8 Best Restaurants in Olympia, Washington Cascade Mountains and Valleys

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

$$$ Fodor's choice

Arguably the best restaurant inside the bustling 222 Market food hall, and one of the top dining destinations in the city, this beautifully designed contemporary seafood restaurant with a marble-top bar and striking oyster-shell chandeliers is a winning choice for anything from a snack of oysters on the half shell to a grand feast. Consider sharing a couple of starters—maybe charred carrots with white-bean hummus and local mussels, before diving into more substantial dishes, like whole Dungeness crab with brown butter, lemon, and capers.

222 Capitol Way N, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-915–7784
Known For
  • popular weekend brunch
  • local shellfish prepared in inventive ways
  • house-made focaccia with sea salt and sea bean powder
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

Octapas Cafe

$$ Fodor's choice

This playfully named restaurant near the Capitol does indeed specialize in tapas, including—naturally—giant Pacific octopus, cured in olive oil and served with crusty house bread. Others treats from the seafood-centric menu are smoked oysters with lemon, mussels in a Thai lemongrass curry, and prawn tacos with pineapple salsa, but the menu lists plenty of meat and veggie options, too.

610 Water St. SW, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-878–9333
Known For
  • generous three-hour-long happy hour
  • live music and brunch on weekends
  • friendly staff
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch weekdays.

Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar

$$$$

The marina views are only part of the appeal of this bright, modern bistro overlooking West Bay and doling out equal parts well-chosen wines and stellar Pacific Northwest cuisine. The menu focuses strongly on what's local and organic, perhaps Totten Inlet steamer clams in white wine or local elk rib-eye carpaccio with juniper berries, followed by pistachio-crusted Parmesan seasonal wild whitefish with arugula pesto and gnocchi. 

501 Columbia St. NW, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-956–1928
Known For
  • friendly service
  • several dishes featuring local seafood
  • first-rate Washington-centric wine list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues. and Wed.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Fish Tale BrewPub

$

This long-running microbrewery and tavern in a slightly industrial section of downtown has a bustling, open dining room with mounted fish on the walls. It's a funky and fun standby for big portions of pub standards—nachos, smoked wild salmon platters, black-bean burgers, fish-and-chips, and a much beloved Mudshark Porter dark-chocolate cheesecake. The ales are well crafted—try the Winterfish Organic Seasonal Ale during the cooler months, or cool off with a light Organic Blonde Ale on a hot summer night.

515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-943–3650
Known For
  • Mudshark Porter dark-chocolate cheesecake
  • plenty of interesting seasonal ales
  • outdoor seating along the sidewalk

New Moon Cooperative Cafe

$

This cheery, simple downtown breakfast and lunch spot renowned for its house-made blackberry jam and funky vibe is a cooperative, owned entirely by its staff. The filling omelets, including the Northwestern (with smoked salmon, spinach, and cream cheese) and Benedicts are among the mainstays that keep regulars coming back, but the decadent blackberry French toast is the café's showstopper.

113 4th Ave. W, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-357–3452
Known For
  • New Moon burger topped with avocado, feta, and mushrooms
  • fills up on weekends, so expect a wait
  • burgers and salads at lunchtime
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner

Olympia Coffee Roasting

$

Stop by this sleek downtown coffee roastery with big windows for stellar espresso and java drinks, from rich mochas to nitro ice coffee, made with expertly roasted beans. Light snacks and baked goods are also on offer.

Our Table

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Locally sourced, sustainable ingredients take center stage in the artfully plated dishes at this otherwise simple-looking downtown diner popular for its affordable breakfast and lunch fare. Fluffy house-made biscuits with sausage gravy and the hangtown fry with local fried oysters, bacon, and house-made hot sauce are among noteworthy morning dishes. In the afternoon, try the steamed local Manila clams with leeks and bacon, or a slow-braised pork carnitas sandwich.
406 4th Ave. E, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-932--6030
Known For
  • chocolate mousse is fluffy and delicious
  • locally sourced produce
  • duck-and-root-vegetable pâté
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. No dinner

Well 80 Brewhouse

$

This cavernous downtown brewhouse has a soaring, barrel-vaulted ceiling, monitors airing regional sports, and plenty of bar and booth seating, but it's known first and foremost for turning out some of the area's best ales—strong, barrel-aged Belgian-style beers are a specialty. There are tasty, filling pizzas and pub fare, too, including a notably good bacon burger with mustard, grilled onions, and a tangy house sauce.

514 4th Ave. E, Olympia, Washington, 98501, USA
360-915–6653
Known For
  • good children's menu
  • stone-hearth-baked pizzas
  • lots of experimental, aged beers