Content by Toni Shiurba Photos by Lindsey Smith Published on September 20, 2017
San Juan Island Cheese Shop
“Cheese please,” is what San Juan Island Cheese Shop hears most often. Among our lunch spots, this restaurant abounds in cheese choices. Dutch Gouda, French Crème, Italian Coppa, Northwest Chevre. Just by perusing the menu, you’ll feel like a world traveler.
Configured in pleasing arrays, the cheese platters are accompanied by nuts, olives and fruits. Homemade crusty bread and herbed crackers are the vehicles to deliver these tasty morsels to your mouth.
Want a sandwich for lunch? Or a sumptuous quiche? Try the Rosemary Ham melt or triangles of their divine cheese Quiches.
Thirst need quenching? Beer and Wine spirits wash it all down. Something sweet to end your lunch? Why, cheesecake of course! Or how about some chocolate cheese truffles?
Adventure from traditional lunch choices here at the San Juan Island Cheese Shop. You’ll love the experience!
Ernie’s Café
Fly by the seat of your pants on over to Ernie’s Café on the edge of the tarmac at Friday Harbor Airport. You’ll find a little air turbulence in the topsy-turvy popovers made fresh everyday at 11am.
This restaurant cracks eggs and fries potatoes for lip-smacking breakfasts. Lunch with the local bunch on flame-grilled burgers and homemade fries. Fire up your taste buds with several kinds of Korean style noodle bowls.
Ernie’s is open from 10am to 3pm Monday through Friday and located at 744 Airport Circle Drive in Friday Harbor.
Bakery San Juan
Can’t resist the aromatic smells of baking bread and pastries? Well, follow your nose to Bakery San Juan. More than bread and pie, this lunch spot is known more so as a restaurant/pizzeria with a few sandwiches thrown into the mix.
Margheritas anyone? Not the drink mind you, but a fancy tomato, basil mozzarella pizza pie! Pellegrino, Mount Hood Ale, Beer and Wine are available whistle wetters.
Whether you want to eat in, take out or purchase your own frozen dough to bake at home, this is another local favorite eatery to discover.
Fall/Winter hours are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Bakery San Juan is located at 775 Mullis Street Friday Harbor next to the Food Coop.
Spring Street Deli
Hop on over to the Spring Street Deli at 135 Spring Street Friday Harbor for some Orcas Local Good Sinners Espresso. Available anytime between 10am and 4pm seven days a week.
The Deli bakes delicious fruit croissants and assembles hearty breakfast burritos. But this restaurant really excels with its lunch picks. French dips and man-sized Grinders are two favorite sandwiches.
The meat is sliced fresh and you can make your own choices or stick with their menu offerings. Fresh bread or wraps hold all the fixings and everything is prepared for you with a smile.
Market Chef
Another gem of a lunch spot for healthy, locally sourced food is Market Chef. Tuna sandwiches flecked with currants on whole grain bread makes a tasty, nutritious lunch any day.
Crab cakes or blackened salmon are regional favorites harvested from the Salish Seas that surround you. Try their chefs’ buttermilk chicken tenders or take some home for dinner.
This is a happening restaurant because of the pre-made deli items like herb roasted vegetables, fried chicken and blackened salmon, potato or slaw salads and a creamy mac and cheese dish. Top off your lunch with a cookie or scone and some plain or exotic juice drink.
Organic ingredients lift the flavors to the “amazing” category and give a boost to all
those “live a healthy lifestyle” desires you may have.
Market Chef Restaurant is found at 225 A Street in Friday Harbor, straight up the hill one half block from the ferry parking lot. Don’t miss it!
Well there you have it, friends. Some of our local favorites here at the San Juan Island Inn Collection. Whether it’s your first time to Friday Harbor or your 50th, we will be sure to provide the perfect stay as well as many more recommendations so you can experience the island like a local!
