Washington Cascade Mountains and Valleys Restaurants

Olympia and especially Tacoma have increasingly hip and sophisticated dining scenes, with everything from laid-back cafés to seasonally driven restaurants with water views. After those cities, Gig Harbor and Bellingham have the best food scenes—they’re not terribly big, but support fine little crops of notable restaurants. You’ll also find good brewpubs and indie coffeehouses in most of the larger towns in the area. Edmonds also has a growing bounty of exceptional eateries.

On the road, refueling takes place at country-style cafés, farm stands, and kitschy or specialty shops like the ’50s-style sweets shops of Port Gamble and Snoqualmie or the Norwegian bakeries of Poulsbo. None of these is in short supply, and many eateries, however small, pride themselves on using local ingredients.

Sort by: 5 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Nell Thorn

    $$$$

    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
    360-466–4261

    Known For

    • Many organic ingredients, and locally sourced seafood and meats
    • Delicious desserts including an apple tart
    • Seasonally inspired cocktails
  • 2. The Oyster and Thistle

    $$$$

    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
    360-766–6179

    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.
  • 3. Calico Cupboard

    $

    A local favorite, this storefront bakery, with branches nearby in Anacortes and Mount Vernon, turns out heavenly pastries, plus big portions of breakfast and lunch fare. Lunches focus on fresh and creative salads, soups, and burgers; huge and hearty breakfasts may leave you with little need for lunch—the roasted-butternut-squash hash and migas are a couple of favorites. Buy goodies at the take-out counter for a picnic adventure.

    720 S. 1st St., La Conner, Washington, 98257, USA
    360-466–4451

    Known For

    • Deck seating overlooking Swinomish Channel
    • Filling and delicious breakfasts served all day
    • Rustic, savory breads

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Credit cards accepted
  • 4. COA Mexican Eatery

    $$

    You'll find some of northern Washington's tastiest Mexican food, from wild-cod ceviche to chicken in a 30-ingredient mole sauce, at this cheerful and unpretentious eatery that also specializes in made-to-order premium margaritas (try the smooth "top shelf" with Jimador Blanco tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar). There's another location in Mount Vernon.

    623 Morris St., La Conner, Washington, 98257, USA
    360-466–0267

    Known For

    • Homemade churros with ice cream
    • Traditional chiles rellenos and molcajete (a bowl of different meats and seafood topped with pico de gallo and melted cheese)
    • Creative cocktails

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 5. Taste of Thai by Wipa

    $

    Serving some of the most flavorful and original Thai food in Washington, this cheerfully decorated restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in Burlington (10 miles northeast of La Conner) is helmed by a young, gracious chef-owner who learned her trade at Bangkok's Thai Royal Grand Palace. Authentically prepared standouts include a salad of poached chicken with coconut milk, banana blossoms, and fried shallots, and a fragrant massaman curry with fresh pineapple.

    1038 S. Burlington Blvd., La Conner, Washington, 98233, USA
    360-899–5823

    Known For

    • Thai coffees and teas
    • Gorgeously presented food
    • Black rice pudding with coconut and sesame seeds
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video