No matter what adventure brings you to Sunriver, odds are that at some point in the day you’re going to get hungry. Luckily, this residential resort area nestled in Central Oregon is home to more than a dozen restaurants – many of which offer a well-equipped outdoor seating section.
Here’s a list of what we consider to be the five best places with outdoor seating in Sunriver. Any one of these spots would be a perfect place to enjoy a meal – whether it’s a quick lunch with your extended family or a romantic dinner for two – while staying in our town.
What are the best places to eat outside in Sunriver?
For the purposes of this article, we limited our search to places that had six or more outdoor tables so you could find a spot without booking something two weeks in advance. Electric lamps to help you see your food and portable heaters to keep you warm were also must-haves to make this list.
Here are the five best places to eat outside in Sunriver, ranked in no order. We think they’d make a great place for lunch, dinner, or just a quick drink you can enjoy in the sunshine while waiting for your loved ones to finish shopping or playing golf.
Sunriver Brewing Co. (The Village at Sunriver, 4.6 stars on Google) – The Sunriver Brewing Company’s original brewpub offers a massive outdoor seating area that wraps completely around its location in the heart of The Village at Sunriver. This was the first Central Oregon microbrewery to release a Hazy IPA – a rather juicy style many craft beer enthusiasts seek out – when it launched Vermont Vacation a few years ago. It also continues to produce local favorites like the Fuzztail Hefeweizen, the Rippin Northwest Pale, and the Cocoa Cow Chocolate Milk Stout that you can find year-round on draft at the brewpub or in cans at your favorite store.
The Village Bar and Grill (The Village at Sunriver, 4.1 stars on Google) – With outdoor seating options that include a raised concrete deck or tables that stretch toward a go-cart track, The Village Bar and Grill also offers its diners a location in the heart of The Village at Sunriver. Burgers, salads, and sandwiches dominate the restaurant’s summer menu while those looking for a nicer dinner can find a grilled ribeye steak and beer battered onion rings for $36 or a bowl of blackened chicken macaroni and cheese for $19.50.
South Bend Bistro (The Village at Sunriver, 4.6 stars on Google) – The six or seven tables on the South Bend Bistro’s deck make it the smallest outdoor dining destination on this list. Though it’s also the most intimate with a stand of trees that wraps around the courtyard on three sides and makes you almost forget you are still at The Village at Sunriver shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Its menu – which boasts entrees like pistachio crusted halibut, filet mignon, and roasted duck – screams “date night” as well.
Carson’s American Kitchen (Sunriver Resort, 4.0 stars on Google) – Carson’s American Kitchen also offers outdoor diners a chance to enjoy haute cuisine from a table with a beautiful view. Located in the Sunriver Resort’s main building, Carson’s outdoor section looks out over the Sunriver Golf Course and all the green space that comes with it. Imagine dining on one of the restaurant’s steak and seafood entrees while watching the sun set over the 9th hole.
McDivot’s Café (Sunriver Resort, 4.4 stars on Google) – Located next to the Woodland Golf Course’s Pro Shop, McDivot’s Café offers a much lighter menu that features burgers, sandwiches, and a Nathan’s All Beef Hot Dog. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite after a round of golf, especially if you have enough friends to take advantage of a special where it offers you six beers for the price of five.
Hola! Sunriver (17430 Deschutes Road, 4.1 stars on Google) – Do you like cold margaritas, watching floaters pass you by? If this riff on the classic Rupert Holmes ballad sounds at all appealing, you’ll love the outdoor courtyard at Hola! Sunriver. This restaurant offers classic Mexican-Peruvian entrees like ceviche, chile rellenos, lomo saltado, and the best margaritas in Bend four years running. Its location next to the Sunriver Resort’s marina only adds to this appeal by providing boaters, floaters, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders a place to eat before or after their adventure down the Deschutes River.
And now, unfortunately, we’ve come to the part in this article where we need to remind you the COVID-19 pandemic is not quite over. Although most restrictions are lifted, you should still be ready for any pandemic-related precautions like masks, reduced seating capacities, and reduced hours and longer wait times for seating and food caused by an ongoing labor shortage.
Here are a few simple things to keep in mind:
Bring a mask just in case and if necessary wear it when using the bathroom, placing your order at a counter, or doing anything else that’s not at your table
Call the restaurant to check its hours and make a reservation if need be. Not every place updates its website as often as it should
Be flexible: Make sure you have a back-up plan if you can’t get a table at your first choice for dinner. Central Oregon’s weather is fickle and that can ruin your plans to eat outside.
Finally, treat your servers/hosts/bartenders with respect and tip them well. You’re here to have a good time on vacation, they’re here to help you.
No trip to Sunriver is complete without a nice place to stay. Click here to view the properties we have available at Cascara Vacation Rentals and book the perfect home to serve as the base camp for your next adventure.
