The Best Waterfront Restaurants on Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is home to dozens and dozens of amazing restaurants, and this includes some extra-special waterfront restaurants. The Restaurant at Captain Whidbey, Toby's Tavern, Front Street Grill, and Callen's Restaurant are all right alongside the shimmering Puget Sound waters, and the views are just as good as the food! Whether you're looking for a memorable dining experience to celebrate a special occasion, you're showing off Whidbey to out-of-town visitors, or you're simply looking for a meal out with a photo-worthy view, you can't go wrong with any of these choices.
Here are the best waterfront restaurants on Whidbey Island:
The Restaurant at Captain Whidbey
2072 W Captain Whidbey Inn Rd, Coupeville, WA 98239
Nestled on the shores of Penn Cove at the historic Captain Whidbey Inn (built in 1907) the restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere with original timbered walls, stone fireplaces, mismatched tables, and water just outside the window. The menu is seasonal and locally sourced, with Pacific Northwest seafood, creative small plates, and a five-course tasting menu for those who want to go all in. The bar stays open with light bites even on nights the full restaurant isn't serving. Reservations recommended!
Captain Whidbey is also a charming place to stay the night with room in a historic lodge, cabins, and the building with the Lagoon Rooms. Check out lodging options here.
Visit captainwhidbey.com for menus and reservations. Follow The Restaurant at Captain Whidbey on Instagram and Facebook.
Toby’s Tavern
8 NW Front St, Coupeville, WA 98239
Toby's has been a Coupeville dining staple for a very long time, and the building itself goes back to 1890. It sits right on the shores of iconic Penn Cove, and the history inside is worth the visit alone—the back bar was originally brought around Cape Horn, spent time at Fort Worden and Fort Casey, and eventually landed here. The menu is casual but thoroughly delicious: Penn Cove steamed mussels, fish and chips, clam chowder, Wagyu burgers, and pub classics. Good food, great views, and a lot of character. Note that Toby's is a 21+ establishment.
Visit tobysuds.com to learn more.
Front Street Grill
Right next door to Toby's you’ll find Front Street Grill which has been serving up waterfront dining in Coupeville since 2010. The views of Penn Cove and Mount Baker are hard to beat, and the menu is built around Penn Cove mussels—there are nine different preparations, so there's something for everyone. Beyond the mussels, you'll find burgers, steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, and a rotating lineup of local and Washington State beers on tap. The wine list has won awards, and the seasonal cocktail menu is worth a look, too!
Visit fsgcoupeville.com to learn more.
Callen's Restaurant
12981 State Route 20, Coupeville, WA 98239
Callen's sits right across from the Coupeville Ferry dock on Admiralty Inlet, with views of the water, the Salish Sea, and Cocket Lake (a brackish bird sanctuary next door). It's a lovely spot any time of day, and they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu rooted in Washington and Whidbey Island-inspired food. The combination of ferry traffic, birdlife, and the waterfront setting makes this one of the most scenic dining spots on the island.
Visit callensrestaurant.com to learn more.
