The 10 Best Restaurants in Washington State in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Direct answer
Canlis, a family-owned fine dining restaurant in Seattle serving a six-course dinner at $185 per person, is the best restaurant in Washington State, ranked #2 in America by Food & Wine in 2025. The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard is #2 and The Herbfarm in Woodinville is #3.
Edomae sushi; the restaurant calls itself the first Edomae sushi restaurant in Seattle
An omakase counter in Belltown
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Canlis
Best oysters and walk-ins
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Best farm dinner
The Herbfarm
Best Filipino
Musang
Best in Walla Walla wine country
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen
The ranking
1
Canlis
Answrs VerdictCanlis is Washington's most decorated special-occasion room, with a six-course menu, a 1950 building and a Food & Wine #2 ranking.
Known for: A six-course dinner at a family-owned fine dining restaurant in a 1950 building with views of Seattle, Lake Union and the Cascade mountainsPrice: $185 per person for the six-course dinner, with a $100 per person deposit to reserveWhere: 2576 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 (Queen Anne)Awards: Ranked #2 restaurant in America by Food & Wine in spring 2025; three James Beard Awards; twenty-nine consecutive Wine Spectator Grand Awards (per Canlis)Booking: Booking through December; January reservations release November 1st at 12:00pm (PDT) on Tock
Canlis, at 2576 Aurora Ave N in Queen Anne, is a family-owned fine dining restaurant in a building first opened in 1950, with views of Seattle, Lake Union and the Cascade mountains. Dinner is a six-course menu at $185 per person, with a $100 per person deposit. Canlis says Food & Wine ranked it the second-best restaurant in America in spring 2025.
Go ifA once-a-year Seattle dinner with a view
Skip ifYou want a casual night out or a listed price per dish
Why #1 over #2: It is the only pick with a Food & Wine #2 national ranking and three James Beard Awards, where The Walrus and the Carpenter takes no reservations.
2
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Answrs VerdictThe Walrus and the Carpenter is the casual counterweight on this list, an oyster bar that has run on walk-ins since 2010.
Known for: Piles of chubby oysters, tallboys and muscadet in a lively room in Old Ballard; opened in 2010Price: Fried Oysters $25; Dungeness Crab Roll $38; Halibut Crudo $26 (oysters at market price)Where: 4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107Hours: Sunday - Thursday 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM; Friday & Saturday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PMHappy hour: 30% off select oysters, Monday - Friday 4-5pmWalk-ins: First come, first served
The Walrus and the Carpenter at 4743 Ballard Ave NW opened in 2010 and serves piles of oysters, tallboys and muscadet in Old Ballard. Its menu lists Fried Oysters at $25, a Dungeness Crab Roll at $38 and Halibut Crudo at $26. Happy hour is 30% off select oysters Monday - Friday 4-5pm, and seating is first come, first served.
Go ifOysters and small plates on a walk-in night
Skip ifYou need to book a table ahead
Why #2 over #3: It is far cheaper per plate than The Herbfarm and needs no booking.
3
The Herbfarm
Answrs VerdictThe Herbfarm is a nine-course farm dinner that has been served since 1986, with the price and the seating time set in advance.
Known for: A multicourse dinner built on ingredients from its own farm; farm to table since 1986Price: $325 including paired beverages, exclusive of tax and gratuityWhere: 14590 NE 145th St, Woodinville, WA 98072Hours: Dinner Thursday through Sunday; a single seating at 7pm Thursday - Saturday and 4:30 on SundayMenu: A 9-course, chef-selected menu finalized dailyBooking: Reservations open four calendar months in advance
The Herbfarm at 14590 NE 145th St in Woodinville has served farm-to-table dinners since 1986. The 9-course, chef-selected menu is finalized daily and costs $325 including paired beverages. Dinner is a single seating at 7pm Thursday - Saturday and 4:30 on Sunday.
Go ifA destination dinner in Woodinville wine country
Skip ifYou want to pick your own dishes or eat on a Monday - Wednesday
Why #3 over #4: It builds the whole meal from its own farm, which Cafe Juanita does not.
4
Cafe Juanita
Answrs VerdictCafe Juanita is a Kirkland tasting-menu restaurant for Northern Italian cooking, led by chef Holly Smith.
