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The 15 Best Restaurants in Auburn, Washington

The 15 Best Restaurants in Auburn, Washington

Post last updated September 4, 2023

Auburn, Washington, is a restaurant hotspot, offering a diverse array of mouthwatering dishes and memorable dining experiences for all food lovers alike. 

With its rich cultural scene and growing food scene, this thriving city has something for everyone, whether you’re craving comforting classics or seeking adventurous flavors.

From authentic Asian cuisines to savory steakhouses and creative fusion eateries, Auburn’s dining landscape promises to satisfy your high standards for food.

Join us as we embark on an amazing journey, exploring the 15 best restaurants in Auburn, Washington!

  1. Gor Gai Thai Street Food
  2. Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro
  3. Lezzet Brunch
  4. Saap fusion
  5. Urban Chops 
  6. West Hill Deli 
  7. PHOnomenal Teriyaki 
  8. La Rioja Mexican Cuisine
  9. Sweet Rice 
  10. Gyro Flame 
  11. Hops n Drops
  12. Serious Soul At Cubby’s
  13. Belen Pupuseria
  14. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
  15. Happy Express

1. Gor Gai Thai Street Food

Address: 614 E Main St, Auburn, WA 98002

Gor Gai Thai Street Food offers a casual dining experience with its walk-up counter service and speedy food delivery. The to-go containers make it convenient to take leftovers home, and their egg rolls with dipping sauce are a great addition to any meal.

While the restaurant has an “Okay” food safety rating, my experience was positive and I didn’t encounter any issues. 

Gor Gai Thai Street Food is a solid choice for quick, tasty Thai cuisine, with crispy pork being a standout dish. Just keep an eye on their opening hours to avoid disappointment.

2. Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro

Vinifera salad (Image Credit: VInifera)

Address: 18 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002

Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro is a restaurant with mixed reviews. On the positive side, people loved dishes like the Brie plate appetizer, chocolate mousse, and Caesar salad.

The service does lack at times, with the service having a little bit of an attitude, and the music from the bar can be a little too loud, making it difficult to enjoy the dining experience.

Despite these drawbacks, the strong mixed drinks were appreciated. Overall, Vinifera Wine Bar & Bistro offers an enjoyable food experience with a few areas that could be improved for a better dining atmosphere.

3. Lezzet Brunch

Lezzet Brunch (Image Credit: Lezzet Brunch)

Address: 12722 SE 312th St, Auburn, WA 98092

Lezzet offers a delightful fusion of Turkish and American cuisine, making it a must-visit spot for brunch enthusiasts. The fresh, delicious food and attentive, friendly staff create a memorable dining experience.

The mushroom omelet and chicken pide bread are highly recommended, with great taste and presentation. For a more authentic Turkish experience, I suggest trying the Menemen, a tomato-based dish perfect for dipping with the provided bread and pretzel. 

The real standout is the Beef Manti—these Turkish dumplings offer a balanced filling-to-wrapper ratio with a delicious, satisfying taste. With its outstanding service, fresh flowers on each table, and ample seating for larger parties, Lezzet Brunch is an excellent choice for an enjoyable brunch.

4. Saap Fusion

Address: 1525 A St NE, Auburn, WA 98002

Saap Fusion offers a delightful taste of Lao and Southeast Asian cuisine, with a variety of delicious dishes. The Cambodian Beef Sausage, paired with sticky rice and jasmine rice, is a must-try, as are the Cambodian stir fry beef and Tofu Pad Thai.

The owner’s warm, welcoming behavior and dedication to crafting each dish with care are reflected in the flavors and presentation. Be patient, as the chef cooks the dishes himself.

Other standout dishes include the Lao Papaya with cooked shrimp, Lao sausage, and the Nam Khao wrapped in a lettuce leaf with cilantro. You won’t be disappointed with the food here if you’re a fan of Asian food.

5. Urban Chops 

Address: 512 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002

This restaurant has a large menu, with the curry shrimp and chicken vermicelli being great choices, especially with the restaurant’s crunchy French bread. 

The soft shell crab with a steam bun and a fried wonton is another flavorful choice. The crispy chicken and bacon sandwich is a must-try. I recommend finishing off your meal with the crème brûlée for a sweet touch.

Urban Chops is a fantastic spot to satisfy your cravings and discover new flavor combinations, making it a place worth visiting.

6. West Hill Deli 

Address: 3615 W Valley Hwy N, Auburn, WA 98001

West Hill Deli is an affordable, casual dining spot with a focus on Filipino food. The tocino garlic rice plate and ube pancakes come highly recommended, offering a flavorful experience at a great price. You may want to skip on the ube coffee, though.

The pork belly benedict is another delicious choice, and the extensive menu ensures there are plenty of options to explore.

With enough seating and parking available, West Hill Deli is a friendly and convenient option for a delicious Filipino meal.

7. PHOnomenal Teriyaki 

Beefy Veggie Pho (Image Credit: PHO’& More)

Address: 2822 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002

This new restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with beautifully plated teriyaki and pho bowls. The teriyaki sauce is perfectly sweetened, and the accompanying salad features a flavorful dressing.

The restaurant could benefit from more vegetarian-friendly appetizers, so if that’s important to you, you may want to reconsider coming here.

The fresh ingredients, well-marinated meat and shrimp, and perfectly balanced fish sauce make a delicious meal.

The crispy rolls are a standout item, rounding off the dining experience with quality and great taste. With reasonable prices and fresh, flavorful dishes, this restaurant is a wonderful choice for those seeking a satisfying meal made with care and attention to detail.

