We are just finishing dinner. The food was fantastic. We enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, bread board,…read morechorizo clam chowder, and the burger. The clam chowder wasn't special, but was good. I. Everything else was extra good. It exceeded our expectations. I would come back.

Listen to the reviews about the salmon. Don't take the chance like I did. It was the worst I've…read moreever had. Cold, flavorless (except for a pungent fishy taste like it was undercooked and unsafe to eat), the skin was mushy and left attached (which is fine if the skin is cooked well). The potatoes were hard and had huge salt crystals that just hurt my teeth. My husband got the NY strip steak, he was equally unimpressed but at least he could eat his food without drinking water to aid in swallowing each bite. The service was kind but awkward. They would stand there and not ask any questions, I had to ask if it was time to order. They shouldn't be charging the prices they are for the quality (or lack thereof). I rarely review save two occasions, 1) I'm wowed or 2) severely disappointed. The view was nice, that was the most pleasant thing about this restaurant experience.

If you find yourself in Friday Harbor, you absolutely have to visit this spot. My top tip: make a…read morereservation. This place fills up fast, and after dining there, it's easy to see why! Our party of three visited for lunch at noon on a Thursday. Since we had a reservation, we were seated immediately at a lovely table right by the window. The atmosphere was great, and the staff were incredibly courteous and friendly throughout our meal. We initially thought about starting with some small plates, but we were so eager for seafood that we jumped straight into the entrees. We weren't disappointed: Bouillabaisse: This was our first time trying this dish, and it was the highlight for us. It was incredibly flavorful--exactly what we were craving. Spicy Prawn Mac and Cheese: It definitely lived up to its name! It wasn't "blow-your-head-off" hot, but it had a perfect, noticeable kick that really elevated the dish. Blackened Cod Tacos: These were fantastic. The cod was perfectly prepared and worked so well with the rest of the taco ingredients. We also enjoyed a couple of non-alcoholic drinks that hit the spot, though I'll admit that since I'm writing this a couple of weeks later, I forgot to snag photos or the specific names of the drinks! They also have a really nice patio area if you prefer dining outdoors. Whether you're a seafood lover or just looking for a great meal with a view, this place is a must-visit!

A lovely restaurant tucked at the edge of Friday Harbor…read more While the views were stunning, the service was just ok. For the nature of the restaurant, we had hoped for our waitress to be more friendly and genuine. However, it felt like they just wanted to fulfill our order and be done. I ordered the South Sound Clams and Snapper Sandwich. Bathing in an umami-packed and rich Thai curry broth, the clams were tender and fresh with a bit of brine. Very good and shareable with one other person. The snapper sandwich wowed me! The bright escovitch and creamy avocado paired wonderfully with the snapper. Every bite was delightful. The house-made potato chips, however, were disappointing. They were thin, not crispy, and sticking to my teeth. If you can, substitute for fries or salad. Despite our subpar service, the delicious, well-priced food and beautiful scenery still make this the perfect date spot.

This long-standing family-owned diner has a lot of historic charm and the service is a real…read morestandout. The cashier was incredibly friendly and detailed when I asked about the history of the establishment. The food is unfortunately average, and for the price point my chicken Caesar salad could have more chicken. Still I'd consider returning the next time I visit the island to support this local business and enjoy the wonderful service again.

We decided to stop in for a quick meal before boarding the ferry back to the mainland. Given that…read morewe only had about half an hour before we had to get to the terminal, Vic's seemed like a good choice. I do have to comment - the name of this restaurant is strange. What exactly makes this restaurant a Drive-In? Considering there's no parking specifically for the place, no car hop service, nor any semblance of a drive through. Instead, it's street parking and typical counter service restaurant. On the window, they had signs for a crab cake sandwich, which we decided to order along with another burger. Even though this was on a weekend during the height of summer, there was only a single other party in the place throughout our meal. I guess most people show up later in the night? But then again, they close at 7PM, so I dunno. The food took about 10 minutes to come out. Deluxe Cheeseburger ($10.99) - Firstly the bun - it's a very thick sesame bun that seems to be homemade, or perhaps from a local bakery. It's toasted well until very darkened looking, but isn't dried out at all and is instead soft and fluffy. Tons of shredded lettuce, sliced onion, and tangy pickles, form a base layer on the bottom bun, glued on by a dollop of their secret burger sauce that's nicely creamy, sweet, and tangy. On top is a juicy ¼ pound patty that's cooked to perfection for a diner burger (e.g. well done, but not dried out at all). On top, of course, the melted, fatty cheese. Everything works together very well; this is just a very solid diner-style cheeseburger. There's not really much I could envision to improve it. (5/5) Crab Cake Sandwich ($14.99) - This is pretty much the same as above but without cheese and substituting the beef patty with a crab cake. The cake is fried well, giving a good crunchy breading, whereas the interior is soft and tender, mostly filler without any taste of crab. Seems to be a typical frozen crab cake, but expected for this price point. It's a salty and savory bomb that goes well with the rest of the ingredients. This sandwich comes with a giant pile of crinkle cut fries. Unlike most crinkle cuts I've had in the past, which are typically floppy and sad, these are fried relatively well, creating a decently crisp crust on the outside while maintaining a fluffy interior. I think if these were immersed in the oil for another 30 seconds to a minute, it would create a better experience? Regardless, these are pretty good fries. (4/5) Overall, I was pretty impressed with the food served at Vic's. I'm not sure why they don't have more business at night? It's probably one of the best (if not the best) diner burger on the island. Pricing is high, yes, but it's kind of expected since it's in a tourist area, not to mention on an island. I would happily return on any future visit to Friday Harbor. Bathrooms - Single unisex room Edit: After doing some more research, it seems this place used to be a drive-in. They had to modernize but kept the name.

