19 Best Restaurants in Washington Wine Country, Washington

This down-home pizza parlor between Zillah and Yakima celebrates the produce of Yakima Valley with wood-fired pizzas topped with an array of interesting ingredients, such as roasted garlic, house-smoked mozzarella, blueberries, pine nuts, and—most notably—locally grown Cascade hops. Aptly, there's a great selection of hoppy Northwest ales, too. A second location in Sunnyside is slated to open in mid-summer 2023.

From this humble mom-and-pop shop in Union Gap come heavenly tamales—shredded chicken and pork and, during spring, asparagus and pepper jack cheese. Order a pile of these delicacies that have been acclaimed by locals and critics alike—the restaurant even earned a vaunted James Beard Foundation award in the American Classics category. And what you can't eat during your visit, you can take with you to go. There's a newer, bigger, but somewhat less atmospheric branch on the west side of Yakima. 

From students recovering after a night of partying to hikers fueling up before hitting the trail, this cozy downtown café with big windows and an expansive side patio serves brunch daily—with cocktails, if you wish. Specialties include breakfast poutine with sausage gravy and salsa verde, banana–and–macadamia nut waffles, and avocado toast on sourdough with eggs, cotija cheese, and cherry tomatoes.

Look past the drab setting of this unfussy bakery on a busy street in Sunnyside, as the kitchen turns out fresh and filling breakfast and lunch fare, from chicken-fried steak Benedicts and mascarpone-stuffed French toast in the morning to fettuccine Alfredo with smoked salmon and ham-gouda panini sandwiches for lunch. There's also a bakery case filled with sweet treats.

Whether for a morning macchiato, a bagel breakfast sandwich, a lunchtime panini, or a late-afternoon slice of cake, this roomy coffeehouse with hardwood floors, comfy armchairs, and café tables works nicely for a quick pick-me-up or a more leisurely meal. Most evenings, the space becomes a casual dinner spot with beer and wine available, and on weekends there's often live rock, jazz, and country music.

This cute Latina- and LGBTQ-owned café in downtown Sunnyside has an inviting, hip vibe with artfully arranged plants and a beautiful floral mural. Stop in for an espresso pick-me-up between wineries or a craft cocktail. 

Set near the CWU campus and decorated with repurposed, reclaimed, and historical artifacts, this casual hangout with a great porch revolves around one central fixture, a wood-fire pizza oven. Out of that oven come pies and grinders with a focus on regional and seasonal ingredients—the salmon-caper and Thai chicken pizzas are among the favorites.

Sample some of the tastiest Mexican-American fare in the valley at this friendly, no-frills establishment. The savory seafood dishes, such as sautéed prawns with mushrooms and garlic, are among the standouts, and traditional offerings like pork chile verde burritos and shredded-beef chimichangas round out the menu.

Head to this cheerful hole in the wall in downtown Sunnyside for perfectly seasoned whole grilled chicken along with a nice variety of Mexican-American favorites, including birria tacos and carne asada fries. The original, slightly larger location is in Grandview and is also excellent. 

This 1940s hamburger joint that's expanded from a drive-in to a family-friendly diner over the years is a Yakima Valley icon (actually located in Union Gap), doling out all sorts of comfort classics, from salads to fish-and-chips to enormous burgers. The real crowd pleaser is the gut-busting "Big Miner"—a hulking pile of meat that's best enjoyed with a basket of fries and a shake.

Step back in time to a 1930s-era service station that's been converted into a diner, serving up classic greasy-spoon fare, like steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, charbroiled chicken sandwiches, banana splits, and the like. While you await your grub, check out the hundreds of vintage metal gas station signs and advertisements.

This friendly daytime café is inside a quirky little cabin with a sunny deck beside Cle Elum's Flag Pole Park. Popular for a bite or a latte before or after hiking the nearby Coal Mines Trail or just strolling around downtown, Stella's specializes in overstuffed sandwiches—such as the Gobbler, with roast turkey, cranberry sauce, and Swiss—and well-prepared breakfasts featuring everything from French toast to steal-cut oatmeal to build-your-own egg scrambles.