Great Places to Eat on Whidbey Island: Whidbey Island Restaurants that everyone will love! I love Whidbey Island. And I love eating. So, what’s more natural than to put together a list of Places to Eat on the Island!
Welcome to Whidbey Island, a Pacific Northwest gem renowned for its picturesque landscapes and charming communities. Nestled in the heart of this idyllic destination are a multitude of culinary treasures just waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re a local in search of a new dining experience or a visitor eager to savor the flavors of the region, our guide to Whidbey Island restaurants is your essential companion. From cozy cafes serving artisanal delights to waterfront eateries offering delectable seafood, this guide will lead you on a culinary journey through the island’s vibrant dining scene, ensuring that every meal becomes a memorable occasion.
This listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all restaurants on the island. It’s a list of places I can recommend. Places I’ve been with good food and good service.
Check out my travel archives for more fun things to do!
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If you have any questions about this post, or if you try the restaurants, please come back and leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.
I first published this list in 2016. It was time for an update. So I’ve updated it here with lots of new restaurants, recommendations, and ideas of places to go. I will continue to try and keep it as updated as possible.
Whidbey Island
Beautiful Whidbey Island is in the state of Washington’s Island County, about 30 miles north of Seattle in the Great Pacific Northwest.
Whidbey Island restaurants often work with local farmers and producers, so you’ll experience some of the freshest seasonal foods and dishes at the local restaurants.
We decided to write up this list of Great Places to Eat on Whidbey Island partly so we could keep track of all the awesome Whidbeys eatery places we’ve eaten on the island.
Please know that restaurants often change on the island, and I’ll do my best to keep this list updated with new places, and take off ones that may go out of business. Please be sure to contact each place before visiting to confirm their hours.
Looking for something to do on Whidbey Island?
Want to learn more about Whidbey Island. I love sharing fun things to do while you’re visiting here. Check out some of my other posts. Tree Climbing on Whidbey Island, Fort Casey state Park, and Things to do on Whidbey Island.
South to North end
The list of Whidbey restaurants goes from the south end of the island towards the north. These are places we’ve eaten and would recommend to people, so the list isn’t all the places on the island (though I’d love to try every place here, I haven’t done that yet).
Have you tried a restaurant that you loved on Whidbey? What was it? What did you eat there? I’d love to know so that I could try it as well!
Great Places to Eat on Whidbey Island:
Clinton
The Shrimp Shack at Cozy’s. Not long ago Cozy’s was bought by the Shrimp Shack, and now the two are one. A nice pub or sport’s bar type restaurant with a full bar. They have daily specials, and the wait staff is friendly and awesome! We recommend trying the fish and chips and the seafood chowder.
Island Nosh is a fast casual restaurant where you order at the counter and they call your number to come and get the food. The Pad Thai here is not to be missed at this small but delicious noodle house. Make sure you keep an eye out for it as you drive off the ferry and onto the island. It’s so small you might drive right past. While you’re there, you may want to walk over to Madrona Supply Company for a little local shopping.
Ken’s Corner in Clinton
Whidbey Island Bagel Factory They have one of my favorite sandwiches on the island, the egg and pesto – so good! The bagels are always fresh with a variety of flavors to choose from. You might even get lucky and be able to watch them making the bagels.
Update: they have limited menu offerings currently, so place check with them to see what they’re serving. They also may have limited hours, so check before you go.
Pickles Deli is a local favorite. The selection of sandwiches is amazing. Some would argue that they are the best on the island Though some say that honor belongs to Greenbank Pantry – you decide!).
Patron Mexican Restaurant. Great Mexican food, and you know I love Mexican food! We’ve eaten here many times and it’s always great! The portion size is large as well, so you’ll have lots of leftovers, making this a good value.
Langley
Geri’s Snack Shack offers breakfast and lunches like burgers. Their breakfast wraps are delicious. You’ll find the little food truck behind the businesses around The Goose grocery store.
