5 Best Restaurants in Orcas Island, The San Juan Islands

Most of the tables in this warmly rustic dining room at Doe Bay Resort overlook the tranquil body of water for which the café is named. This is a popular stop for brunch or dinner before or after hiking or biking in nearby Moran State Park—starting your day off with breakfast tacos or shakshuka will provide you with plenty of fuel for recreation. The kitchen uses ingredients foraged from the lush resort garden in such artful, healthy dinner creations as crisp-skinned wild salmon with onion-port jam, dandelion greens, salsify-chevre-quinoa cakes, and walnuts; and Thai green curry with local spot prawns. Reservations are essential for dinner and if there are six or more in your party for weekend breakfast.

Matia Kitchen quickly garnered national accolades for its outstanding seasonal cuisine that focuses on local ingredients, creative flavor combinations, and artistic presentation. Many of the dishes are vegetable-focused—such as an ancient grain panisse with mushrooms and carrot dumplings with pumpkin-seed pesto—but you'll also find options like a lamb pancake with gochujang creamed cabbage and king salmon with apricot confit and Szechuan chili crisp. Located in Eastsound's former Firehall, the vibe at Matia is polished but casual, and with just six seats at the chef's counter, advance reservations for the ten-course chef's tasting menu are a must. Reservations are also offered for the six-course menu in the dining room, and walk-ins can enjoy snacks, fresh pasta, house favorites, and drinks in the lounge. Visiting during the off-season is a great option too, since Matia Kitchen stays open all year.

The restaurant at this stylish, contemporary inn just a mile from Eastsound offers among the most memorable dining experiences on the island, with a menu that changes at least weekly to highlight the local bounty. Tucked into a renovated 1869 farmhouse, the dining room and bar serve food that emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients. Island greens, fruits, and seafood are served alongside a regionally focused wine list, and the results are spectacular. Notable dishes have included sea scallops with bacon-potato hash and lemon aioli, and local roasted pork with creamy garlic farro, sweet onions, rhubarb, and wilted greens. Even the bread is memorable; the restaurant serves house-made sourdough from a starter that's more than 100 years old.

Situated on the Eastsound waterfront, this pub-style eatery serves classic Northwest cuisine like pan-fried local oysters, Dungeness crab cakes, Angus beef burgers, and grilled wild sockeye salmon. But what really stands out here is the atmosphere. A vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams gives the little space some serious personality, a small patio is ideal during warm summer nights, and a rotating cast of microbrews on tap complement the spectacular water views.

A bustling family-friendly Mexican restaurant with a cozy dining room and a sprawling shaded garden patio is helmed by Raul Rios, who learned to cook during his years growing up outside Mexico City. Expect a mix of flavorful Mexican and Mexican-American dishes, many featuring local ingredients. The tender braised short ribs in blackberry mole sauce and Dungeness crab enchiladas are justly popular, and there's a good selection of margaritas and beers, too.