14 Best Restaurants in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Hungry by the coast? Here’s my guide to the best restaurants in Cannon Beach, Oregon, from local staples to standout seafood spots.
Cannon Beach has long been one of Oregon’s most beloved seaside escapes, a place where dramatic coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches, and the iconic Haystack Rock set the stage for long weekends by the ocean.
Beyond the waves and tidepools, Cannon Beach has built a reputation as a dining destination in its own right, with a mix of cozy cafés, seafood shacks, and polished dining rooms that reflect the character of the Oregon coast.
From freshly caught Dungeness crab served simply to chef-driven plates showcasing the best of the Pacific Northwest, Cannon Beach restaurants deliver both comfort and creativity in equal measure.
I spent a full weekend exploring the town’s dining scene, eating my way through local favorites and new discoveries to put together this list of the best restaurants in Cannon Beach, Oregon.
The Best Restaurants in Cannon Beach
1. The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge
The Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge is one of Cannon Beach’s most iconic dining rooms, thanks to its sweeping Pacific views and a menu that leans wholeheartedly into the bounty of the Oregon coast.
Since 1977, it has been plating up classics like Dungeness crab, wild salmon, and pan-seared steaks with a straightforward polish that keeps both locals and visitors coming back.
The atmosphere is warm but elevated, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing Haystack Rock and staff who are as polished as they are welcoming.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all on the table here, along with well-made cocktails and indulgent desserts, making it as dependable for a celebratory evening as it is for a leisurely morning after a windswept walk on the beach.
2. The Stephanie Inn Dining Room
Tucked inside Cannon Beach’s most elegant oceanfront inn, The Stephanie Inn Dining Room is where the coast shows off its refined side.
Dinner is a nightly prix fixe affair, shaped around what the season and the sea are offering—think line-caught salmon with bright garden herbs, slow-roasted lamb with foraged mushrooms, or heirloom tomatoes drizzled with local honey.
The wine list leans proudly Oregonian, with pinots that flatter every dish, and the service walks that fine line between polished and unpretentious. With just a handful of tables and seatings that book up well in advance, this is the kind of dining room where you linger over dessert and a last glass of Willamette rosé, the ocean only steps away, but the warmth inside pulling you to stay just a little longer.
3. Anna’s Table
Anna’s Table has the kind of easygoing energy that makes it a natural evening gathering spot and one of the best restaurants in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The menu here I found to be one of the most creative in town, as well as being easily one of the best meals I had in Cannon Beach.
The dining room at Anna’s Table has an understated warmth, the kind of place where sunset light bounces off homely walls and conversations stretch from afternoon to evening. Plates come out meant to be shared—crispy Brussels sprouts with a tangy balsamic glaze, seared scallops balanced by a silky cauliflower purée, or Dungeness crab cakes with just the right crunch.
On my visit, I went straight for the halibut cheeks, served over a bed of seasonal vegetables, followed by the artisan cheese selection. The menu leans into Pacific Northwest flavors without overcomplicating them, striking a balance between comfort and craft.
Reservations are smart, especially on weekends, when the restaurant draws both locals and travelers looking for a dinner that feels rooted in Cannon Beach but polished enough for a special night out.
4. Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market
On the north edge of Cannon Beach, Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market is as unpretentious as they come, a family-run spot that’s been serving the town since the 1990s. What began as a humble fish market has grown into a go-to diner for baskets of golden fish and chips, steaming bowls of clam chowder, and fresh-caught halibut or salmon grilled to order.
It’s the kind of place where you stop in after a windswept walk along the shore, claim a picnic table out front, and eat straight from the paper-lined tray while gulls circle overhead.
Inside, the counter is piled with smoked salmon, live Dungeness crab, and fillets of the day, making it as much a local pantry as it is a restaurant. Come hungry, leave with a bag of seafood for later, and consider it a Cannon Beach ritual well worth repeating.
5. Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge
Right on Hemlock Street in the center of town, Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge has been a Cannon Beach mainstay for decades, the kind of place where locals slide into the bar for a nightcap and visitors quickly feel at home.
There’s a touch of old-school charm here—wood-paneled walls, a fireplace flickering in the corner, and a lounge that hums with easy conversation long after the dinner rush. The menu leans classic Northwest, with charbroiled steaks, oysters, and salmon that could not be fresher, alongside hearty chowders and generous seafood platters.
On summer evenings, the patio fills fast, the smell of grilled halibut drifting down the street, while inside the bar keeps the atmosphere lively with cocktails and Oregon wines. Driftwood doesn’t chase trends; it champions consistency, community, and the simple pleasure of a well-cooked meal a few blocks from the sand.
6. Cannon Beach Smokehouse
Step inside Cannon Beach Smokehouse and the first thing that hits you is the aroma—slow-smoked meats mingling with the sweetness of barbecue sauce and the sharp edge of house-pickled vegetables.
This is hearty, no-nonsense fare with a craft spin: brisket that falls apart under the fork, pork shoulder piled high on toasted brioche, and platters of ribs lacquered with just the right amount of char. The drinks list doesn’t play second fiddle either, with local IPAs, Oregon pinots, and smoky cocktails that echo the kitchen’s backbone.
