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Places to Eat

Listed below are a few local restaurants, cafes, and some Gorge wineries for dining, meeting, and refreshment during your visit. All of the establishments listed are well-tested and well-loved by those at Insitu. Dinner reservations are recommended at all restaurants during the tourist season (late May to late September). Bon appetit!

Breakfast/Coffee-Lunch-Dinner

Breakfast/Coffee

Bingen

Bingen Station
This small coffee shop is attached to a quirky and interesting antique store right on Steuben Street, a short walk from the Bingen offices. (213 W. Steuban St.) 509.493.1121

Hood River

Dog River Coffee
Dog River serves excellent Stumptown coffee and espresso drinks with local pastries, fresh cookies made in house, and some breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Dog River also offers free fast WiFi and space to sprawl for work or relaxation, from very early to 7PM daily (411 Oak Street) 541.386.4502

Egg Harbor
Great for breakfast/brunch. Try the apple pancakes or the fruit crepes. Open early until 2pm. (Oak at 13th) 541.386.1127

Ground: Espresso Bar & Cafe
Ground serves rich espresso and coffees, fresh brewed in the finest Italian tradition, with breakfast and specialty sandwiches, soups, wine, beer & homemade desserts. Free Wi-Fi or use our computers. Located in the oldest coffee house in Hood River. Open early through early evening. (Oak and 1st) 541.386.4442

Acre
This relatively new coffee and breakfast stop is a few blocks above the hustle and bustle of Oak Street. The smoothies and oatmeal cookies are especially good, as are the vegan sausage breakfast sandwiches. Sit and enjoy your mocha at any number of small tables while taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi. (13th and State)

Mosier

Good River
A favorite for weekend breakfasts. New management 2007: 'to honor fresh food in a friendly community atmosphere - lunch, dinner, cocktails, local wines, outdoor dining, weekend breakfast.' Open 7 days during the tourist season, Wednesdays to Sundays otherwise. (In Mosier, about 8 miles from Insitu off of Interstate 84, 904 Second Avenue) 541.478.0199

White Salmon

Ground
A partner to Ground in Hood River, this sister cafe offers excellent espresso coffee drinks, breakfast pastries and sandwiches mornings, soup and sandwiches for lunch at 166 E Jewett in the business district. (166 E Jewett) 509.493.1340

Lunch

Quick Eats or Take-out

Bingen

Beneventi's Pizza and Sandwiches
The wide selection of pizzas, hot sandwiches, and large salad bar make this a lunchtime favorite for Insitu employees. Beneventi?s is a short walk from any of Insitu's offices in downtown Bingen. (201 W Steuben St.) 509.493.2177

Big River Diner
This classic diner with a long, well-tested menu is right off of Highway 14 at the eastern end of town. It is a short and well worthwhile drive from any of Insitu's offices. (740 W Steuben Street) 509.493.1414

El Rinconcito
Bingen's trademark taco stand is located in a small cozy space with a few tables. Very satisfying burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and other favorites prepared fresh and fast to eat there or at one of Bingen's or White Salmon's many public parks. (114 W Steuben Street) 509.493.8227

Hood River

South Bank Kitchen
This cafe is also a gourmet food store. As you can imagine then, their freshly cooked fare makes an excellent lunch. From their Asian noodle salad, to their incredible 7-grain cookies, to their ever changing soup du'jour, you can't go wrong with a meal from South Bank. Eat at their tables facing Oak Street or take it with you and sit at the newly landscaped library park, just one block to the west. (Oak St btw 3rd and 4th) 541.386.9876

Sit Down and Stay Awhile

Bingen

Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant
All of the Mexican dishes you could ever desire are served here. It is very tasty comfort food prepared and served with cheer, chips, and salsa. If you go later in the day you will also find drinks and a small bar. (120 E Steuben Street) 509.493.1017

Solstice Wood Fire Cafe
Uniquely-flavored wood fire pizzas and house grilled panini sandwiches with house made soups and salads make Solstice the most gourmet lunch option around without breaking (or even really denting) the bank. Dinner is also served. Walking Man beer and local wines add a little zip to any meal. (415 W Steuben Street) 509.493.4006

Hood River

Cornerstone Cuisine
This little gem is located in the lobby of the Hood River Hotel. Excellent breakfasts and exceptional lunches and dinners are served here. Conerstone also takes pride in supporting local farmers, ranchers, and foragers and is dedicated to using organic, chemical free, and genetically unaltered products whenever possible. (Oak and 1st) 541.386.1900

Hood River Taqueria
Traditional Mexican food is served at picnic benches on a large lawn in the summer. Tacos are super cheap, and the larger entrees are reasonably priced as well. The margarita pitchers are quite a treat on a hot summer afternoon as well. (1210 13th St.) 541.387.3300

Three Rivers Grill
Three Rivers provides fine dining in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere with spectacular views of the Columbia River. Specializing in Northwest cuisine with a French flair, they use local organic products whenever possible. The beautiful patio makes this an excellent summer luncheon spot. (Oak and 6th) 541.386.8883

Dinner

Pizza and Tacos and Such

Hood River

Andrew's Pizza - Skylight Theatre and Pub
Sit back and enjoy a movie with pizza and microbrew beer, or just go for the pizza. Soft drinks and popcorn are also available, with salads, chicken wings, stromboli, calzones filling out the menu. Young and old appreciate the thin-crusted triangles, with lots of extravagant toppings available for the more experimental eaters among us. 541.386.1448

China Gorge
Grace Su's China Gorge has tasty Chinese food and can easily handle groups. Traditional recipes have plenty of garlic, hot red pepper and other spices, but no MSG is added. (Exit 64 from I-84) 541.386.5331

Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom
Featuring sandwiches, and New York style pizzas for dinner, live music on occasion, this new brewery was started by the former Brewmaster of Full Sail. The ever-growing supply of unique handcrafted beers are a must try for your visit to the Northwest. (4th & Cascade) 541.387.0042

Odell

Michoacan
Michoacan serves authentic Mexican cuisine from the Mexican state it is named after. There aren't better homemade tortillas de maiz (corn tortillas) anywhere. Odell is up 35 from Hood River, but not as far as Parkdale. This small agricultural community is nestled in some of the prettiest orchards you will see in the area. Take a right off of 35 at the sign to Odell. Drive about a mile into town. Take your first right in town (there are signs to Westside Elementary). Michoacan is a block down on your right.

