With uncrowded beaches and many indoor activities during the mild winters, it’s an ideal time to explore Seaside and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding downtown while taking advantage of off-season rates. And what better time to enjoy a steaming bowl of clam chowder or a basket of fried razor clams? To fuel a brisk hike or warm up on a chilly day, take a look at some of Seaside’s many restaurants that make a winter visit even cozier.
Coastal Classics
Start your day right with a nice hot cup of coffee, courtesy of Burly & the Bean on the south side of town. This local coffee roaster has all of the classics to get you moving, plus a roster of specialty drinks worth exploring. Try La Pistola, which adds Mexican and white chocolate to a shot of espresso and spices it up with a touch of cinnamon. Check out even more places to sip a cup of coffee or tea here.
Digging into a bowl of creamy clam chowder is a must-do on the Oregon Coast. Head to centrally located Dooger’s Seafood & Grill for a traditional version. The chowder is teeming with clams, topped with a little butter and a sprinkle of paprika. Pro tip: From November through February, Dooger’s offers Roll Back Wednesdays, where select menu items are priced like it’s 2004.
Look for the retro neon sign on the south side of town for Bell Buoy of Seaside, a local seafood market with a counter-service restaurant next door. Hungry? Opt for seafood baskets with everything from halibut to razor clams, battered and fried until golden, and served with French fries and coleslaw. If you truly need a winter warm-up, order one of the deliciously cheesy seafood melts. Tuna is the obvious choice, but don’t overlook the versions with shrimp, crab or a combo of the two.
Ruby’s Roadside Grill (Photo by Don Frank)
Warm Up by the Fire
Known for the burgers and beers, Ruby’s Roadside Grill has deck chairs on the patio that stay warm on a chilly day thanks to the spacious 16-foot fire pit. Tuck into a cup of crab and corn chowder made with flaked Dungeness crab meat or a chili cheeseburger with homemade chili. This restaurant is also pet-friendly — Ruby’s is named after a dog, after all — and there’s even a Canine Cuisine menu with all-beef patties and chicken breast for your pups.
While there are plenty of well-spaced tables inside Finns Fish House downtown, there’s also a heated and covered patio outside with tables built around three natural-gas fireplaces that are truly showpieces with an elegant modern design. Sample a locally made red lager from Sisu Beer paired with fresh Willapa Bay oysters, either fried or raw in a shooter.
The Pearl
Order a Nightcap
If sipping drinks in a cozy wine bar is more your speed, try River Bar, located in the lobby of the Rivertide Suites, situated right on the Necanicum River and just a block from the beach. Warm up with a full-bodied Willamette Valley pinot noir — the menu showcases almost exclusively Northwest wines — and share a smoked-salmon board or a house-made hummus and veggies as you enjoy the riverside views.
On the north end of town, dive-bar lovers will appreciate The Pearl, even when the weather won’t cooperate. This fun hideout has a pinball machine and a serious selection of board and card games, so you can chill with friends while drinking a local brew and tearing into one of its satisfying sandwiches, like the Italian grinder stuffed with cold cults or a muffuletta made on a traditional sesame-seed roll. For a real cold-weather treat, try a fortifying bowl of French onion soup, topped with molten cheese.
