Best Restaurants in Skagit County, WA

There are so many exceptional restaurants in Skagit County, WA, an area about 1.5 hours north of Seattle made up of a bunch of tiny towns and farms. This makes sense, given the Skagit Valley is one of the top agricultural areas in Washington thanks to its prime location along the Samish Bay.

If you love exploring small towns and seeking out mom-and-pop eats, here are the must-visit restaurants in Skagit County, Washington.

Best Restaurants in Skagit County

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Skagit’s Own Fish Market

website | Burlington | 18042 WA-20 | best for: fish sandwiches

Skagit County is right along the water by Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands, giving it prime access to some of the freshest fish in Washington. In fact, one of the best fish restaurants in Seattle has its oyster farm up here!

Locals know the best place to pick up fresh seafood is Skagit’s Own Market. It has a case filled with that day’s fresh catch and a bunch of shelves lined with local pantry staples from super small producers. You can also order fresh seafood sandwiches and bites perfect for enjoying from the roof of your car in the parking lot.

This place is one of the best restaurants in Skagit County, WA. Heck, it’s one of the best restaurants worth the drive from Seattle period. So make sure to stop here when you visit Skagit Valley.

My go-to orders are the crab roll and fried oyster sandwich. Both are so fresh and flavorful. I especially like how they both feel light despite being typically a more gluttonous dish.

Breadfarm

website | Edison | 5766 Cains Ct | best for: breakfast croissant

Make sure to stop at Breadfarm when visiting restaurants in Skagit County, WA. They’re a small bakery in Edison, WA open for breakfast and lunch. They’re famous for making breads and pastries using hyper local grains.

The potato bread is one of their best sellers, but my favorite thing to get there is the ham, cheese, and egg croissant…and I don’t even usually like croissants! But this one is so flavorful and flakey, and it’s the perfect size for a small bite as you shop around. I also recommend grabbing a package of their graham crackers for a snack or s’mores later on.

Slough Foods

website | Edison | 5766 Cains Ct | best for: wine & picnic foods

When you walk in, Slough Foods looks like a tiny deli-like charcuterie and pantry staple shop. But if you go out in back you’re met with a beautiful outdoor dining space overlooking a small swamp. But don’t worry, this swamp is pretty!

The menu here is pretty tight, but you can expect to find great sandwiches and finger foods like charcuterie and cheese. Don’t miss ordering off their wine list, and if you’re lucky enough to visit when they’re doing grilled oysters, definitely get those!

Mariposa Taqueria

website | Edison | 14003 Gilmore Ave | best for: tacos

This tiny spot in Edison, Washington is serving authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine, most notably of which is awesome tacos on homemade tortillas. The indoor dining room is tiny, but they have a cute front garden with some tables. You can’t go wrong with any taco really, but I really enjoy their carne asada ones!

Tweets

website | Edison | 5800 Cains Ct | best for: breakfast

This cash/Venmo only spot in downtown Edison opens a bit later than your typical breakfast spot, but it’s well worth getting there right at open on the weekends to snag a seat (they’re only open Saturday and Sunday). You can expect a focused menu of seasonally-rotating dishes written on a chalkboard.

The service can be brusk, but it’s worth it to try their yummy baked goods and egg-forward dishes.

Pro tip

Breadfarm, Slough Foods, Mariposa, and Tweets are all next to each other on the same street in Edison, WA. That means you can easily do a food crawl and pop into cute shops between eats!

Afterwards, wash it down with a drink at Terramar Brewstillery. As the name implies, they make both their own beer and spirits. They even have a little speakeasy!

The Oyster Shuckers

website | Bow | 17036 Allen West Rd | best for: seafood direct from a farmer

This tiny seafood shack is owned by Samish Gold Seafoods, an oyster and seafood farm owned by Gerardo Rodarte. I first met Gerardo when he worked at the now-defunct Blau Oysters, where he took me on a tour of how oysters are grown and harvested. This man knows his stuff, and now he’s working for himself serving excellent seaside snacks like fish and chips, grilled oysters, and more.

Don’t miss the grilled oysters with butter and garlic. They are meaty and addictive. The oyster taco is also good, but admittedly it disappoints me you only get one oyster. But if you get fried oysters too, you can add another one!

Good Bagels

website | Anacortes | 2001 Commercial Ave | best for: East-coast style bagels

I’m always on the hunt trying to find the best bagels in Seattle and it’s tough. So I went to Good Bagels with low expectations. However, they thoroughly impressed me with their excellent bagels that taste similar to the ones I grew up eating on the east coast. It makes sense, as Good Bagels is owned by New York-native brothers Alex and Nick.

