Oregon’s Willamette Valley may be best known for its Pinot Noir wine. Even if you came for the wine, don’t overlook the food. The Willamette Valley has a lively food culture, including farm-to-table restaurants with extensive local wine lists.
Visitors also come to hike, mountain bike, and enjoy nature. With Oregon’s famous forests, the Willamette River, and mountain ranges surrounding the valley, you see beauty wherever you look. Most towns in Willamette Valley wine country are also within a day-trip distance to one of Oregon’s beaches.
The valley stretches 150 miles long and contains the state’s biggest cities, including Portland, Eugene, and Salem. Thanks to its mild weather and volcanic mineral-rich soil, the Willamette Valley is ideal for creating Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling wines.
Wherever you find wine, you also find food. These top eateries in Willamette Valley winemaking communities highlight fresh, local ingredients that pair beautifully with regional wines. The Northern Willamette Valley and Yamhill County form the heart of wine country. Here you will find charming restaurants nestled among the tasting rooms, vineyards, and historic towns.
325 West Main Street, Carlton, Oregon 97111
The City of Carlton claims to be Oregon’s wine capital with the highest density of tasting rooms per capita. All that wine tasting can make you hungry. The Blind Pig is a local favorite if you enjoy comfort food with a twist.
Think burgers cooked as ordered with truffle aioli or falafel with beet hummus. The food is made from scratch using local ingredients. According to the Blind Pig, it’s a place “where tradition meets rebellion.”
In keeping with its self-proclaimed “renegade” aesthetic, the atmosphere is casual. To make it a night out, visit during the weekend when they have a live band. If the weather's nice, be sure to sit outside.
155 Southwest 7th Street, Dundee, Oregon 97115
Locals and visitors stop by Red Hills Market to enjoy wood-fired pizza and play a quick game of corn hole. The outdoor picnic tables make it seem a little like you are at a party. The menu includes wood-fired pizza, elotes street sweet corn salad, and seared albacore nicoise.
Red Hills Market also offers grab-and-go items like local cheese, sandwiches, and salads if you want to pack a picnic lunch.
Even though it’s close to wineries, they have a selection of local wines and their own signature Tractor & Vine house wine from the Kropf Family Vineyard. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. While the food and wine list are impressive, the vibe is casual and relaxed.
760 Highway 99W, Dundee, Oregon 97115
Known for impeccable service and fine food, Tina’s offers a cozy fireplace atmosphere. Serving farm-to-table cuisine. Not only is the produce and meat locally grown but some of the meat Tina’s serves is wild caught. Menu items include Truffled Mushroom Sauté, Rack of Lamb, or Pan Seared Branzino. Since it changes seasonally, be sure to check for the latest options.
The owners first met working in another restaurant as wine experts. They found they share a passion for good food, wine, and hospitality that led them to eventually live their dream owning their own restaurant. If you want to find the perfect wine to complement your meal, just ask!
Newberg is also in the heart of the North Willamette Valley wine country. It’s home to several of the top eateries in Willamette Valley communities. These restaurants often use fresh, local ingredients that pair beautifully with regional wines.
2525 Allison Lane, Newberg, Oregon 97132
Jory, in the Allison Inn and Spa, is a true garden-to-table restaurant in a resort and spa setting. The team grows much of the produce and spa ingredients in its on-site 1.5-acre chef’s garden and greenhouse.
Guests may enjoy their meals on the outdoor terrace or one of the dining rooms. Curious foodies may enjoy sitting at the chef’s counter, where they can watch the kitchen team in action.
If you enjoy a chef-curated experience, opt for one of their multi-course tasting menus with options to enjoy native foods, chef’s table, or seasonal themed. If you prefer to choose your own meal, the à la carte menu contains items like the Pinot Burger or cauliflower gnocchi.
Open for breakfast or brunch as well as dinner, which makes it ideal if you want to enjoy a meal as well as a massage or facial at The Allison Inn and Spa.
201 South College Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132
The Painted Lady Restaurant is in a Victorian-style building that the owners restored. Its name references the “painted lady” movement in San Francisco, since it was restored according to principles from this movement, like using contrasting ingredients in a way that creates balance. Similar principles also inspire the menu.
The seasonal tasting menu uses ingredients like slowly roasted salmon and locally grown vegetables.
The Painted Lady also partners with regional vintners to offer an extensive wine list. If you were just out tasting and have your own bottle to enjoy, they allow that for a modest corkage fee.
714 East 1st Street, Newberg, Oregon 97132
Rosmarino claims to offer some of Oregon’s most authentic Italian food. Dining and menu options vary depending when you go. On Friday and Saturday evenings, guests may enjoy a five course wine pairing dinner.
If you don’t drink, don’t worry! The team can create a meal to suit non-drinkers and designated drivers as well as just about any dietary needs with advance notice.
The ala carte dinner menu includes options like caprese salad, scratch made risotto or a variety of pasta dishes. Depending on the weather, you can eat indoors or outside on the patio. Sunday guests enjoy pizza or gnocchi.
600 Ferry Street, Dayton, Oregon 97114
The Joel Palmer House Restaurant is in a historic Victorian-style home originally built in 1857. Their forest-to-table wild mushroom based tasting menu offers a unique twist on the farm to table trend. Think locally foraged truffles, wild mushroom soup, or three mushroom tarte. They also grow fresh produce in their own culinary garden.
With over 30 years of experience and connections with Oregon wine makers, they have an extensive wine list including over 600 wines. If there is an Oregon wine you want to try, chances are they have it. The Joel Palmer House is best known for its chef-curated five or ten course tasting meals.
If you drive an electric vehicle, you may want to note that there is a convenient charging station on site.
313 Northeast 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128
Located in downtown McMinnville, pura Vida offers its own interpretation of classic Latin fusion with some American dishes, drawing from Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Perú, Argentina, and Ecuador. The atmosphere is sleek and minimalist while the service is friendly.
Guests choose from a seasonal menu with dishes like paella, several types of of tacos, gnocchi del mole, and more. Start the meal with quinoa stuffed piquillo peppers, fried plantains, or a vegetable empanada.
Handmade coffee drinks, craft cocktails, and local wines round out the beverage menu. Just don’t be surprised if you need to get a box to take home leftovers.
411 Northeast Third Street, McMinnville, Oregon 97128
The Grounded Table was formerly known as Humble Spirit. The same farm-to-table approach remains in the historic downtown McMinnville location. Its founding farm Tabula Rasa is a 23-acre regenerative farm focused on raising animals as naturally as possible and growing produce in the market garden.
In addition to the Tabula Rasa, Grounded Table works with other small batch and local farms that use similar sustainable farming techniques.
Menu choices include Albacore Confit, roast beet salad, and Roasted Half Chicken. Like other farm-to-table restaurants, the menu changes with the seasons. The team can accommodate most dietary needs.
If you are planning to visit the Willamette Valley, Lifestyle Properties LLC vacation homes match the relaxed elegance of Oregon’s wine country. With spacious homes ranging from three to six bedrooms, they can easily accommodate your family or traveling companions. Spending on the home, amenities may include private wine tours, a fully equipped chef’s kitchen, and outdoor firepit seating.
However you choose to spend your time in the Willamette Valley, a meal at one of the best restaurants in Willamette Valley wine country will awaken your senses.
