Food and Drink

Learn how to navigate Pioneer Square like a local. If you're interested in wine tasting and local recommendations, this article is for you!

Spicy. Creamy. Zesty. Oozing with a fiery sauce and a cold side of ranch, the Nashville Cauliflower Bites served at Julep Kitchen & Bar are a one-of-a-kind delight. Located in downtown Ellensburg — the heart of Kittitas County — Julep has a flair for southern comfort food that can’t be found elsewhere. The owners, Jillian...

Seattle is stereotypically associated with its rainy weather, tech companies such as Amazon, being the birthplace of grunge music, and having some of the loudest football fans in the country. But perhaps The Emerald City is most symbolically known as a place that really loves coffee. Being the birthplace of Starbucks definitely deserves a significant...

Editor’s Note (April 2026): Since this article was written, Michou Deli, Pecos Pit BBQ, and Blazing Bagels have all permanently closed. Maiz and Paseo remain open. We are working on updated Seattle lunch recommendations. “What are you in the mood to eat for lunch?” Seattle’s stretch from Pike Place Market down to SoDo is one...

As the crispness moves into the air, I look forward to those fall walks. A warm cup of coffee nestled in between my hands. The delicious smell of a local roast keeping me company. There are plenty of wonderful coffee shops on Whidbey Island. It’s one of my favorite things to stop and get when...

Issaquah Coffee House Anyone who loves a warm cuppa shouldn’t miss the good old Issaquah Coffee Company. Tucked in the heart of Issaquah’s downtown, this place has been my favorite since I moved to Washington. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and pastries, the sound of people talking and catching up with friends, and the...

The Yakima Valley may be best known for its must-visit wineries, but there’s more than grapes growing in this American Viticultural Area. Home to over 75% of all US hop production, Yakima is a craft beer powerhouse. And nowhere are those hoppy brews fresher than from the source. Visit these five Yakima breweries to get...

What started in 1871 — with Missionaries and French fur traders bringing vinifera plants to eastern Washington — turned into the American Wine Growers launching Ste. Michelle wines in 1967 and creating their first Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Semillon and Grenache Rosé.  In 1974, the Washington State winery phenomenon, Chateau Ste. Michelle, broke ground in...

When you imagine a cidery what comes to mind? For me, it’s sweeping orchards and farm animals nestled in a quaint valley, the sound of buzzing bees and baaing lambs abound with a cool breeze wafting through the trees and rustling the leaves. While many cideries do fit this description, a recent surge in urban...

Did you know that your Friday night IPA is likely made from juicy hops grown in Yakima, Washington? Or even the apple on your counter, and the sprig of mint in your salad? I’d say it’s well known to most Washington residents that Yakima Valley has a fascinating geographical and native history, killer views of...

When you think of culinary hotspots in the greater Seattle area, Renton might not spring immediately to mind – but it should. This suburb best known for its history of airplane manufacturing has an exciting and diverse food scene that’s worth checking out. This list is by no means exhaustive, but here are my top...

“300 days of sunshine” is a promise worth traveling for — especially in the winter. So after spending much of the season in hibernation, my partner and I hit the road for a destination just three hours from the Seattle area: Lake Chelan. This massive, glacially-carved lake runs over 50 miles from the Cascade Mountains...