Olympia Restaurants and Dining

(Olympia, Washington - WA, USA)

There are more than 100 different restaurants and eateries spread around Washington's capital of Olympia, offering everything from fast-food to leisurely gourmet meals with a waterfront view.

The various dining options around the city are roughly grouped in the city center (between the Puget Sound's East Bay and West Bay), in the easterly suburb of Lacey, and to the west, along Harrison Avenue and around the Westfield Capital Mall.

Tourists planning a day of sightseeing in Olympia may like to stop off at the centrally located 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, which is the perfect spot for a quick sit-down lunch and offers not only tasty sandwiches, but also pasta dishes and delicious clam chowder. McCoy's Tavern is close by, along with classic American-style dining at the King Solomons Reef Restaurant. Both the Artesian Well and Olympia City Hall are also a mere stroll away.

Where to Eat

The Olympia Dockside Bistro on Columbia Street comes with rave reviews and is certainly one restaurant to look out for, with its dining tables overlooking the marina and the southern Puget Sound. Prospective diners can expect to find a mouthwatering menu, with specialties including seared sea scallops, five-spice crispy duck, pistachio-encrusted parmesan halibut, grilled salmon and Dungeness crab cakes, although don't come expecting a cheap meal.

If you are in Olympia craving seafood dining, then be sure to pay a visit to the Oyster House on 4th Avenue West. This ranks amongst the capital's oldest and most acclaimed restaurants, being established all the way back in 1924. The restaurant features oyster stew, surf and turf, halibut and chips, mussels, chowders and many more seafood-themed dishes.

Located on South Capitol Way and just to the north of Sylvester Park is the downtown Batdorf and Bronson Coffeehouse, where coffee really doesn't come much better. With the Olympia Farmer's Market being close by, together with a number of additional attractions, this is a convenient place to stop for a quick refreshment if you are in the area.

After an evening of fine dining at your chosen restaurant in Olympia, you may well be in the mood for a spot of bar-hopping. Taverns and bars are in particularly good supply around 4th Avenue, where live music is often an added bonus.