Rapa Nui Tiki

First of all- I just moved here and I keep hearing this is "the bad part of town" and no, it's not…read more We passed one unhoused person who was just minding his own business. Don't be afraid to come here! Lots of food truck options which is cool. My friend and I each got zero proof cocktails. She got the sweet hemptation and liked it so much she got a second one. I got the funky cold Modena which was tart and tasty. And we got to see Miz Cracker from RuPaul's Drag Race!! So fun! The drag show was high energy and a great time.

I'll preface by stating that this establishment is a bar with a food truck lot. It is not the…read moreDogwood downtown cocktail bar that is the subject of the prior hundreds of reviews. The owners closed up shop downtown and created this new place on 2nd Street in Bend's Central District. It's now called Dogwood at the Pine Shed. Why Yelp won't create a new, distinct page for the Pine Shed is beyond me. That said, the Pine Shed is a fine place for drinks and food truck fare. The open, spacious 'shed' has plenty of varied seating surrounding a nice bar with quite a few tables outside on the patio. Mobility-challenged folks have choices too. For those worried about 2nd Street's reputation for sketchiness, don't be. Revitalization efforts by the city have transformed the area. At times of good weather, with the big doors open, the Pine Shed is quite a nice spot to relax. Cocktails were the raison d'etre for the former incarnation of Dogwood and that emphasis transfers here to the Pine Shed. I particularly like their versions of a margarita but the other cocktails are uniformly good too. The beer tap offerings are not so spectacular, however, with only four (and a cider). On one visit shortly after they opened for business, two beer taps were tapped out, which can be chalked up to growing pains. In any case, the Pine Shed can't be seriously regarded as a tap house in the style of the many others in Bend (On Tap, River's Place, Crosscut, The Lot, The Podski, Midtown Yacht Club, etc.). Come for the cocktails. They do offer low ABV and zero ABV drinks. At present, the food truck choices are abundant and pretty decent. Being trucks/carts, and thus mobile and prone to relocating themselves, I'll not list them here. Best to check the Pine Shed's webpage for current offerings and then go to the relevant Yelp page for reviews. Parking is street only, no parking lot. The city has completed construction on 2nd Street so there are more spots available than before.

Funky Cold Modena non-alcoholic cocktail

Tiny beer with Tequila shot

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The Bar

San Simon

4.7(106 reviews)

The drinks are consistently great, always made with care. The atmosphere is a fun alternative vibe…read more When it gets busy, it gets busy--but that's why it's nice to visit on the slower days for even more attentive service, just like anywhere else. Thanks so much to the San Simon staff for all the wonderful experiences!

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.

Gin Gimlet

San Simon in Tin Pan Alley

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Flamingo Room

4.7(43 reviews)

Great crowd of people all ages. Very welcoming and even when they are busy. I want to go more to…read morethis one.

Cool spot. Didn't have to wait too long. Cool mix of interesting flavors. Service was good. All the…read morefood options looked pretty weird so didn't end up ordering any.

Bar

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Velvet

4.4(169 reviews)

First day of my work trip arriving in town. The hotel highly recommended visiting here. Sunday 7pm…read moreis quiet but I'm not upset. Bartender was friendly and knew his mixology well! I didn't order food but I'm sure it's delish! My drink was yummy and the decor is rustic and modern. I liked that the place felt clean too.

I've loved Velvet for years, at least the idea and aesthetic of it. Really well curated interior…read morewith a great ambiance. The owner is the only person I've felt good vibes from. The rest of the team, especially recently, have unfortunately always had frankly unwelcoming, bored, avoidant, unenthusiastic, dead expression attitudes no matter the time or stress level. I've even been in when zero customers were in the entire building and based on the sole interactions with the bar, or lack thereof, the magic gets leached away from the place. Without the bartenders, it's just an empty building after all. A welcoming attitude or some conversation is the warm hearth that brings cold travelers back over and over again; people remember how they feel. Then again, even when the place is packed with people, I don't feel any warmth or connection from anyone here. Maybe it's a sign of the times, maybe it's Bend in general. I'll keep trying and coming back nonetheless.

Great GiClee art prints on the wall in the upstairs lounge.

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View from the top in the upstairs lounge.

WildWood

4.6(43 reviews)

0.3 mi

Food is fantastic, the bartender is always lovely, and such a mellow and cool vibe to spend a lunch…read moreor evening in.

The restaurant looks nice and has a good vibe but that's all it has going for it. We can hear a…read morewhile back and the food was great but they changed the menu and it's horrible. I ordered the chicken and fries. The chicken is super dry with no flavor and tastes like it's fried in old dirty oil. Also the beer options are seriously lacking. Whatever they were doing years back they need to return to. The baked mac and pulled pork sando they used to serve was out of this world.

Downstairs seating

Upstairs seating area

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Beer and fire, what's not to love

Dear Irene

4.7(86 reviews)

0.9 mi

From the decor and atmosphere to the unique cocktails and attentive service, Dear Irene is one of…read moreBend's best restaurants. They offer a fixed menu with great starters, salads, and entrees. We ordered the scallops which were full of buttery deliciousness, the chicken which was cooked to perfection with crunchy breading on the outside, and a creamy polenta dish. You can't go wrong but be sure to order one of the salads. Our favorite was the baratta and citrus salad with olives and pine nuts. It has all the textures and sweet-salty goodness you could want. As for cocktails, our favorite was the pear and side piece drinks. The presentation is beautiful and they really are one of a kind. We'll be back!

I randomly stepped inside this place noticing the pretty decor and classy interior. The service was…read moreexceptional from start to finish. I was served by a tall male bartender who was incredibly personable--we talked quite a bit, and honestly, I'd go back just for that experience alone. That said, the drinks he crafted and the food that came out of the kitchen gave me plenty more reasons to return. I ended up ordering an impressive amount of food, and by the time I hit my fifth large course, he joked that he'd have to pinch himself if I actually finished it. I couldn't help it--everything was that good. He also pointed me toward the owner, who clearly knows exactly what he's doing in the kitchen and carries himself with confidence and intention. Every aspect of this place felt immersive, like stepping into a classy, well-directed film. The atmosphere, the food, the service--it all came together seamlessly.

Fun bathroom art

Scallops

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Cocktail

Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails

4.4(1.5k reviews)

•$$$

Wonderful, cocktails, generous portions, delightful weight staff. Highly recommend this…read moreestablishment.

Street Side Comfort Food Done Right at Zydeco…read more On a cool night in Bend, my family made a last-minute decision to grab dinner at Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails, and honestly it turned into one of our favorite meals of the trip. We were lucky enough to snag one of the last available tables, outside no less, but the overhead heaters kept the patio perfectly warm and cozy. Sitting street side watching people wander through downtown Bend while enjoying good food and cocktails gave the whole evening a relaxed and memorable vibe. One thing worth noting: make reservations if you can. Even on a cooler weekday evening this place was absolutely packed, and after eating there it was easy to understand why. The vibe walks a fine line between upscale and approachable. Busy without feeling chaotic, energetic without being loud, and the kind of place where you can just as easily have a family dinner as a date night. Great spot for couples, groups, or even grabbing a seat solo at the bar. Pricing felt right in line with the quality of food, cocktails, and overall experience. We started with cocktails, and it was immediately obvious the bar team knew what they were doing. The espresso martini was smooth and rich without being overly sweet, the Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned was balanced and spirit-forward, and the dirty martini had this savory umami quality that gave it a deep earthy finish that lingered in the best way. For appetizers, the BBQ shrimp over the southern grit cake absolutely delivered. Rich, buttery, smoky, and packed with flavor. The Village Baker bread with olive oil and the cane syrup butter topped with flaky smoked salt was another standout. Based on how quickly the plates were cleaned off the table, I would say both were a unanimous success. For dinner, I ordered the smoked pork chop and it was excellent. Thick cut, juicy, perfectly cooked, and paired with a bright salsa verde that cut through the richness perfectly. The dirty rice underneath carried a ton of flavor and rounded the dish out nicely. My daughter ordered the crispy half chicken and here's the pro tip: order it early because they do run out. We were told there were only a few left for the evening. The skin was beautifully crisp while the chicken stayed incredibly juicy, and the mashed potatoes and asparagus were simple but executed really well. My son-in-law went with the steak frites and was more than happy with the choice. The steak had a great crust, was cooked exactly to temperature, and the rogue smoky blue butter melted right into the meat giving every bite extra richness. The fries were thin, crispy, and impossible not to keep stealing off his plate. We also shared the cornbread with homemade butter and, as we say back home in Hawaii, it was "broke da mouth" good. Moist, slightly sweet, crispy around the edges, and dangerously easy to keep eating. What really stood out to me was the pacing of the meal and overall hospitality. Nothing felt rushed even with a full house. Drinks came out quickly, plates were timed well, and the staff genuinely seemed proud of the food they were serving. We especially enjoyed chatting with our waitress after finding out she had lived in Hawaii for six years. As visitors from Hawaii ourselves, it instantly gave the night a little unexpected "home away from home" feeling that made the experience even more memorable. Those little moments are what separate a good restaurant from one you genuinely remember after the trip is over. Zydeco delivered the kind of experience that makes you immediately start talking about when you can come back. Great food, thoughtful cocktails, strong hospitality, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. Solid four-star experience and absolutely worth a stop if you are spending time in Bend.

