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    Dear Irene

    4.6 (91 reviews)
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Dear Irene Photos

    Business Info

    DEAR IRENE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Dear Irene

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    Inside
    Emily F.

    Stopped in for a couple cocktails and they were able to accommodate us without a reservation. It was beautiful inside and loved all the colors and decor. It looked like a cute date/occasion spot. Our server was great and helpful with recommendations. I tried the Dear Irene and Side Piece cocktails. Everything was well balanced in flavor. The passion fruit foam was the best and appreciated the drinks being unique. We came here bc someone had spoken highly of the bathrooms ha, and they also were clean and colorful. We didn't have time for food but everything we saw coming from the kitchen looked delicious. Cocktails were all excellent and would definitely come again.

    Paul D.

    There aren't many restaurants in Bend, but we are glad to have found this one. It came off the recommendation from a wine bar nearby and we are so glad to have gone. It felt like a trendy spot and the food was superb. We loved the complimentary champagne at the start - if we are ever back in Bend, we will come back!

    Dessert
    Tami A.

    Our last evening in Bend for Valentine's Day, and this dinner was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. We walked into Dear Irene and were immediately greeted by a kind, helpful hostess who even guided us through the parking situation--a small gesture that set the tone for the night. Our table was tucked toward the back, right next to a bold, bright blue wall, with matching plush seats that were surprisingly comfortable. The whole space was full of color and light--lively without being loud, and stylish without trying too hard. Our server was personable, quick with a few jokes, and happy to answer all our questions--whether it was about the owner or the artwork on the walls. It felt like the kind of place where the staff actually enjoys being there, which makes all the difference. We shared a few small plates, each one thoughtfully prepared, and sipped on cocktails that were as unique as they were tasty. The flavors were layered and unexpected, in the best way--like the food version of a plot twist you didn't see coming but totally loved. It's not in the most obvious location, but Dear Irene is absolutely worth finding. A standout meal in a trip full of great moments.

    Bethany H.

    The food is incredible. The service is impeccable. I cannot wait to go back and experience more of the menu.

    Braised short ribs
    Sharika M.

    This was a super cozy spot in Downtown Bend. The food was absolutely amazing. The dumplings in Thai curry is such a genius idea!! I loved the creativity with food. The salmon tartare was also nice, especially with the sweet drop peppers. The Braised short ribs were sublime. The quality of the sear and braising is unparalleled. Be sure to get a reservation to go there. It books up fast! The waiter was super nice.

    We will be back!
    Deb M.

    This place is lovely! They have amazing food, great service, and a warm atmosphere! I took my boyfriend there for his birthday and they gave us champagne to celebrate! The food was fabulous too!

    Cannoli tiramisu
    Richard B.

    Such a fun and delicious place! The cocktails are inventive and spot on, the service was excellent (attentive but not obsequious), and the food was so tasty. We went the small plate route with salmon tartare, crab arancini, duck confit with lentils, and spicy garlic shrimp, and it all rocked. And the cannoli tiramisu was to die for. Will be back!

    Duck confit croquettes

    Our first time dining here and the Dear Irene team did not disappoint. The music was perfect to the vibe , and every detail of the interior design is well thought out. The highlight of course was dinner, I had Chicken Milanese and my wife had scallops. Excellent layered taste in a thoughtful presentation. Possibly the best dining experience we've had in Bend. Not noisy, relaxed and helpful team. Go there and see for yourself.

    Grilled Cheese
    Kris M.

    I had bookmarked this spot a few months ago, but J and I have the bad habit of returning to our favorite spots almost exclusively, so I am a bit slow at moving down my list of "must try"s Luckily I was able to reserve the last two bar seats at 5:30 on a Saturday night--and I am so glad that I did. First thing I noticed--- nice vibes. The hostess was lovely and sat us right away. Cocktails were excellent--Crimson & Clover and We ordered: Crab Arancini--best I have had, light and creamy Croque Madame-yum Diver Scallops-excellent We will definitely return soon Highly recommend.

    Bone marrow short rib
    Kimberly C.

