Guidebook for Salem
Food Scene
Artisan coffee shop with a few great sandwiches, and night life (bar and music) for around the clock appeal.
12 locals recommend
The Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters
471 Court St NEArtisan coffee shop with a few great sandwiches, and night life (bar and music) for around the clock appeal.
Lunch spot, usually crowded. Go for their Butternut Squash soup, variety of salads. Fresh American and Asian fusion dishes. Open 10:30-6:30, Closed on Sundays.
34 locals recommend
Wild Pear
372 State StLunch spot, usually crowded. Go for their Butternut Squash soup, variety of salads. Fresh American and Asian fusion dishes. Open 10:30-6:30, Closed on Sundays.
Great American food with a slight Southern accent. Informal. Daily specials. Good choice of reasonable wines. Fresh ice cream. Sunday brunch all day. Closed on Mondays.
12 locals recommend
ACME Cafe
110 Hansen Ave SGreat American food with a slight Southern accent. Informal. Daily specials. Good choice of reasonable wines. Fresh ice cream. Sunday brunch all day. Closed on Mondays.
Best with a few people to try a variety of Tapas. This downtown place is fun and usually hopping.
Andaluz Tapas Bar
130 High St SEBest with a few people to try a variety of Tapas. This downtown place is fun and usually hopping.
Locally owned Mexican restaurant with inexpensive food, drink specials, and a good variety.
8 locals recommend
La Margarita Rest and Grill
545 Ferry St SELocally owned Mexican restaurant with inexpensive food, drink specials, and a good variety.
Chinese, European and Gluten-free menus. For lunch try the fish with creamy lemon sauce.
8 locals recommend
Marco Polo Global Restaurant
300 Liberty St SEChinese, European and Gluten-free menus. For lunch try the fish with creamy lemon sauce.
Sokol Blosser Winery
5000 NE Sokol Blosser LnLovely location, very good wine.
The Original Pancake House
4656 Commercial St SEOld fashioned breakfast that is solidly good, and very well patronized.
Sugar Sugar
335 State StCharming sweet shop with candy and really exceptional cupcakes.
Amadeus Restaurant
135 Liberty St NENice lunch spot, with curbside tables on warm days.
Ribs and more, near Willamette U. Much better than you'd expect.
Adam's Rib Smoke House - State Street
1210 State StRibs and more, near Willamette U. Much better than you'd expect.
Variety of dining options--vegetarian friendly. Tends toward the spicy. Craft beers. There is a second location downtown.
12 locals recommend
Venti's Cafe + Taphouse
2840 Commercial St SEVariety of dining options--vegetarian friendly. Tends toward the spicy. Craft beers. There is a second location downtown.
Gerry Frank's Konditorei
310 Kearney St SEIndulgent baked goods, coffee, and restaurant.
Housemade Brick Oven Pizza, Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers
Ice Cream, Wine, Beer & Craft Cocktails. Website: www.ritterseatery.com.
32 locals recommend
Ritter's Housemade Foods
102 Liberty St NEHousemade Brick Oven Pizza, Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers
Ice Cream, Wine, Beer & Craft Cocktails. Website: www.ritterseatery.com.
Open Thursday through Sunday--check the hours on their website: www.rogerthatbbq.com/. Cult following BBQ.
Roger That BBQ
1492 Brush College Rd NWOpen Thursday through Sunday--check the hours on their website: www.rogerthatbbq.com/. Cult following BBQ.
Parks & Nature
Great walking by the Willamette river. We have spotted wild swans and hawks there.
60 locals recommend
Minto-Brown Island Park
2200 Minto Island Rd SWGreat walking by the Willamette river. We have spotted wild swans and hawks there.
Bush's Pasture Park
890 Mission St SEGreat for a stroll under mature oaks.
Essentials
Good, friendly store with local wines, gourmet cheeses, takeout food, soup bar and bakery.
12 locals recommend
Roth's Fresh Markets
4555 Liberty Rd SGood, friendly store with local wines, gourmet cheeses, takeout food, soup bar and bakery.
Natural foods, flowers, good takeout food and bread. Small, friendly, very good quality.
14 locals recommend
LifeSource Natural Foods
2649 Commercial St SENatural foods, flowers, good takeout food and bread. Small, friendly, very good quality.
Fitts Seafoods
1555 12th St SEGreat seafood. Only independent fish market in Salem.
Arts & Culture
Oregon State Capitol
900 Court St NEWillamette University
900 State StThe Hattie Ford Museum is a little jewel. See what's on!
Salem Art Association - Bush Barn Art Center
600 Mission St SENice to see what's on in the park.
Shopping
Former woolen mill, repurposed as an arts center with cafe.
29 locals recommend
Willamette Heritage Center
1313 Mill St SEFormer woolen mill, repurposed as an arts center with cafe.
Beautiful drive in the country, about 40 minutes through farmland and small towns to a fantastic plant nursery. Well, it is where gardeners like to shop...
Dancing Oaks Nursery and Gardens
17900 Priem RdBeautiful drive in the country, about 40 minutes through farmland and small towns to a fantastic plant nursery. Well, it is where gardeners like to shop...
Nordstrom, Chico's, Made in Oregon, Verizon, Macy's, Kohl's and a whole lot of other stores.
21 locals recommend
Salem Center
401 Center St NENordstrom, Chico's, Made in Oregon, Verizon, Macy's, Kohl's and a whole lot of other stores.
Last of the real office supply stores, and fun to poke around in. Want a disposable fountain pen? They have them in several colors of ink.
Cooke Stationery Co
370 State StLast of the real office supply stores, and fun to poke around in. Want a disposable fountain pen? They have them in several colors of ink.
New and Used--an independent bookstore with a cat in residence. Near Governor's Cup--perfect!
10 locals recommend
The Book Bin
450 Court St NENew and Used--an independent bookstore with a cat in residence. Near Governor's Cup--perfect!
Drinks & Nightlife
Archive Coffee & Bar
102 Liberty St NEOf the moment coffee bar and alcohol bar.
Entertainment & Activities
Classic Black and White movies on Wednesday nights. Check their website.
17 locals recommend
Elsinore Theatre
170 High St SEClassic Black and White movies on Wednesday nights. Check their website.