San Juan Island is home to many outstanding restaurants and eateries of all kinds. During your stay at the Harrison House Suites, treat yourself to meal after delicious meal. Island restaurants range from a traditional diner style lunch of a cheeseburger and a milkshake at Vic’s Drive-In, to a vegan veggie stir-fry at Mike’s Wine Bar, to a locally sourced fine dining dinner at our own Coho Restaurant.
A quick stroll around the town of Friday Harbor, just blocks from your suite, will reveal a plethora of restaurants. There’re walk-up deli style shops like The Market Chef and Spring Street Deli. Or casual dining spots to grab a local grown beef burger or fish and chips. And also sit down, high-end restaurants. Sometimes though it’s fun to seek out the lesser known eateries. So take the road less traveled by and find that hidden gem that sets your taste buds afire!
Here is a quick list of places to grab a bite in Friday Harbor that you would never know existed unless you stumbled upon them.
1. The Seafood Market at the Port of Friday Harbor
This little fish market nestled just off the main dock of the Port of Friday Harbor Marina sells all sorts of fresh shellfish, crab, fish and other seafood. They’ve also got spices, marinades, sauces and a few soft drinks to round out your lunch. Not much of a cook? No problem, the helpful owners at the Seafood Market will cook you up a fresh Dungeness Crab and pack it up to go. Just call ahead to place your order. Be aware that local Dungeness are a summertime treat and are only available seasonally. Make your trip extra special by buying a small bag of herring to feed local mascot and celebrity Popeye the Harbor Seal who makes her summer home in the marina.
2. Noodle Bowl Monday at The Backdoor Kitchen
The Backdoor Kitchen in Friday Harbor has been named one of the top fifteen restaurants in all of Washington State. Many visitors enjoy an incredible, locally sourced dinner here every year. What they don’t know they’re missing though is local’s favorite “Noodle Bowl Monday”. Every Monday afternoon during the spring to fall months that Backdoor Kitchen is open they offer Asian inspired noodle bowls topped with fresh veggies, cilantro, peanuts and protein of your choice. If you’re in Friday Harbor on a Monday afternoon be sure to stop by and grab a noodle bowl!
3. Korean Wednesdays at the Big Store
“The Big Store” is San Juan Island’s version of a Seven Eleven and while not many people would suggest a convenient store as a great place to get a yummy lunch (those $1 hotdogs that have been under a heat lamp for who knows how long?!) The Big Store serves up fresh, buffet style Korean food every Wednesday afternoon and it’s delicious.
4. “Rollin’ Sushi” at Brickworks
4. “Rollin’ Sushi” at BrickworksThey “roll” in on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays during the San Juan Island Farmer’s Market. Fresh, sustainable, local ingredients and fresh made sushi rolls? Does it get any better? Founded during the summer of 2016 this sushi “restaurant” isn’t a restaurant at all but a traveling sushi rolling set up committed to using fresh, sustainable, local ingredients. Place your order on Rolling Sushi‘s Facebook page.
5. Matia Pop-up Dinners 
The trio of young local chefs Avery, Connor, and Drew are the creators of Matia pop-up dinners and catering. Set in different local businesses around San Juan Island (such as Salty Fox Coffee), these coursed dinners are all about good food done right. Focused on using local, seasonal ingredients in a way that is unique and thoughtful without being overly adventurous just for the sake of being different. If you happen to be in Friday Harbor when one of these pop-ups are happening, make your reservation asap! Not to mention they provide services all over the PNW including all of the islands and even Seattle.
Stay at the Harrison House Suites
Just mention one of these eateries to our team here at the San Juan Island Inn Collection and we’ll give you all the details! Each of them are just minutes away from our property. And, of course, we’ve personally tested each of these unique eateries.
Cheers!
Courtney ~ Local Blogger for the San Juan Island Inn Collection
