Take it Outside

By Maria A. Montalvo 

As soon as the sun even thinks about clearing those gray skies in south Snohomish County, we want to be outside! After being cooped up by rain and darkness for months, we use every excuse to be outdoors. We walk (ourselves, our dogs, our kids), we run and hike, we shop, and even eat.

Luckily, many restaurants have at least a few outdoor tables these days – umbrellas shading tables on a patio or a line of tables along the outside of the restaurant, as well as inside.  

The tradition of dining al fresco, which literally means “in the cool” in Italian, stretches back to medieval times, when folks gathered outdoors for feasts before hunting trips. Whether it was about practicality or simply enjoying leisure time, these early gatherings brought people together and let them soak in the scenery.

No matter if you’re sharing simple bread and cheese or spreading out a lavish meal, the heart of alfresco dining has always been about savoring food in the fresh air – a joy that is still going strong today.

Throughout history, cultures have embraced open-air meals as a way to connect and relax. The ancient Greeks valued outdoor gatherings for staying in touch with neighbors and for catching up on local news. Romans took their meals in gardens, blending dining with nature. In the Middle Ages, nobles held feasts in scenic gardens, while everyday folks gathered in village squares. The Renaissance brought even fancier outdoor banquets and bustling street food scenes. Today, alfresco dining is a beloved summer ritual that brings together good food, great company, and the beauty of the outdoors – no matter where you are in the world.

As we are in the beautiful Pacific Northwest summer, where days are long, skies are clear and sunny, and temperatures rarely get above 82, it is the perfect time to partake in this centuries-old tradition.

For more than 100 years, people have associated the Seattle area with outdoor food and markets. When Pike Place Market opened in 1907, the waterfront vendors created an outdoor food culture – street stalls, market carts, and informal sidewalk eating made it feel so very Seattle to grab some seafood by the water. In the mid-20th century, formal (indoor) dining became more popular, but the 1962 World’s Fair rejuvenated the Seattle waterfront and re-popularized waterfront dining.

By the year 2000, Snohomish County was fully engaged in the early 21st century local-food movements, and encouraging locals to eat in their own hometowns became a thing. Towns were redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly, and restaurants were encouraged to expand patios, sidewalk seating, and beer gardens. Today, there are so many options for outdoor dining, we would need many summers to hit them all.

So what about our outdoor dining plans for 2026?

People across the Pacific Northwest have their favorite spots and preferences for the types of food they like to eat outdoors. Although most lean toward less fussy affairs, you can still find a white tablecloth on a few patios. Here are a handful of outdoor-dining options that sometimes make our hometowns feel like Paris in the summertime. 

Mukilteo

Mukilteo’s dining scene combines that community feel with the gorgeous waterfront – and there’s even a lighthouse!

The Hook & Cleaver is a local favorite. It’s easy to understand why once you visit this seafood and steakhouse. Located on Second Street, its patio offers stunning views of Possession Sound and is a great place to take out-of-town guests or your neighbors for a Pacific Northwest-inspired meal.

 It has one of those great menus (for lunch and dinner) where everyone is going to go home happy, whether they want a beautiful steak or a satisfying crab and shrimp cake, but honestly, that view, on a clear and bright summer night, will also be a big part of your dining experience.

 Cabernets and IPAs also has a wonderful outdoor seating area overlooking the Sound. It feels like your neighborhood spot, even if you don’t live in town. The team is welcoming, and you can tell that they want you to enjoy the experience, with good food and an amazing selection of wine and beer (from here in Washington and around the world).

It is difficult to describe the beautiful view, like so many of our Sound-front options here in Snohomish County, so you best go check it out for yourself. Check their website for the live music schedule, too.  

Ivar’s Landing is another nearby spot with a big outdoor patio, and the deck is right over the water. You feel like you are on vacation, watching the ferry and seabirds while eating that delicious, straightforward Ivar’s menu. Who doesn’t love fish and chips or chowder with a view? Whether you are taking the ferry or visiting the lighthouse or just in the mood for a yummy meal with that added bonus of a beautiful waterfront, Ivar’s will make you happy.

Other spots: Red Cup Café, Turning Paige Wine & Bistro, Tapped Public House, The Lodge Sports Grille. 

Edmonds

With a terrific combination of Sound vistas and charming downtown sights and sounds. The Edmonds Bowl is known for its walkability and shopping, as well as, of course, fabulous bars and restaurants, many of which have fantastic outdoor patios.

The dynamic duo of Kris and Kali Kelnero offer two wonderful options for outdoor dining in the Edmonds Bowl: Kelnero and Vinbero. Kelnero offers cocktails and dishes with a unique spin (and a lot of attention to detail), so you always leave wanting to go back to try something else. Their outdoor patio is also one of the nicest in Edmonds. It is raised a bit above the sidewalk to offer the perfect perspective for people-watching and to take in the lovely vibe of Edmonds on a summer evening.

