According to this article from Thrillist, Washington State is eighth on their panel's "unassailable hierarchy of state-by-state deliciousness." With everything from oysters to Dungeness crab, "the state manages to overtake the entire western seaboard when it comes to seafood." Seafood is not the only culinary delight Washington State has to offer and Seattle is not the sole locus for good eats. From fine dining restaurants like Bistro San Martin in Arlington to family-friendly spots like Katsu Burger in Lake Stevens, Snohomish County has it all. Whether you live here or are visiting on vacation, follow below for our list of the seven best restaurants in Snohomish County.
For Fine Dining in Snohomish County
The Chef Behind the Curtain in Snohomish
Found in Historic Downtown Snohomish, The Chef Behind the Curtain has received quite a bit of press in recent months. Co-owned by Joel Childs and Bex Woolman, the restaurant combines classical European techniques with a modern, PNW-inspired approach to fine dining. Plates are arranged incredibly artistically by The Chef and his staff. For the Spring Prix Fixe Menu, the restaurant grew and harvested its own microgreens. The Summer menu featured handmade pasta, charred tomatoes and more.
In a review for The Herald Net, Taylor Goebel describes The Chef Behind the Curtain as one of Snohomish's "best fine dining destinations." According to Goebel, Childs' colorful plates of local fare are "edible architecture," but the restaurant is anything but "snooty." Reasonably priced despite the incredible ingredients and shocking attention to detail, The Chef Behind the Curtain hopes to attract epicures at every price point. They just launched their Autumn Prix Fixe Menu this week.
The Chef Behind the Curtain is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 8 PM. Given the demand for their eleven-course tasting menu, The Chef Behind the Curtain does require guests to make a reservation online. While the restaurant is booked out for much of October, they do have availability over the next few weekends. To make a reservation for this weekend or next, head to their reservation portal here.
Bistro San Martin in Arlington
Next on our list of the best restaurants in Snohomish County is Bistro San Martin in Arlington. Like The Chef Behind the Curtain, Bistro San Martin is open only for dinner. Unlike The Chef Behind the Curtain, Bistro San Martin serves guests Tuesday through Saturday, but is closed Sunday and Monday.
Head Chef and owner Martín Estrada-Perez carefully crafts a seasonal menu of what he describes as "world-inspired regional cuisine." Favorites from the menu include their warm feta cheese appetizer, escargot starter, poached pear salad and Dungeness crab cakes. In addition to specialty cocktails and freshly-prepared entrées, the chef also creates unique desserts each and every day. The food is relatively affordable and the wine list is extensive.
On Yelp, reviewers describe Bistro San Martin as having "delicious food, romantic atmosphere, [and] upscale decor." TripAdvisor's reviewers describe the restaurant as "top-notch," "memorable" and the perfect place to "impress a date or have a special occasion meal." Diners consistently praise the service, wine list, appetizers and portion sizes.
The Herbfarm in Woodinville
Third on our list of Snohomish County restaurants is The Herbfarm. For a charming five-diamond restaurant with deep connections to the surrounding community, The Herbfarm cannot be beat. With ingredients sourced from the owners' own farm and elsewhere across the PNW, The Herbfarm is truly "farm-to-table" fine dining.
This restaurant was founded way back in 1986 by Ron and his wife Carrie Van Dyck. Carrie and Ron are son and daughter-in-law of the farm's original owners Bill and Lola Zimmerman. The restaurant was devastated by a horrific fire in 1997, but was later rebuilt alongside a new farm in Woodinville. The farm was established in 2001 as a pea patch. It has since grown from that little pea patch into a diverse site with bee hives and heritage crops. In 2010, Chris Weber and Jack Gingrich took the reins from Ron and Carrie Van Dyck, "carrying The Herbfarm into its third generation." Today, their staff includes local talents like Chef Chris Weber, Chef de Cuisine Kingsley Fuller and Head Farmer Paul Houser.
The Herbfarm recommends guests make reservations up to four months in advance of their intended date. Priced at $305 before tax and gratuity, dinner includes a nine-course chef-selected menu. It also includes the diner's choice of regionally-sourced wine, beer or botanical beverages. As noted on the website, "dinner is a single seating starting at 7 PM Thursday through Saturday and starting at 4:30 on Sunday."