I prefer getting just plain cream cheese on my bagels, but every once in a while I’ll also get lox. Good Bagels’ version is quite good, with extra lemon-y zing in the cream cheese that make it have a poppy seed-esque flavor.

The Rex Bistro & Dessert Bar

website | Mount Vernon | 19271 Best Rd | best for: burgers

This adorable spot is a must-visit if you’re going to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. It’s gone through a lot of changes over the year. It was originally called Rexville Grocery, but Yelp claimed this spot was permanently closed for years. However, it never closed. It simply rebranded from Rexville Grocery to “The Rex” and I think people got confused.

Then, it really did close. But this time, it was to change ownership in 2025. Once the new owners took over, they rebranded it to The Rex Bistro & Dessert Bar.

Despite the name and hand changes, The Rex has always been a tiny hidden gem a bit south of the tulip fields. They have gorgeous flowers lining their pergola-covered patio, so it has a lot of ambiance despite being on a busy road. Inside you’ll find a ton of handmade desserts like pies, bars, cookies, and more. I’ve had their ginger cookie, chocolate chip cookie, and strawberry crumble bar and all of them were phenomenal.

They also have sandwiches, my favorite of which is the breakfast sandwich on their handmade biscuit. I love how their biscuits aren’t as crumbly, but feel more like the texture of a Parker House roll. It’s the perfect way to start a day of exploring!

Martini Brunch

website | Mt. Vernon | 1300 S 2nd St | best for: breakfast

I was driving toward the Mount Vernon Farmers Market one Saturday and slammed on my brakes after driving by Martini Brunch. I’d never heard of this cute-as-a-button cafe, so obviously I had to go in.

The menu didn’t disappoint. They serve all-day breakfast with a lot of fun cocktails and a cheery staff. The breakfast sandwich is a god send because it tastes like a McMuffin, but way better quality. If you only have room for one dish, make sure you order this!

The Fairhaven

website | Burlington | 100 N Burlington Blvd | best for: sandwiches

This spot’s website makes it seem like they only offer takeout. However, The Fairhaven is actually a cute cafe with indoor and outdoor tables. They make all of their breads and desserts in house, so you’re getting casual food like salads, sandwiches, and bowls made with love.

Don’t miss their fried chicken sandwich. It’s huge and has a deep, brined-overnight flavor that keeps the chicken moist and the skin crispy. And if they have their homemade strawberry lemonade, you must get it. Their version is probably the most refreshing, well-balanced lemonade I’ve had!

GERE-a-DELI

website | Anacortes | 502 Commercial Ave | best for: sandwiches

Ask anyone where to stop for lunch on the way to San Juan Islands and they’ll undoubtedly say GERE-a-DELI. This large sandwich shop is inside a historic brick building. It’s always buzzing with people who flock to them for great sandwiches, so obviously it deserves to be on this list of the best restaurants in Skagit County.

I always like to get their Rueben because the meat is piled high and it comes with an addictive sweet mustard. The clam chowder is also a great accompaniment.

Mad Hatter’s Ice Cream

website | Anacortes | 801 6th St | best for: soft serve ice cream

This spot is only open seasonally, so check hours before you visit!

Another great spot to eat is Anacortes Farmers Market if you’re visiting on a Saturday. Not only does it have great ready-to-eat food, but it sits right in front of Mad Hatter’s. That means it’s a given that you should get ice cream after checking out the market stalls.

Mad Hatter’s sells Washington-made Edaleen Dairy ice cream. You’ll find all the typical hard-serve flavors like cookies & cream, coffee, and mint chip, but my go-to is the vanilla soft serve. It has a thick consistency with swirls almost like Dairy Queen, but you can really taste the vanilla flavor.

Taylor Shellfish Farms

website | Bow | 2182 Chuckanut Drive | best for: fresh oysters

There are two quintessential things to do when visiting Skagit Valley. The first is do Chuckanut Drive, the second is visit Taylor Shellfish Farms. And given this spot is on Chuckanut, it makes sense to cross both items off your bucket list at the same time.

Taylor Shellfish offers some of the best oysters in Seattle, which they harvest at their Skagit Valley farm. You can visit for exceptional views and to get a feel of what an oyster bed looks like. They serve a focused menu of seasonal dishes like ceviche, gazpacho, and more, but the must get here is fresh oysters!

Cocina Sabores & Catering

website | Mt. Vernon | 810 W Division St | best for: tacos

This Mexican restaurant is off-the-beaten-path and not a place most visitors go to. It’s inside a retro-looking building and is always filled with Spanish locals looking to get their authentic Mexican fix.

You’ll find all kinds of Mexican food on the menu, but the must get are the tacos. The barbacoa is especially good. It comes in a deep red, almost al pastor-like sauce that’s less sweet. The meat is heaping on homemade tortillas, which add a vegetal sweetness to each bite.

