Washington’s restaurant industry has some of the freshest, most creative cuisines available, often coupled with a side of epic views. Even better, some of our top chefs have even opened new eateries or expanded their spaces recently. We think New Year’s resolutions should be fun, which is why we recommend resolving to try at least one bucket list restaurant every month of the year. Today, we’ve compiled 12 of the best restaurants in Washington to help inspire your foodie adventures this year… one for each month of 2023! That said, every spot on the list is delightful year-round, so feel free to try them when you happen to be in the area.

  1. January: The Lounge at DeLille Cellars (Woodinville)

DeLILLE CELLARS / Facebook

DeLILLE CELLARS / Facebook If you love Washington wine, you may already be familiar with DeLille Cellars. Last year, they opened a wine-centric restaurant at their Woodinville tasting room, and it’s incredible. The Lounge is an all-ages restaurant, so you can bring your little ones along for buttered noodles and root beer floats. If you go for date night, go on Wednesday, when you can each enjoy an all-inclusive three-course meal with a bottle of wine. The Lounge at DeLille Cellars, 14300 NE 145th St Suite 100, Woodinville, WA 98072, USA

  1. February: Crafted (Yakima)

Crafted / Facebook

Crafted / Facebook Crafted opened in 2017, instantly elevating Yakima’s dining scene. This farm-to-table restaurant has a regularly rotating menu, weekly happy hour specials, and an enormous local fan club. Crafted, 22 N 1st St, Yakima, WA 98901, USA

  1. March: Zona Blanca (Spokane)

Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar / Facebook/ Facebook

Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar / Facebook/ Facebook Zona Blanca is Spokane’s first ceviche bar, owned and operated by Top Chef contestant, chef and restaurateur Chad White. Chad calls this place his heart and soul – and if you’re familiar with the flavors of coastal Mexico, you’ll realize right away that Zona Blanca is as authentic as it gets. Zona Blanca, 157 S Howard St Suite 102, Spokane, WA 99201, USA

  1. April: Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi (Bellevue)

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi / Facebook

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi / Facebook Ascend takes fine dining to a whole new level – literally. This high end steak and sushi spot takes you 31 stories up and offers some of Bellevue’s best views. There’s a reason why Ascend often makes lists of the best restaurants in Washington! Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi, 10400 NE 4th St Ste 3100, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA

  1. May: Maple Counter Cafe (Walla Walla)

Maple Counter Cafe / Facebook

Maple Counter Cafe / Facebook If you’re in Walla Walla for any spring wine events this year, fuel up with a morning meal at the Maple Counter Cafe. The hardest part of dining here is deciding what to order, because everything on the menu is absolutely delicious (and extremely filling). The Maple Counter Cafe, 209 E Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA

  1. June: Aerlume (Seattle)

Aerlume Seattle / Facebook

Aerlume Seattle / Facebook While there is certainly no shortage of top notch restaurants in Seattle, many of the best restaurants in Washington come with a side of epic views. Aerlume remains an underrated and lesser-known gem, but it has the delicious food and stellar views down to perfection. Located above Elliott Bay and mere steps from Pike Place Market, this place offers incredible views of the Sound and the best local cuisine imaginable. Aerlume Seattle, 2003 Western Ave Suite C, Seattle, WA 98121, USA

  1. July: Water’s Table (Renton)

Water’s Table / Facebook

Water’s Table / Facebook While recent events seem to have made outdoor dining a year-round experience in Washington, there’s just something about an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening. Water’s Table is located at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner daily. For the best experience, grab a cocktail first at the downstairs Dock & Drink bar, then head upstairs to watch the sunset over dinner at an outdoor table here. Water’s Table-Renton Restaurant, 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056, USA

