3 Best Restaurants in The San Juan Islands, Washington

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.

One of the latest upscale farm-to-table restaurants to put the San Juan Islands on the culinary map, Ursa Minor is helmed by Nick Coffey, formerly of the now-closed Sitka & Spruce in Seattle. He celebrates the Islands' incredible bounty with a creative seasonal menu featuring seafood, foraged mushrooms, and produce from island farms.