For all our dining needs on San Juan Island, check out these top 10 best restaurants. For fine dining, family eats, or quick bite ideas you will enjoy your day at Friday Harbor with any of these delicious choices.
Whether you are visiting the island or are a resident, there is a lot to love about the best restaurants on San Juan Island. I visited this lovely island & had a delicious time - now you can too. Discover gourmet dining, casual eats, breweries, & more.
The main dining, nightlife, & tourist area at Friday Harbor is the most popular. But go check out more of the island too. Find other hidden & yummy spots for eating out whether you want just a pastry or ice cream or an amazing seafood dinner.
Here is everything I will highlight & review in this article. Check out my top-rated recommended restaurants on San Juan Island. Plus a few bonus items - bars, farmer's market, ice cream, coffee, & more!
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How to Get There
The Washington State ferry system is large & efficient. Oh, and it is fun and inexpensive too! We got on the ferry from Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. The kids were free & our cost was very low - check out the times & rates.
Orcas, Shaw, & Lopez Islands are nearby and have direct or connecting ferries to Friday Harbor as well. You can walk on without reservation. I suggest getting there at least an hour before to park, walk, get your tickets, & board the ferry. If you have a car, you need a reservation which can be made online.
Fine Dining
If you wish to celebrate a birthday, a special occasion, or enjoy a fancy meal, these restaurants shine. They have wonderful wine lists, comfortable lovely ambiance, & delicious gourmet food.
Coho Restaurant
This darling little restaurant is in Friday Harbor and just a few walkable blocks from the ferry. If you plan to spend the day on the island, enjoy your shopping and finish the day here before hopping back on the ferry. It is the perfect way to end the day.
The intimate setting in a craftsman-style home surrounded by a lovely garden is so inviting. Once you enter Coho Restaurant, the white linen tables & wine glasses set the mood. The menu features a four-course prix fixe menu at an amazing price - do not miss this! The menu will rotate but sample offerings include crab cakes, mussels, halibut, tenderloin, & seafood pastas. Don't skip dessert!
- Reservations Recommended
- Offers wine, beer, & cocktails
- Vegetarian & gluten-free options
- Check for hours, current menu, & reservations @ Coho Restaurant
Duck Soup
Open for dinner & lunch on certain weekdays, this quaint restaurant is an island favorite. It has been featured in many publications including Gourmet, Seattle Times, & Bon Appetite (that is where I first heard of it). this tiny place in the woods is serene & a lovely get away from the bustling Friday Harbor (though only ½ mile away).
It features a classic menu of seafood, meat, & farm fresh produce. There is an extensive wine & cocktail menu too. The island favorites are the star here; oysters, mussels, clams, & salmon. Plus other delicious dishes like duck, lamb, & filet mignon. Plus to-die-for desserts such as my favorite creme brulee.
- Reservations recommended
- Offers wine, beer, & cocktails
- Vegetarian & gluten-free offerings
- Indoor & heated patio dining
- Check for hours, current menu, & reservations @ Duck Soup.
Casual Dining
Whether you want a lovely water view or a lively environment, these dining choices are wonderful. Grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, or enjoy a quick snack or happy hour at any of these yummy restaurants in the San Juan Islands. Salmon is a favorite in the Pacific Northwest & though you may not find some salmon poke, what you will find is fantastic!
The Restaurant at Friday Harbor
So the name says it all, this spot is in Friday Harbor with amazing views of the channel & ferries. With just a few walkable blocks from the ferry terminal, it is a popular choice. It is located at the Friday Harbor House & is open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner with a ton of delicious options.
Breakfast offers a fantastic bloody mary & classics such as chicken fried steak or eggs benedict plus special delights like bananas foster french toast. Lunch or dinner includes seafood favorites like oysters, ceviche, or salmon plus a juicy wagyu burger or mushroom risotto.
- Reservations recommended
- Offers wine, beer, & cocktails
- Vegetarian & gluten-free offerings
- Good for families
- Indoor & heated patio dining
- Check for hours, current menu, & reservations @ Restaurant at Friday Harbor
Downriggers
This waterfront restaurant has a large patio & dining room with a wall of windows. From almost any seat there is a nice view of the channel & harbor. Just a short block from the ferry terminal makes it a convenient spot for anyone visiting for the day.
The menu includes seafood classics, pastas, & more. The full bar plus beer & wine list will keep anyone hydrated and happy - coconut mojitos! I enjoyed some of the best clam chowder here & the mussels are a favorite. Open for lunch or dinner plus has a kid's menu that is amazing, including salmon!
