4 Best Restaurants in The San Juan Islands, Washington

Most of the tables in this warmly rustic dining room at Doe Bay Resort overlook the tranquil body of water for which the café is named. This is a popular stop for brunch or dinner before or after hiking or biking in nearby Moran State Park—starting your day off with breakfast tacos or shakshuka will provide you with plenty of fuel for recreation. The kitchen uses ingredients foraged from the lush resort garden in such artful, healthy dinner creations as crisp-skinned wild salmon with onion-port jam, dandelion greens, salsify-chevre-quinoa cakes, and walnuts; and Thai green curry with local spot prawns. Reservations are essential for dinner and if there are six or more in your party for weekend breakfast.

A bustling family-friendly Mexican restaurant with a cozy dining room and a sprawling shaded garden patio is helmed by Raul Rios, who learned to cook during his years growing up outside Mexico City. Expect a mix of flavorful Mexican and Mexican-American dishes, many featuring local ingredients. The tender braised short ribs in blackberry mole sauce and Dungeness crab enchiladas are justly popular, and there's a good selection of margaritas and beers, too.

The island's local brewery, just a few short blocks from the ferry landing, has a nice selection of suds brewed on-site, along with standard brewpub fare (pretzels, cheese curds, chicken wings), and some that is more elevated, including the portobello caprese sandwich, blackened wild salmon Caesar salad, and surprisingly good individual pizzas.

At this gourmet market and wineshop (open primarily during the daytime but until 8 pm on Wednesday and Friday), the proprietors create a daily-changing assortment of prepared foods and some made-to-order items, such as Reuben panini sandwiches. Other favorites include Dungeness crab cakes, hearty meat loaf, lobster mac and cheese, and an assortment of tempting desserts. Wood-fired pizza is available some evenings. You order at the counter and can then enjoy your meal either to go or on the colorful garden patio.