Known for: Seasonal prix-fixe tasting menus celebrating the flavors of Northern Italy, with a separate menu for vegetarian and vegan dinersPrice: $225 for the Omnivore - Pescatarian tasting menu; $145 Classico wine pairingsWhere: 9702 NE 120th Place, Kirkland, WA 98034Hours: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday; 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday; closed Sunday, Monday and ThursdayRecognition: Listed in Opinionated About Dining's North America Top Restaurants through 2023; chef Holly Smith a 2020 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Chef
Cafe Juanita at 9702 NE 120th Place in Kirkland serves seasonal prix-fixe tasting menus of Northern Italian flavors, with a separate menu for vegetarian and vegan guests. The Omnivore - Pescatarian menu is $225, and Classico wine pairings are $145. It is open Tuesday and Wednesday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Friday and Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
Go ifA Northern Italian tasting menu on the Eastside
Skip ifYou want to eat on a Sunday, Monday or Thursday
Why #4 over #5: It offers a full vegetarian and vegan tasting menu, which Spinasse does not.
5
Musang
Answrs VerdictMusang is the Filipino pick, a Beacon Hill dinner room with a Food & Wine Best New Chef at the helm.
Known for: A Filipino supper club on Beacon Hill; chef Melissa Miranda was a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2022Price: Fried Chicken Joy $30; Adobo Ribs $32; Beef Cheek Kare Kare $44Where: 2524 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144Hours: Dinner Wednesday - Monday 5pm - 10pm; closed TuesdaysRecognition: Named Seattle Met's Restaurant of the Year (listed on Musang's press page)Walk-ins: Accepted at the bar and a few allotted tables, first come first served
Musang at 2524 Beacon Ave S is a Filipino supper club on Beacon Hill. Chef Melissa Miranda was a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2022, and Musang lists a Seattle Met Restaurant of the Year honor on its press page. Dinner dishes include Fried Chicken Joy at $30, Adobo Ribs at $32 and Beef Cheek Kare Kare at $44. It is closed Tuesdays.
Go ifFilipino cooking in a community-minded room
Skip ifYou are going on a Tuesday (closed)
Why #5 over #6: It is the only Filipino restaurant here, where Spinasse covers Piedmont and Ray's covers seafood.
6
Spinasse
Answrs VerdictSpinasse is the pasta house of the list, with a Piedmontese menu and seven-night service.
Known for: Handmade pasta and the cuisine of Piemonte; open since 2008 on Capitol HillPrice: Tajarin al Ragu $22 half or $38 full; Menu Degustazione $128 per personWhere: 1531 14th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 (Capitol Hill)Hours: Open Sunday thru Thursday from 5 to 10pm, Friday & Saturday 5 to 11pmReservations: Accepted up to one month in advance on OpenTableChef: Stuart Lane has led the kitchen since 2015
Spinasse at 1531 14th Avenue on Capitol Hill has served Piedmontese cuisine since 2008, with handmade pastas and chef Stuart Lane in the kitchen since 2015. Tajarin al Ragu is $22 for a half and $38 for a full portion, and the Menu Degustazione is $128 per person. It is open seven days a week.
Go ifHand-cut pasta in Capitol Hill
Skip ifYou want a vegetarian tasting menu
Why #6 over #7: It is open every night, which Cafe Juanita is not.
7
Ray's Boathouse
Answrs VerdictRay's Boathouse pairs a dinner room downstairs with a casual cafe above, both on the water.
Known for: Local, sustainable seafood with global flavors and Northwest inspiration on Shilshole BayPrice: Pacific Northwest Chowder $11; Dungeness Crab Cakes $42; Applewood Grilled Sablefish in Sake Kasu $55Where: 6049 Seaview Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107Hours: Boathouse dinner Sunday - Thursday 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday 5:00pm - 9:30pmTwo rooms: First-floor Boathouse and a second-floor Cafe overlooking Puget Sound
Ray's Boathouse at 6049 Seaview Avenue NW serves local, sustainable seafood with Northwest inspiration. The first-floor Boathouse lists Pacific Northwest Chowder at $11, Dungeness Crab Cakes at $42 and Applewood Grilled Sablefish in Sake Kasu at $55. Dinner runs 5:00pm - 9:00pm Sunday - Thursday and until 9:30pm Friday and Saturday.
Go ifWaterfront seafood with two price tiers
Skip ifYou want a tasting-menu evening
Why #7 over #8: It adds a casual second-floor cafe, where Saffron has one dining room.
8
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen
Answrs VerdictSaffron is the Walla Walla pick, a Mediterranean kitchen that has been open since 2007.
