Eating Vegan on San Juan Island, WA - Friday Harbor Plant-Based Eats
Ah, the blissful Salish Isles. Home to one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, this part of the world is a marine lover’s paradise. Therefore, my paradise. San Juan Island is the most populous and second largest of the 172 named islands in this area, and it’s my favorite place on the planet. I feel like I’ve gotten to know this little gem of an island pretty well over the last few years. I’m in no way claiming to be a local or a full-timer, but I've spent three summers here and have sprinkled in numerous other visits over the last five years. And being a gal with a hearty appetite and a love of good planty food, I’ve done my fair share of culinary exploring. The low population means that there isn’t a huge variety of vegan restaurants - or any other type of restaurant, for that matter. But the type of people that are drawn to live here tend to open some top notch dining establishments with a real farm-to-table flair. Although seafood reigns king on most of the locavore menus, you’ll still find plant-based delights galore - especially during the summer.
I like a challenge when it comes to defining my priorities and living by morals and principles that reflect my feelings for the planet, which is why I enjoy the “inconvenience” of vegan eating. I’ve done some extensive digging to find the best ways to enjoy the plant-based fruits of the island, without sacrificing quality, scenery, or good times. You’ll be presently surprised how much this little island of less than 7,000 year round residents has to offer for the plant-based enthusiast (aside from whale watching, which is pretty top notch out here as well).
Dining during in COVID-19
In terms of COVID restrictions, San Juan County is on par with the whole of Washington state - which I think has done a decent job at keeping regulations in place for local and visitors’ safety. Masks are required in all establishments and in public places, including outdoors when social distancing is not possible. Again, like I found in Leavenworth, this is community collaboration at its finest!
Skip the Googling of “vegan options near me” and “best vegan food options in Friday Harbor.” Just trust me. Also don’t be afraid to go off the cuff and ask questions of the owners/servers if you decide to visit restaurants that aren’t on this list. I certainly haven’t been everywhere on the island, and I’m sure there are plenty more secrets to be discovered!
Eating Vegan on San Juan Island, Washington
You’re no doubt going to build up an appetite here after all the hiking, wandering, kayaking, whale watching, and beaching you’ll be doing. San Juan Island is known for all of those things, and it’s an easy getaway for folks living in or visiting Seattle (or Vancouver, outside of COVID of course). Amp up the plant factor in your meals by opting for one (or all) of the options below. I’ll even give you tips on what to order.
My Favorite Vegan-friendly Restaurants on San Juan Island, Washington
Mike’s Café and Wine Bar
Literally would be a crazy person if I left out my favorite restaurant ever (seriously, it’s definitely up there). While the price point may be a bit higher than you’re used to, Mike’s is really on par price-point wise with other island establishments, and the quality of the food is phenomenal. You’ll find an entirely plant-based menu; I’m pretty sure it’s the sole entirely plant-based restaurant on the islands. You don’t have to skip taste or satiation here, either. Portions are fair and the chefs know their way around a plant-based ingredient list.
My favorites? The lasagna is out of this world, in terms of taste and texture and overall “hell yeah”-ness. It’s also served with local Bakery San Juan bread. Pair it with one of Mike’s own red wines and you’ll be singing. For starters/apps, if you’re lucky enough to make it here in the off-season, I’ve never had a better vegan pretzel. I seriously have it down as one of my favorite foods on the planet. Sadly, they don’t offer it during the summer; I was told it takes too long to make for them to want to offer it to their customers during busy season. Look at that kindness and consideration.
My go-to when I’m not splurging on the lasagna is the Southwest Salad with some chick’n thrown on top. It’s flavorful, filling, and gives me a hearty dose of greens. I usually pair it with a rosé, but you should really try one of Mike’s own red wines. He is the winemaker for Northwest Totem Cellars and does a phenomenal job. He also has beer on draft, if that’s more your style.
2. Westcott Bay Shellfish
I’ve always heard wonder stories about this place, but it somehow eluded me for a long time. I only made it up to Westcott Bay this year - WHEW, was I missing out on a killer view and some top-notch locavore nosh! I know, I know, shellfish is literally in the name, and that’s what this place focuses around. Not exactly a vegan temptress. They are an oyster farm and can serve you oysters either raw or BBQ’ed. I went for the first time with my brother and his wife, both oyster fans, and they loved it, but what took my breath away was the locally-sourced (literally from less than a mile away) veggie and hummus plate. No cheese on it, whoop! I paired it with San Juan Vineyard’s Afterglow rosé (a winner). We also ordered some Bakery San Juan bread with olive oil, because, that’s what you do here. You just do.
