Breathtaking places to have a meal by the water

When your waiter brings their tray to the table, for most, a glass of water does little in the way of excitement. Waterfront dining, on the other hand, can elevate your experience from just another meal to an unforgettable memory. Luckily for us, the rivers, lakes, and Pacific Ocean offer plenty of picture-worthy settings to enjoy quality bites beside the blue.

Dinner

Anthony’s at Spokane Falls | Spokane

This family-run group of restaurants casts a wide net across the Pacific Northwest, with superb seafood and waterfront real estate being their bread and butter. From the Old Mill District in Bend to Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, each location has its own beauty, but it’s hard to beat the singular view of Anthony’s at Spokane Falls, whose elevated deck looks directly at the face of a cascading river. We’ll leave it up to you whether you try the surf (the lingcod Caddy Ganty is both light and flavorful)  or the turf (the filet mignon is mouth-watering), but save room for dessert so you can catch more of the golden hour.

Topside Bar & Grill | Steilacoom

English-style fish and chips are the draw to this family-owned restaurant in the South Sound. From the top deck, you can watch the ferry come and go between nearby Anderson Island, and more good times await in the Anchor Room, the attached wine bar and bottle shop.

Sweet Waters on the River | Eugene

Modern and tasteful timber-inspired interior design pairs with a wall of windows to make you feel within touching distance of the Willamette at this Pacific Northwest restaurant, no matter if you’re sitting at the bar or in the private dining room. Family feasts are extra special here — especially after a day spent outfitting your kid’s dorm room at the University of Oregon — with shareable plates like hickory smoked pork belly burnt ends and crispy chicken wings tasty enough to distract from your sadness. Don’t worry parents, they’ll visit home soon enough.

Lunch

Bridgewater Bistro | Astoria

Driving over the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which connects Oregon and Washington on the lower Columbia River (it has been featured in numerous commercials) is a bucket list item when you visit this coastal city. Once you’ve finished your journey, head back to this cozy restaurant perched atop a pier. On the back deck, you can gaze up at the bridge’s lofty truss and refuel on soup, salad, burgers, sandwiches, pan-fried oysters, calamari, and other seafood.

Sabor Del Río Café | Portland

File this one in your hidden gem folder. Located in the Rodgers Marina on the Columbia River (down the road from Columbia Edgewater Country Club), this floating restaurant has been serving up authentic Caribbean cuisine since it opened in April. Munch Puerto Rican bites including arroz con gandules (rice with peas), tostones (twice-fried plantains), tripleta boricua (three-meat sandwiches), and savor a local brew while you’re at it.

Agua Verde Cafe | Seattle

This University of Washington hot spot looks out over the Boat Street Marina and offers Mexican food favorites such as enchiladas, tacos, and burritos. Vegetarian options, like the harissa-glazed cauliflower and fried nopales, or the boniato (sauteed yams, corn, and roasted peppers) are particularly enticing. Come football season, it’s also a great place to get ready to cheer on the Huskies. 

Breakfast

New Leaf Cafe | Eastsound, Washington

A laidback, maritime mood meets mimosas at this eatery inside the Outlook Inn on Orcas Island, which serves brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Salish Sea views and the forested coastline make a charming backdrop to enjoy crispy confit duck leg and waffle, wild mushroom omelet, the tofu and red lentil vegan scramble, hot smoked salmon, and other tide-to-table plates.

The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge | Cannon Beach

Since 1977, travelers and locals alike have taken in the iconic Oregon Coast vista of Haystack Rock from the booths of this establishment. In the scratch kitchen, award-winning chefs whip up sweet items such as the cinnamon roll French toast, slathered in Oregon hazelnuts, whipped marionberry butter, and maple syrup, and of course savory delights like chilaquiles, biscuits and gravy, and omelets.

Cartwright’s Taprock American Grill | Grants Pass

Eggs Benedict stars on this breakfast menu, with toppings ranging from Dungeness crab to prosciutto (Sicilian Benny) and chorizo (Southwest Benny). The brisket hash, drizzled in hollandaise sauce, is another robust plate you can dig into on the deck overlooking the Rogue River. Hellgate Jetboat Excursions’ blue boats depart from the docks below the restaurant — watching the windswept passengers return from their high-speed voyage with smiles on their faces and water dripping off them makes for entertaining people watching.

Drinks

Pelican Brewing | Pacific City

Synonymous with suds at the sea, this beer brand has taken flight over nearly 30 years, building on the success of its cream ale to produce everything from pilsners and West Coast IPAs to milk stouts and even root beer. Fittingly, its flagship location is just steps from the sand and provides a jaw-dropping view of nearby Cape Kiwanda and Chief Kiwanda Rock offshore. Pair the pours with hearty fish and chips or clam chowder and breathe in that salty air. Scenic views at Pelican’s brewpub on Siletz Bay (25 miles south) make it another worthwhile stop for any Highway 101 road trip.

Telaya Wine Co. | Garden City, Idaho

Sipping a glass of Snake River Valley rosé with the Boise River just feet away is the kind of experience that makes you want to stay put and soak it all in. Winemakers and owners Earl and Carrie Sullivan produce 10,000 cases a year, using Washington and Idaho fruit to make the familiar (chardonnay and syrah), as well as the unexpected (Verdejo and Grüner Veltliner). Enjoy their wares by the bottle or in a flight on the patio, where you can also bring your pooch and outside food. Afterward, take a stroll along the greenbelt to see locals playing at the whitewater park.

The Waterfront Taphouse | Vancouver, Washington

Sip on a cocktail and drink in the energy of this growing area. Whether you're on the ground-level patio or on the upper deck, you’ll find great views of the Grant Street Pier leaning out over the mighty Columbia River. The bar shakes up some delicious drinks, whether you go for the “elegant and timeless,” the “spirited and complex,” or the “bright and light” menu, which includes the Blueberry Basil Bliss and Down By the Bay (vodka, watermelon juice, and lime). There are also some tasty margaritas and old fashioneds on offer too.