Top 10 Must Eat Restaurants in Florence Oregon
You have Paris, Texas; Athens, Illinois; and Berlin, Connecticut — but let’s add Florence, Oregon, to the list of cities you should visit in the United States that (probably) stole their names from iconic European cities.
Unlike its Italian namesake, Florence is a fairly small (at least compared to Florence, Italy) west coast city in Lane County, Oregon.
While the origins of its name are highly debated (though none of them involve stealing it from an Italian city), the reasons to visit certainly are not; Florence has everything you could want: a vibrant arts and culture scene, with events like the Rhododendron Festival, and beautiful, historic architecture.
There are also plenty of outdoor activities, including exploring sea caves, sunbathing with sea lions, or hiking to Heceta Head Lighthouse.
The city has many accommodations, from camping sites to pet-friendly vacation rentals. And most importantly (in my opinion), there are a plethora of amazing restaurants that will make you never want to leave.
You can enjoy food from so many different countries and cultures; you’ll feel like traveling the world without actually getting on a plane (except the one you took to get here).
So, to ensure you are not overwhelmed by your choice of food when you arrive in Florence, here is a very short list of ten restaurants where you will want to dine while you are gone!
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Moe’s Seafood and Chowder
First up on our list is Moe’s Seafood & Chowder. Mo’s is one of the oldest establishments in the area, making its official debut in 1940.
It first began as a small cafe called “Freddie and Mo’s” but expanded over time and opened several new locations, including Florence in 1978, which features Mo’s Seafood and Chowder we know today. Everyone knows and likes it.
Mo’s Florence is located in Old Town Florence along the river Siuslaw, where you can enjoy a wide variety of food.
While the clam chowder is an obvious favorite, some of Moe’s other favorite meals include a Shrimp Medley (which includes two shrimp skewers, a shrimp cocktail, and a dinner salad) or the Classic Clam Strip Dinner (which includes tender clam strips served with your choice of clams.) Chowder, Shrimp Cabbage Salad, Shrimp Coleslaw, or Shrimp Dinner Salad, and your choice of Fries, Rice Casserole, or Garlic Mashed Potatoes) – Yum!
And in addition to the food that satiates your belly, you can choose from delicious desserts: Marionberry Cobbler, Peach Cobbler, Snicker Pie, or Peanut Butter Pie (and you can make them ~a la mode~).
Fun fact: In 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy loved Moe’s chowder so much that he took several buckets to go.
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Travelers Cove
Travelers Cove is the local choice for Mexican-American cuisine, with great riverfront views. But it’s not only the locals who are enjoying this delicious dish; Visitors from high and low come just for the fresh food and delicious margaritas that you can drink on the ~Margarita Deck~.
So come and enjoy Seafood Chimi Bear Bread, Fajita Burrito, Steak and Shrimp Plate, Blue Moon Burger, or Halibut Fish and Chips.
And you obviously won’t forget about the margaritas, so be sure to try them all: frozen, on the rocks, strawberry, lime, and more!
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Desi Pub and Desi Deli
Homegrown Pub is a cool gastropub in Florence, Oregon. It features made-from-scratch organic cuisine with fresh and seasonal menu options that change daily! Homegrown a little off the beaten path~ but still a part of Old Town, Florence.
It is known for its locally sourced forest and farm produce, meats and seafood, craft beer, and kombucha on tap.
The menu includes starters, salads, soups and sides, local favorites, sandwiches, and entrees. So, with these endless options, you can create a memorable meal every time you’re on the go.
But there are some menu favorites, including the Cajun Fried Oysters (served with roasted red pepper relish and Cajun aioli), Homemade NW Chowder (with clams, potatoes, and celery), Hippie Pie (mushroom gravy topped with a chickpea and seasonal vegetables) white cheddar and green onion mash), seafood curry (steamed mussels, ling cod and albacore in coconut broth, spinach, organic rice, green onion, and cilantro), and wild salmon and mushroom risotto (Pan Seared Wild Salmon on Local Mushrooms and Purple Karma Barley Risotto, Sautéed Spinach and Hazelnut Plaid).
With so many delicious options, who can choose just one? But ~don’t forget about the drinks~ Tuesday through Friday from 4-6 pm, enjoy Happy Hour food specials or their special nectarines like the Hawk Fin (bullet rye, lemon, simple syrup, a splash of soda water, and Take it Wild Roots Huckleberry Vodka) or PolyJuice Potion (Blue Collar Vodka, local berry syrup, and fresh lime served with a sugared rim).