Bayview Corner in Langley
Bayview Farmer’s Market. Technically not a restaurant, the Farmer’s Market is open on Saturdays. It’s one of my favorite Farmer’s Markets, and is always brimming with fresh fruits, veggies, friendly people, tasty treats, and cute dogs on leashes. There are places to grab a bite to eat as well as fresh produce to buy from the market. They also have artists selling their crafts.
Whidbey Doughnuts is a great little cafe and doughnut shop. Their coffees are great and I highly recommend breakfast there.
The Taproom at Bayview Corner. “Showcases craft beer and cider selections in a community atmosphere, providing a comfortable locale for locals and visitors alike.” The service here is friendly and laid back, and the selection of beers is superb! They serve sandwiches, soups, crab cakes, and some yummy stuff. I loved the BLT with crab cakes (hold the bacon on mine, please), even if it was a bit expensive.
Langley by the waterfront
The Inn at Langley. Looking for fine dining on the island? This IS the place! A multi-course meal featuring fresh seasonal foods. super yummy, and a place you want to experience.
Prima Bistro. This French inspired Northwest Bistro is upstairs, and it’s got a wonderful view if the weather is good. I love going up here for a cocktail and a snack.
The Braeburn. A good place to get breakfast on second street in Langley next to the blow your own glass place. The food here is fresh and the service is laid back and friendly. Be prepared for a wait, as they get busy many days.
Village Pizzaria. A fun place to get pizza right in Langley. My favorite pizza is the Spinach and Feta pizza. The view is extraordinary, and I love the patio if the weather is nice. They also have football on the TVs inside on game days.
Saltwater Fish House is from the same folks at Prima Bistro and Seabiscuit Bakery (which the cafe is sadly closing). Saltwater is an oyster bar, and they also serve fresh seafood like Fish and chips, clam chowder, lobster rolls, crab cakes, mussels, and clams.
Double Bluff Brewing Co. A brewhouse and Taproom. They recently moved into a larger nicer space in Langley at the former spot of Useless Bay Coffee. There’s a food truck out back (currently Ikaika’s) that has a variety of menu items. My husband tried the teriyaki chicken and said it was great.
Ultra House for ramen is a must try. This place has many delicious ramen bowls to choose from, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free offerings. They also have a cute area to shop for Asian treats and nick-knacks.
Stop over at Sweet Mona’s Chocolates for a little gelato or a sweet treat after going to Ultra House. Their chocolates selection is extraordinary!
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Freeland
China City. A traditional American style Chinese food place. The food here is great. Sometimes we’ll call here as we get off of the ferry and pick up the food to take home.
I.C Teriyaki a locals’ favorite, this food truck is great for chicken teriyaki.
Crabby Coffee They have a nice breakfast and lunch menu. Fresh handcrafted Espresso drinks, baked goods, and great customer service. I highly recommend the “flight” of coffees. They are in the location where the WiFire café used to be. And now it’s the WiFire Community Space. They also have a Coupeville location with a beautiful deck to enjoy the view.
Freeland Cafe. Great for breakfast. It’s like a little locals hangout. They also have burgers, sandwiches, and specials. I recommend their omelettes and pancakes.
Rocket Taco is a great fast casual restaurant where you order at the counter and they bring your food to your table. I really like Rocket Taco’s food. We eat here fairly regularly. Rocket Taco’s only downfall is that if you order the tacos, you have to get three of the same fillings. You can’t get one of each flavor. Which is a real bummer. But their sweet potato and black bean tacos are delicious!
There’s an ice cream shop right next to Rocket Taco that serves delicious Whidbey Island Ice Cream.
Bubba Burger. Voted the best burger on the island, and for good reason! The burgers look and smell amazing, and my husband vouched for them as being great. Check hours, as they are open seasonally and randomly now.
Penn Cove Brewing Co. and the Braeburn’s food truck is closing as of January 21st, 2024. Hopefully something new and great will go in this space.
