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.
Bobae Coffee and Tea is a bubble tea shop to not only go for a treat, but to experience. It sits quietly between a beauty supply shop and a chocolate store in an unassuming strip mall in downtown Woodinville. But don’t let looks deceive you. What is Bubble Tea? First of all, what is bubble...
If you are a Washington resident, or even a newcomer to the state, you know that driving over the Snoqualmie Pass can be treacherous at times. Even during sunny seasons, driving from one side of the state to the other can be exhausting. You need somewhere to stop where you don’t have to drive fully...
Located in Old Bellevue is the unique and aesthetic Third Culture Coffee (3C). The cafe sits in an apartment building’s retail space and is conveniently less than a block away from Bellevue Park. Upon entering, you are immediately greeted with a friendly hello from a barista and by the giant copper 3C logo painted on...
Walking inside Sweet Mickey’s retro-styled candy store on Ballard Avenue, I was expecting to learn more about the eternal appeal of crafted sugar in all its forms and flavors. I’ve toured jelly bean factories and chocolate production lines, but Sweet Mickey’s is a next-level candy destination. As we begin this year’s season of sugarplums, candy...
As cider lovers, we know there’s no specific season for cider, but there are special ciders for every season! Winter in Washington can range from cold and raining to freezing and snowy. So, whether you’re snuggled up cozy at home, or out exploring the great outdoors, here are eight winter ciders that are sure to...
Not far off of the highway and tucked into the Perry District of Spokane, Wisconsinburger is a Midwestern-themed burger stop you don’t want to miss. From its creative menu to its authentic Wisconsin custard and cheese, visitors get a real taste for the dairy state with every visit. I recently sat down with Jeff Nordvall,...
With the weather getting colder outside, there’s never been a better time to get a warm cup of hot chocolate. This is especially true if you love the outdoors, as you get to reward all your activity with a tasty mug of chocolate. I’ve been in Seattle for over 25 years, so here are my...
Bagels: More than just fat pieces of bread, the right bagel can take you back to your childhood, brunch moments with friends, places you’ve traveled — or just heartily fill you up. Bagels seem simple: round bread made of easy-to-find ingredients with a hole in the middle. However, a bagel is so much more than...
When I was in high school, I had the good fortune to be an exchange student in Switzerland. On my return from this life-changing experience, one of the things I missed the most was crusty European bread. Fast forward to the present and one can find bakeries making real bread all over America, hurrah! Even...
Scrolling through Instagram, Pinterest or your favorite food sites, it’s pretty difficult not to spot a charcuterie board or two. Charcuterie boards (or cheese plates, cheese boards, antipasto platters) have been rising in popularity, whether they’re being served at fancy dinner parties or weddings, or serving as the perfect replacement for dinner when you don’t...
Kitty Cantina is Spokane’s first and only cat café. Its long-awaited opening took place on June 8th, 2020, having been delayed a few months due to the Covid-19 statewide shutdown. Their original opening date was set in April, but they were only able to operate their drive-thru coffee window until Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening...
Anchored by classic northwest brewpubs like Boundary Bay and Chuckanut Brewery, “Brewingham” has long been a favorite Washington beer destination. Bellingham’s modern brewery boom began around 2012 with the opening of Kulshan Brewing — followed by Aslan, Wander, Structures and many more. If you haven’t been to town in a while, you might have missed...
