SPEND A WEEKEND IN WHITE SALMON
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, dotted with unique shops, restaurants and cafes, pubs and wine bars—literally something for everyone! There is a public library and a city park that is the focal point for a multitude of events and festivals, and home to White Salmon’s Farmers Market which runs from early 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 a favorite spot for breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat.
Opened in 2015, the White Salmon Baking Company, sources 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!
NATIV Cafe
This newly opened craft coffeehouse, took over what was once the North Shore Cafe. Serving specialty coffee and Kava, a ceremonious Polynesian beverage, meant for calm and relaxation, Nativ is a welcoming space, with work tables and communal areas to gather with friends. There are food selections available as well, and plenty of options for evening entertainment, including live music and trivia nights!
Everybody’s 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, local wine, and cider to keep everyone content until your 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 from 6 – 8 PM. 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!
Henni’s Kitchen and Bar
Across the street is another standout, Henni’s Kitchen and Bar. Chef-owner Christiaan Erasmus with his wife Sarah, focus on producing stunning, casual fine dining. 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.
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!
Pizza Leona
Next door, you will find Pizza Leona, little sister to Henni’s. Here you can grab lunch, including salads and hot sandwiches, a slice of pizza or 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.
Pixán
If you’re more interested in high end Oaxacan fare, you are in luck! The newest of White Salmon’s restaurants is Pixán (pē-SHan) which means soul/spirit. Pixán serves up a host of specialty tacos, salsas and dips and delicious sides! Their cantina is tequila and mezcal driven to compliment the menu, but you can also order beer, cider and wine. Order your food, then grab a seat at the bar, an indoor table, or sit outside in the parklets provided along the sidewalk.
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 inside, or better yet, ask to sit on the deck and enjoy the views of Mt Hood! You can order pre-made options from the counter along with sandwiches to go, and shop for other specialty items, including local wines by the bottle. Husband and wife team Shawn and Jenessa are committed to quality and use local farmers to source their menu items. In addition to a seasonal, rotating dinner menu, they offer espresso, and a full selection of cocktails.
feastmarket.org
COOL BEANS
Feast owners, Shawn and Jenessa, just launched this adorable ice cream and espresso shop in July of 2023! You’ll find over a dozen classic flavors, as well as vegan and gluten free options! Check their social media page for more details!
Now that we’ve covered all the bases on where to eat, let’s talk about options for quenching your thirst! Everybody’s is the place to be for craft brews, but in the same stretch of town, there lies a tavern and not one, not two, but THREE top-notch wine bars!
Le Doubblé Troubblé
Le Doubblé Troubblé or LDT tasting room, run by longtime friends Christopher Stiffler and Tosh Forrence, opened up 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.
Soča Wine Shop
Situated just off Jewett Blvd, Soča Wine Shop, opened its doors in December, 2022. Housing a handful of barstools, a few bistro-style tables and a beautiful new patio (canines welcome!), this charming space sat vacant for decades, until friends turned business partners, joined forces and began renovations. Winemaker Juri Poberaj, and Nina Jimenez, along with Bethany Kimmel—The Color Collector—bring their expertise to this boutique retail shop/wine bar, focused on small production imports and natural wines. There is a menu of small plate items, each simple and delicious. Order a glass of wine, a bottle to share or take a bottle or two home with you!
Clyzm Wine Bar
White Salmon’s newest addition, Clyzm Wine Bar, is located on the ground floor of the stunning new Hotel Iconica. Owner and winemaker, Austin Culver founded Clyzm Wines in 2021, and opened the doors in March 2023. Make yourself comfortable inside the lovely tasting room or on the patio, where you can gather around the fire pit, and during the warmer months, listen to live music on Sunday nights! Taste your way through a flight of wines or choose a bottle to share, and order a cheese plate to nibble on!
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.
Now that we’ve walked you through all the amazing options available for your 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! Accommodations in and around White Salmon include our new luxury hotel, an eco-hotel, and a lovely six-room Inn! There are plenty of airbnb options in town as well.
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 and run by Flo and Nicole Niemesch, with its beautiful brick exterior, this Inn is a boutique, eco-friendly, 22-room 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
Just seven miles up the road from White Salmon, is Ruby June Inn, a delightful Inn and wine lounge, which 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 six tastefully designed guest rooms 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. Chris and Gretchen also host a chefs collective multi-course dinner series, with optional wine pairings curated from around the globe! These dinners have been wildly successful and sell out very quickly, but guests have first dibs!
Magic PNW Airbnb
If an Airbnb better suits your needs, Magic PNW is perfect for immersing yourself in your immediate surroundings. This adorable two-room studio, just a few 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
White Salmon’s new luxury hotel just opened phase one in the Spring of 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 includes 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. The Iconica is also home to the Clyzm Wine Bar, located on the ground floor.
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!
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. 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. There are plenty of ways to explore this vast trail system, so again, I recommend downloading a map prior to your visit. 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!
