The city of Prineville was founded in 1870 and is today the oldest city in Central Oregon. The modern-day community of nearly 12,000 residents pays tribute to the past with a historical museum, Old West-inspired decor, vintage shops all around town, and other fun attractions. Visitors looking further afield, meanwhile, find that Prineville makes an idyllic getaway to the likes of the Painted Hills, Steins Pillar, and the Ochoco National Forest—one of many stately forests in Central Oregon.
Whether your own adventures take you across town or across the farm-covered landscapes at Prineville’s doorstep, a great meal can help fuel up for a busy day and help you unwind from an epic outing. So to help make the most of your next trip, we’ve put together a guide to the best restaurants in Prineville, Oregon:
Food Truck Pods in Prineville
Prineville’s food truck scene offers a wonderful range of options—from comfort classics like burgers and fish and chips at Wild Ride Brewing, to internationally inspired bites at Corral Tap Room & Food Carts, and hearty options like BBQ or teriyaki at Creekside Food Trucks Pod. Visit any of these locations for a prime combination of quality craft beer, delicious food options, and dog-friendly vibes.
Mexican Food in Prineville
A handful of sit-down, family-friendly Mexican eateries dot the city and are among the best restaurants in Prineville, Oregon.
At the western edge of the city, Ranchero Grill dazzles with a food menu that includes fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, and appetizing entrées; it all goes down well with Ranchero’s flavorful margaritas. Just north of downtown, Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant in Prineville serves all your family-style favorites—along with steak dishes, seafood items, and vegetarian cuisine—for dine in and take out. If you’d rather grab a quick bite, Tacos Toledo Mi Tiendita specializes in street tacos, tortas, chile rellenos, and other grab-and-go items that are both portable and filling.
Things to Check Out While Visiting Prineville
From other iconic restaurants to outdoor activities, here are a few suggestions for when you visit Prineville, Oregon.
Sit-down restaurants: We’ve already passed along several great stops, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t shout out a few more delectable places to eat in Prineville, Oregon. Dillon’s Grill is popular with locals, thanks to an extensive craft beer selection, perfectly cooked barbecue dishes, and filling burgers. If you’re jonesing for a steak, you’re in luck: Prineville is home to two outstanding steakhouses. Barney Prine’s Steakhouse & Saloon prides itself on serving hand-cut, USDA meats and a menu of fresh seafood favorites, while Club Pioneer has been serving top-quality steaks, seafood, and classic cocktails since 1942.
Prineville Reservoir: Four seasons of outdoor activities await at Prineville Reservoir—including boating, camping, hiking, stargazing, and wildlife-watching. Learn more with our guide to Prineville Reservoir.
Ochoco National Forest: The 845,500-acre Ochoco National Forest sprawls out across meadows, forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and more at the eastern border of Prineville, hosting countless trails and other outdoor attractions all year long. A few popular stops within the forest include Steins Pillar (where visitors can hike to the base of a 350-foot-tall rock formation) and Big Summit Prairie (whose springtime wildflower displays are the stuff of legend).
Curious to see what else is happening in and around town? Check out our list of upcoming events in Prineville to start planning your next getaway.