Sandwich Deli Counter at Payless. Great sandwiches and more, and they’re always busy. Get one to go and take it out to the beach to eat! Yummy and fun! And probably the most budget friendly meal on Whidbey.
Jupiter Coffee is now in the old distillery location. It’s a cute little space, and they serve delicious pastries and coffees: Caffe Vita coffee, a wide variety of Scones (fresh baked and take & bake), and Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches.
Greenbank
Whidbey Island’s Legendary Whidbey Pies restaurant has been transformed into Old Spots Bistro and still selling Whidbey Pies along with soups, sandwiches, and other desserts. As you explore Greenbank Farm, be sure to stop in to see, and taste, the latest offerings. I sure do miss the old place, though. Good thing I have a copycat version of a sandwich that used to be on their menu, the Island Trollers Tuna Melt.
Be sure to check out the Greenbank Specialty Cheese Shop and wine shop while you’re at the farm. There are also several art galleries and of course, the farm grounds to check out.
The Greenbank Pantry & Deli is a little shop as you drive along Hwy 525. Be careful, you might just miss it. Once inside you’ll find a little food market and deli counter. Check out the fresh baked goods and the sandwiches. They have a killer tuna melt.
Coupeville
Toby’s located off the shore of Penn Cove (famous for its mussels) is a great place to visit. It’s part bar and part fish & chips place. The food is fun, and it’s a place that I love to take guests. Don’t expect anything fancy, but it is fun and yummy!
Molka Xete This is a small sit down place where you order at the counter. This is a very authentic place, and we had lots of fun visiting them. You can get 5 street tacos with house made tortillas, each with different fillings. The fillings are delicious and there are quite a variety of fillings, perhaps, though, they are more aimed at meat eaters, than at a vegetarian, like myself. Breakfast here is delicious. We highly recommend their chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and the avocado toast (my favorite!).
Front Street Grill‘s menu is centered around Coupeville’s famous Penn Cove Mussels. Absolutely delicious burger and steak choices, fresh appetizers and salads, amazing seafood options all will make your dining choices quite difficult to make! They also have a full bar.
If you talk a nice walk out the pier, at the end of the pier you’ll find a cute little place. The Cove offers great coffee drinks, breakfasts, and some lunch items. It’s not a huge menu, but those breakfast sandwiches are the bomb! You can get it with additional goodies on top. Oh and be sure to try the Whidbey Fog drink – an Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and lavender.
Little Red Hen Bakery the breads and baked goods here are amazing. Their bread is served all over the island, and everything I’ve even gotten here has been great.
Bayleaf shop Great for a picnic, selling wine, cheese, and deli items, this little shop has everything. Check their store or menu for grab and go options as well.
Gordon’s Fusion Cuisine from the chef that runs Gordon’s on blueberry Hill in Freeland, the newer restaurant has a changing seasonal menu with lots of offerings.
The Oystercatcher with new owners, you’ll definitely want to check out the new fresh menu with lots of seasonal fare.
Cedar & Salt Coffeehouse with great freshly baked pastries and delicious coffees, this place is worth it to stop at a few times during your visit. We recommend the cinnamon rolls!
Callen’s across the street from the Coupeville ferry is a nice sit down table service restaurant with a lovely view and a nice atmosphere. The service is laid back and friendly. And the food is fresh and delicious. I recommend the sockeye salmon BLTA (hold the bacon on mine, please), The Fresh Dungeness Crab Cobb Salad, or the Sockeye Salmon with San Marzano Tomato Pesto. And the clam chowder is rich and delicious. My husband recommends the fish and chips with “the best tartar sauce ever!”
Sunshine Drip coffee house offers great Paninis as well as coffee and pastries. Their tuna melt was delicious as was the Coupeville Club. They offer a variety of scones and muffins, and all have been great. They also have a cute little gift shop area to browse while you’re there.