Known for: Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the historic Bachtold Building on Main Street, cooked since 2007Price: Wood Grilled Calamari $15; Linguini Nero $30; Pacific Black Cod $38Where: 330 W Main Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362Hours: Tue - Thu 4:30pm - 9pm; Fri & Sat 2pm - 9pm; closed Sunday and MondayReservations: Strongly recommended; walk-ins welcome when space allows
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen at 330 W Main Street in Walla Walla has cooked Mediterranean-inspired dishes in the historic Bachtold Building since 2007. Its menu lists Wood Grilled Calamari at $15, Linguini Nero at $30 and Pacific Black Cod at $38. It is open Tue - Thu from 4:30pm and Fri & Sat from 2pm, and reservations are strongly recommended.
Go ifA wine-country dinner in Walla Walla
Skip ifYou are visiting on a Sunday or Monday
Why #8 over #9: It serves on weekend afternoons from 2pm, earlier than Brasserie Four's dinner hours on Tuesday - Thursday.
9
Brasserie Four
Answrs VerdictBrasserie Four brings a classic French brasserie menu to Main Street, with Friday and Saturday lunch.
Known for: A French brasserie menu of escargots, oysters and steak frites in downtown Walla WallaPrice: Steak Frites $43; Moules Frites $28; Escargots $16Where: 4 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362Hours: Tue - Thu 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Fri - Sat 11:30 am - 9:00 pm; Sun - Mon closedReservations: By phone at 509.529.2011 or online
Brasserie Four at 4 E Main St in Walla Walla serves a French brasserie menu with escargots at $16, Moules Frites at $28 and Steak Frites at $43. It is open Tue - Thu 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Fri - Sat 11:30 am - 9:00 pm, and closed Sunday and Monday.
Go ifA French bistro meal in Walla Walla
Skip ifYou want a tasting menu
Why #9 over #10: It serves Friday and Saturday lunch from 11:30 am, which Shiro's does not.
10
Shiro's Sushi
Answrs VerdictShiro's serves set sushi courses only, at a table or at the sushi bar.
Known for: Edomae sushi; the restaurant calls itself the first Edomae sushi restaurant in SeattlePrice: Chef's Sushi Kaiseki $105 per guest at a table; Shiro's Omakase $145 per guest at the sushi barWhere: 2401 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121Hours: Dine-in Monday - Sunday 4:30PM - 10:00PM (last order 9:15PM); closed on a handful of holidaysMenu: Set course menu only; no a la carte ordering and no vegetarian offering
Shiro's Sushi at 2401 2nd Ave in Seattle calls itself the first Edomae sushi restaurant in Seattle. It offers set courses only: Chef's Sushi Kaiseki at $105 per guest at a table, or Shiro's Omakase at $145 per guest at the sushi bar. Dine-in runs 4:30PM - 10:00PM with last order at 9:15PM, and there is no vegetarian offering.
Go ifAn omakase counter in Belltown
Skip ifYou eat vegetarian or want to order a la carte
How we ranked these
We ranked each restaurant on the national and regional recognition it cites (Food & Wine, James Beard, Seattle Met and Opinionated About Dining), then on cuisine variety and how easy it is for a visitor: published hours, published prices and reservations. Seattle Met reported in 2025 that Michelin does not publish a guide that includes Seattle. Every pick is in Washington State, and its hours, address and menu come from its own website. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best restaurant in Washington State?
Canlis in Seattle ranks first here. Food & Wine ranked it the #2 restaurant in America in spring 2025, and it serves a six-course dinner at $185 per person.
Is there a Michelin Guide for Washington State?
Seattle Met reported in September 2025 that Michelin does not publish a guide that includes Seattle, so this list relies on awards and press that each restaurant cites instead.
Which Washington restaurants are worth a drive outside Seattle?
The Herbfarm in Woodinville serves a 9-course dinner at $325, Cafe Juanita in Kirkland serves a tasting menu at $225, and Saffron and Brasserie Four are both in Walla Walla.
Where can I eat in Washington without a reservation?
The Walrus and the Carpenter hosts guests first come, first served, and Musang accepts walk-ins at its bar and a few allotted tables.
Price of a set menu per person at a glance
Shiro's Sushi (Chef's Sushi Kaiseki)$105
Spinasse (Menu Degustazione)$128
Canlis (six-course dinner)$185
Cafe Juanita (tasting menu)$225
The Herbfarm (nine courses with beverages)$325
Price of a set menu per person, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
