A Running List of the Best Places to Eat in Walla Walla (from a Local)

We have been in Walla Walla for over a year now (really?! has it been that long?) and we’ve done our best to eat our way through this little wine city in the southeastern corner of Washington. COVID didn’t make it easy, but we’ve managed to dine almost everywhere and we’ve documented almost all of it along the way. Here’s a running list of all of our favorite places to eat in Walla Walla (with LOTS of pictures). If you don’t see your favorite on this list, drop it in the comments! I’ll update this regularly, so make sure to bookmark this for the ultimate guide on where to eat in Washington Wine Country!

AK’s Mercado

It’s all about the tacos and boozy slushies here, y’all (trust me). The smoked meats are also fire. Enjoy their kickass (dog-friendly) patio while sipping on their locally brewed Mercado Lager, and then go plant shopping in darling Daylight Plant Co. located inside!

21 E Main St.

Bacon & Eggs

Breakfast lovers delight! Bacon & Eggs is the beloved neighborhood spot that locals and visitors line up for (seriously, we went here last weekend and I counted over 20 people in line for a table before they opened)! On that note, they do take reservations here and I highly recommend one.

57 E. Main St.

Brasserie Four

I am having a bit of a love affair with Brasserie Four. This charming French bistro instantly transports me to Paris with its wine list and delicious offerings. I almost always get oysters (which are just as fresh as the ones you’ll find in Seattle). The Steak Frites here are life-changing (easily the best I’ve ever had with that insanely decadent veal glace & black pepper cream sauce). The cheese plate is always spectacular.

4 E Main St.

Colville Street Patisserie

Calling all pastry lovers! This is a must-visit. Do not miss the chocolate and caramel torte. Literally, everything here is made in-house, including their gelato (which is divine).

40 S Colville St.

Cugini’s

Italian bliss awaits at Cugini’s! A hybrid between an Italian deli and market, it’s just as fun to shop their pastas, sauces, and European goods as it is to eat their yummy food. Make sure to check their hours before you visit – they are open very limited hours.

960 Wallula Ave.

Graze

Delicious, fresh ingredients and house-cured meats make up the bomb sandwiches and paninis that grace the menu at Graze’s two locations (both in downtown Walla Walla). My boyfriend and I are obsessed with the Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich (easily one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had). They also offer salads and soups made daily. Their location on Colville is adorable with a great outdoor seating area. The mural on the wall is very Instagrammable.

213 S 9th Ave and 5 S Colville St 

Hattaway’s on Alder

Delicious and indulgent southern fare await you at the lovely Hattaway’s on Alder. The pimento cheese and their fried chicken will make you go weak at the knees. The service here is outstanding and the patio is the place to be in the summertime. See my full blog with even more pics on Hattaway’s here.

125 W Alder St.

Maple Counter

If you’re looking for a fabulous breakfast in Walla Walla, look no further than darling (and delicious) Maple Counter. I insist you get pancakes here. The service is friendly and the menu is big; come hungry.

209 E Alder St.

Passatempo Taverno

House-made pasta at its finest and some of the best pizza I’ve had anywhere; Passatempo is an absolute gem. Our usual order consists of the green salad, rigatoni bolognese, the spicy pepperoni pizza, and (of course) their house-made gelato for dessert. The restaurant itself is stunning.

215 W Main St.

Pine Cone Creamery

Locally owned and absolutely darling, Pine Cone Creamery will steal your heart (and satisfy your sweet tooth)! They specialize in handcrafted, small-batch ice cream with rotating monthly flavors (including a selection of vegan ice creams). I’m a sucker for their honey lavender (swoon) but you really can’t go wrong here.

3 S. Colville St.

Public House 124

This is your neighborhood hangout for drinking beer and craft cocktails while enjoying some damn good food. I’ve been super impressed with everything I’ve had on the menu here. Their burger is my favorite one in town, made with local Hidden Valley Bakery bread, 6 Ranch beef, white cheddar cheese, pickled red onions, balsamic dressed greens, and a sinful garlic aioli. The Reuben here is also legendary, but make note it’s a seasonal item. It will return to the menu on St Patrick’s Day 2022!

124 Main Street

Roger’s Bakery

This is THE SPOT for donuts, y’all! Make the eight-minute drive from downtown Walla Walla to Roger’s Bakery for insane pastries and delicious breakfast sammies! They’ve also got a killer patio with a super Instagrammable mural.

116 N. College Ave, College Place, WA

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

I feel like Saffron may be the most “foodie” restaurant of all in Walla Walla (I really hate the word foodie, but you get my point). It’s super trendy with exceptional service and rich Mediterranean flavors. This may be the most beautiful restaurant in Walla Walla, and it is definitely one of my very favorites. The Mafaldine Pasta with Olive Oil Cured Albacore Tuna on the menu right now is to-die-for. Run, do not walk for this dish.

330 W. Main St.

the Mafaldine Alabarore Tune Pasta at Saffron

The Happy Wanderer

Burrito lovers rejoice! (Okay, taco and guac lovers too!) We live close so we visit often and food is always fresh and flavorful (not to mention affordable). They have a wide selection of proteins for their tacos, including many veggie options.

 28 S.E. 12th St, College Place, WA

The Kitchen at Abeja

The Kitchen at Abeja has taken fine dining in Walla Walla to a different level. Led by the talented Chef Elodi Li, the Kitchen at Abeja offers a hyper-local and seasonal menu that changes weekly (and features herbs from their on-site garden). Choose from a five or seven-course meal and, of course, wine pairings are available. See my full blog on The Kitchen at Abeja here.

2014 Mill Creek Rd.

The Wiener & Bun

It’s brought to you by the team at Saffron so you know it’s good! I have never seen a hot dog window before, but now I can’t imagine my life without one. What a fun (and affordable) way to spend a meal! Grab a couple of dogs and sodas and grab a table in the downtown Walla Walla Plaza.

2 S. 1st Ave.

TMACS

A gorgeous interior and super fun patio make TMACs a great place for date night or a girl’s night out (it’s also my go-to lunch spot in town). You’ll find beautiful, thoughtful, and delicious cocktails and a chef-driven menu (and everything I’ve had is delicious). My favorite thing on the menu right now is the seared ahi. You can read my full blog on TMACS here.

80 N. Colville St.

Walla Walla Bread Co.

The pastry case here is more like a work of art and watching them fill it in the mornings is like seeing a delicious symphony play out. Additionally, they have cold-pressed juices, beautiful fresh-baked bread, fluffy quiches, pizzas (and more!). I’m a sucker for their Avocado Tartine and Red Velvet Croissants (the pics below say it better than I ever could)! Co-owner and baker Michele Pompei killed it this year on Food Network’s “Best Baker In America” so you know it’s legit.

201 E. Main St.

Walla Walla Steak Co.

Award-winning food, wine, and beers are waiting for you at Walla Walla Steak Co. Enjoy a refined, old-school steak house experience with to-die-for mashed potatoes and tableside Bananas Foster on the menu. Chef Rock Silva (formerly cooking in Seattle) is an absolute gem. Don’t miss the scallop on the half-shell appetizer; it blew me away. The steaks melt in your mouth and you can add fresh-from-Maine lobster to any of them, swoon.

416 N. 2nd Ave.

Yamas Greek Eatery

If you love Greek food like I do, then you will love Yamas. Fresh and affordable, I cannot get enough of their dips, gyros, or salads!

7 S. 1st Ave.