4 Best Restaurants in The Olympic Peninsula and Washington Coast, Washington

Local seafood—including prawns, scallops, crab, clams, and mussels—features prominently in the brightly flavored and fragrantly seasoned food at this relaxing Thai bistro on the quiet west side of town. Other delicious house specialties are spicy eggplant with red curry, and crispy half duck with bok choy and a smoky soy glaze.

There can be a wait for a table at this homey country cottage–inspired restaurant, especially on weekend mornings when hikers and families pile in for sustenance before visiting Olympic National Park. Favorites include bacon-and-Brie egg scrambles, crème brûlée French toast, and—for lunch—barbecue chicken pizzas. 

Painted a cheery yellow outside, this dimly lighted roadside log cabin evokes the feeling of a bygone era with its wood paneling, exposed beams, and bric-a-brac-filled dining room. Locally sourced seafood and steaks dominate the menu. Consider Dungeness crab cakes with pineapple-cranberry compote, gnocchi with wild shrimp and shellfish, or bacon-wrapped filet mignon topped with crab and a burgundy–cremini mushroom reduction.

Chatter-filled and nearly always packed, this downtown neighborhood tavern with TVs airing Seattle sports games and ample sidewalk seating is popular for casual but creative comfort fare. Best bets include the citrus-crab salad with feta and avocado and the mac-and-cheese with buffalo chicken, plus an extensive list of beef and elk burgers.