Among the boundless list of things to do in Central Oregon, there are ample food and drink establishments dotting cities end-to-end. With so many options, finding a tasty place to fill up might be one of the easiest parts of a trip. But dig a little deeper, and visitors will find eateries and watering holes that are deviating from the norm, getting innovative and offering something a bit different. Excellent food is part of the program, as is ambiance, history and culture. These restaurants offer an allure for visitors to not only satisfy their taste buds, but to have an experience that is exceptional.
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Yoli in Bend
The story behind Bend’s Yoli Korean restaurant begins with Chef Joe Kim, who made a name for himself during more than 12 years in Bend kitchens, including 10 years at downtown’s 5 Fusion Sushi & Bar, where he worked as chef and his wife, Laura Kim, managed the front of the house. The Kims left 5 Fusion in early 2022, and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Joe Kim began working as a sous chef. It wasn’t long, however, before the Kims were headed back to Bend for a fresh start, and with a dream to open a new restaurant that reflected Joe Kim’s own Korean culture and heritage. Thus, Yoli was born.
After moving back and noticing a lack of Korean food in the Central Oregon area, the Kims made the leap to fill this void. With these endeavors, they hope to “show that Korean cuisine is as important and wonderful as every other cuisine in the world and to erase some of the stereotypes and hesitations people may have about trying Korean cuisine,” Joe Kim said.
When diners step into Yoli, they are greeted by an intimate setting of 10 tables which mirrors the ambiance the Kims set out to achieve, focusing more on the quality and experience at the restaurant as opposed to the volume of customers. “The décor of Yoli is meant to represent modern Korean décor in its simplicity and welcoming warmth; we wanted a restaurant where the community can enjoy a casual meal but also see that Korean cuisine can be your elegant special occasion meal,” he said. Here, visitors will find a menu of traditional Korean cuisine, including popular dish Ssam—chili sauces, protein, Korean miso and fresh lettuce. The lunch menu is a stepping stone into traditional Korean food culture, and the dinner menu is focused on more complex, modern Korean dishes that feel a bit more like fine dining.
The innovative spirit of bringing a sense of heritage to each dish is not lost on each visitor. “The team at Yoli wants people to [leave] feeling that they have enjoyed something that they cannot find anywhere else in Oregon both in the cuisine and the experience,” Laura Kim said.
M’s Bakery in Bend
Local cottage baker M’s Bakery opened its doors inside the Old Mill District in early 2025. It serves Mexican-influenced pastries and baked goods, alongside its popular sourdough loaves and breads. This is the first brick-and-mortar space for M’s Bakery, which also serves coffee and wines from Mexico, along with breakfast and lunch offerings. M’s Bakery is open daily from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm.
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The Barn in Sisters
When looking for variety, or trying to figure out where to eat with an indecisive stomach, The Barn in Sisters is a delicious answer. Daniel St Lawrence said he was inspired to establish The Barn after owning and operating his mobile food truck, Boone Dog Pizza, and wanting a permanent home for it. After that, he and his family and friends joined forces to create a stunning building that stuck to the Western-style of Sisters but has a contemporary feel. “The ambiance of The Barn is rustic, quality, spacious [and] authentically Western,” St Lawrence said. “We wanted to make intimate spaces for people to find a nook to cozy up into to feel like they were able to get away from the business of life and enjoy the beautiful space that we created.”
At The Barn, visitors will find food trucks surrounding the charming outdoor space, serving Mexican cuisine, barbeque and pizza, along with gluten-free and vegan options. Inside, find seating and a bar serving up beer, wine and craft cocktails that rotate seasonally. “We are the parents of two young children and really appreciate the flexibility and fun atmosphere that [food truck gatherings] provide,” St Lawrence said about the conception of The Barn.
Although the tap list at The Barn changes often, some local names found here are Crux, Van Henion, and Bend Cider. The dynamic energy at The Barn goes well beyond food and drink. The venue plays host to sculptures, artwork and live music two to three times a week. St Lawrence said that they are working on recording live shows available for download called The Barn Sessions. “Ultimately we would like to expand our food offerings so that we continue to support the local farmers more and more, and feed our community with the food that is grown here in Central Oregon. Too often that is the missing link when I eat out at restaurants,” St Lawrence said.
Terra Kitchen at the SCP Redmond Hotel
If you’re trying to keep it light without sacrificing flavor, see what’s new at Terra Kitchen—the in-house restaurant at SCP Redmond Hotel. Terra Kitchen bills itself as a “plant-forward” eatery that leans heavily on locally grown ingredients (some picked fresh from the hotel’s rooftop garden) and finds inspiration in coastal Mediterranean cuisine; while it changes all the time, the menu might include stuffed cabbage, eggplant tagine, and paella valenciana.
