-
$$ | |
Dig in to some of the tastiest and most flavorful barbecue in the state at this upbeat restaurant in a handsome 1923 brick building that has at various times served as the local bank, police station, and city hall. The chef-owner describes his barbecue as Cascadian, and his specialties do reflect some creative regional influences—consider the gochujang-marinated burnt ends with chanterelle mushrooms, pickled onions, and sour corn, or the roast-veggie salad with pulled pork and black-garlic ranch dressing.
38767 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie, Washington, 98065, USA
Known For
- Cabin in the Woods cocktail (bourbon, local apple cider, maple, lemon, and bitters)
- Mac-and-cheese bowls with your choice of meat
- Uncle Phil sandwich (smoked brisket, provolone, and horseradish mayo on challah)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$$ | |
You'll find everything from thoughtfully curated artisanal groceries and prepared foods to a selection of creative contemporary American and international fare in the cheerful dining room of this stylish market in a retrofitted auto repair shop. Try the chilaquiles or croque madame at breakfast, and later in the day sample the salmon gravlax bagels and whole fried rainbow trout with grilled asparagus. Stock up on scones, cookies, and pecan sticky buns in the bakery.
4719 Hwy. 104, Port Gamble, Washington, 98364, USA
Known For
- Short walk from the Port Gamble Historic Museum and General Store
- Hefty, inventive sandwiches
- Gourmet picnic provisions, including sweet bakery treats
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
-
$ | |
Equal parts artisan coffee roaster and casual-chic brunch room, this airy café on a busy downtown corner stands out for both the quality and creativity of its food and drink. Highlights on the food side include the toast with balsamic rainbow beets and Humboldt Fog goat cheese; notable sippers range from a ginger-turmeric latte to local-blueberry mimosas.
221 W. Holly St., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- First-rate single-origin coffees and espresso drinks
- Seasonal lattes (cranberry crumble, candied pecan)
- Inventive brunch fare
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$$$ | |
Arguably the best restaurant inside the bustling 222 Market food hall, and one of the top dining destinations in the city, this beautifully designed contemporary seafood restaurant with a marble-top bar and striking oyster-shell chandeliers is a winning choice for anything from a snack of oysters on the half shell to a grand feast. Consider sharing a couple of starters—maybe charred carrots with white-bean hummus and local mussels, before diving into more substantial dishes, like whole Dungeness crab with brown butter, lemon, and capers.
222 Capitol Way N, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
Known For
- Popular weekend brunch
- Local shellfish prepared in inventive ways
- House-made focaccia with sea salt and sea bean powder
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | |
Murals of tropical flowers and, of course, massive ferns decorate the softly lighted, sunny dining room of this superb restaurant in the heart of downtown Bellevue, which serves some of the best Thai food in greater Seattle. Specialties include Gai Tod Hat Yai, a deep-fried marinated half-chicken served with a panang curry dipping sauce and roti bread, and salmon grilled and served over a rich coconut curry sauce with eggplant and green beans.
10134 Main St., Bellevue, Washington, 98004, USA
Known For
- Attractive sidewalk and patio seating
- Fragrant, entrée-size soups
- Very good selection of craft beers on tap
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
This decidedly offbeat breakfast and lunch spot in a quiet neighborhood just north of downtown stands out both for its prodigious portions of rib-sticking all-day breakfast fare and its funny (and often freaky) decorative elements, from dozens of clown paintings and figurines to its psychedelic color scheme. Prepare for a wait, especially on weekend mornings, and if you can possibly save room for dessert, the seasonal fruit (peach-blueberry, for example) bread puddings are to die for.
521 Kentucky St., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- Wonderfully bizarre and kitschy decor
- Chicken-fried steak with chorizo gravy
- Homemade cinnamon-roll French toast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
-
$ | |
Fans of Michoacán-style Mexican food have been known to schedule their Portland–Seattle road trips to hit this festive but unfussy family-run restaurant for dinner. Authentic meals start with pickled carrots instead of chips and salsa, and favorite dishes include classic chicken mole and carne en su jugo, a heady soup of steak strips, bacon, onion, and cilantro, served with tortillas.