Super friendly staff, large clean space. Awesome service. Didn't try any food but their beer and…read morespirits selection is large. They have a shuffleboard table too.

Upon first walking in, we noticed the place was dimly lit and it was very noisy, even in the front…read moreseating area. It took a bit for someone to notice us, though a sign said to wait to be seated. Once we were seated, service was relatively quick, at least to get us started with drinks. My whiskey tasted like it had sat on the shelf for ages, not rotating stock. I had to have them take it back, though they tried to say it was my fault for ordering ice with my drink. The food all came out relatively quickly once we were able to place our order, but it was just okay. Nothing was spectacular, and after the initial impression, that did not bode well for the establishment. The one positive is that, unlike other very busy locations around Friday Harbor, they stayed open late and were able to seat us, though the reason for that was everything I've stated above, slower service, poor drinks, and just okay food. The lack of people frequenting the establishment should have been a red flag, but it was late and we were hungry. Needless to say, we did not return during our long weekend stay on the island and, unless they're the only folks open when you need a bite, I might suggest you look elsewhere.

This is straight up pub food, so if you go in knowing what you're going to get, it's a great option…read morefor lunch or dinner. Service was very good, with a wonderful waitress that didn't need a note pad to take our order, and was attentive throughout. Asked for the Fried Clam Strips, and she was kind enough to warn that they weren't fresh but frozen. But they were fried, and exactly what I expected them to be. Burgers were quite large and tasty. I couldn't finish the Southwest Burger with bacon, but it was very good, and my wife devoured her Grilled Sourdough Burger. We both thought the Fries were excellent. Great selection of beers on tap. Don't expect much glamor, but you can expect a hearty, solid burger & fries!

Went it for a FIFA game and had read to "expect tavern food" so I did, but I was pleasantly…read moresurprised to find a deliciously flaky salmon burger on the menu among other very well made items and tons of variety. Also, excellent customer service and a clean dining room! I'll be back!

Back to back mornings the daughter and I hit Rocky Bay Cafe for some breakfast…read more Place gets packed early so don't mess around get in and eat! Service was excellent as my coffee cup was overflowing and the food was great. The guys cooking in the back are legit! Both days I ordered the breakfast burrito with chorizo. See beautiful photo below. The salsa was also on target! Thanks Rocky Bay Cafe! 5 stars I'll be back!

We checked in and put our name on the list and were told to wait outside while a table was being…read morecleaned. Unfortunately, we were forgotten. After noticing that two couples who arrived after us had already been seated, I went back inside to ask about our table. The staff seemed a little irritated by the question, which wasn't a great start to the experience. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly throughout our meal, which I appreciated. However, it took quite a while for our food to arrive, and when it did, it wasn't very hot. I ordered my eggs over medium, but they came out overdone. From what I observed, the kitchen and counter staff seemed somewhat disorganized, which may have contributed to the long wait and cold food. I've heard mixed reviews about this place, and based on my visit, it seems like your experience may depend on the day. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. There are definitely some positives, especially with the waitstaff, but overall the experience fell short of expectations.

While rolling around San Juan Island for my daughter's bday we came across Cousin Vinnie's NY Pizza…read moreCafe on Yelp. What really drew my attention was some of the piss poor reviews from some fake Yelpstars...you know the ones folks; those fake folks that got three total reviews all one star. I thought it was comical about how scared and bent customers were regarding Vinnie's attitude. Honestly, if you can't hack a strong attitude maybe you should just stay inside and be scared! More great pizza for the rest of us. Cousin Vinnie's is not a hole in the wall pizzeria it's a walk up to a door you can't enter and order directly with Vinnie working in the kitchen! Bad A**! We ordered up one large thin crust with olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, and sausage. One personal size all meat pizza and cannolis. Vinnie told me to come back in about 35-40 minutes. He's a one man show people. Rolled back to the front of the pizzeria and Vinnie was showing off other pies he created for orders infront of us. Once ours was done he freshly filled the cannolis and showed off our pizzas. Wow not only did they look great they tasted great. Loved the flavor of the crust and ingredients! 5 stars Vinnie! Great pizza from a great guy! I'll be back!

Rude owner Pizza was not great, don't waste your money…read more Pretty sure the crust was frozen

This is a spot we hit up every time we're in town. Food is…read morereally tasty, the beer selection isn't extensive but they have something for everyone. I've read reviews about the service not being very good, but in the half dozen times I've been there the service has been excellent.

Monday night dinner in early June meant that they weren't too busy…read more We both ordered the steak salad-one rare and one medium. The medium one came out fine. The rare steak was, at best, medium well. Pointed out to server the over done steak which she agreed was not correct. Ten minutes later a more rare steak came out. Odd that it took longer to get the replacement steak than the original orders. Anyway, the steak and balsamic dressing salad were average. The steak was gristly and small. It would have been nice if someone like the cook or server had actually looked at what they made to ensure that it was done correctly. Lastly, the server never came back to the table to check on our meal after dropping off the food. This restaurant seems to be one of those that survives on tourism volume and not quality of food. There are several others nearby, including the Downrigger, that are better.