Bend’s recent population surge has brought a burst and shift in restaurant openings, representing the cuisines of cities and countries across the globe. Dear Irene, from San Francisco expats Jonny and Irene Becklund, pairs Columbia River steelhead with dill beurre blanc in a glitzy space, with an artful ambiance and gastronomic finesse that feels new to Central Oregon. At Dear Mom, steamy bowls of sukhothai and khao soi land at tables alongside caramelized fish sauce wings and flaky roti, while Cellar 65 serves flavorful Moroccan tagines in their namesake vessels in a space evocative of a 1920s speakeasy. And within the re-invented Bar Rio, South American and Mediterranean influences merge for dishes like latkes topped with cranberry-chipotle labneh.
What all these restaurants have in common is that Bend spirit. At the end of a day of mountain and river escapades, it’s time to switch gears —to gather with friends in a stylish cocktail bar or cozy restaurant and enjoy the city’s innovative drink and dining. For more of Bend’s longtime all-stars, this map should help.
Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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