5 Best Restaurants in Walla Walla, Spokane and Eastern Washington

In a former wood mill, this fine-dining destination has gained a reputation for quality and excellence, thanks to chef-owner Jamie Guerin. Local is the watchword here, where hamburgers are made with grass-fed beef from Blue Valley Meats, and other nearby purveyors supply produce, cheese, meat, eggs, and even popcorn for the bar. Start with the warm spinach salad with trout or the orange avocado salad, then move on to the beef tenderloin steak, Japanese-style fried chicken, and fresh fish that varies by season.

This delicious little café has a modern, sleek vibe, and welcoming staff who will be happy to give details about the delightful French treats, including kouign amann, four kinds of croissants, canelé, eclairs, brioche, palmiers, and an ever-changing selection of macarons. Espresso drinks feature local Walla Walla Roastery coffee; there's a house-made chai and some looseleaf teas too. Decadent tarts and cakes also beckon from the pastry cake, and if you didn't save room for gelato or sorbet, be sure and get a pint to take home.

Downtown Walla Walla is home to some excellent eateries, and Hattaway's on Alder has continued to raise the bar even higher with innovative and delicious dishes like Dungeness crab fritters, pecan crusted cod, and shrimp perloo risotto. Tasty starters include the pimiento cheese with crostini and the smoked oysters with Walla Walla sweet onions. Chicken cassoulet, braised beef cheeks, and curry fish chowder show the versatility of restaurant's menu. Friendly co-owner Lindsay Hattaway is likely to stop by your table and say hello.

Chef Maximilien Petty, founder/owner of the Eden Hill and Big Max Burgers restaurants in Seattle, opened Kinglet in the former space of Whitehouse-Crawford in 2022 and quickly received acclaim for the elevated dining experience it offers. From small plates in the bar to the seven-course tasting dinners, available both in the dining room and at the chef's counter, the emphasis is on savoring delicious and artfully presented meals. Offerings change seasonally, highlighting local produce and purveyors, and might include the Walla Walla Waldorf salad, fried chicken thigh, or gouda cheeseburger in the bar, while tasting dinners might include Snake River steak or rack of lamb as entrees, perhaps with a chicken liver mousse starter. Reservations are essential for tasting dinners.

This local favorite expanded into a larger space just up the street, so now even more people can enjoy the contemporary Italian food, along with the neighborly feel of the two-level dining room, the cozy bar, and the hip upstairs lounge. The menu focuses on bold flavors and fresh, local, and organic ingredients for dishes like pappardelle bolognese, grilled king salmon with risotto cake, and braised lamb chop. Weekday lunches offer tasty choices, too, including Waygu beef burgers, root vegetable salads, and seasonal soups. Customers are often greeted by the friendly owner, Walla Walla native Tom Maccarone.