    I must say, I wish I didnt wait this long to try Dear Irene. It's nestled in a row of shops near the parking lot of Drake Park and if youre an adventurous eater who appreciates various cuisines, this is the place that executes dishes quite well and is refreshing to the Bend Food scene. Portions are smaller but the flavors are hard to find in town. What we tried: -foie gras: melt in your mouth delicious with a nice sear paired with the bread. Wonderful mix of texture, Fat and acid. (The one image i took was blurry so I didn't post it) -duck: wow, crispy skin, tender meat nestled on a bed of cooked to perfection lentils. I wouldnt have minded something a little sweet like fig jam or drizzle on the plate with it but the duck was the best part. -lamb dumplings: so much flavor in each bite. If you're not used to the the peppercorn, it's like a slow burning menthol like heat. I'm not the biggest fan of the peppercorns itself but it truly complements the lamb and dish entirely. -short ribs: tender meat in a delicious sauce. It's not the usual brown sauce but is white in appearance. The chard paired beautifully with the meat and sauce. I wish it was served with mashed potatoes which you can mix into that SAUCE. -snapper: cooked well with crispy skin, tangy sweet sauce. I almost wish there was a little more sauce but the crisp skin may get soggy. 4/5 This spot has a vibe. If only I had the budget to dined there weekly, I would. Itll definitely be in our date nights rotations. I wish it wasn't 21+ because our son, who loves good food, would like this place too.

    kirill l.

    Enjoyed my evening with my wife! Great atmosphere, delicious food, fancy drink! Cheers!

    Scallops

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Great place to celebrate! Fabulous food, excellent presentation with very attentive service

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great ambience, friendly staff and top notch food! A job well done and a great location

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    2 years ago

    Amazing service and amazing food. They gave me VIP treatment !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Stunning details in the decor, impeccable service, the food was delicious & the owner was very gracious & appreciated. I will return!

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    3 years ago

    Excellent addition to the Bend community. Service and food were amazing. Thank you. I will be back.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Delicious food, impeccable service, the ambiance was relaxing and the owner was gracious & appreciative. I'll be back!

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Chef J.

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    2 years ago

    Probably the best overall atmosphere in Bend. Inventive decor, friendly staff and a limited but inspired menu.

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    2 years ago

    Had to cancel reservation due to bad policy and not allowing children despite not saying so

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    2 years ago

    one of my favorite meals in Bend; beautiful room, lovely service and very good food...definitely recommend

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    2 years ago

    They take a deposit to hold your reservation but unless you remember, they don't credit you back. Pretty shady.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Dear Irene

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    San Simon

    San Simon

    4.7
    (108 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    San Simon is a fun little hidden gem! Tucked away down an alley, it almost feels like you're…read morediscovering a secret speakeasy. The atmosphere is rustic, cozy, and a little exclusive, which made it a really unique spot to grab a drink! We stopped in right after checking into our hotel, and it was the perfect first stop to kick off our weekend. There isn't a ton of seating, but you can choose between the cozy indoor space or the patio in the alley. Since there were only two of us, we were seated right away. If you're looking for a relaxed place to enjoy a quick glass of wine or a cocktail before exploring the rest of the town, I'd definitely recommend stopping by here. It's a charming spot with great vibes!

    Follow the alley. Trust me…read more You know those places you stumble into and immediately think, "Yep...this is my kind of spot"? That was San Simón for me. At first, walking down the alley in downtown Bend, I honestly was not sure what we were about to find. Then we started seeing little fire pit pods, heated huts, glowing candles, and people tucked away having cocktails. It instantly felt cool without trying too hard. Walking into San Simón felt like stepping into some funky speakeasy hidden in plain sight. Dark lighting, moody atmosphere, David Bowie playing in the background, wild artwork on the walls that makes you stop and stare for a second. Just a great vibe all around. The kind of place where you sit down and immediately relax into the evening. The cocktails were excellent. Not overdone, not syrupy, just really balanced and well made. One of our favorites was the "Some Positive Feedback," which came with this sugar rim that looked awesome and added just enough sweetness without overpowering the drink. Bright citrus flavor, refreshing, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. Then we asked the bartender if they could just make us something off the cuff. We said vodka, lemon and lime forward, not too sweet, maybe a little spice. They absolutely nailed it. Crisp, refreshing, layered citrus flavor with just enough heat on the back end to keep it interesting. Honestly one of those cocktails where everybody at the table takes a sip and immediately goes, "Oh wow." As a bourbon guy, I was also pleasantly surprised with the whiskey selection. The bartender recommended Stafford's Reserve, an Oregon bourbon, and I am glad I listened. Smooth, approachable, a little sweet up front with some spice on the finish. Easy sipping bourbon that fit the whole vibe of the place perfectly. What really made the night though was the staff. Everybody was friendly in that genuine way where you feel welcomed instead of "served." By the end of the night it honestly felt like we had been there before, even though it was our first visit. The outdoor setup deserves some love too. Bend cooled down at night, but the fire pits and heaters kept everything comfortable. We could have easily stayed another couple hours just hanging out. Pricing felt fair for the quality of drinks and atmosphere. This is not a dive bar pretending to be fancy. It is a genuinely cool cocktail spot that knows exactly what it is. If you are in Bend and enjoy craft cocktails, bourbon, cool music, quirky atmosphere, and places with personality, go find San Simón. Half the fun is finding it tucked down the alley in the first place.

