Dining and drinking options on and around Mount Hood range from an irresistably greasy bag of donuts at Joe’s in Sandy to fine fondue and chardonnay at Timberline Lodge’s Cascade Dining Room. A good hard day of shredding at high altitude makes everything taste better, so it’s best to be open-minded about all your mountain options. I’ll organize this article into three sections: Heading up to the Mountain, On the Mountain, and Heading Back Home.
Heading Up From Portland
Mountain Moka is a locally owned and highly recommended cafe in Sandy with a long list of tasty specialty drinks, a cozy interior and a friendly staff. 17450 Meinig Rd., driver’s left in Sandy’s split-highway 25 MPH zone.
I wouldn’t recommend the heavy fare at Joe’s Donuts if you were planning on a sedentary day. But if your plan is to shred Hood, why not? You’ll need all the energy you can store. Joe’s is a classic Sandy establishment and a must-stop for plenty of people passing through on their way to the mountain. Open 4am, seven days a week, the red-and-white building on driver’s right in the Sandy 25 MPH zone, 39230 Pioneer Blvd.
Cafe Aria isn’t the easiest spot to find when you’re heading east on 26, but once you find your way there, you’ll want to return. Delicious specialty drinks, free Wifi, gourmet chocolates and fresh waffles make this a must-visit spot. It’s tucked on driver’s left at Milepost 40 off Highway 26 near the Rendezvous Grill and Tap Room, El Burro Loco and the Mt. Hood 26 Board Shop.
Wraptitude sells healthy delicious wraps, espresso and smoothies. Driver’s right, 67441 E. Highway 26. Welches, OR 9706, 503-622-0893, milepost 41.
Coffee Brewsters has a good selection of hot drinks and sweet treats to get you going. Easy to find in the Hoodland Plaza in Welches next to the Thriftway, driver’s right, 68224 E. Hwy. 26.
Mt. Hood Roasters is a skier-owned establishment that air-roasts its beans on site and serves up quality. Access can be a little tricky after a snowstorm, but the coffee and treats are top notch. Driver’s left in Rhododendron, just past the Dairy Queen at 73451 E. Hwy. 26.
Heading Up From Hood River.
Dog River Coffee Co. is a spacious, independently owned and super cool hangout in Hood River that serves Stumptown Coffee and fresh baked goods. 411 Oak Street, Hood River.
Pine Street Bakery is well-stocked with fresh goodies to give you energy for the slopes. It’s in Hood River’s Pine Street Heights neighborhood, right on your way out of town to get to Mount Hood. 1103 12th Street, Hood River.
On the Mountain
Timberline Lodge offer several choices for snacking, feasting, imbibing and taking in unrivaled views at 6,000 feet, including the Cascade Dining Room, the Ram’s Head Bar and the Blue Ox Bar. The selection of Oregon pinots is impressive, and they serve up a variety of fresh seafood from the Pacific Northwest, as you can see from the photo below.
The Ice Axe Grill, just off Hwy. 26 in Government Camp is also owned by Timberline’s RLK Corp., and it is home to the Mt. Hood Brewing Co., which has been crafting fine brews on the Mountain since 1991. A clean, laid-back family pub with pizza, burgers and sweet potato fries.
The High Mountain Cafe in the heart of Govy (owned by Skibowl management) serves up massive sandwiches such as the Goofy Foot, the Coloir Crossing and the Avalanche. It’s a popular place so service can be slow, but the ambiance and food are excellent, and the Wi-Fi connection is solid.
The Huckleberry Inn in the middle of Govy has a 24-hour cafe with huge portions, massive milkshakes and killer pancakes. They also run an adjacent steakhouse that caters to large group events and is open to the public during the peak of the season.
The Taco Shoppe is a friendly and popular, well, taco shop. It’s right in Govy, and as of 2013-14 it will be larger and more comfortable with a new new bar and indoor seating for your taco-chomping enjoyment. Check their Facebook page for details. 88786 E Government Camp Loop Rd. Government Camp, Oregon 97028
Charlie’s Mountain View Restaurant & Bar is a Government Camp classic. Right in the middle of Govy, by the turn-off to Multorpor, with surprisingly tasty pub fare, live music and all sorts of characters.
The Ratskeller Alpine Bar and Pizzeria is a lively pizza and beer joint in the heart of Govy with live music and big-screen TVs.