8. La Rioja Mexican Cuisine

Address: 3312 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98092 

La Rioja Mexican Cuisine is popular for its authentic and delicious Mexican dishes. I love this restaurant for its unique menu offerings, which provide more options than typical Mexican restaurants. 

Popular dishes include the chancla, asada tacos, carne en su jugo, and Papa Rellena with carne asada. The friendly staff and attentive service are also big pluses for me and make the dining experience at La Rioja pleasant. 

The restaurant’s interior is nicely decorated. With a growing reputation for flavorful food and a warm atmosphere, La Rioja Mexican Cuisine is quickly becoming a favorite spot for those seeking authentic Mexican cuisine.

9. Sweet Rice 

Address: 4017 A St SE, Auburn, WA 98002

Sweet Rice offers a delightful dining experience with its freshly made, flavorful dishes. The Combination of Fried Rice and Pad See Ew is particularly popular because it’s delicious.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is clean, relaxing, and comfortable, creating a pleasant environment to enjoy a meal. The service is excellent, and you can choose to order at the front desk or through a kiosk for added convenience.

Sweet Rice has continued to improve over time, with perfectly cooked noodles, fresh ingredients, and well-steamed vegetables. 

Overall, this is another great Asian restaurant you can come to with your family.

10. Gyro Flame 

Gyro pita (Image Credit: iStock / Rawf8)

Address: 3840 A St SE, Auburn, WA 98002

Gyro Flame is known for its incredibly flavorful food, with the Gyro Flame fries and seasoned vegetables in their gyros being my personal favorite. The attention to detail in seasoning elevates the overall taste, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor.

While the environment may be a bit chilly, the generous portion sizes, friendly service, and quick preparation make up for it. The sauce that comes with the fries is so good that I even considered buying it separately.

With reasonable pricing for the quality and quantity of food, Gyro Flame is a great spot for those looking to enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal.

11. Hops n Drops

Address: 1402 Lake Tapps Pkwy E, Auburn, WA 98092

Hops n Drops is a restaurant known for its inviting ambiance, excellent service, and inventive menu. I love the quality of the food here, with popular items including sandwiches, grilled cheeses, garlic fries, and jalapeño.

The restaurant also offers a variety of lemonades and alcoholic drinks, though the prices for alcoholic beverages are a bit high. It is worth noting that the service at Hops n Drops is friendly. 

The restaurant features large TVs for watching games, making it an ideal spot for gatherings with friends and family. 

Overall, Hops n Drops is considered a step above typical chain restaurants and it’s a perfect destination for those who are seeking an excellent dining experience.

12. Serious Soul At Cubby’s

Hush Puppy (Image Credit: iStock / bhofack2)

Address: 805 Auburn Way S, Auburn, WA 98002

Serious Soul is a local food restaurant with a super friendly owner you’ll definitely love. The restaurant offers both seating areas and take-out options. 

The food is authentic with generous portion sizes, although prices may be slightly on the higher end.

I highly recommend the okra, potato salad, and mac & cheese. The fried chicken, in particular, is amazing because of its flavourful breading and spices, though I feel the wings could use more seasoning.

Supporting this local business is a point of pride for many customers, who appreciate the genuine Southern soul food experience that Serious Soul provides.

13. Belen Pupuseria

Pupusas (Imag Credit: iStock / Jestin Korsgaard)

Address: 1833 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002

Belen Pupuseria is a popular spot for flavorful and authentic Hispanic cuisine, particularly known for its delicious pupusas. The menu can be a bit overwhelming for those not familiar with Hispanic dishes, but I appreciated the variety of flavors available on the menu. 

One minor downside is that different types of pupusas are not separated in order, which can cause confusion. In addition, customers also reccomend the rice dish with chicken, which is tender and packed with flavor. The chicken enchiladas also receive high praise for their taste. 

Belen Pupuseria is highly recommended by customers who appreciate authentic cuisine and consider it a hidden gem. The restaurant’s pupusas are the go-to choice for many.

14. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina ( Image Credit:Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina)

Address: 321 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002

The overall experience at this restaurant is fantastic. As soon as you get seated, you’ll be served fresh, crunchy chips and salsa, along with an excellent guacamole dip. We ordered talame, burritos, and camarones, all of which were delicious.

The staff was incredibly friendly, and the restaurant had a bright, spacious, and pleasant atmosphere. I appreciated that the salsa wasn’t too spicy, so everyone in my group could enjoy it. 

Combo 8 (taco, enchilada, and tamale) and Combo 13 (enchilada and chalupa) are great choices, and they’ll arrive quickly and in generous portions. 

Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina provided great food and service, making it a must-visit destination if you like Mexican food. 

So, if you’re looking for tasty Tex-Mex cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere, I highly recommend giving it a try. Just make sure to come hungry because the portions are large!

15. Happy Express

Address: 530 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001

If you like Asian dishes, then Happy Express is another excellent location to visit. The kimchee-based soup is highly recommended and it comes with generous portions of seafood and noodles. 

Overall, my experience at Happy Express was enjoyable, and I would definitely recommend it to others looking for a delicious Asian meal in the Auburn area. The welcoming atmosphere and satisfying cuisine made it a place I’d be happy to visit again.

Ashleigh on ferry Island hopping.

Hi, I'm Ashleigh! Welcome to Seattle Travel, my little piece of beautiful PNW. This is home and I'm here to share all my experiences so visitors and locals alike can find the best experiences this part of the country has to offer. I started Seattle Travel in 2012 as a way to journal my experiences and over the years have been encouraged by family and friends to open up my adventures to everyone. I actively seek out the best food, activities, and day trips and give you a local perspective.  The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and my goal is to let you explore it to the fullest. 


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