few years ago I made it my mission to find the best restaurants in Leavenworth, Washington. I’ve ended up in this Bavarian-themed town many times and every time I’m completely blown away by the food scene. I’ll just say it: there are plenty of edible foods.
But I can’t believe it’s all bad. That’s why I kept going through what I ate and Yelping restaurants like crazy. And bit by bit, I started looking for the best places to eat in Leavenworth.
Route 2—one of the roads you can take to get to Eastern Washington—runs right through Leavenworth, so whether you’re skiing or hiking, you’ll find yourself here at some point. And if you love Christmas, be sure to come here to see the Christmas lights and magical snow that takes over downtown Leavenworth.
Don’t try to eat mediocre food. Here are the best restaurants in Leavenworth, WA. heritage
When people ask me about restaurants in Leavenworth, Mana is the first place that comes to mind because I think it’s one of the best restaurants worth the drive from Seattle. It’s owned by Colin Patterson, one of the former owners of the defunct Sutra in Seattle (now Harvest Beat and one of my favorite vegan restaurants in Seattle).
Colin did a short internship on Top Chef Texas while still working at Sutra. He later admitted that he was going through a rough patch, but after finding yoga, he and his wife decided to move to a more remote area of Washington and open a restaurant and yoga space.
Colin Patterson of Man has created one of the best restaurants in Leavenworth. He’s a Top Chef Texas contender who has created one of the best places to eat in Leavenworth.
The concept of this restaurant is very similar to Sutra and Harvest Beat. It’s a multi-course meal that celebrates quality, locally sourced ingredients. From the outdoor kitchen, Colin prepares a great meal. And before he starts, he talks about the farms where it comes from and the concept behind each dish.
Basin Cafe
Watershed Cafe is another locally sourced, ingredient-driven restaurant that highlights the flavors of the Pacific Northwest. But Mana felt differently.
While Mana is a multi-course tasting menu, it feels more casual thanks to the light, airy decor and personal connection with the chef. The Watershed Cafe has an a la carte menu and wine list, but the lights are dimmed and it has a more romantic atmosphere.
And while Watershed Cafe is also a restaurant in Leavenworth, WA obsessed with honoring quality ingredients, their dishes are more fun and comforting than Mana’s fancier concepts. For example, at the time of writing, their menu includes bacon and jalapeño cream cheese bruschetta with dill.
This is one of the restaurants in Leavenworth that requires reservations. Don’t try to run away. The one time we tried we were literally told no!
Yodelin Broth Company
It’s right in the center of Leavenworth, but it’s on the edge of the main drag hidden from the tourist crowds thanks to its location under the stairs on the side of the building. On the main road, you can find it in the beer garden next to the stairs leading to the restaurant. You might think it’s a beer garden, but it’s pretty cool (albeit casual) inside.
You order at the bar and then take a number and seat. They serve a lot of soups, salads and sandwiches so it’s a great place for a healthier meal. But you’ll also find comfort food like garlic bread and freshly made burgers that rival some of the best burgers in Seattle.
I was intrigued by the sweet potato banh mi but was on the fence until the local line told us it was her favorite. Well, I’m so glad I listened to him. This sweet potato banh mi is the best dish in Leavenworth, Washington. It’s so delicious that even meat eaters won’t want pork. This place is good for groups and does not require reservations. If you can only go to one of the best restaurants in Leavenworth, Washington, make sure this place is on your list!
Munich House
When you are in Bavaria, you eat German food. Or at least that’s the thought process when you’re in Leavenworth for Oktoberfest and you’ve had one too many beers.
One of those beer nights I discovered the worst garden of the München Haus Leavenworth. It is a beautiful outdoor garden heated by lamps and fire pits. You order brat or German sausage at the window and add sauerkraut stewed in cider and various mustards at the spice bar. It’s like a real Bavarian experience, especially when you cozy up by the fire in winter. Many people go to the Andreas Keller restaurant for an authentic Bavarian vibe, but München Haus is more affordable, relaxed and, I would say, authentic.
München Haus is one of the best restaurants in Leavenworth, Washington to grab a bite to eat when you’re short on time. I often visit Leavenworth to come here as a stop on our way to Washington destinations. And I always have jalapeño cheddar sausage or “Bob” sausage and top it with slaw and mustard. It never disappoints!
Leavenworth Cheesesteak Co.
This is a small food stand that many tourists miss on this side street off the main drag. However, they do make very tasty cheesesteaks that are worth seeking out. The flat grill is outside, so you can watch them prepare your food to order through the Plexiglas.
Tumwater Bakery
This area is also on a side street off the main road in Leavenworth. It’s huge inside with heated tents lining their parking lot out back. They have a selection of pastries to choose from, but the pizza is here. It’s made to order Neapolitan-style with a crispy crust somewhere between a baguette and a New York-style pizza. This place can definitely compete with some of the best pizza in Seattle!
La Javelina
This best restaurant in Leavenworth is located off the main road on US-2 in a small strip mall. Still, it’s worth the trip because they make really delicious comfort food. The cuisine is a mix of Texan and Mexican, with menu items like tacos, grilled sandwiches, and even homemade kahlua!
Be sure to check out the pies, chicken tacos and McClintock sandwiches if they’re on the menu. The patty is a pastry filled with beef and cheese a la cheeseburger, baked with crispy cheddar on top.
The chicken taco is very tasty. Since I never choose chicken tacos because they are so dry, the fact that they are my favorite is a testament to their execution.
Finally, the McClintock is a turkey sandwich with herbs and pimento cheese. It’s a stomach bomb and a super mess, but you can’t stop thinking about the interesting combination of flavors.
Gingerbread Factory
This popular bakery is located right on Front Street, so come here off-peak. Despite the crowds, this is one of the best restaurants in Leavenworth, Washington when you want something sweet. They have a variety of gingerbread and other goodies that are worth the hype.
I usually order one of their simple gingerbread and soft iced cookies. I love how the gingerbread is soft and not too sweet, plus the ice cream is not on top but tastes like a fresh spread.
J5 Coffee
There are actually two J5 locations in Leavenworth, one on 9th Street and one right in the heart of the action on Front Street. While I love how the Front Street location pours coffee, I prefer the 9th street location because it’s quieter and has a cute gift shop where you can walk around without bumping into people.
J5 roasts its own coffee, so come here if you want to check out the best local coffee roasters in Washington.
Whistle Punk ice cream
This ice cream shop is very close to the Front Street location in J5. They make everything from scratch to the cookies in their ice cream. Their ice cream has a good, soft texture and a very interesting taste. One of my favorites is delicious coffee!
SOUTH
South is closed during the pandemic, but it’s usually a lively place to eat in Leavenworth with great margaritas and killer tacos.
Andreas Keller
There are many German restaurants in Leavenworth, but most are mediocre. This is the best I could find, tucked away in the basement of a store on Front Street. My German friend says they have the most authentic menu of the lot and points me to their schnitzel. Definitely come here if you want authentic German food!
Blewett Brewery
I remember eating a solid wood pizza at a place called Idlewild one year on Valentine’s Day (after we tried going to the Watershed Cafe without a reservation…not recommended). It was closed the following year.
But I realized what happened. It didn’t close. It merged with Blewett Brewery and now shares the same space. Many people go to Icicle Brewing on Main Street in Leavenworth, but I prefer this brewery way back for less people. I usually get a sample of one of the beers on tap and I’m rarely disappointed.
The pizza has nice toppings, like the “rancher” with chicken, bacon and ranch dressing. This is not where you come to pontificate about crus
