The Oregon Coast offers hundreds of places to eat, but when it comes to restaurants in Depoe Bay, Oregon, be sure to stop at Tidal Raves.
Living so close to the Oregon Coast is such a blessing. We love being able to simply pick up on a whim and drive the hour and a half west to feel the sand in our toes, inhale that amazing sea air, and have daily life's worries almost immediately washed away with every wave of the mighty Pacific Ocean in our gaze. And when our path leads to Depoe Bay, we always stop at Tidal Raves restaurant.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Tidal Raves Restaurant
Let's start with the view.
That, the friends, is the absolutely STUNNING view of the Pacific Ocean crashing against the high cliffs and jagged rocks of Depoe Bay. We took this photo from the seat at our table in Tidal Raves. The restaurant is located right on the west side of Highway 101, facing the Pacific Ocean, and the owners have quite wisely designed the building with large windows to give you unobstructed views.
While much of the Oregon Coast consists of sandy beaches for miles, Depoe Bay, in the central coast, is known for its high cliffs, where large waves crash mightily on the rocks to give visitors a good show. It's also a great spot for whale watching, by the way.
And while We honestly could stare at this view all day long, nourishment must happen, and Tidal Raves excels at that too. Here's a look at our most recent meal at Tidal Raves.
Appetizers
When on the Oregon Coast, there are two classic starters that you must have, and Tidal Raves executes each beautifully: clam chowder, and fried calamari.
Cup of clam chowder ($5)
Crispy Calamari – quick fried light and crispy, served with Saigon sauce ($9.50)
Kids menu
While Tidal Raves does not advertise their kids' menu, and it is difficult to decipher from existing online reviews on sites like Yelp whether or not Tidal Raves truly is kid-friendly or not, rest assured: it is. There were lots of families here, with children of ALL ages, and the wait staff were great with our kids.
We've decided to post the Tidal Raves Kids' Menu here to help out the fellow parents. Show this to your kiddos before you go to help put their picky eating anxieties at ease; We am fairly certain even the pickiest of little eaters can find something they will enjoy (or at least try) here.
The kids had the grilled cheese and the chicken strips, and loved both. The portions were great: not hugely overwhelming, but definitely worth the price you pay for them.
Entrees
Tidal Raves offers some of the coastal classic entrees, such as fish and chips and fish tacos. You'll also find a green curry seafood dish, which is unique to the area, and options for non-seafood guests as well, such as the vegetable stir-fry or the grilled polenta.
We ordered the Coconut Shrimp – lightly crusted with coconut, served with steamed rice, Asian slaw and ginger-orange sauce ($19). The shrimp was, true to the description, lightly fried which was a nice change from some of the heavy handed coating job that some restaurants do. We loved the ginger-orange sauce, and along with the Asian slaw, each bite was a delight.
The husband ordered the Herb Crusted Rockfish with shrimp-caper sauce and smoked salmon potato cake ($19). We found the capers to be more subtle, which is nice because they can easily overpower seafood dishes. The rockfish was also nicely lightly crusted, and the fresh tomatoes and zucchini added a lovely crunch.
Desserts
No matter how cliche the dessert may be, We can't resist a quality tiramisu.
The Tidal Raves version of tiramisu is heavy on the cream mixture (a big rare treat for me since We truly shouldn't have dairy), and combined with a thin sponge cake layer versus traditional ladyfingers. What We love the most about this tiramisu version is the addition of chopped chocolate chips on top and drizzle of caramel. A sweet way to end a fabulous meal.
What to wear
This is the Oregon Coast, and guests are arriving here straight from beach activities, whale watching, and hiking. Therefore, anything honestly goes. You'll feel simply as comfortable dressing up a little for a special occasion dinner here in a summer dress as you will in your hiking clothes.
As you can see, the restaurant is casual but the food is sophisticated. It's a wonderful place to take the family if you're vacationing on the Oregon Coast and want something a little more special than cooking dinner in your hotel kitchenette or vacation home kitchen, and heartier than a quick stop at one of the local burger or pizza joints. The prices are higher than the average coastal restaurants, but the food, the view (OH that VIEW!), and the experience is well worth it.
