Best Restaurants in Hood River, Oregon (Where Locals Actually Eat)

Hood River might be the most underrated food town in Oregon. Everyone knows it for windsurfing and breweries, but the restaurant scene here has quietly become something special. For a town of 8,000 people, the quality and variety of dining options is honestly ridiculous. Farm-to-table menus driven by Hood River Valley orchards and farms, Scandinavian brunch, wood-fired pizza with foraged mushrooms, ramen that rivals Portland’s best. All of it in a downtown you can walk end to end in 10 minutes.

My husband and I make the drive from Portland to Hood River at least a few times a year (it’s about 60 miles on I-84 through the Gorge, roughly an hour), and we always plan our trip around where we’re eating. The town punches so far above its weight on food that it’s become one of our favorite day trips from Portland specifically for dinner.

Here are the restaurants in Hood River worth driving an hour for.

Best Restaurants in Hood River for Dinner

Celilo Restaurant & Bar

Celilo is the best restaurant in Hood River and has been for years. The farm-to-table menu changes with the seasons and features locally sourced grass-fed meats, fresh seafood, and organic produce from Hood River Valley farms. The space has a woodsy-chic atmosphere that feels like Hood River in restaurant form. The wine list leans Pacific Northwest, and the cocktails are excellent.

This is the place for a nice dinner in Hood River. Not fussy, not pretentious, just genuinely excellent food made with care. Reservations recommended, especially on weekends.

Location: 16 Oak St, downtown Hood River. Price range: $$$. Reservations: Recommended.

Solstice Wood Fire Pizza & Bar

Solstice is the kind of pizza place that makes you rethink what pizza can be. The pies are wood-fired and topped with local ingredients in combinations you wouldn’t think of but immediately want. Morel mushrooms and nettle pesto. Pear and gorgonzola. Local sausage with roasted peppers. The seasonal specials are always worth trying because the kitchen actually uses what’s growing in the Hood River Valley right now.

They also have a solid local beer and wine selection. The atmosphere is casual and lively, perfect for a post-hike dinner when you want great food without having to change out of your trail clothes.

Location: 501 Portway Ave, down on the waterfront. Price range: $$. Reservations: Not required but smart on weekends.

3 Rivers Grill

3 Rivers Grill sits right along the Columbia River with views that alone are worth the visit. The menu is broader than most Hood River spots, covering everything from freshly caught salmon to hazelnut-crusted fried chicken to burrata pasta. It’s a good pick for groups because everyone at the table will find something, and the quality is consistent across the menu.

The outdoor patio in summer with river and mountain views is one of the best dining spots in the Gorge. This is where I take people who are visiting Hood River for the first time because the combination of food and setting is hard to beat.

Price range: $$-$$$. Reservations: Recommended for dinner, especially for patio seating.

Sixth Street Bistro

Sixth Street Bistro is a Hood River institution that’s been doing sustainable, locally-sourced food since before it was trendy. The menu is eclectic, the portions are generous, and the rooftop patio has great views. It’s the kind of place where you can get a solid burger, a creative salad, and a local beer, and the total bill won’t make you wince.

Location: 509 Cascade Ave. Price range: $$. Reservations: Walk-ins welcome.

Mugen Noodle

Mugen serves Pan-Asian noodle bowls that would hold up in any city, which is impressive for a small Gorge town. The duck ramen and the khao soi are the two dishes everyone talks about, and they both deserve the hype. The flavors are bold, the broths are complex, and the Oregon-sourced ingredients give everything a Pacific Northwest twist.

This is my go-to Hood River recommendation for a casual, flavorful, affordable meal. You’ll spend under $20 and leave very happy.

Price range: $$. No reservations, first come first served.

Best Restaurants in Hood River for Breakfast and Brunch

Broder Ost

If you know the Broder restaurants in Portland (Broder Nord, Broder Soder), you know what to expect. Broder Ost is the Hood River outpost, set inside the historic Hood River Hotel, and it serves the same Scandinavian-inspired brunch that made the Portland locations famous. Think aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls), Swedish hash, smoked salmon plates, and some of the best brunch cocktails in the Gorge.

The setting in the old hotel adds a lot of charm. Weekend brunch gets busy, so arrive early or expect a wait.

Location: Hood River Hotel, 102 Oak St. Price range: $$. No reservations for brunch.

Pine Street Bakery

Pine Street Bakery makes everything from scratch daily, and it shows. The pastries, breads, and breakfast sandwiches are the best in Hood River, and locals treat this place like a daily ritual. Get there early because the popular items sell out. Closed Sundays.

Price range: $-$$. No reservations.

Best Breweries and Taprooms for a Meal

Hood River has one of the densest brewery scenes in Oregon for its size. Several of them serve food that goes well beyond bar snacks. For the full list, check out my Hood River breweries guide.

Full Sail Brewing is the original Hood River brewery, and the Loading Dock pub has panoramic views of the Columbia River, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams. The food is solid pub fare, and the outdoor deck is one of the best spots in town on a warm day.

Ferment Brewing does creative fermented beverages (beer, cider, wine, kombucha) and pairs them with a food menu that’s better than it has any right to be at a brewery. The space is modern and inviting.

pFriem Family Brewers has a tasting room with river views and a kitchen that serves upscale pub food. Their Belgian-inspired ales are some of the best in Oregon, and the burger is excellent.

Wine Tasting in Hood River

The Hood River Valley has a growing wine scene focused on cooler-climate varietals (Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer) that thrive in the mountain microclimate. Several wineries along the Hood River Fruit Loop have tasting rooms with Mt. Hood views.

Cathedral Ridge Winery and Marchesi Vineyards are two of the most popular tasting rooms with scenic settings. In town, wine bars like the ones I’ve photographed offer a more casual tasting experience without the drive.

Tips for Dining in Hood River

Make reservations for dinner at Celilo and 3 Rivers. Hood River is a small town with a lot of visitors, and the top restaurants fill up quickly, especially on summer weekends and during events like kite festivals.

Downtown is entirely walkable. Most restaurants on this list are within a few blocks of Oak Street in downtown Hood River, though Solstice is a short walk down on the waterfront. Park once and walk.

Summer is peak season. Hood River’s population swells in summer with windsurfers, kiteboaders, and tourists. Restaurant waits are longest June through September. Shoulder seasons (April, May, October) are much easier.

Combine dining with the Fruit Loop. The Hood River Fruit Loop is a 35-mile scenic drive through orchards and farms. Several farm stands and small restaurants along the loop are worth a stop, especially during cherry, peach, and apple season.

Quick Tips

• Weekend brunch gets busy, so arrive early or expect a wait.
• For the full list, check out my Hood River breweries guide.
• For more on the drive and stops along the way, check my Columbia Gorge guide.
• Both get busy on weekends, so arrive early.
• Hood River is the day trip from Portland where I'm most likely to plan the entire day around food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best restaurant in Hood River?

Celilo Restaurant & Bar is widely considered the best restaurant in Hood River. Their farm-to-table menu features locally sourced ingredients from Hood River Valley farms, and the atmosphere is upscale but relaxed. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Is Hood River a good food town?

Extremely good for its size. Hood River has a population of about 8,000 but supports a restaurant scene that would be impressive in a city of 100,000. The combination of local farms, orchards, a thriving brewery scene, and creative chefs makes it one of the best food towns in Oregon.

How far is Hood River from Portland?

Hood River is about 60 miles east of Portland, roughly a 1-hour drive via I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge. It makes an easy day trip from Portland, and the drive through the Gorge is scenic. For more on the drive and stops along the way, check my Columbia Gorge guide.

Where is the best brunch in Hood River?

Broder Ost in the Hood River Hotel serves the best brunch in town, with Scandinavian-inspired dishes like aebleskiver and Swedish hash. Pine Street Bakery is the best option for pastries and coffee. Both get busy on weekends, so arrive early.

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Hood River is the day trip from Portland where I’m most likely to plan the entire day around food. Celilo for a special dinner, Broder Ost for brunch, Solstice for pizza after a hike. For a town this small, the quality is genuinely remarkable. What’s your favorite Hood River restaurant? Let me know in the comments.

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