Washington is a food lover’s paradise. We’re lucky to have a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in this state, some of which have been around for years. Here are 12 of the many places in the Northwest where you can still find an amazing meal, even after all this time:
- McMenamins Spar Cafe, Olympia
Richie D. / Yelp
Spar Cafe / Yelp This classic cafe in our state’s capital has been serving family-friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner options for over 70+ years. Besides great food, they also offer pinball games and handcrafted ales on tap.
- Merchant’s Cafe and Saloon, Seattle, Pioneer Square
Trip Advisor / Fabian Lupidi
Yelp / Merchant’s Cafe Seattle’s oldest restaurant can be found in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Established in 1890, this historic place has been serving appetizers, salads and sandwiches for years. If you’re a fan of the paranormal, you may also be fascinated to hear this spot is supposedly haunted. According to their website, there have been reports of slamming doors, moving objects, restroom faucets turning on and off, and the appearance of a full-on apparition.
- The Windmill Restaurant, Wenatchee
Facebook / Windmill
Facebook / Windmill This legendary steakhouse is located in an old building that dates back to 1931. On their menu, you’ll find hand-cut grain-fed steaks, an extensive wine list, and some of the best slow-roasted prime rib in town.
- Whitehouse-Crawford, Walla Walla
Facebook / Whitehouse-Crawfood
Facebook / Whitehouse-Crawford This historic restaurant can be found in an old saw mill that was first built in 1904. Being in Walla Walla, they have a spectacular selection of local wines to choose from. Their six-course tasting menu (with or without wine pairings) is a popular favorite, as well as the house-made pasta.
- Horseshoe Cafe, Bellingham
Facebook / Horseshoe Cafe
Yelp / Horseshoe Cafe Established in 1886, this is the oldest continuously operating cafe & cocktail lounge in Washington. They’re open 24 hours every day, with free WiFi, comfort food and breakfast offered all day long.
- Jules Maes Saloon, Seattle, Georgetown
Facebook/Jules Maes Saloon
Javier B. / Yelp This historical pub has been serving quality food and drinks since 1888 - and after being re-established in 1932 when Prohibition ended. They feature great live music here, as well as games like Pinball, Ping Pong and Air Hockey.
- The Park Inn, Spokane
Park Inn
Jonathan D. / Yelp Not only is this place the oldest restaurant in Spokane, but it’s the longest standing restaurant in all of eastern Washington. They have a huge menu with a little something for everyone, ranging from brick oven pizzas to burgers and sandwiches.
- Noah’s Ark Restaurant, Bremerton
Yelp
Danielle K. / Yelp This family owned and operated restaurant in Bremerton has been open for over 40+ years. Their variety is huge, from Philly cheesesteaks to burgers, gourmet subs, hot dogs and fresh seafood.
- The Spar, Tacoma
Yelp / Kit B. Tacoma’s oldest saloon was first established in this building in 1884. Since 1920, it’s been home to a top-rated restaurant with amazing food and Sunday live blues. They serve up 6 oz. burgers, seafood dishes like Beer Battered Alaskan Cod, classic foods like BLTs and more.
- Athenian Seafood Restaurant and Bar, Seattle, Pike Place Market
Peter B. / Yelp This spot in Pike Place Market has been a local favorite since 1909. It first opened as a bakery, and in 1933, it became one of the first restaurants in Seattle to receive a liquor license. It was even featured in a short scene for the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”, and you can still find which stool Tom Hanks sat at in the film thanks to a plaque on the counter. If you stop by, you’ll be able to enjoy premium seafood, breakfast, burgers, and breathtaking views of Puget Sound.
- Oxford Saloon, Snohomish
Heber Farnsworth / Flickr
Oxford Saloon / Zomato Even though this saloon was established back in 1910, they’re still just as lively as ever. You can find their historical spot downtown, with burgers, sandwiches, entrees, drinks, live music and more. Pictured is their signature Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese with Truffle Oil.
