Spokane and Eastern Washington Restaurants

Nearly every small town in eastern Washington has at least one fast-food drive-through for a quick meal on the go, but choosing a slower pace will reward visitors with an authentic dining experience that often doesn't cost much more. Local diners and cafés are great spots for getting a hearty breakfast of traditional favorites like farm-fresh eggs or biscuits and gravy. Somewhat surprisingly, several of the small towns have outstanding dining options, too. At many restaurants there's an emphasis on locally grown, organic foods. With the region's many farms, it's easy to source produce, grains, poultry, meat, and dairy items, and some restaurants have their own gardens on-site for the freshest produce of all. Spokane has a good diversity of cuisines and some highly acclaimed restaurants, but up-and-coming Walla Walla is also becoming a mecca for foodies and wine lovers.

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  • 1. Whitehouse-Crawford Restaurant

    $$$$

    In a former wood mill, this fine-dining destination has gained a reputation for quality and excellence, thanks to chef-owner Jamie Guerin. Local is the watchword here, where hamburgers are made with grass-fed beef from Blue Valley Meats, and other nearby purveyors supply produce, cheese, meat, eggs, and even popcorn for the bar. Start with the warm spinach salad with trout or the orange avocado salad, then move on to the beef tenderloin steak, Japanese-style fried chicken, and fresh fish that varies by season.

    55 W. Cherry St., Walla Walla, Washington, 99362, USA
    509-525–2222

    Known For

    • Extensive wine list features many Walla Walla Valley winemakers
    • House-made ice cream and sorbet
    • More casual dining at bar

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Credit cards accepted
  • 2. Atomic Ale Brewpub and Eatery

    $$

    The staff is friendly at this small, casual brewpub, which serves several house-brewed beers to go with the delicious wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches (the hot grinder is a specialty), salads, and soups. Local memorabilia is displayed throughout the restaurant, and the history of the Hanford Nuclear Site is depicted in photos on the walls. Dessert choices get clever names to match the nuclear theme, like the B-Reactor brownie.

    1015 Lee Blvd., Richland, Washington, 99352, USA
    509-946–5465

    Known For

    • Red-potato soup made with in-house brew
    • Spicy "nuclear butter" adds heat to dishes
    • Creative pizza options and weekly specials

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 3. Elk Public House

    $$

    This casual eatery in the relaxed Browne's Addition neighborhood serves tasty pub food like grilled lamb sandwiches, blackened chicken alfredo, and a Korean pork bowl, and you can wash it all down with one of the 16 beers on tap. A copper bar stands along one wall, backed by a mirror and lots of memorabilia, giving the interior a saloonlike appearance.

    1931 W. Pacific Ave., Spokane, Washington, 99201, USA
    509-363–1973

    Known For

    • Good selection of microbrews, most from the Northwest
    • Hipster vibe, but families are just as welcome
    • Nice patio for outdoor dining
  • 4. Ice Harbor at the Marina

    $$

    There are 10 ales on tap at Ice Harbor Brewery's restaurant, along with a rotating hard seltzer and cider, and a good selection of cocktails and local wines. You can order your favorite bar snacks like pulled pork nachos, wings, and pretzels, along with more substantial fare including bacon cheddar prime rib panini, shrimp po boy, beer-battered cod-and-chips, and several burger options. For a late lunch or early dinner, the weekday happy hour is a great value.

    350 Clover Island Dr., Kennewick, Washington, 99336, USA
    509-586–3181

    Known For

    • Five types of tasty burgers
    • Cool location at the marina
    • Beer sampler trays
  • 5. Mary Lou's Milk Bottle

    $

    Built in 1933, this restaurant is shaped like a gigantic milk bottle; since 1978 the eatery has been selling homemade ice cream. Fries are made from hand-cut potatoes, buns are made in-house, and burgers, sandwiches, salads, and soup (in winter only) round out the menu. The Milk Bottle makes a cameo in Johnny Depp's rom-com Benny & Joon.

