If you’re like most Washingtonians, part of the reason you visit our local tourist destinations is to enjoy the food. And since the well-known restaurants in our popular spots like Leavenworth and Chelan tend to steal the spotlight, we thought we’d highlight some delicious dining options that sometimes get overlooked.
The next time the most famous restaurant in your favorite tourist destination is packed, try one of these underrated gems instead.
- Leavenworth: Sulla Vita, 931 Front St.
Sulla Vita / Yelp
Sulla Vita / Yelp In a town that is dominated by German fare (as it should be), restaurants that serve other cuisine are sometimes overlooked by tourists wanting an authentic Bavarian experience. Sulla Vita sits right on Front Street, serving delightful Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful setting.
- Port Townsend: 1-2-3 Thai Food, 2219 E Sims Way
Eddie C / Yelp
Matt M / Yelp The waterfront dining in Port Townsend is delightful, so it’s tempting to skip over this casual Thai food eatery located in a strip mall on Sims Way. But the food here is authentic, flavorful and affordable, a winning combination.
- Sequim: Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, 380 E Washington St.
Rus L / Yelp
Kris P / Yelp Sequim has several Chinese restaurants to choose from, all within a few blocks of each other. But those that give Dynasty a try are often blown away by how delicious the food is. This spot even has a nearly unheard of 5 star rating on Yelp.
- Walla Walla: Grandma’s Kitchen, 36 S Colville St.
Tom K / Yelp
Jamie R / Yelp From classic diners that serve hearty breakfasts to the fine dining establishments perfect for a post wine-tasting meal, Walla Walla has it all. Grandma’s Kitchen is one of several great spots for Mexican food, and it never disappoints. You might see Grandma herself, Josefina Cruz, who learned to cook while growing up in Hidalgo, Mexico.
- Friday Harbor (San Juan Island): Cynthia’s, 65 Nichols St.
Tim G / Yelp
Bobo J / Yelp While downtown Friday Harbor is adorned with eateries geared toward tourists, Cynthia’s is a quaint little gem tucked away on a side street with a relaxing garden patio and an excellent brunch menu. The owner and chef, Cynthia, has an impressive list of culinary credentials, and it’s easy to see why she’s the top caterer in the area.
- Chelan: Tin Lilly, 229 E Woodin Ave.
Tin Lilly Facebook
Tin Lilly Facebook Chelan has some outstanding bars and eateries (we’re looking at you, A Shot of Gratitude, and many others), but there’s just something amazing about sitting on the patio at Tin Lilly enjoying a mouthwatering meal and a cold beverage after a day at the lake.
- Winthrop: Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen, 100 Bridge St.
Adam L / Yelp
Adam L / Yelp Even in an Old West town where comfort food reigns supreme, sometimes you crave the fresh flavors of an artisanal farm-to-table spot. The menu here is fairly limited but that’s because everything on it is exceptional, and the ingredients are sourced from organic and fair trade suppliers.
- Seattle: Petra Mediterranean Bistro, 2501 4th Ave.
Petra Mediterranean Bistro,
Dakshina T. / Yelp This lively food-focused city is so full of hidden gems and neighborhood favorites, you’ll find an underrated restaurant on practically every block. But Belltown’s Petra serves meals so outstanding, you’ll wonder why there isn’t a line out the door every night. The lentil soup and Petra Spice Chicken are addictive - and if you enjoy them on a weekend, you might catch a performance from a belly dancer.
- Spokane: Downriver Grill, 3315 W Northwest Blvd.
Downriver Grill Facebook
Downriver Grill Facebook Spokane’s recent influx of new eateries has been great for the local economy (and the local spirit). However, Downriver Grill is a tried-and-true spot that always serves mouthwatering meals and has great specials, like $15 steak night on Tuesday. Their weekend brunch, which is served from 9 AM - 2 PM, just might be the most underrated breakfast in town.
