a pedal-powered bar, complete with recommended cycling routes!
(541) 678-5051
cyclepub.com
Bend Ale Trail
Whether by car, CyclePub, foot or shuttle, visit with brewers and taste the beers of Central Oregon.
Plan your tour, discover the Ale Trail Passport, and find lodgings here.
The Well-Traveled Fork
Chef Bette Fraser leads culinary tours taking in the cattle ranches and farms of Oregon’s high desert, and teaches cooking classes based on ingredients found in and around Bend.
(541) 312-0097
welltraveledfork.com
Top-right photo:
Farm to Fork Event Company brought diners to Troutdale’s Dancing Roots Farm in 2011. Photo by Taylor Schefstrom.