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1285 Restobar
1285 Restobar combines sophistication with a family-friendly atmosphere to give you healthy, organic Italian foods that everyone will love.
This restaurant features outdoor cafe-style seating with views of the Siuslaw River and Florence Bridge. They also have seating on their back patio, which provides a more intimate and romantic vibe if that’s what you’re going for.
Inside, 1285 Restobar features a full dining room and full-service bar, premium wines (pairing suggestions always available), new and classic cocktails, and locally-crafted beers.
You can start your meal with delicious appetizers, such as Parmesan Crab Cakes with Garlic Aioli, a Caprese Salad, or warm Bruschetta with melted fontina cheese.
You can then continue your meal with a build-your-pasta option (choose your noodle, sauce, and meat/vegetables), sandwich, burger, seafood entree, baked pasta entree, or meat entree. And don’t worry, there’s more on this menu.
1285 Restobar has a full pizza menu with signature pies like the veggie-veggie, Hawaiian luau, or meat lovers;
Or you can make your own and choose your size, sauce, cheese, meat, and vegetables. And be sure to ask your server about today’s homemade desserts—you won’t regret it.
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Bay View Bistro
Bay View Bistro offers a riverfront dining experience featuring delicious steaks, seafood, and a full bar menu. Past restaurant-goers rave about the amazing food and service – so you’re definitely in for a treat here.
Some popular menu options include Clam Chowder (obviously a Florence favorite), Steak and Gorgonzola Salad (roasted steak on mixed greens with blue cheese, red onions, tomatoes, and avocado), Chicken Puttanesca (butter, garlic, olives, artichokes, fried).
Hearts and Fire served over a bed of pasta with Roasted Tomato Sauce, Spinach, and Parmesan), Pork Osso Buco (slow-roasted shank with calvados and pear cuts, rustic mash potatoes, and seasoned veggies), and Oyster “Po Boy” Sandwich (with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and spicy remoulade).
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Maple Street Grill
Be sure to check out Chef Mari’s kitchen at Maple Street Grill. Chef Marie was born in Bucharest, Romania, and came to the United States in 2002 to study at the Napoli Culinary Academy in Sacramento.
Since then, he decided to chase his dreams and started his own restaurant-Maple Street Grill. The Grill is an award-winning local favorite that serves various American and Romanian dishes.
Each dish is made to order, so you know you always get the freshest possible food. Plus, with its extensive menu, choosing just one course of dishes can take time and effort. Still, suppose you end up alone (and want to order only some of the menu yourself).
In that case, you won’t be disappointed with The Basil and Garlic Butter Spread (fresh basil, roasted garlic, and creamy butter spread served with European crusted bread), Gypsy Burger (original burger with onions, jalapeños, pineapple, Sriracha, bacon, gorgonzola cheese, on a bun and a served with a side of Romanian potato salad), Hungarian beef goulash (Mari’s specialty, large chunks of slow-roasted beef stewed in a savory tomato broth base with cubed potatoes, carrots, celery and onions, house-made corn served with bread), and of course dessert—apple, pear, or peach pie, cheesecake, or creme brulee.
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La Pomodori Restaurant
Where would you go for some good ol’ hearty Italian food in a sea of seafood restaurants? Well, La Pomodori Ristorante is the place for you. La Pomodori Ristorante is a casual restaurant serving various Italian cuisine with a Northwest twist.
It is best described as a lovely intimate restaurant with wonderful food and ambiance. Could you check it out? Well, here are some fab menu options to consider before you get there: Sausage Gnocchi (Italian sausage and gnocchi finished with roasted red pepper, garlic, and basil cream sauce), Parmigiano (Parmesan encrusted chicken breast, fried and topped with red sauce.
Served with linguini), and of course bruschetta (with heirloom tomatoes, gorgonzola, Parmesan, basil, olives, capers, onions, and garlic.
Served on flatbread). And be sure to sample some of the great dessert lists like Tiramisu (traditional Italian dessert; cake soaked in espresso, layered with mascarpone and flavored with cocoa), Cheesecake of the Day, or Mud Pie (three flavors of ice cream).
With a layer of fudge, peanut butter crust, and an Oreo cookie crust.) And if you’re looking forward to looking at the drinks list, Limoncello Liqueur (a chilled lemon liqueur made from the zest of the Italian Feminello St. Teresa lemon), Dopo Keep an eye out for la cina del Porto (a sweet after-dinner specially produced wine).
Doura Valley), or Campari (a bitter-sweet liqueur drunk on the rocks or in mixed cocktails) in the northern provinces of Portugal.
