Most of the best restaurants in Walla Walla have only opened in the last decade. Not to date myself, but I still remember when this tiny town 4 ½ hours southeast of Seattle was only known for onions.
Now it’s one of the most notable wine regions in the state, and because good wine and food go hand-in-hand, many restaurateurs have left the hustle of Seattle to open restaurants in Walla Walla.
Whether you’re planning a weekend wine trip or craving a change of scenery, this list will break down all the best places to eat in Walla Walla!
Best Restaurants in Walla Walla
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more of the best Walla Walla eats when I discover them!
Passatempo Taverna
website | 215 W Main St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: Italian | open: dinner only
Passatempo was first recommended to me for their pizza, especially pepperoni. But after trying their full menu, they’ve become one of my overall favorite restaurants in Walla Walla for so much more.
You’ll find appetizers, small plates, salads, and creative cocktails on the menu. My favorite dishes tend to be the scratch-made pasta. If available, don’t miss the alla gricia pasta. It reminds me of the famous dish I ate daily in Rome and haven’t seen on many American menus since. It’s essentially a less peppery version of cacio e pepe, but with pancetta.
Another standout is the zozzona pasta, which is a must-order simply for the meaty, savory red sauce. For dessert, get the lemon olive oil cake if it’s available. Olive oil cakes can be dry and crumbly, but Passatempo’s version is so moist.
Brasserie Four
website | 4 E Main St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: French | open: dinner mostly, but also lunch on Fri & Sat
Ask anyone where to eat in Walla Walla and they’ll likely tell you to make a reservation at Brasserie Four. It’s one of the town’s more fine dining establishments, consisting of a classic brasserie French menu paired with high-end cocktails and both French and Walla Walla wines.
They’re best known for steak frites, but even without ever ordering that dish, Brasserie Four is still one of my favorite restaurants in Walla Walla.
Do yourself a favor and start with the calamars à la provençal, which comes with Monterey Bay calamari in a white wine, caper, and tomato sauce. It is single-handedly one of the best bites of food I ate in Walla Walla.
Brasserie Four also does soup really, really well. The vichyssoise is surprisingly rich and savory, with the perfect balance of creaminess and green leek flavor. For your main course, get the beef bourguignon. The beef is meaty, tender, and perfectly matched against the rich gravy.
AK’s Food Truck & Catering
website | 325 E Main St (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: mostly Mexican | open: lunch mostly, but also breakfast on Sun
AK’s is owned by chef Andrae Bopp, who studied around the world before graduating from the French Culinary Institute of New York. After hustling at three Michelin-star restaurants, he opened a highly-acclaimed fine dining restaurant in Boise. He eventually relocated to Walla Walla to pursue another passion, making wine.
After working as the assistant winemaker for Dusted Valley Vintners, Andrae settled on AK’s, a fuss-free and reasonably-priced food truck next to The Finch hotel. You’ll find Mexican classics like burritos and chilaquiles, but also their famous gyro and Seattle dog.
I’m partial to their tacos, Each will run you about $5.50, and they’re a bit larger than street taco-sized tacos. The homemade tortillas are soft and overstuffed with juicy, well-seasoned meat. If you’re lucky and visiting when they have goat birria taco, get it. It’s the perfect balance of earthy, fatty, and savory. Another must-order is the fried cod tacos (also served as fish and chips). They have the perfect thick breading and plenty of aioli. Just beware that they pack some heat!
Pro tip: While I haven’t had it yet, they’re known for beignets that sell out quickly on Sundays!
TMACS
website | 80 N Colville St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: American | open: lunch and dinner
TMACS is owned by Walla Walla native Tom Maccarone, who previously owned T.Maccarone’s, an Italian joint inspired by his mother’s kitchen. In 2019, Tom moved the restaurant to a mixed-use building off Coville Street, where it was renamed to TMACS.
The menu at TMACS is broad but well executed and leans heavier on Asian influence. The pork belly sandwich is incredible (though the ahi tuna BLAT is a close second). The pork comes braised with a sesame soy glaze, a crunchy daikon-carrot slaw, and a tart sriracha lime aioli.
