Unless you live entirely off the grid, chances are you’ve heard plenty about the Columbia Gorge and all its majestic wonder, more specifically, Hood River, Oregon. What you may not know is that just over the bridge in the state of Washington, lies an equally quaint little town called White Salmon. Located just an hour east of Portland, sitting on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River, White Salmon is one of the top destinations for whitewater rafting and kayaking.
There is but one main street that runs through town, with not even a single gas station, instead dotted with unique shops, restaurants and cafes, pubs and wine bars, literally something or everyone! There is a public library and also a city park that is the focal point for events and festivals and home to White Salmon’s Farmers Market which runs from June through September.
For a town with just over 2,500 residents, White Salmon boasts some of the best food, wine and craft brew in the Gorge! Here is everything you need to know to prepare for your weekend getaway!
White Salmon Baking Company
If you’re rolling into town on the earlier side, just off the main drag lies one of the not-so-hidden gems to land in White Salmon and my favorite spot for a latte, breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat.
Opened in 2015, the White Salmon Baking Company is without a doubt, one of the best bakeries in the state! Owners Juri Poberaj and Nina Jimenez, source their flours from small-scale Pacific Northwest mills, and boast a custom built wood fired oven. Their artisanal breads and pastries reflect the care they’ve taken to produce high quality baked goods, while other menu options showcase many of White Salmon’s local farms and orchards.
There is a small patio, as well as a large indoor seating area, perfect for catching up on some work or meeting with friends! On Monday nights, Juri and Nina host “pizza night” dinners that are not to be missed (reservations for parties of 6 or more). Pro tip—stop by early enough to grab a bag of English muffins to take home and maybe a loaf or two—the muffins sell out daily, sometimes within minutes!
WED-SUN 8:00 AM-3:00 PM
MON pizza night 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
North Shore Cafe
Just around the corner and the perfect spot for a casual brunch, is the North Shore Cafe, run by owner Amber Nelson, whom you can find behind the counter, happily chatting with her regulars! In 2012, Amber opened this cozy cafe that focuses on healthy options like fresh juice and smoothies, coffee and scones. Most of what is served here is organic and grown within 80 miles of White Salmon. I highly recommend you don’t leave without trying one of their outstanding breakfast burritos!
MON-WED 7:00 AM-2:00 PM
Everybody Brewing
Everybody’s Brewing sits on a busy street corner in the center of town, but when the business opened in 2008 with a skeleton crew of 12, Everybody’s was located down the block in a much smaller space. Co-owners Christine and Doug Ellenberger, expanded the operation in 2018 and moved into the current building, which houses more than 70 employees depending on the season!
Two team members have been with Everybody’s from the outset, which says a great deal about this beloved couple, who care deeply about their business and community. Locals agree that Everybody’s put White Salmon on the culinary map, bringing delicious, locally sourced food and innovative craft brewing to town.
It’s rare to see Everybody’s without a line of guests waiting for their names to be called, as they do not accept reservations. But not to worry, there is plenty of great beer and local wine and cider to keep everyone content until a table is ready! Aside from the large indoor dining room and bar, there is a beautiful covered deck with a fire pit and views of Mt Hood.
Live music featuring local performers is available year round on Monday evenings. The menu is upscale pub food and with it’s diverse selections, you may have trouble deciding what to order, but every choice is guaranteed to satisfy!
OPEN DAILY 11:30 AM-9:30 PM
Henni's Kitchen and Bar
Across the street, is another standout, Henni’s Kitchen and Bar and is dinner only, including an awesome Happy Hour! Chef-owner Christiaan Erasmus and his wife Sarah, focus on producing stunning, casual fine dining. Along with her father, (the two are both metalsmiths), Sarah is responsible for the beautiful copper bar and tabletops!
Opened in February 2010, with some help from Christiaan’s father Hendrick, (hence the name Henni’s) this restaurant has a passion for utilizing local farms and turning out seasonal dishes. They also have a great selection of wines and craft cocktails. While reservations are recommended, they do try to accommodate walk ins.
