9 Best Restaurants in The San Juan Islands, Washington

You might make it a point to get to this wildly popular village bakery by late morning—come midafternoon, many of the best treats are sold out. Delectables here include flaky almond-coated bear paw pastries, rich croque monsieur sandwiches, gluten-free "Turtleback Trail" cookies, Tuscan olive bread, and moist berry muffins. Dine on the garden patio on sunny days.

This snazzy, contemporary, seafood-driven restaurant overlooking the harbor has a light-filled dining room that makes a terrific spot to watch boats and ferries come and go while sampling such tempting fare as Penn Cove mussels, pan-seared sockeye salmon with seasonal veggies, and a seafood Cobb salad piled high with Dungeness crab and whole shrimp.

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.

Only 50 yards from the ferry holding area (though that includes a lot of stairs), this pleasant little café and specialty grocery store makes fantastic sandwiches (try the roast-beef-and-rocket, which is served on a house-baked roll with spicy chili aioli). The soups and deli items—including a decadent macaroni and cheese—are also top-notch. Beer, wine, juices, and espresso are served as well. It's a great place to wait for your ferry to depart.

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.

A charming small café with bountiful planters of flowers and artsy touches like a gorgeous forest-scene stained glass window, the relatively new Olga Rising has quickly become a neighborhood fixture.

The island's local brewery, just a few short blocks from the ferry landing, has a nice selection of suds brewed on-site, along with standard brewpub fare (pretzels, cheese curds, chicken wings), and some that is more elevated, including the portobello caprese sandwich, blackened wild salmon Caesar salad, and surprisingly good individual pizzas.

At this gourmet market and wineshop (open primarily during the daytime but until 8 pm on Wednesday and Friday), the proprietors create a daily-changing assortment of prepared foods and some made-to-order items, such as Reuben panini sandwiches. Other favorites include Dungeness crab cakes, hearty meat loaf, lobster mac and cheese, and an assortment of tempting desserts. Wood-fired pizza is available some evenings. You order at the counter and can then enjoy your meal either to go or on the colorful garden patio.