I love when I find a small town that has great dining options, and Ellensburg, WA, fits the bill.
I was wondering where to eat in Ellensburg when I was planning my trip, and as I did my research, I realized I’d be spoiled for choice!
This little college town has a brewery, wine bars, a cocktail lounge, ice cream, and several fabulous restaurants, and there are far more Ellensburg dining options I haven’t gotten to try yet.
No matter your taste, you’ll surely find something you like out of these 6 of the best Ellensburg restaurants.
Not sure what else to do in Ellensburg between all your different meals? I’ve got you covered. Check out what to do in Ellensburg, WA here!
Best Ellensburg Restaurants & Bars
Iron Horse Brewery & The Pub
Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.
If you are a beer lover, your first tour of Ellensburg’s restaurant scene should be at Iron Horse Brewery & The Pub.
The Pub is their official tasting room for their beer, and they also have a large outdoor patio perfect for distancing.
They serve up a variety of fun and tasty pub food like Finger Gun Beer Pretzel , Chckn Crry Sld (not a spelling mistake– that’s the branding!), and a Sloppy Jared… similar to a sloppy joe, but with their own unique twist on it.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 412 N. Main Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Ellensburg Pasta Company
If you are craving Italian food while visiting Ellensburg, head to Ellensburg Pasta Company for some of their enticing pasta dishes!
Local favorites include their Fried Lobster Ravioli, Asiago Chicken Linguini, and Shrimp Primavera.
They also have soups, salads, light and healthy meals, and kids options — something for everyone at this beloved Ellensburg restaurant!
The bar Bruce’s Place is connected to the restaurant and serves up more traditional pub fare if that’s something you’d prefer. Either way, you’re up for some of the best of the Ellensburg food scene!
Budget Tip: The best bang for your buck can be had here! For an Ellensburg cheap eats treat, grab a a cup of homemade Creamy Tomato soup for around $3.50!
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Address: 600 N. Main St. Ellensburg, WA 98926
Starlight Lounge & Dining Room
I’m always game for happy hour because it is budget-friendly and you get to try more for less!
The Starlight Lounge and Dining Room is an Ellensburg restaurant that’s both historic and classy, and to boot, they make amazing cocktails!
During their daily Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m., appetizers are half off (making them roughly $4-$6 during Happy Hour). Well drinks, drafts, house wines, and their signature Starlight martinis are $1 off.
They also have daily drink specials. (A $5 Long Island Ice Tea – yes please! That’s my night sorted.)
Tip: I’m a tequila drinker and the bartender made me a Rico Suave, which wasn’t on the menu. It was fabulous. Ask for one if you enjoy tequila like I do!
Hours: Monday to Saturday lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. Monday to Thursday dinner is served from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: 402 N. Pearl St. Ellensburg, WA 98926
Brix Elevage Wine Co.
If you got a hankering for pizza and wine, stop by Brix Elevage Wine Co. for one of the best Ellensburg restaurants for pizza.
They feature local wines, including their own Raised By Wolves, and local beer.
The pizza menu has great options like the Wisconsin (yep, its loaded with cheese — as it should be!), Sedona with artichoke hearts, pine nuts and kalamata olives, and the BBQ-inspired Ellensburg Cowboy.
They also have paninis, salads, and tarts.
Tip: If you order off the Nibble menu, the Devils on Horseback is a crostini topped with brie and prosciutto and a side of fig jelly – my favorite.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Address: 109 W 3rd Ave. Ellensburg, WA 98926
Winegars
Last time I drove through Ellensburg I stopped to walk the trails at Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park and then rewarded myself with an ice cream from Winegars!
They’ve been churning ice cream for over sixty years, and in 2013 were declared the best ice cream in the Northwest. I think they know what they’re doing, and why it’s an Ellensburg foodie favorite!
Tip: If you are in a hurry, the 111 E. University Way location has a drive-thru.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: There are two locations in Ellensburg. 111 E. University Way and 1013 E. University Way. Ellensburg, WA 98926
***
And those are my favorite Ellensburg restaurants, bars, and food stops! Did I miss anything on my visit to Ellensburg?
