Updated June 1, 2023

Edmonds dining is all-inclusive, and pretty special. There is literally something for everyone, whether rolling solo or hanging out with your peeps, vegan or carnivore, on a diet or splurging.

For families, this seaside town pulls out all the stops, with quite the smorgasbord. Burgers and burritos, pizza and grilled cheese, pancakes and dumplings, cookies and gelato…it’s all good in the 'hood.

Let’s dive in!

There aren’t many kids (young or old) who don’t love a plate of sticky rice and that sweet and saucy teriyaki chicken. Toshi’s Teriyaki on Main has got that and more. Their diverse menu not only serves up the tried and true teriyaki that locals love, but the little grill in this two-table joint whips up Chinese dishes like Mongolian Beef and General Tso’s Chicken, along with Thai delights of Pad Thai and Curry.

Edmonds resident Kelsey Foster has some news for you: “Here is perhaps an unexpected recommendation for one of the best burgers in Edmonds. Toshi’s Teriyaki on Main. Trust me. And you are welcome.”

Her teens rave on the Yakisoba, as well. The large portions and reasonable prices keep their fans dedicated and returning weekly for their Toshi’s fix.

You can see Claire’s Pantry on 301 Main Street as soon as you arrive in downtown Edmonds. It’s like this big, welcoming diner straight out of the ‘60s. Breakfasts mean omelets, biscuits 'n gravy, chicken-fried steak, waffles, and blueberry pancakes. Lunch and dinner are all about burgers, sandwiches, and classic diner food, like hamburger steak, spaghetti, Monte Cristo, and chicken strips and fries. Don’t forget the milk shake and Oreo cheesecake. 

Family Pancake House and Rusty Pelican Café give off that same comforting, family-friendly vibe, with all the diner classics at your disposal.  

Family Pancake House on 23725 Hwy. 99, a staple in the Edmonds community, has locations in Bremerton, Port Orchard, and Redmond. There’s a menu for the adults and a separate one for “young guests,” featuring all the goodies kids go for (French Toast Dippers, apple pancakes, chicken strips, mac 'n cheese, grilled cheese, PB&J, corn dogs, hot dogs, and mini-burgers). 

The egg dishes are consistently top-notch. But you came here for the Swedish pancakes. And they don’t disappoint.

The equally popular Rusty Pelican Café on 107 5th Ave. N., with a second location in Mill Creek, is known for its extensive, rib-sticking breakfasts, from potato pancakes, banana split waffles, and strawberry lemon crepes, to corned beef hash, Farmer's Skillet, chorizo omelettes, Baja Scrambler, and those creamy, dreamy Benedicts, a party on a plate. 

Another local chain, Santa Fe Mexican Grill & Cantina, moved into Edmonds in 2019 with a lot of fanfare and hungry customers-turned-fixtures. The menu features traditional and ramped-up Mexican dishes for every member of the family: Carne Asada, Burrito Chile Verde, fajitas, chimichangas, meat quesadillas, tacos and enchiladas, and combo plates. They offer los niños their own abbreviated menu of tacos, quesadilla, burrito, chicken strips, and burgers. The restaurant is located at 423 Main Street.

Bucatini’s pasta dishes will remind you of the best of East Coast, New York style. Tangy, bright, rich tomato sauce. Fluffy, mighty meatballs. Al dente pasta, made from scratch. And a perfect ratio of each. Bucatini restaurant and catering on 9818 Edmonds Way-Westgate Center does it right. Chef Tony Donatone hails from New York, so he should know. He’s cooked in Manhattan’s Little Italy, as well as places in Miami, Chicago, and Lake Tahoe, for celebrities and regular folks, and long held court at Casa D’Italia, a 2001 Seattle landmark, before opening Bucatini in Edmonds a few years ago. Menu also has lots of other items — meatball grinder, vongole to die for, and weekly specials like Manzo Pizzaiola and a lamb, venison, caribou, and smoked boar ragu. The bambino menu will thrill the kids with their own mini-version of pasta and pizza bread.

Where’s the pizza? At Kebella's, 630 Edmonds Way. The restaurant originated out of a European family business with 20-plus years experience. Besides Greek-style pizzas, pastas, calzones, sandwiches, and a low-carb menu, Kebella’s Pizza & Pasta holds its 30/30 pizza-eating competition for the gamers in your family. 

Three of you need to wolf down a super 30-inch XXXL, three-topping, traditional crust pizza in 30 minutes. If you succeed, without incident (ahem), the pizza is free, and you get a 30/30 winner’s t-shirt, plus your photo on the Wall of Fame. Losers go on the Wall of Shame.