    802 W. Garland Ave., Spokane, Washington, 99205, USA
    509-325–1772

    Known For

    • Huckleberry shakes
    • Reasonable prices
    • Memorable building

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
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  • 6. Michael's on the Lake

    $$$

    As the late-afternoon rays of sunlight wash over the dining room and deck at this lakeside restaurant, you can indulge in main courses like Parmesan-crusted halibut over linguine and baby back ribs or share several of the smaller plates like ginger-chicken lettuce wraps, mahimahi tacos, and fried calamari. Chocolate lovers will appreciate the mile-high mud pie, half-baked chocolate-chip cookies, and chocolate-banana bread pudding.

    910 W. Broadway Ave., Moses Lake, Washington, 98837, USA
    509-765–1611

    Known For

    • Extensive wine list highlighting Washington wineries
    • Decadent dessert menu
    • Nearly a dozen salad choices
  • 7. Post Street Ale House

    $$

    Adjacent to The Davenport Lusso, this casual eatery offers standard pub fare like fish-and-chips, beef sliders, and several kinds of burgers. Starters include the signature fried pickles, hand-cut onion rings, and wings with your choice of sauce. Two of the signature cocktails feature huckleberries and there's a beer sampler option.

    1 N. Post St., Spokane, Washington, 99201, USA
    509-789–6900

    Known For

    • More than 25 beers are on tap
    • Decent kids menu
    • Speedy service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 8. Steelhead Bar & Grille

    $$$

    This pub-style eatery, housed in one of Spokane's many historic brick buildings, has an urban contemporary vibe thanks to lots of burnished-metal artwork by local artists. Sandwiches and burgers make this a handy place for a weekend lunch or lighter dinner; halibut-and-chips, whiskey-sauced ribeye steak with roasted potatoes, and (of course) a steelhead fillet with garlic-parmesan butter are heartier fare. The bar menu features reasonably-priced signature cocktails.

    218 N. Howard St., Spokane, Washington, 99201, USA
    509-747–1303

    Known For

    • Dig into the half-pound bison burger
    • Smoked steelhead chowder
    • Great happy hour specials

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays, No reservations
  • 9. The Onion Taphouse & Grill

    $$

    Pressed-tin ceilings, vintage photographs, and a century-old bar with ornate columns evoke the past at this former saloon and pharmacy, enthusiastically serving American fare for decades. There are more than a dozen sandwiches and burgers on the menu, along with heartier dishes like pot roast dinner, two kinds of fish-and-chips, wild Alaskan salmon, and sirloin steak. For sharing, there's the baked Cougar Gold cheese dip with flatbread and a decadent warm chocolate chip cookie for dessert. Area 51 Taphouse is located inside the restaurant and offers 51 beverages on tap.

    302 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, Washington, 99201, USA
    509-747–3852

    Known For

    • Excellent desserts, including huckleberry pound cake
    • Six good choices on the "leaner menu"
    • Salads are a meal on their own
  • 10. The Wandering Table

    $

    If you're adventurous, the chef will create your meal based on what is in season, and is likely to include some of the house standards, such as deviled eggs with maple-bacon filling, fried brussels sprouts, and albacore tuna ceviche. The many small plates make this a popular spot for both a light lunch and tapas-style dinner. There are also a few full-plate options like smoked chicken wings, spaghetti stuffed meatballs, and burgers made of brisket and topped with bacon jam. Save room for the unique desserts, including banana bread pudding and olive oil–dark chocolate gelato.

    1242 W. Summit Pkwy., Spokane, Washington, 99201, USA
    509-443–4410

    Known For

    • Three different tasting menus are available each night
    • Happy hour food menu is a great bargain
    • Most food locally sourced

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Sun. and Mon.
  • 11. Weinhard Café and Bakery

    $$

    The past seems to echo through this restaurant, which is across the street from the Weinhard Hotel in what was once the town's pharmacy. The menu changes frequently to highlight seasonal specialties and local purveyors; some signature items include the chef's salad, rib-eye steak, and dark chocolate cake. Try a panini sandwich or grilled cheese for lunch; for dinner, the seafood curry or salmon scampi are good bets. Raspberry-rhubarb pie and coconut-lemon pie are dessert favorites.

    258 E. Main St., Dayton, Washington, 99328, USA
    509-382–1681

    Known For

    • Great variety of baked desserts and breads
    • Thursday night spaghetti specials
    • Satisfying wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.-Tues., Credit cards accepted

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