27 Best Yakima Restaurants in 2023 (Local Guide)

I live in Yakima, Washington. In this guide, I’ll help you find the absolute best Yakima restaurants! 

This round-up features chic gourmet establishments, mom-and-pop tamale shops, and everything in between.

I cover a range of cuisines and atmospheres, as well as options for every budget. These tasty eateries are great places to relax and refuel while enjoying all the stellar attractions in Yakima. 

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Best Restaurants in Yakima

Cowiche Canyon Kitchen

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 2007

Cowiche Canyon Kitchen is one of the most popular restaurants in Yakima. It combines a trendy atmosphere with a locally-sourced, made-from-scratch menu. It’s often pretty busy, but well worth a little extra waiting time. 

Cowiche Canyon Kitchen’s menu offers modern takes on classic American food. There’s also a great collection of local PNW wines and craft cocktails including unique in-house specials.

Second Street Grill

🍽️ Bar & Grill | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 469 1486

Second Street Grill is a restaurant with classic hometown-sports-bar vibes. Old photos of early sports teams line the brick walls here and the atmosphere is cozy. The menu features many international favorites along with American fare.

Second Street Grill also has one of the best selections of draught beers in town, featuring local PNW breweries as well as classic macro brews. Many customers remark on the excellent service at Second Street Grill. The popularity of the restaurant makes it a great place to see a little slice of life in Yakima.

WaterFire Restaurant

🍽️ New American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 853 1057

WaterFire is another local hotspot for great food and a chic atmosphere. It’s a local favorite for a special occasion or date night in Yakima.

The menu at this New American restaurant combines sophisticated dishes (lobster carbonara, for instance) with classic casual-dining fare (such as its French Dip sandwich). WaterFire strives to source as many ingredients as possible from local farms, orchards, and vineyards in the Yakima Valley.

WaterFire also has one of the largest mocktail menus and several excellent wines from local cellars.

📚 Related Reading: Don’t miss Chelsea’s guides to the best Seattle restaurants and must-try Seattle dishes. 

Miner’s Drive-In

🍽️ Burgers | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 8194

Miner’s Drive-In is one of the best examples of classic Americana in Yakima. Miner’s is a family-owned burger joint serving some of the heartiest burgers in town. The Big Miner Burger could easily keep you full for quite a while afterward (trust me on this one!). 

Miner’s also serves other fast-food favorites, such as chicken strips and fish and chips. There’s a little more of a wait here than at other fast-food joints, but the extra time is well worth it.

Miner’s is also one of the oldest restaurants in Yakima, founded in 1948. 

Waffles Caffe

🍽️ Breakfast | $ | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 574 0920

Waffles Caffe is located in Fruitvale, one of the best places to stay in Yakima.

Waffles Caffe is a local go-to for good food and a no-frills, but nice atmosphere. The Belgian Waffles are one of the most popular items on the menu and there are several syrups to choose from, including a sugar-free maple syrup.

Waffles also has some excellent lunch options including familiar deli sandwiches and a whopping half-pound “monster burger.” The restaurant is a stone’s throw from the highway, so Waffles is a great place to grab some grub before heading on to other towns in Washington.

El Mirador 2

🍽️ Mexican | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 452 1202 

Yakima has lots of options when it comes to Mexican food, from sit-down restaurants to taco trucks.

El Mirador 2, though, maybe the most popular Mexican restaurant in Yakima. Most other Yakima restaurants have a few hundred Google reviews — this place has over 2,000!  

El Mirador 2 combines delicious food, an upbeat atmosphere, and friendly service. You’ll be seated quickly and there’s a ton of options to choose from on the food and drink menus. The jumbo margaritas here are a local favorite.

The restaurant is also right next to some of the best hotels in Yakima for travelers on a budget or those traveling with family.

Mel’s Diner

🍽️ Breakfast/American Diner | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 248 5382

Mel’s is the place to go if you feel like taking in some retro-diner vibes. It’s right between the downtown and Fruitvale neighborhoods on the corner of 1st Street and East Lincoln Ave. The menu includes breakfast stand-bys like omelets, french toast, and hash browns.

Mel’s stands out from other Yakima diners with its homemade soups and delicious milkshakes. Can you really be an old-school diner without them?

El Porton Mexican Restaurant

🍽️ Mexican | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 965 5422 

Come to this Mexican restaurant if you need to chase away the winter blues. The amazing food and bright, cheery atmosphere are the perfect remedy to the sometimes bleak winters and early springs in Yakima. Of course, it’s also worth visiting any other time of the year, too.

El Porton is a great place to visit around lunchtime. The margaritas range from $5.25 to $5.75. 