Shubert Ho’s Fire & The Feast on 526 Main St., offers indoor and outdoor patio dining. The rustic Italian menu, featuring wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and homemade pastas, will appeal to everyone in the family. 

The kids can order from their own menu of little pizzas and spaghetti, while the adults can marvel over artisan pizzas (+gluten-free!), like the Margherita, spicy Salsiccia, and pepperoni and Calabrian honey, and pick out masterpieces — Bolognese Rigatoni, Pork Osso Buca, Saffron Prawn Risotto — to feast on. Be sure to stop by for Happy Hour, Tuesday - Sunday from 4pm - 6pm.

Scott’s Bar & Grill on 8115 Lake Ballinger Way may sound like adulting, but the kids menu is a huge draw for families. Meals (cheeseburger, fish & chips, grilled cheese sandwich, chicken tenderloins, Fettuccine Alfredo, grilled Columbia River steelhead) come with house bread, beverage, orange slices, French fries, mashed potatoes or vegetables, and “the world’s smallest chocolate sundae.” Their new family meal deals are available for pick-up, too. The main, takeout menu has a lot of interesting selections that you might not ordinarily find at a typical bar & grill: Broadway pea salad, almond-crusted sea scallops, filet mignon, char-grilled, herb-crusted, roasted prime rib, yeah.

Ask anyone in the Korean community where the best fried chicken is and chances are, they’ll point you straight to Stars in the Sky in Edmonds’ International District (23830 Hwy. 99, Suite 121) — the best-kept secret in Snohomish County. They have plenty of anjoo (appetizers): mandoo, pizza corn cheese, seasoned and cheesy French fries, and bacon-wrapped rice cake. But the spicy, crispy fried chicken is the star here. So many varieties: half or whole, wings and boneless, original and Korean style, sauced or dry, sweet and spicy, extra spicy, honey butter garlic, Asian garlic, you just have to try them all.

Ono Poke brings a taste of the Hawaiian islands to Edmonds. Owner Steven Ono grew up in Kahalu’u, Oahu, learning to appreciate the fine art of poke from his Uncle Reuben, a commercial fisherman. Ono’s one of the earliest pioneers to ride the poke wave, currently taking the Mainland by storm. Ono Poke earned the aloha of locals in 2017 by winning in “Best of Western Washington’s” new restaurant and poke categories. 

Ono updates his menu on the daily with fresh catch(es) of the day on the restaurant’s Facebook page, and uses only sustainable, premium sushi grade 1 ahi from Hawaii, hamachi and tako from Japan, and salmon from BC Canada, as well as locally-sourced seafood that appear as specials.

The produce going into the poke bowls are organic and pesticide-free. Pick what you want in your poke bowl, from the base (sushi rice, salad, or both) to the sides (edamame, mac salad, cucumber kim chee, seaweed). Zero in on the ahi like one purist, or load ‘em up, brah. Kids can play, too, with their own fish bowl, or a free veggie bowl for the more squeamish. Yes, vegans can join in the fun, with a tofu version. Look for the kalua pig plate lunch, made with non-GMO Brookshire Pork Shoulder.

Honestly, the best part about Furi Chinese Restaurant (546 5th Ave. S.) is the lovely lady greeting you at the door. As soon as you arrive, you’re family. She takes care of you like mom, bustling around from table to table, remembering customers and their orders, and making sure yours is on-point.

And like a mom, she’s especially kind to children, doting on their every need. A neighborhood fixture, Furi is kind of a throwback to the ‘70s, when America first encountered the exotic wonders of Chow Mein and fried rice, with those nifty little fortune cookies hiding secrets inside. 

The menu covers the gamut of Chinese standards: egg rolls, egg flower soup, steamed and pan-fried buns, General Tso’s Chicken, Beef with Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, Crispy Duck, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Ma Po Tofu, Sweet & Sour Pork, Curry Beef Clay Pot, Singapore Rice, Fried Rice, and of course, Chow Mein. Family dinners available. 

Bubble tea has reached cult status in the U.S. The Edmonds International District is chock full of places serving this Taiwanese dessert in a drink. Our top three: TapiocaExpress, Bambū, and Yi Fang. If you’re not into tapioca balls, you can totally order your blends straight or with other toppings. They also have amazing smoothies and fresh juices, Vietnamese coffees, Pandan waffles, and chi chi fries.

Before you head back home, don’t forget the best part of any family meal: more dessert! Revelations Yogurt, Canarino Gelato, which hosted Santa last Christmas, and Midnight Cookie Co. are around to satisfy any sweet tooth.