10 Best Restaurants in Washington Wine Country, Washington

Background Illustration for Restaurants

National fast-food chains, local eateries, and some fine-dining restaurants can be found scattered throughout the region, or sometimes right alongside one another. As a huge agricultural area, the Yakima Valley supplies many of its local restaurants with fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Yakima Valley wines are a staple at virtually all the fine-dining establishments. Pacific Northwest seafood (particularly salmon) is another staple of the region. South-central Washington also has a fair share of Mexican food, from taco wagons to fine Mexican restaurants.

Basecamp Books and Bites

$$ Fodor's Choice

Equal parts indie bookstore, bar, and coffee house, this hip hangout set in one of Roslyn's quirky Victorian storefronts turns out creatively prepared American classics morning to night, including elk sausage scrambles, candied-bacon and blue-cheese burgers, apple-maple salads, and turkey potpies. Espresso drinks are brewed using a beautiful teal La Marzocco machine, and craft cocktails are served in the cozy basement tavern. On the adjacent patio, an airstream trailer doles out snacks and is staffed by employees who can recommend local hikes and activities.

Los Hernandez Tamales

$ Fodor's Choice

From this humble mom-and-pop shop in Union Gap come heavenly tamales—shredded chicken and pork and, during spring, asparagus and pepper jack cheese. Order a pile of these delicacies that have been acclaimed by locals and critics alike—the restaurant even earned a vaunted James Beard Foundation award in the American Classics category. And what you can't eat during your visit, you can take with you to go. There's a newer, bigger, but somewhat less atmospheric branch on the west side of Yakima. 

Brewminatti

$

Whether for a morning macchiato, a bagel breakfast sandwich, a lunchtime panini, or a late-afternoon slice of cake, this roomy coffeehouse with hardwood floors, comfy armchairs, and café tables works nicely for a quick pick-me-up or a more leisurely meal. Most evenings, the space becomes a casual dinner spot with beer and wine available, and on weekends there's often live rock, jazz, and country music.

713 6th St., Prosser, 99350, USA
509-786–2269
Known For
  • Well-crafted espresso drinks
  • Excellent breakfast and lunch sandwiches
  • Live music shows many weekend evenings
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No dinner Mon.

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Catalina's Coffee & Cocktails

$

This cute Latina- and LGBTQ-owned café in downtown Sunnyside has an inviting, hip vibe with artfully arranged plants and a beautiful floral mural. Stop in for an espresso pick-me-up between wineries or a craft cocktail. 

436 S. 6th St., Sunnyside, 98944, USA
509-837–5413
Known For
  • Bagels and avocado toast
  • Mimosa flights
  • Ube (purple yam) iced lattes
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No dinner

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North Town Coffeehouse

$
Located in Yakima's atmospheric 1909 train depot, this first-rate coffeehouse offers plenty of seating surrounded by ornate pillars, molding, arched ceilings, and other architectural elements. Sit in a comfy armchair and savor a white chocolate mocha or potent cold brew.
32 N. Front St., Yakima, 98901, USA
509-895–7600
Known For
  • Drinks made with Stumptown coffee
  • Spacious patio
  • Grab-and-go baked goods and sandwiches
Restaurant Details
No dinner

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Provisions Restaurant and Market

$$

A pantry full of carefully curated groceries, a bar with a notable beer and spirits list, and a chill neighborhood bistro with a postindustrial look and a large patio, Provisions successfully plays multiple roles as a destination for excellent food and drink. The locavore-minded menu changes seasonally, but might feature curried cauliflower with a dill-lemon sauce, grilled kale and Italian sausage pizza, and down-home fried chicken with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, and sautéed corn. It's on the east side, a couple of miles from downtown.

2710 Terrace Heights Dr., Yakima, 98901, USA
509-452–8100
Known For
  • Creative pastas
  • Delectable picnic supplies
  • Desserts featuring local berries
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. and Mon.

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Brick Tavern

$
Built in 1889 and rebuilt in 1898, this corner saloon features hearty pub grub, plenty of beer, a giant wood-burning stove, basement jail cells, and a 23-foot-long running-water spittoon, now used for annual miniboat races. Things get lively on weekends when there's live music.
100 W. Pennsylvania Ave., 98941, USA
509-649–2643
Known For
  • Serving up a sense of history along with cold beer
  • Hearty pub grub
  • Live music

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Iron Horse Brewery Pub

$
At this casual, hip pub you can have A Date with Kevin Bacon–-bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and almonds–-or some spent-grain beer bread. Then try a kale-and-spinach Caesar salad, bratwurst, or Korean short ribs with spicy kimchi. Wash it all down with the famous Quilter's Irish Death dark ale or Iron Horse IPA. The beer is made in a production facility across town, but this fun spot offers a good selection.

Mule and Elk Brewing Co.

$
This tiny taproom features three or four of its own beers as well as another three or four regional selections and free peanuts. Growler fills are $12.
811 Hwy. 970, Cle Elum, 98922, USA
206-321–1911
Known For
  • Locally made craft beer
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.–Wed.

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The Tav

$
This no-frills watering hole is a longtime favorite with locals and CWU students alike for its budget burgers and fries, nachos, and deep-fried mozzarella sticks, and the best jukebox in town. Previous diners have left their mark, carving their names into the wooden tables and brick walls. Sit in the courtyard when the weather's nice or enjoy a game of pool.
117 W. 4th Ave., Ellensburg, 98926, USA
509-925–3939
Known For
  • Super Mother and other burgers
  • Deep-fried appetizers
  • Popular dive bar that won't break the bank

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