Locals’ favorite summertime dining destinations
There’s still plenty of time to make the most of the Yakima Valley’s signature, sunny, summertime days. The days might be getting a little bit shorter, but the valley’s warm evenings are still made for lingering outdoors. Where should you head for warm-weather afternoons and evenings with fantastic foods? Check out our line-up of outdoor dining destinations around the Yakima Valley.
COURTYARDS & PATIOS
Café 11th Avenue
This quaint restaurant is one of the Yakima Valley’s go-to brunch stops but don’t forget about their house-made lunch specialties. You’ve never seen anything quite like the Monstrous Mimosa or the Monstrous Mary. In addition to cozy inside spaces, their patio is a perfect place to spend a weekend morning or long lunch.
What to Try: You can’t miss with the piled high brunch plates featuring all the classic favorites with creative twists. Lunchtime is for pastas and signature sandwiches such as house-made prime rib dips.
The Distillarium
Head here for award-winning spirits handcrafted with the practices of master distillers from bygone eras. Settle in under an umbrella or pergolas on their cozy patio or enjoy an afternoon on the lawn.
What to Try: Sample flights of Distillarium’s signature spirits along with creatively crafted cocktails made with their whiskey, brandy, moonshine, vodka and more. Share perfect food pairings from the Bourbon Board and the Pretzel Board. Other delicious dishes include shrimp and grits and agave ahi tacos. Reservations highly recommended.
The Kiln
This taproom is born of inspiration between a group of family and friends with roots in the Valley’s ag and hop industries. Relax by the indoor/outdoor fireplace on the covered patio or enjoy the half-acre yard and unique “beer berm.”
What to Try: Share artisan pizzas and unique small bites, along with specialty sandwiches and an array of local and regional craft beer, cider and wine options.
McGuire’s Irish Pub
Settle in on the secluded outdoor patio under the shade of an umbrella, surrounded by greenery, at this iconic, multi-generational, family-owned restaurant and bar.
What to Try: Order one of the made-from-scratch specials offered daily, along with homemade clam chowder or 10-ounce prime rib on Fridays. Don’t skip the authentic, homemade Irish soda bread, available by the slice, basket or loaf to take home and the authentic Reuben sandwich.
Public House of Yakima West and East
How about 120 craft beverage taps at two locations? Both west and east locations boast outstanding patio spaces with a variety of seating and outdoor games and activities. Both locations promise plenty of shade.
What to Try: The monthly flatbread specials never disappoint, but the giant Bavarian pretzel with beer mustard and beer cheese is a must. At the east location, sample grilled sandwiches. Keep an eye on their social channels for outdoor grilling days at both locations during the summer. Did we mention the 120 taps? They serve up a wide, rotating selection of local and regional craft beer and cider, along with local wine.
Provisions Restaurant + Market
This charming Terrace Heights restaurant has two outdoor spaces for your warm-weather dining. Just off the main dining room and open to the indoors (weather permitting), enjoy the enclosed, contemporary courtyard with large umbrellas and strands of lights. The Coop is an expansive outdoor space surrounded by fruit bins as a nod to the Yakima Valley’s ag roots. Umbrellas and shade sails are much welcome on warmer days. The Coop is graced with a dedicated bar for your summer pleasures. Check Resy for reservations.
What to Try: Sample spring and summer flavors featuring seasonal ingredients on the always creative fresh sheet, innovative, ice-cold cocktails and rotating seasonal slushies.
WaterFire Restaurant & Bar
Take in glimpses of the hills surrounding Yakima from this large, private, enclosed courtyard. Dine under under bright umbrellas and new shade sails. Reserve your patio table online or call ahead.
What to Try: This is your spot for the freshest seafood in the Yakima Valley, so enjoy a Thai lettuce wrap on a warm day, along with locals’ favorite WaterFire calamari, premium steak and seafood from the grill and rotating seasonal cocktails and zero-proof creations.
Whistlin’ Jack’s Outpost and Lodge
This refuge has been a mountain mainstay for decades. It’s the perfect place to slow down and relish a leisurely afternoon or evening alongside the Naches River. Make a night (or weekend of it) and reserve a room at the Lodge.
What to Try: Enjoy full menu service on the patio. Try hearty burgers and sandwiches from the grill for lunch. For dinner, smoked salmon straws and truffle sea salt fries are a good place to start. Steak and seafood specialties make for a memorable evening.