- Reservations recommended
- Offers wine, beer, & cocktails
- Vegetarian & gluten-free offerings
- Good for families
- Indoor & heated patio dining
- Check for hours, current menu, & reservations @ Downriggers
Family Dining
If you are traveling or visiting with kids, no worries there are so many get places to eat. Here are just two of my recommendations that your kids (and the adults) will sure to enjoy.
Friday's Crabhouse
The crab is the star but there is more to this waterfront casual eatery. The place is also dog-friendly and has a great drink happy hour from 3-5pm. No reservations so just show up hungry & thirsty. Close to the ferry & great views of the water.
For the adults enjoy a variety of steamed, grilled, or raw seafood (salmon, crab, oysters etc). There are also salads, soups, sandwiches, & appetizers. The kids will love the burgers, hot dogs, BLTs, or fried shrimp, fish, or chicken strips. The meals are big so you may choose to share.
- Offers wine, beer, & cocktails
- Vegetarian & gluten-free offerings
- Good for families
- Indoor & heated patio dining
- Check for hours & current menu @ Friday's Crabhouse
San Juan Island Brewery
Yes, a brew house that is kid-friendly. Great beer, pizzas, & good times for all at this popular Friday Harbor spot. The patio is dog-friendly (but no food served here just beers) for a mellow break from all the walking and shopping.
If you are up for some grub & grog, get it here. The kid's menu has 5 options including a hummus plate & mini corn dogs. The adults will love the wood-fired gourmet pizzas. Go for a classic margherita or my pick, hot honey & salami. There are also hearty salads & amazing sandwiches like their prime rib dip.
- Offers wine & wine
- Vegetarian & gluten-free offerings
- Good for families
- Check for hours & current menu @ SanJuanBrew
Coffee Shops, Ice Cream, & More
Here are some of the best places to grab a quick bite to eat. Also ideal for grabbing something on the go to take on a picnic or back with you on the ferry ride to the other islands or Anacortes.
- Bakery San Juan - is closed on the weekend but during the week the best pizza & pastries in Friday Harbor. The gourmet sandwiches make the perfect meal to enjoy on the ferry ride back - plus they serve beer & wine if you wish to sit awhile.
- Hermosa - if you are craving Mexican food or tequila, this is your spot. My California cravings kicked in and this place hit the spot. Tacos, burritos & rice/bean bowls with tons of choices for meats & vegetarian options. Go for the pork tamales!
- Riptide Cafe - coffee, smoothies, & breakfast bites. When the fog, rain, or cold rolls into Friday Harbor grab a white chocolate mocha, chai, or latte to stay warm.
- Friday Harbor Ice Cream Co. - be warned, it will be hard to decide here plus the line gets long - so give yourself plenty of time. It is CASH ONLY for a scoop from the 72+ flavors! Fruit, chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, sherbert, & more!
- Farmer's Market - we were lucky enough to hit this on a summer Saturday. Crafts, produce, hot food, music, & more are tucked between the alleys of Friday Harbor. Open April - October from 9:30am-1pm.
Best Bars on San Juan Island
It is a relaxed vibe on the island but that doesn't mean there isn't fun and nightlife with a bar scene. If you are up for a cocktail, music, & good times, check out these best bars on San Juan Island.
- The Top of the Town Lounge - a bit up the hill but worth the effort. This hidden gem has great cocktails. It is small but will take reservations for groups 5+. Wonderful cocktail menu including The Painkiller & a great Limoncello Martini. Plus a small food menu with some yummy stuff - Monte Cristo sandwich & truffle fries, please. Open Wed-Sat - check for latest hours & days.
- JPs Restaurant & Bar - this is the place to go for a true bar experience. This place is all about the drinks & the fun - honestly, the food isn't where they shine. Eat somewhere else & drink & party here. Tons of TVs to catch your sports plus pool tables & more.
Seafood Recipes to Make at Home
If you are like me, you get a bit sad when you return home from a great trip. I find I am ready to dig into those great flavors & meals again and again. To help me recover, recreating the memorial dishes at home sure helps.
Here are some of my favorite seafood recipes that will curb your craving.
Final Notes
If you are a seafood lover there is plenty to enjoy at any of these restaurants on San Juan Island. And if for some reason fish isn't your thing, there are still wonderful menu choices at all these restaurants & eateries.
I hope you will have a memorial meal at one of these places. If you love to travel & are ever in Lake Tahoe - check out MacDuff's Pub for great pizza, pub fare & drinks.
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