8 Best Restaurants in Ashland, Southern Oregon

Set in a minimalist downtown space with bare floors, a vaulted painted-white timber ceiling, and bounteous floral arrangements, Hither serves as an inviting coffeehouse and café by day, featuring heavenly pastries and artfully composed egg dishes and tartines. Or at lunchtime enjoy an Italian sandwich (with Olympic Provisions meats) and a glass of natural wine on the pleasant side patio.

Book ahead several days—or even weeks for Friday and Saturday—for the chance to dine at this intimate prix-fixe restaurant that features the modern, farm-to-table culinary masterpieces of young and extraordinary chef-owner Josh Dorcak. Feasts generally of 6 to 10 courses are available, with the seats at the cozy and lively chef's counter the most desirable—wine and sake pairings are available. Recent plates have included cured trout with nasturtium and roe and local quail with preserved fruits. 

Inventive contemporary Korean food with locally sourced ingredients are the star at this intimate and romantic neighborhood bistro. Highlights include braised short rib–pork dumplings with scallion-soy-chili oil, and bibimbap with tofu, spinach, egg, and steelhead roe. 

In a swanky yet soothing dining room off the lobby of the historic Ashland Springs Hotel, Larks pairs the freshest ingredients from local farms with great wines, artisanal chocolate desserts, and drinks, and features modern interpretations of classic comfort food, such as Southern fried chicken with bacon pan gravy. Dessert offerings include old-fashioned chocolate sundaes, s'mores, and a seasonal cheesecake selection.

The fair-trade, organic beans used in the espresso drinks at Noble Coffee Roasting, in the hip Railroad District, are among the best in town. The spacious, high-ceilinged dining room is a comfy and attractive place to socialize or get work done while you sip and munch.

This upmarket neighborhood bistro and wine bar in a vintage former hotel anchors the up-and-coming Railroad District, on the north side of downtown, just a few blocks from Main Street and the Shakespeare theaters. Regulars appreciate the well-crafted cocktails and thoughtful wine list as much as the consistently tasty locally sourced American food, such as fig-and-horseradish salad with apples and blue cheese and grilled lamb T-bone with apricot-glazed carrots and avocado-yogurt sauce.

In this unassuming deli tucked into a small shopping center across the street from Southern Oregon University, you'll find some of the biggest and tastiest sandwiches in the state—they've been featured on TV's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Owner Melissa McMillan bases her menu on the Italian-style sandwiches of Chicago, where she's from, and unless you're absolutely starving, it's not a bad idea to order a half or share a whole with a friend. There are additional branches in Portland and Lebanon.