10 Best Casual Restaurants in Spokane

Casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, have built a reputation for serving fresh Pacific Northwest seafood and hearty American comfort food. Chefs utilize regional ingredients like huckleberries, locally raised beef, and Washington wines to create robust meals. A defining local practice involves operating inside old brick buildings, restored Victorian homes, and repurposed industrial spaces. 

The kinds of dining spots frequently encountered in Spokane, Washington, include neighborhood gastropubs, artisan pizzerias, and classic diners. These different types of Spokane restaurants shape the local dining experience and offer international recipes.

• Neighborhood Gastropubs: Venues like Wooden City and Heritage Bar & Kitchen focus on upscale pub food and craft cocktails in lively settings.
• Artisan Pizzerias: Places such as The Flying Goat serve wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas with creative toppings.
• Classic Diners: Restaurants like Frank's Diner - Downtown Spokane prepare traditional American breakfasts inside vintage train cars.
• Soup and Sandwich Shops: Spots like Chowderhead focus on scratch-made chowders and hearty sub sandwiches.

Yes, Spokane, Washington, has genuine casual restaurants, including established venues like Frank's Diner - Downtown Spokane, Indigenous Eats, and Vieux Carre NOLA Kitchen. Frank's Diner - Downtown Spokane has operated inside a 1906 presidential train car for decades, maintaining a reputation for serving classic American breakfast plates. Indigenous Eats provides a true taste of Native American culture by preparing traditional frybread and house-mixed sage seasonings. Vieux Carre NOLA Kitchen delivers a consistent Southern experience by cooking traditional Cajun and Creole dishes like gumbo and jambalaya.

Yes, some casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, provide easy online reservations through platforms like OpenTable and Tock. Gander and Ryegrass manage bookings through Tock for both standard dining and tasting menus. Wiley's Downtown Bistro utilizes OpenTable for securing tables in advance. High-volume or counter-service spots like Chowderhead, Indigenous Eats, and Frank's Diner - Downtown Spokane operate strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and do not accept reservations.

The notable menu items of the best casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, range from wood-fired pizzas to traditional Native American tacos. The following list describes notable food in Spokane.

• Ndn Taco: This dish features traditional frybread topped with ground bison, beans, cheese, and fresh salsa. Indigenous Eats is known for this cultural staple.
• Smoked Steelhead Chowder: This soup consists of a rich, creamy base made with smoked steelhead trout, herbs, and oyster crackers. Chowderhead serves this Pacific Northwest specialty.
• Kiernan Pizza: This wood-fired pizza comes topped with heavy cream, Italian sausage, an over-medium egg, and truffle oil-tossed arugula. The Flying Goat prepares this unique pie.
• Catfish Sliders: This appetizer features flaky, blackened catfish served on small buns with house-made tartar sauce and slaw. Jewel of the North features this popular appetizer.
• Chicken Fried Steak: This breakfast classic includes breaded and fried beef steak smothered in country gravy, served with eggs and hash browns. Frank's Diner - Downtown Spokane focuses on this morning staple.

Yes, Spokane, Washington, enjoys casual food due to a large population of outdoor enthusiasts, university students, and residents seeking accessible, high-quality meals. The presence of Gonzaga University and the Spokane River creates a constant demand for relaxed dining options near downtown and the University District. Diners prioritize comfortable environments and hearty portions that accommodate groups after hiking or attending local events. This demand sustains a robust market for gastropubs, sandwich shops, and artisan pizzerias throughout the city.

The standard cost for a meal at casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, spans from $10 to $80 per person. A single meal at a fast-casual spot or sandwich shop like Chowderhead or Indigenous Eats costs between $10 and $20. A group meal for two to four people at a mid-range gastropub like Heritage Bar & Kitchen or Jewel of the North requires between $40 and $120. A meal at a budget-friendly spot costs $10 to $25 per person. A full dinner with drinks at an upscale-casual restaurant such as Gander and Ryegrass or Wiley's Downtown Bistro costs $30 to $80 per person.

Yes, vegan selections exist at casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, at places such as Wiley's Downtown Bistro, Indigenous Eats, Jewel of the North, and Gander and Ryegrass. Wiley's Downtown Bistro provides a clearly labeled menu with vegan options like blackened tofu curry and vegetable sides. Indigenous Eats offers a Gatherer option featuring beans and salsa over frybread for a plant-based meal. Jewel of the North prepares a Beyond Garden Burger and hummus plates suitable for vegan guests. Gander and Ryegrass modifies tasting menus to accommodate plant-based diets upon request.

Yes, casual restaurants in Spokane, Washington, offer gluten-sensitive alternatives at spots such as The Flying Goat, Wiley's Downtown Bistro, and Jewel of the North. The Flying Goat offers gluten-free crusts for all artisan pizzas. Wiley's Downtown Bistro identifies gluten-free soups, salads, and entrees directly on the menu. Jewel of the North provides gluten-free buns for burgers and modifies salads for sensitive diners. Gander and Ryegrass adjusts pasta dishes and tasting menus to exclude wheat ingredients when notified in advance.