If you’re visiting Orcas, you’ll no doubt want to know where to find the best restaurants on Orcas Island.
Whether you’re here for all of the incredible hiking or the other fun things to do on Orcas Island, you’ll need to find the best places to fuel yourself along the way.
Most of the top spots to eat are located in the larger town of Eastsound. However, you’ll find some gems around the rest of the island as well, all of which we cover here.
Top Places to Eat on Orcas Island
1. The Lower Tavern
The Lower Tavern calls itself the living room of Orcas Island. It’s the local spot where people who live, work, and travel here come for comfort food, friendly service, and whatever sports game might be on at the moment.
The number one reason to come here is for the burger. It is aptly named “the best burger in town” and while I didn’t sample every burger in town, I can confirm is it one of the best burgers I have had in Washington.
The patty is fat and juicy and there’s no skimping on the toppings. The bread is chewy and it matches up with the patty, so you’re not left with a handfull of bun and no filling at the end of the meal.
It’s served with a heaping side of fries that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. There are several local beers on draft as well as a nice selection of cocktails and sodas.
The menu is varied if you’re not in the mood for a burger, although I would recommend checking out a different spot on this list if you’re looking for something light and healthy.
The Lower Tavern has an extensive menu with a few great options to choose from.
2. Olga Rising
This is one of the best bakeries on Orcas Island and a fantastic place to come for breakfast, lunch, or a sweet treat.
The sandwiches in particular are fantastic. They have both hot and cold sandwiches, depending on the temperatures and whether you’re taking it with you on a hike or to the beach or you’re going to eat it right away. The tuna sandwich is spectacular with capers and celery and the adult grilled cheese hits the spot on a rainy day.
This is also one of the better spots to come for a coffee. While some may prefer Brown Bear Baking as a one-stop morning stop, I personally think the coffee at Olga Rising is better by a mile and there is usually much less of a wait in the mornings.
The cakes and pastries here are also exceptional. Everything from the flaky filled Danishes to the dense lemon cakes taste delicious.
3. Madrona Bar & Grill
If you’re looking for a nice place to have lunch or dinner with a view, be sure to make a reservation at Madrona Bar & Grill. This is one of the more upscale restaurants on the island, although it still offers the same laid back vibes you find all over Orcas.
The focus here is on the local seafood. Try dishes like steamed clams, fisherman’s stew, or fish and chips with your choice of cod or halibut. There are also burgers, sandwiches, and salads for those that might be pickier eaters.
They have an extensive wine list with wines from around the PNW, California and around the world. There is also a nice selection of cocktails and draught and bottled beers.
If you are visiting on a busy summer weekend, call ahead and reserve a table with a view so you don’t miss out on one of the main attractions of this wonderful spot.
The beautiful unassuming Olga Rising is such a great spot to grab some food while you’re in Eastsound.
4. Brown Bear Baking
One of the busiest restaurants on Orcas Island, this is a must-visit on any trip to the island.
There are a few tables inside and a few small tables outside if you want to dine in, but it’s best to grab something to go and take it to the beach or back to your hotel balcony to enjoy in the sunshine.
The line here is always out the door, especially during peak season. So be prepared to wait and don’t come too late otherwise you’ll miss out on some of the best pastries.
The chocolate granola here is decadent and what I will now forever pick up at the start of my trip on the island so I can cover my yogurt in it every morning. The sourdough bread here is also the best on the island (maybe the only sourdough on the island).
In addition to delicious pastries and scones, you can also grab quiche, hot sandwiches, a sour but sweet lemon tart, and several different types of bread.
5. Farm to Ferry
I was originally lured to this place simply for its fun name and for the fact that many of the ingredients are sourced as locally as possible. But it’s the sort of place that you look forward to returning to each time you come back to Orcas Island.
Farm to Ferry is a food truck that has a changing menu depending on what is available, but it focuses on farm fresh ingredients done simply and deliciously. You’ll find both meat and vegetarian-friendly options on the menu here.
Some regular options you can expect include the classic burger, the mushroom burger, and the breakfast burrito. There are also seasonal salads, grain bowls, and delicious hand-cut fries.
Everything is homemade and cooked with care and you can definitely taste it. It’s definitely one of the more affordable places to grab a meal and it is in fact a great option for grabbing something to-go as you make your way back to the ferry terminal.
Crescent Beach is a great place to come with a few beers and whatever meal you recently purchased from one of the great restaurants on this list including Olga Rising, Brown Bear Baking, Farm to Ferry, or the Naan Stop. You can grab local beers from the super market or from Island Hoppin’ Brewery.
6. Island Skillet
One of the best restaurants on Orcas Island for a hearty breakfast. If you want a good diner-style meal, this is the place to come.
There are several omelet options to choose from and enormous breakfast burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheese, refried beans and several other optional extras.
There are fluffy pancakes, sweet French toast, and crispy waffles. Wash it all down with locally roasted coffee, fresh juice, or hot tea. Most of the dishes on the menu are an absolute steal at $15 or under.
They also have a good lunch menu with diner classics like a club sandwich, BLT, or reuben as well as a nice selection of meat and veggie burgers on the menu.
7. Matia
One of the nicest restaurants on Orcas Island is Matia. They have both a restaurant and a lounge. If you would prefer just to have a few small plates and some of their signature cocktails or a glass of wine, then the lounge is the place for you.
