Hayward

I’ve been wanting to try Hayward since moving to Oregon, finally got the chance and it was a lovely meal! Not the standout I was expecting, but very solid. Overall, we enjoyed the food and the ambience of the restaurant is beautiful. Ordered the sourdough bread, fried rice, cauliflower, waffle with chanterelles, and smoked potatoes. It may be due to what we ordered, but our only negative was that everything felt a little too heavy — the fried rice was very oily, the cauliflower was heavy on the cheese sauce, and the potatoes felt overly wet with tomato jam. Great flavors, but wished I could taste more of the main ingredient vs the sauces or oils. I’d definitely return, but might ask for more specific descriptions of the menu items before ordering as they weren’t quite what we expected!

Absolutely phenomenal experience at Hayward! From the moment we walked in, the staff was warm, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable. The space has a cozy, inviting charm that fits perfectly with the small-town feel of Carlton. The food? Incredible. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The seasonal ingredients really shine—fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor. We did the “Kickback” tasting menu and loved the family-style approach. Favorites included the sesame focaccia with koji butter and a perfectly balanced pasta with dandelion pesto. Wine pairings were spot on, and it’s clear they care deeply about local sourcing and sustainability, which we appreciated. This place is a gem. A must-visit if you’re anywhere near wine country. Can’t wait to come back once th

Oh man, we were really expecting more of a farm-to-table experience when we went in; fresh, vibrant, herbaceous dishes with a few richer ones to round it out. Instead, it leaned more heavy: things like confit leeks, shrimp sautéed in oil and drizzled with brown butter, then blanketed in lardo, short ribs that taste more like straight pork belly. We were hoping for a more balanced Fall menu when we did the ‘kick back’ something that highlighted winter squash, root vegetables, and other seasonal ingredients in a more delicate, nuanced way. The bread was good but was a rustic sourdough loaf and has no business being called a focaccia. The best thing about the dinner was the beautiful drive through the valley. The service was acceptable, nothing extraordinary. I would not recommend this resta

Was anxious to try this place after reading it was one of the top 45 restaurants in the country. There were three of us dining and we decided to order and share the whole menu. It’s not a big menu and the waitress thought it wouldn’t be too much. It was a bit too much towards the end and that probably because it started with a very dense focaccia. It was good but to do over again we would have skipped that dish. Also would have skipped the pickled vegetables and the potatoes. Again, not they weren’t good but not as good as the other dishes. The trout and pork chop entrees were delicious. Sadly we were so full by the time they came that we only got to try a bite for the flavor and took the rest home (which isn’t a terrible thing). The pasta dish was also stellar. The service was e

Hayward is a standout restaurant in Carlton, Oregon that reflects the best of the Willamette Valley—hyper-seasonal, locally sourced, and deeply thoughtful. They’ve moved into a new space and simply said it’s a work of art. Go see it for yourself. The menu changes weekly, driven by what’s fresh and available from nearby farms, which keeps every visit unique and grounded in place and time. Their use of fermentation is subtle but powerful, adding layers of depth and character that show real technique and care. You can taste the intention behind every dish. Hayward isn’t just serving local food—it’s interpreting the valley through food. A must-visit. I recommend never skipping their house made focaccia. It’s to die for!