I’d love your suggestions for where to eat in Ellensburg on my next visit!
Those tacos look delicious! But I think Ellensburg Pasta Company would be my favorite. And trying some local wine wouldn’t be bad either! 🙂
Sanne, Good choices! Wine and pasta go perfectly together!
Looks like this small town has got something for you no matter which kind of cuisine you prefer. that’s really a great find. I know it becomes a struggle visiting small towns when they don’t have food option as per your taste. This one is a winner
Neha, It can become a struggle when there are very few options. I’ve definitely been to a some small towns like that. I agree, Ellensburg really has a wide range of food and flavors.
Iron Horse Brewery -Seems to be the perfect name for Beer Pub. And the pizza with wine is a must stop for people like me. i It is a great combination if it fits into the budget too.
Suruchi, I agree, it is a good name. It’s named after a nearby state park that has a rail trail. I haven’t been but it is on my list.
I am a big foodie and loved this post. I am also a vegetarian and curious to know if they have a vegetarian or vegan pasta? The salads and beer sound most appealing to me.
Abhinav, At the Valley Cafe there are the mushroom tacos, which are really good, and a veggie pasta primavera.
Well you have definitely succeeded in making us hungry. Great looking food and descriptions, plus great tips. The research on this one must have been very enjoyable!
Yes, it was a fun time exploring and tasting and having a drink or two in between.
I’d love to try some of that Voodoo! You’ve recommended really nice places 🙂 All the delicacies here look super delicious and honestly, it’s midnight and I’m hungry.
Bethanny, At Brix they even had a voodoo doll with a few pins if you happened to need to vent while you are enjoying your glass of wine. 🙂
It is grewat when you find some excellent unique places in a small town. It can be difficult for small towns to support small businesses sometimes. That beer looks like a good reason to go to Ellensburg.
Wanderlust, It is hard for some small towns to support small businesses so I am always happy to find a small town that is thriving and is building.
Oh yummy! Looks like a cool place to stop to get food. I loved stopping at random towns along our road trip in the US and then find some local bars for drinks and food. Discovering new places is always fun!
Nadine, I would love to hear about the small towns you found!
Oh yummy! Looks like a cool place to stop to get food. I loved stopping at random towns along our road trip in the US and then find some local bars for drinks and food. Discovering new places is always fun!
Nadine, I agree! I’d love to hear more about your small town foodie finds.
This post made my mouth water! I am such a foodie so I hope to try many of the choices in this post!
Tarah, I hope you get to visit Ellensburg soon and make the foodie rounds.
I’m on an early morning train and I have not eaten yet and this is killing me!! Between the picture of the valley cafe and the Ellensburg pasta company I actually can’t even figure out where to start mentally haha they both look amazing!
Dane, LOL. I hope you get to eat something soon!
Good dining is always high on my list when I travel anywhere. Everything you had looks so tasty! I’d love to visit the Iron Horse Brewery The Pub and check out the tasting room!
Kaylene, Good choice! Next time I go there I want to try some of their food and hang out on the patio.
Now I’m starving! I’d go for the Italian then the Happy Hour I think. Thanks for sharing, if I ever plan a trip I’ll head to one of these 🙂
Dannielle, That sounds like a good foodie plan. I’ll join you!
Wow, there really are a lot of great restaurants and bars in Ellensburg! I’m not much of a drinker, so it sounds like I’d be eating ice cream all day. Though, I’m not sure there’s anything wrong with that 😛
Brianna, I’m an ice cream lover, so no, there is nothing wrong with eating ice cream all day! Although I’d probably sneak in a Devils on Horseback too.
I am not a beer lover but I will definitely check out the other options. Which stop would be great for vegetarians like me? Also I would love to try out that tequila drink and taste the best ice cream in the Northwest.
Soumya, The mushroom tacos at Valley Cafe! That are really, really good!
