The Best Restaurants In Washington, USA

Located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, Altura is a fine-dining establishment featuring Italian cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Opened in 2011 by Chef Nathan Lockwood and Rebecca, his wife, the culinary team focuses on foraged and locally sourced ingredients for its exquisite, seasonal dishes. Within a beautifully rustic, elegant yet casual environment, discerning diners can choose between a 10 to 15-course tasting menu or a 3-course regular menu, which may include options such as squid ink tagliatelle with Dungeness crab roasted with garlic and chilies and Oregon Fallow venison with yellow carrot purée, trumpet mushrooms and Brussels sprouts.

Nestled inside a converted house in Winthrop, a tourist town in Methow Valley with an Old West theme, Arrowleaf Bistro is a charming restaurant specializing in New American fare. This warm, friendly neighborhood restaurant offers a cozy interior, outdoor seating with views of the river and an ever-changing menu. Making everything from scratch, the culinary team creates flavorful options such as Methow Valley lamb, which is prepared differently to reflect the seasons, and house-made tagliatelle pasta with wild mushrooms, garlic confit, cream, Parmigiano-Reggiano and upland cress. Open for dinner Wednesday through to Sunday, the bistro also features local wines.

Bakery Nouveau is a multi-award winning, welcoming bakery with two locations. With all the wonderful aromas wafting through the air together with the relaxing environment, it is easy to see why it is so popular. A great venue to catch up with old friends and make new ones, the owners have created a lovely spot. The buttery croissant and the twice-baked almond croissant are two mouthwatering highlights. Danishes, a colorful and flavorful array of Parisian macarons, cakes, and other desserts plus savory options like quiche Lorraine and roast beef on brioche are also available.

Located in Pullman in eastern Washington near the Idaho border, The Black Cypress is a friendly restaurant and bar serving delicious food with Greek and Italian influences. This stylish, eclectic venue, complete with exposed brickwork and a burlap-tented ceiling, strives to showcase what the region has to offer, the culinary team procures the best ingredients available from local sources. Delectable entrées to note are the roasted chicken with bread salad, seasonal greens and fresh herb pan jus and the kima pasta with Greek-style meat sauce, myzithra cheese and extra virgin olive oil. Vegetarian options are also available.

Located in Woodinville — just outside of Seattle — The Herbfarm is a lovely, multi-award winning eatery, including the AAA Five Diamond Award, providing discerning diners with an experience not to be missed. Set within a charming, picturesque location with global décor and surrounded by beautiful landscape, the focus of this restaurant is to highlight the incredible bounty — some of which come from their own gardens and farm — and wines from the Pacific Northwest. Serving dinner Thursday through Sunday, guests will experience a nine-course meal with five or six complementary wines. Each dinner has a theme, which changes every few weeks, with recent and future themes being The Truffle Treasure, A Menu for Red Heads, which will focus on meals paired with red wines, and Chambers of the Sea. There is only one seating each evening so reservations are required.

Recently named within the Top 100 Restaurants in America by Open Table Diners, May Kitchen and Bar is a wonderful venue located on Vashon Island, near Seattle, featuring aromatic Thai cuisine. This culinary gem presents guests with a peaceful, beautiful interior, complete with 150-year-old carved teak and mahogany panelling, in which to savor flavorful items created by the owner, May Chaleoy. Fresh vegetable spring rolls with May dipping sauce are a great starter while the house specialty, phad metmamuanghimmaphan, which is a stir-fry with cashews, garlic, sweet onions, mushrooms and green onions in a smoky Thai chili sauce with choice of protein, is a delightful entrée. Luscious desserts, including the coconut milk crème brûlée with toasted coconut and pineapple confit, are always popular.

Nestled in a valley in the Cascade Mountains just a few miles away from downtown Leavenworth is the beautiful resort of Mountain Home Lodge. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, the resort allows anyone to visit their intimate dining room on Saturday nights for dinner. Highlighting local ingredients, some of which come from the property’s organic orchards and gardens, the lodge’s guests will not only be treated to delicious fare but also incredible views of the majestic mountains. The menu changes each week but has included options such as Basque-influenced game hens with apricots, olives and plums plus basil and imported Parmesan orzo and vegetables. Reservations are required, and the culinary team will happily meet many special dietary needs.

Wild Sage Bistro specializes in Northwest cuisine. The multi-award winning bistro also offers diners a menu inspired by the seasonal bounty found in the area. Almond flour ravioli with Burrata cheese, mushroom-tomato ragu and pecorino-romano and the pan-seared breast of duckling with hazelnut brown butter are just a couple of highlights awaiting guests.

The Willows Inn on Lummi Island is a charming, comfortable inn where visitors can not only relax but also savor incredible cuisine. At the helm of the dining establishment is the award-winning chef Blaine Wetzel, who creates an ever-changing, prix fixe tasting menu based on what is ‘fished, foraged and farmed daily.’ Past highlights included crispy crepes with salmon roe and chives, reindeer moss with scallop paste, and grilled shiitake mushrooms to name but a few.
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