Grab a seat at the bar and take advantage of the Happy Hour menu, You can’t go wrong with one of their pizza offerings (see below) and a seasonal cocktail or glass of wine, usually under $20 bucks! They have specialty small plates as well, which is all very thoughtfully presented.
The staff is friendly and welcoming, and you’ll likely be sitting in the dining room with some of our very best local winemakers and small business owners, as this is a favorite date night spot!
WED-SAT Happy Hour 4:30-5:30 PM / Dinner 5:30-9:00 PM
Pizza Leona
Next door, you will find Pizza Leona, little sister to Henni’s. Here you can grab a slice or a whole pie to go as well as soft serve ice cream. They specialize in New York style pizza with a slow (48 hour) fermentation dough in a very hot oven, turning out perfectly chewy crust and fantastic toppings! In addition, there is a small retail section stocked with imports from Europe, including wines by the bottle.
WED-SAT 4:00-8:00 PM
Pixán
If you’re more interested in high end Mexican fare, you are in luck! The newest of White Salmon’s restaurants is Pixán (pē-SHan) which means soul/spirit. Pixán serves up not only tasty brunch options on Sundays but a host of specialty tacos, salsas and snacks! Their cantina is tequila and mezcal driven to compliment the menu, but you can also order beer, cider and wine. Sit at the bar or an indoor table, or perhaps order some food to go! There is also a dog-friendly patio for your furry friends!
FRI-TUES 4:00-9:00 PM
SUNDAY BRUNCH 9:00 AM-2 PM
Feast Market and Delicatessen
In what originally housed Everybody’s Brewing, sits Feast Market and Delicatessen. Feast is a neighborhood natural food store, deli, restaurant and bar all rolled into one! You’re welcome to take a seat at the bar or at one of the many tables, order pre-made options from the counter along with sandwiches to go, and/or shop for other specialty items, including local wines by the bottle. Husband and wife team Shawn and Jenessa are committed to quality, utilizing local
farmers to source their menu items. They offer espresso, and a full selection of cocktails as well as dinner service.
TUE-SAT 11:00 AM-8 PM
Now we’ve covered all the bases on where to eat, let’s talk about options for quenching your thirst as well! Everybody’s is the place to be for craft brews, but in the same stretch of town, also lies a tavern and not one, but two wine bars with a third on the way!
Le Doubblé Troubblé
Le Doubblé Troubblé or LDT tasting room, run by longtime friends Christopher Stiffler and “Tosh” Forrence (who makes their wines) opened shop in June 2018. This is a perfect spot to grab a comfortable corner with friends or sit at the bar and order a cheese plate or charcuterie board to compliment your flight or glass. They also pour featured “guest” wines that rotate occasionally, and select beer.
THURS-MON 12:00-8:00 PM
Soča Wine Shop
Situated just off Jewett Blvd, the newly opened Soča Wine Shop is White Salmon’s newest treasure! Housing a handful of barstools, a few bistro-style tables and a patio in the works, this charming space sat vacant for decades, until friends turned business partners, joined forces and began renovations. Juri and Nina (from White Salmon Baking Company) along with Bethany Kimmel bring their expertise (each is heavily entrenched in the winemaking industry) to this boutique retail shop, focused on small production imports. Order a bite to eat, a glass of wine or grab a bottle or two to take home!
THURS-SUN 12:00-8:00 PM
Tarwater Tavern
The Tarwater Tavern, a local hangout better known as the TarBar, is a friendly laid back cocktail bar, and the perfect spot to end the night after exploring the Gorge.
OPEN DAILY 4:00 PM-2 AM
If the allure of wine tasting is more your thing, you won’t have to drive very far to find some truly amazing wineries and gorgeous vineyards awaiting your arrival! Two of my favorite nearby tasting rooms, just a short drive from White Salmon, are sure to win you over!
