Monkless Belgian Ales: We Came for the Beer, but the Food Stole the Show
An excellent flight of Belgian-style ales, an unforgettable lunch, and a relaxing outdoor terrace made this one of our favorite dining stops in Bend.
We stopped at Monkless Belgian Ales expecting to enjoy a few good beers.
We certainly accomplished that.
What we hadn't anticipated was just how much we'd enjoy the food.
By the time lunch was over, we'd shared two outstanding dishes, sampled the house-brewed ales, and enjoyed a leisurely afternoon on the outdoor terrace.
This was one of those places where everything simply came together.
The Flatbread Was a Terrific Start
We began with the smoked sausage flatbread.
Smoked sausage, mozzarella, peppers, herbs, and hot honey. A combination that sounded interesting on the menu and tasted even better on the plate.
The savory sausage and melted cheese worked beautifully with the sweetness of the honey and the peppers.
We were sharing it, but neither of us was particularly eager to surrender the last bite.
It was that good.
Then Came the Schnitzel
Next, we shared the schnitzel with spaetzle and purple cabbage.
And once again, Monkless delivered.
The golden, breaded schnitzel came with a creamy sauce, accompanied by tender spaetzle and a generous serving of purple cabbage.
Every bite was phenomenal.
The combination of flavors and textures made this much more than ordinary pub food.
We'd arrived expecting the beer to be the highlight.
The kitchen had other ideas.
The Beer and the Setting
Of course, we couldn't visit a Belgian-style brewery without trying the beer.
We ordered a flight of four house-brewed ales, which gave us an opportunity to sample several different styles.
The beers were excellent, and the flight was a fun way to explore what Monkless had to offer.
We sat outside on the shaded terrace, enjoying the mountain views and the relaxed atmosphere.
It was quiet enough to have a conversation without raising our voices, and the staff made the entire experience easy and enjoyable.
The service, food, and atmosphere all earned five stars in our original review.
And after that lunch, I wouldn't change a single one of those ratings.
Would We Go Back?
Absolutely.
We'd return for the smoked sausage flatbread and schnitzel alone.
The excellent Belgian-style ales, comfortable terrace, and friendly service made the experience even better.
Monkless wasn't just a place to stop for a beer.
It was a genuinely memorable lunch.
The Curated Upgrades Recommendation
🟢 GO FOR IT!
If you're visiting Bend, Oregon, and enjoy Belgian-style beer, put Monkless on your list.
But don't stop at the beer.
Come hungry.
For more of our firsthand Oregon dining experiences, visit Eating Our Way Around Bend and Redmond: The Hits, Misses, and Surprises.