MacGregor's of Cannon Beach — Restaurant in Cannon Beach

Update: Hands-down a great evening whenever you stop into this place. Joel the owner aka the Alchemist, Alex the OG, Jared the wine maker, the Scotch Savant (his name slips my mind), and Kristian the Chef with his stoic sous chef -- and Toni who pinch hits -- are serious educators. It's hard not to learn something new and interesting while you're sitting at the bar. A couple years back they didn't even have the chairs at the bar so this is a wonderful evolution of the bar space.

Great place to make new friends who are also visiting and swap notes on cocktails. During my four day visit I dropped by most nights to catch up on their latest creations: my favorites to try this time were: the Japanese 75 made with Roku Japanese gin, and Don Naranjo made with El Major blanco. I also got introduced to two unforgettable scotches: Old Emmer cask strength, and Bruichladdich's (my favorite distillery) new Eighteen Re/Defined, a gorgeous, gorgeous Single Malt.

Meanwhile Joelle the owner had shared his grandfather's secret whiskey fudge recipe with Chef Kristian, and you should taste how incredible that dark fudge is: not too sweet -- so smooooth. Worth taking some home. Updated 1/3/25

This place is quickly turning into my goto for an evening bite and drink when in town.

During a recent mid-January birthday visit, when the temps were below freezing, some venues were closed in town -- but thankfully not MacGregor's.

Ordered a flight of high-end scotches in honor of the birthday. Three selected were: Loch Lomond 18. Laphroiag 16. Hypernova by Ardberg. Well-curated by Gabe and Alex.

The Loch Lomond 18 "tastes like Christmas." That's the actual phrase they used to describe it and they are 100% correct. I tried it last year and decided it was close to the perfect holiday drink. Something incredibly delicious about that scotch. I think it's about $25 a pour?

Had never had the Laphroaig 16 but it beat the Laphroaig 10 hands-down; Gabe helped me understand my reluctance towards the Laphroaig 10 by describing it as tasting "medicinal." Like any scotch drinker I love a stiff drink but "medicinal," which I equate with "trying too hard," is not my version of stiff. In contrast, the 16 was beautifully balanced and actually spicy, which I loved!

But it was probably the Hyper Nova that was the surprise. It had a salty smoked meat aftertaste -- akin pastrami -- that made it remarkably delicious.

Really good tasting experience.

I had some toasted bread and butter with the flight; I'm a lightweight and won't drink without eating.

This place is designed to be an education. They also poured a taste of a mezcal, to introduced me to the basics Mezcal. I need an education before heading to Oaxaca, Mexico later this month.

Always welcome the education I get at MacGregor's. Thank...

My friend and I went on May 4th and 5th to Macgregors for drinks. We went in thinking, oh, grab a drink. No. This was an experience I don't think I will ever forget. That is why we went back the next night! The Whiskey and Scotch selection is pretty good? No. This selection was AMAZING and premium! Joel knew EXACTLY what he was talking about with these pours. A wealth of knowledge! He had some pours of stuff we had never thought we would ever try until we walked into this place—Weller, E.H. Taylor, Pappy, to name a few that we tried. Get over to the bar, sit down, ask questions, and learn. Joel will get you on the right path. I only had a couple of items from the food menu. The Scottish Shortbread was terrific! For other drinks on the menu, My wife and other friends had a Dark Cherry Whiskey Sour and a Raspberry Sour. I tried both, and they were so outstanding! This is a quaint and cozy place in Cannon Beach. It had great music playing, and the staff was amiable. This is a place we might go back on vacation to revisit one day. If you are in the area and are interested in whiskey, please check this out! You will not regret it! Shout out to Alex! You were terrific as well!...

We have been coming here for many years while it was still Morris's Fireside. We were surprised to find that after 47 years they had sold and became MacGregor's. We were worried at first that being a new owner they would have a completely new menu minus our favorite, Morris's clam chowder. We were pleasantly surprised when not only were they still serving the same recipe, but even they same chef.

We have traveled up and down both the east and west coasts sampling clam chowder and frankly most of they are very similar no matter what their claims. However the clam chowder at MacGregor's is clearly unique and they best anywhere. It has an incredibly smooth and satiny texture one can only get by not skimping, but using the best ingredients. It has just the right amount of clams, bacon and potatoes as well as whatever other secret ingredients are in there. It is a pleasure to enjoy.

We also had breakfast with their delicious Eggs Benny and...