Would like some suggestions as to where to have lunch on a Sunday between the airport and Anacortes where we will be spending the night before going to Vancouver Island in the morning. We are open to all cusines. Much appreciated!

If you want to stop roughly halfway, Everett would work. Down by the water is an Anthony's which has a nice Sunday brunch. They also have another restaurant a few doors down which is the Woodfire Grill.

I would go north on I-5 from the airport, then cut over to Mukilteo on SR526 (signposted "Whidbey Island Ferry." You'll drive past the Boeing widebody plant - biggest building in the world - then take the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry over to Whidbey Island. Drive up the island a couple of minutes to the Langley turnoff, then go into Langley for lunch. Very cute waterfront village with several okay (none bad, none great) places for lunch, but all with great ambiance. Wander around for a little while, then continue back up the island to Deception Pass (stop for a view - very impressive) then cross the bridge to Fidalgo Island and into Anacortes.

If you have time, Coupeville on Whidbey is also a very attractive town with good places for lunch.

Do you prefer any specific cuisine? How far off I-5 are you willing to drive? Would you be interested in a Seattle restaurant?

I'd take a side trip to LaConner, on the way to Anacortes. There are several good restaurants in this picturesque little town. We really like Palmer's On the Waterfront, on First St. Great views and a fine Continental lunch.

If you prefer Meditteranean cuisine, check out Dulce Plate, on Morris St.

For local seafood and local organic produce, you'd like the Nell Thorn, at the LaConner Country Inn.

Another First St. restaurant with a view is Kerstin', which has a very eclectic menu and a great wine list.

happytrailstoyou

We like all cusines and the last time we were in Seattle we ate at Ivor's. Even though it was very touristy we found the fish tacos to be very good. As to how far off I-5 probably not more than a half hour off since we will be coming in from South Florida and with the time change and all.

Thanks for any suggestions.

There is an Ivar's right at the Mukilteo ferry.

Thanks.

In that case, the aforementioned Ivar's in Mukilteo would probably be the ticket for you.

You would probably also like the Anthony's in Everett or the Anthony's or Arnie's in Edmonds--which is a pleasant town on Puget Sound and less than 30 minutes from I-5.

If you're sticking to the freeway (i.e. don't want to take the time to go via Mukilteo/Whidbey) then sadly it's a bit of a culinary wasteland north of Seattle.

The Everett marina places mentioned are okay, but IMO not really worthy of a detour. They can also be quite crowded at lunch/brunch on Sundays in the summer, further adding to your timing woes.

One thought - no scenery but surprisingly good food - the buffet in the Tulalip casino - just north of Marysville on I-5 - is pretty good and plenty of choice and parking. Plus you can win (or lose) enough to cover lunch.

Farther up, you can try Willow and Jim's Country Cafe in Silvana (turnoff near Arlington) - basic roadfood diner place with decent breakfasts, or go past the Anacortes turnoff up to the Chuckanut Drive exit (around Burlington - a couple of miles north of the SR 20 junction) and try the Rhododendron Cafe in Bow - pretty nice little place.

Otherwise there aren't many non-freeway choices, aside from okay Dutch or Norwegian bakeries in downtown Marysville and Stanwood respectively.

I'd go with the Whidbey option - the 20 min on the ferry will be very refreshing after a long plane ride.

Another vote for LaConner and Palmers.
Great artsy town, fine food.

This was posted in June, 2007. Karol Yu has no doubt eaten that lunch by now. Maybe since you've topped this, she will tell us where.

We spent the night at La Conner Country Inn on Sunday before our morning ferry out of Anacortes and ate dinner at Nell Thorn. It was very good and I would highly recommend it. You should make resevations because it was very busy.

just reading this thread has made me homesick for the northwest and our seattle-vancouver-b.c. vacations we used to take.

we have eaten at most of the mentioned places, and i was happy to be reminded of the name of one of our favorites.. rhododedron café.

thanks!