American

Stop by Biscuits Café (29707 Ellensburg Ave., 541/247-2495, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.) in Gold Beach Books for coffee and pastries. Be sure to take a look in the rare book room after you finish eating.

Indian Creek Café (94682 Jerry’s Flat Rd., 541/247-0680, 5:30 a.m.–2 p.m., $8–12) is a great spot for breakfast. Just a mile east of the Rogue River Bridge, the café is on the south shore of the Rogue, where Indian Creek joins the river. In good weather, there’s seating on a deck overlooking the creek. Omelets, pancakes, and other traditional breakfast items are well prepared; lunch is mostly burgers and sandwiches.

Locals recommend the Port Hole Café (29975 Harbor Way, 541/247-7411, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily), in the Cannery building at the port, with bay and river views, for hearty portions of fish-and-chips, chowder, and homemade pies at decent prices.

Barnacle Bistro (29805 Ellensburg Ave., 541/247-7799, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun., $7–14) is a lively spot for light meals, offering a selection of well-made sandwiches, soups, salads, pizzas, and fish-and-chips.

Wine Bar

Anna’s By the Sea (29672 Stewart St., 541/247-2100, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Wed.–Fri., 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Sat., $9–12) is that rare thing on the southern Oregon coast—a chic little wine bar with excellent snacks and light entrées. Prices are very modest for the quality of the food—nibble on fresh noodles tossed with Sweet Tooth mushrooms, Oregon white truffles with a glass of Prosecco, or enjoy smoked tri-tip steak and a trio of foams with a hearty Rogue River Cabernet. Anna’s is a tiny place—just 15 seats—so come early if you don’t want to wait (in summer, there’s more seating on the deck).

Steaks and Seafood

The Nor’Wester (10 Harbor Way, 541/247-2333, 5–9 p.m. nightly, $12–28) is located at the port of Gold Beach, so sometimes you get to watch boats unloading your dinner. Not surprisingly, the menu is dominated by seafood, although the waitstaff tout the New Zealand lamb chops and steaks and the chinook salmon grilled with a glaze of sake, cayenne, ginger, and soy.

A very good dinner house is Spinner’s Seafood, Steak and Chophouse (29430 Ellensburg Ave., 541/247-5160, 4:30–10 p.m. nightly, $20–30). The menu is wide-ranging and the dining room extremely pleasant. Look for fresh seafood, pasta, prime rib, and a choice beef and chops. A children’s menu is available.

Pick up some fresh seafood or the best canned tuna you’ll ever taste at Fishermen Direct Seafoods (29975 Harbor Way, 541/247-9494).

by Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae from Moon Oregon, 8th Edition, © Elizabeth & Mark Morris and Avalon Travel