Favorite Places to Eat: The Go Outside Local’s Guide to La Conner Restaurants
La Conner waterfront and iconic Rainbow Bridge
One of the most common questions we’re asked in the shop is, “Where do you like to eat?” or “What’s your favorite lunch spot in La Conner?”
I always start my answer by asking, “What are in you the mood for? … a leisurely lunch with a nice glass of wine? Or something more casual?” In La Conner, we are lucky for such a small town, we have lots of options. All of them are great, it just depends on what you are looking for.
That being said, I definitely have my favorite restaurants in town. So here is my list — the Go Outside guide to where to eat in La Conner. These are my regular go-to places. The spots I return to again and again.
Nell Thorn
Nell Thorn Entrance
Nell Thorn is always at the top of my list. I think it is at the top of most people’s list. Its located on the waterfront and has two sides: the bar side that has great cozy booths and then the waterfront dining room that faces the Channel. In the summer, it has patio seating along the waterfront, which is top choice when it’s sunny out.
Overall, Nell Thorn has a more upscale vibe, but still casual enough for everyday. I’m happy to sit in any part of the restaurant, it’s all great. Though, if I’m just popping in for a bite by myself after work, I usually sit at the bar. And I have to say, it is one of the only restaurants around that I don’t mind going to by myself. In fact, sometimes I prefer it. And Nell Thorn is a favorite spot for that because the staff are so friendly and welcoming.
Most importantly, the food is great. It’s classic Northwest cuisine with a good balance of salads, pastas (they make their pasta from scratch, in-house), meats, and seafood. They source their ingredients locally and the menu always reflects the season. The drinks and wine list are excellent too.
I have two favorites: the Salad Niçoise and the Roasted Chicken. I almost always substitute the mashed potatoes for french fries — no regrets.
La Conner Brewing Company
La Conner Brewery
If you are looking for something a little more casual, it’s La Conner Brewing Company. It’s so cozy inside. The space has a lot of warm wood in the interior and the kitchen is open with a wood-fired oven. And that’s where they make the pizza…and I think a lot of of the other food on the menu.
The menu is classic Northwest pub food. Wood fired pizzas, clam chowder, burgers, and salads. The staff is friendly, especially Sandy. When I call to place a to-go order for lunch, she knows my name by my order. I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t report on the beer, but from the menu it looks like they have their own in-house brewed beer, outside beers, and ciders.
When I go to the brewery, I’m usually ordering take-out because I’m working at the shop. But I order from La Conner Brewery probably about once a week. I love the mushroom pizza… and they make it with half the amount of cheese, which is perfect for me. Lately, I have also been ordering the Salmon Burger. It’s wild caught salmon on a whole wheat bun. It’s delicious. And the fries are so good. They are the chunky potato style that just scoops out the tartar sauce to make a perfect fry bite.
Oyster & Thistle
The cozy wood panel bar at Oyster & Thistle
Oyster & Thistle is located just off the main drag and is attached to the La Conner Inn hotel. It has a downstairs bar and upstairs dining room. The downstairs bar is magic. It is all wood paneled, small, with a couple cozy booth nooks. One of them has a window. It evokes the feeling of being on a wooden ship - slash - what you would think a classic New England seaside pub looks like.
And then the food is great. It’s more upscale. Kind of Pacific Northwest meets French with a heavy seafood bend. This is where I tell you the sad truth..I’m allergic to shellfish, so I can’t report on that side of the menu.
When it’s on the menu, the steak tartare is great. I LOVE the Onion Soup done classic French style with the bread and melted Gruyère cheese on top. The steaks are great too. They make a mean cocktail..I’m thinking espresso martini with fresh pulled espresso and they pour my favorite French sparkling wine by the glass.
Santo Coyote
Santo Coyote is located right next door to Go Outside on Morris Street. I order take-out from here quite a bit and I’m not a big Mexican food eater. This Mexican restaurant is family-owned and run and they are all so nice. My go-to order is the Chicken Tortilla Soup. Served with fresh slices of avocado on top. It is so good! But I have ordered a lot of other dishes, their burritos, tacos… it all has been good. Rumor has it, their margaritas are great, but since I’m always working when I order lunch from Santo Coyote, I haven’t tried one yet.
Stompin’ Ground Coffee
This isn’t a restaurant, but it’s a go-to of mine, for good coffee in La Conner. Simply put, it’s the best coffee in town, with the friendliest service. At Christmas time, the Eggnog Latte is a daily treat. They only use Darigold Eggnog, which is the best. Also, their breakfast burritos are really good. Stompin’ Ground Coffee is just a great way to start your day in La Conner.
These are my personal favorites, the restaurants in La Conner I go back to over and over again.
But there are definitely more spots in town worth mentioning. They may not be my weekly regulars, but they absolutely make the list.
Honorable Mentions
This is a La Conner staple. It’s on the waterfront and has all the dive bar things you want, like pool tables. But, also has that good local vibe. And good fish and chips and a classic pub atmosphere.
COA – Across the board, a Skagit Valley favorite for fresh, vibrant Mexican food. COA has a few other locations, but the La Conner restaurant’s interior is the best and the food is so good.
Tunnies – The cutest stop as you drive or out of town for fish and chips. Walk-up window service only, but in the warm weather days, they have tables outside. The fish and chips are delicious and everything about Tunnies is super cute.
The Fork at Skagit Bay – Northwest flavors with a Southern twist. Another great option for that more casual upscale dining.
A wonderful wine bar and shop right on the waterfront. In the summer, having a glass of wine on the boardwalk/deck is just the best.
Calico Cupboard – I think I have been going to Calico Cupboard my whole life. Their cinnamon buns are so good! And breakfast hashes and sandwiches at lunch. Calico Cupboard is a true Skagit Valley classic.
And two that I haven’t been to yet, but are high on my list to try are Pie Dive Bar and Wayfinder Cafe. I have heard great things about both.
If you’re visiting and wondering where to eat, these are my favorite restaurants as a La Conner local and Skagit Valley bred person.
And over the next few weeks, I will continue with the culinary tour of Skagit Valley. My restaurant favorites in Bow/Edison and Mount Vernon/Greater Skagit Valley. So, stay tuned for more!
