Location: Olympia
Top Restaurants in Olympia
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Most Popular Restaurants in Olympia
Birthplace of riot grrl music and home to an energetic independent art and music scene, Olympia is a hub of innovative cultural movements. The nontraditional Evergreen State College draws young pioneers and artists while the surrounding landscape of Puget Sound beckons the environmentally aware to its embrace. With 40 city parks incorporating 963 acres as well as a vast, municipally-funded public art collection, the city is a study in inventive and ecological civil design.
Things to do in Olympia
1. Gardner's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 275 reviews
Gardner's has been family owned since 1983 and has proven to be the favorite place to dine in Olympia. Gardner's Executive Chef Dan Keith favors the freshest local and seasonal ingredients. Everything is created from scratch, including soups and sauces to an abundance of desserts. With many local wines offered by the glass or by bottle, you are sure to find that perfect pour for any entrée. We hope you join us soon. Make your reservation by telephone or online at Open Table.
Reviewed By Shannon C - Olympia, Washington
This is our go to restaurant for a special occasion. Food is always wonderful and gourmet. Atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. You can always Converse quietly in a lovely ambiance. Highly recommend.
2. 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By yosemiterisk - Olympia, Washington
We frequent this place and always leave satisfied and happy. The best is the BLT with chicken breast and avocado. They bake everything on site. First rate in every way for a great lunch at very fair prices. True home touch quality.
3. Basilico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Chris G - Upper Bavaria, Germany
We tried several dishes and most were excellent. We did the 4-course sampler. Seafood appetizer with lemon aioli was a standout. Turkey cutlets with wild berry sauce was a little mushy. The bread was surprisingly disappointing--they should just grab some baguettes at the Bread Peddler. Gnocchi with wild boar was very good. Butternut squash ravioli was over-cooked and could have used more stuffing--they were almost flat--but still delicious. Gelati were perfect, and the chocolate cake with just a hint of chili was great. Wine list was overpriced, but we expected that. Service was attentive and friendly and offered good advice. Would go again for a special occasion.
4. Lemon Grass Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By Tim G - Fairfax, Virginia
We had lunch here one day while visiting with my daughter. We all enjoy Thai food, and this restaurant only reinforced that.
They had all the standard fare, plus some dishes normally seen rarely outside Thailand.
Service was polite and efficient. We will go here again.
5. Dockside Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By ducklakedaniel - Olympia, Washington
We wanted a "special" night out for my wife's birthday. Looked at the "fancy" menu (and fancy prices) and figured this was the place. I am hoping it was an off night because it was far from "special".
Pros: Ambiance. It has that high end bistro feel. Slick and stylish...we were in a booth but that was OK. A view of the marina is always nice. There is a full bar and a stellar wine list. We all ordered seafood and 3 out of four of the plates were well prepared. The server was well educated on the menu and we were seated right away (with reservations and not rushed to leave).
Cons: For the price point of the dishes we all expected more. We are not strangers to fine dining, just not regulars so when we are paying over $25 a plate we are expecting "Wow!" and got "Mmm". This may have been exacerbated by the REALLY Sloowwww service. Our reservations were 6:15 we received our plates at 7:26 and finally the check was finalized at 8:30.
Overall it was fine but nothing "special". For the price point I would have rather gone to a few other places in town.
6. Mediterranean Breeze
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Kenny S - Mount Vernon, Washington
While driving through Olympia on a Sunday afternoon, I checked Trip Advisor for good Mediterranean food. We decided to give this place a try and were not disappointed. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. The waiter was great and made some excellent recommendations. We finished the meal with Turkish coffee and baklava. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Breeze if you're in the area.
7. Pizzeria La Gitana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By bargain_hunter46 - Bellevue, Washington
Stopped in en route to Seattle - easy to get to from I-5. We had a huge salad, margarita pizza and tiramisu. Everything was beautifully made and served. Service was quite fast considering the number of people in the restaurant. We sat near the pizza oven and it was fun to watch the cooks at work.
8. Anthony's Homeport Olympia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 309 reviews
Reviewed By Batt2 - Weston, Florida
So first and foremost the food was very good! The seafood was obviously fresh and well prepared. However, the prices were reminiscent of mid town Manhattan. $33 for scallops, $7 for a cup of clam chowder? I went with a large group of business colleagues so didn't look at menu ahead of time. To top it off they had a nice list of craft cocktails but I asked about the vodka they used and wasn't happy so the server recommended a local vodka which I tried. She failed to say it would be an extra $3 per drink bringing a martini to $12.50. Again, mid town Manhattan prices! I enjoyed the food, the service was fine, but won't go back.
9. Fish Tale Brew Pub
Overall Ratings
4 based on 384 reviews
With more than triple its original seating and a kitchen that spans the former brewing floor, the Pub offers a robust menu featuring local meat, bread, and produce. And while the Pub's 24 taps of beer and cider can present guests with a daunting selection, our knowledgeable staff will be there to help find the one that's right for you.
Reviewed By Batt2 - Weston, Florida
Actually went here twice on an 11 day stay in Olympia. The food was very good although the server (same one twice unfortunately) was not very friendly or helpful. Asked for fish tacos with flour tortillas instead of corn, was rudely told no. Asked if the beer list left on the table was all the beers they had or was there seasonal taps that weren't on the menu. Was told that the list on the table "is pretty much everything". Is that like being a little bit pregnant?
Otherwise, the food was worth the trouble of the service. I had the steak salad one night and and the corn tortilla fish tacos another night. Both were very good, along with the chili as a side one night and clam chowder the other.
10. Budd Bay Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 613 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer P
Let’s start out by saying the atmosphere was perfect. Overlooking the harbor was so romantic.
They met us at the door (which I am not used to) and immediately sat us (I was rude and followed the hostess-they like to set up your table.) the service was spot.on! I’ve not had service like that in a long time. Very nice, but not to over bearing. The food was right on time!
I had the new prawn scampi (I’ll give it a epic rating) and my husband had the applewood smoked salmon (he even ate the veggies and he doesn’t do that.)
I can’t suggest this enough. Go. And enjoy a fancy gourmet restaurant on very reasonable prices!
