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This down-home pizza parlor between Zillah and Yakima celebrates the produce of Yakima Valley with wood-fired pizzas topped with an array of interesting ingredients, such as roasted garlic, house-smoked mozzarella, blueberries, pine nuts, and—most notably—locally grown Cascade hops. Aptly, there's a great selection of hoppy Northwest ales, too. A second location in Sunnyside is slated to open in mid-summer 2023.
2560 Donald Wapato Rd., Wapato, Washington, 98951, USA
Known For
- Wood-fired elephant ear pastries with local honey
- Fantastic local beer and cider list
- Inviting outdoor space
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed. and Thurs.
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From this humble mom-and-pop shop in Union Gap come heavenly tamales—shredded chicken and pork and, during spring, asparagus and pepper jack cheese. Order a pile of these delicacies that have been acclaimed by locals and critics alike—the restaurant even earned a vaunted James Beard Foundation award in the American Classics category. And what you can't eat during your visit, you can take with you to go. There's a newer, bigger, but somewhat less atmospheric branch on the west side of Yakima.
3706 Main St., Union Gap, Washington, 98903, USA
Known For
- Seasonal jalapeño–pepper jack tamales
- Simple, down-home dining room with just a few tables
- House-made tomatillo salsa
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From students recovering after a night of partying to hikers fueling up before hitting the trail, this cozy downtown café with big windows and an expansive side patio serves brunch daily—with cocktails, if you wish. Specialties include breakfast poutine with sausage gravy and salsa verde, banana–and–macadamia nut waffles, and avocado toast on sourdough with eggs, cotija cheese, and cherry tomatoes.
412 N. Main St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Filling breakfast bowls
- Savory and sweet waffles
- Mimosas and morning margaritas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Look past the drab setting of this unfussy bakery on a busy street in Sunnyside, as the kitchen turns out fresh and filling breakfast and lunch fare, from chicken-fried steak Benedicts and mascarpone-stuffed French toast in the morning to fettuccine Alfredo with smoked salmon and ham-gouda panini sandwiches for lunch. There's also a bakery case filled with sweet treats.
122 N. 16th St., Sunnyside, Washington, 98944, USA
Known For
- Sweet-savory breakfast combo plates
- Good stock of local wines
- Blueberry cobbler cheesecake
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Whether for a morning macchiato, a bagel breakfast sandwich, a lunchtime panini, or a late-afternoon slice of cake, this roomy coffeehouse with hardwood floors, comfy armchairs, and café tables works nicely for a quick pick-me-up or a more leisurely meal. Most evenings, the space becomes a casual dinner spot with beer and wine available, and on weekends there's often live rock, jazz, and country music.
713 6th St., Prosser, Washington, 99350, USA
Known For
- Well-crafted espresso drinks
- Excellent breakfast and lunch sandwiches
- Live music shows many weekend evenings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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This cute Latina- and LGBTQ-owned café in downtown Sunnyside has an inviting, hip vibe with artfully arranged plants and a beautiful floral mural. Stop in for an espresso pick-me-up between wineries or a craft cocktail.
436 S. 6th St., Sunnyside, Washington, 98944, USA
Known For
- Bagels and avocado toast
- Mimosa flights
- Ube (purple yam) iced lattes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner
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Set near the CWU campus and decorated with repurposed, reclaimed, and historical artifacts, this casual hangout with a great porch revolves around one central fixture, a wood-fire pizza oven. Out of that oven come pies and grinders with a focus on regional and seasonal ingredients—the salmon-caper and Thai chicken pizzas are among the favorites.
307 E. 5th Ave., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Pacific Northwest craft beer on tap
- Bacon maple bars for dessert
- Nice selection of wines
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Sample some of the tastiest Mexican-American fare in the valley at this friendly, no-frills establishment. The savory seafood dishes, such as sautéed prawns with mushrooms and garlic, are among the standouts, and traditional offerings like pork chile verde burritos and shredded-beef chimichangas round out the menu.
905 Vintage Valley Pkwy., Zillah, Washington, 98953, USA
Known For
- Delicious flavored margaritas
- Reasonably priced meals
- Fried ice cream with strawberry sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
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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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Head to this cheerful hole in the wall in downtown Sunnyside for perfectly seasoned whole grilled chicken along with a nice variety of Mexican-American favorites, including birria tacos and carne asada fries. The original, slightly larger location is in Grandview and is also excellent.
632 E. Edison Ave., Sunnyside, Washington, 98944, USA
Known For
- Refreshing mango micheladas
- Tender fall-off-the-bone chicken
- Crispy churros drizzled with chocolate or caramel sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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This 1940s hamburger joint that's expanded from a drive-in to a family-friendly diner over the years is a Yakima Valley icon (actually located in Union Gap), doling out all sorts of comfort classics, from salads to fish-and-chips to enormous burgers. The real crowd pleaser is the gut-busting "Big Miner"—a hulking pile of meat that's best enjoyed with a basket of fries and a shake.
2415 S. 1st St., Union Gap, Washington, 98903, USA
Known For
- Old-fashioned ambience
- Mammoth burgers
- 44-ounce milk shakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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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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Located in Yakima's atmospheric 1909 train depot, this first-rate coffeehouse offers plenty of seating surrounded by ornate pillars, molding, arched ceilings, and other architectural elements. Sit in a comfy armchair and savor a white chocolate mocha or potent cold brew.
32 N. Front St., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- Drinks made with Stumptown coffee
- Spacious patio
- Grab-and-go baked goods and sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Have a seat at one of the red vintage tables and chairs in this charming breakfast and lunch café on the first floor of a sweet blue-and-red house built in 1906 near the town center. Standout dishes include the Gallic Rooster (a French toast sandwich filled with bacon, strawberry jam, goat cheese, and fried eggs) and meatballs and marinara hoagie.
102 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Roslyn, Washington, 98941, USA
Known For
- Hefty sandwiches and salads with unusual ingredients
- Children's area with play kitchen
- Decadent pies and cookies made from scratch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Step back in time to a 1930s-era service station that's been converted into a diner, serving up classic greasy-spoon fare, like steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, charbroiled chicken sandwiches, banana splits, and the like. While you await your grub, check out the hundreds of vintage metal gas station signs and advertisements.
1518 W. University Way, Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Old-fashioned burgers and fries
- Cool roadside memorabilia
- Luscious milk shakes
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This friendly daytime café is inside a quirky little cabin with a sunny deck beside Cle Elum's Flag Pole Park. Popular for a bite or a latte before or after hiking the nearby Coal Mines Trail or just strolling around downtown, Stella's specializes in overstuffed sandwiches—such as the Gobbler, with roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and Swiss—and well-prepared breakfasts featuring everything from French toast to steal-cut oatmeal to build-your-own egg scrambles.
316½ W. 1st St., Cle Elum, Washington, 98922, USA
Known For
- Espresso drinks with house-made chocolate and caramel sauces
- Cute deck seating
- House-baked cookies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner
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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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Set amid law offices on the north side of town, this dapper Craftsman-style home is an inviting spot for leisurely, if a touch decadent, brunches and lunches. Sit in the dining, living, or sun room—or, when the weather's nice, in the garden out back—and relish platters of egg, ham, and havarti croissant melts, prodigious sugar-dusted cinnamon rolls, and oven-roasted-chicken salad sandwiches, along with an array of daily-rotating desserts. There are also a couple of B&B guest rooms available on the second floor.
3602 Kern Rd., Yakima, Washington, 98902, USA
Known For
- Quaintly decorated cottage setting
- Breakfast served until closing Sunday
- Cupcakes in many flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