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    Aperol popsicle in cava.
    Aperol popsicle in cava.
    Bourbon
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    Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails

    Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    Excellent food always! We sat outside this time and it was very pleasant. My favorite is the…read moretrout dip appetizer. Sometimes I take one to go after the meal. I had the halibut and it was amazing. We all loved our experience and the restaurant is always our first choice when we go to Bend.

    What a find in Downtown Bend... Ok, my coworker was here before and suggested we go, and I'm glad I…read moreheard him. It was kinda late as we were at an evening conference event, and after a short wait, we were seated! Crowded and late is usually a good sign. We ordered some great cocktails to start and a Cajun BBQ Shrimp Appetizer. The cocktails were great and unique, but the BBQ Shrimp was amazing. It's not like being in New Orleans, but it's pretty close! And you better believe that plate went back to the kitchen spotless!!! That BBQ sauce was bomb, which means good apparently. For some reason, we switched out waitresses halfway through, which made tipping awkward. However, each was funny and friendly in different ways. That's always a plus when you've been on the road for 10 days or so and are feeling the wear and tear on travel and bougie food. For Entree's, he ordered a salad which looked amazing, and I ordered the blackened redfish and swapped the sides for fries and carrots. The fries were absolutely amazing, as was the redfish. So good... I wish the carrots were mushier (more mushy?). That's a personal preference. Waitress #2 highly recommended the carrot cake and assured us she wouldn't pass judgment on two dudes sharing dessert. I'm glad she did as it was one of the lightest and best carrot cakes I've ever had. And the carrots WERE mushy here. Then she had the entire kitchen staff come out and laugh at us for sharing (ok, she didn't, but that would have been classic). I enjoyed my time in Bend and this place would be on my list for a repeat visit if I'm ever here again. Loved it!

    Photos
    BBQ shrimp
    BBQ shrimp
    Oh the carrot cake, rich, smokey, walnuts, coconut ... Cream cheese frosting... You'll dream about it!
    Oh the carrot cake, rich, smokey, walnuts, coconut ... Cream cheese frosting... You'll dream about it!
    Please sir, may we have some more sir?

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    Please sir, may we have some more sir?
    Rapa Nui Tiki

    Rapa Nui Tiki

    4.0
    (121 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    A one star for me is a rare occurrence but, seriously.... Just avoid this place…read more.. To call this a tiki bar is an insult to the entire culture around Tiki. Let's just start out with the atmosphere.... This place is just covered in craft store plants and Amazon decorations. No character nothing special. Now I could've gotten past that if the drinks were OK. I didn't have super high hopes, but I was very excited to find a Tiki Bar in Bend while I was traveling for work. So I started out with just a classic Mai Tai after looking over the menu and being pretty disappointed that it's just the most basic "tiki" drinks in existence. The Mai Tai was flat out awful, and I mean AWFUL. It tasted like water mixed with lime juice. No alcohol taste in anyway, and not even a drip of Orgeat taste. It is so bad that it upset me, and it's completely clear like water. I did decide to stay cause I needed a break from the long week of work, but I just went straight to rum straight. I could've overlooked this, if there was even any slight conversation at the bar with the bartenders, but they had no interest in talking to the people that were there, three of the people at the bar were employees, and the entire time was just them talking together about how much they don't like rum or even the drinks on the menu. Wild. Past that they were talking about how they store their juices, and that they don't date label them in any way or throw them out after a certain amount of days, they just come in and taste them to see if they've gone bad. Get the f*** out of here.... A quick Google search will show you that most citrus juices start to oxidize within the hour, and orange and pineapple are not far behind... Don't even come here and give it a try, just go somewhere else.... This place should not be in business.

    Stopped in for some drinks with a group 7. Decor was fun, but a little cheesy. Drinks were good, we…read moreall ordered 2 drinks. We did not order food since we already had dinner. Overall consensus was good, but not great.

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    Fried Chicken, Korean BBQ street tacos, painkiller and Viking fog.
    Fried Chicken, Korean BBQ street tacos, painkiller and Viking fog.
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    Dear Irene - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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