Damsel Cellars tasting room.

About a 30-minute drive north of Seattle, Woodinville is a small suburb that boasts over 130 wineries and tasting rooms showcasing wines from the Walla Walla, Columbia, and Yakima Valleys. Sitting somewhere in between an urban and rural wine country destination, its popularity has grown exponentially over the years thanks to world-class wines and a burgeoning culinary scene.

From casual eateries to fine dining establishments, Woodinville offers a surprising array of dining experiences for such a relatively small area that caters to all tastes. Here are some of our favourites, both new and old, that are worth a visit.

Pintxos by Valdemar

Grilled octopus with Chorizo aioli.

Having taken multiple trips to Spain, we adore the tradition of Pintxos (tapas) and wine that is so well done in that part of the world. Pintxos by Valdemar offers a dining experience that masterfully blends Basque-inspired cuisine with wines from both their Spanish and Washington wine estates.

The restaurant, an extension of the esteemed Valdemar Estates, brings a touch of Spain to the Pacific Northwest with its innovative dishes and perfectly curated wine pairings.

Chef Lauren Jackson originally hails from Australia, but had we not met her in person, we would have bet it was a Spaniard behind the kitchen doors given the quality and inventiveness of the flavour combinations—true to Spain but with their own PNW imprint.

Chef Lauren Jackson (centre) & Paige (left).

The ambiance is warm and inviting thanks to wonderful service with that rare perfect balance of attentiveness and space (special mention to our server Paige!). The décor is modern yet cozy, with rustic touches that pay homage to its Basque roots. Pintxos being small plates are meant to be shared and offer up the opportunity to taste a vast variety of dishes at the same time. Our standouts included the grilled octopus with chorizo aioli, the Patatas Bravas and the Jamon croquettes but absolutely everything we ordered was excellent. Gracias Pintxos by Valdemar, ¡Estupendo!

The Restaurant at Delille

Delille Cellars was one of the first Washington wineries that made us fall in love with the region. For over 3 decades they have consistently produced world-class wine even through significant growth thanks to a crop of terrific winemakers.

The Restaurant at Delille is definitely worth a stop.

Since moving into their new modern space at the old Redhook Brewery location, they also reopened their restaurant, renaming it to simply The Restaurant at DeLille Cellars.  The exposed ceilings and polished concrete floors give a converted warehouse vibe, but thoughtful, decorative touches add warmth with an overall feeling of comfort.

The menu pairs beautifully with their wine list that features the complete DeLille lineup as well as a few selections from other producers from California and France. Each dish is thoughtfully designed with the Delille wine style in mind and their recommended pairings were spot on.

They have multiple flights that include an old world vs new world comparison and you can also opt for some back vintages that are otherwise hard to come by.

Hollywood Tavern

A spot we frequent on virtually every trip to Woodinville is the Hollywood Tavern. This is arguably the most popular hangout for locals and we’ve regularly run into many a winemaker. Established in 1947, this iconic establishment combines rustic charm with a contemporary vibe

The Hollywood Tavern [Credit: website]

The atmosphere at Hollywood Tavern is relaxed and inviting, with a mix of indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor fire pit and patio area are particularly popular in the good weather and inside, the tavern retains its vintage charm with wooden décor and a friendly, casual ambiance.

Unsurprisingly, the menu features classic pub fare but with a modern twist. While it has its share of comfort foods, including burgers, sandwiches, and salads, they’re all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

One of the benefits of a good pub in wine country is that the wine list isn’t just a throwaway selection with no description other than “red” and “white”. Here you get a list of terrific local producers along with a beer list of rotating taps from nearby breweries to satisfy the most discerning craft beer aficionado.

Purple Café

Several great wine options by the glass.

When in wine country, we always look for a good wine bar in order to taste more local offerings by the glass.

Purple Café doesn’t disappoint with a great selection of wines being offered by the glass and by the bottle.

The menu is quintessential PNW with a fabulous choice of soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and seafood at lunch and then heartier fare at dinner including steak and meatloaf. Whether you’re interested in a perfectly proportioned charcuteries plate to accompany a wine flight or want to indulge in a bottle of Washington chardonnay with their Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese, you definitely won’t be disappointed!

Barking Frog

The Barking Frog [credit: Willows Lodge]

Known for its celebrated for its innovative seasonal menus and an award-winning wine cellar, the Barking Frog has consistently been one of the best restaurants in Woodinville over the past two decades. The focus here is on innovative and seasonal menus that prioritize locally sourced ingredients and why wouldn’t you when you have the rich agricultural bounty of Washington at your doorstep?

From seafood to meats to vegetarian options (combined with an excellent wine list), we’ve never had a bad meal here. At lunch the lamb burger paired with a local Syrah or Merlot is a must and for dinner, we recommend the Chef’s tasting menu; a no-brainer when you simply leave it in the chef’s hands.

Fireside Lounge

Patricio Contreras.

If you want to experience the Barking Frog kitchen but in a very casual atmosphere accompanied with live music, simply cross the driveway and sit yourself down in the Willows Lodge Fireside Lounge.

The small hotel lobby bar is a favourite among locals for happy hour and terrific live music several nights of the week.

Do not miss the opportunity to see classical guitarist Patricio Contreras, who trained at the Royal Conservatory in Madrid, but now lives in Seattle. He is the resident musician at the Herbfarm but on Tuesdays plays at the Fireside Lounge. You’ll be hard-pressed to enjoy this kind of talent in such an intimate and casual atmosphere!

The Herbfarm

An incomparable dining experience.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention The Herbfarm, a restaurant that we’ve written about on multiple occasions for its originality, quality and first-class experience. Without question, one of our favourite dining experiences ANYWHERE in the world. Ron Zimmerman and his wife Carrie Van Dyck started The Herbfarm in the garage on Ron’s parents’ 5-acre farm in 1986. A true pioneer in the farm-to-table movement before it became fashionable, you can read more about the history of the restaurant here).

Sadly, Ron passed away last year but his incredible legacy lives on through his former executive chef, now chef and co-owner, Chris Weber. This is fine dining without pretension handled with a level of passion and attention to detail that is truly beyond compare.