I’m always on the lookout for where to eat in Bend, Oregon since my family and I go there every year to ski. Finding good food in the middle of central Oregon was like finding a needle in a haystack back in the day.
Luckily, that’s not the case anymore. Over the years, Bend has exploded into a baby Portland-esque city, with food carts, casual restaurants, and fancy date-night spots popping up everywhere.
So, to make sense of all the places to get good food in Bend, Oregon, I’m breaking down all my favorite restaurants, ranging from cheap eats to fancier spots. Many of them were recommended to me by locals or discovered after going deep on local forums, so get ready to eat like you live in Bend!
Where to Eat in Bend, Oregon
Save this list to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it when I discover more places to eat in Bend, Oregon!
The Podski Food Cart Lot
website | neighborhood: Southern Crossing (get directions) | cuisine: varies | price range: $$
If I can only give you one spot where to eat in Bend, Oregon, it’s The Podski. I can never resist a good food cart pod, and Podski is the best one in Bend.
There are nine food trucks in total, along with an outdoor bar pouring local beers and ciders. Don’t miss the vegan truck Toasty’s for their crunch wrap supreme, which tastes exactly like Taco Bell’s sans the meat and cheese. Trust me, you won’t miss it!
Next, grab the pierogi sampler from Big Ski’s, which lets you try a bunch of their pillowy potato balls of joy. My favorite flavor is the bacon and cheese, but decide for yourself!
Then stop by The Americana Truck for their classic smash burger. There’s often a line, but it’s worth the wait!
Tacos Pihuamo
website | neighborhood: Larkspur (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican | price range: $
Like Portland, Bend has a well-established food truck scene and Tacos Pihuamo is one of the best I’ve discovered. I first checked them out after a Yelp reviewer claimed they made the best carne asada tacos he’d ever had, I think he’s right.
In addition to juicy, flavorful carne asada, they also make a mean birria taco and tender carnitas that rival some of the best street tacos in Seattle.
Alebrije Oaxaca
website | neighborhood: Orchard District (get directions) | cuisine: Mexican | price range: $
A local told me Alebrije was the go-to among Bend locals for quesa birria tacos. The tortillas have the perfect crust on the outside, and the consommé tastes like it’s been simmering for hours.
To get here, you have to head behind a hostel down an alley, where you’ll find it next to a few other carts and a heated safari tent. It’s off the beaten path and doesn’t get foot traffic, so it’s a true hidden gem!
Dear Mom Cafe
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | cuisine: Thai | price range: $$
Dear Mom Cafe is a fun and feminine restaurant known for creative cocktails and authentic Thai dishes. While it can take a bit to get a table, it’s well worth the wait to get your hands on their excellent version of classics like mango salad, khao soi, and pad Thai.
Some of my favorite dishes, though, are the ones you don’t see on every Thai menu. If available, don’t miss the garlic fried shrimp that has the most addictive crispy batter. I also love the red curry tilapia that packs some heat to fish that’s been pan-fried to give it a crunchy texture.
A Broken Angel
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | cuisine: vegan | price range: $$
A Broken Angel is a vegan food cart that makes New American food with house-made ingredients, emphasizing whole foods instead of mock meats. They were featured in Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives for their Okie fried rice, which comes with dill jasmine fried rice, eggs, smoked turtle beans, and sauerkraut. Unfortunately, while it sounds incredible, I have yet to try it because I can’t stop ordering their biscuits and mushroom gravy.
Bo’s Falafel Bar
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | cuisine: Mediterranean | price range: $
There is a lot of great Mediterranean food in Seattle, but Bo’s falafel blows a lot of them out of the park. Their falafel is perfectly seasoned, crunchy, and not overly oily, and they come with a lot of customizable toppings. I always opt for the falafel, hummus, and pickled beets on a pita.
Bangers & Brews
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) & Redmond (get directions) | cuisine: Argentinian | price range: $
Bangers is a casual Argentinian spot specializing in brats served on fluffy bolillo buns. You can get classic flavors like smoked Italian or Polish sausage, or you can try their obscure proteins like smoked kangaroo, wild boar, or rattlesnake.
I often play it safe and get the Seattle dog with chimichurri because the simplicity highlights the quality of the meat. To jazz up my order, I’ll also get a pretzel with beer cheese. It’s super fluffy and not too salty!
J DUB
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: American | price range: $$
J DUB is one of the quintessential spots to go when you’re looking for where to eat in Bend, Oregon. It’s a family-friendly restaurant that serves elevated greasy-spoon fare for brunch, lunch, and dinner. You can expect large portions and interesting spins on comfort food.
For example, they have awesome sweet potato tots and a brunch dish called Mr. October that’s a biscuit breakfast sandwich topped with fried chicken, bacon, cheese, and sausage gravy. It’s all my favorite breakfast items put into one bite!
The Lemon Tree
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: American | price range: $$
The Lemon Tree’s concept began in Tuscany in 2017 when cruise chef friends Chef Jaclyn Perez and Betsy McDonald decided to retire from cruises and open a restaurant in their hometown. Everything came to fruition in 2018, and today, they’re known for having an exceptional brunch. They have a variety of staples like hearty egg benny, but the real showstopper for me is the blueberry scone with lemon glaze.
Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: American | price range: $$$
Zydeco is a fancier spot focusing on consistently impressive American dishes with a Louisiana flare. However it’s not so fancy that they’re too proud to put salt on the table.
Don’t miss the jambalaya with cornbread, redfish with Dungeness crab, and trout dip. All of these are well executed and give a taste of the south right in central Oregon!
Yoli
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: Korean | price range: $$$
Yoli is one of the fancier Korean restaurants I’ve been to. While it’s a bit pricey, I like that you can order small plates and try a variety of well-executed, authentic dishes. For example, they have a bibimbap appetizer portion, which I love because it means I can still get it and try a few new dishes.
Besides the bibimbap, don’t miss the spicy salmon appetizer, kalbi ssam, and rice cakes. The rice cakes come out as medallions rather than rods, which means there’s more surface area to pick up the caramelization and sauces. The kalbi is perfectly cooked and the spicy salmon is so texturally interesting. All of these dishes put a modern, chef-y spin on Korean classics that you’re sure to love!
Mimi’s Bagel Deli
website | neighborhood: Boyd Acres (get directions) | cuisine: bagels | price range: $
I have a soft spot for any place that specializes in New Jersey-style bagels, so Mimi’s instantly won me over. While the sandwiches are a bit smaller and chewier than your typical Jersey bagel, they make up for it with bountiful toppings and a delicate, slightly-sour dough. I come back every year just to rekindle my Jersey nostalgia and order the Taylor ham, egg, and cheese.
Pro tip: 5th Street Bagels is another option in Bend. I prefer Mimi’s hot sandwiches, but the lox sandwich at 5th Street is really good!
The Sparrow Bakery
website | neighborhood: Summit West (get directions) | cuisine: bakery | price range: $$
Sparrow is a lively bakery housed in an old industrial building that serves breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and light lunch alongside coffee. I go here often, and while there are some things I haven’t adored, I always find the baked goods to be consistently fresh and high-quality.
Don’t miss the ocean roll, which is basically a cinnamon roll wrapped in croissant dough without the frosting and with more cardamom flavor. I tried it and found it quite intriguing, with way more cardamom flavor than I expected–in a good way!
Manzanita Grill Bend LLC
website | neighborhood: Boyd Acres – inside Van Henion Brewing (get directions) | cuisine: Tex-Mex | price range: $$
Manzanita is a popular food truck serving a unique combination of Tex-Mex tacos, BBQ sliders, and massive fried chicken sandwiches. People love their fried chicken, but my vote is for their tacos. They’re well-stuffed and perfectly seasoned, especially the carnitas, al pastor, and carne asada tacos.
Sen Thai Noodles & Hot Pot
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: Thai | price range: $$
Sen Thai is run by the same people behind Wild Rose, a wildly popular Thai restaurant in Bend. I prefer Sen Thai because they offer more authentic, hard-to-find Thai dishes. For example, you’ll find poh pia sode tod egg rolls, which are addictively crispy and not too oily. They also offer Thai hot pot, which isn’t very common.
The standout for me is always the khao muk gai, a subtly Thai curry-rubbed chicken served with flavorful rice and a gorgeous sweet and sour sauce. If it’s available when you visit, make sure it’s part of your order!
McKay Cottage Restaurant
website | neighborhood: Boyd Acres (get directions) | cuisine: American breakfast | price range: $$
McKay’s is a beloved local spot that’s consistently been voted the best breakfast in Bend since 2010. The lines are long, but it’s worth the wait. They have a variety of breakfast staples like burritos, biscuits and gravy, and omelets. My absolute favorite, though, is the strawberry crepe with vanilla custard!
Jackson’s Corner
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) & inside The Grove food hall (get directions) | cuisine: American | price range: $$
Jackson’s Corner is another quintessential breakfast and lunch spot in Bend. It’s located inside a historic home-turned-restaurant, so you can’t help but feel you’re in a locals-only establishment.
The must get here is the biscuits and gravy. It’s earthy and complex, just as this dish should be. If you’re craving something lighter, don’t miss the salmon tartine.
Planker Sandwiches
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: sandwiches | price range: $$
Planker’s is a small sandwich shop in downtown Bend that serves hearty sandwiches on locally-made bread with scratch-made toppings and condiments. They offer a few all-day breakfast sandwiches along with cold, warm, and pressed lunch sandwiches. My go-to is the Turkey Club. It’s classic, simple, and perfectly executed!
On Tap
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | cuisine: varies | price range: $$
On Tap is another food cart pod that has a good concentration of trucks surrounding a taphouse. Some of my favorite trucks include Rush’s Squares for Detroit-style pizza, Himalayan Bites for momo dumplings, and ‘Aina Kauai Style Grill for poke. There’s also a Mexican, Creole, and BBQ truck too.
