Guidebook for Whidbey & Fidalgo Islands
Food Scene
Reservations recommended. Talented chefs and exceptional service serving up classic French cuisine with modern flare and Northwest influences. Great wine recommendations and fabulous desserts. Usually closed on Mondays.
I like to sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen to watch the chefs work their magic.
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Frasers Gourmet Hideaway
1191 SE Dock StReservations recommended. Talented chefs and exceptional service serving up classic French cuisine with modern flare and Northwest influences. Great wine recommendations and fabulous desserts. Usually closed on Mondays.
I like to sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen to watch the chefs work their magic.
Lines can be long, but there is a reason this place has been in business almost 50 years. I love their fried oysters and chowder! Great grilled options and salads as well. They also make great burgers and fish tacos. Haven't found anything there I don't like, but I haven’t tried the alligator. You can order ahead to save time, but they close at 5 or 6pm depending on the day.
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Shrimp Shack
6168 State Rte 20Lines can be long, but there is a reason this place has been in business almost 50 years. I love their fried oysters and chowder! Great grilled options and salads as well. They also make great burgers and fish tacos. Haven't found anything there I don't like, but I haven’t tried the alligator. You can order ahead to save time, but they close at 5 or 6pm depending on the day.
Reservations or call ahead recommended. About a 30 minute drive from Deception Pass, but the best pizza on the island, imo. They don't have a lot of competition.
Service can be slow, but great wood-fired Neapolitan style pizza.
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Ciao
701 N Main StReservations or call ahead recommended. About a 30 minute drive from Deception Pass, but the best pizza on the island, imo. They don't have a lot of competition.
Service can be slow, but great wood-fired Neapolitan style pizza.
Amazing house made meats served as everyday favorites. The quality of their burgers and fries are unmatched and their breakfast will leave you forever changed.
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Dad's Diner
906 Commercial AveAmazing house made meats served as everyday favorites. The quality of their burgers and fries are unmatched and their breakfast will leave you forever changed.
I go here for their incredible pit BBQ smoked Buffalo chicken wings and drool-over brisket sandwiches. Their award winning Space Pig beer and Coconut Stout are my favorite beers. In a strip mall-looking building next to a busy intersection and a golf course, but it’s nice inside!
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Bastion Brewing Company
12529 Christianson RdI go here for their incredible pit BBQ smoked Buffalo chicken wings and drool-over brisket sandwiches. Their award winning Space Pig beer and Coconut Stout are my favorite beers. In a strip mall-looking building next to a busy intersection and a golf course, but it’s nice inside!
If you're headed south to the Mukilteo ferry this is a great place to grab a yummy sandwich or healthy bowl on your way to the ferry.
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Pickles Deli
11042 WA-525If you're headed south to the Mukilteo ferry this is a great place to grab a yummy sandwich or healthy bowl on your way to the ferry.
An island fixture, in a historical building on Penn Cove in downtown cutesy downtown Coupeville. No frills good food and beer with a water view! Very rustic traditional tavern. Known for their mussels in broth served with garlic bread. Sop up the brine with the bread, it's almost better than the mussels themselves. Always Sunny fans should get a T-shirt. No one under 21
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Toby's Tavern
8 Front St NEAn island fixture, in a historical building on Penn Cove in downtown cutesy downtown Coupeville. No frills good food and beer with a water view! Very rustic traditional tavern. Known for their mussels in broth served with garlic bread. Sop up the brine with the bread, it's almost better than the mussels themselves. Always Sunny fans should get a T-shirt. No one under 21
Omg, so good. Call ahead for reservations if it’s in summer or a weekend night. Anacortes beats Oak Harbor hands down for better restaurants and this place is why. Nightly specials that surpass expectations and the best Italian food I have eaten outside of Italy. I haven’t been impressed by their steak or chicken dishes, but their slow-braised meats and pasta dishes are spectacular. Pork Belly stuffed in cannelloni with a truffle cream sauce. I’m done.
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Nonna Luisa Ristorante
314 Commercial AveOmg, so good. Call ahead for reservations if it’s in summer or a weekend night. Anacortes beats Oak Harbor hands down for better restaurants and this place is why. Nightly specials that surpass expectations and the best Italian food I have eaten outside of Italy. I haven’t been impressed by their steak or chicken dishes, but their slow-braised meats and pasta dishes are spectacular. Pork Belly stuffed in cannelloni with a truffle cream sauce. I’m done.
I go here mostly for the quintessential PNW Whidbey atmosphere and waterviews. Small but well-rounded menu with local ingredients. This old historic inn faces Penn Cove where you can see the actual mussel farm nearby. Call ahead to make sure they’re seating non-guests as hours can change on a whim.