Parkdale

Elliot Glacier Public House
Savor the awesome view of the Elliot Glacier on the north slopes of Mt. Hood from the beer garden while quaffing one of several hand crafted ales. Have pub appetizers and hearty selections of soups, sandwiches, and salads. Specials include burritos, homemade chili with the best corn bread around and cheese fondue in the Swiss tradition. Friday nights are all you can eat spaghetti with meatballs. Monday night is the ever popular dollar taco night. About 15 miles from Hood River in Parkdale. (4945 Baseline Rd.) 541.352.4022

White Salmon

Momma Jane's
A classic roadside diner with pages upon pages of the food you expect to find. New in spring 2007. (120 E Jewett) 509.493.2672

Casual Sit Down Dining

Bingen

Hood River

Brian's Pourhouse
Brian's serves continental cuisine with a Pacific Northwest flare and an excellent selection of microbrews. You can get food here after 10 pm, which is quite a bonus some nights, and one of the reasons it is so frequented by Insitu people after hours. Opens 5PM daily (Oak between 6th & 7th) 541.387.4344

Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub
Hood River's proud residents tout Full Sail as just one more reason to love living in the Gorge. Their lightest brew, Session, can be found at every house party in town, and their famous Full Sail Amber is craved forever after by all who have tasted it. The recent facelift and menu overhaul at this popular downtown brewery have made the laid-back pub even more tourist friendly, and the outdoor deck overlooking the river makes it an ever-popular post windsurfing grub pick-up spot. (5th & Columbia) 541.386.2281

The Mesquitery
This no frills establishment in the Heights (southern Hood River) has an elaborate steak menu. Try their pirogues for a different twist on an appetizer. (Hood River Heights on 12th) 541.386.2002

North Oak Brasserie
North Oak is located in a cozy cellar in the heart of downtown Hood River. The Caldwells dish out roasted garlic and brie soup, lasagna, gorgonzola gnocchi and butternut squash ravioli that would do credit to any Italian table. (Oak & 3rd, downstairs) 541.387.2310

Sixth Street Bistro
Enjoy casual dining upstairs, or fine dining downstairs. The entrees are top-notch, as is the excellent burger menu that comes complete with salmon burgers and the option to substitute a veggie burger anywhere. The solid selection of local microbrews adds that extra something. Like many local places, Sixth Street strives to use local, organic products. They even have a section on their menu listing where they buy their food from and why. (6th & Oak) 541.386.5737.

Sushi Okalani
This small but busy sushi kitchen is one of the busiest places in town. In addition to great standard fare, Sushi Okalani is a favorite among regulars for their ever-changing Special House Rolls menu. (1st and Oak) 541.386.7423

Fine Dining

(note: Fine dining in the Gorge does not imply a dress code. Clean jeans and a freshly washed top are totally acceptable at all of the following establishments. There will be no question after your first sip of local wine or nibble of wild salmon that you are dining very finely indeed.)

Bingen

Viento
This bistro-style dinner house, features a menu that draws from their love of the world's rich and varied culinary traditions. Viento's is across the street from Insitu's main office building in downtown Bingen. (216 W. Steuben) 509.493.0049

Hood River

Abruzzo
Local Italians say Abruzzo is the best. The rest of us heartily agree. This fairly priced gourmet Italian food will not leave you dissatisfied. The seasonal butternut squash raviolis are particularly tasty. (Oak past 13th) 541.386.9250

Celilo
Celilo Restaurant and Bar serves Pacific Northwest cuisine featuring fresh and local ingredients in a warm atmosphere created by local artists and craftsmen, with space for large parties. Easily the closest thing to a four-star restaurant in town, you won't regret an evening spent here. (Oak at 1st) 541.386.5710

Stonehedge Gardens
This fine dining establishment is housed in an old Victorian with beautiful gardens in a wooded setting. Thier outstanding menu features steaks and seafood and creative pasta dishes. Do not miss their less expensive, but equally mouthwatering summer menu. Outdoor dining on the expansive patio is also available in the summer. Reservations are recommended year-around. (watch for the sign on Cascade near Interstate 84, if you get off at exit 62 you can't miss it on your right) 541.386.3940

Three Rivers Grill
Three Rivers provides fine dining in an upscale yet relaxed atmosphere with spectacular views of the Columbia River. Specializing in Northwest cuisine with a French flair, they use local organic products whenever possible. The appetizers and bar menu are a fun way to start your evening of fine dining. (Oak and 6th) 541.386.8883

Lyle

Lyle Hotel
Chef Chris, formerly of Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, was schooled in Seattle and is already right at home in the Columbia River Gorge cooking up the finest Northwest and traditional American cuisine. Dinner is offered Wednesdays to Sundays. (In Lyle about 10 miles from Insitu on highway 14, 100 Seventh St.) 509.365.5953