Olive Garden

🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 0485

Skeptical about going to a “chain” restaurant? Leave your doubts aside, because the Yakima Olive Garden is one of the most popular restaurants in town.

Locals love the Olive Garden because it offers great service and good food at a reasonable price. It’s also right around the corner from Yakima’s Capitol Theatre, making it a perfect place for dinner and a show.

Crafted

🍽️ New American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 426 2220

What would any PNW town be without a super-chic foodie haven featuring super-fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers? Crafted fits this bill perfectly. James Beard-nominated Chef Dan Koommoo and his wife Mollie offer great food on a menu that changes according to seasonal availability.

Crafted also offers a chef’s menu for tasting some of the highlights of its culinary repertoire. 

Stop by Crafted if you want an authentic taste of the Yakima Valley.

Los Hernández Tamales

🍽️ Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 6003

Yakima has tons of great places for Mexican food, but Los Hernández Tamales stands out from the rest.

Los Hernández Tamales is a humble mom-and-pop establishment that won a James Beard Award in 2018 for its authentic tamales. Los Hernández Tamales is a hidden gem tucked away in Union Gap, a Yakima neighborhood most visitors would easily overlook. 

Pepp’rmint Stick Drive-In

🍽️ Hamburgers | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 457 4374

This simple, family-friendly drive-in in Union Gap is another of the oldest restaurants in Yakima. The interior hearkens back to the 1950s and the menu is as Americana as it gets. Hearty burgers, crispy french fries, and rich milkshakes make it hard to walk away hungry from Peppr’mint Stick. 

Peppr’mint Stick also serves more modern takes on old-time favorites with menu entrees such as the savory BBQ Burger, the fiery Atomic Ghost Burger, and garlic fries. Peppr’mint Stick hosts a classic car show in August for an even more good-old-times atmosphere.

Minado Buffet

🍽️ Asian Buffet | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 895 7077

Minado is a classic Asian lunch buffet and one of the most popular restaurants in Yakima.

Minado features a wide variety of entrees from sushi to dim sum and more. It also has plenty of classic buffet desserts and the indispensable (but easily dispensed) soft-serve ice cream. You won’t need to wait long before being seated, even at the busiest hours.

Thai House

🍽️ Thai | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 469 8986 

Thai House is one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Yakima, offering authentic Thai recipes. Popular dishes include Pad Thai and curries.

The location of Thai House is hard to beat, too. It’s situated in the center of downtown and right next to one of the newest breweries in Yakima: the up-and-coming Shorthead Brewing.

Provisions Restaurant and Market

🍽️ American | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 452 8100

Provisions is one of the most unique restaurants in Yakima. Why? It offers a high-quality gift store offering items from local businesses around the Yakima area. You can buy craft beer, wine, and home decor items here, so it’s a great place to pick up a souvenir and get dinner at the same time.

The restaurant itself is also an amazing place. The atmosphere is elegant but casual, and the food is presented beautifully — and it’s tasty, too! The menu focuses on sophisticated takes on familiar favorites, such as burgers, steaks, ahi tuna, and more.

Kyoto Sushi & Steak House

🍽️ Japanese | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1919

Kyoto Sushi & Steak House sits close to the airport and Union Gap on Washington Ave. It serves sushi at a reasonable price, plus other Japanese food favorites. Kyoto has a hibachi grill and it’s a great place to sip on some sake or a Sapporo while waiting for your entrée.

Consider stopping by at lunchtime or a little later in the day when it offers dinner bento boxes. The sushi bar is also a good option if you want a quick lunch.

Apple Tree Restaurant

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞+1 509 966 7140 

The Apple Tree Resort has one of the best restaurants in Yakima for dining on the finer side. It’s also one of the best places to go if you fancy a game of golf before or after a meal, being located on the Apple Tree Golf Course. 

The resort’s name is a tribute to the apple orchards that are a pillar of the local economy. Similarly, the restaurant focuses on using fresh ingredients from local orchards and farms in the Yakima Valley. The cocktails here have some of the fanciest garnishes of any in the valley and are works of art in themselves.

Tony’s Big Cheese Pizza

🍽️ Pizza | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 575 7977

Tony’s is one of the best choices if you feel like dining in at your hotel room. It uses fresh dough and ingredients as much as possible and it shows — it’s one of Yakima’s favorite pizza joints. The pepperoni pizza is a local favorite and the menu includes great side orders such as breadsticks and wings.

The restaurant itself has limited seating, and people usually order out (note: Tony’s doesn’t do delivery). Either way, it’s worth ordering a pie or two from this place. 