1001 W. Main St., Centralia, Washington, 98531, USA
Known For
- Save room for the rich and spicy bread pudding
- Dining room has a casual, colorful vibe
- Regional dishes like chicken mole
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
-
$ | |
Set in a dramatic 1920s downtown building with exposed rafters, big skylights, and plenty of seating, this accomplished third-wave coffeehouse is an inviting place to linger over a latte or cold brew. It's also one of Everett's best breakfast and lunch options, featuring choices like ricotta toast and bacon-brussels sprouts salads. There's a second location in Bellingham.
2927 Wetmore Ave., Everett, Washington, 98201, USA
Known For
- Mochas made with artisan dark chocolate
- Buttermilk biscuit breakfast sandwiches
- Cheerful living room-esque interior
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$$$$ | |
On a breezy, sunny day, it's hard to find a more inviting spot for lunch or dinner than the deck of this upscale farm-to-table restaurant overlooking the pleasure boats chugging along downtown La Conner's Swinomish Channel. Whether you dine inside or out, expect a menu of stellar Pacific Northwest fare, perhaps lightly fried local oysters with lemon aioli to start, followed by a bone-in Kurobuta pork chop with stone-ground mustard demi-glace.
116 1st St., La Conner, Washington, 98257, USA
Known For
- Many organic ingredients, and locally sourced seafood and meats
- Delicious desserts including an apple tart
- Seasonally inspired cocktails
-
$$ | |
This casually contemporary spot with a tented seasonal outdoor seating area is a great option for breaking up a day of wine touring in the surrounding Warehouse District. The kitchen turns out creative sandwiches (try the one with burrata, delicata squash, and poached tart cherries) as well as meat and cheese boards and more substantial entrées, such as cauliflower steaks and braised beef short ribs.
18672 142nd Ave. NE, Woodinville, Washington, 98072, USA
Known For
- Picnic platters to enjoy while tasting at many local wineries
- Smoked-salmon deviled eggs topped with roe
- Sicilian cannoli
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No dinner Sun.
-
-
$ | |
Just across Port Washington Narrows (via the Manette Bridge) from downtown, this unassuming, almost industrial-looking space is helmed by James Beard Foundation award semi-finalist Matt Tinder, who draws folks from throughout the Puget Sound region with his artisan baked goods. Breads, sandwiches, and sweets are all exquisite, including harissa-tofu sandwiches, Swiss herb quiche, and coconut tropezienne (a flaky brioche with coconut custard filling). Because Saboteur produces different breads and sweets depending on the day, it's best to phone ahead if you're craving a particular item.
2110 E. 11th St., Bremerton, Washington, 98310, USA
Known For
- Sandwiches filled with seasonal greens and produce
- Espresso drinks made with Stumptown Coffee
- To-die-for pastries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs. No dinner
-
$$ | |
This bustling, casual spot along Tacoma's colorful 6th Avenue strip serves remarkably authentic and absolutely delicious soul food. In the morning, regulars swing by for heaping plates of chicken-fried steak with grits and eggs, or homemade biscuits and gravy. Later, move on to fried catfish strips with a side of hush puppies, Texas-style hand-trimmed brisket, and hot-links sandwiches. Dinners come with corn cakes and lots of tasty sides.
1716 6th Ave., Tacoma, Washington, 98405, USA
Known For
- Rich sweet-potato pie
- Hand-battered fried catfish and butterfish
- Jalapeño hush puppies
-
$$ | |
Reasonably priced pastas and pizzas with local and seasonal ingredients, expertly crafted cocktails, a large covered sidewalk seating area, and a convenient downtown location are the hallmarks of this casually hip trattoria. Menu highlights include squid ink mezze maniche pasta (a ridged, tube-shape pasta) with shrimp, clams, pancetta, and chiles in white wine sauce, and the starter of house-made pork-beef meatballs with focaccia.
