Food

McMinnville rated second best Foodie Town in America by Bon Appetit magazine

Dining in downtown McMinnville can be as simple as a sandwich or as extravagant as escargot.  Whether its breakfast, lunch, dinner or something in between, there is a surprising variety available, from  Italian food, Japanese sushi, pizza, coffee, ice-cream and salads, to Spanish tapas, Mexican, fine French cuisine and classic American fare. Here, you will be treated to delicious homemade meals and service that can only be found in owner-operated establishments where the owners themselves often greet you at the door – when they’re not back in the kitchen cooking!

Welcome to a place that cherishes good food, good wine, and the nurturing qualities of both. Many of our restaurants work with local farmers to raise produce and live stock to create the freshest, tastiest (second foodiest) downtown around.

While local and sustainable have been hot trends in the restaurant industry recently, Nick's Italian Cafe has been working with local farmers since it opened over 30 years ago. Original chef and owner, Nick Pierano has passed the tradition to his daughter Carmen, and her husband, Eric Ferguson. Both trained chefs, Carmen and Eric, have added another element to their business by opening Fino e Fondo, a local salumeria.

Relative newcomer, Eric Bechard, chef and co-owner of Thistle Restaurant , is fanatically devoted to local, sustainable food, and his splendid restaurant has been garnering heaps of praise since it opened in summer 2009. Thistle was named the best Restaurant in Oregon by the Oregonian in 2010.

RIBSLAYER BBQ IN THE TOP TEN

Portland Area's 10 Best Southern BBQ...(MIX - Restaurant Reviews, 9/2011) by Jennifer Cossey Having grown up in Kansas City means I come from a strong barbecue culture. So when I moved to Portland more ... More...

Surprising Discoveries in Oregon's Yamhill County

Surprising Discoveries inOregon’sYamhillCounty Find great dining and a giant airplane in McMinnville, one of the liveliest burgs in western Willamette Valley Long before Oregon Pinot Noir had achieved ... More...

20 ULTIMATE FANTASY TOWNS

January 19, 2012 McMinnville, OR The WillametteValleyhas fantastic Pinot, of course, but the towns along the highway are, well, less than picturesque. McMinnville, 35 miles from Portland, is the exception. It's got that ... More...

DREAM BUSINESS STARTED

20 Ultimate Fantasy Towns, Sunset.com, January 2012 More...

McMenamins Hotel Oregon

McMenamins Hotel Oregon offers great beer, food and views in a wonderful, historic building. More...

McMinnville rated as one of Bon Appetit's Best Foodie Towns in America

The news almost (but not quite) made me put down the delightful raspberry and hazelnut tart that I was scarfing down at the Red Fox Bakery last week, and stand up and cheer. Bon Appetit magazine, in its ... More...

No Ordinary Bistro

December 21, 2011   You may not have noticed it, but there was a subtle ripple in the gastronomic cosmos when Jean-Jacques, the French chef at our wonderful Bistro Maison restaurant, stopped putting the ... More...

Sidewalk Cafes

Third Street offers many opportunities for dining (and wining) al fresco. More...