Willow Wine Cellars
The town of Underwood, a mere eight miles from White Salmon, is now home to a handful of small production wineries, among them Willow Wine Cellars, where owners Brendan and Tarnna Simpers are involved in every aspect of their business.
Leaving his full time job in 2019, Brendan now focuses solely on the winery which is run from their home. The casual tasting areas are set around a fire pit or adjacent to the vineyard, where you will get to know their pups known to roam freely amongst the guests! You can choose to taste the wines they have available (some sell out) or purchase a bottle and grab a spot and enjoy!
Brendan and Tarnna are truly dedicated to ensuring their wines are well crafted and delicious but are also committed to ensuring you are having a great time! Reservations recommended, but walk ins welcome
FRI-SUN 12:00-5:00 PM
Syncline Winery
Just a few miles down the road in the nearby town of Lyle, is Syncline Winery, run by James and Poppie Mantone. Syncline, a biodynamic, limited production estate winery set on 17 acres, exudes a passion for Rhône and sparkling wines, and you’re very likely to taste a varietal you’re not familiar with! Aside from producing fantastic wines, the grounds are stunning and meticulously groomed.
There are pathways that lead to long tables, groupings of Adirondack chairs, and during the cooler months you can linger by the fire pit with your tasting flight or bottle purchase. Everyone here is friendly and knowledgable and you could quite easily spend the afternoon taking it all in. Members and local residents have walk-in seating options to enjoy wines by the glass or bottle in the garden, and guests are welcome by appointment.
FRI-SUN 12:00-5:00 PM
Now that we’ve walked you through all the amazing options available in White Salmon for a weekend of eating and drinking, you’ll surely need a place to stay and some daytime activities to keep to make sure you’re hungry and ready for your evening! Accomodations in and around White Salmon include a brand new upscale hotel with a ground floor wine bar and stunning views of Mt Hood, an eco-hotel, a converted schoolhouse and a lovely five-room Inn! There are plenty of airbnb options in town as well, and I’ve linked one here I think is just perfect! There is absolutely no shortage of things to do in this magical little corner of Washington state, and even if you’re visiting in the off season or white water isn’t your thing, there are a myriad of hiking and mountain biking trails in and around White Salmon to explore! Whichever you choose, there are plenty of options to get your blood pumping and take in the breathtaking scenery on your visit to the Gorge, and you won’t need to drive far to do it!
Inn at White Salmon
What was previously operated as a hotel and apartment building in the late 1930’s is now the Inn of the White Salmon. Bought in 2007, with it’s beautiful brick exterior, the Inn is a 22 room eco friendly hotel within walking distance to all the great bars and restaurants in town! Private rooms are smoke free and pet free, and each has a refrigerator, cable tv and complimentary wi-fi.
Take advantage of in-house events like wine tasting, movie nights and gallery shows, and the Columbia room which is stocked with games, books and a large screen television. Beer, wine and soft drinks are available for purchase to enjoy in your room, on the patio or in the garden. A shuttle service is available from PDX by appointment.
Ruby June Inn
The newest darling to grace White Salmon, is Ruby June Inn. This delightful Inn and wine lounge sits directly across from the White Salmon River. Owners Chris and Gretchen Wiggins relocated from Bainbridge Island to renovate in September 2019, and opened their doors to guests in 2020. Each of the five tastefully designed guest rooms (with a sixth in the works) include a private entrance and bath.
On the property are several communal spots for guests to gather and unwind, including a patio, a large fire pit area and the 1890’s “IceHouse”, replete with vintage art and antiques from local shops. During the Summer months, Chris and Gretchen host a chefs collective multi-course dinner series, with optional wine pairings curated from around the globe! These dinners have been wildly successful and will now be expanding beyond the Summer season.
