WhirLocal Salem

(129 reviews)

Salem, Oregon 97304
503-877-1330


When the weather warms up, there’s no better time to enjoy a meal outside! If you’re looking for a place to eat downtown in Salem, Oregon, there’s a long list of restaurants with outdoor seating options.

Note: Some outdoor seating arrangements are seasonal, so be sure to call ahead depending on the time of year.

Table of Contents:

Ritter’s Eatery
Venti’s Cafe & Beer Vault
Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering
Archive Coffee & Bar
The Cozy Taberna
Taproot Lounge & Cafe
Mykie’s Bar & Lounge
Noble Wave
Cascadia Pizza Co.
Fork Forty Food Hall
Azul’s Taco House & La Familia Cider
Masonry Grill
W. Wallace
Amadeus Restaurant
Gamberetti’s Italian Restaurant
Happy Bibimbap House
The Easy Otter
Valiant the Sandwich
Precious Pizza
La Vida Catrina


Ritter’s Eatery

Ritter’s Eatery is known for their housemade foods crafted with PNW-inspired ingredients. As a family-owned restaurant with welcoming neighborhood vibes, Ritter’s is a popular spot for lunch, dinner, or casual social gatherings.

Venti’s Cafe + Beer Vault

Venti’s Cafe in downtown Salem has been a local favorite since 1996. The cafe offers a range of dishes, from internationally-inspired bowls and salads to delicious sandwiches and burgers. Their outdoor patio is large and ready for you and your friends to stop by for a bite!

Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering

Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering is known for their Northwest cuisine that highlights seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Centrally located in the historic downtown district, Wild Pear is a great stop for food while exploring Salem.

Archive Coffee & Bar

Archive Coffee & Bar offers a mix of specialty coffee, innovative cocktails, and a full food menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a variety of great outdoor seating options, including barstools, picnic-table-style community seating, and booth seating.

The Cozy Taberna

Tucked into the Electric Alley, The Cozy Taberna brings a delicious taste of Spain to downtown Salem. This spot is known for flavorful shared plates, a lively cocktail bar, and and a Spanish-inspired wine list. When the weather’s nice, they open their garage-style doors for a seamless indoor-outdoor seating flow.

Taproot Lounge & Cafe

Taproot Lounge & Cafe offers a vibrant and earth-friendly dining experience in downtown Salem. Their comfortable atmosphere (indoors and out), friendly staff, and delicious menu makes it an ideal spot for any meal or social gathering.

Mykie’s Bar & Lounge

Mykie’s Bar & Lounge is one of downtown Salem’s newest spots to kick back and have some fun. Located in the former Victory Club space, Mykie’s has a relaxed sports bar atmosphere with a variety of brews on tap, game area, and photo booth. Their patio seating in the alley is a great place to enjoy a drink outdoors, and with a lineup of weekly events like karaoke, comedy nights, and live music, there’s always something happening.

Noble Wave

Noble Wave brings the flavors of Louisiana to the Pacific Northwest. With dishes like fried alligator, po’boys, and Cajun-style gumbo, Noble Wave is a must-visit spot for a taste of the South in Salem. Their picnic table seating is perfect for a night out with friends or Sunday brunch!

Cascadia Pizza Co.

Cascadia Pizza Co., in the former Basil & Board space, is known for their mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas. This restaurant offers an open-air rooftop dining experience and features a cozy mix of community seating, tables and chairs, and bar seating. The Rooftop can accommodate up to 75 guests, which is perfect for larger parties or events.

Fork Forty Food Hall

Fork Forty—Salem’s first food hall—brings together six Salem restaurants under one roof. In addition to the food, Fork Forty is also the home of The Best Goose bar. Bring your friends and family and get one of everything!

Azul’s Taco House & La Familia Cider

Azul’s Taco House and La Familia Cider share a beautiful space in downtown Salem, pairing incredible tacos and refreshing craft ciders (inspired by traditional Mexican aguas fresca). With a shared outdoor patio, it’s easy to settle in and enjoy the best of both locally-owned companies.

Masonry Grill

Masonry Grill provides a wonderful dining experience with a variety of dishes crafted by Chef Sam Woodward. Their covered patio is a common destination for an outdoor lunch, dinner, or casual evening out.

W. Wallace

W. Wallace creates a dynamic dining and drinking experience in a stylish, relaxed atmosphere. Known for their expertly crafted cocktails and intentional menu, W. Wallace is committed to using fresh, high-quality, in-season ingredients. The exceptional service and inviting ambiance—complete with outdoor seating under warm string lights—make W. Wallace a perfect spot for a night out or a casual gathering.

Amadeus Restaurant

Amadeus Restaurant, a family-owned contemporary American eatery, strives to exceed expectations in both their food and their service. Menu highlights include the bruschetta pizza, chicken schnitzel, and family-recipe tiramisu. The restaurant takes reservations and has a few bistro tables for outdoor seating!

Gamberetti’s Italian Restaurant

Gamberetti’s Italian Restaurant in Pringle Park Plaza serves up Italian fine dining made with fresh, local ingredients. Their spacious (and heated) outdoor patio is a great spot to enjoy pasta, salads, seafood, wine, and more in the fresh air.

Happy Bibimbap House

Happy Bibimbap House is known for their authentic Korean cuisine with a menu that includes popular dishes like Korean BBQ, bulgogi, and—you guessed it—bibimbap. Experience the burst of flavor from their delicious dishes and house-made kimchi. For those who enjoy dining outdoors, Happy Bibimbap House provides picnic tables and greenery for a lovely al fresco experience.

The Easy Otter

The Easy Otter brings Southern-inspired flavors to Salem, with a focus on chicken-based dishes that pack a punch. The combination of crispy chicken with tasty toppings and sauces will teleport you to your happy place. When the weather warms up, outdoor seating season begins.

Valiant the Sandwich

Valiant the Sandwich is known for their bold and unique sandwiches. Their menu features signature items like the Coxstolsoy Cheesesteak, Cubano But Like Tampa, The Other Roast Beef, and the tantalizing Big Val SmashBurger. Menu items are subject to change (not to mention those special non-menu items that you have to try before they sell out).

Precious Pizza

Precious Pizza offers small batch Grandma-style pan pizza made with fresh ingredients and cooked in the highest quality olive oil. You can order full pies as well as pizza by the slice. In addition to classic flavors like cheese and pepperoni, they also create specialty pies made with ingredients like figs, peaches, and even elote. Grab a slice and eat it outside at their picnic tables!

La Vida Catrina

Just a few blocks north of central downtown is La Vida Catrina, who serves up delicious Mexican dishes made to order using the freshest ingredients. Come enjoy the next sunny day with a sizzling meal or refreshing margarita on their patio!

We love that Salem has so many options when it comes to eating outdoors! Next time you’re headed downtown for food, check out one of these great local restaurants.

Elyssa at WhirLocal

About the Author

Elyssa Henry is the Content Director for WhirLocal Salem and has been with the company since 2015. Born and raised in Salem, she has a passion for supporting local businesses and fostering community connections. Elyssa loves using her skills to highlight the best of what Salem has to offer and is dedicated to creating content that reflects the heart of the community.

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