Welcome to Thistle
Thistle, nestled at 228 NE Evans St in McMinnville, Oregon, is a charming culinary gem that offers an intimate dining experience. Known for its seasonal menu featuring local produce, meats, and artisanal breads, Thistle delights patrons with culinary creations like rabbit risotto and homemade pasta. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere, coupled with friendly, attentive service, makes each visit memorable. Highlights include the decadent peanut butter pie and perfectly cooked Strip Loin steak. Guests consistently rave about the thoughtful accommodations for dietary needs, ensuring everyone can savor the exquisite flavors. Thistle is a must-visit for food enthusiasts exploring Willamette Wine Country.
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228 NE Evans St, McMinnville, OR 97128, United States Hotline: +1 503-472-9623
Welcome to Thistle, a charming culinary gem nestled in the heart of McMinnville, Oregon. Located at 228 NE Evans St, Thistle stands out not just for its cozy ambiance but for its commitment to highlighting seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The combination of generous hospitality and a menu that changes with the rhythm of the seasons makes each dining experience here a unique adventure. Patrons often describe Thistle as a warm, intimate haven, reminiscent of a friend's welcoming home, where every meal feels like a special occasion.
As you step inside, you’ll immediately notice the inviting atmosphere and intimate partitions that create a perfect setting for a romantic dinner or a catch-up with friends. The chalkboard menu is a true reflection of the freshest ingredients available, allowing Chef Patrick to showcase his creativity and passion for local produce.
Each dish, while limited in number, is crafted with precision and flair. For instance, the rabbit risotto has been described as a “real star” with perfect balance and flavor, while the lamb shank expertly pairs with pickled tarragon, a combination that leaves diners raving about it long after their meal.
Thistle also excels in delivering a personalized dining experience. Customers rave about the attentive service—water glasses never run dry, and the staff is not only knowledgeable but genuinely invested in the dining experience. This attention to detail creates a level of comfort where guests can relax and savor each course. Whether it's a shared salad made for two or the decadent Swedish chocolate cake that wraps up the meal, every bite is carefully considered and executed with care.
Notably, Thistle is celebrated as one of the best restaurants in Willamette Wine Country. The ambiance is complemented by a thoughtfully curated drink menu, including handmade cocktails that pair beautifully with each dish. Reservations are highly recommended due to Thistle's popularity, especially during weekends when foodies flock to experience its culinary delights.
In a landscape filled with dining options, Thistle remains a standout for those who value fresh, seasonal fare and a supportive, cozy atmosphere. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that resonates with all who enter. Perfect for food connoisseurs or anyone looking to indulge in the culinary arts, Thistle feels like a warm embrace on a plate. Visit soon and allow yourself the delightful pleasure of discovering what makes this little restaurant a beloved treasure in McMinnville.
We enjoyed a fantastic dinner here, local veggies, meats, and bread. Lamb shank, pickled tarragon (perfect combination of flavors), beets, heirloom tomatoes and watermelon, bread, champagne. I can't have dairy, and the owner made sure everything was diary free for me. It was all absolutely delectable. Cute town too. Great personal service.
Came here for a birthday dinner and I can’t say enough. You walk in and the space is so warm and cozy, you feel like you’re walking into a friend’s living room. That said, there’s separate partitions so it maintains a very intimate feel. The food - the menu is pretty limited but this just works to highlight how seasonal and special each dish being served is. We had the pasta which was fantastic. The rabbit risotto dish was the real star. The meat was not gamey at all, perfectly roasted with that snappy crisp. The risotto and veggies somehow was my favorite part of that dish - I would have just ordered that as a stand alone. okay but have you ever had a PEANUT BUTTER PIE? Masterful magnificent glory. 10/10
The food here is amazing. Truly amazing. Small, quaint, friendly spot for foodies. Chalkboard menu reflects freshest ingredients available to compose an unforgettable meal. We enjoyed the salad for two, split the homemade pasta with butternut squash puree and ended with the Swedish style chocolate cake. Every bite of each dish was a delight. Patrick was warm and welcoming. If you love good food, you will love this special spot.
My partner and I had a wonderful evening after the local vineyards all afternoon. Walked in with no reservations but got a nice intimate table in the bar side. The drink menu was hand made and menu was on a chalkboard. This is my kind of place. The atmosphere was lovely and had the perfect Oregon welcoming vibe. All the employees made you feel welcomed and knew exactly what they were doing. I had the Strip Loin steak dish and I can confidently say this was one of the best steaks I have ever had at a restaurant. I asked for medium and it was cooked perfectly. I wanna genuinely say thank you Thistle for a highlight of my weekend getaway trip for my partner and I. We will definitely be back.
This is the best restaurant in Willamette Wine country. They have a limited menu that they execute to perfection. Relaxed, intimate atmosphere. The owner, Patrick, is easy going and welcoming. One of our favorite places to dine!
Thistle is a small, intimate restaurant, with incredible food. The timing of the food is perfect, they don’t bring anything out too fast that you feel rushed but you’re not waiting forever to get anything. The staff is very personable and attentive. Your water will never be empty and you’re always taken care of. 10/10
Cozy restaurant in one of the historic buildings in downtown McMinnville. We were worried that we wouldn't get reservations but had no issues on a Wednesday evening. Our expectations were high based on the reviews but we were surprised how good it was. We started with some lovely oysters in a mignonette that really set them off well. Accompanied witth a fresh baked bread We each had the fish entree for our main course- it was perfectly cooked and paired with a unique cucumber sauce that really made a nice contrast to the fish. We had gone for a long bike ride that day so we decided to share a plate of gnocchi. I was so glad we did because it was the best I've had since a trip to Italy. Definitely recommend you make the call to eat at Thistle when you are in town.
Excellent food with always changing menu. Service was friendly, efficient and top notch. Small seating area so highly recommend reservations. Small craft cocktail menu was fantastic too. I had no idea they had been in this location for 16 years. Great "new" find for us!