Perched over the water with a lovely view, this “nouveau Mexican-Peruvian” restaurant serves dishes like halibut and mahi-mahi taco plates, ahi chiles rellenos, and carne asada, as well as more Peruvian-leaning dishes like ceviches and lomo saltado. For the restaurant’s costillitas de puerco con aji amarillo, chefs coat fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs in a sweet-and-sour, fruity sauce; it’s well complemented by the restaurant’s causas, Key lime-infused, cold purple and gold mashed potatoes layered with avocado, cilantro oil, and fresh scallions. When it comes to beverages, Hola serves its own Tranquilo Mexican-style beer, and generous, award-winning margaritas.

The only bakery in Sunriver, Hot Lava makes its own bagels and croissants for locals and tourists seeking a breakfast pastry. It’s a great place to start the day in the Village, with a latte and a ham, Parmesan, and chive quiche. The shop’s doughnuts are also a treat, gargantuan and freshly glazed. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., river floaters or skiers can pick up a burrito or a breakfast sandwich on a croissant or bagel, as well as a knockout BLT for lunch.

While the pizza crust might be traditional fold-to-eat, New York-style, the combinations and fresh toppings at this Beaver Drive pizzeria are far more eclectic. The Bee Sting pizza arrives topped with sausage, pepperoncini, and provolone, finished with a drizzle of spicy honey. The Fun Guy pairs oyster and cremini mushrooms with grated, salt-cured egg yolk. Diners can find specials listed on the blackboard above the open kitchen, along with a list of local purveyors that provide fresh ingredients for the restaurant. Those who want to picnic in nature can take all menu items — like the folded pizza meatball sandwich or burrata-and-arugula salad — to go.

Blondie’s has been the go-to pizza place in Sunriver since 1989. After COVID-19 hit, the team decided to permanently switch to takeout only. The menu lists traditional combination pizzas, calzones, and a variety of tasty salads — think: pies topped with linguica and pesto and hearty Caesars. It can get busy at dinner, so it’s a good idea to call and order in advance.

Village Bar and Grill gets its name from its location in Sunriver Village. While it’s been a locals’ hangout for many years, it was recently bought by Christy Schmidt of Bend, who wanted to maintain its longstanding friendly, unassuming atmosphere where diners can order their food the way they like it. Indoors, there is a small stone fireplace to warm diners with a burger or the local favorite — fish and chips — after a day of skiing. The lively patio with red umbrellas is ideal for summer afternoons.

The original Sunriver Brewing is located, naturally, in Sunriver Village. This all-ages brewpub is home to a playtime corner with toys, to keep kids occupied while the adults enjoy the award-winning beers. Owners Marc and Karol Cameron left their corporate lives to open the brewery, wanting to serve exceptional beers with more than just run-of-the-mill pub food. Some dishes on the menu, like the General Tso’s cauliflower, are available at all four locations, but as staffing issues improve, there should be more specials added that are specific to this pub.

Marcello’s dark interior feels like that of a lively, traditional Italian restaurant, but there are surprising departures from the red sauce model coming out of the kitchen. The osso bucco swaps the veal for a tower of pork shanks, served atop a bed of garlic-infused creamy mashed potatoes. Instead of tomato sauce, the dish arrives smothered in a Dijon-Chianti cream sauce, finished with jalapenos in lieu of the standard gremolata. But purists should not be worried — those looking for Italian staples like pasta, calzones, and tiramisu will have come to the right place.

Cafe Sintra is no longer owned by its original founders, who hail from Sintra, Portugal. However, the restaurant’s breakfast and lunch menus still include several original dishes, including Portuguese chicken stew and its linguica scramble. The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by photos of the namesake city as diners enjoy beautifully plated dishes with lots of fruit, like the balsamic-strawberry chicken sandwich, served open-faced on a bed of greens. This is one of Sunriver’s best places to enjoy breakfast. 

This funky shack in the business park area of Sunriver is excellent for those who want a quick and basic lunch. It’s easy to refuel on hot dogs, thick dripping burgers, tots, sweet potato fries, chicken tenders, jalapeno poppers, sandwiches, and salads. A cold beer is the ideal accompaniment, and a full bar of bottles sits on a couple of shelves for those who prefer a mixed drink.

Walking into the Wallow Bar and Grill and seeing the taxidermied animals on the wall, it would be easy to underestimate its food as basic bar grub. But chef Dave Cohen has owned some of the best restaurants in central Oregon, and it shows. Breakfast potatoes are crunchy outside and creamy-buttery at the center. Distinctive mixtures of fresh herbs and spices bring out the best in dishes like the elk burger and ribs that are barbecued outside the restaurant’s back door. And when it comes to drinks, the bloody marys arrive loaded with bacon and peppers.