With a three day weekend on the horizon (and the final one of the summer), our thoughts turn to hiking, camping, road trips, and… food? We have some delectable dining options here in Washington, and some of our best restaurants happen to be located near some beautiful scenic roads and popular tourist destinations. And thus, our three day restaurant road trip was born.
This food-filled itinerary gives you a taste of some of Washington’s signature spots as well as a few hidden gems. Enjoy… and pack loose pants.
Google Maps
Breakfast, Day 1: The Yellow Church Cafe, 111 S Pearl St., Ellensburg
Jonathan C / Yelp
Gina D / Yelp Start your restaurant tour in the middle of the state with a stop at Ellensburg’s Yellow Church Cafe. They use local, seasonal ingredients to create the best dishes possible, and it shows.
Lunch, Day 1: Pho King, 1020 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Tacoma
Neal E Yelp
Ed L / Yelp Clearly this place was named by someone with a sense of humor. But the fact is, pho is pretty popular in Western Washington, and this is one of the best spots to get it.
Dinner, Day 1: AQUA By El Gaucho, 2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, Seattle
AQUA by El Gaucho Facebook
Teddy C / Yelp Trying to decide on a place to have dinner in Seattle is like trying to choose your favorite star in the sky. But while your options will be practically unlimited, AQUA by El Gaucho delivers almost everything the Seattle dining scene does best: fresh seafood, craft cocktails, amazing water views and an elegant but unpretentious ambiance.
Breakfast, Day 2: Portage Bay Cafe, 4130 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle
Antonio A / Yelp
Portage Bay Cafe Facebook Two words: Toppings bar. Portage Bay Cafe is one of the best breakfast spots in the city, and all four Seattle locations take reservations, so you won’t even have to wait in line.
Lunch, Day 2: Tavern on the Square, McMenamins Anderson School, 18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell
McMenamins Anderson School / Yelp
McMenamins Tavern On The Square / Yelp Drive north to Bothell and check out McMenamins Anderson School, an old junior high school that is how a hotel with abundant amenities. Work up an appetite by exploring the property before grabbing lunch at Tavern on the Square.
Dinner, Day 2: Andreas Keller, 829 Front St., Leavenworth
Katty S / Yelp
Vivian W / Yelp What could be better than an authentic German dinner in Washington’s Bavarian village? Not only is the food at Andreas Keller wonderful, the restaurant interior is unique and charming.
Breakfast, Day 3: Good Mood Food, 285 Hwy 2, Leavenworth
Mon L / Yelp
DMItry S / Yelp By Day 3 of your restaurant road trip, you may wake up wanting something light and healthy. Good Mood Food has you covered - their veggie quiche comes with a side salad, and most of their breakfasts are nice and nutritious.
Lunch, Day 3: Taqueria EL Chavo, 5647 Sunset Hwy Cashmere
Susan H / TripAdvisor
MS / Yelp No road trip of this nature would be complete without some savory authentic Mexican tacos. Taqueria EL Chavo will not let you down.
Dinner, Day 3; Fire & Smoke, 213 W 4th Ave., Ste 104, Ellensburg
Jeri V / Yelp
Lera T / Yelp Head back to Ellensburg and finish your food tour with dinner at Fire & Smoke. It’s not always easy to find authentic Southern BBQ in the Pacific Northwest, but this place nails it.
You’ll return from this road trip happy to have experienced so much delicious food and beautiful state scenery in such a short amount of time. That being said, after nine restaurants in three days, you’ll probably want to go hiking.
Google Maps
Jonathan C / Yelp
Gina D / Yelp
Start your restaurant tour in the middle of the state with a stop at Ellensburg’s Yellow Church Cafe. They use local, seasonal ingredients to create the best dishes possible, and it shows.
Neal E Yelp
Ed L / Yelp
Clearly this place was named by someone with a sense of humor. But the fact is, pho is pretty popular in Western Washington, and this is one of the best spots to get it.
AQUA by El Gaucho Facebook
Teddy C / Yelp
Trying to decide on a place to have dinner in Seattle is like trying to choose your favorite star in the sky. But while your options will be practically unlimited, AQUA by El Gaucho delivers almost everything the Seattle dining scene does best: fresh seafood, craft cocktails, amazing water views and an elegant but unpretentious ambiance.
Antonio A / Yelp
Portage Bay Cafe Facebook
Two words: Toppings bar. Portage Bay Cafe is one of the best breakfast spots in the city, and all four Seattle locations take reservations, so you won’t even have to wait in line.
McMenamins Anderson School / Yelp
McMenamins Tavern On The Square / Yelp
Drive north to Bothell and check out McMenamins Anderson School, an old junior high school that is how a hotel with abundant amenities. Work up an appetite by exploring the property before grabbing lunch at Tavern on the Square.
Katty S / Yelp
Vivian W / Yelp
What could be better than an authentic German dinner in Washington’s Bavarian village? Not only is the food at Andreas Keller wonderful, the restaurant interior is unique and charming.
Mon L / Yelp
DMItry S / Yelp
By Day 3 of your restaurant road trip, you may wake up wanting something light and healthy. Good Mood Food has you covered - their veggie quiche comes with a side salad, and most of their breakfasts are nice and nutritious.
Susan H / TripAdvisor
MS / Yelp
No road trip of this nature would be complete without some savory authentic Mexican tacos. Taqueria EL Chavo will not let you down.
Jeri V / Yelp
Lera T / Yelp
Head back to Ellensburg and finish your food tour with dinner at Fire & Smoke. It’s not always easy to find authentic Southern BBQ in the Pacific Northwest, but this place nails it.
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