8 Best Restaurant Views Around Klamath County

Klamath County sits surrounded by plenty of breathtaking natural scenery. Crystal-clear lakes, snow-capped mountain peaks, alpine forests, bubbling streams, and manicured plots of farmland dot the wider region, offering epic views around every bend.

Of course, Klamath County is also home to popular brewpubs, fashionable restaurants, and down-home eateries in the midst of those scenic settings. So to help you enjoy the best of both worlds, we’ve put together a guide to the eight best restaurant views around Klamath County.

The Falls Taphouse

Klamath Falls is popularly known as “Oregon’s City of Sunshine,” thanks to the 300 days of sunshine the city receives each year. With so much sun, it’s no wonder Klamath Falls enjoys colorful sunsets all year long.

There may be no finer place in town to enjoy those sunsets than The Falls Taphouse, which hosts three food carts and pours beers, cider, seltzer, and wine from local and regional producers. Perched on a hillside above the surrounding homes and businesses, the indoor-outdoor space features a partially shaded patio on the first floor and rooftop seating on the second level—where wide-open views of nearby foothills, Upper Klamath Lake, and the ensuing sunsets await.

Rocky Point Resort

Rocky Point Resort sits on the western shore of Upper Klamath Lake, not far from the reservoir’s marshland, and its on-site restaurant offers spectacular views.

Sitting just steps from the shore and hosting a spacious patio, the restaurant serves a mix of classic comfort fare and upscale American classics—including burgers, seafood, steaks, and fish and chips. Pelican Butte rises to the west, while Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge and the broader Upper Klamath Lake splays out to the east. Watch for river otters and beavers in the water below, as well as geese, swans, and other birds flying overhead.

In addition to a popular eatery, Rocky Point Resort offers a variety of overnight stays (including hotel rooms, cabins, and furnished RVs) and watercraft rentals (such as canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and motorboats); it makes an excellent setting-off point for exploring the Upper Klamath Canoe Trail. 

Ruddy Duck at Running Y Ranch

The Ruddy Duck restaurant at Running Y Resort is beloved for serving American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (typically crafted with locally sourced ingredients)—and thoughtfully pairing those selections with a curated tap list of regional beer and wine. But at the Ruddy Duck, it’s as much about where you enjoy your meal as what you order.

That’s because the restaurant hosts a back patio that overlooks the Running Y Resort’s popular golf course and forests of fir and pine that circle the resort. Unsurprisingly, and with nothing to block the view, sunsets are especially dramatic. Best of all: Some seats cozy up to a gas fire pit that keeps diners warm on cooler days and evenings. 

Parklets in downtown Klamath Falls

Klamath Falls is home to a historic downtown, with numerous buildings dating back decades and creating plenty of small-town charm. Savor it all while enjoying a meal at a trio of parklets around downtown.

In case you’re unaware, parklets are essentially outdoor seating areas that extend out onto the sidewalk and into the street at restaurants and cafés. As the desire for outdoor dining has grown in recent years, the number of parklets has likewise increased—bringing additional open-air options for al fresco dining to an already bustling downtown core.

Around Klamath Falls, a trio of downtown restaurants host parklets: Girasol Family Mexican Restaurant & Cantina serves its family-friendly brand of filling Mexican fare on a semi-shaded patio ringed by flowerpots; Mermaid Garden Cafe dishes salads, sandwiches, and wraps on a sun-kissed sidewalk patio; and Gathering Grounds Roastery pairs its single-origin coffees and hearty baked goods with sidewalk seating and a summertime deck where you can greet the day at your own pace.

Crater Lake Lodge

Crater Lake Lodge, sitting in the heart of Crater Lake National Park, doesn’t just offer some of the best views in Klamath County; it may offer some of the best views anywhere in Oregon.

That’s because the historic restaurant sits mere steps from the rim of Crater Lake, celebrated the world over for its remarkable clarity. Inside the dining room, ringed by large windows and plenty of natural light, diners enjoy Pacific Northwest classics (such as steaks, steelhead, trout, and locally sourced salads)—while a back patio offers cozy chairs that invite lounging with sweeping views of the lake below. (Note that the lodge is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner between mid-May and mid-October; dinner reservations are required and can be made in-person up to one week ahead of time.)

Beyond a memorable meal, make the most of your next visit with our round-up of everything you need to know about visiting Crater Lake National Park.

Lake of the Woods Resort

Lake of the Woods Resort sits in the heart of the Cascade Range and on the shore of its namesake lake—so is it any wonder its two restaurants boast lovely views?

The Lakehouse Restaurant serves breakfast classics, salads, burgers, and meat-forward meals in a fitting, cabin-inspired environment—complete with large windows and a patio that affords lake views through the trees. A few steps away, Marina Pizza greets those getting on and off the water—paddle craft, pedal boat, and motorboat rentals are available—with filling pies and pizza by the slice; there, views include the lake, surrounding foothills, and (to the north) Mount McLoughlin—the tallest peak in southern Oregon.

For more, read our guide to off-season activities at Lake of the Woods Resort. 

NiteOwl Bar

We’re cheating a bit with this pick: The views at NiteOwl Bar in downtown Klamath Falls aren’t of picturesque lakes or Instagram-worthy mountain peaks—but rather the whimsical space itself.

NiteOwl blends tropical influences (starring tiki-inspired drinks and seasonal cocktails) with the airy, chic vibe of a cocktail lounge—buoyed by natural light, soft purple walls, colorful artwork, and low lighting for late-night drinks. The resulting atmosphere feels at once cozy and lively.

While you’re downtown, make sure to explore some of the fascinating cultural sites of Klamath Falls.

The Growler Guys

The Growler Guys beer bar chain has been a Pacific Northwest institution since opening its first location in 2012—and today comprises taprooms in five states. One of its newest outposts opened just south of downtown Klamath Falls in the summer of 2022, quickly earning plaudits for a wide-ranging tap list and patio vistas of nearby hillsides and forests.

Housed in a former clubhouse on a shuttered golf course, the Growler Guys pours local and regional beer, cider, seltzer, and even cocktails from a whopping 60 taps—so you’ll always find something to quench your thirst; an accompanying food menu features pub-food favorites like pizzas, wings, and sandwiches.