Looking for the best restaurants in Spokane? Man, I get it. When I first moved here ten years back, I must've wasted hundreds of dollars on mediocre meals before finding the true gems. Spokane's food scene isn't like Seattle's – we don't have flashy Michelin stars plastered everywhere. Instead, we've got these incredible neighborhood spots where chefs actually remember your name. Places where you'll find elk carpaccio next to perfect mac 'n cheese on the same menu. After eating at over 80 spots in the last two years (my waistline hates me), here's the straight talk you won't find on those generic listicles.
Spokane's Absolute Must-Try Restaurants Right Now
Forget those "top 10" lists recycled every year. These are the places locals actually line up for:
Churchill's Steakhouse
Okay, yes it's fancy. But holy cow (pun intended), their dry-aged ribeye haunts my dreams. Found inside the historic Davenport Hotel at 10 S Post St, Spokane, WA 99201. Open 5-10pm Tue-Sat. You'll drop about $65-$90 per steak, but it's that special-occasion splurge. Pro tip: their bacon-wrapped dates? Unreal. Last anniversary dinner here cost me $280 for two with wine, but zero regrets. Parking's brutal though – valet only.
Ruins
Don't let the sketchy location fool you (801 W Cleveland Ave). This place is Spokane's worst-kept secret. Open 4-10pm Tue-Sun. Their menu changes daily but always has wild stuff like kangaroo sliders or duck confit poutine. Entrees $18-$32. The bone marrow with sourdough? I'd fight someone for the last bite. Noise level is insane when crowded – maybe skip if you want quiet conversation.
| Restaurant | Address | Hours | Must-Order | Price (Entrées) | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Sage Bistro | 916 W 2nd Ave | 11am-9pm Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat | Dungeness Crab Cakes | $24-38 | Upscale casual |
| Inland Pacific Kitchen | 1429 W Broadway Ave | 5-9pm Wed-Sat | Smoked Mushroom Risotto | $22-36 | Modern industrial |
| Frank's Diner | 1516 W 2nd Ave | 7am-2pm daily | Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs | $12-16 | Historic train car |
Where Locals Actually Eat Breakfast (No Tourist Traps)
Bruncheon might get all the Instagram love, but these spots won't make you wait 90 minutes:
Old European at 1520 W Hawthorne Rd - Opens at 7am daily. Their Danish pancakes? Fluffier than my pillow. Cash only though – annoying when you forget. $9-15 plates.
Chaps Coffee Co. (830 E Augusta Ave) opens at 6:30am weekdays. Best breakfast burrito in town. Owner remembers regulars' orders. $8 gets you loaded.
Insider Hack: Want Bruncheonette's famous lemon ricotta pancakes without the wait? Go Wednesday at 10:30am sharp. Took me three tries to nail that timing.
Hidden Gems You'd Drive Past (But Shouldn't)
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian
Tucked away at 621 W Mallon Ave. Open 11am-8pm Tue-Sat. No fancy decor here, but their veggie combo platter ($17) will make carnivores question life choices. Eat with your hands – so fun with kids. Only flaw? Tiny space fills fast.
Gander & Ryegrass
This place baffled me. Looks like a hipster bar at 401 W Main Ave but serves insane scallops with pork belly ($32). Open 4-10pm Tue-Sat. Chef came out to explain each dish – felt fancy without pretension.
Best Restaurants in Spokane by Category
Because sometimes you need pizza at midnight, not foie gras:
| Category | Winner | Runner-Up | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date Night | Churchill's | Wild Sage | 10 S Post St | Book 3 weeks ahead |
| Budget Eats | Wisconsinburger | Phonthip Thai | 10825 E Sprague Ave | $10 epic burgers |
| Vegetarian | Mizuna | Rüt Bar & Kitchen | 214 N Howard St | Tempeh Reuben legendary |
| Late Night | The Satellite | Ziggy's | 425 W Sprague Ave | Open till 2am Fri/Sat |
| Family Dining | Frank's Diner | Borracho Tacos | 1516 W 2nd Ave | Kids eat free Tue |
Spokane Restaurant FAQs They Don't Tell You
Real questions from my neighbors after years of being "the food guy":
What's the best restaurant in Spokane with a view?
Cliff House at Falls Park (509 Howard St). Food's decent (try the salmon), but you're paying for panorama windows overlooking the falls. Best sunset spot. Entrées $28-42.
Where can I get great food past 10pm?
