8 Best Restaurants in The Willamette Valley and Wine Country, Oregon

This exquisite hotel dining room is named after one of the soils in the Oregon wine country. The kitchen source the majority of their ingredients locally, and many of the vegetables come straight from the on-site garden. The menu changes according to season, but always features fresh seafood and an abundance of local veggies. Ask for a seat at the counter overlooking the open kitchen if you want to see the chefs in action. Naturally, the restaurant has an expansive wine list focused on Oregon wines.

Owned by the Ponzi wine family, this bistro showcases Italian-style fare dominated by locally grown and raised produce, while the on-site Fratelli Ponzi Fine Food & Wine Bar serves Ponzi wines from Oregon and Italy. Vaulted ceilings provide an open feeling inside, warmed by abundant fresh flowers and the works of local Oregon artists.

One of the oldest spots in town, this upscale venue is a popular destination for a special evening. Modestly furnished but with a voluminous wine cellar, Nick's serves spirited and simple food, reflecting the owner's northern Italian heritage—in fact, many of Nick's dishes are made from old family recipes. Along with wood-fired pizzas, you'll find pasta dishes, meats, salads, and a wide variety of desserts. 

Serving great sandwiches, salads, and pizza, this is the perfect stop for a quick lunch in the middle of a day of wine tasting or a casual no-frills dinner at the end of the day. In addition to wine, there are cocktails and a great selection of local and imported craft beers.

A large assortment of sushi and sashimi, soups, and salads are served in quiet surroundings in the basement of the old Hillsboro Library. Wonderful grilled and fried meats and vegetables are also available, accompanied by a vast sake selection.

A popular roadside café serves burgers, sandwiches, great soups, salads, pizza, and daily specials. The burger selection includes not only beef, but seafood, chicken, turkey, and veggie options. If the weather is nice, sit outside in their beautiful garden area out back. A video game room keeps kids happy.

Part restaurant, part brewery, part self-described "gathering space," celebrated brewery Ninkasi's newest iteration offers a casual spot to sip on beers paired with locally inspired seasonal pub fare, rain or shine. Sample a few beers from the extensive (and ever-changing) draft list in Ninkasi's high-ceilinged open-plan gathering area, or—if weather permits—head outside to dine in the massive hop-shaped courtyard. 

This perfect stop in the middle of a day of wine tasting offers a wide selection of artisanal cheese and meats, as well as a great lunch menu. Pick up some sandwiches and a soup or salad to go, and you'll be all set for a picnic at your favorite winery. Alternatively, come for a proper dinner of European-meets-Pacific Northwest fare on Friday or Saturday, or treat yourself to a hearty brunch on Sunday.