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$ | | Café
Part bookstore, part café, part coffee shop, this little gem features a simple but seasonal menu, with fresh fare from grilled sandwiches and soups to breakfast offerings, and espresso brewed on a beautiful teal La Marzocco machine. There's a craft-cocktail bar in the basement, too.
110 W. Pensylvania Ave., , Washington, 98941, USA
Known For
- Fun literary atmosphere
- Strong espresso
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun. and Mon.
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$$$ | | Contemporary
Named for the hiking trail that runs through an old railway route in a canyon west of Yakima, this award-winning restaurant offers contemporary, elevated takes on American classics like no other place in town. Lauded for its architecture and design as well as its menu, this is a must-stop for its lemony, smoky, grilled-artichoke appetizer, chicken and melt-in-your-mouth dumplings, steamed clams in apple-and-squash broth, and excellent craft cocktails. Antique ice hooks and smudge pots pay homage to the region's past and double as light fixtures in the bar, where the high ceiling is lined with the wood used to mold the restaurant's board-formed concrete walls.
202 E. Yakima Ave., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- Upscale and modern American fare
- Extensive selection of regional and local beer
- Award-winning architecture and design
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$ | | Café
This charming Craftsman-style hillside home serves scrumptious salads, sandwiches,and egg dishes with lovely garnishes and, often, a dusting of powdered sugar. Sit in the dining, living, or sun room–-or, when the weather's nice, in the garden out back–-and relish dining in the vintage home.
3602 Kern Rd., Yakima, Washington, 98902, USA
Known For
- Vintage charm
- Charming gift shop off the dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | | American
Built in 1923 as a Lutheran church, this cheery, yellow house of culinary worship now offers seating in the nave or choir loft. Soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, and home-baked goods are served, as well as dinner specials. Breakfast is popular on weekends.
111 S. Pearl St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Divine and friendly atmosphere
- Busy weekend breakfast
- Elevated Pacific Northwest dinner fare
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$ | | American
Built in 1889 and rebuilt in 1898, this corner saloon features hearty pub grub, plenty of beer, a giant wood-burning stove, basement jail cells, and a 23-foot-long running-water spittoon, now used for annual miniboat races. Things get lively on weekends when there's live music.
100 W. Pennsylvania Ave., , Washington, 98941, USA
Known For
- Serving up a sense of history along with cold beer
- Hearty pub grub
- Live music
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | | Pizza
Set near the CWU campus and decorated with repurposed, reclaimed, and even historical artifacts, this casual place with a great porch revolves around one central piece, a wood-fire pizza oven. Out of that oven come pies and grinders with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. The bar features a nice rotation of Pacific Northwest wines and beers to help wash them down.
307 E. 5th Ave., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired pizza
- Pacific Northwest craft beer on tap
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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$$$ | | Italian
John Gasperetti's restaurant keeps an elegant low profile in a high-traffic area north of downtown. Hearty pasta dishes share the menu with meat or seafood entrées with organically grown local produce and daily specials; Thursday's crab cannelloni is particularly popular. The cellar has an excellent selection of wines, including Italian varietals. For a sophisticated yet casual experience, opt to sit in the G-Spot Bar. When the weather's nice, an intimate patio will make you forget you're sandwiched between a parking lot and main thoroughfare.
1013 N. 1st St., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- Upscale fare and atmosphere in an unlikely location
- Popular with local foodies
- A Yakima institution since 1966
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.
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$ | | American
At this casual, hip pub you can have A Date with Kevin Bacon–-bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and almonds–-or some spent-grain beer bread. Then try a kale-and-spinach Caesar salad, bratwurst, or Korean short ribs with spicy kimchi. Wash it all down with the famous Quilter's Irish Death dark ale or Iron Horse IPA. The beer is made in a production facility across town, but this fun spot offers a good selection.
412 N. Main St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Elevated pub fare
- Menu with a sense of humor
- Quilter's Irish Death dark ale
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$ | | Mexican
From this humble shop come some of the region's best tamales–-shredded chicken and pork and, during spring, asparagus and cheese. You'll probably want to order more than one. And if you want them for dinner you'll have to take them to go: the place closes at 6 (7 on Saturday).
3706 Main St., Union Gap, Washington, 98903, USA
Known For
- Tamales
- Springtime asparagus-and-cheese tamales
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$ | | American
This Yakima icon (actually located in Union Gap) is a must-visit for many travelers–-particularly entire sports teams–-coming to or through town. It's an authentic 1940s hamburger joint that has expanded from a traditional drive-in to a family sit-down diner with menu items from salads to fish-and-chips and burgers. The real crowd pleaser is the giant "Big Miner"—an old-fashioned burger that knocks any chain burger out of the park. Add a huge basket of fries and a shake, and chances are you'll be full for most of the day.