Society Hotel
Set against a mountainous backdrop, just two miles away in the town of Bingen, is the Society Hotel which opened in the Spring of 2019 after a year and a half of renovations. A converted schoolhouse, once inside the lobby, you’ll find a gorgeous communal space that contains a fireplace, shelves of books and plenty of seating to work, relax or enjoy a cup of coffee or a drink from the bar.
In the center of the courtyard is the resort style spa with its indoor saline soaking pool, cold plunge, a sauna and a 104 degree outdoor hot tub/pool. For the ultimate treat, you may want to take advantage of the massage services. The hotel has 10 private accommodations including larger, more spacious cabins and two hostel-style 24 unit bunk beds for the budget traveler!
Magic PNW Airbnb
Prefer to have access to a kitchen unit while in town? Maybe an Airbnb better suits your needs! Perfect for immersing yourself in your immediate surroundings, this adorable two-room studio, just a couple short blocks from the center of town, offers not only a private entrance, full kitchen, hardwood floors and Smart tv, but also an outdoor shower and shared backyard sauna!
Owners Rob Lutgens and Julie Burgmeier are active members of the White Salmon community and have put their own special touches on this intimate space that you are sure to revisit and tell your friends about!
Iconica Hotel
Due to open phase one in Spring 2023, the Iconica Hotel is the brainchild of Tao Berman, whose love for architecture and his hometown, fueled him to create this truly authentic experience here in White Salmon. Phase one will include 16 suites ranging from studio to penthouse, all with a full kitchen and contactless check in/out. An open-air rooftop for socializing and taking in the sweeping views of the Columbia River and Mt Hood add to the luxury of this stunning new development, as well as plans to host wine tastings for both guests and locals.
hoteliconica@gmail.com
Catherine Creek
One of the most popular is hiking trails is the Catherine Creek Recreation Area, just a 10 minute drive from the center of White Salmon. Open year round, the Catherine Creek Arch Loop is an easy 1.9 mile walk through rocks and oaks and past waterfalls. Beautiful wildflowers bloom in the Spring, but be aware of poison oak!
The West Loop is considered a more moderate hike, about 3.4 miles in duration for those wanting a bit more distance. I recommend downloading a map from AllTrails or refer to the page below. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.
Coyote Wall
Known by locals as merely The Syncline, the Coyote Wall Recreation Area includes a multitude of intersecting trails, with endless options for every skill level. With more than 30 miles to scout, you will be rewarded with waterfalls and stunning views of the Columbia River! This area is open year round and available to hikers as well as mountain bikers. I suggest you refer to one of the links below for more details, as there are plenty of ways to explore this vast trail system. Your canine friends are welcome on a leash.
Weldon Wagon Wheel Trail
Just a ten minute drive up WA-141 N, is the Weldon Wagon Wheel Trail, set on an abandoned county road built in the early 1900’s. Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, this trail is enjoyed by both hikers and mountain bikers, as well as dogs that are leashed. This out and back moderately challenging route, logs in at just under five miles roundtrip, where you will take in views of the White Salmon valley and beautiful ridgetop meadows! Please be aware of poison oak and respectful of signs indicating private property while on this trail. Trailhead starts at Indian Cemetery Road.
I hope you enjoy these recommendations and come to visit soon! Once you see all there is to offer, I’m sure you will want to include White Salmon in your frequent weekend getaway rotation!
Please stop running small towns. We don’t need help with “reporting”. We already can’t afford to live in towns we’ve been in for 25+ years because of you and California. You didn’t discover anything. Go back please.
Ginny, I’d say it’s inflation surging upwards of 10% that’s the problem with you not being able to afford living in White Salmon anymore. Large cities (not just those in CA) have seen a population loss, especially with the rise of remote work throughout an ongoing pandemic.
Jana, thank you for highlighting multiple small, local businesses! I’m sure the last few years have been difficult on the owners, who will appreciate the attention to detail you have capturing what they all add to the community! I look forward to visiting White Salmon one day and hope to receive a warm welcome.