417 Best Restaurants in Washington, USA

As you enter this lawn-framed timber chalet, you're immersed in the tantalizing aromas of a European bakery. Glassed-in display cases are filled with trays of homemade baked goods, and the pungent espresso is eye-opening. Sit down at a window-side table and dig into an overfilled sandwich or rich bowl of soup—and don't forget dessert: the pie is sublime, made with fruit fresh-picked from local orchards. Two miles north of the boat landing, the shop is conveniently en route to Rainbow Falls.

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.

Stylish and swimming in light, the oak paneling, dark accents, and wide windows onto bustling Ballard Avenue give this quasi-Italian joint an exciting vibe. The menu keeps one foot firmly rooted in Italy, with sections for pizza and pasta on the menu full of Mediterranean sensibilities. But it also pays heed to Northwest ingredients like Hama Hama clams in the soup and local mushrooms on pizza. Astute eaters will also find hints of global influence: gojuchang, poblano peppers, and fish sauce. The excellent bar boasts, in addition to traditional drinks, a wide variety of nonalcoholic cocktails.

It may be a no-frills diner, but Streamliner is a local institution on Bainbridge Island thanks to its hearty breakfasts and vegetarian options. Many travelers grab a quick bite here when they hop off the ferry, though you'll see just as many locals lining up for breakfast and lunch.

On top of Crystal Mountain at 6,872 feet is Washington's highest-elevation restaurant with stunning views of the northeastern face of Mt. Rainier. The Summit House is a popular stop for skiers, hikers, and summer tourists, with a menu featuring Northwest cuisine, including wild Pacific cod fish-and-chips in summer (halibut in winter), elk and bison chili, burgers, and huckleberry ice cream. Sit inside to stay warm by the fireplace, or sit outside on the patio and watch chipmunks run along the nearby rocks. The restaurant is reached by riding the scenic gondola from the base of the mountain; note that gondola tickets ($44 for adults; purchase in advance to save $9) must be purchased separately. There are no reservations, so there can be a wait.

On a clear day, photographers will find plenty of vantage points to capture Mt. Rainier (as well as Mt. Adams in the background). It's an epic view that still awes people who've seen it hundreds of times.

A cafeteria and grill serve tasty hamburgers, chili, hot dogs, and soft-serve ice cream from July through mid-September.

Since 1936 this family-run Western-theme restaurant has been serving breakfast delectables that include the signature "Texas-size cinnamon rolls," plus boneless pork chops and eggs, corned-beef-hash Benedicts, and astoundingly large pancakes filled with bananas, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. The rest of the day, count on traditional Italian and American fare like burgers and chicken Parmesan.

The seafood is as blindingly fresh as one would hope for at a Seattle sushi bar, but chef Taichi Kitamura ups the ante by adding seasonal, sustainable, and Northwest touches such as pork loin from sustainable Skagit River Ranch with organic watercress. Order a series of small plates at the blond-wood tables, like oysters from nearby Totten Inlet in ponzu sauce, or impeccable spot prawns in soy-butter sauce—or put yourself in Kitamura's more-than-capable hands for omakase at the 13-seat bar. This is in the Eastlake neighborhood, a short cab ride from Capitol Hill.

After working her way through school at a chain ice-cream shop, UW graduate Lois Ko bought the space and opened up an independent local ice creamery, committed to making each ice cream from scratch daily using organic, local ingredients whenever possible. The passion for quality ice cream shows both in standard flavors like sweet cream and salted caramel, and in the originals, like makgeolli (Korean rice beer) or kettle corn. Plenty of vegan options round out the selection, and the cones and cookies for ice cream sandwiches are both baked in-house.

Wildly popular with savvy diners from across the city, this Vietnamese haunt really doesn't look like much from the outside—and the entrance is through a cramped parking lot (which it shares with Sichuanese Cuisine restaurant)—but once you're inside, the elegantly simple space is extremely welcoming. Try the spring rolls, which are stuffed with fresh herbs, fried tofu, peanuts, coconut, jicama, and carrots; authentic bánh xèo (a crispy, stuffed rice pancake); spicy pho; the signature "seven courses of beef"; and, to finish, grilled banana cake with warm coconut milk. Service is attentive and reservations are recommended.

