Seaside has a celebrated history as the endpoint of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. During their stay along the Oregon Coast, the early 19th-century pioneers subsisted on wild berries, licorice root, fish and elk preserved with salt extracted from seawater. Fortunately, today, visitors have more tasty options. And because Oregonians love a good trail, these culinary delights have been arranged along what we call the North Coast Food Trail.
Seaside is now the starting point for the self-guided tour that travels south to Neskowin and includes more than 70 breweries, wineries, distilleries, cooking schools, family farms, farmers markets, restaurants, tours and food-focused experiences. In fact, Sunset Magazine awarded the trail the Editor’s Choice Award for “Best Foodie Trip in the West” just last year.
When planning your foodie trek, make sure to hit all seven spots in Seaside:
• Start your morning at Osprey Cafe. The scratch kitchen turns out internationally-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes and serves coffee from Columbia River Coffee Roaster in Astoria. Or stop into Dough Dough Bakery — part bakery, part pizza place, part wine bar, part daily surprise — for scrumptious scones or flaky chocolate tahini rolls.
• During the summer (June through September), stroll through the Seaside Farmers Market, held at the corner of Broadway and Highway 101 on Wednesday afternoons. In addition to fresh produce, pasture-raised meat, organic cheeses and artisan foods, you’ll enjoy live music.
• For lunch, head to Seaside Brewery, located in the town’s historic jail. You can’t go wrong with one of its smoked brisket or pulled pork sandwiches with a side of pork belly mac-n-cheese — all washed down with a seasonal brew. The restaurant is both family- and dog-friendly with an outdoor patio and firepit.
• After a few hours on the beach, it’ll be time for a treat! The rotating and innovative flavors of handmade gelato and sorbetto at Sea Star Gelato are irresistable. And find out why the “shark bites” here are a good thing!
• For a fine-dining experience, make reservations for dinner at Maggie’s on the Prom, one of Seaside’s only oceanfront restaurants on the Prom. The fresh, locally-sourced cuisine here is almost too pretty to eat! If you’re looking for a more casual option, drop into Times Theatre & Public House, home of the trail’s Sisu Brewing, big burgers and movies on the big screen.
After experiencing Seaside’s trail offerings, continue by venturing south — just make sure to do so on an empty stomach. Click here for a map.
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First photo is crab cakes at Maggie’s on the Prom
