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Where To Get The Best Fish Tacos In Washington State
This curated list features only tried-and-true favorites that serve the best fish tacos in Washington, so you can easily find your next go-to destination.
Published on Feb. 7, 2026
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From Seattle hidden gem restaurants to island seafood shacks perched on the picturesque Salish Sea, there are loads of diverse places to get incredible fish tacos in Washington state. The region has an ideal set-up to provide the freshest seafood, vegetables, fruits, grains, and other taco ingredients, resulting in unique and distinctly hearty fish tacos that blend Scandinavian and Mexican cuisine.
Why it matters
As a coastal state with fertile farmlands and forests, Washington has an abundance of fresh, high-quality ingredients that make it an ideal destination for exceptional fish tacos. The diverse food scene in cities like Seattle also contributes to the unique regional flair of these tacos, which often incorporate Scandinavian influences alongside traditional Mexican flavors.
The details
The author, a Seattle-area travel writer and fish taco enthusiast, has personally tried each of the featured restaurants and evaluated the tacos based on balanced flavors, complementary toppings, use of spices, sturdy and fresh tortillas, fresh salsa, and perfectly cooked fish. The restaurants are located near the coast, fjords, islands, ports, bays, and other Washington waterways to ensure the seafood is as fresh as possible.
- The Madrona Bar and Grill on Orcas Island only serves fish tacos for lunch.
- Buckbay Shellfish Farm on Orcas Island is only open seasonally from April to October.
The players
Rockfish Grill
A Pacific Northwest haunt in Anacortes that has been open for 25 years and is known for its wood-roasted Alaskan white fish tacos.
The Madrona Bar and Grill
A restaurant in the picturesque town of Eastsound on Orcas Island that serves grilled fish tacos with pineapple pico and spicy jalapeno slaw.
Ivar's Mukilteo Landing
A location of the iconic Ivar's brand in Mukilteo that offers fish tacos with blackened and pan-seared Alaskan cod, mango salsa, and a blend of chipotle aioli and lime-cilantro vinaigrette.
Downriggers
A beloved restaurant in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island that serves blackened cod fish tacos with a black bean and corn relish, radish, pickled red onions, and cilantro lime crema.
El Borracho
A vegan taco restaurant in Seattle's Pike Place Market that offers plant-based "fish" tacos made with algal oil and soy that fool even seafood lovers.
What they’re saying
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)
The takeaway
Washington's fish tacos are unique and distinctly hearty, blending Scandinavian and Mexican influences thanks to the state's abundance of fresh, high-quality ingredients from the coast, farmlands, and forests. The diverse food scene in cities like Seattle also contributes to the regional flair of these tacos, which often incorporate Scandinavian flavors alongside traditional Mexican elements.
