If you’re on a budget, keep dining prices down at the Mariner Market (139 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-2442, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily), a dimly lit old grocery that’s fully stocked with fresh meat, fruit, vegetables, and deli items.
In the fishing business for more than 25 years, Ecola Seafoods (208 N. Spruce St., 503/436-9130, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily summer, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily winter) features fresh-catch Dungeness crab and bay shrimp cocktails, as well as a decent clam chowder ($5). Or sample the smoked salmon and fish-and-chips. You’ll find it across from the public parking lots and information center.
Grab a cheese biscuit to go or sit down for a cup of coffee and a marionberry scone at Waves of Grain Bakery (3116 S. Hemlock St., 503/436-9600, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, $2–5), which is far and away the best bakery in town, with all the baked goods baked from scratch in-house. At times, you can also get soup.
The local Pig ’N Pancake (223 S. Hemlock St., 503/436-2851, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. daily, $6–12) has large picture windows overlooking a leafy ravine. Breakfast, of which there are 35 varieties, including homemade pancakes, is served anytime; it’s very good and extremely popular (expect to wait). For lunch, try the soups, chowder, or halibut fish-and-chips.
Try the wood-paneled sky-lit Lazy Susan Cafe (126 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-2816, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun.–Mon. and Wed.–Thurs., 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., $7–13) for a great breakfast, satisfying lunch, or on the weekends, a light dinner.
A good bet for lunch is Cranky Sue’s (308 Fir St., 503/436-0301, 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Tues., $3–14), with good grilled fish sandwiches, burgers, and panini. Crab cakes are Sue’s specialty.
Bill’s Tavern (188 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-2202, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Thurs.–Tues., 4:30–10 p.m. Wed., bar open later, $7–13), once a legendary watering hole, is now a more traditional remodeled brewpub. Sweet thick onion rings, good fries, one-third-pound burgers, sautéed prawns, and grilled oysters are the bill of fare.
Farther south near Tolovana is the Warren House Pub (3301 S. Hemlock St., 503/436-1130, 10:30 a.m.–1 a.m. daily, $7–14) serves local beers from Bill’s Tavern but in an English pub setting. The menu includes good smoked ribs, burgers, and seafood; in summer the backyard beer garden is a lovely spot to relax. Kids are allowed on the restaurant side of the pub.
The Lumberyard Rotisserie and Grill (264 3rd St., 503/436-0285, noon–9 p.m. daily, $8–23) is a block away from busy downtown Cannon Beach [1], but this spacious newer restaurant offers high-quality food at good prices. The specialty is rotisserie meats, including turkey, chicken, and prime rib, but the pizza here is also good. The Lumberyard is owned by the same company as the Stephanie Inn and the Surfsand Resort, and it has a similarly polished appearance.
Somewhat oddly, few of Cannon Beach’s top restaurants have a view of the beach, so if excellent views of Haystack Rock [2] and breaking waves are important to you, call to reserve a table at The Wayfarer (1190 Pacific Dr., 503/436-1108, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, dinner $17–30), tucked above a beach entrance at Gower Street. The food, which is good but not as memorable as the views, features classic steak and seafood main courses. The lounge here is a good spot for a drink.
For a good traditional pizza, calzone, or sub, follow your nose to Fultano’s Pizza (200 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-9717, 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sat., pies $12–28), near the corner of Second and Hemlock on the way to the beach. At lunchtime you can grab a slice and a soda; the shop delivers after 5 p.m.
Less than a block away, the pizza at Pizza a’Fetta (231 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-0333, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat., slices $3–4, whole pies $20–33) is somewhat more upscale, with a limited selection of to-go slices available at a takeout window. In addition to good pizza, there are salads, minestrone soup, and Oregon and Italian microbrew beer and wines.
Hankering for some authentic West Coast chowder? Head to 
Dooger’s Seafood and Grill (1371 S. Hemlock St., 503/436-2225, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, dinners $12–45) for seafood that’s always fresh and delicious. Don’t overlook Dooger’s for breakfast—during crab season (winter and spring) the crab Benedict is a real treat.
Mo’s at Tolovana (195 Warren Way, 503/436-1111, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun., $3–16), next to Tolovana Park, has great views; although its clam chowder is locally famous (perhaps because of fondness for Mo and her family), the food is not the big draw.
Whether or not you’re staying at the Stephanie Inn (2740 S. Pacific Dr., 503/436-2221 or 800/633-3466, 5 p.m.–9 p.m. nightly, about $60), you are welcome to join guests in the dining room for a four-course prix fixe dinner featuring innovative Northwest cuisine. The atmosphere boasts mountain views, open wood beams, and a river-rock fireplace. Since guests get first shot at tables, those staying elsewhere should reserve well ahead of time.
Cozy and refined, The Bistro (263 N. Hemlock St., 503/436-2661, 5–10 p.m. Thurs.–Mon., $20–25) is tucked back in a maze of shops and gardens in downtown Cannon Beach [1]. The atmosphere is quintessentially French country inn, and the menu brings a taste of Provence to traditional fish and seafood dishes—the seafood stew is a wonderful blend of Northwest fish and shellfish prepared with Mediterranean zest. The dining room is truly tiny and the food superlative, so reservations are mandatory.
Newman’s at 988 (988 S. Hemlock St., 503/436-1151, 5:30–9 p.m. Tues.–Sat. winter, 5:30–9 p.m. Tues.–Sun. summer, $19–26) is a good special-occasion restaurant, with an elegant atmosphere and excellent food. The chef-owner takes great pride in using fresh local ingredients to prepare dinners with French and Italian influences. A nightly prix-fixe dinner is offered.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/north-coast/cannon-beach
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/north-coast/cannon-beach/sights/haystack-rock