- Long Beach: Galletti’s Spaghetti House, 4806 Pacific Way, Seaview
Galletti’s Spaghetti House / Yelp
Galletti’s Spaghetti House / Yelp Most people crave clam chowder or fish & chips at the beach. But if you’d rather eat a big plate of pasta, the food at Galletti’s Spaghetti House will really hit the spot.
- Whidbey Island: Portico, 220 1st St., Langley
Portico / Yelp
Joseph D. / Yelp While Portico is easy to spot in downtown Langley, what’s not as easy to see is the fabulous back patio that overlooks the water that’s open for dining on all summer. The fact that the Latin food here in phenomenal is just a bonus.
Washington has so many delicious eateries, some of which stay under the radar. Here’s a list of some of our best neighborhood restaurants.
Sulla Vita / Yelp
In a town that is dominated by German fare (as it should be), restaurants that serve other cuisine are sometimes overlooked by tourists wanting an authentic Bavarian experience. Sulla Vita sits right on Front Street, serving delightful Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in a beautiful setting.
Eddie C / Yelp
Matt M / Yelp
The waterfront dining in Port Townsend is delightful, so it’s tempting to skip over this casual Thai food eatery located in a strip mall on Sims Way. But the food here is authentic, flavorful and affordable, a winning combination.
Rus L / Yelp
Kris P / Yelp
Sequim has several Chinese restaurants to choose from, all within a few blocks of each other. But those that give Dynasty a try are often blown away by how delicious the food is. This spot even has a nearly unheard of 5 star rating on Yelp.
Tom K / Yelp
Jamie R / Yelp
From classic diners that serve hearty breakfasts to the fine dining establishments perfect for a post wine-tasting meal, Walla Walla has it all. Grandma’s Kitchen is one of several great spots for Mexican food, and it never disappoints. You might see Grandma herself, Josefina Cruz, who learned to cook while growing up in Hidalgo, Mexico.
Tim G / Yelp
Bobo J / Yelp
While downtown Friday Harbor is adorned with eateries geared toward tourists, Cynthia’s is a quaint little gem tucked away on a side street with a relaxing garden patio and an excellent brunch menu. The owner and chef, Cynthia, has an impressive list of culinary credentials, and it’s easy to see why she’s the top caterer in the area.
Tin Lilly Facebook
Chelan has some outstanding bars and eateries (we’re looking at you, A Shot of Gratitude, and many others), but there’s just something amazing about sitting on the patio at Tin Lilly enjoying a mouthwatering meal and a cold beverage after a day at the lake.
Adam L / Yelp
Even in an Old West town where comfort food reigns supreme, sometimes you crave the fresh flavors of an artisanal farm-to-table spot. The menu here is fairly limited but that’s because everything on it is exceptional, and the ingredients are sourced from organic and fair trade suppliers.
Petra Mediterranean Bistro,
Dakshina T. / Yelp
This lively food-focused city is so full of hidden gems and neighborhood favorites, you’ll find an underrated restaurant on practically every block. But Belltown’s Petra serves meals so outstanding, you’ll wonder why there isn’t a line out the door every night. The lentil soup and Petra Spice Chicken are addictive - and if you enjoy them on a weekend, you might catch a performance from a belly dancer.
Downriver Grill Facebook
Downriver Grill Facebook
Spokane’s recent influx of new eateries has been great for the local economy (and the local spirit). However, Downriver Grill is a tried-and-true spot that always serves mouthwatering meals and has great specials, like $15 steak night on Tuesday. Their weekend brunch, which is served from 9 AM - 2 PM, just might be the most underrated breakfast in town.
Galletti’s Spaghetti House / Yelp
Galletti’s Spaghetti House / Yelp
Most people crave clam chowder or fish & chips at the beach. But if you’d rather eat a big plate of pasta, the food at Galletti’s Spaghetti House will really hit the spot.
Portico / Yelp
Joseph D. / Yelp
While Portico is easy to spot in downtown Langley, what’s not as easy to see is the fabulous back patio that overlooks the water that’s open for dining on all summer. The fact that the Latin food here in phenomenal is just a bonus.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