Their menu changes often, so be sure to visit their website beforehand unless you would like to be surprised. Above is a photo of one plate from their Spring menu. The plate boasts a stunning display of smoked sturgeon, knotweed, crispy Aleria kelp and coriander wrapped in lettuce.
For a Family-Friendly Affair in Snohomish County
Andy's Fish House in Snohomish
If you are in search of a family-friendly spot instead of fine-dining, we recommend. Andy's Fish House. According to the restaurant's website, Andy's Fish House serves "live, local and fresh seafood...in a casual atmosphere." An industrial interior and expansive outdoor seating area make this restaurant fun and easy-going for families of all ages. Andy's Fish House offers all the classics, including crab cakes, calamari, oyster shooters, prawn pasta and fish tacos.
Yelp reviewers describe Andy's as their "go to place when looking for fish for dinner." Reviewer Lia A. said "everything was perfectly cooked and was oh so fresh." TripAdvisor's reviewers have had similar experiences, recommending the "excellent cod" and "fresh steamer clams." In fact, the restaurant is rated #2 of 65 spots in Snohomish!
Katsu Burger in Lake Stevens
Another favorite family-friendly Snohomish County restaurant is Katsu Burger in Lake Stevens. This casual burger joint offers deep-fried Japanese burgers and delicious sandwiches that have been featured on Food Network and Travel Channel programs. While the Lake Stevens location shut down during the pandemic, it reopened in September to the delight of countless locals.
With an outstanding 4.5 stars on Yelp, Katsu Burger is constantly raved about by reviewers. Yelp reviewers Teresa F and Ashley H recommend the Kyoto Mushroom Melt, Curry Fries and Classic Chicken Burger. Reviewer Ashley H notes that all the burgers were "big and juicy," while the fries are numerous and super hot. Both the fries and ranch dressing are sprinkled with nori, a touch many reviewers enjoyed. Katsu Burger is open every day of the week from 11 AM to 8 PM except for Tuesday.
For a Romantic Date Night for Snohomish County
Rustic Cork Wine Bar & Bistro in Mill Creek
If a romantic date night is on the horizon for you and a special someone, we suggest Rustic Cork Wine Bar & Bistro. Not only one of the best Snohomish County restaurants, Rustic Cork is also one of the best Snohomish County bars. In addition to an extensive list of Washington wines, the bistro also offers appetizers like charcuterie boards, truffle popcorn and gorgonzola-stuffed dates. Their brunch menu is also incredibly popular, as are weekly events like trivia and craft nights.
Rustic Cork was actually Lake Stevens' very first wine bar, and the owners have plans to open a second location in 2024. Yelp reviewers love the "ambiance and smooth decor" of Rustic Cork. They recommend the wine list,"highly addicting" truffle popcorn and "shareable food." Their new Fall menu includes baked brie with fig jam, an arugula salad, caramel apple cheesecake and apple cider mimosas. Open every day of the week, you can find the Bar & Bistro's full schedule on their website.
MoMo Sushi in Mill Creek
Last on our list of Snohomish County restaurants and bars is MoMo Sushi in Mill Creek -- another great spot for a date night. MoMo Sushi is a unique sushi bar offering sashimi, salads, hot dishes and desserts. Founded by Chef Anthony in 2018, the restaurant is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Yelp reviewers consistently favor the Evergreen Roll, Ninja Roll and Miso Black Cod Roll. The restaurant is open every day except for Tuesday, offering Happy Hour deals each afternoon. Check their website for a full schedule.
Looking for More to Do in Snohomish County this Fall?
Are you looking for more to do in Snohomish County this Fall -- either on vacation or as a local? Before the weather turns, we recommend checking out a few of the best nature trails in Snohomish County. For example, popular hiking trails like Centennial and Heather Lake are beloved by both tourists and Pacific Northwest locals. You can also watch the Fall leaves change color at North Cascades National Park or take a whale-watching tour in Anacortes. Apple picking at Skipley Farm in Snohomish is another fun adventure! For ideas on where to go in Washington in the Spring, head over to our blog for "8 Things to Do in Northwest Washington this Spring", or if you would rather stay inside and stay cozy read, "The Danish Concept of Hygge and the Comfort of Home".
As Snohomish County locals, our team has dined at a few of the incredible restaurants listed above. With Winter approaching, we know how important it is to come home to a cozy house after braving cold weather for a delicious meal. If you want to remodel your Snohomish County home this year or next, reach out to the team at Vanderbeken Remodel. You can learn more about us here.
