Washington winters are beautiful. But if you've reached the point where you're wishing you were somewhere tropical sipping something sweet and staring at the ocean, you're not alone. And while not all of us can make that happen at the moment, we can all go to Vancouver and enjoy a meal at Beaches Restaurant and Bar.
Beaches Restaurant and Bar is located at 1919 SE Columbia River Dr.
This Washington Dining Experience Has Been Called One of the Best Restaurants in the U.S.
Want to visit one of the best restaurants in Washington? Check out Woodinville's Herbfarm, an acclaimed farm-to-table spot and an Evergreen State institution.
To complement its famous beauty, Washington produces some of the nation's highest-quality ingredients. With active fisheries and sprawling farmland, it's no wonder our state draws chefs from far and wide, each excited to experiment with our regional flavors. All this talent has cultivated an acclaimed culinary scene, one I'm only too lucky to write about. Still, of all these diverse eateries, The Herbfarm in Woodinville is considered by many nationwide to be one of Washington's best restaurants.
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The Herbfarm/Facebook
Like many established farm-to-table restaurants in Washington, The Herbfarm emerged from a deep-rooted family tradition. After purchasing property in the 1970s, Bill and Lola Zimmerman began a small-scale operation selling their produce locally. The next generation brought new ideas to the family business, with their son, Ron, and his wife, Carrie, debuting the first iteration of the now-famous eatery in 1986. The couple's budding restaurant (which operated for a time from the family garage) saw considerable success until it closed in the late nineties following a fire. It reopened in 2001 and quickly became one of the Pacific Northwest's most hallowed restaurants. Today, the kitchen is run by chefs Chris Weber and Jack Gingrich. Together, they honor the legacy of the Zimmerman family, who remain deeply involved in The Herbfarm's vision.
The Herbfarm/Facebook
An AAA 5 Diamond destination with accolades from various publications, including Food & Wine and The Seattle Times, dinner at The Herbfarm is a bucket-list reservation that's well worth the price tag. Despite the cost, expect a dress code of "zhuzhed casual." While you're welcome to show up and out in your formal best, any outfit that makes a gesture toward polish will be well-regarded, in keeping with the laidback PNW custom. Though every restaurant sees regulars, most diners arrive to celebrate milestones or as part of a culinary pilgrimage. The result is a dining room that's as warmly colored by laughter as it is by candlelight and wood. It's the perfect spot to savor the multi-course menu and a selection of wines you'll dream of later.
If you fancy yourself a foodie and aspire to experience Washington's best restaurants, Woodinville's The Herbfarm is an essential stop. With its deeply felt connection to the outdoors, this renowned eatery turns the Evergreen State's outdoorsy spirit into bold flavor. Their ever-changing menu pays tribute to the land and seasons that have sustained The Herbfarm dream since the 1970s, and— for one night— you'll be part of that decades-old love song.
Jerk chicken. Rib tips. Beef brisket. Do you have your shoes on yet? We thought you might! This is just the beginning of some of the best, award-winning bbq in Washington. You will find it at Lil Red Takeout & Catering in the historic Rainier neighborhood for the most mouth-watering, award-winning BBQ in Seattle, Washington.
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I find that the best BBQ is usually served in the humblest buildings. Lil Red chef and owner, Erasto "Red" Jackson, feels the same way.
He described the location as perfect for his fan-favorite restaurant, saying, "I just wanted to be that little hole-in-the-wall all the locals knew about."
Though the interior décor is sparse, the atmosphere at Lil Red is one of jubilant anticipation. The regulars at Lil Red are devout fans of the restaurant's menu and gladly champion their favorite offerings to newcomers.
In fact, most encourage first-timers to simply close their eyes and pick three things at random from Lil Red's offerings. It's all that good. No, really.
The cuisine at Lil Red is a delicious fusion of Jamaican eats and traditional soul food fare.
Though the recipes are all Chef Jackson's, he takes inspiration from his wife's Jamaican background. In fact, she's the "Lil" to his "Red." They make a great husband and wife team!
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As far back as he can remember, Jackson loved cooking. He has fond memories of experimenting with his grandmother in her kitchen.
In everything he makes at this amazing bbq restaurant, diners will recognize his profound passion for food and the connections it creates between people.
Still, it took Jackson a long time to finally open his restaurant. He's the first to admit that his culinary career began in the back of a 1991 Volvo station wagon.
He'd drive his dishes to various local shops and sell plates to increasingly devoted customers. Over time, word spread, and he could finally open the brick-and-mortar store of his dreams. And thank goodness he did because Lil Red is an iconic neighborhood staple!
His talent attracted more than the attention of Seattleites, however. In 2022, Jackson was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Northwest.
The prestigious James Beard Foundation awards only a handful of chefs each year. Though Jackson maintains that he's driven by his love of cooking, not accolades, he deserves every bit of the recognition he's receiving. Are you ready to try out this great Seattle restaurant?
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Whether you're a local or visiting from out-of-town, if you're craving award-winning BBQ in Washington, head on over to Seattle and get yourself to Lil Red Takeout & Catering as soon as possible! For more information, check out the Lil Red Takeout & Catering website, as well as the Lil Red Takeout & Catering Facebook page.
This beloved neighborhood joint will become your favorite, too, and it doesn't hurt that it's located conveniently near some of our favorite Seattle attractions.
So, have you ever been to Lil Red's BBQ?? If so, what was your favorite dishes? Would you agree that it is among the best bbq in Washington State? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
Thinking about taking a Washington State vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.
If you’re still in the mood for more Evergreen State adventures, take a look at this video about the Native American History of Snoqualmie Falls:
