I live in Yakima, Washington. In this guide, I’ll help you find the absolute best Yakima restaurants!
This round-up features chic gourmet establishments, mom-and-pop tamale shops, and everything in between.
I cover a range of cuisines and atmospheres, as well as options for every budget. These tasty eateries are great places to relax and refuel while enjoying all the stellar attractions in Yakima.
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Best Restaurants in Yakima
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen
🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 2007
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen is one of the most popular restaurants in Yakima. It combines a trendy atmosphere with a locally-sourced, made-from-scratch menu. It’s often on the busier side, but well worth a little extra waiting time.
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen’s menu offers modern takes on classic American food. There’s also a great collection of local PNW wines and craft cocktails including unique in-house specials.
Second Street Grill
🍽️ Bar & Grill | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 469 1486
Second Street Grill is a restaurant with classic hometown-sports-bar vibes. Old photos of early local sports teams line the brick walls here and the atmosphere is cozy. The menu features many international favorites along with American fare.
Second Street Grill also has one of the best selections of draught beers in town, featuring local PNW breweries as well as classic macro brews. Many customers remark on the excellent service at Second Street Grill. The popularity of the restaurant makes it a great place to see a little slice of life in Yakima.
WaterFire Restaurant
🍽️ New American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 853 1057
WaterFire is one of the more popular spots in Yakima for great food and a chic atmosphere. It’s a local favorite for special occasions or date nights.
The menu at this New American restaurant combines sophisticated dishes (applewood grilled king salmon, for instance) with classic casual-dining fare (such as the French Dip sandwich). WaterFire strives to source as many ingredients as possible from local farms, orchards, and vineyards in the Yakima Valley.
WaterFire also offers a variety of craft cocktails (and mocktails) and several excellent wines, including selections from local cellars.
📚 Related Reading: Don’t miss Chelsea’s guides to the best Seattle restaurants and must-try Seattle dishes.
Miner’s Drive-In
🍽️ Burgers | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 8194
Miner’s Drive-In is one of the best examples of good-old-fashioned Americana in Yakima. Miner’s is a family-owned burger joint serving some of the heartiest burgers in town. The Big Miner Burger can easily keep you full for the rest of the day (trust me on this one!).
Miner’s also serves other fast-food favorites, such as chicken strips and fish and chips. There’s a little more of a wait here than at other fast-food joints, but the extra time is well worth it.
Miner’s is also one of the oldest restaurants in Yakima, founded in 1948.
Waffles Caffe
🍽️ Breakfast | $ | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 574 0920
Waffles Caffe is located in Fruitvale, one of the most convenient places to stay in Yakima if you’re on a Washington road trip.
Waffles Caffe is a local go-to for good food and a no-frills, but pleasant atmosphere. The Belgian Waffles are one of the most popular items on the menu and there are several syrups to choose from, including a sugar-free maple syrup.
Waffles also has some excellent lunch options including familiar deli sandwiches and a whopping half-pound “monster burger.” The restaurant is a stone’s throw from the highway, so Waffles is a great place to grab some grub before heading on to other towns in Washington.
El Mirador 2
🍽️ Mexican | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 452 1202
Yakima has lots of options when it comes to Mexican food, from sit-down restaurants to taco trucks.
El Mirador 2, though, maybe the most popular Mexican restaurant in Yakima. Most other Yakima restaurants have a few hundred Google reviews — this place has over 2,000!
El Mirador 2 combines delicious food, an upbeat atmosphere, and friendly service. You’ll be seated quickly and there’s a ton of options to choose from on the food and drink menus. The jumbo margaritas here are a local favorite.
The restaurant is also right next to some of the best hotels in Yakima for travelers on a budget or those traveling with family.
Mel’s Diner
🍽️ Breakfast/American Diner | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 248 5382
Mel’s is the place to go if you feel like taking in some retro-diner vibes. It’s right between the downtown and Fruitvale neighborhoods on the corner of 1st Street and East Lincoln Ave. The menu includes breakfast stand-bys like omelets, french toast, and hash browns.
Mel’s stands out from other Yakima diners with its homemade soups and delicious milkshakes. Can you really be an old-school diner without them?
El Porton Mexican Restaurant
🍽️ Mexican | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 965 5422
Come to this Mexican restaurant if you need to chase away the winter blues. The amazing food and bright, cheery atmosphere are the perfect remedy to the sometimes bleak winters and early springs in Yakima. Of course, it’s also worth visiting any other time of the year, too.
El Porton is a great place to visit around lunchtime. The margaritas range from $5.25 to $5.75.
Olive Garden
🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 0485
Skeptical about going to a “chain” restaurant? Leave your doubts aside, because the Yakima Olive Garden is one of the most popular restaurants in town.
Locals love the Olive Garden because it offers great service and good food at a reasonable price. It’s also right around the corner from Yakima’s Capitol Theatre, making it a perfect place for dinner and a show.
Crafted
🍽️ New American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 426 2220
What would any PNW town be without a super-chic foodie haven featuring super-fresh locally-sourced ingredients? Crafted fits this bill perfectly. James Beard-nominated Chef Dan Koommoo and his wife Mollie offer fantastic food on a menu that changes according to seasonal availability.
Crafted also offers a chef’s menu for tasting some of the highlights of its culinary repertoire.
Stop by Crafted if you want an authentic taste of the Yakima Valley at its best.
Los Hernández Tamales
🍽️ Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 6003
Yakima has tons of great places for Mexican food, but Los Hernández Tamales stands out from the rest.
This humble mom-and-pop establishment won a James Beard Award in 2018 for its tasty authentic tamales. This restaurant is a real hidden gem, tucked away in Union Gap, a Yakima neighborhood most visitors would easily overlook.
Pepp’rmint Stick Drive-In
🍽️ Hamburgers | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 4374
This simple, family-friendly drive-in in Union Gap is another of the oldest restaurants in Yakima. The interior hearkens back to the 1950s and the menu is as Americana as it gets. Hearty burgers, crispy french fries, and rich milkshakes make it hard to walk away hungry from Peppr’mint Stick.
Peppr’mint Stick also serves more modern takes on old-time favorites with menu entrees such as the savory BBQ Burger, the fiery Atomic Ghost Burger, and garlic fries. Peppr’mint Stick hosts a classic car show in August for an even more good-old-times atmosphere.
Minado Buffet
🍽️ Asian Buffet | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 895 7077
Minado is a classic Asian buffet and an a great place for easy eats.
Minado features a wide variety of entrees from sushi to dim sum and more. It also has a variety of simple desserts and the indispensable (but easily dispensed) soft-serve ice cream. You won’t need to wait long before being seated, even at the busiest hours.
Thai House
🍽️ Thai | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 469 8986
Thai House is one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Yakima, offering authentic Thai recipes. Popular dishes include the Pad Thai and several different curries.
The location of Thai House is hard to beat, too. It’s situated in the center of downtown and is a short walk away from Single Hill Brewing, one of the best breweries in Yakima:.
Provisions Restaurant and Market
🍽️ American | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 452 8100
Provisions is one of the most unique restaurants in Yakima. Not every establishment can boast a gift store featuring top-quality local products. You can buy craft beer, wine, and home decor items here, so it’s a great place to pick up a souvenir and get dinner at the same time.
The restaurant itself is also amazing. The atmosphere is elegant but casual, and the food is presented beautifully — and it’s tasty, too! The menu focuses on sophisticated takes on familiar favorites, such as burgers, steaks, ahi tuna, and more.
Kyoto Sushi & Steak House
🍽️ Japanese | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1919
Kyoto Sushi & Steak House sits close to the airport near Union Gap. It serves sushi at a reasonable price, plus other Japanese favorites. Kyoto has a hibachi grill and it’s a great place to sip on some sake or a Sapporo while waiting for your entrée.
Consider stopping by at lunchtime or maybe a little later in the day when it offers dinner bento boxes. The sushi bar is also one of the better options in town if you want a quick lunch.
Apple Tree Restaurant
🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 966 7140
The Apple Tree Restauraunt mixes a unique combination of higher-end vibes and affordable prices.
The resort’s name is a tribute to the apple orchards that are a pillar of the local economy. Similarly, the restaurant focuses on using fresh ingredients from local orchards and farms in the Yakima Valley.
Tony’s Big Cheese Pizza
🍽️ Pizza | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 575 7977
Tony’s is one of the best choices if you feel like dining in at your hotel room.It uses fresh dough and ingredients as much as possible and it shows — it’s one of Yakima’s favorite pizza joints. The pepperoni pizza is a local favorite and the menu includes great side orders such as breadsticks and wings.
The restaurant itself has limited seating, and people usually order out (note: Tony’s doesn’t do delivery). Either way, it’s worth ordering a pie or two from this place.
Yakima Steak Company
🍽️ Steak House | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1472
Head to the Yakima Steak Company if you’re hankering for some of the best steaks in the area. It also has an extensive whiskey collection, all of which pairs magnificently with all the available steaks. There are also plenty of options for wine and beer if you’re not into whiskey.
There are other great things to eat here, too, such as the prime rib dip sandwich and filling entree salads.
Mangoz On The Ave
🍽️ Asian Fusion | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 902 8350
Mangoz ranks among the best restaurants in Yakima for vegans and keto-dieters, with plenty of options for both. There are also mouth-watering burgers and classic Asian stand-by dishes such as orange chicken. There is, in a word, something for everyone here. All of its food is delicious and presented with a colorful flare.
Taj Palace
🍽️ Indian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 494 1001
Don’t be fooled by the simple exterior of this restaurant — the dining here is fit for a king! The menu features a wide variety of authentic Indian food from spicy curries to savory garlic naan bread.
There are plenty of vegetarian options along with hearty meat dishes. There is also a special clay oven for certain recipes, giving them an extra dose of authenticity.
Taj Palace also features a well-stocked bar including imported beers from India.
E.Z. Tiger
🍽️ Asian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1977
E.Z. Tiger is an easy pick for those sunny summer days (300 on average!) in Yakima. Why? It has one of the largest patios of any restaurant in the area!
The indoor seating area is the yin to the patio’s yang — dark and sophisticated in contrast to the bright, easy-going vibes outside. Oh, and the food is amazing, too! The cuisine here is pan-Asian, so you can choose from favorites such as Pad Thai or fried rice.
E.Z. Tiger may be a smaller menu than other places to eat in Yakima, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality!
Zesta Cucina Restaurant & Bar
🍽️ Italian | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 972 2000
Zesta Cucinais one of the best places in Yakima for casual fine dining. The atmosphere is chic and cozy, but the restaurant is family-friendly, even if the aesthetic is geared more toward that perfect date night.
The menu leans more towards Italian cuisine but has other familiar up-scale entrees such as a variety steaks and Alaskan halibut. This Yakima restaurant is also a great place to do a little shopping before or after you eat. Zesta Cucina is located in the same building as several local boutique stores.
Mom’s Dishes
🍽️ Vietnamese | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 317 2447
Mom’s Dishes is one of the newer restaurants in Yakima. It makes Vietnamese favorites from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Pho and spring rolls are some of the most popular menu items and there are plenty of options for plant-based diets, too. The interiors here are bright and clean, complementing the fresh, delicious food quite nicely.
There are several great drink options here, too. These include standard fountain drinks, but also Asian favorites such as taro smoothies, milk teas, and more. Mom’s Dishes is located in the same building as Indaba Coffee should you want something a little more caffeinated after your meal.
Bob’s Burgers & Brew
🍽️ Hamburgers/American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 895 7199
Yakima has a great balance of local restaurants and nationwide chains. Bob’s Burgers & Brew on Fair Ave is a great place for mouthwatering burgers and the best of local craft beers. There’s usually not too much of a waiting period, even at busier times like weekends.
Bob’s also has some great gluten-free and vegan options, which you may not expect at first from a burger joint/sports grill. It’s hard to beat Bob’s when it comes to great food and friendly staff, so be sure to stop in for a bite when visiting Yakima.
Old Town Station
🍽️ Breakfast/American Diner | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 453 8485
The Pacific Northwest is well-known as a mecca for foodies. Sometimes, though, you just want good old American fare, and Old Town Station is the place to go. This unfussy eatery in Union Gap is the perfect place for favorites like biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict, and omelets.
Old Town Station’s breakfast burritos are huge and there are also deli sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and steaks.
Old Town Station is a great place for friendly service and good food in Yakima. Old Town Station is also right across from the Yakima Mall, should you want to get some shopping done after breakfast.
Zullee (Kabob House)
🍽️ Mediterranean | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 469 0504
Yakima has a diverse culinary scene for a small city in central Washington. Zullee brings a little taste of the eastern Mediterranean to the valley. Zullee offers gyros, shawarma, and other favorites such as hummus and pita. The interior is simple but brightly decorated with photos and decor from Greece and the Middle East.
Well-seasoned with feta cheese, the Greek fries are one of the best side dishes in town, if you ask me. There are other classic Mediterranean side dishes available, too, such as dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves) and falafel.
FAQs about Where to Eat in Yakima
What are some of the best restaurants in Yakima?
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen,Second Street Grill,WaterFire,Miner’s, and El Mirador 2 are some of the best restaurants in Yakima.
What are the most popular restaurants in Yakima?
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen,WaterFire,Bob’s Burgers & Brew, and Crafted are the most popular restaurants in Yakima.
What are some good affordable restaurants in Yakima?
Waffles Caffe,Mel’s Diner,Olive Garden,Los Hernández Tamales, and Old Town Station are some of Yakima’s most affordable restaurants.
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Thanks for reading my guide to the best Yakima restaurants! You’ve already gotten a good glimpse of the local food scene, but what would any Washington town be without the great outdoors? Check out my article on the best hikes in Yakima to get exploring!