This place also wins hands down in terms of ambience and vibes. All the seating (at least right now, anyway) is outdoors, literally steps from the water. Rustic picnic tables are spaced an appropriate distance from each other, or you can opt for one of the Adirondack chairs by the fire pits. It’s the perfect spot to sip away an afternoon or indulge in a decadent lunch. Be warned, it’s very popular and you do need to make reservations in advance. Can’t recommend enough as a quintessential island experience.
This is the kind of place where the chef can whip something up to your tastes and dietary requirements, even if it’s not on the menu. The view is insane; the decks overlook the harbor and provide the perfect hang-out spot for anyone wanting to get some quality boat-watching time in during a lazy morning or evening. I prefer heading here for brunch; the avocado toast is vegan without alteration, or you can order the Beyond breakfast burger and skip the cheese. They also make a mean mimosa. The price point is high, but you pay for the view, and the service is always great. In general, this place offers a carefully curated menu of seasonal flavors from ingredients sourced from the water or local farms. From their website: “Menu items change frequently, as you never know what our culinary team will forage from the island's natural bounty or snag from the local farmer's market.” Don’t skip this place if that’s right up your alley!
I’m not sure if they still have their killer happy hour, but if they do, you can’t beat the price for a hearty glass of wine with a location like that.
4. Noodle Bowl Monday/Saturday at Duck Soup Inn
Noodle Bowl Monday is a fun San Juan Island tradition that actually originated at Backdoor Kitchen. Sadly, Backdoor has since shut down, but the masterminds of Noodle Bowl didn’t give up - they just shifted their operation over to Duck Soup Inn! Duck Soup is a cute little spot tucked away by a pond down Roche Harbor Road. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s beautiful and worth it. On Mondays and Saturdays, they serve up delicious bowls of noodles (and other goodness) from 11 am - 2 pm. You can choose fish, chicken, pork, or tofu (and yes, they have a completely vegan broth option). The flavors are to die for, and it’s fun to eat in an enchanted forest (really that’s what it feels like). I’ve never eaten dinner at Duck Soup, but I’ve heard magical things - it’s certainly fine dining and well-deserving of your wallet if you feel like experiencing the best of the best in farm-to-table cuisine.
Guilty, I’ve never actually been to Coho…but my friend Laura works there and assures me the chefs are very accommodating when it comes to vegan and veggie requests. It’s a very small restaurant in the heart of Friday Harbor with an emphasis on farm-to-table (of course!). The “Best of the San Juans” restaurant menu changes regularly to keep up with what’s in season, and it’s simple and artful flair prepared with love.
Say hi to Laura if you pop in there!
6. Salty Fox Coffee
I can’t skip out on my favorite coffee place on the island. The coffee is great, but I really love the deck and the view. You can watch the ferries come in and out, sip on an oat milk latte, and nibble on whatever treats they have fresh that morning. They also have a vegan Portobello Broccoli Bowl (yum) if you’re after something savory. The baristas are super friendly; it’s the perfect spot to while the time away. We’re all on island time, after all.
7. Riptide Café
Okay, okay, I have two favorite coffee spots. If you want to grab a brew and wander the docks (and say hi to the best baristas in town) stop by Riptide, right on the waterfront. I used to work here! They serve amazing Stumptown coffee (and have oat milk) and have some vegan snack items you can purchase. I adore this place, and it’ll always hold a lot of meaning for me.
8. Downriggers
Downriggers is an awesome spot with another killer view. I usually scoot in here to get a glass of wine at the bar, but if you want some proper food, they have a handful of veggie options. Stick with the Buddha Bowl - it’s a sure bet. This place is located right on the waterfront and is usually pretty busy, so get your name in early if you want to dine at a specific time. Mmm, their cocktails are also scratch-made and pretty delicious if you’re more a spirits type of person. This is the place to be if you like a bit of hustle and bustle around you.
Making Vegan Eating Easy on San Juan Island
There you are, my dear. Now you know where to skip when you get off the ferry and your tummy is rumbling.
And to dig deeper and connect the dots of mindful living + conservation + wellness, check out my blog post on how vegan-eating can have big impacts on sustainability.
xx,
Lozza
