Inlander Restaurant Week | Restaurant Week in Spokane, WA
Spokane doesn’t just have any restaurant week, Spokane has the BEST in the region (while we may be headquartered in Spokane, this is actually a non-biased opinion!) and it is known as Inlander Restaurant Week. The Inlander is a popular, free community newspaper and is an incredible resource for Spokanites and anyone who lives in the Inland Northwest, and they have been putting on this beloved event for over a decade.
Spokane’s Restaurant Week began in 2013 as a partnership between the Inlander and Visit Spokane, and now it’s a marketing powerhouse for local restaurants and a highly-anticipated annual event by the public.
Restaurant Week in Spokane is from February 23 to March 4, 2023 (yes, it’s longer than a week, so you get plenty of time to try out some new places) and features over 100 restaurants around Spokane and northern Idaho. This is absolutely legendary in our region, and everyone picks up a copy of the issue that has all of the menus to make their list.
Of course, I can’t resist sharing about fabulous local restaurants, and my list is a bit of a trendsetter. If you want to get into any of these places and they have the ability to make a reservation, do that ASAP because they’ll fill up fast.
The restaurants featured for Inlander Restaurant Week are offering three-course meals at price points ranging from $25, $35, or $45.
Where Can I Find All the Restaurants and Menus for Spokane’s Inlander Restaurant Week?
You can find all the 2023 Spokane restaurant information on the 2023 Inlander Restaurant week here. You can search by area and cuisine here.
Still overwhelmed? No worries – no matter what you’re craving, this year’s Restaurant Week truly has a little of everything, and our list has some surefire hits that we recommend to all of you (but only after we’ve shared the list with our closest friends so they don’t miss out on getting a reservation before all of you jump on it – sorry not sorry)!
How is the 2023 Inlander Restaurant Week Giving Back?
Big Table is this year’s Restaurant Week’s beneficiary. Big Table is an incredible nonprofit that launched in 2009 for one simple reason: there was no single non-profit nationally caring for those working in the restaurant and hospitality industries.
Learn more about Big Table at our interview with City Director of Spokane Chris Deitz below:
Big Table helps to keep families from being evicted, provides groceries, support to see therapists and doctors, and so much more. Enjoying an incredible meal during Restaurant Week is one way you can help support Big Table.
You can also donate directly to Big Table here.
Where to Go for the 2023 Spokane Inlander Restaurant Week
Date Night
We have to start with our favorite – date night! Where should you go for a romantic night out? When it comes to romance, these are some of our top picks for this year, not just because of the swoony ambiance, but also because of their exciting menus that will have you trying new things together.
This is the restaurant that is always on the top of my list for exciting dishes that surprise and delight me. This year’s menu is dazzling both in scope and the exotic ingredients the team has chosen to showcase.
My top picks are the Winter Squash Salad with roasted winter squash, coconut lime vinaigrette, pepitas, crispy shallots, the Pork Loin Chickpea panisse with parsnip mostarda, vegetable demi, herb salad, and for the third course I recommend the brown butter financier with mascarpone, poached pear, honey, and puffed wild rice. If that doesn’t convince you to put it at the top of your list, nothing will!
For the ultimate experience in European-inspired cuisine, this is a must. Chef Peter Froese’s refined use of common, tasty ingredients will blow your mind. From beginning to end, it’ll be guaranteed to be a flavor experience that you won’t soon forget.
You may read the menu and wonder what the dishes will actually be like, and honestly, that’s the point. You’ll get surprise after surprise that will have you wondering just how he does it as if it were a magic trick (but if you have food sensitivities, you can always ask for more detail).
I would pick the smoked steelhead with amaranth, roe, and almond, then the spaghetti with beef sauce and parmesan, and the third course I’d pick the pork tenderloin with carrot, chicory and hazelnut. You’ll be wanting to put this on a regular date night rotation, and you’ll never be bored.
This destination dining spot is always popular with our readers, and I always eagerly look forward to what Chef Blake Kaba has in store. This year I’ll order the Banh Mi Bao with teriyaki sirloin bites, pickled cucumber, shredded carrots, pickled jalapeno, cilantro, and togarashi, the Moroccan Spiced Sirloin with fingerling potatoes, sauteed vegetable medley, chermoula, harissa paste, and get Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert. How can you go wrong here? Impossible. The whole menu looks fantastic.
This is a brand new spot from Chef Ian Wingate that I can’t stop thinking about, and everyone in town can’t stop talking about. It’s THE top new restaurant of the year so far, and I can’t wait to get in there for Restaurant Week. These dishes are true showstoppers, and after trying every single one of them at the Inlander’s social media preview event, I have been dreaming about eating it all over again.
My top picks from this new Spokane Restaurant Week spot are the beets and Tangerines with field greens, farro, grapes, house-made labneh, smoked apricot vinaigrette, and candied apricots, the Cacio e Peppe Pizza with parmigiano reggiano cream, garlic confit, rotisserie chicken, and cracked black pepper, and the best dessert I had all day – the Jaffa Cake – a genoese sponge cake, with orange and chocolate. It had an impossibly delicate crumb and was beautifully balanced – everything you’d want in a dessert.
If you’re a classic steakhouse kind of person, or you love someone who is, this is a restaurant that will knock your socks off. Spencer’s takes beloved dishes like six onion soup and turns them into a masterpiece. Make it a bowl for an extra $3; you’ll thank me later.
I also recommend the Petite Filet au Poivre, because very few places in Spokane treat steaks with as much respect as this place does. It comes pepper crusted with Yukon potato fondant (read: sexy mashed potatoes) and, broccolini. Finish it off with the apple hand pie with caramel sauce and house-made whipped cream. Top it off with a sophisticated, relaxed environment with top-notch service and you have yourself a date night to remember.
Celebrity Chef Chad White has earned not one, but TWO James Beard Award nominations for this hotspot that is centrally located downtown with easy parking, a bright and colorful ambiance, and flavor that packs a punch.
My picks for the menu this year include Sopa de Calabaza with sikil pak, black onion paste, house-made requesón, Cochinita Pibil featuring pit-smoked pork shoulder, recado roja, pickled onion, habanero salsa, pineapple vinegar, cilantro and tortillas, and the Concha with sweet cream, grapefruit granita, tepache jam, and basil. One thing is for sure at this place, you’ll never be bored with what you order. If it were me, I’d just order the whole menu and bring friends to try a little of everything. You won’t regret it.
A jewel in the crown of James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Ethan Stowell, their Spokane location features house-made pasta that has the perfect chew that can only be made the same day that you consume it.
Start with the Burrata accompanied by Lady Rose Apple, pink peppercorn, thyme, and crostini for a tried-and-true classic done to perfection. Their most popular menu item is one that I highly recommend ordering, as they call it “The King” for a reason. The rigatoni with spicy sausage and tomato sauce is an absolute crusher every time. End the meal with the ever-elegant tiramisu.
I consider Wiley’s one of the most romantic dinner date spots in Spokane for so many reasons! There are vegan options, vegetarian options, and Wiley’s is known for going above and beyond for people with allergies and food restrictions. In addition to being one of the most romantic date night spots in Spokane, Wiley’s is also an excellent location for gluten-free restaurants in Spokane, too. Located in downtown Spokane, it’s a great location with a delicious menu for Restaurant Week – and don’t sleep on that huckleberry lemonade cocktail either!
I’d order the crisp romaine hearts with creamy Caesar dressing, croutons and Parmigiano-Reggiano, the house-made yellow curry, choice of tofu or prawn atop a coconut rice cake with sweet peas, heirloom carrots, roasted red peppers, and micro pea shoots, and finish off the evening with Key lime pie with graham crust, filled with sweet cream and silver tequila, topped with whipped cream and red sea salt. The perfect chef’s kiss on a beautiful meal.
Out with Friends or Family
If you’re going out with friends or family for Restaurant Week in Spokane, you definitely want a fun atmosphere with great food. If you’re looking for great locations for Restaurant Week with your friends, check out these spots.
Yes, Rüt is a vegan restaurant (one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in Spokane!), but hear me out! The food is out of this world good, and if you don’t regularly go to vegan-friendly places, this is an awesome way to try out RUT’s full menu during Restaurant Week!
My dream menu would be the everyone-gets-them-always cauliflower wings (although I’ve heard the Maple’s Harvest Chili is drool-worthy), the kung pao bowl, and then the chocolate chocolate chocolate cheesecake. Seriously, if you go with family or friends, SOMEONE has to get the cheesecake. It’s mind-blowing. Thank me later!
Love a good campout? Bring all of your pals and try out this unique restaurant that’s underground, but has a distinctive, rustic, outdoor vibe complete with a tent. Come for the ambiance and stay for the food – James Beard Nominated (and Guy Fieri-approved) Chef Tony Brown has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, and it shows in this imaginative and diverse menu. I order the beloved Pimento Cheese with pickles and focaccia, the Pumpkin Mac and Cheese, and the Vanilla Bread Pudding lemon curd and whipped cream for a bright yet comforting finale.