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Captain Whidbey
2072 W Capt Whidbey Inn RdI go here mostly for the quintessential PNW Whidbey atmosphere and waterviews. Small but well-rounded menu with local ingredients. This old historic inn faces Penn Cove where you can see the actual mussel farm nearby. Call ahead to make sure they’re seating non-guests as hours can change on a whim.
Hidden away in an industrial park, but omg so worth it! They have seating, but I usually pick up a big waffle cone or a pint of whatever to go.
Lopez Island Creamery
9028 Molly LnHidden away in an industrial park, but omg so worth it! They have seating, but I usually pick up a big waffle cone or a pint of whatever to go.
Ramen that is so good it's worth the 45 minute drive from my house. Tiny restaurant so take away is a good option as well. They also sell different sake and Japanese candy. They are a little skimpy on the add-ons but the Ramen itself is top notch.
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Ultra House
221 Second StreetRamen that is so good it's worth the 45 minute drive from my house. Tiny restaurant so take away is a good option as well. They also sell different sake and Japanese candy. They are a little skimpy on the add-ons but the Ramen itself is top notch.
A tiny deli that makes great Italian sandwiches and reubens on fresh baked local bread. Take it on a picnic to Greenbank Farm just up the street. Or post a photo in the working Telephone booth in the parking lot.
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Greenbank Pantry & Deli
25175 WA-525A tiny deli that makes great Italian sandwiches and reubens on fresh baked local bread. Take it on a picnic to Greenbank Farm just up the street. Or post a photo in the working Telephone booth in the parking lot.
LaConner is the quaintiest of all the quaint towns. Every single restaurant is great in this town, but Nell Thorn is my absolute favorite. Kinda swanky, but casual at the same time. The food is definitely upscale with things like cassoulet, duck, and halibut options. Scrumptious cocktail menu, and vegan dessert options. Reservations highly recommended.
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Nell Thorn
116 1st StLaConner is the quaintiest of all the quaint towns. Every single restaurant is great in this town, but Nell Thorn is my absolute favorite. Kinda swanky, but casual at the same time. The food is definitely upscale with things like cassoulet, duck, and halibut options. Scrumptious cocktail menu, and vegan dessert options. Reservations highly recommended.
Secret Cove
209 T AveGood food, water views, and better than Anthonys Home Port.
GERE-a-DELI
502 Commercial Avegreat soups and sandwiches, plus more
A wine shop, convenience store, deli, and they sell muffins that are out-of-this-world.
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The Store
919 37th StA wine shop, convenience store, deli, and they sell muffins that are out-of-this-world.
My absolute favorite breakfast spot! Great service, from-scratch cooking that tastes like your Mom went to French Culinary School. The full-bar cocktails alone are worth the trip, and the coffee is good. 10/10 recommend.
Martini Brunch
My absolute favorite breakfast spot! Great service, from-scratch cooking that tastes like your Mom went to French Culinary School. The full-bar cocktails alone are worth the trip, and the coffee is good. 10/10 recommend.
This one-horse town is a foodie destination. Lots of great restaurants, but I love Terramar’s pizza and beer. (My pizza standards are very high though)
I find their ordering system a little clunky; you find your own table, note the number on the table, then come back to the bar and give them your table number when you order for your group.
Lots of outdoor seating and great beers and ciders too!
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Terramar Brewstillery
5712 Gilkey AveThis one-horse town is a foodie destination. Lots of great restaurants, but I love Terramar’s pizza and beer. (My pizza standards are very high though)
I find their ordering system a little clunky; you find your own table, note the number on the table, then come back to the bar and give them your table number when you order for your group.
Lots of outdoor seating and great beers and ciders too!
Sightseeing
I love this park for beach combing, sunset watching and picnics. Lots of parking at West Beach. Bring your Discover Pass or buy a day pass for $10.
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Deception Pass State Park
41229 State Route 20I love this park for beach combing, sunset watching and picnics. Lots of parking at West Beach. Bring your Discover Pass or buy a day pass for $10.
Great view of Island, the Navy Base, and Olympic Mountains without the crowds like at the bridge.
The hike is less than two miles but can be steep and difficult for some to navigate. However I have seen kids from 8-80 on this trail. The Perimeter Trail is also nice.
Goose Rock Summit Trail
Goose Rock Summit TrailGreat view of Island, the Navy Base, and Olympic Mountains without the crowds like at the bridge.
The hike is less than two miles but can be steep and difficult for some to navigate. However I have seen kids from 8-80 on this trail. The Perimeter Trail is also nice.
This is just North of Deception Pass Bridge on the Fidalgo Island side. Park at Bowmans Bay and hike North to Rosario Beach for tide pool gazing or hike South to Lighthouse Point loop trail to get a great shot of the bridge from afar. Or hike both if you have a couple hours.
