A Restaurant for Every Month: 12 Bucket-List Worthy Spots in Washington

Washington's restaurant industry has some of the freshest, most creative cuisines available, often coupled with a side of epic views. Even better, some of our top chefs have even opened new eateries or expanded their spaces. We think New Year's resolutions should be fun, which is why we recommend trying at least one of the best restaurants in Washington every month of the year. The following is our list of recommendations to inspire your foodie adventures this year... one for each month. That said, every spot on the list is delightful year-round, so feel free to try each of these restaurants in Washington when you happen to be in the area.

1. January: The Restaurant at DeLille Cellars (Woodinville)

If you love Washington wine, you may already be familiar with DeLille Cellars. Located in Woodinville, this wine-centric restaurant features a house-crafted menu that you'll find yourself craving for months to come. This is an award-winning restaurant in Washington that serves lunch and dinner and is a place you'll find yourself visiting over and over again. The Restaurant at DeLille Cellars is open Monday and Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2. February: Crafted (Yakima)

Crafted opened in 2017, instantly elevating Yakima's dining scene. This farm-to-table restaurant has a regularly rotating menu, seasonal cocktails, local wines, and an enormous community presence. The menus are based on the season, so visit regularly throughout the year to try something new—you won't regret it. Crafted is open Thursday to Monday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

3. March: Cochinito Taqueria (Spokane)

If you have a love of tacos like I do, your taste buds will thank you over and over again for visiting Conchinito Taqueria. This restaurant in Downtown Spokane features dishes served with local and responsibly sourced ingredients. Make sure you visit when you are hungry so you can try multiple tacos on the menu. It’s impossible to choose just one. Conchinito Taqueria is open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

4. April: Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi (Bellevue)

Ascend takes fine dining to a whole new level—literally. This high-end steak and sushi spot takes you 31 stories up and offers some of Bellevue's best views. There's a reason why Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi often makes lists of the best restaurants in Washington! This is the perfect restaurant for a romantic night out. Ascend is open Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5. May: Maple Counter Cafe (Walla Walla)

If you're in Walla Walla for any spring wine events this year, fuel up with a morning meal at the Maple Counter Cafe. The hardest part of dining here is deciding what to order because everything on the menu is absolutely delicious (and extremely filling). Many menu items are made from scratch and you'll taste the difference as soon as you take that first bite. Maple Counter Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

6. June: Aerlume (Seattle)

While there is certainly no shortage of top-notch restaurants in Seattle, many of the best places to eat come with a side of epic views. Aerlume remains an underrated and lesser-known gem, but it has the delicious food and stellar views down to perfection. Located above Elliott Bay and mere steps from Pike Place Market, this place offers incredible views of the Sound and the best local cuisine imaginable. Aerlume opens Tuesday to Saturday at 4 p.m. Last seating is at 9 p.m.

7. July: Water's Table (Renton)

There's something special about an outdoor dinner on a warm summer evening. Water's Table is located at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in Renton, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. While the menu is packed with incredible entrees, the views are also going to leave you impressed. Open Monday to Friday for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bar area is open every day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday. Brunch hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

8. August: The Pink Door (Seattle)

Dining at the Pink Door is a joy year-round. If you go in the summer, you can choose between the vibrant outdoor patio or the lavish dining room, which looks straight out of Italy (aside from the amazing view of the Seattle waterfront out your window). Not only is the Italian cuisine here out of this world, but it's also surprisingly affordable for the quality. This is because the team buys most of their ingredients from Pike Place and other local purveyors. One of Seattle's most unique restaurants, the Pink Door is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lunch and at 5 p.m. for dinner, with last seating at 10 p.m.

9. September: Heritage Restaurant + Bar (Woodinville)

Heritage is operated by Chef Breanna Beike, who believes food should be both simple and delicious. Perhaps that's why even in a city like Woodinville with an abundance of dining options, this place is among the most popular. Their menu rotates seasonally to capitalize on all the fresh local produce, seafood, and meats in the area. The flavors are divine, and the local emphasis and ambiance easily make this gem one of the best restaurants in Washington. Open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

10. October: Hattaway's on Alder (Walla Walla)

Walla Walla is a delightful city. But unless you live in the Tri-Cities area, it's a bit out of the way. That being said, it's worth making the drive just to enjoy a meal at Hattaway's on Alder. This charming family-owned restaurant serves American fare with a Southeastern twist, all with a hefty dose of Southern hospitality. Plus, they use local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest. It's certainly a bucket-list worthy restaurant in Washington that we can't wait to visit once again. Open Monday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to close.

11. November: Wooden City (Spokane and Tacoma)

Wooden City was founded by a trio of owners in 2018 in Tacoma, who expanded and opened a Spokane location in 2020. Almost everything is wood-fired here, and it's safe to say that absolutely everything is delicious. We highly recommend visiting both locations because one visit is never enough. The Spokane location is open weekdays from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and weekends from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Tacoma location is open daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

12. December: Basilico (Olympia)

Since 2005, Basilico has been serving Central and Northern Italian cuisine in the heart of Olympia. This is the type of restaurant where every detail is pure perfection, from the restaurant’s atmosphere to the perfectly-plated entrees. Make sure to try the handmade pasta and sauce during a visit. I also recommend you save plenty of room for dessert. The cannoli is unforgettable. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

While not a complete list of the best restaurants in Washington, we definitely think that these 12 eateries are must-visits this year. They're also an excellent way to start exploring every type of cuisine that our state has to offer. What are your favorite restaurants in Washington? Is there a place to eat in the Evergreen State you think should be on our list? Let us know by filling out this nomination form.

If you are looking for even more exciting, bucket-list worthy things to do in Washington, check out our list with some of our personal favorites. Planning a trip anytime soon? Be sure to try out Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner to make it an incredible adventure.