You just hiked the 1.2 miles to the top of Oregon’s tallest waterfall, your legs are doing that wobbly thing, and you are absolutely starving. I know the feeling well. The good news is that the Columbia River Gorge feeds you better than a roadside-near-a-tourist-attraction has any right to, and the best restaurants near Multnomah Falls are an easy drive from the parking lot.
Some of these spots are right at the trailhead, some are a quick hop down I-84, and a couple are conveniently on your way back to Portland. Most are within 20 minutes of the falls. Here’s where my husband and I actually stop, the honest pros and cons included.
The short version
The Lodge at the base is better than it has any right to be, but the Gorge feeds you far better than a tourist stop should, so it’s worth driving a few minutes for the real meal.
- Multnomah Falls Lodgeright at the base of the falls, and breakfast is the move
- pFriem Family Brewers (Hood River)the best brewery food in the entire Gorge
- Double Mountain Brewery (Hood River)wood-fired pizza and beer after a long hike
- Thunder Island Brewing (Cascade Locks)riverside pub stop just 15 minutes east
- Sugarpine Drive-In (Troutdale)burgers and house-made soft serve on the way back to Portland
- McMenamins Edgefield (Troutdale)a sprawling property you can lose a whole evening to
Multnomah Falls Lodge
The most obvious option is also the most convenient. Multnomah Falls Lodge sits right at the base of the falls and has been feeding visitors since 1925. I’ll be honest, I walked in the first time expecting tourist-trap food and a tourist-trap price. The dining room is better than it has any business being. The building alone is worth a look, built from Gorge stone with huge windows pointed straight at the waterfall.
Breakfast is the move here. The pancakes and the eggs Benedict are solid, and if you eat early you’ll beat the midday crowd that descends like clockwork. Lunch and dinner lean Pacific Northwest comfort food. Salmon, burgers, big hearty salads. Nothing fussy.
Fair warning though. Reservations are strongly recommended in summer. This place gets packed from June through September, and walk-in waits can stretch past an hour on weekends. Learned that one the hard way, standing outside with two hungry people and a view I’d already photographed forty times.
Dining near Multnomah Falls, at a glance
Hood River: The Real Food Destination (20 Minutes East)
If you’re willing to drive 20 minutes east on I-84, Hood River is hands down the best food destination in the Gorge. This little mountain town punches so far above its weight on restaurants, breweries, and wine bars that it’s almost rude. It’s where the locals actually eat, which is the only endorsement that has ever meant anything to me.
pFriem Family Brewers
This is the best brewery food in the entire Columbia River Gorge, and I will die on this hill. pFriem’s kitchen goes well past typical pub fare. The menu changes with the seasons, but expect things like steak frites, duck confit, and wood-fired mussels next to the Belgian-inspired beers. The patio looks out at the Columbia River and the Hood River Bridge. It’s one of those places where you sit down for one beer and stand up three hours later wondering where the afternoon went.
My pick, meal
pFriem Family Brewers, in Hood River
It’s the best brewery food in the entire Columbia River Gorge, and I will die on this hill. The kitchen goes well past typical pub fare, with things like steak frites and wood-fired mussels next to the Belgian-inspired beers, and the patio looks straight out at the Columbia River. It’s one of those places where you sit down for one beer and stand up three hours later wondering where the afternoon went.
Double Mountain Brewery
If you want pizza and beer after a long hike, Double Mountain is your spot. Their wood-fired pizzas are some of the best in Oregon, full stop, and the brewery has a fiercely loyal local following. The taproom is casual and a little loud, which is exactly the vibe you want when you’ve spent the whole day outside and stopped caring how you look. The IRA (India Red Ale) is a must-try.
Celilo Restaurant
For a nicer dinner, Celilo is the farm-to-table option in Hood River. They source from local farms and ranches across the Gorge, and the menu follows whatever is in season. This is the place you go to celebrate finishing a big hike or to look like you have your life together on a date night. Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends.
Strata
Strata does breakfast and brunch really well. If you’re spending the morning at Multnomah Falls and driving into Hood River for a late breakfast, this is where you point the car. The menu is creative without being precious about it, and they use locally roasted coffee. One honest note. Expect a wait on Saturday and Sunday mornings, because everyone else has the same good idea.