Whatever you order though, you must also get soup. TMACS is amazing at developing rich flavors from a seemingly simple dish. For example, the last time I went they had butternut coconut soup in season. It was one of the best versions of that soup I’ve ever had. It had a subtle sweetness from the coconut cream that perfectly complemented the warm spices and earthiness from the squash.
Memos Tacos
website | 85348 OR-11 (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: Mexican | open: breakfast, lunch, and early dinner
Across the Washington-Oregon border is a Memos Tacos, an unassuming taco truck you might fly right past on your way to wineries. But it’s worth a stop here for excellent street tacos, burritos, and Mexican street food.
I like getting a variety of street tacos with different meats. My favorites include their juicy al pastor, crispy carnitas, and succulent birria. If I’m feeling extra hungry, I’ll also get their mulitas with ground beef, which is like a baby quesadilla stuffed with goodies. And if they’re serving their ceviche special, I’ll also get that. It’s served in a cup full of red sauce that makes it look like a Bloody Mary, but it’s a sweet, booze-free marinade that gently cooks the shrimp to perfection.
Hattaway’s on Adler
website | 125 W Alder St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: southern | open: dinner only
Hattaway’s is one of the must-try Walla Walla restaurants. It’s southern comfort food, but with an upscale ambiance and heavy focus on Pacific Northwest ingredients. Their menu changes to accommodate the seasons and what the local farms are harvesting.
The cocktail and menu is equally curated with high-end spirits and house syrups. Likewise, the wine menu is lengthy and has a proper mix of imports and Walla Walla wineries, giving you a chance to taste wines from wineries you haven’t yet visited.
If it’s available, get the celery salad with hazelnuts. It has the perfect crunch and is reminiscent of a Caesar, but with a lemon vinaigrette that offers the right balance of acid. The fried chicken with grits is good as well, but it’s the spaetzle with Sunday sauce that keeps me coming back year after year. Few restaurants are able to recreate the nostalgic, cooked-all-day flavors of the red “gravy” sauce my mother and grandmother made growing up.
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen
website | 330 W Main St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: Mediterranean | open: dinner mostly, but also lunch on weekends
Saffron is one of my favorite spots for exceptional Walla Walla dining. Located in the historical Bachtold building, husband-and-wife duo Chris and Island opened Saffron in 2007. Chris is the executive chef and together they create dishes inspired by their travels and love of Walla Walla Valley.
Their menu is broken down into tapas, flatbreads, house-made pasta, and more heartier entrees. Start with the Spanish-style crispy calamari. It’s well balanced with salty chorizo and tender sea beans. Then get a flatbread, especially the Gǒzleme. It’s Turkish-style and stuffed with spicy lamb sausage, local greens, yogurt, and za’atar.
For entrees, the halibut and Mafaldine tuna pasta are great choices. The tuna pasta feels like an old school tuna casserole bake, but more elevated. Fish lovers will swoon over how well Saffron cooks the halibut and balances it with interesting seasonal ingredients.
Bacon & Eggs
website | 201 E Main St (get directions) | price: $$ | cuisine: American | open: breakfast and lunch
If you’ve been to Portage Bay Cafe, one of the best breakfast spots in Seattle, you’ll understand the vibe at Walla Walla’s Bacon & Eggs. They’re dedicated to using ingredients from local farms and turning them into scratch-cooked comfort food you’ll want to eat again and again.
You’ll find an array of items on the menu ranging from savory Benedicts and scrambles to sweet French toasts and pancakes. Their biscuits and gravy are especially good, which you can get as a single order that’s like a side you can split between two people. If you like heat, take a trip up to their hot sauce wall that has an array of different brands and spice levels.
Pro tip: This spot gets crowded, especially on weekends, so make a reservation! If it’s nice out, consider asking for a table on their sidewalk patio.