The Satellite Diner (425 W Sprague Ave). Open 24/7. Their chili cheese fries cure hangovers better than Gatorade. Cash only after midnight though.
What's overhyped in Spokane?
Anthony's at the Falls. Yeah, it's pretty. But the seafood? I've had better frozen fish sticks. Pricey for what it is.
Best patio dining?
Nectar Wine Bar (1331 W Summit Pkwy). Hidden backyard garden feels like Tuscany. Small plates $9-18. Their burrata with honeycomb? *Chef's kiss*
Neighborhood Breakdown: Where to Eat Right Now
Downtown Spokane
Lunch: Honey Eatery & Social Club (317 E Sherman Ave) - Fried chicken sandwich worth the mess ($14). Closes at 2pm sharp.
Dinner: Italia Trattoria (144 S Cannon St) - Family-run. Their gnocchi melts in your mouth ($24). Tiny place – whisper or everyone hears.
Kendall Yards
Casual: Wandering Table (1242 W Summit Pkwy) - "Global small plates" sounds pretentious but their pork belly steam buns ($14) are magic.
Date Spot: Gander & Ryegrass – Mixologists here are artists. Try the smoked maple old fashioned ($13).
South Hill
Family Feast: Luna (5620 S Perry St) - Massive portions. Their mac 'n cheese could feed three ($19). Gets loud during soccer games.
Coffee Fix: Rockwood Bakery (315 E 18th Ave) - Opens 7am. Almond croissants? Life-changing. Get there before 9am or they're gone.
Price vs. Value: Where Your Money Actually Goes Far
Let's be real – sometimes Churchill's isn't in the budget. Here's where quality meets affordability:
| Restaurant | Best Deal | Price | Why It Rocks | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsinburger | Friday fish fry | $14 | Massive cod portions | Cash only |
| Queen of Sheba | Veggie combo | $17 | Feeds two easily | No alcohol |
| Phonthip Thai | Panang curry lunch | $12 | Spice level customizable | Slow service when busy |
| Ziggy's Pizza | Slice & beer combo | $7 | Open late, thick crust | College crowd noise |
Seasonal Alert: Between September-October, hit South Hill's Nectar Wine Bar for their heirloom tomato salad. Chef sources from one farm in Green Bluff – tastes like summer exploded on your plate.
Special Diets Done Right in Spokane
As someone whose niece has celiac disease, I've done the legwork:
Gluten-Free: Boots Bakery (24 W Main Ave) - Entirely GF kitchen. Lavender scones? Better than regular ones. Opens 8am.
Vegan: Mizuna (214 N Howard St) - Not just salads. Their vegan meatloaf ($19) fools carnivores.
Dairy-Free: Rüt Bar & Kitchen (422 W Riverside Ave) - Cashew "cheese" nachos ($16) actually satisfy cravings.
Keto/Paleo: The Flying Goat (3314 W Northwest Blvd) - Grass-fed burgers in lettuce wraps ($15). Sub fries for roasted broccoli.
When You Just Need... (Quick Recommendations)
- Coffee & Pastry: Indaba Coffee (1425 W Broadway Ave) - Cardamom bun at 6:30am
- Quick Lunch: Diablo's Sandwich Shop (117 N Howard St) - Spicy Diablo sandwich ($11)
- Date Impress: Italia Trattoria - Ask for patio seating
- Group Dinner: Wandering Table - Order 2 plates per person
- Celebration: Churchill's - Tell them it's your anniversary
My Spokane Restaurant Regrets (Learn From My Mistakes)
Been burned so you don't have to:
Anthony's at the Falls: Paid $42 for undercooked halibut. View doesn't fix that.
O'Doherty's Irish Grille: Corned beef was dry as cardboard. Stick to beer here.
Brunch at The Yards Bruncheon: Two-hour wait for lukewarm eggs Benedict? Never again.
Parking at Ruins: Got towed once circling for spots. Now I Uber.
Look, Spokane's best restaurants aren't about white tablecloths or celebrity chefs. It's about that perfect elk burger at Ruins after hiking Bowl & Pitcher. Or Frank's Diner hash browns curing your hangover while sitting in a 1906 train car. It's chef-owned spots where they remember how you like your steak. Forget flashy chains – our magic is in these local joints. After ten years here, I still find new favorites hiding in plain sight. Maybe I'll see you at Queen of Sheba next Tuesday? I'll be the guy fighting his kid for the last bite of injera.
Comment