5 Best Restaurants in Southern Oregon, Oregon

This dapper, art-filled space lends a bit of urbane sophistication to downtown Grants Pass. In addition to pouring varietals from throughout the Umpqua and Rogue valleys, Twisted Cork carries wines from more than 120 wineries throughout the Northwest, along with a few from California, and it offers a menu of small plates ideal for sharing as well as creative and quite affordable larger plates, including pomegranate-cinnamon flank steak, ginger-glazed salmon, and wild-mushroom flatbread with butternut-mint hummus.

For an excellent, mid-priced alternative to Jacksonville's more upscale eateries, head to this roadhouse-style clapboard building six blocks northeast of the town's historic main drag. Authentic central Texas–style barbecue is served here: chargrilled red-hot sausage, slow-cooked pork ribs, and ½-pound burgers, plus a few steak and pasta dishes.

Although its name suggests evening cocktails, this stylish downtown storefront space is just as well regarded for its reliably tasty dinner fare—truffled veal meatloaf, burgers topped with Crater Lake blue cheese, and seared scallops with corn risotto are among the highlights. There's seating in a handful of comfy booths or at stools along the modern bar, where you can order one of the creative drinks—consider the lemon-basil martini.

This handsome downtown American bistro with exposed-brick walls, curving leather banquettes, and high ceilings serves reasonably priced breakfast and lunch fare daily, and somewhat more upscale dinners. Highlights include mango-mahi nachos, and Sicilian-style, rare-seared ahi tuna steak with olive tapenade; several more affordable sandwiches, burgers, and salads are available, too.

This highly popular, family-owned downtown restaurant is decorated with colorful artwork, much of it depicting its namesake sunflowers (or girasoles, in Spanish). The food is flavorful and fresh, featuring mostly Mexican-American classics, including seafood burritos, carne asada, and chile verde.