The Maple Counter Cafe
website | 209 E Alder St (get directions) | price: $$ | cuisine: American | open: breakfast and lunch
The Maple Counter Cafe is a family-run and homey spot serving breakfast classics like omelets, biscuits and gravy, and French toast. Locals are divided on if they like The Maple or Bacon & Eggs better. I’ll say there’s room in my heart for both of them, but The Maple is where I’d go if I’m looking for an even more casual, no-fuss, family-friendly brunch.
Get the corned beef hash. It’s one of the better versions I’ve tried and I look forward to it every time I visit. I’m not much of a sweets for breakfast person, but their pancakes sound amazing. They use local Small’s Family Farms flour and an heirloom sourdough starter for that essential tang factor.
Blue Valley Meats & Corner Market
website | 1162 W Pine St (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: Mexican | open: breakfast and lunch
Some of the best restaurants in Walla Walla are hidden gems you wouldn’t even know serve food. Blue Valley Meats & Corner Market falls into that category. On the surface, this spot looks like your everyday convenience store. But inside there’s a counter serving delicious Mexican food and grab-and-go breakfast items.
If you go in the morning, definitely grab their chorizo burrito and sausage breakfast sandwich from the warming cabinet near the soda fountain. You’d think you’re getting the run-of-the-mill gas station food that’s more for convenience than taste. But Blue Valley Meats is a butcher shop that provides 100% hormone-free, humanely-raised meats.
You can really taste the quality in these breakfast items. The sausage is about a 1/2″ thick and flecked with spices. And if you think that’s a big portion, wait until bite into the chorizo. There’s a ton of meat with a subtle heat that lets you still taste the quality of the meat.
Graze
website | 5 S Colville St (get directions) | price: $$ | cuisine: sandwiches | open: all day
If you find yourself hungry in a hurry or just want a simple, no-frills sandwich, Graze is your best bet. They’re a small eastern Washington chain serving sandwiches made with fresh ingredients and house-cured meats. I like them because they make great, honest versions of the classics.
I’m a sucker for a Reuben, and Graze does an excellent job. The pastrami is thinly sliced, and there’s plenty of acid to cut through the fat from the dressing. They also have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, including scratch-made soups every day.
Salted Mill
website | 55 W Cherry St (get directions) | price: $$$ | cuisine: American | open: dinner only
When the late Kinglet restaurant closed, Walla Walla residents and visitors alike shed a tear. But luckily Salted Mill took over their space to keep the historic space running. It’s located in the Whitehouse-Crawford Co. building, an early 1900s mill and furniture manufacturer that still houses a huge coal oven and original features.
Food wise you’ll find an eclectic menu of elevated comfort food inspired by global ingredients. Standouts include their Mediterranean lamb meatballs that remind me of Shakshouka and ahi wonton that’s like a Hawaiian poke with an addictive black garlic aioli. The Mac is also a great dish to order as a side for the table. It’s creamy mac and cheese topped with crunchy crumbled chips. It’s the perfect accompaniment to their steak and other entrees!
The Mill
website | 130 E Rose St, Suite 101 (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: American | open: breakfast and lunch
Not to be confused with Salted Mill, The Mill is a casual food larder perfect for picking up picnic provisions. You’ll find local and carefully-curated cheeses, charcuteries, snacks, and pantry staples along the shelves, so even if you aren’t hungry this is a great stop for souvenirs.
But if you are, The Mill offers smoothies or grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. I eat smoothies every morning for breakfast, so it’s always difficult when I travel because it’s hard to find smoothies that aren’t just juice. But The Mill makes substantial versions perfect for starting your day.
My favorite is the OG PB Smoothie with cacao powder, banana, peanut butter, zucchini, collagen peptides, maple syrup, and almond milk. Yup, you read that right, zucchini. I was dubious, but you can’t taste it at all!
Pro tip: If you’re with someone else that you like sharing with, get the Berry Bliss Smoothie too. Then sip both straws at the same time for a take on PB&J!
Pine Cone Creamery
website | 3 S Colville St (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: ice cream | open: all day
Right next to Graze and the popular Colville Street Patisserie is Pine Cone Creamery. It’s owned by the family behind The Maple Counter and first opened in 2020, smack in the middle of the pandemic. Luckily, they made it and are one of the few places to grab a cone while window shopping downtown.
