LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — Tucked into the Lincoln City Outlets across from the Nike store, Gilgamesh Brewing’s newest outpost, The Coast, has transformed from a rocky launch into a bustling hub for locals and tourists alike, drawing crowds with its expansive space, farm-to-table fare and community events.

Opened in May 2024, The Coast seats up to 270 patrons in its airy, industrial-chic dining room, complete with high ceilings and giant windows. Manager Thomas Machuca, a tall, bespectacled veteran of the hospitality industry, credits the venue’s recent success to a focus on quality food and craft beer.

“This is a huge place. We can have 270 people in here,” Machuca said during a recent visit. “Our brunch is excellent and has been a hit. We do events, birthday parties and trivia on Mondays. We had six teams last Monday, and it was a blast.”

Machuca, who joined in August, said the restaurant initially struggled with low turnout but has since “turned the place around” through targeted outreach and menu refinements. Now, the spot hums with activity, hosting everything from casual family meals to gatherings of local politicians and business groups. “All kinds of groups come to meet up here,” he added.

Gilgamesh Brewing traces its roots to 2009, when father Lee Radtke and his three sons, Mike, Nick and Matt, launched the operation in Turner, Oregon, after years of homebrewing acclaim at regional festivals. The family, Oregon residents since the 70s, relocated the brewery to south Salem in 2011 and expanded to Independence in 2016. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh (a Sumerian tale of heroism and friendship) the brand emphasizes community ties and sustainable sourcing from farms, including local ranches, fishermen and producers.

At The Coast, that ethos shines through a menu blending pub classics with Pacific Northwest flair. Appetizers range from housemade beer cheese pretzels and buffalo-BBQ chicken wings to Korean steak flatbread bites, tossed in garlic butter with green onions. Salads and soups highlight fresh ingredients, like the wedge lettuce salad with ranch dressing and roasted hazelnuts or the smoked salmon chowder with toast.

Sandwiches and burgers cater to hearty appetites: The pulled pork sandwich, slathered in Texas-style BBQ sauce and topped with coleslaw, pairs well with hand-cut fries and harissa ketchup. Burgers include the guacamole burger with Tillamook cheddar and Pacific Crush IPA aioli, while brick-oven pizzas have build-your-own options with gluten-free crusts and feature local cheeses and toppings like shiitake mushrooms and linguiça sausage.

Entrees nod to the sea and smokehouse, such as smoked chicken linguini with bell peppers and mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce or blackened salmon fish tacos with Cajun-spiced slaw.

Weekend brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon for $17.50, offers an all-you-can-eat buffet of pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict, chorizo quesadillas and housemade shiitake mushroom gravy, washed down with mimosas or the signature Gilgamary cocktail. The Coast will be open for Black Friday.

Beer remains the star, with Gilgamesh’s flagship lineup that includes the hoppy Pacific Crush IPA, brewed at the Salem flagship and poured fresh on tap. The menu proudly supports Oregon suppliers, from Turner Dairy to Damascus Alfalfa Farms, underscoring the brewery’s commitment to regional agriculture.

Machuca highlighted the original chef from the Salem and Independence locations runs The Coast’s kitchen, as key to the food’s appeal. “He’s cooking up great food,” he said, pointing to dishes like the fire-house burger with avocado and pickled jalapeños.

As Lincoln City’s craft scene evolves, The Coast positions Gilgamesh as a coastal anchor, blending family with forward momentum.

For reservations or event inquiries, call (541) 614-4040 or email [email protected]. The Coast is located at 1500 SE East Devils Lake Rd, Lincoln City at the Outlet Mall.