Food

CULINARY CREATIONS

In Corvallis, the choices are endless when it comes to tantalizing food that will leave you feeling satisfied and quenched. Over the years the region has become rich with culinary creations, from internationally inspired bakeries and desserts to savory brewpubs and options for a classy night out for a special occasion. Corvallis is much more than a college town when it comes to dining options, and with so many farms and regional producers in the area, restaurants are blessed with fresh ingredients and local fixings. Good food is the heart of a good trip to the Corvallis area, and it’s also a great way to fill up your itinerary for the day. Here’s just one appetizing game plan for a day of great food in Benton County.

Breakfast

The Dizzy Hen in Philomath, about a ten minute drive down Highway 20 from downtown Corvallis, has food so tasty it’ll make your head spin. Here you’ll find a menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, with specific offerings changing by the week. For breakfast, go light with morning buns, scones or Danishes, or, dive in with a ham, carmelized onion and cheddar omelet. This spot also serves mimosas and bloody marys, and has a kids menu.

The Dizzy Hen del Alma

Lunch

Refuel after your morning activities with Eats & Treats Cafe, also in Philomath. This restaurant offers a dedicated gluten-free menu and “just darn good food” according to the eatery’s website. The owners, the McHenry family, first learned in 2007 that all the members of the family were gluten intolerant, inspiring them first to open Big River Grains, a gluten-free grain and flour company, followed by Eats & Treats Cafe in 2012. The eclectic menu offers a range of barbecue plates and meals, breads (yes, breads) and house-made sauces, as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos, nachos and more. It’s got all the options for a meal on the breakfast or lunch side of brunch.

Dinner

Finish the day with del Alma Restaurant & Bar in downtown Corvallis, where guests will find an elegant, yet inviting, dining room. Enjoy a menu of dishes inspired by Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain, with farm fresh ingredients from around the Northwest. Pick something from the long wine list and settle in for your meal. Try the bacon guacamole with hazelnuts or tequila prawns as an appetizer and main dishes including black bean and sweet potato chimichangas as well as albacore and prawns in crème.

Eats and Treats Cafe

Death by Donutz

DESSERT FIRST

From donuts to chocolates, to Chinese, French and Mexican pastries, it’s hard to wait for dessert in Corvallis. Be sure to budget enough time and appetite on your next visit to try at least a few of these sweet culinary creations. Here are seven of the tastiest treat shops in town.

Benny’s Donuts

Benny’s Donuts believes in the whole donut experience. Expect hot, fresh and fancy varieties including Oregon marionberry & chocolate drizzle, Willamette strawberry, blue lotus masala chai or the cookie monster. Also look for limited availability seasonal favorites and pack together a box of a dozen choices to take on the go.

Burst’s Chocolates

During the Great Depression, Rhea Burst decided, “What we could use in this town is a handmade chocolate shop.” Over eighty years later, Burst’s Chocolates resides in the same location on Madison Avenue. It’s a can’t-miss gourmet shop offering truffles, nut caramel clusters and ganaches. Each treat is enrobed in fine Guittard chocolate (that’s the good stuff) and hand-garnished at the downtown shop.

Death by Donutz

Enter if you dare—or if you like fresh-baked-daily treats. Browse the day’s creations for donut varieties such as Oreo, marionberry cream cheese, dirty dave (Oreos and peanut butter), mocha or caramel apple crumble. Arrive early to be sure you get some of the limited supply of donuts.

Le Patissier

A little nook in north Corvallis holds a French bakery with a name that translates to “the confectioner.” Opened in 2005, Le Patissier is still serving up sweet and savory treats more than fifteen years later. Try the layered pastries, apple tarts, turnovers and mouth-watering chocolate croissants. Burst ’s Chocolates

New Morning Bakery

Count on New Morning Bakery all day to enjoy artisan pastries, cakes, bars, cookies and more from their display case. Or, start your day sweet by trying the hazelnut pancakes with marionberry syrup—an Oregon-inspired breakfast treat.

Pilos Bakery

For freshly baked breads, spices, sweet pan dulce and custom baked cakes, head to Pilos. Try a concha, a sweet Mexican bread roll, or a dense and sweet tres leches cake.

Sweet Heart Dessert

Try traditional Chinese pastries at Sweet Heart Dessert. These creations use less sugar than typical American desserts, and include treats like matcha or strawberry crepe cakes, chocolate buns and pork floss pastries. Pair a pastry with Chinese bubble tea and enjoy the cute and bright décor at this stop just north of downtown Corvallis.