Foodie Escape
Travel Itinerary
If you love food, you’ll love Coupeville. From fresh seafood, aromatic small bakeries, award winning restaurants, locally brewed beer, and even desserts, get your fill in Coupeville.
If you love food, you’ll love Coupeville. From fresh seafood, aromatic small bakeries, award winning restaurants, locally brewed beer, and even desserts, get your fill in Coupeville.
This itinerary is geared for the serious foodie. Some opportunities may be seasonal, such as the local farmers market only available April through October, but most of this guide is centered on year-round opportunities. If you’re a shellfish lover, be sure to check out MusselFest, Coupeville’s largest celebration of the Penn Cove mussel and locally-made chowders.
Day 1
Check in — Arrive mid afternoon and check in to your lodging.
Grab lunch — You came here for some delicious eats; there’s no time to waste! Ask your host for advice, swing by the Coupeville Visitor’s Information Center, or even just follow your nose.
Business Spotlight: Coupe's Last Stand
Open Memorial weekend through September, Coupe’s Last Stand provides delicious and nostalgic eats on the go. Set up just before the boardwalk out to the iconic Coupeville Wharf, you can’t miss this charming small-town hot dog cart.
Ask any local, they’ll encourage you to get a dog with all the fixin’s. Then enjoy your lunch with the best view in town: There are free and public picnic tables overlooking the water and the wharf located steps from the stand.
Coupe’s Last Stand serves hot dogs, polish sausages, bratwurst, pulled pork with homemade coleslaw, veggie dogs, and even elk sausage.
Pick Up Some Treats for Later — Once you’ve wrapped up your lunch, now’s the perfect time to explore Coupeville’s charming downtown shops. Many of them offer not only gifts, but packaged snacks, treats, and food from around the world. Be an adventurous eater and load up on some lavender-infused baked goods at Lavender Wind; bring home some European favorites by stepping in to A Touch of Dutch; swing by Sunshine Drip to pick up charming and rustic prepared foods and ingredients for later; and so much more!
Gather Local Produce — Coupeville is surrounded by the best farmland on Whidbey Island. With the Whidbey Farm Stand guide in hand, hop in the car and cruise the back rounds of Ebey’s Landing to find a huge variety of farm stands. Depending on the season, you may even come across one or two that offer opportunities to pick your own produce!
Even during the winter season, several of our local farms are focused on winter squash, cold season veggies, and animal products.
Many beloved brands sold around the world carry the Whidbey Island label on them—don’t waste your opportunity to see what makes this place so special.
Our farms are hard working and our eco-system is fragile. Please pick up after yourself, support honor stands, and be cautious of entering private property uninvited.
Dinner Time — Hopefully your adventures have helped you work up an appetite! It’s time to head back into Coupeville to enjoy more fine cuisine. If you’re staying in downtown Coupeville, many restaurants may even be located within walking distance to your room, which means you can indulge in some fine locally-made beer, wine, and spirits.
Business Spotlight: Bell's Farm
Bell’s Farm is a fourth-generation, family owned strawberry farm. Berries are handpicked by local children and the jam is produced using a special recipe. They also offer a variety of produce, available year round at their honesty stand and seasonally at local farmers markets.
The farm also offers field trips and tours for the agriculturally curious. Whether you’re looking to bring a small school group or you want an in-depth private tour, this opportunity can be tailored to meet your needs and interests.
Whether you’re participating in a tour or swinging by their honesty stand, you’ll be impressed at what Bell’s Farm produces.
Day 2
Breakfast — It’s time to get ready for the day, grab some coffee, and start off right with a small town breakfast. If you’re staying in one of our quaint B&Bs, your innkeepers will offer breakfast. If you have other accommodations, check out one of our downtown cafes for a delicious breakfast.
Business Spotlight: Little Red Hen
Little Red Hen Bakery, a staple of Coupeville life, is a must-visit early in the day before all the goodies sell out. Located at the end of Front Street overlooking the water, Little Red Hen is a great stop for take-out coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bread and pastries. Or stop in for a sit-down breakfast served by the friendliest staff on Front Street.