This tiny space hidden inside an aging mall is modern and lovely and the food is transportive. Reserve far in advance for one of the few coveted spots at Hideki Taneda's counter where each diner receives a progression of dishes, built from seasonal ingredients transformed into elaborate flavors and stunning presentations. While the menu changes often, guests can expect to see plenty of seafood, both local and imported from Japan.

This elegant Lebanese restaurant serves an enormous menu of Halal cuisine, including flavorful mezze, all-day breakfasts, and plenty of meat on a stick. For more casual meals, they have a few Middle Eastern street foods and sandwiches. Everything comes rich with spices alongside fluffy, freshly baked pita. The huge selection includes plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free items, with attention to allergens. Because it is fully Halal, there is no alcohol served, but it has a terrific selection of non-alcoholic drinks, from blended juices to cardamom-infused Turkish coffee.

Serving some of the most flavorful and original Thai food in Washington, this cheerfully decorated restaurant in an unassuming strip mall in Burlington (10 miles northeast of La Conner) is helmed by a young, gracious chef-owner who learned her trade at Bangkok's Thai Royal Grand Palace. Authentically prepared standouts include a salad of poached chicken with coconut milk, banana blossoms, and fried shallots, and a fragrant massaman curry with fresh pineapple.

This Belltown favorite is helmed by superstar-chef Ethan Stowell (also of How to Cook a Wolf and Staple & Fancy), who is known for his way with fresh pasta. Serving up Italian goodness by the plateful in an industrial-chic bi-level space, Tavolàta is a decidedly lively, loud, and delicious night out on the town. The bar serves simple, elegant cocktails (Campari or Cynar with soda never fails). Start with a chickpea salad, buffalo mozzarella, or chilled heirloom tomato soup. Homemade pasta is the main draw here, such as fresh campanelle with mussels, squash, preserved lemon and pesto, or linguine with clams, garlic, and chili. Meat offerings are traditional with flair: the pork chop is vivified with currants and grilled radicchio; fresh halibut is poached in olive oil with escarole and mushrooms. A second location serves Capitol Hill.

This might be the cheapest Thai restaurant in town, but rock-bottom prices aren't the only reason this place is always packed—the food is delicious, authentic, and spicy (two stars is usually pretty hot). Plus, you get dinner and a show as the flames lick up the woks in front of the bar. Students and foodies pack in for garlic chicken, spicy curries, Thai coconut soup with shrimp, and rich, flavorful pad Thai. Tables can be hard to come by during the dinner rush, but there's usually space at the counter that lines the open kitchen.

Reservations are a must—try to book well ahead for weekends—at this compact and quirky South Tacoma brunch destination featuring the wonderfully weird cuisine of chef-owner Shawn Tibbitts. The payoff is the chance to stuff yourself with prodigious plates of candied-bacon-wrapped breakfast burritos and salted-caramel banana pancakes. Tibbitts is both personable and a bit of a showman, and there's a good chance he'll take your order personally.

This local favorite expanded into a larger space just up the street, so now even more people can enjoy the contemporary Italian food, along with the neighborly feel of the two-level dining room, the cozy bar, and the hip upstairs lounge. The menu focuses on bold flavors and fresh, local, and organic ingredients for dishes like pappardelle bolognese, grilled king salmon with risotto cake, and braised lamb chop. Weekday lunches offer tasty choices, too, including Waygu beef burgers, root vegetable salads, and seasonal soups. Customers are often greeted by the friendly owner, Walla Walla native Tom Maccarone.

This Green Lake sandwich shop is as cute and modern as the illustrations on the menu board hanging over its counter. The Vietnamese sandwiches on offer get fun new names like the Mekong (grilled pork) and Sapa (sauteed tofu) but stay true to the flavor of classic banh mi, stacked with jalapenos, pickled carrots and daikon, and basil-cilantro aioli. They also offer similar ingredients in bowl form, as well as a wide variety of customizable bubble tea options. Food and drinks come out quickly, and the Green Lake adjacent location makes it an excellent stop for picking up a picnic to take to the park.

Toga's serves an eclectic menu of casual fare, ranging from house-made soups and fresh salads to hearty sandwiches. The many windows provide views of the Olympic Mountains, and there's also an open-air patio. If you're in a hurry to see the sights, there's always the drive-through.