109 Grand Ave., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- Pizzas with dough created from a 1971 sourdough starter
- Made-from-scratch pastas
- Happy hour deals
-
$$$$ | |
A couple of blocks from the river on a bluff with expansive views of the village, this homey restaurant with a rustic dark-wood interior serves superb seafood, including clams steamed in white wine with smoked tomatoes and bacon, and seared sea scallops with creamed-leek risotto. There are also always a few well-prepared French-inspired classics, such as baked escargots and dry-aged rib eye with confit potatoes and foie gras–anchovy butter.
205 E. Washington St., La Conner, Washington, 98257, USA
Known For
- Extensive selection of regional oysters
- Impressive list of Washington and French wines
- Specialties like paella and Northwest fish stew
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
-
$ | |
The first thing you notice inside this bustling tavern and hot-dog joint are the dozens of beer taps hanging from the ceiling, each one representing a particular ale that's been poured here. Indeed, this quirky spot is a must for beer lovers, with plenty of interesting varieties on tap and available by the bottle, but it's the dogs and brats that set Red Hot apart. The kitchen serves up the classics, like a Chicago-style beef dog topped with mustard, relish, and celery salt, as well as unusual versions, like the Hound Dog, which is slathered in peanut butter and crowned with crispy bacon. Vegan dogs are served, too.
2914 6th Ave., Tacoma, Washington, 98406, USA
Known For
- The place for German-style bratwurst
- Classic and creative hot dogs, including a vegan option
- Late-night dining
-
-
$ | |
This hillside neighborhood tavern just south of downtown doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's an appealing option for lunch (or weekend brunch), dinner, or cocktails, as the drinks selection is extensive and the affordable food—from tacos to tofu—far exceeds typical pub grub. Favorites include crispy pork-belly tacos with apple-cabbage slaw and tart cherries, Moroccan-style quinoa salad with harissa-agave vinaigrette and seared tofu, and a commendable Reuben on rye bread. For brunch, fill up on chorizo Benedicts or the dangerously decadent "hangover homies"—home fries topped with melted cheese, scallions, two fried eggs, and spicy cheddar sour cream.
3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, Washington, 98438, USA
Known For
- Sidewalk seating on warm days
- Jukebox with plenty of old-school tunes
- Some of the best sandwiches in town
-
$ | |
The spacious, high-ceilinged downtown branch of this local chain is steps from the Museum of Glass and other attractions. It's a great place to kick off the day with a well-crafted espresso drink and breakfast sandwich, or linger later in the day over a naan flatbread pizza.
1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, Washington, 98402, USA
Known For
- Outdoor tables on warm days
- Tall windows let in plenty of sunlight
- Craft beers and local wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$$$ | |
Tucked into chic Marina Village, this handsome waterfront outpost of the popular Washington-based seafood chain has large windows opening on to a panorama of Port Gardner Bay. The specials, which change daily, might include meaty Dungeness crab, wild chinook salmon, and other sea creatures caught just offshore. Desserts are fabulous, especially those crafted from the state's succulent berries and fruits.
1726 W. Marine View Dr., Everett, Washington, 98201, USA
Known For
- Renowned clam chowder
- Weekday three-course "sunset dinners" for $30
- Superb fruit desserts
-
$ | |
It's all about the fresh and flavorful tacos at this hip little tavern with exposed brick walls, a white tile and varnished wood bar, and a light-filled upstairs seating annex—oh, and the deftly poured cocktails. The hand-pressed soft tacos are available in about 10 flavors, both meat and veggie, and are served with house-made salsas.
211 W. Holly St., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- Creative fillings like rockfish, sweet potato, and steak-and-egg
- Cocktails with premium tequila and mezcal
- Covered sidewalk seating
-
$$ | |
At this deliberately rustic waterfront eatery with impressive water views, diners share a casual, seaside camaraderie as they slurp up clam chowder, steamed clams, and mussels, plus larger plates of creatively prepared seafood grills and pastas—cioppino, chargrilled garlic prawns, and smoked-salmon linguine are some of the best bets. Sailors, who enjoy free boat moorage, arrive early for the popular weekend brunch.
101 Shore Dr., Bremerton, Washington, 98311, USA
Known For
- Expansive patio overlooking the water
- Good variety of seafood pasta dishes
- Cod fish-and-chips
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