Skibowl West has the usual mountain-of-nachos-with-a-beer fare at its Beer Stube, and their kitchen crew’s orders are to pile on the chips and goodies as high as architecturally possible. Also highly recommended is the Warming Hut at the top of the Lower Bowl, a cozy and highly recommended slopeside destination for cold Pils, hot chocolate, homemade soup and a roaring fire.
Skibowl East’s 70-Meter Bar and Grill, upstairs at the renovated Multorpor Lodge, is a fine location for a pint or two after making turns, or while the kids are out playing on the Tubing Hill.
On the other side of the mountain, Meadows also has plenty of dining and drinking options – nine to be exact. At the end of a sunny day you can get barbecue and beer on the deck at the Paradise Grill. The Alpenstube Restaurant is a good place to warm up with a full-service sit-down meal. The Vertical Restaurant Restaurant and Bar is a good place to wait out a white-out. When you’re starving but not ready to get off the mountain yet, you can grab a sausage and a beer or a mocha at the Mazot Eatery. It’s hard to beat the Mazot’s outdoor seating on a sunny spring day.
Cooper Spur’s Crooked Tree Tavern features barbecue, burgers, beer and sandwiches in a classic mountain structure, the old North Face Inn. 10755 Cooper Spur Road, off Hwy. 35.
Heading Back to Portland
The Skyway Bar and Grill is a funky Zig Zag establishment owned by a pair of artists, with creative decor, live music, drinks and delicious pulled pork. Driver’s right, 71545 Hwy 26, milepost 45.
Wraptitude sells healthy delicious wraps, espresso and smoothies. Driver’s right, 67441 E. Highway 26. Welches, OR 9706, 503-622-0893, milepost 41.
The Rendezvous Grill and Tap Room offers scratch soups, grass-fed beef and savory chantrelle mushroom dishes, plus a sizable selection of local beers and Oregon wines. Driver’s right, milepost 40, 67149 E. Hwy. 26.
El Burro Loco is an affordable Mexican option that has grown quite popular with shred regularos. Same turn as the Rendezvous, Driver’s right, milepost 40, 67149 E. Hwy. 26.
The Whistle Stop Bar & Grill is a local burger and steak joint with friendly staff and a a relaxed vibe. Driver’s left, milepost 39, 66674 E. Hwy. 26. Definitely not gourmet cuisine.
The Ivy Bear (pictured below) is a laid-back, inexpensive skier-owned pizzeria that uses 72-hour slow-fermented dough and Willamette Valley cheeses. Plus it’s got a 40-foot bear out front and a cool old rail car in the back. Driver’s right, 54735 E. Hwy. 26.
The Sandy River Brewery is a relaxing lodge with pub grub and fine ales. 38773 Proctor Bld., just off Hwy. 26 on driver’s right, just before the town of Sandy.
Tratoria Sapori is an independent Italian restaurant in the heart of Sandy with hearty, home-style meals. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Driver’s right, 39261 Proctor, Sandy.
Thai Home is the nearest Thai restaurant to Mount Hood, and tom kha gai tastes really good after a day on the mountain. In the heart of Sandy, driver’s right, 38676 Pioneer.
Heading Back to Hood River
Apple Valley BBQ in Parkdale has plenty of hearty options and a friendly, casual atmosphere. Take the left off 35 into Parkdale and it will be on your right.
Another place worth checking out in Parkdale is Solera Brewery, with an amazing view of the mountain’s North Face from the back patio and an interesting selection of brews and snacks. Right across the street from Apple Valley BBQ in Parkdale, just off 35.
Down in Hood River, the Full Sail Brewery Tasting Room and Pub is one of Oregon’s original craft breweries, a significant sponsor of Mount Hood events and a classic meeting place. Fresh brews, pub fare and sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge. 506 Columbia Street, Hood River.
Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom (pictured below) is just around the corner from Full Sail, and it has become quite the center for the Gorge outdoor community, with comfortable seating, casual dining, a huge selection of beers and live music. 8 4th Street, Hood River.
Did we miss your favorite spot?
Feel free to add a comment about your experience at any of these establishments. Or contact the editors directly with suggestions tor expanding or improving our list of dining and drinking options on and around Mount Hood.
Last modified: June 17, 2013
