Best Restaurants: Ashland, OR
Expertise Provided By: “Frommer’s”
Amuse
Contemporary and stylish establishment blends Northwest and French influences. Rotating menu might feature sweetbreads, prawns, game hen, or salmon. Opt for the patio when the weather is nice.
New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro
“Some of the more creative food in the state,” raves Frommer’s. Located between Ashland and the close by town of Talent, the owner/chefs, who trained at Alice Water’s Le Panisse in Berkeley, utilize fresh, organic greens from their own garden. Fabulous wine list.
Alchemy Restaurant
On the ground floor of the Winchester Inn — see Ashland Best Lodging page — the restaurant focuses on Pacific Northwest cuisine combined with French influences. Seating on the lovely deck and patio as well as the main dining room. Luscious Sunday brunch.
The Peerless Restaurant & Bar
Upscale restaurant with food that rivals the best in town. Sophisticated and imaginative Northwest cuisine and classy wine bar. Charming patio for fair-weather dining. Also see Peerless Hotel on Ashland Best Lodging page.
Dragonfly Café & Gardens
Great values and excellent vittles throughout the day, with Latin and Asian influences at lunch and dinner. You might start the day with banana-blueberry pancakes and later dine on grilled salmon with papaya-mango-mint salsa. Lots of vegetarian options.
Smithfields
Neighborhood steak house atmosphere and locally-sourced meats and produce such as pork chops from a nearby ranch. Excellent appetizer plates.
Kobe
Affiliated with the neighboring Thai Pepper restaurant – see below. On the banks of Ashland Creek, Kobe offers a Modern Japanese menu, with choices ranging from traditional sushi to creative fare such as ceviches and carpaccios with raw fish. Try one of the sake cocktails.
Agave
Casual Mexican restaurant with inventive updating of classic dishes. For example: shredded duck confit or lobster tacos, tamales with portobello mushrooms and winter squash. “Where Art Meets Food.”
Thai Pepper
Elegant restaurant with a deck overlooking Ashland Creek. Thai Pepper features tasty and well-spiced dishes such as whole fish, tiger rolls with cream cheese and crab, and a lime-beef salad. Check out the daily specials.