Tim Neville, the Lead Storyteller for Visit Bend, has spent more than two decades bouncing around the globe writing about adventure travel for some of the country’s most prestigious magazines and newspapers, but his favorite place in the world is right here at home.

Looking for a place to eat with your team or 15 of your best friends and family? Some places in Bend are better suited than others when it comes to accommodating parties of eight or more. Here are some suggestions on where to eat in Bend with a large group. 

Food truck pods

Can’t decide on Thai, pizza, or burgers? Try a food cart pod, where multiple food trucks sit around a central, covered spot that serves drinks, including many of Bend’s outstanding craft beers. Order what you want then sit together at tables scattered around the lot. Here are four well suited to groups.

Located on the east side near the hospital, On Tap is one of the more spacious food cart pods with outdoor firepits, a grassy lawn for games, and six trucks serving everything from poke bowls and BBQ to dumplings, po’ boys, and pizza. Inside you’ll find 35 taps. 

Bend’s O.G. food cart pod, The Lot sits within walking distance of downtown along Galveston Avenue, making it an easy place to gather after floating the river or a fun destination after taking a walk through Drake Park. Four food trucks offer burgers, hot dogs, salads, tacos and more. 

Set in a central neighborhood northeast of downtown, Midtown Yacht Club has seats for about 150 people inside and out. Seven food trucks serve loaded tots, fat burritos, gourmet sandwiches, sushi, and superb hot dogs. The central bar has over a dozen taps. Pro move: Buy a six pack to share among your group. The bartender will keep them cold. 

The food trucks at Bevel, (a.k.a the Food Carts at 9th Street Village) are in a light industrial area off SE 9th Street and combine the best of both worlds with four food trucks gathered around Bevel, a much loved microbrewery. For eats, try sandwiches with homemade pickles, Mexican fare, Indonesian fusion, or classic American southern cuisine. Ask for a brewery tour or play a mini round of disc golf. They’ll even take groups of 20 or more—just call ahead first. 

Breweries

Bend has more than 20 breweries (and a Bend Ale Trail to help you experience them all!) but not all of them are restaurants. Those that do serve food come in all shapes and sizes; some can handle groups better than others. Our advice: Call ahead. Here are some breweries with food and space to accommodate your party:

Perched on the banks of Mirror Pond downtown, the Bend Brewing Company has an awesome grassy lawn and covered outdoor area that’s great for your crew. Your best bet for parking—use the parking garage and walk two blocks. Worthy Brewing is the first brewery you’ll find coming into town from the east on Highway 20 and has ample seating inside as well as outside and a stage for live music. Don’t miss the “Hopservatory,” an observatory with a telescope for looking at the stars. Silver Moon sits on the northeast edge of downtown with a collection of food carts and picnic tables in the back. Ask about the root beer specials. Crux Fermentation Project, sandwiched between downtown and the Old Mill District, has a large grassy lawn as well as long tables inside. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, and kid’s mac ‘n’ cheese, while two food trucks outside serve Mexican and pizza.  

Kid friendly

Kids will be kids when it comes to eating, especially when we’re talking pizzas and burgers. These crowd-pleasers won’t disappoint:

Olde Towne Pizza is something of a sneaker hit sitting just out of the fray on the northeast edge of downtown with large tables and a menu that includes pizzas, calzones, hot subs, and a salad bar. Check out the lunch specials that come with a slice of pizza, a salad, breadstick, and soda. Pacific Pizza & Brew in southwest Bend has lots of pizza, yes, but also hot wings, garlic fries, and great salads. (Think caprese, Greek, kale, and more.) They’ll also take reservations. Bend Burger Company is a favorite among local high school sports teams with spectacular burgers, wood-fired chicken, and lots of space for the squad. Order the ghost pepper fries if you dare. Active Culture Cafe sits in the quiet, historic Old Bend neighborhood west of downtown and serves vegan and vegetarian fare that kids will actually eat—burritos, nachos, quesadillas—as well as tasty bowls with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flare for more adult palates. There’s a zero percent chance you’ll miss the rotating freezer filled with locally made Bontà gelato.