- The Brick, Roslyn
Marc D. / Yelp
Ted P. / Yelp This old-fashioned tavern has been open in Roslyn for over 100 years, and you’ll be able to tell from the rustic interior. They’re known to make quality burgers and sandwiches (which can be served with waffle fries), fish & chips, steak, salads and soups.
Where are some of your favorite long-standing restaurants in Washington? Add to this list below!
Richie D. / Yelp
Spar Cafe / Yelp
This classic cafe in our state’s capital has been serving family-friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner options for over 70+ years. Besides great food, they also offer pinball games and handcrafted ales on tap.
Trip Advisor / Fabian Lupidi
Yelp / Merchant’s Cafe
Seattle’s oldest restaurant can be found in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Established in 1890, this historic place has been serving appetizers, salads and sandwiches for years. If you’re a fan of the paranormal, you may also be fascinated to hear this spot is supposedly haunted. According to their website, there have been reports of slamming doors, moving objects, restroom faucets turning on and off, and the appearance of a full-on apparition.
Facebook / Windmill
This legendary steakhouse is located in an old building that dates back to 1931. On their menu, you’ll find hand-cut grain-fed steaks, an extensive wine list, and some of the best slow-roasted prime rib in town.
Facebook / Whitehouse-Crawfood
Facebook / Whitehouse-Crawford
This historic restaurant can be found in an old saw mill that was first built in 1904. Being in Walla Walla, they have a spectacular selection of local wines to choose from. Their six-course tasting menu (with or without wine pairings) is a popular favorite, as well as the house-made pasta.
Facebook / Horseshoe Cafe
Yelp / Horseshoe Cafe
Established in 1886, this is the oldest continuously operating cafe & cocktail lounge in Washington. They’re open 24 hours every day, with free WiFi, comfort food and breakfast offered all day long.
Facebook/Jules Maes Saloon
Javier B. / Yelp
This historical pub has been serving quality food and drinks since 1888 - and after being re-established in 1932 when Prohibition ended. They feature great live music here, as well as games like Pinball, Ping Pong and Air Hockey.
Park Inn
Jonathan D. / Yelp
Not only is this place the oldest restaurant in Spokane, but it’s the longest standing restaurant in all of eastern Washington. They have a huge menu with a little something for everyone, ranging from brick oven pizzas to burgers and sandwiches.
Yelp
Danielle K. / Yelp
This family owned and operated restaurant in Bremerton has been open for over 40+ years. Their variety is huge, from Philly cheesesteaks to burgers, gourmet subs, hot dogs and fresh seafood.
Yelp / Kit B.
Tacoma’s oldest saloon was first established in this building in 1884. Since 1920, it’s been home to a top-rated restaurant with amazing food and Sunday live blues. They serve up 6 oz. burgers, seafood dishes like Beer Battered Alaskan Cod, classic foods like BLTs and more.
Peter B. / Yelp
This spot in Pike Place Market has been a local favorite since 1909. It first opened as a bakery, and in 1933, it became one of the first restaurants in Seattle to receive a liquor license. It was even featured in a short scene for the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”, and you can still find which stool Tom Hanks sat at in the film thanks to a plaque on the counter. If you stop by, you’ll be able to enjoy premium seafood, breakfast, burgers, and breathtaking views of Puget Sound.
Heber Farnsworth / Flickr
Oxford Saloon / Zomato
Even though this saloon was established back in 1910, they’re still just as lively as ever. You can find their historical spot downtown, with burgers, sandwiches, entrees, drinks, live music and more. Pictured is their signature Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese with Truffle Oil.
Marc D. / Yelp
Ted P. / Yelp
This old-fashioned tavern has been open in Roslyn for over 100 years, and you’ll be able to tell from the rustic interior. They’re known to make quality burgers and sandwiches (which can be served with waffle fries), fish & chips, steak, salads and soups.
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