If I didn’t tell you to go here for Restaurant Week or any other day of the year, I’d be doing you wrong. This spot quickly became one of my favorites since I was invited for a media preview dinner just before they opened, and I’ve been back dozens of times for all of their insanely delicious takes on Mediterranean cuisine.
For Inlander Restaurant Week, I’d be adventurous and order the Baked Feta Dip with tomatoes and peppers, baked hot in a cast iron; served with fresh pita (which you’ll DEFINITELY want to order more of, trust), and the Kreatopita (Greek Spiced Meat Pie) with slow-cooked lamb, pork and beef with toasted spices, layered with kefalotyri cheese, herbs and roasted onions; topped with crispy pastry top and herbs, all cooked in a cast iron pan, and then finish with their famous baklava topped with brown sugar ice cream and honey.
If you’re lucky enough to see Chef Adam Hegstead there, be sure to tell him we sent you and give him a big ‘ol high five.
If you love Asian-inspired cuisine that’s full of flavor, head to Little Noodle! Chef Kadra Evans just returned from shooting a brand new show for the Food Network, and she’s about to become a household name. You won’t want to miss this one.
Check out Little Noodle’s Restaurant Week menu here and make sure to book a reservation before everyone else does. It’s a cozy, intimate restaurant, and you’ll definitely want to plan ahead.
When you’re there, get the Musubi Crisps to start with smoked Spam or smoked tofu wrapped in rice and seaweed then wrapped in rice paper and pan-fried, then get the show-stopping Lava Cup O’ Noodle! It’s a spicy cup of ramen noodles tossed with house lava sauce, veggies, choice of protein and garnished with fired garlic, chili oil and local microgreens. You will have all of your friends talking about this when you post it on social media. End with the sorbet for a nice palate cleanser.
I’ve never had a meal that didn’t make me smile at Cochinito – from the imaginative, fine-dining-inspired taco options to the fast, friendly service, this is one of my favorite haunts! Chef Travis Dickinson and his team turn out some of the best food in the city in a humble taco.
I’d recommend that you go for the chips and guac, three tacos (be bold and try something new!) and the unforgettable churros served with your choice of spiced chocolate or cajeta caramel dipping sauces. Then again, you can just order one of each item on the menu. It’s all a delicious – and you’ll make this one of your go-to’s long after Restaurant Week is over.
The best part? They have two locations – one in Spokane and a BRAND NEW one in Hayden, Idaho! Double the tacos, double the fun!
Speaking of another place to bring several friends and try everything, you must visit Feast during Restaurant Week! Each of the chefs collaborated together and every dish is from another part of the world. It’s truly amazing that you can try so many different new cuisines in one place! Just take a look at this menu – it’s incredible to see this talented group work together in this way.
I recommend the Sopa De Queso – an authentic Mexican cheese and potato soup mixed with roasted vegetables. Served with potato flautas, topped with cream and Avocado dressing made by Chef María Edith, and the Vegan Wot, a traditional Ethiopian meal with fasoulia (green bean), misir wot (red lentil), kik wot (yellow lentil), salad, and injera (GF) for dipping made by Chef Hibraye Tsegay, served with Himbasha, a traditional bread made by Chef Besrat Asgedom.
For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the Qatayef- a pair of Syrian sweet pancakes: one stuffed with clotted cream and one with walnut filling that is made by Chef Nabil Al Zouabi.
Hillyard has never tasted so good. Kismet’s menu speaks for itself, but I’m a huge fan of the Ceviche Guajillo with cured albacore, orange, pickled red onions, chili, mojo verde on a tostada, the Bocalo a pan-seared white fish, curtido, pickled vegetables, mole aioli, and soy reduction, and finishing with the Leches Cake – a milk-soaked masterpiece of a white cake, with whipped cream. I’ve been dreaming about it ever since!
This is one of the most underrated restaurants in all of Spokane. A clever theme is present throughout – popular Spokane landmarks are tucked away in every detail of the establishment, and the food isn’t your average bar fare.
I’ll be ordering the Couscous Street Corn Salad with roasted corn, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro and spices topped with cojita cheese, the Birria Chicken Nachos with melted cheddar and smoked gouda, and finishing up with one of their eight local tap beers.
Not on the menu for Restaurant Week but worth mentioning – their deep-fried PB&J sandwich. It’s ridiculously unhealthy but emotionally satisfying at a level that is impossible to explain in words.
Last, and anything but least, you’ll definitely want to hit up Cascadia. This place is legendary in our community, and it’s because of their top-notch comfort food done right. I wish there was a Cascadia on every corner. It’s located in Five Mile, and worth every second of the drive for me from the Spokane Valley.
