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Equal parts indie bookstore, bar, and coffee house, this hip hangout set in one of Roslyn's quirky Victorian storefronts turns out creatively prepared American classics morning to night, including elk sausage scrambles, candied-bacon and blue-cheese burgers, apple-maple salads, and turkey potpies. Espresso drinks are brewed using a beautiful teal La Marzocco machine, and craft cocktails are served in the cozy basement tavern. On the adjacent patio, an airstream trailer doles out snacks and is staffed by employees who can recommend local hikes and activities.
110 W. Pensylvania Ave., Roslyn, Washington, 98941, USA
Known For
- Terrific selection of outdoorsy books and gear
- Interesting cocktails and mocktails
- Fun, social vibe
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Helmed by James Beard finalist and ardent fly-fisherman Kevin Davis, this modern restaurant on a picturesque bend in Yakima River Canyon has tall windows and a covered deck overlooking the scenery. Stop for a hearty breakfast before a day of recreation on the river, or for a memorable lunch or dinner of artfully prepared contemporary American fare, such as grilled Idaho trout with roasted pecan–brown butter or tagliatelle with goat Bolognese and burrata.
14706 Hwy. 821, Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Delicious breakfast sandwiches
- Warm apple crostada with a caramel drizzle
- Eye-popping river and canyon views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon.–Wed.
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Named for one of the region's most famous canyons for hiking, this hip downtown restaurant offers contemporary, elevated comfort fare like tandoori chicken wings, balsamic-braised lamb shank, and butcher's cut steaks with a chimichurri glaze. Notable for its sleek design, the restaurant uses antique ice hooks and smudge pots, which double as light fixtures, to pay homage to the region's past, and the high-ceilinged bar 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
- Extensive selection of regional wines and beers
- Creative takes on modern American fare
- Plenty of outdoor seating
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The menu at this urbane farm-to-table downtown bistro changes according to whatever's fresh in the Yakima Valley, showcasing anything from braised short ribs with local cherries, horseradish, and pureed apples in summer to grilled albacore with a Thai chili vinaigrette, root vegetables, dried shrimp, and pickled ginger. Certain dishes you can always expect to find on the menu, like local oysters on the half-shell and wood-fired feta, along with seasonal sorbets for dessert.
22 N. 1st St., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- Beautiful minimalist aesthetic
- Seven-course family-style tasting menus
- One of the best wine lists in the valley
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No lunch
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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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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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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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Occupying a warmly decorated Victorian house in downtown Prosser, this charming neighborhood bistro offers a nice mix of casual comfort fare (Thai barbecue wings, French dip sandwiches) and more substantial cuisine to pair with local wines. Standouts include the San Francisco–style cioppino and rosemary-garlic rib eye steaks with a peppercorn demiglace. Save room for the flourless chocolate cake.
1232 Wine Country Rd., Prosser, Washington, 99350, USA
Known For
- Outdoor dining on the wraparound porch
- Outstanding local wine and beer selection
- Brioche French toast with stewed apples for Sunday brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed. No dinner Sun.
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Set in a grand stone-and-timber lodge that overlooks both the remains of the old Roslyn No. 9 mineshaft and the Hyatt Suncadia Resort's scenic Rope Rider Golf Course, this wine-centric dining room provides an elegant counterpoint to the area's quirky saloons. The menu mixes Pacific Northwestern and international recipes—apple chutney–baked Brie, pear-pancetta flatbread, and Angus rib-eye steaks—and Swiftwater's own mostly Bordeaux-style wines are superb.
301 Rope Rider Dr., Cle Elum, Washington, 98922, USA
Known For
- Lavishly prepared steak and seafood
- On-site winery and tasting room
- Sunny terrace with sweeping views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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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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In this warmly inviting storefront that morphs into a full-on bar and live music haunt after 9 pm, enjoy gastropub cooking that often features internationally inspired dishes, such as pork belly ramen and mussels in a fragrant Thai red coconut curry. Decked out with deep wooden booths, exposed brick walls, and vintage chandeliers, it's a classy joint, but with an "everybody knows your name" vibe.
402 N. Pearl St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Generous late-afternoon happy hour
- Hearty burgers, chops, and seafood grills
- Prohibition era–inspired cocktails
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Tucked in the corner of a modest, mid-century retail strip a couple of miles west of town, this intimate izakaya filled with plants and local art specializes in sublime poached chicken, spicy mushroom, and classic pork shoyu ramens. But also note the extensive selection of small plates, including toasted miso-glazed eggplant and broiled hamachi collar, plus a few Korean-style bibimbap rice dishes.
3508 Summitview Ave., Yakima, Washington, 98902, USA
Known For
- Locally sourced, mostly organic ingredients
- Richly flavored, slow-cooked ramens
- Flights of interesting sakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues. No lunch
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Smack in the center of Vintner's Village, steps from more than a dozen tasting rooms, this smartly casual bistro is part of Bunnell Family Cellar winery and offers delightfully relaxing meals, with its open kitchen, fresh flowers on the tables, and outside seating set among the restaurant's herb and vegetable gardens. Share a few small plates with friends—maybe a caprese salad, a charcuterie plate, or crisp-crust pizza with pesto and eggplant from the wood-fired oven—or consider a more substantial meal, such as wild Pacific cod with polenta and blueberry-corn salsa.
548 Cabernet Ct., Prosser, Washington, 99350, USA
Known For
- Antipasto plates and light tapas
- Flights of the excellent house-crafted wines
- Hand-rolled dark chocolate truffles
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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Set inside a 1923 Lutheran church, this cheery yellow house of culinary worship now serves modern American fare with global accents inside the former nave and choir loft. Standouts at dinner include garam masala–crusted rack of lamb and oven-roasted cedar plank steelhead with lemon caper butter. The gooey bananas Foster waffles are a crowd-pleaser on weekend mornings.
111 S. Pearl St., Ellensburg, Washington, 98926, USA
Known For
- Charmingly quirky architecture and decor
- Praiseworthy list of Washington wines
- Memorable breakfasts on weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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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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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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This hip pan-Asian joint with big windows and ample patio seating will satisfy your yearning for flavor-packed dumplings, steamed buns, noodle bowls, steaks, and seafood. Beyond the flavorful fare, which favors regional ingredients, E.Z turns out fun cocktails like the Tiki Tiger, with whiskey, yuzu, grapefruit, pomegranate, honey, and lemon.
222 E. Chestnut Ave., Yakima, Washington, 98901, USA
Known For
- Great variety of dim sum starters
- Sesame-ginger rib-eye steaks
- Japanese-style jasmine milk-bread custard for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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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
