Compendium for San Juan Island, Washington

We traveled to Friday Harbor, Washington from Anacortes, Washington back on May 2, 2023 for a summer as Interpretive Rangers at San Juan Island National Historical Park. We're fast closing in on our last day on island the middle of September.  

While I may edit this list below before then (and now have done so several times), what you find listed are the restaurants and bars we have been to, sometimes numerous times over our months here and consider worth a try should you find yourself in Friday Harbor, Washington on San Juan Island.

Outside table at Cease (flowers not included)

Cease and Desist

After trying a few other places in the vicinity, Cease became my (Steven's) favorite place for a double IPA which are rotated out and come from breweries all over the PNW.

Overlooking the harbor and very near the ferry terminal, Cease is a smallish hole-in-the-wall where locals and those in the know find a nice variety of beers on tap.

With three outside tables to choose from, Cease provides a very pleasant way to spend some time sipping a favorite brew while checking out all things happening in the harbor.

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​San Juan Island Brewery

Melanie prefers the beer selection here because she can get a hefeweizen (generally). They produce a very nice selection of beers, but not my favorite, a double IPA, except seasonally and I'm not here for that season.

There's very solid bar food to be ordered here and the atmosphere and staff are most pleasant. Also a favorite for some of the islanders.

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Coho Table 1

Coho

Duck Soup

Vinny's Ristorante

​These three restaurants are white table cloth and all are solid choices.  None of them are worthy, IMHO, of say a James Beard Award, but they all provide a good dining experience, if you're in need of a more formal setting.

​Melanie and I prefer Vinny's for two reasons, bang for the buck and Melanie's love of Italian food.

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View from our Adirondack Chairs

Westcott Bay Shellfish Company

​Got a hankering for oysters?  Make sure you make your way to Westcott Bay Shellfish Company and give the grilled oysters accompanied by their compound butters a try. Throw in a nice glass of Rose' and you'll think heaven found you on a shell-strewn beach in the San Juans.

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Cattle Point Lighthouse from Lopez Island

Bakery San Juan

​Great island bakery with a menu with breakfast and lunch faire.

I especially like their mushroom pizza and various scones and croissants.

Highly recommended.

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Mount Baker at sunset from the redoubt at American Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park

Rocky Bay Cafe & Delicatessen

​Solid place for both breakfast and lunch. They've had a Crab Cake Benedict special on the menu this summer that I've eaten several times.

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Full moon rising over Whidbey Island and Salish Sea

The Market Chef

​Our favorite place for lunch. Great sandwiches and salads and a market for great gourmet food items.

From their website:

Over the last year the Market Chef has transformed its dining room into a marketplace featuring a curated selection of provisions and housewares. Come shop for amazing, gourmet ingredients for dinner, linen napkins for your dinner table, picnic baskets and supplies, wines, platters, gifts for the home cook  and much more... all hand selected by Tim and Laurie. New products are added regularly and seasonally. Come in and shop today!

Looking for a keepsake or art to take home after your island vacation? Check out Island Collection By Jack Riley directly across the street from The Market Chef.

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Sunset from Lime Kiln Lighthouse, Lime Kiln State Park

Van Go's Pizza

Good pizza and great outside patio in back of the restaurant for cool Friday Harbor summer evening dining. Try their cookies or a brownie for desert.

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Bald Eagles atop Cattle Point Lighthouse

Mike's Cafe and Wine Bar

​Mike's is another of our favorite Friday Harbor spots. Good food, service and a vegan menu.

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Red Fox at Grandmas Cove

Downriggers

​Downriggers definitely has location going for it. Located above my favorite bar, Cease and Desist, which makes it convenient should I want a beer before dinner, it has a view of the harbor and marina.

Enjoy dinner on the deck and watch the seaplanes and ferries coming into the harbor. The menu and food preparation is solid with nice local seafood available. 

Downriggers has a very corporate franchise chain feel, but don't let that dissuade you.

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Griffin Bay from Young Hill

San Juan Island Roasters

​Coffee Beans and chocolates

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Cattle Point Lighthouse

San Juan Vineyard

​Great spot situated along the Roche Harbor Road just outside Friday Harbor proper. We've stopped in for a Rose' several times while out for a bike ride. They have other types of wine, but I can only speak for the Rose'. Quaffable.

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South Beach

The Bait Shop

​They do fish 'n chips pretty darn well. I generally splurge and get the Halibut and chips, Melanie prefers the shrimp and chips. Regardless, for us, The Bait Shop is the spot for a quick fish 'n chips lunch or dinner.

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Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal

Haley's Sports Bar and Grill

As our friend, Leslie, says below in the comments, "seriously good food and service." There are also large screen televisions for those who may have an interest in sports, Leslie's not wrong.