Explore Washington State
Washington State Food and Drink
Washington State’s food and drink scene has grown into something genuinely worth making a trip for. The same state that produces world class wines in the Walla Walla Valley and Yakima hop farms is also home to a craft brewery scene that punches above its weight, independent coffee roasters doing serious work, and a coastal seafood tradition that starts about as close to the source as you can get.
This section covers the eating and drinking side of exploring Washington. You will find restaurant recommendations, brewery and winery guides, coffee shops worth seeking out, food trucks worth tracking down, and the kind of local food finds that do not show up on national best of lists but should. Every post is written by someone who actually ordered the food and formed an opinion.
Washington is a genuinely interesting food state. The agricultural diversity east of the Cascades alone produces ingredients most other states can only import. Pair that with a Pacific coast seafood supply and a serious Pacific Northwest food culture and you have the conditions for some exceptional eating, whether you are in a city or a small town.
Browse recent posts below, or use the county tags to find food and drink recommendations near where you are headed.
It’s taken a long time for the food truck scene to come to fruition in the Yakima Valley. But right now, it’s fair to say, the food truck frenzy is at its peak. Sure, there’s been plenty of taco trucks spotted throughout the valley for years, but it took a while for others to begin...
Ellensburg, Washington, is just a two-hour drive from Seattle and is one of the hidden gems of the Pacific Northwest. Located east of the Cascade Mountain Range off Interstate 90, Ellensburg offers outdoor recreation like biking, fishing on the Yakima River, hiking and more. The charming city is home to around 20,000 people, and is...
La Conner is an artsy waterfront community located on the Swinomish Channel in the Skagit Valley. Home to boutique shops, eateries, winery tasting rooms and a brewpub, it’s an ideal day trip destination from the Seattle area or Vancouver, BC. Spend a day walking the length of 1st Street and beyond to explore all that...
Spokane is known for its Riverfront Park and stunning architecture, but what about food? Join Explore Washington State contributor Molly Lindquist as she takes you on a journey through 7 of the best brunch spots in Spokane. On Sunday mornings I like to take my time waking up. Life feels a little more peaceful, like...
Washington has a unique abundance of wild foods that grow across the entire state. From the coast to the eastern plains, these rugged lands offer an unparalleled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems. Many of the forest foods of Washington are nutrient-dense, packed with vitamins and contain medicinal properties. Whether you’re looking for wild foods to...
If you head south from Spokane’s downtown, you’ll come across the vibrant South Perry neighborhood. Here you’ll find a wellness bar, a brewery, thrift shops, a bakery, a coffee shop, a pizza place, art galleries and a greenhouse. One of the best farmer’s markets in Spokane occurs here on Thursday evening in summer and the...
From the winding Yakima River Canyon to hilltop hop fields, vineyards and hiking trails, the Yakima Valley is a sweet escape for Washington sun-seekers. My family enjoyed a weekend in Yakima exploring the shrub-steppe trails and eating (and drinking) up the valley’s abundant agricultural goods. With outdoor dining in full swing, we spent nearly the...
The Pacific Northwest is known nationwide for its ever-growing selection of craft beverage establishments, but up until a few short years ago, Renton had a distinct lack of craft breweries and watering holes. Not so anymore, with a small but impressive number of places popping up where you can get locally-made refreshments to slake your...
Camano Island is near and dear to my heart. I moved to Washington in early October of 2019 and found myself living on Camano Island when I first arrived. I had never been to Washington or the Pacific Northwest, so it was quite the journey and Camano Island has become one of my favorite areas...
By Nancy Croisier The first time my husband and I ventured to Red Mountain many years ago, we found ourselves pulling up to a house. Signs guided us through a sliding door and we ended up wine tasting in the basement of someone’s home. Things sure have changed since then. In 2001, the region became...
Considered Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, Georgetown visitors can enjoy the charming architecture, wine tasting and crave-able food.
During the last two and a half years, has any place in Seattle been more isolated than West Seattle? After all, everyone referred to it as “the island” when the West Seattle Bridge closed for repairs. Thankfully, the recent reopening of the bridge means long detours are no more. That calls for a toast! So,...
