7 Must-Try Washington Eats To Add To Your List + 7 Spots That Totally Impress
Washington State is a foodie paradise hiding in plain sight. From Seattle’s signature street food to the freshest seafood pulled from local waters, this corner of the Pacific Northwest offers unforgettable flavors you simply can’t find elsewhere.
Ready your appetite for a culinary journey through the Evergreen State’s most mouthwatering eats and impressive dining destinations.
1. Seattle Dog: The Cream Cheese Revolution
Locals swear by this unique hot dog creation topped with cream cheese and grilled onions. Born in Pioneer Square during the late 1980s, this savory-meets-sweet street food has become Seattle’s unofficial late-night anthem.
The magic happens when warm cream cheese melts slightly into the bun. You’ll find vendors clustered around stadiums on game days and outside Climate Pledge Arena, serving these delicious dogs to hungry crowds.
2. Seattle-Style Teriyaki: Sweet-Savory Perfection
Nothing captures Seattle’s everyday food culture quite like teriyaki shops. This char-grilled chicken or beef glazed with sweet-savory sauce has become so embedded in Seattle’s food scene that visitors are often surprised it’s not common nationwide.
Toshihiro Kasahara pioneered this style in the 1970s. For the most authentic experience, visit Toshi’s Teriyaki Grill in Mill Creek, where the master himself still oversees the grills.
3. Geoduck: The Curious Clam Worth Trying
Pronounced “gooey-duck” (ignore the spelling), this massive burrowing clam is Washington’s quirkiest seafood offering. With its distinctive elephant trunk-like siphon, geoduck can live over 100 years in Puget Sound’s sandy bottoms.
I’ll never forget my first geoduck encounter – I laughed nervously before discovering its surprisingly sweet, crunchy texture. Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bars serve it as pristine sashimi, letting its natural ocean sweetness shine through.
4. Olympia Oysters: Tiny Treasures of Puget Sound
These silver-dollar sized natives pack more flavor than oysters twice their size. Washington’s only indigenous oyster species nearly disappeared due to overharvesting, but conservation efforts have brought them back from the brink.
Each Olympia delivers a distinctive coppery finish and mineral-rich flavor that perfectly captures Puget Sound’s essence.
Taylor Shellfish Farms offers these delicate gems at their oyster bars throughout Seattle, typically served simply with just a squeeze of lemon.
5. Dungeness Crab: The Northwest’s Sweetest Catch
Sweet, tender meat makes Dungeness the royalty of Pacific Northwest crabs. Harvested from Washington’s coastal waters, these substantial crustaceans deliver more meat per pound than their East Coast counterparts.
The first time I cracked into a whole Dungeness, I was shocked by how much delicious meat was hiding inside. Ivar’s Acres of Clams on Seattle’s waterfront features Dungeness crab alongside stunning Elliott Bay views.
6. Salmon Candy: Sweet-Smoky Bites of Northwest Tradition
Native tribes perfected the art of preserving salmon long before refrigeration existed. Today’s version features chunks of wild salmon hot-smoked over alder wood, then glazed with a sweet maple finish that creates an addictive jerky-like texture.
Pike Place Fish Market offers generous samples before you commit to purchasing. The smoky-sweet flavor concentration makes this the perfect portable Washington souvenir – if you can resist eating it all immediately.
7. Pacific Razor Clams: The Coast’s Buried Treasure
Washington’s coastal communities celebrate these elongated bivalves with almost religious devotion. Digging for razors during seasonal openings becomes a family tradition, with participants armed with specialized tubes and lanterns at low tide.
The sweet, tender meat tastes incredible when lightly breaded and flash-fried. 42nd Street Café in Seaview serves them perfectly – crispy outside, tender inside. Many locals claim they’re worth the entire drive to the coast.
8. Canlis: Seattle’s Timeless Fine Dining Crown Jewel
Perched above Lake Union since 1950, this mid-century architectural gem represents Seattle dining at its most refined. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame stunning views of water, mountains, and city lights.
The seasonal tasting menu showcases the Pacific Northwest’s finest ingredients with meticulous technique. Third-generation family ownership maintains exceptional service standards while constantly evolving the culinary program.
Securing a reservation requires planning, but the experience justifies every effort.
9. Archipelago: Filipino Heritage Through Pacific Northwest Ingredients
Behind an unassuming Hillman City storefront, chefs Aaron Verzosa and Amber Manuguid craft the region’s most thought-provoking tasting menu.
Their intimate 12-seat restaurant tells the story of Filipino American identity through meticulous technique and hyperlocal ingredients.
I still remember the revelation of tasting their sinigang broth made from Washington rhubarb instead of traditional tamarind.
Each course arrives with stories connecting Filipino heritage to Pacific Northwest terroir. With limited seatings, reservations release for upcoming months and fill fast.
10. Sushi Kashiba: The Master’s Counter Experience
Seattle sushi legend Shiro Kashiba trained under Jiro Ono in Tokyo before bringing authentic Edomae traditions to the Pacific Northwest. Now in his 80s, the master still personally prepares omakase for lucky counter guests.
The restaurant sources impeccable seafood, including local specialties like geoduck and spot prawns when in season.
The counter offers a mix of limited reservations and first-come seats; arriving early helps secure a spot, and the dining room accepts reservations.
Either way, you’re experiencing sushi from one of America’s true masters.
11. Café Juanita: Italian Soul Through Northwest Ingredients
Chef Holly Smith’s James Beard Award-winning restaurant transforms northern Italian cuisine through Pacific Northwest ingredients.
Housed in a serene midcentury building overlooking a wooded Kirkland ravine, the space feels miles away from suburban surroundings.
Signature dishes like rabbit braised in Arneis wine showcase Smith’s technical mastery. Vegetarians receive equal attention with dedicated tasting menus rather than afterthoughts.
The sophisticated wine program focuses on Italian producers alongside Washington standouts.
12. The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive: Seafood With a View
Clinging to a cliff above Samish Bay, this historic restaurant offers breathtaking water views alongside impeccable seafood. The winding drive along Chuckanut’s forested curves builds anticipation for the destination.
Located between Seattle and Vancouver, it’s worth planning an entire day around. My most memorable meal featured local oysters harvested that morning from waters visible through the window.
Their extensive wine cellar has earned Wine Spectator awards for over 30 consecutive years.
13. Ray’s Boathouse: Seattle’s Waterfront Classic
Few restaurants capture Seattle’s soul like Ray’s, where picture windows frame postcard views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Since 1973, this Shilshole Bay institution has defined Pacific Northwest seafood dining.
Sunset dinners here provide Seattle’s most spectacular natural light show. The dual-level approach offers flexibility – casual upstairs Café for impromptu visits, refined downstairs Boathouse for special occasions.
Both deliver impeccable seafood with emphasis on sustainable local catch.
14. Hama Hama Oyster Saloon: Farm-to-Table Shellfish Experience
Nestled where Hood Canal meets the Olympic Mountains, this fifth-generation oyster farm offers the ultimate tide-to-table experience. The casual outdoor Saloon serves bivalves harvested just steps away, often shucked right before your eyes.
Nothing beats slurping oysters while watching waves lap against the shore they came from. Beyond raw offerings, try their grilled oysters with flavored butters.
The spectacular setting alone justifies the drive from Seattle, but the remarkably fresh shellfish makes it unforgettable.