Road trip: Sampling seafood on Oregon’s coast
“Nothing beats freshly caught seafood on the Oregon coast,” said Jennifer Burns Bright in Eater. But don’t stop for a bite blindly while traveling beautiful coastal Highway 101, because at some coastal restaurants, dinner has traveled farther than you have. Not at the three below, which “do the Oregon coast proud” and are sure to make any road trip more memorable.
Bridgewater Bistro You won’t find a grander view of the Astoria-Megler Bridge than at this restaurant near the mouth of the Columbia River. Enjoy fresh-caught seafood specials in the high-beamed dining room or out on the deck, where tables are protected from the chill by sturdy, clear-topped pods. Don’t miss the savory Dungeness crab cheesecake or, on nippy mornings, a bowl of the curried clam and mussel chowder. 20 Basin St., Astoria The Salmonberry This bistro sits right on the Nehalem River, and “house-made pasta and wood-fired pizza doesn’t get much better.” The pizza toppings and sauces change regularly, reflecting the seasonal bounty both of local fishing boats and area ranches. It’s the kind of place where you can get house-made pastas and sauces to take home. “The sourdough bread from nearby Wolfmoon Bakery, slathered in honey chèvre, is worth the drive alone.” 380 Marine Drive, Wheeler
Local Ocean Seafoods “Considered by many the best place for seafood on the entire coast,” this restaurant farther south, on Yaquina Bay, specializes in inventive, international twists on coastal classics, such as moqueca de peixe, a Brazilian coconut milk– based seafood stew. Now owned by a workers’ collective, Local Ocean gets most of its fish and crab from local boats, and the wine list “has plenty of Oregon seafood-friendly glass pours.” 213 SE Bay Blvd., Newport