Best Restaurants in Olympia
Who says every blog post here has to be about insulation? I want to take a few minutes to talk about something else I love…food!
Olympia isn’t a big city. It’s not Seattle. It’s not trying to be. What it is though, is a town where the food scene quietly punches way, way above its weight. You won’t find velvet ropes or celebrity chefs — just serious flavor, a sense of place, and meals that stick with you longer than some memories.
Here are five of my favorite restaurants in Olympia.
1. Basilico Ristorante
Walk into Basilico on a rainy evening and you’ll catch that familiar whiff of garlic, truffle, and fresh pasta that somehow smells like coming home. Nestled in the historic district downtown, Basilico is no red-sauce Italian joint. The staff focus hard on Northern Italian flavors — house-made pappardelle, rich wild boar ragù, aged balsamic drizzled like a blessing over grilled radicchio.
The wine list reads like a love letter to Tuscany and Piedmont. One night, I just sat back, glass of Barolo in hand, letting the chatter of Italian expats around me set the mood. Basilico isn’t about flash; it’s about doing it right.
2. Budd Bay Café
Perched right over the sparkling waters of Budd Inlet, Budd Bay Café has been a local institution for decades — and not in the sad, dusty way some “institutions” are. It’s where fresh seafood meets laid-back comfort. Their Dungeness crab Benedict at brunch has this kind of cult following; the crab melts like butter under the tangy hollandaise.
There’s nothing fancy about the wood-paneled interior, but who cares? Watching the sailboats and kayakers drift by with a Bloody Mary in hand, you’re reminded that simple joys hit the hardest.
3. Olympia Oyster House
The Olympia Oyster House is as old as it is quality. It first opened in 1859 and has been shucking oysters and slinging seafood ever since. The place has serious creaky-floorboard charm, and the kind of slightly chaotic service that just feels right when you’re working through a cold dozen fresh oysters.
They’re best known, naturally, for the Olympia oyster — the tiny native variety that practically disappeared for a while. Here, you can try them raw, baked, or Rockefeller-style, heavy with butter and breadcrumbs. Pro tip: go at happy hour. The prices are better and the crowd feels rowdier in the best way.
4. Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar
Chelsea Farms isn’t just a restaurant; it’s the polished face of one of the top sustainable shellfish farms in Washington. Inside the sleek 222 Market building, their oyster bar feels urban and airy — white subway tile, open kitchen, cozy banquettes.
Beyond the stellar raw oysters (they usually offer 5-7 varieties daily), Chelsea Farms leans creative without being fussy. Think Manila clam chowder that’s brothy instead of gloopy, or geoduck crudo with citrus and chiles. I once split a tower of oysters and prawns with a friend here, and halfway through we just stopped talking, totally focused on slurping and smiling.
5. Cascadia Grill
Cascadia Grill is a downtown Olympia staple that defies easy categorization. It’s a Northwest brasserie with a quirky twist, celebrating the independent spirit, food, wine, and craft beer of the Pacific Northwest — and Bigfoot!
The menu is extensive, offering something for everyone. Meat lovers can indulge in dishes like the garlic flank steak or the Indochine baguette with marinated flat iron steak. Vegetarians and vegans aren’t left out either, with a separate menu featuring options like the Impossible burger, tofu schnitzel sandwich, and vegan chili.
The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with a funky and fun vibe that’s family-owned and operated. It’s a place where you can enjoy a hearty meal, a glass of local wine or craft beer, and maybe even catch some live music on a Wednesday or Saturday evening.
Olympia’s food scene isn’t polished and it’s not trying to win Michelin stars. It’s real. It’s delicious. It’s the kind of place where a bowl of pasta, a raw oyster, or a perfect sandwich can crack open your day like sunlight through the clouds. If you know, you know. And if you don’t yet — well, what are you waiting for?