They have a wide selection including a few classics, but most are made with a twist, like their double trouble cookie dough with Oreo chunks or their Mexican hot chocolate. My vote is the buttered toffee flavor for its creaminess and rich flavor. They also have a wide selection of vegan options like peanut butter Oreo and cherry cola sorbet.
Stay A-Round Donuts & Fry Pies
website | 311 S Main St (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: dessert | open: breakfast and lunch
If you’re visiting downtown Milton-Freewater, OR during the week, you can stop at Stay A-Round for some of their delicious circular brioche-style donuts. But if you’re in Walla Walla on Saturday, they often make an appearance at the farmers market.
No matter where you get them, you can expect pillowy orbs of vanilla-flecked doughnuts. You can get them served with ice cream, whipped cream, and seasonal fruit, but I think the doughnuts are so good on their own you don’t even need it!
Best wineries with food
Several of Walla Walla’s best wineries also boast a great food menu. Here are some of my favorites.
The Walls
website | 1015 W Pine St (get directions) | price: $$ | cuisine: Italian | open: lunch only
The Walls is a winery located on the outskirts of downtown. It’s owned by Mike Martin, a former Seattleite who found his new home in Walla Walla after the devastating loss of his partner. In 2014 he opened The Walls, followed by PÁŠXA Wines (pronounced “pasha”) and Passatempo Taverna in 2016.
The tasting room and patio are both modern and gorgeous, as are the complex and richly flavored wines. You can get a comparative tasting if you want to try both brands, and their food menu runs daily.
Passatempo provides the food, and it ranges from small plates of olives to more hearty fare like shaved ham and cheese sandwiches and “Girl Dinner,” which includes hand-made snacks, charcuterie, and imported cheeses. But most people order their wood-fired pizzas made in the oven on their patio. My favorite is the classic Margherita because you can really taste how good the dough is.
Caprio Cellars
website | 1603 Whiteley Rd (get directions) | price: $ | cuisine: new American | open: lunch only
Caprio Cellars is the only winery I’ve found that doesn’t charge a tasting fee, and they even provide a curated food pairing with each wine. This makes them a winery unicorn in my book and worth a visit the next time you’re on Walla Walla’s southside.
The winery specializes in Bordeaux varietals like cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with all grapes sourced directly from the estate. They don’t go heavy on the oak so they’re smooth and more elegant as opposed to being a fruit bomb.
The food menu is all made in-house. It rotates in accordance with the seasons and what wines they’re pouring that week. If you’re extra hungry, you can pay ~$125pp for a VIP lunch that has larger portions. Unlike other restaurants you can’t choose what food you get, but you can expect each bite to be delicious and seasonal!
Abeja Inn
website | 2014 Mill Creek Rd (get directions) | price: $$$$ | cuisine: Italian | open: dinner only
James Beard nominated chef Mike Easton took over The Kitchen at Abeja, one of the best restaurants in Walla Walla that happens to be at a winery. The winery has built a reputation in town for producing high-end, bold Bordeaux varietals, and while you can reserve an estate tasting that includes small bites, it’s the dinner service you’re after.
The Kitchen at Abeja is a reservation-only fine dining restaurant. It features a pre-fixed menu with optional wine pairings from Abeja’s library collection. The menu constantly changes with the seasons, and local produce is key to each course. Thankfully you’ll always secure a pasta course from chef Mike, former owner of Seattle’s Il Corvo.
For example, when I last went there were so many standout dishes. The pancetta-wrapped pheasant served with lentils and venison with morels were so comforting. It contrasted beautifully with a crispy crab cake served with bright shaved asparagus salad. You can expect your palate to dance from dish to dish because Easton’s team is highly skilled at designing a progressive dinner.
You’ll be able to experience Abeja’s tranquil property whether you dine or wine taste here. But if you’re looking for a place to stay, the Inn at Abeja is the perfect excuse to spend days here. It consists of homes accommodating 2-10 people, along with complementary breakfast.
More to explore
After you check out the best restaurants in Walla Walla, check out my other guides on things to do nearby.
