Thinking about a quick getaway? The Tillamook Coast is a great option, and it’s only a couple of hours from anywhere in the valley. The secluded coastline is a wonderful retreat from everyday life. You can wander vast expanses of pristine beach and enjoy the crashing winter surf, you can cruise in and out on the coast roads that all seem to lead to some great, scenic spot, or you can take refuge in one of the many fantastic eateries or coffee shops. To sweeten the deal, during the winter season, lodging can be found on the coast at incredibly low rates; particularly during mid-week. Check out booking.com and search for “Tillamook.” You’ll like what you find.
Of course, one of the big reasons to visit the coast is the fresh seafood, and there are some fantastic options. Great seafood is not really easy to find in the valley, but on the Tillamook Coast, it’s everywhere. And of course, fish just seems better when you can see, hear, and smell the ocean. Here are a few standouts…
Pacific Restaurant
Nelia Seratista & Philip Biermann, owners of the Pacific Restaurant in downtown Tillamook have got it going on! Veteran restrateurs, Philip and Nelia are building one of the best looking restaurants in Tillamook, or anywhere for that matter. Both formerly of Portland’s Heathman, they know their stuff. Nelia grew up in Hawaii, and that’s apparent in the look and feel of the restaurant, fresh orchids greet you at the door, and there’s a hint of Hawaii in many of their menu items. Philip is from Idaho, and with a tongue-in-cheek, he assures us the potatoes are also world class.
While the dining room is stunning, and the main restaurant is to die for, they are also working on the other side of the building which will become a sleek, modern bar with the same beautiful, slab redwood countertops and cool vibe as the restaurant. Off-site, they also still operate the Hawaiian food truck that “drove” them to the success they now enjoy in the restaurant. And, as if they needed to expand their repitoire, they also cater and will offer group events in the new bar when it’s open. Hats off to these two, they are doing an unbelieveable job, go take a look!
Pacific Restaurant
205 Main Ave
Tillamook
503-354-2350
www.pacificrestaurant.info
The Schooner
The photo above is one of their signature dishes, “BBQ Prawns” spicey, smokey, creamy — you can’t go wrong with this option. Do you like oysters? Try the Netarts Bay Oyster Stew – sure to satisfy the seafood lovers. And for you landlubbers, they also offer beef burgers, locally sourced from Nehalem River Ranch. And for the kids… grilled cheese of course!
The Schooner
2065 Netarts Basin Boat Rd.
Tillamook
503-815-9900
www.theschooner.net
Big Wave Cafe
OK, here’s something that doesn’t happen ever… you walk into a little cafe on the coast, the owner (Brian Williams) walks in, you think to yourself “looks like a nice guy, maybe retired from something and opened a restaurant as part of a life long dream to do something else, maybe a finance guy, or insurance…” Then, he announces he used to run the Cordon Bleu in Chicago, and his wife Carol is a pastry chef. Just a little life-lesson not to judge people before they make you a fantastic Halibut burger! Lesson learned. Go eat here!
Big Wave Cafe
822 Laneda Ave
Manzanita
503-368-9283
www.oregonsbigwavecafe.com
Old Oregon Smokehouse
How about Clam Chowder, ya like chowder? The best chowder on earth comes from this guy. This is Adam Brecht. With his parents Harold & Cindy, they run this little place in Rockaway Beach. Funky, small, but with outdoor picnic tables and the best, freshest seafood you’re going to find anywhere. And check out the hot sauce selection!
Old Oregon Smokehouse
120 US 101 Rockaway Beach
503-355-2817
Find ‘em on Facebook
The Fish Peddler
The Fish Peddler is so close to the ocean, it’s partially IN the ocean. At the end of a pier, it’s part shipping dock for fresh oysters to the valley and beyond, to the likes of Winco, Costo and more, part fresh seafood shop, and part restaurant. There are big, plate glass windows in the dining area through which you can watch the workers shuck, and pack oysters to be shipped out. Lunch and a show!
The Fish Peddler
5150 Hayes Oyster Dr.
Bay City
503-377.2323
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