Located less than an hour from Seattle, Whidbey Island is one of the largest offshore islands in the continental U.S. and a perfect place for a vacation or second home. With activities like kayaking and hiking and seven major state parks in the area, Whidbey Island is ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. Of course, if you’re vacationing (or living) on Whidbey Island, you’ll need to eat! Fortunately, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants where you can get fresh seafood when you visit Whidbey Island. Here are some of the best:

Though it’s often referred to as a steakhouse, Frasers Gourmet Hideaway is located in Oak Harbor and has an atmosphere that lends itself to special occasions and date nights. Executive Chef Scott Fraser was trained at the Pierre Dubrulle School, and his French influences can be seen (and tasted) in dishes like the duck liver pate appetizer and rack of lamb. If it’s seafood you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed. Frasers has everything from scallops served with vegetable risotto to crab and shrimp lasagna to Penn Cove mussels and Dungeness crab cakes. This would be the perfect restaurant to celebrate in after making a successful offer on one of the Whidbey Island waterfront homes for sale. Just make sure to save room for a celebratory drink!

With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Gordon’s on Blueberry Hill offers contemporary American dishes with plenty of Cajun influences. The restaurant, which is located in Freeland, is owned by executive chef Gordon Stewart. His training in New Orleans shows through in appetizers like the spicy prawns and entrées like the smoked chicken alfredo. Of course, there are plenty of seafood dishes to sample if that’s what you’re after. Grilled steelhead, surf and turf, and seafood and andouille jambalaya are just a few of the fantastic selections to choose from. Owners of Whidbey Island waterfront homes also enjoy Chef Gordon’s food truck for more casual fare.

Sitting on five acres of gardens and orchard land near Langley, Orchard Kitchen is the ultimate farm-to-table eatery. The team at Orchard not only prides themselves on serving the freshest food around, but they also emphasize beautiful plating and innovative wine pairings to help those who own Whidbey Island real estate, as well as tourists, have the absolute best experience possible. Visit on a Thursday night for a “local’s night” three-course tasting menu, on Friday night for a four-course, and, for the ultimate experience, drop in on Saturday night for a fantastic seven-course tasting menu. Though the menu changes regularly, you can expect to see items like scallop ceviche, Dungeness crab bao buns, and crab lasagna.

The smoked salmon products from Seabolt’s have been world-renowned for more than 30 years, and you can get it directly from the source when you visit the smokehouse restaurant. Not only can you get their signature smoked salmon, but you can also try the clam chowder and fish and chips that have been voted the best on the island by those who own Whidbey Island waterfront homes. In addition to fantastic seafood options, you can also get gourmet burgers, salads topped with halibut, ahi tuna, crab and shrimp Louie, and surf and turf options. Seabolt’s also offers smoking options for those who want jerky or smoked game fish.

Voted one of the 100 most scenic restaurants in America by OpenTable, Ivar’s offers breathtaking views of the Island, the Washington State Ferries, North Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains. Open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner, Ivar’s seafood menu highlights include coconut curry mussels, Alaska halibut fish n’ chips, and blackened salmon Caesar. Make your dinner even more special with a drink from their specialty cocktail menu. Local favorites include the Cheat Day (Olympia Artisanal vodka, strawberry-rhubarb purée, lime juice, simple syrup, soda, and cream) and the Ivarita (Sauza Hacienda Silver Tequila, Cointreau, sour, and cranberry juice.) Of course, you can also choose a draft beer or a glass or bottle of wine from the local, national, and international selections.

Lobster rolls, mussels, crab cakes, and clam chowder are just a few of the fantastic seafood choices you can dine on when you visit this food-lovers paradise. Located in Langley, Saltwater Fish House & Oyster Bar has a huge selection of seafood, including Maine lobster rolls, oyster shooters, Penn Cove mussels, Atlantic calamari, fish n’ chips, and a nightly fresh seafood special. If you’re ready to relax after looking at Whidbey Island waterfront homes for sale all day, this is your perfect destination. If you’re a Bloody Mary lover, the menu has a wide selection for you to choose from. If you’d rather enhance your lunch or dinner with another drink, you can choose one of their specialty cocktails made from their house-infused fire whiskey or house-infused vodka, or a glass of wine or draft beer.

Those who are in the area to look at homes and are staying at the Inn as well as those who own Whidbey Island luxury homes, love the experience of dining at the Inn at Langley. The Inn has a rotating seasonal menu focused on fresh ingredients in a casual, relaxing atmosphere overlooking an herb garden. The menu changes regularly, and you may find anything from smoked trout roe to black butter salmon to smoked duck and sablefish. The Inn also has a fantastic wine list and a skilled staff to help you choose the perfect glass.

Do you plan to visit the area to start looking at Whidbey Island waterfront homes for sale? Make sure you put one (or all) of these fantastic seafood restaurants on your list for a full, luxurious meal or happy hour snack. Haven’t found an agent to work with yet? Reach out to trusted local agent Mike Konopik for guidance.