A Perfect Day of Dining and Sipping Around Bend

A full day in Central Oregon is best measured in bites, not hours. It’s not about rushing from meal to meal, but letting each dish (and maybe a cocktail or two) set the pace. Breakfast can roll into an afternoon hang, and dinner might need an extra napkin (or three). Wherever the day begins or ends, these locales make every bite count.

Rise and Dine

Mornings in Central Oregon are best with something fresh, and Haven Bagel and Coffee Co. on Bend’s southeast side is the go-to for pillowy perfection. Its Morning Classic stacks local bacon, egg and organic cheese on a cheddar scallion bagel. The sweeter side belongs to the Sunday Roll, with a burst of orange zest and a swirl of crème fraîche. Pair either with a piping hot cup of Backporch coffee and call it a win for the morning.

For homestyle vibes in downtown Bend, Cafe Sintra’s Portuguese Benedict never disappoints with spicy linguiça sausage and chipotle Hollandaise, served with ridiculously crispy-but-also-fluffy potatoes. Chase a French toast high with a stack of thick golden sourdough slices dipped in vanilla custard that practically float off the plate, or dive into a Mediterranean omelette stuffed with feta, linguiça and sweet peppers.

Bend Breakfast Burrito serves up a double-fisted grab-and-go breakfast at two westside locations with its Original burrito, crammed with morning must-haves: eggs, potatoes, bacon, cheese and that magical mix of tomato, onion and cilantro. Three sauce options crank things up a notch. And don’t miss the famous banana bread muffins, baked fresh daily.

Brunch With Benefits

At Roam, brunch charts its own course in the heart of downtown Bend. The Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes are smothered in lemon curd and cream cheese frosting while the Elk Morning Hash—a mix of savory potatoes, elk sausage, eggs and pickled Fresno peppers—is both down-to-earth and just a little bit fancy. For cocktail lovers, the Forager (Sun Ranch gin, Lillet Blanc, lime, eucalyptus and cucumber bitters) is pure wanderlust in a glass.

Brunch goes all out at westside Bend’s Victorian Café with an Earth Harvest Benedict piled high with roasted sweet potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, kale and asparagus. But the Victorian’s graham cracker-crusted Caramel Apple French Toast is the kind of decadence that deserves a slow clap. Choices, choices. Round out the meal with the notorious Proud Mary—a 24-ounce glass of sass that’s more feast than cocktail.

At The Lemon Tree, brunch brings global flavors to the table in a sunny downtown Bend space. The Turkish Eggs showcases Middle Eastern flair with its roasted eggplant, tomatoes, olives and a chickpea melange sprawled out on a swoosh of labneh. The signature Crab Cake Benedict is a crowd favorite, featuring chunky East Coast crab atop a toasted English muffin, crowned with a rich butter Hollandaise. Add a full espresso bar and bottomless coffee and you’re in brunch paradise. 

Long Live Lunch

At Ryoshi Sushi & Izakaya on Bend’s southside, lunchtime finds its groove with fresh fish flown in from around the world. The Sunset Roll, a fusion of spicy tuna, avocado and crispy rice, is a sushi lover’s dream, and the Salmon Tower Roll is a stacked masterpiece of salmon, tobiko, crab, cucumber and a drizzle of miso magic. True to its izakaya roots, Ryoshi’s small plates—such as garlicky edamame and buttery-fresh nigiri—have a way of turning lunch into a “Where did the time go?” afternoon.

The Bread and Bunny food truck at the Midtown Yacht Club in Bend piles on the flavor without holding back. Its Where Reuben All My Life sandwich is aptly named, a knife-and-fork affair piled with Wagyu pastrami, melty Swiss and tangy kraut on toasted rye. For a different kind of bite, the Jack Talk Thai salad is a medley of yakisoba noodles, farm fresh greens, chicken thigh and a peanut dressing that adds some punch but keeps the focus on the crunch.

In Sisters, Luckey’s Woodsman brings a campfire to the table with fresh, hearty fare. The Lumber Jack plate—midnight brisket, forbidden rice and woodsman beans topped with cotija, chipotle aioli and charred sprouts—is nature’s goodness defined. Equally tempting is the Backpacker’s Delight ranch burger, with pasture-fed beef, huckleberry compote, gorgonzola, bacon and pesto aioli smashed between a brioche bun.

Dinner is Served

As the day winds down, Central Oregon’s dinner scene turns up. At Spork, it’s all about globally inspired comfort food in this popular westside Bend spot. The Lomo Saltado—a savory stir-fry of juicy steak, pan-kissed potatoes and grilled veggies—layers smoky flavors with the tangy heat of aji amarillo and the familiar comfort of a fried egg. Spork’s Goodbye Punch, a lively mix of rum, apricot liqueur, Avena, black tea and cinnamon, wraps up the flavor-packed journey.

Dear Mom Cafe off Bend’s SW Century Drive takes taste buds on a direct flight to Thailand. Grandma’s Pad Thai, with chewy rice noodles, fork-tender chicken and the magical combo of bean sprouts, shallots and peanuts, brings soul-deep flavors perfected over time. Midnight Chicken Wings, lacquered in caramelized fish sauce, play it cool but pack a sticky, sweet, savory punch with a slow burn that insists on being remembered.

On the thriving NW Galveston Avenue, BOSA Food & Drink blends Old World Italian recipes with seasonal Pacific Northwest flair, complete with fresh pasta made daily in its dedicated “pasta room.” Start with the warm homemade focaccia served with whipped butter. The Gnocchetti alla Norcina—tossed with black pearl mushrooms and mascarpone-truffle cream—is always a crowd-pleaser, while the shareable bone-in ribeye satisfies heartier appetites. A curated wine list spanning the Pacific Northwest, Italy and France ensures the perfect pour for every dish—a fitting end to a day that didn’t waste a bite.