🌲 Where to Eat in Central Oregon: 10 Best Restaurants in Bend & Redmond (+ A Local Pizza Favorite)

View from the parking lot of the trailhead for Misery Ridge at Smith Rock State Park. Photo credit to Jeff Finley

Central Oregon is a food lover’s dream wrapped in mountain views, craft beer, and endless outdoor adventure. Whether you’re hiking Smith Rock, floating the Deschutes, or just soaking up small-town charm, you’ll need a good place to eat—and this region delivers.

We’ve rounded up 10 of the best restaurants in Bend and Redmond, featuring everything from upscale date night spots to taco joints, plus one bonus pizzeria locals swear by. Let’s dig in.

🍽️ Best Restaurants in Bend

1. Ariana Restaurant

📍 NW Galveston Ave, Bend

Elegant, intimate, and consistently ranked among Bend’s best. Ariana focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with an upscale New American menu.

What to Try: Wild mushroom risotto, filet mignon, house cocktails

Vibe: Cozy fine dining—perfect for anniversaries or celebrations

Insider Tip: Book reservations well in advance!

2. Spork

📍 NW Newport Ave, Bend

A local legend serving globally inspired street food. Expect big, bold flavors from Asia, Latin America, and the South—all with a playful twist.

What to Try: Green curry pork, spicy fried chicken

Vibe: Trendy, casual, order at the counter

Fun Fact: Spork started as a food truck and never lost its cool.

3. Wild Rose Northern Thai Eats

📍 NW Oregon Ave, Bend

This is not your average Thai restaurant. Wild Rose specializes in authentic Northern Thai dishes—earthy, aromatic, and deeply comforting.

What to Try: Khao Soi (curry noodle soup), sticky rice with pork

Vibe: Warm, inviting, with a true regional focus

4. Bosa Food & Drink

📍 Franklin Ave, Bend

Modern Italian dining with flair. Handmade pasta, refined small plates, and a beautiful space make Bosa a favorite for date nights or dinners with friends.

What to Try: Agnolotti, burrata, roasted beet salad

Vibe: Chic, stylish, and quietly upscale

5. El Sancho

📍 Multiple locations in Bend

Authentic Mexican street tacos with a cult following. Fast, flavorful, and affordable—El Sancho is a go-to for locals craving tacos and house-made salsas.

What to Try: Al pastor, barbacoa, cactus taco

Bonus: Eastside location has an outdoor beer garden—great for sunny afternoons.

🍴 Best Restaurants in Redmond

6. Diego’s Spirited Kitchen

📍 NW 6th St, Redmond

Diego’s blends classic Mexican dishes with American comfort food in hearty, flavorful portions. A longtime favorite for locals.

What to Try: Carne asada, shrimp enchiladas, chile relleno

Vibe: Lively, casual, family-friendly

Drinks: Don’t skip the margaritas—they’re some of the best around.

7. Brickhouse

📍 SW 6th St, Redmond

If you're craving a steak, this is your spot. Brickhouse offers top-quality cuts, fresh seafood, and a cozy, elevated steakhouse experience.

What to Try: Ribeye, scallops, crab-stuffed mushrooms

Perfect For: Celebrations, business dinners, or treating yourself

8. Westside Taco Co.

📍 SW 5th St, Redmond

Farm-to-taco deliciousness. Westside Taco Co. crafts fresh, unique tacos using seasonal, local ingredients.

What to Try: Korean pork belly taco, chipotle chicken, seasonal veggie taco

Vibe: Casual, creative, and often busy (in a good way)

9. Jasper’s

📍 SW 6th St, Redmond

A low-key gem for burgers, sandwiches, and all things comfort food. Friendly staff and generous portions make Jasper’s a Redmond staple.

What to Try: Bleu cheese burger, Reuben, sweet potato fries

Vibe: No-frills, all flavor

10. Wild Ride Brewing

📍 Downtown Redmond Not your average brewery. Wild Ride combines killer craft beer with a rotating crew of food trucks right on their patio.

What to Try: Whatever food truck is parked that day—pizza, BBQ, tacos, even mac & cheese

Vibe: Fun, social, family- and dog-friendly

Bonus: Live music nights and covered seating make it a year-round hangout.

🍕 Special Mention: Cibelli’s Pizza (Bend)

Why Locals Love It:Cibelli’s has been slinging giant New York-style slices in Bend for over two decades. It’s the kind of place you hit after a day on the slopes or a late night out—always reliable, always satisfying.

What to Try:The classic pepperoni slice, “Big Tony,” or any of their loaded combos.

Vibe:No-frills, old-school, and a rite of passage for any true Bend local.

✨ Final Bites

From elegant multi-course meals to tacos on a picnic bench, Bend and Redmond have something for every kind of craving. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or lucky enough to live here, these restaurants showcase the best of what Central Oregon has to offer—bold flavors, welcoming vibes, and a whole lot of local pride.

Hungry yet? We can incorporate delicious restaurants into a personalized itinerary when you go on your next expedition.