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At this convivial two-level downtown tavern with exposed brick walls and tall windows, boldly flavored Southern fare—prominently featuring rotisserie or fried (buttermilk or spicy-hot) chicken—rules the day. The chicken dishes come with a variety of sauces and sides and in several different formats, from chicken and waffles to fried chicken thigh sandwiches with Tabasco mayo.
1327 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- Novel cocktails
- Pimento cheese hush puppies
- Roasted shiitake–and–chicken gravy poutine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
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In a strip mall a short drive east of downtown, this simply decorated pan-Asian restaurant serves creative, often complex, dishes that often reflect Latin American influences—think ahi tacos and birria ramen. Fried soft-shell crab with tuna poke are stars among the noodle bowls, but also consider the gochujang-braised short ribs with kimchi-fried rice, pickled Fresno chilies, and a sunny-side-up egg.
8404 Bowdoin Way, Edmonds, Washington, 98020, USA
Known For
- Great deals during late-night happy hour
- Plenty of creative plant-based options
- Asian-Latino taco nights on Tuesday
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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With a dining room and spacious terrace overlooking the downtown's Waterfront District and Bellingham Bay, this spacious craft cider taproom is an inviting, family-friendly place to sample the rotating selection of small-batch sippers. This is a legit dining option, too, with a kitchen that turns out well-crafted contemporary Northwest fare, from pan-roasted diver scallops with gnocchi to pork tenderloin with rosemary spaetzle and a mustard cream sauce. There's also an impressive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
205 Prospect St., Bellingham, Washington, 98225, USA
Known For
- Interesting cider flavors like blood orange and blackberry-ginger
- Popular Sunday brunch
- Cider–poached apples with vanilla ice cream
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays
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Seasonally sourced contemporary American and European dishes are beautifully presented in this light-filled dining room with expansive outdoor terraces overlooking Gig Harbor. Dinners are elaborate affairs that feature seafood—perhaps Thai curry and coconut-steamed mussels—and rich classics such as grilled filet mignon with scampi-compound butter. Tempting desserts include an array of cakes, ice creams, and cobblers, and there's a fine wine to match every course. This wine-focused bistro takes its name from the term used by winemakers to describe the natural sugar content of grapes and wines.
3315 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, Washington, 98332, USA
Known For
- Sweeping harbor views
- Outstanding wine list
- Double-dark chocolate brownies with strawberries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No lunch
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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.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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.
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Since 2000, connoisseurs of Northern Italian cuisine have made a pilgrimage to this chic, contemporary dining room helmed by James Beard Award–winning chef Holly Smith and offering four multicourse dinner menu options: omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan. Even meat lovers sometimes opt for one the plant-based menus, as everything Smith prepares is stunningly plated and delicious. By all accounts, the pescatarian option is often the most interesting—it frequently features sea urchin, as well as local crab and salmon.
9702 N.E. 120th Pl., Bellevue, Washington, 98034, USA
Known For
- Reserve ahead for daily-changing prix-fixe feasts
- Exceptional wine pairings
- Decadent optional supplements, including white truffles and Idaho white sturgeon caviar
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Mon., and Thurs. No lunch, Reservations essential
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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
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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.
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This spacious, high-ceilinged space with a big outdoor garden patio strung with pretty lights adjoins the Cascadia Art Museum and serves seasonally focused Mediterranean food with plenty of Northwestern influences. It's very easy to make a meal here of several tantalizing small plates, like sautéed brussels sprouts with bacon, but the entrées—fettuccine with a Kobe beef Bolognese sauce, roast duck with butternut squash polenta—are well worth considering.
190 Sunset Ave. W, Edmonds, Washington, 98020, USA
Known For
- Inviting outdoor seating
- Cured meat boards and fresh burrata
- Wood-fired pizzas with inventive toppings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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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
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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
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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.
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In a vintage brick building in downtown Chehalis, a 10-minute drive south of Centralia, you'll find the region's most sophisticated restaurant, a source of consistently imaginative, fresh Pacific Northwest fare at reasonable prices. The seasonally driven menu changes daily but might feature a starter of cheddar ale fondue with apple, artisan bread, and sausage, followed by Parmesan-crusted whitefish with a light lemon-dill sauce, or sliced duck breast with a black-cherry-and-walnut reduction—it's pretty urbane fare for this laid-back, down-home part of Washington.
545 N. Market St., Chehalis, Washington, 98532, USA
Known For
- Extensive list of local beers and wines
- Beautifully presented dishes
- Chocolate-coffee pots de creme
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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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
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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
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This playfully named restaurant near the Capitol does indeed specialize in tapas, including—naturally—giant Pacific octopus, cured in olive oil and served with crusty house bread. Others treats from the seafood-centric menu are smoked oysters with lemon, mussels in a Thai lemongrass curry, and prawn tacos with pineapple salsa, but the menu lists plenty of meat and veggie options, too.
610 Water St. SW, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
Known For
- Generous three-hour-long happy hour
- Live music and brunch on weekends
- Friendly staff
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays.
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Tucked in an alley near downtown theaters and nightlife, this cozy and romantic neighborhood bistro serves first-rate Northwest-influenced Italian fare, including bounteous salads and creative grills. It's worth seeking out this art-filled space with exposed-brick walls for such delectable fare as twin duck breasts with an apple-port reduction and cherries, and slow-cooked pork loin Bolognese with house-made pappardelle pasta.
709 Opera Alley, Tacoma, Washington, 98402, USA
Known For
- Knowledgeable, friendly service
- Some of the best steaks in town
- House-made ice creams and other lavish desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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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.
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Country-style Italian cooking is the specialty at this delightful roadside restaurant on Mt. Baker Highway, which offers seats in a cozy art-filled dining room or outside on a glorious pine-scented patio. Hearty dishes like lasagna Bolognese and seafood stew with crusty house-baked bread feature locally grown or harvested ingredients. A thoughtful wine list draws from both the Pacific Northwest and Italy.
5415 Mt. Baker Hwy., Glacier, Washington, 98244, USA
Known For
- Après-ski and post-hike dining
- Festive Sunday brunches
- Double chocolate tiramisu with balsamic sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs. No lunch
