Top 8 Bend Restaurants for Rich Flavors and Local Flair

While Bend is best known as “Beer City” for its craft brew scene, the city also has a rich food scene. So much so, Bend ranks among the top cities with the most eateries per capita, according to The Huffington Post. Some even say visitors should, “Come for the beer, stay for the food.” To sample some of the best, here are eight Bend restaurants to try on vacation.

Top Bend Restaurants: 8 Places to Grab Good Grub

Bangers and Brews

This casual hot spot specializes in sausage and sources ingredients from local suppliers in Oregon.

Here’s how it works: Choose a sausage, two toppings and sauce. Each meal comes with or without bread, and a side salad can be added for less than $1. Bangers and Brews serves a variety of sausage, including meat and veggie options. For example, try German bratwurst, smoked apple veggie, Louisiana hot link, or exotic and wild game.

Brother Jon’s Public House

In west Bend, Brother Jon’s Public House welcomes locals and visitors to relax, watch sports and enjoy regional brews. The restaurant has three separate dining rooms and open-air deck, so visitors can pick their favorite spot.

Brother Jon’s serves lunch and dinner, featuring soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and pub house favorites. The house burger delights meat lovers, while chipotle black bean caters to vegetarians. House specialties include spicy buffalo mac and Cajun chicken and sausage pasta.

Deschutes Brewery

Bend Public House was the original Deschutes Brewery location, and today it still serves local goodness. Deschutes Brewery has several locations, but this downtown spot focuses on quality food and brews. In fact, its beer-centric menu draws visitors from all over who want handcrafted cuisine.

Whether for lunch or dinner, select from salads, soups, sandwiches, pizza and full entrees. Deschutes Brewery also ranks as a top burger restaurant with options such as elk, Bond Street, signature burger and vegan. Those with gluten restrictions also have choices.

McKay Cottage Restaurant

Consistently voted for the best breakfast in Bend, McKay Cottage Restaurant has been an iconic restaurant for over 10 years. McKay’s serves breakfast and lunch in a historic craftsman cottage that dates from 1916.

For breakfast, find large plates, pancakes, French toast, egg dishes and fresh-baked goodies. Lunch brings a selection of sandwiches, soups, salads and house specialties. Top options include: Mirror Pond fish and chips, McKay cottage potatoes, and Benham Falls benny.

Pisano’s Woodfired Pizza

Looking for the best pizza in Bend? Check out Pisano’s Woodfired Pizza, a local staple for wood-fired artisan pizza. Each one is made with local ingredients, homemade sauce, and dough and cheese prepared daily.

Pisano’s offers 10 different pizzas made with local ingredients, with gluten-free and veggies options available. Try the award-winning filet mignon or traditional margherita. Other options include extreme BBQ Hawaiian, sausage and Mediterranean. In addition to pizza, the restaurant also serves meatball subs and calzones.

Spork

Looking for a mix of flavors? Head to Spork, among the most diverse Bend restaurants due to international flavors, such as Latin America, Africa, Asian and more. At Spork, visitors dine inside or order a family-style takeout package to go.

On the menu, find creative dishes that highlight different spices and cultures. Examples include Mexican stew, Peruvian stir fry, West African curry and Thai steak salad, to name a few. Visitors also select from small plates and gluten-free options. In addition, most entrees are available for take-out and include five servings.

10 Barrel Brewpub

Another brewpub is 10 Barrel Brewpub in West Bend. This restaurant brews its own beer and pairs each one with a fresh dish. In addition, 10 Barrel works with local suppliers to get fresh produce and bakery items.

On lunch and dinner menus, find salads, burgers, hot sandwiches, or dig into a handcrafted pizza. The restaurant offers 10 kinds of pizza, and gluten-free options are available as well. Before leaving, grab a six-pack of house brew to take home or give as a gift.

Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails

Zydeco Kitchen and Cocktails focuses on northwest American cuisine with a Southern twist. This spot ranks among the best Bend restaurants for its quality ingredients and organic and gluten-free options.

Zydeco opens for lunch and dinner, with a large selection of entrees, soups and salads. For a starter, try the artisan cheese plate or barbecue shrimp. Then fill up on steaks, seafood, pasta, ribs or duck. In addition, the restaurant has a full gluten-free menu with meats, poultry, seafood and vegetable risotto.

Want to visit these Bend restaurants? Check out these vacation rentals in central Oregon. Then explore downtown Bend for culture and fun things to do.