I always order the house-made pretzel, served with beer cheese and stone-ground mustard. You can also order vegan queso if you prefer! I’d follow that up with the shrimp and grits with andouille sausage, fontina, cheddar, butter, and locally sourced Fletcher’s hot sauce. Finally, I’d get the banana split with strawberries, vanilla ice cream, candied walnuts, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. You’ll leave full and happy.
But What If You Don’t Want to Go to Restaurant Week?
If you hate the idea of having to fight the crowds, we’ve got news for you – there are other restaurants in town that are not participating! What?! Embrace your independence!!!! Fly your freak flag! We salute you. After all, there are going to be thousands of people out there doing their thing and trying all the menus, so you can live vicariously through them or strike out on your own in defiance. We get it.
Some places choose not to participate in Restaurant Week for any number of reasons. Why? It can be expensive to advertise for smaller mom-and-pop shops, it can be challenging to staff up to the level needed to handle the extra visitors, and it can even just not be of interest to more established spots.
That said, you may not want to or be able to participate this year for a variety of reasons, too. Food is incredibly expensive right now, and we totally get that the struggle is real. Plus, with all of the extra people, it can be hard on staff. It is also less likely or not possible to get substitutions at some places due to the rush.
What’s a person to do?
I have a few recommendations:
- Hit up our magazine for recipes from our beloved local chefs and nutritionists. If you cook at home, it’s also probably going to be healthier depending on what you pick!
- Go somewhere else that isn’t on the list. It’s not the whole city, bro – there are other places in town that could use the extra love.
- Order pizza from Versalia. They have absolutely phenomenal pies and you’ll be able to get an extra for leftovers.
- Get some dinner made for you by Pantry Fuel, and get in some great nutrition to fuel your body.
- Not into eating healthy? Grab a pint from The Scoop or a handmade bagel from Hidden Bagel – and take home some extra schmear.
- Visit The Bad Seed out in Hillyard – another phenomenal new spot that you’ve got to try. It’s Tex Mex at its best. I’m a huge fan of their classic Caesar salad, which was invented in Mexico! It has nopales on top and everything. YUM.
- Have dinner with a friend! Have them over to your place or vice versa… or both! You can cook together or take turns – go wild. It’s totally up to you.
- Get meals delivered from Beacon at Home. They have absolutely delish offerings that change weekly. Beacon Hill catered our wedding and all of our guests loved it, and we’ve appreciated the family-style meals they made during the pandemic that have stuck around due to their popularity!
- Get a steak at Churchill’s for the ultimate luxurious experience without the hustle and bustle. Get the caviar if you’ve got room in the budget and laugh at all of the people fighting the crowds.
- Go shopping and hit up the Nordstrom Café. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in Spokane, and I’m a fool for the Nicoise salad.
- Order some fresh produce from LINC Foods and have your mind blown by all of the incredible products from right here in the Northwest.
- Order some steak from Thiessen Ranch and have the best beef of your life.
- Hit up one of our local independent bookstores and get inspired with a new cookbook. Is a new one out of your budget? Thrift stores are a FANTASTIC resource for gently used cookbooks for pennies on the dollar.
- Watch a show on the Food Network to get some new ideas for dinner.
Inlander Restaurant Week is a great way to explore the best restaurants in Spokane and enjoy delicious food from local chefs. However, if you don’t want to participate, there are still plenty of options for eating out or dining in. You can explore recipes from local chefs and nutritionists in our magazine, try a new spot that isn’t on the list, order pizza from Versalia, or any variety of tasty activities. No matter how you slice it, Restaurant Week is an adventure and if you have it in you, we recommend you enjoy at least one new-to-you spot!
FAQs About Inlander Restaurant Week
Inlander Restaurant Week is an annual event held in Spokane, WA. During the “week” (usually 10 days), local restaurants offer special deals on their menus and give diners the chance to sample delicious local cuisine at discounted prices.
Yes! Spokane Restaurant Week is known as Inlander Restaurant Week and is an annual event that occurs each February and into early March, where local restaurants offer special menus or deals for the week.
Inlander Restaurant Week 2023 will take place between Thursday, February 23 and Sunday, March 4.
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Erin Peterson, Editor-In-Chief
Erin Peterson grew up in Post Falls, Idaho and became a professionally certified educator – earning the Provost’s Award for academic achievement and community service from Lewis-Clark State College. Now she is an award-winning local influencer, podcaster and digital strategy educator with a passion for equity and inclusion. Erin has been published and featured in a wide variety of local publications including the Spokesman Review, The Inlander, and has served as an editor at Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine. If you want to learn more about how she is making an impact right here in the Northwest, give her a follow on Instagram at @trending.northwest or Trending Northwest on Facebook.