For more on the breweries in the Columbia Gorge and Hood River, we have a full guide.
Cascade Locks: Thunder Island Brewing
Cascade Locks is just 15 minutes east of Multnomah Falls, and Thunder Island Brewing is the reason to stop. This tiny brewery sits right on the Columbia River with outdoor seating pointed at the Bridge of the Gods. The food is solid pub fare, and the beer is genuinely better than you’d expect from an operation this small. It’s a great low-key option if you don’t want to drive all the way to Hood River.
The whole town runs at a mellow, unbothered pace that’s a real relief after the crowds at the falls. Walk around Marine Park after your meal and let your brain quiet down for a minute.
Troutdale: On the Way Back to Portland
If you’re heading back toward Portland after your visit, Troutdale has two standout stops that are worth pulling off the highway for. Don’t drive past them just because you’re tired. Trust me.
Sugarpine Drive-In
Sugarpine Drive-In is the perfect post-hike stop. This retro roadside spot serves burgers, fries, and soft serve right off the highway at the west end of the Gorge. The whole place is pure Americana. Picnic tables, string lights, a walk-up window. The burgers use local beef and the soft serve is made in-house. On a warm day this place is absolutely packed, and for good reason. We’ve waited in that line happily, soft serve already melting down my hand before I made it back to the table.
McMenamins Edgefield
McMenamins Edgefield is a sprawling property with multiple restaurants, bars, a winery, a brewery, a distillery, gardens, and even a golf course. It’s a former county poor farm that the McMenamins brothers converted into one of their signature spots, which is a very Oregon sentence to write. You could lose an entire evening here without trying. The Black Rabbit Restaurant is the nicest dining option on site, but there’s also a pub, a wine bar, and several outdoor spots to wander between. It’s a solid day trip from Portland destination on its own.
Quick Bites Along the Historic Highway
If you’re driving the Historic Columbia River Highway, a few smaller spots are worth knowing about. Vista House at Crown Point has a small snack bar with coffee and pastries. It’s nothing fancy, but the view from the rotunda is unbeatable, and a coffee tastes a lot better standing up there. Along the old highway you’ll also find a handful of small cafes and seasonal food stands. Honest heads up though. Options are limited, and hours can be unpredictable outside of summer, so don’t count on them for your only meal.
For a full breakdown of the drive, check out our Portland to Hood River road trip guide.
Quick Tips
- This place gets packed from June through September, and walk-in waits can stretch past an hour on weekends.
- It's a great low-key option if you don't want to drive all the way to Hood River.
- On a warm day, this place is absolutely packed, and for good reason.
- For a full breakdown of the drive, check out our Portland to Hood River road trip guide.
- There's also a small snack bar and gift shop nearby with grab-and-go options like sandwiches and drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there food at Multnomah Falls?
Yes. The Multnomah Falls Lodge has a full-service restaurant right at the base of the falls, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round. There’s also a small snack bar and gift shop nearby with grab-and-go options like sandwiches and drinks, which is what we usually grab when the dining room wait is out the door.
What is the closest restaurant to Multnomah Falls?
The closest restaurant is the Multnomah Falls Lodge dining room, which is literally at the base of the waterfall. Beyond that, Cascade Locks is about 15 minutes east and has Thunder Island Brewing. Troutdale and its restaurants are about 20 minutes west toward Portland.
Are there restaurants in the Columbia Gorge?
Plenty. Hood River has the best concentration of dining options by a mile, including pFriem, Double Mountain, and Celilo. Cascade Locks and Troutdale hold their own too. The Gorge is a real food destination, especially if you like craft beer and locally sourced ingredients, and I say that as someone who eats out here constantly.
Where do you eat after visiting Multnomah Falls? I’m always hunting for new Gorge favorites. Drop your recommendations below, or check out what food Portland is famous for if you’re heading back to the city.
Planning your Multnomah Falls day trip? Read our full guide to beating the crowds and making the most of your visit.
Until next time,
Antonina
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