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Bowman Bay, Deception Pass State Park
4402 Bowman Bay RdThis is just North of Deception Pass Bridge on the Fidalgo Island side. Park at Bowmans Bay and hike North to Rosario Beach for tide pool gazing or hike South to Lighthouse Point loop trail to get a great shot of the bridge from afar. Or hike both if you have a couple hours.
Price Sculpture Forest
678 Parker RdTrips out to see whales can be long and uncomfortable especially when traveling with elderly adults or younger children. This boat is very comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. I like that they have an upper open deck which is great for viewing whales in warm weather, and also plenty of covered and shaded areas to get a break from the elements. They have a darn good snack bar on board with substantial menu items like sandwiches, hot dogs, and chili and clam chowder.
You also have a great shot at seeing Orca Whales and other sea creatures on this excursion.
Pleasant onboard bathrooms available.
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Island Adventures
712 Seafarers WayTrips out to see whales can be long and uncomfortable especially when traveling with elderly adults or younger children. This boat is very comfortable for people of all ages and abilities. I like that they have an upper open deck which is great for viewing whales in warm weather, and also plenty of covered and shaded areas to get a break from the elements. They have a darn good snack bar on board with substantial menu items like sandwiches, hot dogs, and chili and clam chowder.
You also have a great shot at seeing Orca Whales and other sea creatures on this excursion.
Pleasant onboard bathrooms available.
Meerkerk Gardens
3531 Meerkerk LnGreenbank Farm
765 Wonn RdEverything Else
Anacortes Farmer's Market
611 R AveDrinks & Nightlife
A local favorite with great food. Its about as lively as we get a round here, sorry to say. They have Tuesday Trivia night, and usually have some sort of live music on Saturday nights. Great Burgers and appetizers.
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Brown Lantern
412 Commercial AveA local favorite with great food. Its about as lively as we get a round here, sorry to say. They have Tuesday Trivia night, and usually have some sort of live music on Saturday nights. Great Burgers and appetizers.
Great beer selection and wood-fires pizzas as well as seafood. Have live music quite often in the evenings.
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Rockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery
320 Commercial AveGreat beer selection and wood-fires pizzas as well as seafood. Have live music quite often in the evenings.
Not really recommending this place, but it is literally the only nightclub in Oak Harbor. They have pull tabs, drag shows, and metal bands and you only live once.
Off the Hook
880 SE Pioneer WayNot really recommending this place, but it is literally the only nightclub in Oak Harbor. They have pull tabs, drag shows, and metal bands and you only live once.
Entertainment & Activities
Open year round but check their website or Facebook for events and movie listings. Bring blankets and pillows for the chilly evenings. Bug spray is also a good idea in summertime.
They can sell out on popular show nights so you definitely will want to buy tickets in advance.
They have a substantial menu with sandwiches, burgers, fries, whole pizzas, etc. as well as the usual popcorn, candy, and drinks.
They also have go-carts and an arcade as well as a newly opened beer garden. You definitely want to go early if you want go-carts because they shut down before the movie starts. Pro tip: it's pretty easy to sneak in your own healthy food or take out. Drive-in etiquette is try not to block other's views as best you can, turn off all lights in your car, and know that it is okay to pull out early after the first movie is over.
Dogs on leashes welcome!
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Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre
1403 N Monroe Landing RdOpen year round but check their website or Facebook for events and movie listings. Bring blankets and pillows for the chilly evenings. Bug spray is also a good idea in summertime.
They can sell out on popular show nights so you definitely will want to buy tickets in advance.
They have a substantial menu with sandwiches, burgers, fries, whole pizzas, etc. as well as the usual popcorn, candy, and drinks.
They also have go-carts and an arcade as well as a newly opened beer garden. You definitely want to go early if you want go-carts because they shut down before the movie starts. Pro tip: it's pretty easy to sneak in your own healthy food or take out. Drive-in etiquette is try not to block other's views as best you can, turn off all lights in your car, and know that it is okay to pull out early after the first movie is over.
Dogs on leashes welcome!
I haven't gone myself, but friends with kiddos love this place. It's about 30 minutes away, in Skagit County. I suggest it in case you're visiting and the weather is bad. Otherwise go to the state parks!
Riverstone Climbing Gym
1625 S Walnut StI haven't gone myself, but friends with kiddos love this place. It's about 30 minutes away, in Skagit County. I suggest it in case you're visiting and the weather is bad. Otherwise go to the state parks!
Shopping
Purple Moon
860 SE Pioneer WayAn eclectic shop with everything from home decor to cool rocks and seashells.
Tides of Anacortes
719 Commercial Ave