Taco Tecalitlan

website | Burlington & Mt. Vernon | best for: more tacos

This taco shop has two locations in the Skagit Valley. They serve tiny street tacos perfect for sampling a ton of flavors. You’ll also find a great selection of Mexican snacks perfect for take-home souvenirs.

One person can easily eat a tray of six tacos. Mix and match the meats, but make sure the carne asada, birria, shrimp, and adobada are part of your order.

Calico Cupboard

website | La Conner, Mt. Vernon, & Anacortes | best for: cinnamon rolls

No list of the best restaurants in Skagit County would be complete without mentioning this popular breakfast cafe with multiple locations. You can expect to find big portions of typical diner fare like BLTs, omelets, scrambles, and more.

Breakfast dish wise, I like to get the corned beef hash. It’s served with huge chunks of well-cooked meat and a ton of veggies. They make pretty mean potatoes, so getting them as the base of this classic brunch food is the pro move.

However, the best thing on the menu is hands down their cinnamon rolls. They sell out fast, so snag one as soon as you arrive if available. The apple and pumpkin pie flavors available in the fall are a must. And don’t forget to order it warmed up!

Water Tank Bakery

website | Burlington | 11777 Water Tank Rd Unit C | best for: to-go breads and desserts

You’ll never pass Water Tank Bakery by accident. That’s because it’s tucked in an industrial building complex that feels more likely to house offices than a bakery. But you should seek out this tiny window for some of the Valley’s best homemade breads and desserts.

I recommend getting their smaller packages of cookies and breads so you can try a few different things. What’s available changes regularly, but I really like Water Tank’s focaccia. It’s spongey and often flecked with savory ingredients like olives and garlic.

Pro tip: Water Tank Bakery is near one of my favorite breweries, Garden Path Fermentation.

Railroad Pub & Pizza

website | Burlington | 122 S Spruce St | best for: pizza

If my list of the best pizza in Seattle is any indication, I’m a huge pizza snob. So you can imagine my surprise when I ate at Railroad Pub & Pizza, a place with wild toppings like buffalo chicken and eggs Benedict, and liked it.

But there’s no denying that Railroad Pub & Pizza’s 24-hour aged dough is a great vessel for pizza. The texture is somewhere between a flatbread and NY-style pie, with visible flecks of semolina.

I’m usually a purist when it comes to pizza and always order Margherita as my litmus test because there are no toppings to hide behind. But Railroad’s pizzas beg for the creativity of unusual ingredients.

For example, my favorite pizza here is the beef birria pie. It’s like a taco pizza that you dip in beef consommé. I thought for sure I was going to hate dipping pizza in essentially broth, but it packs so much flavor, you’ll be hard pressed not to eat it with a spoon!

Pro tip: Railroad Pub & Pizza is a trio of 3 restaurants within walking distance including Train Wreck Bar & Grill and Speakeasy Saloon. The latter is a fun speakeasy with a hidden entrance and fun, medieval-basement vibes. Definitely check it out after dinner!

Dad’s Diner

website | Anacortes | 906 Commercial Ave | best for: greasy spoon fare

This is another beloved breakfast spot in the Skagit Valley, but known more by locals than tourists. Service can be slow, but it’s worth putting your name on the wait list via the QR code and walking around the shops in downtown Anacortes while you wait.

I like to get their Benedicts especially. The pulled pork one is interesting because it’s tangy and adds a bright acidic note to an otherwise belly-bomb dish.

Harbin Dumplings

website | Anacortes | 1019 Q Avenue | best for: dumplings

This food truck is parked in front of a marina alongside a few other carts that form a mini pod. They offer a focused menu of dumplings, pot stickers, noodles, and soup.

The dumplings are the obvious order. Expect juicy chunks of meat in each. They’re so good that they don’t need sauce, but if you want some don’t get the spicy soy sauce. It’s served with cayenne instead of Asian chili sauce, which is surprising and not my preferred heat source.

The Oyster & Thistle

website | La Conner | 205 Washington St | best for: fried oyster fettuccini

This place advertises itself as a French-inspired pub, but if you dine upstairs I’d say it’s more like a cozy, fine dining establishment. While I’ve had things here that are hit or miss, the pan-fried oysters with fettuccini, garlic, and oil is so good. The oysters are huge and meaty, and they perfectly balance the bite of al dente fettuccini with tons of garlic. If you go here, make sure to get this dish if it’s on the menu!

More to explore in Skagit Valley

Once you make it through my list of the best restaurants in Skagit County, WA, check out my other guides on things to do in the area.

I’ll also leave you with my Google Map that has all the places I’ve been or want to go to in the area. Check out the details in each pin for more information on if I’ve been and what I thought.