Must-see restaurants in Washington

  • Sitka & Spruce

    Seattle

    The king of all locavore restaurants, Sitka & Spruce was the pilot project of celebrated Seattle chef Matt Dillon. It has since become something of an…

  • Maneki

    Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo

    For an unforgettable dining experience make a reservation for one of Maneki's tatami mat dining rooms (paper and wood lattice private chambers with…

  • Taco Chukis

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    At the moment in Seattle there are few bites of food better than the signature taco at Taco Chukis. It's a simple design (juicy pork, guacamole, melted…

  • Heartwood Provisions

    Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront

    Cocktails are having a moment as the alcoholic libation du jour in Seattle and nowhere is that more clear than at Heartwood, a handsome restaurant and bar…

  • Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge

    Seattle

    It would be one thing if Lost Lake was merely a loving homage to David Lynch's hit TV mystery hour Twin Peaks, but the food is also fantastic – much…

  • La Carta de Oaxaca

    Ballard & Discovery Park

    La Carta de Oaxaca is easily one of Seattle's best lunch and brunch spots. Those who crave authentic Oaxacan-style cooking will swoon at the birria …

  • Endolyne Joe's

    Seattle

    It's hard to say exactly what type of dining experience you'll have at Endolyne Joe's. Every few months the menu changes to highlight a specific regional…

  • Staple & Fancy

    Ballard & Discovery Park

    There's much to be said about Staple & Fancy's pedigree as another of Ethan Stowell's many hip Seattle eateries, but the bottom line is the food at this…

  • London Plane

    Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo

    Matt Dillon (the Seattle chef, not the Hollywood actor) moved less than a block from his now-closed Bar Sajor to open London Plane, a hybrid cafe, flower…

  • Bitterroot

    Ballard & Discovery Park

    People come to Bitterroot for two things: smoked meat and whiskey. Thankfully this restaurant with a pleasing modern roadhouse vibe does both…

  • Ma'Ono

    Seattle

    The fried chicken sandwich – served on a King's Hawaiian roll with cabbage and a perfectly spicy sauce – at this West Seattle spot is one of the best…

  • Paseo

    Seattle

    A glorified food shack whose overflowing Cuban sandwiches (which are a lot more generously stuffed than they are in Cuba) have long prompted plenty of…

  • Stehekin Pastry Company

    North Cascades

    In a large city this improbable coffee and pastry shop would do a roaring trade. Out in the middle of a wilderness area it appears like a mirage and is…

  • Tavolàta

    Belltown & Seattle Center

    Owned by top Seattle chef Ethan Stowell, Tavolàta is a dinner-only, Italian-inspired eatery emphasizing homemade pasta dishes and hearty mains such as a…

  • Finistere

    Olympic Peninsula

    When Sweet Laurette (formerly in this location) closed, local foodies despaired, but Finistere is a worthy replacement. With a staff whose experience…

  • UpCountry

    Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands

    Settle in for an intimate sharing plate–style dining experience at this tiny restaurant, with just 11 seats surrounding the open kitchen of chef-owner…

  • Café Campagne

    Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront

    Short of teleporting over to Paris, this is about as Gallic as a Seattleite can get. Inside Café Campagne's effortlessly elegant interior you can live…

  • Rifugio's Country Italian Cuisine

    North Cascades

    Just when you thought you were entering the wilderness, a bit of urban foodie culture pops up. In rural Deming, this Euro-centric cafe-restaurant offers…

  • Beecher's Handmade Cheese

    Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront

    Artisanal beer, artisanal coffee…next up, Seattle brings you artisanal cheese and it's made as you watch in this always-crowded Pike Place nook, where you…

  • Herbfarm

    Around Seattle

    At this legendary, very, very, upscale restaurant, nine-course dinners are created around a specific theme (at the time of writing it was Salmon Nation)…

  • Trout Lake Country Inn

    Washington Cascades

    It calls itself a true honky-tonk and that's exactly what this Wild West, bluegrass band–playing, creaky wood floor–stomping, roast-chicken-with-a-side-of…

  • Inn at Ship Bay

    San Juan Islands

    Locals unanimously rate this place as the best fine-dining experience on the island. The chefs work overtime preparing everything from scratch using the…

  • The Whale Wins

    Seattle

    Forget the whale: it’s the sardines that are the main winners at this eccentrically named fish-biased restaurant that shares trendy Euro-style digs with…

  • Bastille Cafe & Bar

    Ballard & Discovery Park

    French but not at all faux, Bastille could easily pass for a genuine Parisian bistro if it weren't for the surfeit of American accents. First there's the…

  • Willows Inn

    Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands

    The ultimate in locavore dining with most ingredients sourced from within several miles. Think: mussels, clams and salmon, locally grown herbs and…

  • Wild Ginger

    Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront

    A tour of the Pacific Rim – via China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Seattle, of course – is the wide-ranging theme at this highly popular downtown…

  • Top Pot Hand-Forged Doughnuts

    Belltown & Seattle Center

    Sitting pretty in a glass-fronted former car showroom with art-deco signage and immense bookshelves, Top Pot's flagship cafe produces the Ferraris of the…

  • Next Door Gastropub

    Olympic Peninsula

    Arguably the best place to eat on the peninsula and definitely serving the best burger (go for the Mrs Newton with bacon, fig jam and Brie), this small,…

  • Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

    Southeastern Washington

    This place isn't about cooking, it's about alchemy: Saffron takes seasonal, local ingredients and turns them into pure gold. The Med-inspired menu lists…

  • Nirmal's

    Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo

    In a short period of time Nirmal's has established itself as Seattle's premier Indian fine-dining experience. The menu is a good balance of recognizable…

  • Salumi Artisan Cured Meats

    Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo

    This well-loved deli used to be known for the long lines at its tiny storefront, and although it has moved to a bigger spot, you can still expect a wait…

  • Portage Bay Cafe

    Seattle

    A hugely popular brunch spot and for good reason. Aside from the usual suspects (eggs, bacon, pancakes), there’s a help-yourself breakfast bar loaded with…

  • Wild Sage American Bistro

    Spokane

    The intimate yet simple decor and fresh local ingredients, creatively and elegantly prepared, see Wild Sage consistently rated as one of Spokane's top…

  • Adrift

    Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands

    Warm service and high-class food will satisfy all levels of taste at the nautical-cozy Adrift, where you can tuck into everything from a delicious hearty…

  • Brown Bear Baking

    San Juan Islands

    No one wants to pay $7 for a pastry, but the trouble is that once you start eating the baked goods here, nothing else will do. Options include croissants…

  • Casper Fry

    Spokane

    This pub-style brick eatery with rustic polished-wood tables serves state-famous, upscale Southern comfort food. Homegrown and culinary artistry are the…

  • Duck Soup Inn

    San Juan Islands

    It ain’t cheap, but it’s really good. Situated 4 miles northwest of Friday Harbor amid woods and water, Duck Soup offers the best island fine dining using…

  • Copper Creek Inn

    Washington Cascades

    Forget the historic inns. This is one of the state's great rural restaurants, and breakfast is an absolute must if you're heading off for a lengthy hike…

  • Creekside Restaurant

    Olympic Peninsula

    With a view over the wild Pacific Ocean and the friendliest service imaginable, this place is worth the out-of-the-way drive. Order perfectly crafted…

  • Seven Stars Pepper

    Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo

    Don't be put off by Seven Stars Pepper's location on the 2nd floor of a run-down strip mall: this Szechuan restaurant is one of the best in the city…