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Eat & Drink in Salem, Oregon: Local Magazine

Your local magazine for Eat & Drink in Salem, Oregon. Essential guides, plus 311 local places and 119,677 reviews.

Community Spotlight

Local Bakeries in the Salem, Oregon Area (2026)

There’s a certain kind of comfort that comes with walking into a local bakery. The smell of warm bread, butter, sugar, cinnamon, and coffee tends to hit you first, then you start looking at the case, and suddenly the one thing you came in for turns into a box of goodies. Around Salem, that might mean croissants, pan dulce, cannoli, kolaches, cupcakes, sweet breads, whole-grain breads, or a custom cake for something worth celebrating. We rounded up some local bakeries that make those everyday stops feel a little more special.

WhirLocal Salem · Sep 21, 2026 · 15 min read

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Community Spotlights

Sep 8, 2026
WhirLocal Salem

Sports Bars and Game-Day Spots in Salem, Oregon

Sometimes watching from the couch just doesn’t cut it. Salem has plenty of good game-day spots, whether you want to watch with fellow fans or just need a place that has the right channel. We rounded up some local favorites so you can find the right place for the next kickoff, tipoff, first pitch, or big game.

14 min read Read
Jul 27, 2026
WhirLocal Salem

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Salem, Oregon (2026)

Looking for a family-friendly place to eat in Salem, Oregon? Our updated guide highlights local restaurants for casual breakfasts, pizza nights, food-cart variety, rainy-day activities, outdoor outings, celebrations, and meals with different dietary needs.

12 min read Read

Recent Reviews in Salem

  • Best Little Roadhouse logo

    Best Little Roadhouse

    Posted on WhirLocal

    Tori is AMAZING

    We had an amazing experience, and a huge part of that was thanks to our waitress, Tori! We had a LARGE party with several kids and some goofy, silly adults, and she handled all of us like an absolute champ! 😂❤️ Tori was so friendly, patient, and engaging with everyone at the table. She didn’t just take our order and walk away—she genuinely interacted with us, made us feel welcome, and kept up with our big, lively group with such a wonderful attitude. Serving a large party is no easy task, especially when kids and playful adults are involved, but she made the entire experience enjoyable! It’s not every day you come across someone who can handle a crowd like ours while still making everyone feel special. Tori truly went above and beyond, and she deserves recognition for the incredible job she did. If we come back, we would absolutely love to have her as our waitress again! Thank you, Tori, for making our experience so memorable! You are amazing at what you do! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Liandra P. All reviews

  • Encore Restaurant

    Posted on WhirLocal

    The absolute best in Salem

    This is by far the greatest restaurant that has ever been to Salem. Rudy’s isn’t even missed when these guys are in town. We have brought many friends to this place and all have had fantastic experiences. Please I beg you to give this restaurant a try.

    John A. All reviews

  • Applebee's Grill + Bar

    Posted on Google

    We usually prefer small local restaurants, but this Applebee’s has become one of our go to spots! Everything we’ve tried has been really good and we’ve never left disappointed. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Even though it’s a chain, this location has a comfortable, family feel. The sign says “Neighborhood Applebee’s” and that’s exactly what it feels like!

    JM All reviews

  • The Human Bean

    Posted on Google

    I don’t know the girls name that was working yesterday, around 1pm, but she was SO nice!! I didn’t know what to order and she was so helpful and my drink tasted so good

    Qiana Campbell All reviews

  • The Governor's Cup Coffee Roasters

    Posted on Google

    The breakfast bagels here are awesome, as is the cold brew. I just wish they would turn on Bitcoin payments on their Square payment terminal like millions of other Square merchants. Customer pays in Bitcoin, merchant receives USD and saves on zero credit card fees.

    Rad Carney All reviews

  • Flower Crush LLC

    Posted on WhirLocal

    A superb addition to downtown Salem

    Tucked into the heart of downtown Salem, this new coffee shop boutique is a true gem, an inviting space where creativity, comfort, and community come together beautifully. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with the aroma of handcrafted soup, coffee, specialty syrups and thoughtfully crafted teas, each made with care and intention. Their homemade soups are deeply comforting, perfect for a cozy lunch or a slow afternoon pause. What truly sets this space apart, though, is the seamless blend of art, Flowers and atmosphere, local and original artwork adds soul to every corner, making the space feel both inspiring and grounded. It’s the kind of place where you linger a little longer, savoring not just what’s served, but the warmth and creativity that fill the room. Downtown Salem is better for it, and this boutique is well worth a visit and many returns!

    Michael C. All reviews

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