Lots of great food in Ellensburg, WA. I too rely on TripAdvisor for everything 🙂
Lillian, Foodies will not be disappointed with Ellensburg. I’m looking forward to going back and trying more restaurants. I really like that you can now book on TripAdvisor too.
That Italian food looks delicious! I’m getting up to make some similar at home now 😉 Yummy!
Viki, Homemade Italian food sounds really good right now. 🙂
I have to admit, going to Ellensburg was never on my list, but the food looks and sounds so amazing that maybe I do need to go. Yum.
Corinne, That’s nice to hear. I hope you make it there, and if not, I hope your travels take you to lots of great foodie destinations. 🙂
I love home made ice cream! Well, I used to, before I became vegan haha. It’s always fun to find great food destinations in any old place. Makes it kind of extraordinary ^^!
Kristina, What a great way to describe it. Finding one or two places in a small town is usually pretty easy, but when you find more than that it feels like you’ve stumbled onto something extraordinary!
That Italian food looks especially delicious! I’m hungry now, and I will make some bruschetta now 🙂
Viki, Just the word bruschetta is making me crave it. One of my favs!
This food looks so yummy! Anytime I visit another city, I make it a habit to dine at restaurants that are not located in my city. Call me greedy, but if I’m ever in Ellensburg, I’m going to try each of these, especially Winegars!! I love ice cream!
Livi, I love ice cream too, especially butter pecan. 🙂 I hope you get to visit Ellensburg and try all these foodie stops. If you find one I haven’t mentioned let me know!
The beer looks absolutely delightful. From the sheer color I know that I can down a gallon or two. Yet another small town in the US worth a visit. I think one should just do a trail of lesser known small towns like these.
Jitaditya, I like that idea!
The food stops here look amazing . Looks like you had a great time.
Prena, I did really enjoy my time in Ellensburg. It has a lot to offer, and food is always at the top of my list. 🙂
Food is not just a basic necessity to be fulfilled. Food is an emotion! Being a vegetarian I can’t taste the texture and flavour of Garlic prawns but I can definitely indulge in the vegetarian variants. There are always vegetarian options in Pizzas, Tacos, etc.
Sandy, Yes, there are always vegetarian options.
Valley Cafe’s mushroom tacos sounds amazing! As always, you’ve put together a great list of helpful tips and must-do’s! Wish I could join you sometime on some of your explorations…
Tami, Thank you so much. If you are in my neck of the woods drop me a line!
I’ve driven past Ellensburg before on my way from Seattle to Spokane! (My boyfriend’s grandparents live in Spokane, and he went to school there.) I would love to try Locavore and their mushroom tacos! I’ve never had mushroom tacos before but I love mushrooms and I love tacos, so I can’t imagine not loving mushroom tacos. And of course I’ll have to stop for some ice cream next time! Thanks for sharing this!
Diana, Yes! Stop by the Valley Cafe for their mushroom tacos and Winegars ice cream – both are amazing!
You always find the best foodie spots! I’m drooling! Love visiting pubs so thanks for sharing 🙂
Carmen, That is so kind of you to say. Thank you!
It sounds like a great place to go for a weekend of drinking and dining! The food looks delicious!
Cindy, It made me wish I lived closer as there were so many great options!
What a great list of places to eat and drink in Ellensburg! A glass of local wine and crostini with cheese and prosciutto is right down my alley…
A great list of places to sample local food and drink! A glass of wine and the crostini with brie and prosciutto are right down my alley…
Alex, Thanks so much for commenting. I was thrilled to find so many foodie places in Ellensburg. Made for a wonderful experience.
I’ve never been to (or heard of for that matter) Ellensburg, but it looks like you found some great eats. I’m a fan of any town with a brewery.
It really is a gem of a town!
Some interesting food finds and suggestions. Tacos looks yum . Ellensburg certainly looks like a nice place to chill and have good food.
Swati, That is one of the things I like about small towns is they are more conducive to a laid-back vibe. Do you like traveling to small towns?