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Bridgewater Ocean Fresh
Bridgewater Ocean Fresh is in the heart of Old Town Florence in the historic Kyle Building. The restaurant serves fresh fish and shellfish (the freshest you will find in all the countries), beef and chicken, salads, pizza, pasta, and even vegetarian dishes.
And as if those options weren’t enough, you’ll also find a large wine list at Zebra Bar and a selection of draft beers on tap in addition to craft cocktails.
While it may take too long to see the entire menu at the moment, here are some popular options you should consider: BBQ’d Oysters (with garlic butter and citrus BBQ sauce), Hand Dipped Onion Rings (ranch and bbq sauce), Ocean Food Soup (rich tomato based fish soup with grilled garlic bread), Shellfish Cioppino (tomato based seafood soup filled with fish, crab, shrimp, steamer clams, mussels, and scallops), variety of pasta bowls, Hazelnut Encrusted Halibut (wild-caught halibut fillet browned and baked then served over organic garlic Yukon Gold, topped with honey orange bourbon sauce), or chimichurri beef (charbroiled, grass-fed, hormone Chimichurri Sauce with free-range Angus Beef, Sautéed Mushrooms, and Organic Garlic Yukon Gold Smashed Potatoes).
Remember to pair one of these delicious dishes with a microbrew, craft beer, or cider on tap or one of their cocktails like the Tropical Cocktail or the Zombie Cocktail.
Don’t worry if you have a picky eater at your party because, with this extensive menu, everyone will surely find something they’ll love!
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Waterfront Depot Restaurant
The Waterfront Depot Restaurant is where you want a fancy night out. They serve ~elevated coastal cuisine~ and you can always count on an excellent wine selection to go with it.
Coastal cuisine includes a fusion of Pacific Northwest classics with Indonesian flavors that emphasize the dishes.
The chefs primarily use local ingredients, so the menu is constantly changing, but you’ll always see some familiar classics alongside new and fresh dishes.
Some of this month’s specials include Tempura Style Asparagus (fresh asparagus prepared for perfect bites, then tempura-battered and fried to a crispy finish, served with a sweet chili sauce), Baked Salmon piccata (salmon poached to a tender finish surrounded by a tangy white wine, lemon, capers, onion, and butter sauce); paired with Yukon mash and wilted greens), the España appetizer (white Spanish anchovies, Mediterranean olives, and “fluffy” goat cheese), and the Mediterranean Calamari Steak (perfectly tender and delicious Calamari Steak You Can Cut With a Butter Knife) served with a sauce made of capers, onions, tomatoes, and olives roasted in olive oil and garlic).
Pair these delectable dishes with handcrafted cocktails like The Roaming Buffalo (Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Rhubarb Shrub, and Soda) and The Siuslaw Sidecar (Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup, Cointreau, and Whiskey Barrel). Make sure. Bitter), local liqueur, or craft beer.
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Beachcomber Pub
Last but certainly not least is The Beachcomber Pub, a casual dining restaurant, and bar in Florence, Oregon.
It was first established in 1936 and has since been considered the “locals’ hangout” for its friendly vibe, attentive service, and wide menu options.
While it’s best known for its amazing craft beer selection – there are always at least 20 on tap plus bottles and wine and cocktails (oh my) – the food is just as good and will keep you coming back for more I will keep bringing
If you’re coming for breakfast, try one of the traditional favorites like the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, Bacon and Eggs, The Barnum Benedict, or The Original Beachcomber Huevos Rancheros.
You can even make your omelet or get eggs any way you want; The options are endless. If you’re arriving ~later~ in the day, you’ll still have plenty to choose from.
While it might take you a solid 10 minutes to read the entire menu, some favorites are the Fat Tire “Beer-Battered” Prawns, Pub Style Burgers (with options like the Inferno Burger, Beachcomber Garden Burger, and The Garbage Collector Big Burger), and you can’t forget about the beer! Since they serve a rotating menu with so many options, try the Craft Beer Sampler, which includes 6 on-tap beers.
But where will you go first?
I know it will be hard to choose… but no one says you can’t have them all eventually. With so many things to do in Florence and places to visit, add these restaurants to your itinerary. Remember to book a room at one of the hotels or vacation rentals.
Soon we will come with more posts about best breakfast in florence oregon, best lunch florence oregon, best seafood restaurants in florence oregon, breakfast restaurants in florence oregon, fast food restaurants in florence oregon, oregon restaurants on the water, restaurants in old town florence oregon , tripadvisor florence oregon restaurants
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