Little Red Hen offers small batch artisan breads, buns, rolls, and pastries from locally sourced ingredients. Starting out as the in-house supply of baked goods for the Oystercatcher, the passion of staff and the locals grew it into a business of its own.
This place is popular with the locals, so if you’re hoping to snag a table in the shop, be early. Or better yet, share a table and make some new friends!
Wine, Beer, & Spirits Tour — Small family wineries, breweries, and craft distilleries dot the landscape throughout Whidbey Island. With designated driver in tow or the bus schedule in your pocket (please drink responsibly!), enjoy a relaxing and luxuriant day visiting wine shops that have collected the best the region has to offer, production facilities for beer and spirits that will walk you through their process, and tastings of small batch estate wines grown and fermented on island.
Lunch — Be sure to stop for lunch along the way! Drinking on an empty stomach is no fun, and why would you when there’s so many more delicious places to stop for a bite?
Business Spotlight: Tyee Restaurant
Established in 1926, the Tyee is where the locals gather for grub, gossip, and good times. The staff is dedicated to providing comfortable food, spirits, and lodging to everyone who walks through their door.
Enjoy breakfast all day, classic platters like chicken fried steak or burgers, or a wide variety of hot sandwiches, entrees, and seafood.
The Tyee is open seven days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM.
Treat that Sweet Tooth — If alcohol doesn’t catch your fancy, perhaps it’s time to indulge your sweet tooth. Mid day is the perfect time to sample all the sweets Whidbey has to offer. Start off on Front Street with the iconic Kapaw’s Iskreme (pronounced Kay-Paw’s Ice Cream), a Coupeville staple. Try some lavender ice cream. Or explore beyond Coupeville with the delights of Sweet Mona’s Chocolates in nearby Langley.
Dinner — Wander the outdoor beauty of Whidbey Island to work up an appetite, then swing by another local treasure for some dinner.
Business Spotlight: The Oystercatcher
The height of Pacific Northwest Cuisine, the Oystercatcher has captured the hearts of visitors and locals alike. No trip to Coupeville would be complete without a night at this little restaurant.
One thing all reviews have in common, no matter what they ordered, include the phrase “the best I’ve ever had.”
Reservations are highly encouraged. Make your plan today to experience the best food and service available in Coupeville.
Day 3
Breakfast — Be sure to enjoy one of Whidbey’s many, many local sources for coffee (fun fact, Seattle’s Best Coffee, which is the original source of many of Starbuck’s most beloved brews, was actually started right here on Coupeville’s Front Street) and grab some fresh baked pastries or breakfast sandwiches while you wait!
Business Spotlight: Sunshine Drip
Sunshine Drip created a coffee shop that brings people together from all walks of life. A favorite gathering place of the locals, this is the breakfast spot to make you feel like you’ve always belonged here.
Sunshine Drip provides our historic town of Coupeville with a community gathering place, to enjoy a meal in the cafee, a good cup of organic coffee, and great conversation.
Breakfast sandwiches, quiches, yogurt bowls, lunch, wraps, smoothies, and of course, COFFEE.
Check Out — Once you’re fueled up for the morning, it’s time to pack your bags and say farewell to your temporary home. But you’re not done with the local cuisine just yet!
Go Crabbing, Clamming, or Fishing — Now’s your opportunity to bring some of Coupeville home with you! Before you head out, your final afternoon is the perfect opportunity to enjoy Coupeville’s many beaches to gather some local seafood. Grab a permit, soak up some local advice, and stock up that cooler for the trip home, or enjoy it right on the beach!
Keep an Eye on the Calendar — It’s no secret that Coupeville loves food, and we have many festivals and events to show for it. While not included in this guide so as to be a resource all year round, a true foodie knows to build their trip around one of the local food-lovers events. Sign up for our newsletter or keep an eye on our calendar to be informed of upcoming opportunities.
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