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.
For those of us with a sweet tooth in Spokane, or for those visiting, there are a variety of candy stores, ice cream shops and coffee shops ready to serve up a sugar rush. But what if we want something on the sweeter side for breakfast? How about something with flaky layers or chewy caramel?...
The Tri-Cities is famous for wine, for rippling rows of golden wheat, for three rolling rivers that swiftly merge into one and for the kaleidoscope of color each time the sun sinks into the vastness, turning the twinkling daylight into a deep blue, luminous dome. Known for the deeply rooted connection to the land, the...
What is hot pot, you may ask? A wholesome meal with a soup base and dipping ingredients (meat and vegetables.) It is a comfort food worth trying, especially during the fall and winter months when it’s cold and rainy here in the Pacific Northwest. Hot pot originated in China – making it a fan favorite...
Travel into prehistoric times and dine among dinosaurs! This diner goes beyond a good burger and gives you an experience of a lifetime.
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...
Cody Clark of Coffee Oasis is our guest for this episode. Coffee Oasis is a Kitsap County based non-profit organization that has coffee shops in Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo, and Kingston. Since 1997 Coffee Oasis has been helping at risk homeless youth in Kitsap County. Cody is responsible for Kitsap County Community Development – Business...
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...
In this episode we sat down with Bryan Reynolds and chatted about coffee, golf, and Heroic Hospitality. Bryan and his family opened a coffee shop as a way for his father to retire early and spend more time with the foster children that the Reynolds were hosting. Can you imagine opening a business to retire...