Ciao is an Italian sit down table service restaurant. Service is hit & miss here, but just go with it. From the moment you walk in you can smell how delicious the food is. Everything I’ve had here is great. And besides recommending their pizzas, their Gnocchi is pesto cream sauce is divine. The Caprese salad is always a winner.
Kapaws Iskreme in Coupeville offers a great selection and delicious flavors of ice cream.
Oak Harbor
Esteban’s Mexican Restaurant is my go to for Mexican food when I’m in Oak Harbor. It’s a welcoming sit down place to get great Mexican food. It’s always delicious, the staff is always friendly and offers great service. And, the prices are very reasonable. Because this is my go to place, we don’t go to some of the other Mexican places in Oak Harbor – they may be great but just not as good as Esteban’s.
Rustica Italian restaurant and bar is the place to go if you love Italian food. It’s a locals’ favorite too! The food is fresh and authentic. We don’t get to go here very often though, as they are currently only open for dinner, and we are rarely in Oak Harbor at night.
The Mad Batter Bakehouse is one of the few bakeries I’m adding to this list. They are a must visit place! The baked goods are divine and the themes are amazing. in my pictures you’ll see the Harry Potter themed event. They really do go all out with baked treats, coffee drinks, and decorations. They also have a little gift shop area that gets themed as well.
Orlando’s BBQ is a stand out for BBQ on the island. You have to try the deep fried biscuits; they’re a delicious sometimes treat!
Teriyaki Time is a nice little counter service teriyaki and sushi place. You can tell this is a favorite of the locals because of how many people come and go from there while you eat. The sushi is always on point. But my favorite, the thing I love to make a meal of and I’ve never seen anywhere else is the avocado bomb! Fish wrapped in avocado. So good!
Jumbo Burrito is a counter service Mexican restaurant where the food is so good! The service is always friendly, upbeat, and the place is very clean for how many people are in and out of there all the time! I highly recommend them!
Seabolt’s offers great fish and chips. Not greasy. Not heavy. Just well cooked and delicious. The sampler plate, with one piece of salmon, one piece of halibut, and a piece of cod is the way to go so that you can try all the fish. And definitely make sure to get the chili lime tartar sauce.
Flyers offers great burgers and bar food. Kid-friendly brew pub with a dog-friendly beer garden serving Northwest pub grub & house beers.
Sushi Moto Offers great upscale Japanese food and more. I absolutely love everything we’ve gotten there. I’m a huge poke fan, and theirs is top notch.
Mi Taco is Your Taco is just a simple food tuck, but the food is fantastic! Delicious. Fresh. And a good value. The the man who runs the food truck is always super friendly and nice! We recommend pretty much anything here, but be sure to try the avocado tacos and the adobada.
The Mill at the Kasteel is a sit down Mexican American restaurant where the service is always stellar. Everything we’ve had here is delicious. And, this is about the last restaurant as you drive through town. I’d love it if there was a great restaurant up at Deception Pass.
Let me know
Have you been to Whidbey Island? What’s your favorite place to eat?
maryann1574
Hi, I live across the way in Port Townsend. Great list, will try these out next time we ferry over. ๐
Elizabeth
Gosh there’s a lot of eateries on that island! I’d love to visit there one day, they sound delicious!
Kavey F
I’ve never visited but with so much great food, sounds like my kind of place!
Maeva
It’s always nice to know where to eat according to real advice when you’re visiting a place. This is a great list. Thanks!
April
I’ve never been to Whidbey Island but I want to go now based on this post! The restaurants sound amazing. I think I’d start with a pizza at Joe’s Wood Fired Pizza Oven and then move on to Basil’s Cafe!
Alexis
Fraiserโs is a beautiful restaurant in Oak Harbor that serves gorgeous gourmet cuisines. The Chef/Owner himself always makes it a point to check in with his patrons. Noeโs Cafe in downtown Oak Harbor is also a great place to go for Mexican food and an awesome breakfast! Donโt forget to stop at the Shrimp Shack, especially when planning a trip to Deceptionโs Pass.