WIDE OPEN SPACES
Bron Yr Aur Brewing
In addition to being an award-winning brewery, Bron Yr Aur also serves up fantastic handcrafted pizza and other house-made specialties to be savored on their covered patio and sweeping green space nestled against the Cascade Mountain foothills off of Highway 12 just before the point where two scenic byways meet. There’s plenty of room for family fun.
What to Try: Signature pizzas on beer-infused crust, house-made pretzels with beer-infused cheese and beer-infused brownie desserts are all local favorites with a nod to being in the heart of hop country and on the Hop Country Craft Beer Trail.
Cowiche Creek Brewing Co.
Tucked into the Naches Heights hillside, the expansive outdoor space affords views of the surrounding canyons. In summertime, the indoor dining space opens onto a lovely patio and you’ll find abundant seating under large shade structures on the sweeping lawn.
What to Try: Signature chuck and brisket burgers can’t be missed. In addition, they regularly roll out house-made specialties ranging from freshly shucked oysters and lobster rolls to birria specialties, and house-smoked prime rib dips. Tiny Dog Session IPA is a favorite, named after the brewery owners’ pint-sized black lab.
HopTown Wood-Fired Pizza – Donald and Sunnyside
Just a few minutes down I-82 in Donald, WA, stake your spot in the Hop Yard. The dining space outside the lovingly restored 1911 mercantile country store building makes for a perfect summer afternoon and evening. Enhanced with lush hops, vintage wagon wheels and wine barrels, along with lawn activities and games, this is an ideal summertime stop. NEWS: Check out the patio at their recently opened Sunnyside location.
What to Try: Any of the hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas finished with a sprinkle of Cascade hops are a win, but don’t skip the seasonal specials or the elote corn dip! At the Donald location, enjoy your favorite Yakima Valley craft beverages from the taps built into an Airsteam trailer, along with their house ciders.
The Outskirts Brewing Co.
This is Yakima’s newest addition to the Hop Country Craft Beer Trail. They feature a full-service restaurant inside and a smaller menu for dining on the expansive patio overlooking a large green space, outdoor stage and creek.
What to Try: Enjoy house bratwursts and burger, truffle fries and house favorite arancini (crisp, breaded parmesan risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and served with marinara). Of course, don’t miss the craft brews and cocktails! Outskirts just debuted their first house-brewed beer, Canyon Crusher.
DINING WITH A VIEW
Apple Tree Grill
Whether you golf or not, dine at the Apple Tree Resort. Who doesn’t love a great view? Take in the iconic view of the hills, the golf course, the apple-shaped 17th hole and the century-old apple orchards.
What to Try: Whether you choose the deck or the Slice Outdoor Lounge, the daily breakfast is a must before hitting the green. Casual favorites abound on afternoon and evening menus.
Canyon River Grill
Dine at the only restaurant in the Yakima River Canyon, just feet from the Yakima River. The large wooden deck, boasting a new shade structure and enclosure, is on the second story of the building. Take in picturesque views of the Yakima River, the boat launch and dramatic, basalt canyon walls.
What to Try: The menu changes often, but premium seafood from regional waterways and beyond is a specialty, along with regional meats and dishes highlighting local, seasonal produce and harvests from the restaurant garden. Be sure to enjoy the rotating wine selection.
WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY
2nd Street Grill offers sidewalk dining under umbrellas in Downtown Yakima. This restaurant is a local favorite for its happy hour and menu of American favorites.
Bob’s Burgers & Brews has an elevated patio with a fire feature for chilly evenings to enjoy signature cocktails or a frosty cold premium beer on tap.
Cowiche Canyon Kitchen & Ice House Bar in Downtown Yakima is a place for people watching from the vantage point of their patio with a beautiful, architectural fire feature. Dine on modern tavern fare.
The Tap is a downtown spot serving craft beer, cider and wine from self-pour taps. Casual menu options are available for sidewalk dining open to the inside.
Yakima Steak Company welcomes guests for shady sidewalk dining at a local steak house.
Zesta Cucina is located in a beautifully refurbished fruit warehouse built in 1910, complete with original brick walls, hardwood floors and rough timber beams. Sit on the outside wooden deck under beautiful flowering hanging baskets.
Check out Yakima Valley winery stops that also offer food
Categorized in: Food and Dining