Just a short walk from Kelnero is their second location, Vinbero, a spot to gather with friends and loved ones over good food and an amazing wine selection. Their outdoor patio is small but overlooks the beautiful gardens of Hazel Miller Plaza (and provides yet more people watching). If you take your food to go, you can even eat at one of the umbrella-shaded tables in the Plaza.

Across Hazel Miller Plaza is Las Brisas, one of Edmonds’ longest-serving restaurants. This Mexican favorite moved from the Harbor Square area to Milltown on Fifth Avenue, adding an inviting outdoor dining area. You often see families enjoying their weekend brunch menu in the spring and summer sunshine, or folks gathering with friends to toast with margaritas.

Rory’s of Edmonds is a classic, plain and simple. It is the first place we ate in Edmonds when we moved here years ago, and it still attracts locals and visitors alike. The outdoor patio is always bustling in the warmer months, with groups all smiles as they take in the waterfront views along Sunset Avenue. You can always sneak inside to check the score of the Mariners game, so you can settle in for a fun evening. 

Demetris Woodstone Taverna offers one of the largest outdoor decks in Edmonds, facing the ferry and with a view of the Puget Sound. You can watch the ferry come in and out, and marvel at the scuba divers preparing for their shore dives at one of Washington’s Underwater Parks. You barely notice the train go by as you take in all that the PNW offers in the summer with friends and family.

The Red Twig Bakery & Cafe expanded from a few tables to a full outdoor patio, including some covered seating, and created a beautiful space to gather. You can see and be seen from their lovely deck, with umbrella’d seating. Although every table always seems full, I invariably find a table by the time my food or coffee is ready, even on the busiest of days. Everyone seems to be talking, laughing, planning, and just finding time to be together.

Other spots: Bar Americano, The Market, Salt & Iron, Anthony’s Beach Café.

Mill Creek

In Mill Creek, eating outside is more of a gathering experience. The summer nights are beautiful, and instead of looking at views, we are taking in the time with our friends and family, and some stellar food.

Everyone in the Pacific Northwest knows McMenamins, but sometimes the familiar can be a good thing. Their Mill Creek Pub has a covered patio for pub fare and beer throughout the summer. They are celebrating 31 years in Mill Creek this summer, so why not bring some friends and family to sit under the umbrellas on their patio? As they say, a round of pints and a boatload of tater tots is never a bad thing.

The Lodge Sports Grille is one of those places where you meet your friends after work or decide to go out when you want to enjoy your town. The food is comforting and familiar, and yet has some creative twists that make you want to try the special or treat yourself to three courses because you deserve it. It is located in the Mill Creek Town Center and has a really welcoming, covered outdoor area with a summer music series during the week that makes the night even more fun.

Also at the Mill Creek Town Center, Azul’s is a local standby. Everyone knows it, and everyone likes it. In the summer, you can take advantage of their outdoor seating while you try a Mexican or Latin American dish that may be new to you. From jerk spices to chilis, every plate is flavorful and balanced so you know everyone in the family will be happy to return again and again.

Other spots: Tablas Woodstone Taverna, Twisted Lime Pub, Rusty Pelican Café

Everett

Every day seems to bring a new terrific restaurant or option to take in the Puget Sound in Everett. The grandly renovated and developed Everett Port offers a variety of dining and entertainment options for couples, friends, or families. The Net Shed Seafood Market is a crowd-pleaser for its marina views and its menu, with cioppino, fresh salmon, and anything else you could want on a Pacific Northwest summer night.

And not far away, Sound2Summit offers a fun atmosphere, with a fine meal, too. We all know Sound2Summit for its beer, but their restaurant features comfort food that you would never be able to make for yourself. They want you to relish your dinner and enjoy each other at this lovely spot.  

And then you have Fisherman Jack's, a seafood restaurant that also features traditional dim sum, timeless Asian-fusion classics, and innovative, Asian-inspired creations. This harbor-side spot is beautiful on the inside, but the outdoor patio – with fire pits – is sleek and refined, surrounded by boats in the marina. Take your guests to wow them with the food and the scenery, or just go on your own on any given summer day.

Any description of outdoor dining in Everett would not be complete without mentioning Emory’s on Silver Lake, an Anthony’s restaurant. It boasts the largest outdoor dining deck in Snohomish County, along with the large, satisfying Anthony’s menu we have come to expect. Special occasion or not, it is the quintessential spot for lakeside dining and views.

Here’s to some wonderful meals this summer, enjoyed outside in one of the most spectacular regions of the country from July through September.