  1. August: The Pink Door (Seattle)

The Pink Door / Facebook

mickeysgal / TripAdvisor Dining at the Pink Door is a joy year-round. If you go in the summer, you can choose between the vibrant outdoor patio or the lavish dining room, which looks straight out of Italy (aside from the amazing view of the Seattle waterfront out your window). Not only is the Italian cuisine here out of this world, it’s surprisingly affordable for the quality. This is because the team buys most of their ingredients from Pike Place and other local purveyors. The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

  1. September: Heritage Restaurant + Bar (Woodinville)

Roary / TripAdvisor

Heritage Restaurant + Bar / Facebook Heritage is operated by Chef Breanna Beike, who believes food should be both simple and delicious. Perhaps that’s why even in a city like Woodinville with an abundance of dining options, this place is among the most popular. Their menu rotates seasonally to capitalize on all the fresh local produce, seafood, and meats in the area. The flavors are divine, and the local emphasis and ambiance easily makes this gem one of the best restaurants in Washington. Heritage Restaurant|Bar, 14450 Redmond - Woodinville Rd NE #101b, Woodinville, WA 98072, USA

  1. October: Hattaway’s on Alder (Walla Walla)

Hattaway’s on Alder / Facebook

Hattaway’s on Alder / Facebook Walla Walla is a delightful city. But unless you live in the Tri Cities area, it’s a bit out of the way. That being said, it’s worth making the drive just to enjoy a meal at Hattaway’s on Alder. This charming family owned restaurant serves American fare with a Southeastern twist, all with a hefty dose of Southern hospitality. Hattaway’s on Alder, 125 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA

  1. November: Wooden City (Spokane and Tacoma)

Wooden City Spokane / Facebook

Wooden City Spokane / Facebook Wooden City was founded by a trio of owners in 2018 in Tacoma, who expanded and opened a Spokane location in 2020. Almost everything is wood-fired here, and it’s safe to say that absolutely everything is delicious. We highly recommend visiting both locations, because one visit is never enough. Wooden City Spokane, 821 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, USA

  1. December: Basilico (Olympia)

Basilico / Facebook

Basilico / Facebook Since 2005, Basilico has been serving Central and Northern Italian cuisine in the heart of Olypmia. And since December is the perfect time for a hearty, slow-cooked meal, it’s the perfect time to check this place out.

While not a compete list of the best restaurants in Washington, we definitely think that these 12 eateries are must-visits this year. They’re also the perfect way to start exploring every type of cuisine that our state has to offer. What else is on your dining bucket list or Washington adventure bucket list this year?

DeLILLE CELLARS / Facebook

If you love Washington wine, you may already be familiar with DeLille Cellars. Last year, they opened a wine-centric restaurant at their Woodinville tasting room, and it’s incredible. The Lounge is an all-ages restaurant, so you can bring your little ones along for buttered noodles and root beer floats. If you go for date night, go on Wednesday, when you can each enjoy an all-inclusive three-course meal with a bottle of wine.

The Lounge at DeLille Cellars, 14300 NE 145th St Suite 100, Woodinville, WA 98072, USA

Crafted / Facebook

Crafted opened in 2017, instantly elevating Yakima’s dining scene. This farm-to-table restaurant has a regularly rotating menu, weekly happy hour specials, and an enormous local fan club.

Crafted, 22 N 1st St, Yakima, WA 98901, USA

Zona Blanca Ceviche Bar / Facebook/ Facebook

Zona Blanca is Spokane’s first ceviche bar, owned and operated by Top Chef contestant, chef and restaurateur Chad White. Chad calls this place his heart and soul – and if you’re familiar with the flavors of coastal Mexico, you’ll realize right away that Zona Blanca is as authentic as it gets.

Zona Blanca, 157 S Howard St Suite 102, Spokane, WA 99201, USA

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi / Facebook

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi / Facebook

Ascend takes fine dining to a whole new level – literally. This high end steak and sushi spot takes you 31 stories up and offers some of Bellevue’s best views. There’s a reason why Ascend often makes lists of the best restaurants in Washington!

Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi, 10400 NE 4th St Ste 3100, Bellevue, WA 98004, USA

Maple Counter Cafe / Facebook

If you’re in Walla Walla for any spring wine events this year, fuel up with a morning meal at the Maple Counter Cafe. The hardest part of dining here is deciding what to order, because everything on the menu is absolutely delicious (and extremely filling).

The Maple Counter Cafe, 209 E Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA

Aerlume Seattle / Facebook

While there is certainly no shortage of top notch restaurants in Seattle, many of the best restaurants in Washington come with a side of epic views. Aerlume remains an underrated and lesser-known gem, but it has the delicious food and stellar views down to perfection. Located above Elliott Bay and mere steps from Pike Place Market, this place offers incredible views of the Sound and the best local cuisine imaginable.

Aerlume Seattle, 2003 Western Ave Suite C, Seattle, WA 98121, USA

Water’s Table / Facebook

While recent events seem to have made outdoor dining a year-round experience in Washington, there’s just something about an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening. Water’s Table is located at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner daily. For the best experience, grab a cocktail first at the downstairs Dock & Drink bar, then head upstairs to watch the sunset over dinner at an outdoor table here.

Water’s Table-Renton Restaurant, 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N, Renton, WA 98056, USA

The Pink Door / Facebook

mickeysgal / TripAdvisor

Dining at the Pink Door is a joy year-round. If you go in the summer, you can choose between the vibrant outdoor patio or the lavish dining room, which looks straight out of Italy (aside from the amazing view of the Seattle waterfront out your window). Not only is the Italian cuisine here out of this world, it’s surprisingly affordable for the quality. This is because the team buys most of their ingredients from Pike Place and other local purveyors.

The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA

Roary / TripAdvisor

Heritage Restaurant + Bar / Facebook

Heritage is operated by Chef Breanna Beike, who believes food should be both simple and delicious. Perhaps that’s why even in a city like Woodinville with an abundance of dining options, this place is among the most popular. Their menu rotates seasonally to capitalize on all the fresh local produce, seafood, and meats in the area. The flavors are divine, and the local emphasis and ambiance easily makes this gem one of the best restaurants in Washington.

Heritage Restaurant|Bar, 14450 Redmond - Woodinville Rd NE #101b, Woodinville, WA 98072, USA

Hattaway’s on Alder / Facebook

Walla Walla is a delightful city. But unless you live in the Tri Cities area, it’s a bit out of the way. That being said, it’s worth making the drive just to enjoy a meal at Hattaway’s on Alder. This charming family owned restaurant serves American fare with a Southeastern twist, all with a hefty dose of Southern hospitality.

Hattaway’s on Alder, 125 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA

Wooden City Spokane / Facebook

Wooden City was founded by a trio of owners in 2018 in Tacoma, who expanded and opened a Spokane location in 2020. Almost everything is wood-fired here, and it’s safe to say that absolutely everything is delicious. We highly recommend visiting both locations, because one visit is never enough.

Wooden City Spokane, 821 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, USA

Basilico / Facebook

Since 2005, Basilico has been serving Central and Northern Italian cuisine in the heart of Olypmia. And since December is the perfect time for a hearty, slow-cooked meal, it’s the perfect time to check this place out.

And speaking of bucket list restaurants, how about dining at this totally unique, one-of-a-kind Bigfoot-themed restaurant in Washington? There’s nothing else like it!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Restaurants in Washington November 25, 2022 Jennifer What are the most famous foods in Washington? Washington is known for quite a few food items that are locally-grown, fresh-caught, and made-from-scratch. Here are some of Washington’s most famous foods:

Rainier Cherries Theo’s Chocolate Starbucks Coffee Apples Aplets & Cotlets Tim’s Cascade Potato Chips Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon Fish & Chips Apples Red Raspberries Huckleberries Dick’s Deluxe Burgers Almond Roca Walla Walla Onions Starbucks Coffee