BBQ shrimp

Oh the carrot cake, rich, smokey, walnuts, coconut ... Cream cheese frosting... You'll dream about it!

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Please sir, may we have some more sir?

Lady Bird Cultural Society

4.2(158 reviews)

0.1 mi

Very wonderful happy hour; and...the best espresso martinis in town!!…read more Went back for dinner; delightful experience!

Unimpressed. Loved the interior, the drinks were fine, the brussel sprouts were good...but service…read moreis what makes a spot and a cute interior can't make up for lack of good service. We were seated at the low seats at the bar but weren't given menus, so I had to walk up to the hostess stand for them after waiting for a decent amount of time. The red-headed bartender/server tried to walk away after taking our drink order and had to stop him from walking away to order food. There were no check-ins at the table, a hostess walked around once filling everyone's water but that was it (so we had empty water for about half the time we were there), I had to flag down the bartender by staring at him from across the bar to get his attention for a check, once I got the check he again tried to immediately walk off even though I had the card & wallet on the table and nearly immediately put it in the book, and in general he was not amiable. I actually asked my friend after the first interaction of 'do you think he's having a bad day or hates it here?'. Lastly, the oysters are listed as 'oysters' with no description but they are not normal oysters - they have green vinaigrette, some roe type orange topping, and personally weren't enjoyable. 2.5 for service and not listing ingredients. 3 because the brussel sprouts and drinks.

The pictures do not do this place justice.

Bone marrow & escargot

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Old Fashioned

The Stihl Whiskey Bar

3.9(187 reviews)

0.7 mi

Classy place but also laid back and relaxed. Wasn't overly loud so we could carry on a conversation…read morewithout a problem (which isn't the case at another bar around the corner). Good drinks and appetizers. Nice staff.

Great little bourbon bar in Bend. Outdoor seating makes it pet friendly. Good French 75's as well).read more

Entrance

Whiskey Flight

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Bar RBC

4.6(32 reviews)

Absolutely the best restaurant we went to while we were in Bend for a long weekend. The service was…read moreamazing, recommendations were on par with expectations and food is second to none (at least compared to other restaurants we tried). Highly recommend any of the potato dishes and the pork. Place is sharable plates and made it great to have a family style with the group. got to try everything we ordered. When I'm back in Bend, i will definitely be coming back here even if its just me.

Shout out to Corrine and Kim for taking care of us. Thank you Corrine for all the great…read morerecommendations! Swung by here after spending a day at Crater Lake National Park. Parking is a bit challenging. Inside the space is a little dark, and it had a nice ambiance. The noise level is a medium. You need to speak up a little but you don't need to shout to be heard. We came without reservations, luckily for us two seats at the bar opened up so we were seated right away. Since it was our first time here we asked Corrine out for some recommendations. She talked through some of the popular dishes and also some of her personal favorites. We ordered... Food - El Bulli Olive: Fun bite if you're an olive fan. Creative gastronomy creation. - Toro Radicchio: Really tasty salad, with great flavors. - Fried Anchovies and Artichoke: Delicious! If you're an anchovies fan, get this dish. One of my favorite bites of the night. - Iberico Secretto: Meat imported from Spain. Great flavors. Drinks - Pamplemousse Spritz: Refreshing n/a cocktail. Definitely would get again. - Strawberry-White Peppercorn Shrub: One of my favorite n/a cocktails I've had to date, would recommend. Dessert - Tarta De Santiago: Solid dessert.