Yakima Steak Company

🍽️ Steak House | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1472

Head to the Yakima Steak Company if you’re hankering for some of the best steaks in the area. It also has an extensive whiskey collection, all of which pairs magnificently with all the available steaks. There are also plenty of options for wine and beer if you’re not into whiskey.

There are other great things to eat here, too, such as the prime rib dip sandwich and filling entree salads. 

Mangoz On The Ave

🍽️ Asian Fusion | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 902 8350

Mangoz ranks among the best restaurants in Yakima for vegans and keto-dieters, with plenty of options for both. There are also mouth-watering burgers and classic Asian stand-by dishes such as orange chicken. There is, in a word, something for everyone here. All of its food is delicious and presented with a colorful flare. 

Taj Palace

🍽️ Indian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 494 1001

Don’t be fooled by the simple exterior of this restaurant — the dining here is fit for a king! The menu features a wide variety of authentic Indian food from spicy curries to savory garlic naan bread. There are plenty of vegetarian options along with hearty meat dishes. There is also a special clay oven for certain recipes, giving them an extra dose of authenticity.

Taj Palace also features a lunch buffet from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and a well-stocked bar. It’s the only place in Yakima where you can get a beer from India!

E.Z. Tiger

🍽️ Asian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 571 1977

E.Z. Tiger on East Chestnut Ave is one of the best restaurants in Yakima for outdoor dining. On average, Yakima sees around 300 sunny days a year and this eatery has a spacious outdoor seating area perfect for taking in the warm summer sun.

The indoor seating area is the yin to the patio’s yang — dark and sophisticated in contrast to the bright, easy-going vibes outside. Oh, and the food is amazing, too! The cuisine here is pan-Asian, so you can choose from favorites such as Pad Thai or fried rice.

E.Z. Tiger may be a smaller menu than other places to eat in Yakima, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality!

Zesta Cucina Restaurant & Bar

🍽️ Italian | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 972 2000

Zesta Cucina is one of the best places in Yakima for casual fine dining. The atmosphere is chic and cozy, but the restaurant is family-friendly, even if the aesthetic is geared more toward that perfect date night.

The menu leans more towards Italian cuisine but has other familiar up-scale entrees such as steak and Alaskan halibut. This Yakima restaurant is also a great place to do a little shopping before or after you eat. Zesta Cucina is located in the same building as several local boutique stores.

SeaGalley Restaurant

🍽️ Seafood | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 575 1216

Yakima may be far from the sea, but this seafood restaurant in the Union Gap neighborhood hauls in a fresh catch of delicious maritime fare and atmosphere. The detailed nautical decor makes it easy to forget you’re in the rolling arid hills of Central Washington! 

The restaurant features an extensive menu of seafood favorites as well as steaks and other items from more landward larders. It also serves breakfast with familiar staples such as omelets and combo plates. Even breakfast, though, has a few unique twists, such as coconut French toast! 

Bob’s Burgers & Brew

🍽️ Hamburgers/American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 895 7199

Yakima has a great balance of local restaurants and nationwide chains. Bob’s Burgers & Brew on Fair Ave is a great place for mouthwatering burgers and the best of local craft beers. There’s usually not too much of a waiting period, even at busier times like weekends.

Bob’s also has some great gluten-free and vegan options, which you may not expect at first from a burger joint/sports grill. It’s hard to beat Bob’s when it comes to great food and friendly staff, so be sure to stop in for a bite when visiting Yakima.

Old Town Station

🍽️ Breakfast/American Diner | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 453 8485

The Pacific Northwest is well-known as a mecca for foodies. Sometimes, though, you just want good old American fare, and Old Town Station is the place to go. This unfussy eatery in Union Gap is the perfect place for favorites like biscuits and gravy, eggs benedict, and omelets.

Old Town Station’s breakfast burritos are huge and there are also deli sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and steaks.

Old Town Station is a great place for friendly service and good food in Yakima. Old Town Station is also right across from the Yakima Mall, should you want to get some shopping done after breakfast.

Zullee (Kabob House)

🍽️ Mediterranean | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 509 469 0504

Yakima has a diverse culinary scene for a small city in central Washington. Zullee brings a little taste of the eastern Mediterranean to the valley. Zullee offers gyros, shawarma, and other favorites such as hummus and pita. The interior is simple but brightly decorated with photos and decor from Greece and the Middle East.

Well-seasoned with feta cheese, the Greek fries are one of the best side dishes in town, if you ask me. There are other classic Mediterranean side dishes available, too, such as dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves) and falafel. 

FAQs about Where to Eat in Yakima

***

Thanks for reading my guide to the best Yakima restaurants! You’ve already gotten a good glimpse of the grub and brews in town, but what would any Washington town be without great coffee? Check out my article on the best coffee shops in Yakima to learn more!