Miyagi Ramen
website | neighborhood: Southern Crossing (get directions) | cuisine: Japanese | price range: $$
This takeout and walk-in only restaurant has a fun urban vibe. The space is industrial with high ceilings, a huge colorful mural, and cool music playing. If there’s a wait, you’ll need to order and pay in advance of getting your table. I’ve never done this before, but it was nice that your food came out shortly after you were seated. We ended up waiting for 40 minutes on a Friday night, but it was the perfect excuse to go to The Brown Owl around the corner for a beer!
Food wise, don’t miss the karaage bao appetizer, brisket ramen, and spicy miso ramen. I usually always get tonkotsu ramen, so I was surprised to find I liked these spicier soups better!
Elly’s Ice Cream
website | Summit West (get directions) | cuisine: ice cream | price range: $
Another food item I sorely miss from the east coast is soft serve ice cream. So when I heard Elly’s has not only soft serve ice cream, but chocolate dip cones, I absolutely had to try it. The dip shell was just as I remembered and the inside nice and creamy. They also make good hard serve ice cream if that’s more your thing.
Pro tip: Elly’s is inside The Grove Market Hall, a cool modern food hall with a few different restaurants, brewery, coffee shop, and larder.
Bonus: Places to drink in Bend
Hey, you need to do something besides eat! So as you explore where to eat in Bend, Oregon, take breaks at these cool drinking establishments around the city.
The Broom Closet
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | price range: $$
I love me a good speakeasy bar. The Broom Closet is a hidden bar on the 3rd floor of the McMenamins Old St. Francis School building. It’s tricky to find, but when you do, you’ll be rewarded with a cozy, art-lined bar and classic jazz playing in the background. Don’t miss the L’Orange and Smoky Sombrero cocktails!
Pro tip: Yelp says this place is kid-friendly, but it’s 21+. That said, you can take your drink anywhere on the property with kids in tow.
The Flamingo Room
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | price range: $$
The Flamingo Room is a stunning cocktail bar full of plants that would make any plant parent melt. You can expect creative cocktails, small bites, and non-alcoholic options. If available, get The Sweet Tooth cocktail with spiced rum!
Pro tip: Kids are allowed before 9 PM if they order food.
San Simón
website | neighborhood: Old Bend (get directions) | price range: $$
Recommended to me by a local, San Simón is a small spot hidden down an alleyway in downtown Bend. They have creative cocktails and build-your-own charcuterie boards. Kids are allowed before 9 PM, but only if you order food.
Monkless Belgian Ales
website | neighborhood: Southern Crossing (get directions) | price range: $$
Monkless is my favorite brewery in Bend because they exclusively make my favorite kind of beer, Belgian ales. They also have a variety of European-inspired dishes like mussels, frites, poutine, and a really good pretzel. So this is a great, family-friend spot for both beers and great food.
Crux Fermentation
website | neighborhood: Southern Crossing (get directions) | price range: $$
I’ve never been to Crux when it wasn’t jam-packed, but they have a ton of seating and a big patio, so it’s usually easy to find a seat. The kid- and dog-friendly brewpub is housed in a former transmission repair plant and offers a small bar food menu of mostly pretzels and weekend brunch. They also have rotating food carts in the parking lot. The brewery makes a variety of classic PNW beers like hazy IPAs and crisp lagers, as well as a few barrel-aged beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
Boss Rambler Club
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | price range: $$
Boss Rambler is a hip, millennial-designed brewery known for its IPAs, which is a style I don’t usually enjoy, but I really like theirs. They’re kid-friendly and dog-friendly (on the patio), and they host the Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries food truck along with coffee and breakfast burritos in the mornings.
Bevel Craft Brewing
website | neighborhood: Larkspur (get directions) | price range: $$
Bevel is one of the breweries I visit every year, mainly on Monday for their fun bingo and trivia nights. But this spot is also making good beers and has a food cart pod on its property. If you decide to eat here, IndoDaddy and Nosh are the two food trucks not to miss.
Still Vibrato
website | neighborhood: River West (get directions) | price range: $
Still Vibrato is a gorgeous, minimally designed coffee shop tucked inside an apartment building’s courtyard. They sell beans in bulk, so you can try a variety of beans or sip on a single-origin flat white while enjoying people-watching from the massive windows.
Boba Tea Bend
website | neighborhood: Old Farm District (get directions) | price range: $
It’s not every day you’ll see me recommending a boba tea spot on a list of where to eat in Bend, Oregon, but I have to give credit where it’s due. Boba Tea Bend is making much better boba than the other shops currently dominates the Bend market. The boba tea pearls are served warm, and the Okinawa brown sugar milk tea with no added sugar has the perfect level of sweetness. I would have never stopped at this food cart if it wasn’t for my niece’s obsession with boba, so it’s a happy discovery I’m excited to pass on to you.
Map of Bend restaurants & bars
Above is where to eat in Bend, Oregon if you want my fave of fave restaurants. But if you’re looking for more ideas, check out my full map of places to eat and drink in Bend!
More to explore nearby
Like I said, you have to do more than just visit where to eat in Bend, Oregon! So here are more ideas of how to pass your time.