  What are the most famous restaurants in Washington? Washington’s dining scene is world-renowned, due in part to the state’s proximity to a wide variety of fresh ingredients. Many of Washington’s most famous restaurants have shot to fame due to television appearances, celebrity visits, and award-winning recipes. Here are some of Washington’s most iconic restaurants:

Pike Place Chowder, Seattle Red Mill Burgers, Seattle Sky City at the Space Needle, Seattle Beecher’s Handmade Mac & Cheese, Varies The Pink Door, Seattle Piroshky Piroshky, Seattle Slim’s Last Chance, Seattle The Crab Pot, Seattle/Bellevue Canlis, Seattle Elliot’s Oyster House, Seattle Top Pot Doughnuts, Seattle Off Alley, Seattle 2120, Seattle Matia Kitchen & Bar, Eastsound Bizzaro Italian Cafe, Seattle Southern Kitchen, Tacoma

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Restaurants in Washington

November 25, 2022

Jennifer

What are the most famous foods in Washington? Washington is known for quite a few food items that are locally-grown, fresh-caught, and made-from-scratch. Here are some of Washington’s most famous foods:

Rainier Cherries Theo’s Chocolate Starbucks Coffee Apples Aplets & Cotlets Tim’s Cascade Potato Chips Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon Fish & Chips Apples Red Raspberries Huckleberries Dick’s Deluxe Burgers Almond Roca Walla Walla Onions Starbucks Coffee

  What are the most famous restaurants in Washington? Washington’s dining scene is world-renowned, due in part to the state’s proximity to a wide variety of fresh ingredients. Many of Washington’s most famous restaurants have shot to fame due to television appearances, celebrity visits, and award-winning recipes. Here are some of Washington’s most iconic restaurants:

Pike Place Chowder, Seattle Red Mill Burgers, Seattle Sky City at the Space Needle, Seattle Beecher’s Handmade Mac & Cheese, Varies The Pink Door, Seattle Piroshky Piroshky, Seattle Slim’s Last Chance, Seattle The Crab Pot, Seattle/Bellevue Canlis, Seattle Elliot’s Oyster House, Seattle Top Pot Doughnuts, Seattle Off Alley, Seattle 2120, Seattle Matia Kitchen & Bar, Eastsound Bizzaro Italian Cafe, Seattle Southern Kitchen, Tacoma

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Washington is known for quite a few food items that are locally-grown, fresh-caught, and made-from-scratch. Here are some of Washington’s most famous foods:

  • Rainier Cherries
  • Theo’s Chocolate
  • Starbucks Coffee
  • Apples
  • Aplets & Cotlets
  • Tim’s Cascade Potato Chips
  • Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon
  • Fish & Chips
  • Apples
  • Red Raspberries
  • Huckleberries
  • Dick’s Deluxe Burgers
  • Almond Roca
  • Walla Walla Onions
  • Starbucks Coffee

 

What are the most famous restaurants in Washington?

Washington’s dining scene is world-renowned, due in part to the state’s proximity to a wide variety of fresh ingredients. Many of Washington’s most famous restaurants have shot to fame due to television appearances, celebrity visits, and award-winning recipes. Here are some of Washington’s most iconic restaurants:

  • Pike Place Chowder, Seattle
  • Red Mill Burgers, Seattle
  • Sky City at the Space Needle, Seattle
  • Beecher’s Handmade Mac & Cheese, Varies
  • The Pink Door, Seattle
  • Piroshky Piroshky, Seattle
  • Slim’s Last Chance, Seattle
  • The Crab Pot, Seattle/Bellevue
  • Canlis, Seattle
  • Elliot’s Oyster House, Seattle
  • Top Pot Doughnuts, Seattle
  • Off Alley, Seattle
  • 2120, Seattle
  • Matia Kitchen & Bar, Eastsound
  • Bizzaro Italian Cafe, Seattle
  • Southern Kitchen, Tacoma