9 Best Restaurants in Ellensburg, Washington Wine Country

Helmed by James Beard finalist and ardent fly-fisherman Kevin Davis, this modern restaurant on a picturesque bend in Yakima River Canyon has tall windows and a covered deck overlooking the scenery. Stop for a hearty breakfast before a day of recreation on the river, or for a memorable lunch or dinner of artfully prepared contemporary American fare, such as grilled Idaho trout with roasted pecan–brown butter or tagliatelle with goat Bolognese and burrata. 

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.

In this warmly inviting storefront that morphs into a full-on bar and live music haunt after 9 pm, enjoy gastropub cooking that often features internationally inspired dishes, such as pork belly ramen and mussels in a fragrant Thai red coconut curry. Decked out with deep wooden booths, exposed brick walls, and vintage chandeliers, it's a classy joint, but with an "everybody knows your name" vibe.

Set inside a 1923 Lutheran church, this cheery yellow house of culinary worship now serves modern American fare with global accents inside the former nave and choir loft. Standouts at dinner include garam masala–crusted rack of lamb and oven-roasted cedar plank steelhead with lemon caper butter. The gooey bananas Foster waffles are a crowd-pleaser on weekend mornings.

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.

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.

Hungry travelers and townsfolk have been fueling up in this rollicking Old West tavern with period wallpaper and pressed-tin ceilings since 1892, tucking into plates of old-school pub fare. The nachos, fish-and-chips, and steaks are reliably good, and a handful of specialties—especially the sirloin steak with coconut prawns and open-faced chili burgers—keep regulars coming back again and again. Portions are generous, especially at breakfast, and there's a sizable kids' menu.