It’s a place built for gathering—long tables, plates meant for sharing, and a steady hum of conversation rising with the music. Come for the smoke and spice, stay for the convivial energy that makes every meal feel like a celebration of Cannon Beach’s salt-air appetite.
7. Oros Fireside Restaurant
Housed in a 1921 log cabin with thick beams and a stone hearth at its heart, Oros Fireside Restaurant brings together old-school coziness with a refined touch.
The cabin’s history lingers in every creak of the floorboards, but the menu steps firmly into the present—think charred oysters kissed by the wood fire, well-filled sandwiches served with fried or soup, or a complete list of breakfast classics that draw straight from the coast and countryside.
The fireplace anchors the dining room, glowing against the cabin walls, while soft lighting rounds out the sense of ease. It’s the kind of place where a rainy morning feels like an invitation: settle into the warmth, order something hearty, and let the century-old walls do their storytelling.
8. Mo’s Seafood & Chowder
Mo’s Seafood & Chowder is as classic Cannon Beach as it gets (even though you’ll find the original in Newport), a no-frills spot that’s been dishing out bowls of its signature chowder for generations.
The draw here isn’t polish or pretense—it’s consistency. You know what you’re getting: creamy clam chowder in a bread bowl, baskets of fried oysters and cod, or a plate of garlic butter shrimp that lands on the table just as you remember it.
The place is always busy, families filing in after a day on the beach, and the service keeps pace with a friendly efficiency. It may not be where you go for a white-tablecloth evening, but when you want straightforward coastal comfort food, Mo’s remains a tried-and-true stop.
9. Bistro
For something a little more polished, Bistro brings a European sensibility to Cannon Beach dining. The cozy, wood-paneled space leans intimate and grown-up, with candlelit tables, shelves of wine, and a menu that shifts with the seasons.
Expect plates like seared duck breast with a cherry reduction, delicate pastas made in-house, and seafood dishes that let the region’s fresh catch shine without fuss. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, heavy on Oregon pinots but broad enough to please any palate, and the service strikes that balance between professional and personal.
It’s the spot for a slower, more deliberate evening—one where you might linger over dessert and another glass, watching the night wind down just a few steps from the beach. Easily one of my favorites and one of the best restaurants in Cannon Beach.
Best Cafes, Bars & Markets in Cannon Beach
10. Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters
Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters is where Cannon Beach does its mornings right. Tucked inside a charming old house, this is the kind of place where the line often snakes out the door, but nobody seems to mind—it’s part of the ritual.
The beans are roasted in small batches on-site, turning out bold, deeply flavored brews that I learned to swear by during my stay, whether it’s a simple drip or a velvety mocha made with house-churned whipped cream.
Pastries from the counter—flaky scones, hearty muffins, chocolate croissants—make the perfect sidekick, best enjoyed on the benches outside when the sun’s out.
11. Insomnia Coffee Co
Insomnia Coffee Co brings a more modern edge to Cannon Beach’s café scene. The space is bright and unfussy, with big windows, plenty of tables, and the kind of laid-back vibe that invites you to linger with a laptop or a book.
Coffee here is well-executed and consistent—smooth lattes, strong cold brew, and seasonal specials that keep things interesting. There’s a solid lineup of pastries and light bites, but the real draw is the atmosphere: casual, social, and just a little buzzy.
It’s a reliable stop whether you’re fueling up before a coastal hike or looking for a mid-afternoon reset.
12. Lazy Susan Cafe
At Lazy Susan Café, breakfast is the main event and has been since this family-run spot opened back in the 1980s. The menu is short, classic, and done right—think fluffy omelets folded around local crab, blueberry pancakes stacked high, and cinnamon rolls that disappear faster than they hit the table.
The dining room is tiny and charming, with floral curtains and mismatched mugs adding to the old-fashioned appeal, and the wait for a table is almost a guarantee on weekends.
What keeps people coming back isn’t just the food but the familiarity: the sense that Cannon Beach mornings start here, coffee poured generously and plates cooked with care.
13. Pelican Brewing
Pelican Brewing is Cannon Beach’s laid-back hub for craft beer and hearty pub fare, just steps from the sand. The tap list runs deep with Pelican’s award-winning brews—crisp Kiwanda cream ale, bold IPAs, and seasonal small-batch pours—best ordered as a flight if you can’t decide.
The menu backs it up with all the classics: clam chowder, fish and chips, burgers stacked high, and plenty of kid-friendly options if you’ve got the family in tow. The space is bright and airy, with big windows and communal tables that give it a casual, social feel.
It’s the kind of place where you roll in after a beach walk, sandy shoes and all, and stay longer than you planned.
14. Cannon Beach Farmer’s Market
The Cannon Beach Farmer’s Market brings the town together every Tuesday afternoon from June through September, setting up on the corner of East Gower Avenue and Hemlock Street. Stalls spill over with the best of the region—seasonal produce from nearby farms, just-picked berries, and crisp greens still damp with morning dew.
Local cheesemakers, bakers, and flower growers set up alongside fishmongers with fresh-caught salmon and smoked seafood, while food vendors keep the energy lively with everything from wood-fired pizza to tamales.
It’s as much a social stop as a shopping run, with live music often in the mix and plenty of familiar faces weaving through the crowd.
Have any comments or questions about the best restaurants in Cannon Beach, Oregon? Let me know below!
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