Rockaway Beach’s Top Eats are Never Far From the Sand
Sure, Rockaway Beach’s seven miles of open beach steal the show. But what makes a sunset walk or long day tidepooling even better? Knowing there’s a stellar meal not far away. We’ve rounded up the top eats in Rockaway Beach:
Forget turning lemons into lemonade; husband and wife duo George and Versa Boyington claim to have invented the corn dog in the 1930s when the PNW rain-soaked their stand’s hot dog buns. Enter pancake batter dough for a cooked-to-order bun, and the Pronto Pup was born in Rockaway Beach. Nowadays, the pups are dipped in a storefront with an outsized 30-foot corn dog on the roof and a mechanical corn dog to ride out front. The menu goes beyond traditional Pronto Pups too, boasting battered pickles, cheese, sausage, and zucchini.
Famous among locals for their fresh clam chowder and fish and chips, Old Oregon Smokehouse’s large hand-painted sign leads to a fried seafood heaven: clam strips, calamari, halibut, crab cakes, popcorn shrimp, and more. Almost everything comes with a classic side of chips; melts, seafood cocktails, and soups round out the menu with non-fried options.
The cure for a case of the morning grumpies? Breakfast and coffee at Grumpy's Cafe should do the trick. A stocked pastry case holds treasures like huckleberry bagels, lemon blueberry cinnamon rolls, turnovers, and donuts inside the bright blue building. Breakfast served all day means waffles, French toast, omelettes, burritos, and breakfast sandwiches come out of the family-run kitchen until 2pm.
A stone’s throw from the ocean, Beach Bakeshop serves up morning pastries and espresso. Linger in the sunny window seat with a cup of soup, or take a boxed lunch to go for a beach picnic. The cute shop is known for its sand dollar hand pies, both savory and sweet.
Sand Dollar Restaurant and Lounge
For a sit-down meal—sometimes accompanied by live music—Sand Dollar Restaurant and Lounge delivers. In the summer season, the outdoor patio seating overlooks the beach for dramatic sunsets. From Wagyu burgers to ciopinno and fish tacos to a family recipe stew, the wide-ranging menu features locally sourced ingredients.
Rockaway Beach’s resident sports bar boasts entertainment beyond their 21 television screens. Karaoke nights and stand-up comedy pop-ups pair with 12 beers on tap and a menu sporting wings, an elk burger, and pan-fried oysters. Breakfast starts the day with maple bacon Bloody Marys and morning classics.
Rockaway Beach’s coastal vibe meets Latin flavors at the bright outpost. An exhaustive menu tauts all the traditional favorites from enchiladas to steaming fajitas. The drink menu is not to be missed either with vibrant blue Hawaiian, cantarito, and mangoneada cocktails served from a modern bar.
True to its name, Joe’s Snacks, and Beer hawks the staples—plus made-to-order deli sandwiches and coffee. At once a classic corner store and a beloved pit stop before hitting the beach or boarding the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, the bright yellow door set against a teal building is hard to miss.
New Taste of India and Barview Jetty Taqueria
Neither Rockaway Beach food truck is more than a few steps from the beach, making their menus perfect fodder for oceanside picnics. On the north side of town, the New Taste of India cart slings samosas, various dhals, lamb and chicken curry, and mango lassi. The entire menu is so popular that owners recently opened another cart in Warrenton. To satisfy cravings of the burrito and taco variety, Barview Jetty Taqueria is the truck to visit, complete with six meat choices and plenty of salsas.
