The 10 Best Local Restaurants In Port Townsend, Washington

Opened in 1989, Silverwater Café specializes in delicious fare made from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. In an elegant yet casual atmosphere, the dishes are made with quality ingredients — locally sourced wherever possible — and the cafe’s meats, which includes organic beef, are all hormone-free. Discerning diners have a host of items to choose from, including the famous fish and chips, and a New York pepper steak topped with a green peppercorn mushroom cream sauce. With innovative vegetarian options, luscious desserts, wines and handcrafted brews, plus a children’s menu, this is the place to enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner with the entire family.

Housed in an 1885 waterfront building, the historic Belmont Restaurant & Saloon is the last 1880s waterfront restaurant and saloon in Port Townsend. With a warm and friendly environment, this dining establishment specializes in American cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Enticing options for seafood lovers to enjoy are the wild Northwest salmon topped with Dungeness crab, accompanied by béarnaise sauce, or the seafood linguini with clams, mussels, wild salmon, and prawns in a white wine sauce. Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, foodies can savor delicious meals all the while enjoying stunning views of the Port Townsend Bay.

With indoor and outdoor dining, Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar is a cozy and charming establishment specializing in Mediterranean-influenced cuisine and wines, with local and regional bottles available too. Close relationships with local suppliers ensure that only the best-quality ingredients go its dishes. The menus – which include fresh seafood and fish, succulent meats, and a variety of vegetables – change often to reflect the best seasonal goods. Some delectable options are hand-made ravioli, which varies each night, and lapin ivre – drunken rabbit – which is rabbit cooked in red wine and with garlic, carrots, onions, herbs, and Cognac. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, diners will be impressed not only by the food but also its outstanding service.

Opened in 2001, Sweet Laurette Cafe & Bistro began as a small patisserie but over the years has grown into a large bistro that holds 70 people. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, this delightful cafe features French-inspired cuisine made with the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The Provencal omelet with chicken sausage, tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, roasted sweet pepper and Kalamata olives is a tasty choice for breakfast. The savory pastry, which changes daily, is a great option for lunch. As for dinner, the roasted chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes, chicken velouté and fresh vegetables is an excellent choice. Guests can choose to sit inside or on the patio while savoring the restaurant’s delicious dishes.

Family-owned and operated, Banana Leaf Thai Bistro is a warm and cozy establishment serving authentic Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner. Aiming to provide the finest meals possible, the owners take pride in carefully choosing their produce, which include authentic Thai spices and herbs. The restaurant also respects the dietary needs of their customers by offering a host of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Tasty highlights include crispy duck served with spinach, pineapples, tomatoes and a special ginger sauce, the spicy vegan Chinese-inspired Szechwan eggplant with mushroom, bell pepper, onion and fresh basil, and the seasonal mango sticky rice. Between the culinary offerings and impeccable service, gastronomes will no doubt enjoy their time at this haunt.

Established in 2000, Ichikawa is a Japanese restaurant consistently voted as the Best Japanese Food in Jefferson County by readers of the Peninsula Daily News. Located downtown across from the Ferry Dock, this joint attracts those who want to sample mouth-watering seasonal fare created by executive chef Peter Nakamura. Specializing in sushi, Japanese, and Pan-Asian cuisine, highlights include the Ichikawa combo sushi entrée with ahi tuna sashimi, salmon sushi, PT maki roll, and eel sushi. A variety of sushi rolls, soups, salads, appetizers and entrées, such as chicken teriyaki, are also available for lunch and dinner, plus a variety of drinks, including beer and regional wines.

A staple on the Port Townsend restaurant scene for 30 years, Lanza’s Ristorante is an establishment featuring delectable Italian cuisine. In a warm atmosphere with exposed brick walls, guests can feast upon a variety of generously sized dishes for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Notable options include penne pasta with sausage, spinach, and mushrooms, spaghetti and meatballs and the chicken marsala. Several pizzas and tantalizing desserts, such as tiramisu and cannoli, are also on the menu. Frequented by both locals and out-of-towners, the weekends at Lanza’s, which often include live music, can fill up quickly and reservations are recommended.

A tasty little pizza joint located on Water Street, Waterfront Pizza is popular with locals and tourists alike with many citing the restaurant’s pizza as the best in the Pacific Northwest. Customers can visit the front window for a single slice of pizza for takeaway, or they may choose to visit the upstairs area to dine in, which has views of the street below. Highlights from the menu include the Waterfront combo with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and olives or the Greek combo with feta cheese, Greek olives, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes. Diners may also build their own pizza and choose from many toppings.

Elevated Ice Cream Co.

A trip to Port Townsend would not be complete without a visit to the delightful Elevated Ice Cream Co. Established in 1977, visitors flock to this ice cream parlor and the adjacent candy shop to sample delicious house-made ice creams plus chocolate and other specialty candies. Located in the historic downtown district, the parlor offers mouth-watering classic flavors of creamy ice cream, such as maple walnut and sweet orange chocolate chip, plus seasonal and holiday options as well. Sherbet and Italian ices are also featured along with baked goods and espresso beverages. Elevated Ice Cream Co. is also a supporter of the arts community and highlights a local artist each month.

Elevated Ice Cream Co., 627 & 631 Water St., Port Townsend, WA, USA, +1 360 385 1156

Located on Point Hudson, Hudson Point Café is an establishment featuring delicious brunch items and a full espresso bar in a friendly and homey atmosphere. Flavorful breakfast items praised by customers include the cherry cornmeal flapjacks served with syrup and butter, the bacon or ham waffle baked with cheddar cheese and the frittata with sautéed prawns, bacon, mild chillies, Parmesan crostini, and salsa. Popular with locals and tourists alike, diners may have to wait a bit, but with the sweeping views of the marina plus the culinary treats, the wait is more than worthwhile.