Must-see restaurants in Washington

  • New Leaf Cafe

    San Juan Islands

    Two words: crab cakes. Throw in some Dijonnaise sauce and pecans and you might consider delaying your return trip to the mainland. Complement those crab…

  • Seattle Biscuit Company

    Seattle

    Bring your appetite to this brick-and-mortar location of the beloved local food cart Seattle Biscuit Company. The biscuits are giant and it doesn't skimp…

  • Whittaker's Café & Espresso

    Washington Cascades

    If you've ever pondered huckleberry ice cream for breakfast (why not?), this is the place for it. The cute little cafe attached to a bunkhouse also serves…

  • Hi Spot Café

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    The cinnamon rolls here are bigger than your head, and that’s no exaggeration. It’s a comfy little space in an old craftsman-style house where you can…

  • Hangar Cafe

    Seattle

    No matter where you fall in the great 'sweet or savory' crepe debate, you're likely to enjoy the ones at Hangar Cafe. This extremely popular Georgetown…

  • Sunfish

    Seattle

    You haven't really been to Alki until you've tried the fish-and-chips. Options include cod, halibut, salmon, fried oysters and clam strips – or…

  • Windy City Pie

    Seattle

    This much talked about (and adored) deep-dish pizza joint made the move to Phinney Ridge after some time in a permanent location limbo. Drop in for a…

  • Morsel

    Seattle

    A diminutive cafe that specializes in biscuits – and they’re not morsels! Choices include the classic (with gravy), or a formidable leaning tower of bacon…

  • Isabel's Espresso

    San Juan Islands

    A retro wood-paneled coffee bar that offers a fine selection of coffee, herbal teas and fruit shakes, and features colorful furnishings and a small book…

  • Fire Mountain Grill

    Washington Cascades

    A typical American grill menu of burgers, fish-and-chips, salads and steaks is enhanced here by its unexpectedness (there’s nothing else for miles around)…

  • Sunrise Day Lodge

    Washington Cascades

    As it's the only eating joint within a 30-mile radius, Sunrise's posthike chili can look pretty appetizing. There's not a lot else here apart from hot…

  • Frankie & Jo's

    Seattle

    Frankie & Jo's is a 100% vegan ice-cream shop in Capitol Hill that specializes in lux flavors such as chocolate date, gingered golden milk and salty…

  • Holly B's Bakery

    San Juan Islands

    Holly's handles the early-morning latte and pastry rush while harnessing the slow island vibe and thus remaining effortlessly low-key. The seasonal fruit…

  • TNT Taqueria

    Seattle

    People stream in from all over the area to get giant burritos and juicy tacos at this tiny taqueria on Wallingford's main drag. The extensive selection of…

  • Cookie Counter

    Seattle

    Everything at this well-loved bakery and ice-cream shop is totally vegan and incredibly delicious. It does a number of fun pastries, but even the basic…

  • Kabul

    Seattle

    Fine-tune your international tasting palate in Wallingford with Afghan food, including stewed eggplant, lamb kebabs, yogurt, and mild, creamy curry.

  • Pie

    Seattle

    Locals and visitors alike rave about the sweet and savory pies on offer at this single-minded bake shop in Fremont.

  • Ivar's Salmon House

    Seattle

    Perfecting a Pacific Northwest–cabin vibe, Ivar’s Salmon House features various alderwood-smoked salmon dishes and a bevy of seafood-focused starters, but…

  • Eve Fremont

    Seattle

    For healthy yet hearty food, head to Eve Fremont where the menu is laden with robust dishes like the Eve Hot Bowl, a mix of ancient grains, legumes, nuts,…

  • Agua Verde Café

    Seattle

    On the shores of Portage Bay at the southern base of University Ave, Agua Verde Café is a solid restaurant with incredible bay views and a menu full of…

  • Cedars Restaurant

    Seattle

    Seattle isn't exactly London or Mumbai when it comes to Indian restaurants, but there's some relief for curry-lovers at Cedars, a family-run Indian spot…

  • Halfway House

    Olympic National Park

    Popping up out of nowhere just when you're desperate for coffee and a slice of pie, this place looks rough from outside but is bright and cheery indoors…

  • Jack's BBQ

    Seattle

    This family-friendly joint, located in the ultra-industrial warehouse district where SoDo melds into Georgetown, serves some of the best BBQ you'll find…

  • Pete’s Egg Nest

    Seattle

    This beloved Greek diner changed ownership in 2017, but all of the things that have made it beloved among Phinney Ridge residents remain. There is still a…

  • New Luck Toy

    Seattle

    New Luck Toy serves up Chinese food with cocktails like boozy slushies and activities such as Skee-Ball and karaoke in a bar fully decked out in…

  • Easy Street Cafe

    Seattle

    Attached to Easy Street Records, this friendly cafe is the best place in the area for a cheap, hearty breakfast. It has tons of specials under $10 that…

  • Harvest Vine

    The CD, Madrona & Madison Park

    Themed on what many consider to be the world capital of food – the Basque region – the Harvest Vine mixes Spanish roots with a French overlay. Jumping out…

  • Nell’s

    Seattle

    For fine dining opposite Green Lake, Nell’s serves up classic European items with Northwestern flair. Beloved dishes include the sweet onion tart and the…

  • Enzo's Italian Caffé

    San Juan Islands

    More popular with tourists than with locals, Enzo's is, however, a great stop for a good cup o' joe or scoop of gelato. If you're just off the ferry, you…

  • Christo's On Alki

    Seattle

    This family-run Mediterranean restaurant that specializes in pizzas and calzones with thick, garlicky crusts is the definition of a neighborhood…

  • Fresh Flours

    Seattle

    With Stumptown Coffee (imported from Portland, OR) and almond croissants so flaky they can seriously damage your laptop, Fresh Flours is a leading player…

  • Honeyhole

    Seattle

    Cozy by day, irresistible at night, the Honeyhole has a lot to recommend it: big, stuffed sandwiches with funny names (Emilio Pestovez, the Texas Tease),…

  • Paradise Inn

    Washington Cascades

    The huge stone fireplace is the highlight of this dining room and it easily overshadows the food. Apart from a good hearty Sunday brunch, the seared local…

  • Aladdin Gyro-cery

    Seattle

    Handy late-night beer soaker-upper or emergency day-after hangover ‘cure’ on ‘the Ave’ that is legendary with UDub students. There are plenty of…

  • Orange King

    Seattle

    None of the burgers, fries and chicken teriyaki here are gourmet, but its cheap and boy does it hit the spot after a few beers.

  • Square Knot Diner

    Seattle

    A comforting and not-too-kitschy diner in the middle of Georgetown with booths and a wraparound counter with screw-down stools. The food is no-nonsense –…