2415 S. 1st St., Union Gap, Washington, 98903, USA
Known For
- Old-fashioned burger-joint ambience
- Big burgers
- Gets crowded and lively during youth sports seasons
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$ | | American
This tiny taproom features three or four of its own beers as well as another three or four regional selections and free peanuts. Growler fills are $12.
811 Hwy. 970, Suite 7, Cle Elum, Washington, 98922, USA
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
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$ | | Café
Located in the 1909 building that once served as the train depot, this fine coffee shop offers elegant ambience and a glimpse of the past along with some of the city's best espresso. Sit in a comfy armchair and savor the depot's pillars and ornate ceiling along with the Sunday paper.
32 N. Front St., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- 1909 Northern Pacific Railway Depot location
- Cozy spot to take a break
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | | Café
Red vintage tables and chairs await diners at this charming café on the first floor of a blue-and-red-painted house built in 1906 near the town center. Look for hoagie sandwiches, scratch-made soups, salads, and baked goods. There's even an area for children with a play kitchen tucked into a back corner.
102 E. Pennsylvania Ave., , Washington, 98941, USA
Known For
- Glondo sandwich with eggs and locally cured meat
- Bird's Nest Stacker with ham, bacon, Havarti, and two eggs on toast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | | American
Step back in time to a 1930s-era service station that's been converted into a diner, serving up specialty sandwiches, shakes, and more. While you wait for your burger and fries, check out the hundreds of old metal signs and advertisements that enhance the vintage appeal of this classic burger joint.
1518 W. University Way, Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Burgers, fries, and milk shakes
- Authentic vintage feel and appeal
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$ | | Pacific Northwest
Perhaps best known for its camel mural, which figured prominently in the intro of the popular 1990s show Northern Exposure, this eclectic corner café features fresh and hearty Pacific Northwest fare. Look for the Salmon La Sac omelet, named for a nearby area, with house-smoked sockeye salmon and cream cheese; Coal Miner breakfast with two eggs, home fries, and a choice of meat and toast; and the banh mi burger, a twist on the classic Vietnamese sandwich, among other handhelds, salads, and appetizers.
201 W. Pennsylvania Ave., , Washington, 92941, USA
Known For
- Famous camel mural
- Ample breakfasts and burgers
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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$ | | American
Since 1936 this family-owned and -operated Western-themed restaurant has been serving breakfast delectables that include Texas-sized cinnamon rolls made on-site. At other meals, homemade Italian dishes share a lengthy menu with traditional American favorites, such as hamburgers and fried chicken.
318 E. 1st St., Cle Elum, Washington, 98922, USA
Known For
- Friendly service
- Hearty fare such as the Snakebite burger and 1-pound prime rib dinner
- Daily drink specials
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$ | | American
Hungry travelers and locals have enjoyed good food here since 1892, and now choose from a solid menu with standard varieties of steaks, burgers, chicken, and pasta, served in a Western setting. The specialty is a prawn strawberry salad, and the chicken linguine is excellent, as are the ample breakfasts.
323 Main St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Generous breakfasts
- Burgers, steaks, and classic American diner fare
- Prawn strawberry salad
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$ | | American
This no-frills watering hole is a longtime favorite with locals and CWU students alike for its budget burgers and fries, nachos, and deep-fried mozzarella sticks, and the best jukebox in town. Previous diners have left their mark, carving their names into the wooden tables and brick walls. Sit in the courtyard when the weather's nice or enjoy a game of pool.
117 W. 4th Ave., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Super Mother and other burgers
- Deep-fried appetizers
- Popular dive bar that won't break the bank
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$$ | |
Closed Permanently
Meals at this vintage art deco diner consist of Mediterranean bistro-style salads, pastas, and other plates. Featured dinner entrées include pork tenderloin, seared ahi tuna, and chicken marsala. An impressive wine list offers dozens of Yakima Valley options (owner Greg Beach also owns the wine shop next door).
105 W. 3rd Ave., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Authentic 1930s feel and appeal
- Elegant cuisine
- Superb wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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$$ | |
Closed Permanently
The 1899 Lund Building has come a long way since its days as a sheep-ranchers' hotel, saloon, and brothel. Beneath the pressed-tin ceiling and between the gray stone walls, diners can now find craft cocktails and a menu of elegant Pacific Northwest cuisine: fried oysters, beer-battered salmon, and salmon with a Dijon and brown sugar glaze as well. The same creative menu is served in the dining room as well as the bistro bar, which shares a hallway with next-door Gilbert Cellars.
5 N. Front St., Yakima, Washington, 98902, USA
Known For
- Craft cocktails
- Upscale seafood and steak dishes
- A sense of local history
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Credit cards accepted