Anacortes is a working town. The fishing boats come in at Seafarers Memorial Park, the ferry lines form before sunrise, and most people passing through are either heading somewhere or coming back from one of the San Juan Islands.
This isn’t a food destination in the way Bellingham or La Conner have become. It’s a town that happens to have good food, and the best of it tends to reflect where it sits: on the water, at the edge of the islands, with access to seafood that didn’t travel far to get to your plate.
Adrift Restaurant
Adrift sits on Commercial Avenue. The menu changes with the season, the ingredients are locally sourced, and the room is relaxed and unpretentious. The cocktail list gets attention, and the seafood preparations tend to be the strongest part of the menu. This is the place for a slow dinner after a day on the water or a visit to Washington Park. Reservations are a good idea in summer, when Anacortes fills up with ferry traffic and island-bound visitors.
Brown Lantern Ale House
Brown Lantern has been on Commercial Avenue long enough that locals stop noticing it. It’s a pub in the straightforward sense: burgers, sandwiches, local beers on tap, and a room that doesn. It’s the right call for a casual lunch or an afternoon beer after the Cap Sante viewpoint. Grab the patio in good weather.
Two More Local Picks
Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery opens at 7am and closes at 2pm, which tells you what it’s for. The baking is done from scratch using organic flours and the menu runs from the expected (eggs, pancakes) to the specific (smoked salmon eggs Benedict, a Washington Turkey sandwich that is on the lunch menu). The cinnamon rolls are large enough for sharing. It’s a reliable morning stop before a ferry or a long drive. Weekends get busy — show up early or be patient.
Fidalgo Drive-In has been at 2908 Commercial Avenue since 1964, and the menu reflects that era without apology: burgers, fish and chips, clam chowder, onion rings, and milkshakes. The Dungeness crab sandwich is a local favorite. It’s the thing that separates it from any other drive-in. In summer, order the blackberry shake. Made with real berries and thick enough to make you work for it.
A Note on Timing
Anacortes absorbs a lot of traffic in spring and summer: tulip season overflow from La Conner and Skagit Valley (worth a read if you’re planning a spring trip,) ferry passengers waiting for departures, and visitors using the town as a base for island day trips. Lunch in particular can get compressed around ferry schedules. If you’re eating before a 1pm departure, plan accordingly: the spots on Commercial Avenue get busy in the 11am to noon window. Calico Cupboard fills early on weekend mornings. Adrift at dinner tends to move more smoothly with a reservation. The drive-in is walk-up by design and handles crowds without much friction.
Staying in Anacortes
If you’re planning time in the area, staying in Anacortes puts you close to the ferry terminals, Washington Park, and Cap Sante, and within easy reach of the Skagit Valley, La Conner, and the San Juan Islands. Our Rosario Ridge property sits above the bay with views that carry on a clear day to the islands. Have a look if you’re figuring out where to base yourself.
For more on what to do while you’re here, our guide to things to do in Anacortes WA covers the ground beyond the restaurants. or more restaurant picks across our other areas, see Eat Like a Local.