However, you will not want to miss making a reservation for dinner for one night at Matia Kitchen. The menu is seasonal, so you can expect different options depending on what time of year you are visiting.
In summer you can expect things like oysters, zucchini panzanella, nectarine gazpacho, and steamed mussels. In winter the menu is heartier with things like woody mushrooms, ricotta dumplings, roasted beets, and parsnip latkes.
Whatever time of year you visit you can expect a Mediterranean-inspired menu that focuses on local and seasonal ingredients cooked simply and plated beautifully.
It’s without a doubt one of the more expensive options on the island and you can expect to pay about $50-75 per head with a main meal and a drink each.
Doe Bay is small, so finding the restaurant isn’t hard. It’s right next to the general store (pictured here).
8. New Leaf Cafe
This upscale eatery is one of the best restaurants on Orcas Island for brunch. They have a whole menu of brunch cocktails including one of the best bloody Mary’s I’ve had on the west coast as well as coffee and tea for those not quite needing a hair of the dog.
You’ll find classic options like eggs Benedict and corned beef hash alongside deliciously decadent dishes like duck leg and waffles, portobello mushroom and bok choy omelet, and housemade biscuits and gravy.
There are some nice healthy options on the menu including grain free granola with yogurt, avocado toast with smoked salmon, and arugula salad. The crispy potatoes that come alongside most of the egg-focused dishes are a highlight of my meal here.
9. Matthew’s Smokehouse
If you have a car on the island or you have sailed into Deer Harbor, then you don’t want to miss a meal at Matthew’s Smokehouse.
When you think of Washington, barbecue might not be what comes to mind, but this family-run barbecue restaurant has a history on the island. Owner and operator Matthew Carpenter grew up in Deer Harbor. His parents ran the restaurant at the Deer Harbor Inn and he lived on the premises for most of his life.
Now that its his turn, he wanted to turn the restaurant into something worth traveling for and he has succeeded. The barbecue here is some of the best you’ll taste in this region of the country with a true PNW twist.
They house-smoke their own salmon and serve it with Beecher’s sharp cheddar and rosemary crackers.
Once you’ve shared that to start your meal, you’ll want to move onto the brisket, pulled pork, or baby back ribs. They also have fish tacos and insanely delicious loaded mac and cheese. You certainly won’t leave Matthew’s hungry.
Eastsound has so many great restaurants and if you are staying nearby, you can walk to them all with ease.
10. Lascaux Cafe
Located on the east side of the island, you can easily pair lunch at Lascaux Cafe with a day out in Moran State Park. Whether you plan to hike to the top of Mt. Constitution or simply swim in the calm waters of Cascade Lake, you’ll want to stop into Lascaux Cafe for some delicious eats.
They have a nice selection of different sandwiches and hot meals, including delicious bratwurst and potatoes. However, you’ll want to save room for their desserts like their perfect cake-style doughnuts and their fluffy pinwheel pastries.
11. Buck Bay Shellfish Farm
When you’re on an island in the Pacific North West, you almost feel it would be a crime not to try some fresh, local oysters.
And thanks to Buck Bay Shellfish Farm, you can have them at the source.
The oysters and clams are grown right in the bay next to the restaurant and the other food that is served comes from local farmers. One of their biggest selling points is that they know their farmers names.
Besides Oysters and clams, you can enjoy whole crab, salmon fish and chips, fish tacos, and crab mac and cheese. This isn’t the best restaurant in Orcas Island if there is one or more people in the group who don’t want to eat seafood. There are a few non-fish salads on the menu, but otherwise seafood reigns supreme at this waterfront spot.
Olga Bay is a cute little spot on the island where you will find this general store and inside is a very small cafe. It isn’t home to the best meal you’ll have on the island, but it is home to a good cup of coffee and a few sundries and snacks.
12. Doe Bay Cafe
Doe Bay Cafe is located, as the name suggests, in the tiny little Doe Bay on the east side of the island. The only things you’ll find in Doe Bay are a small resort, a general store, and this cafe.
Depending on the time of year and day of the week, they are open for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Always call ahead if you aren’t staying at the resort. Some of the days are reserved solely for guests or reservations are required for non-guests a day or two in advance. You can find all of the information for each season on their website.
It’s well worth both the drive and the reservation in advance. The food here is exceptional with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients at the forefront of the menu.
This means that seafood plays a heavy role with dishes like halibut, salmon, and scallops as well as things like meatballs, stuffed peppers, seasonal roasted vegetables, local cheeses, and roasted duck.
Their breakfast here is spectacular as well with homemade biscuits, baked eggs, homemade breakfast sausage, and waffles on offer.
13. The Naan Stop
While most of the best restaurants on Orcas Island are either local seafood spots, taverns, or brunch spots, there are a few good international options and one very great Indian restaurant.
Technically it’s just a take-out spot, but it had to be added to the list of best places to eat in Orcas Island. There are a few tables inside if you are staying further from Eastsound. Although you’re not far from Crescent Beach where you can enjoy it with the sunsetting over the horizon.
The food at this tiny little roadside stop is some of the best you’ll have on your trip to Orcas Island.
The menu is small, but mighty. Choose from things like butter chicken, goat curry (SO GOOD!), palak paneer (a curry made with Indian cheese), or Daal Makhani (a lentil curry).
They have fantastic fluffy naan breads, crispy fried samosas, and even a few traditional Indian desserts to choose from.