Favorite Eats!
Whether you want to grab a quick bite or sit down and enjoy the scenery, these are my ABSOLUTE favorites for our little quiet town and the surrounding area.
Locally owned and operated Italian bistro. Serves up amazing hot and cold grinders, amazing desserts, coffee-bar and full lunch and evening menu with a wide wine selection. Special nights: Small Plate Tuesday's, Happy Hour specials, Sunday Brunch. They also have a take-out, make-at-home freezer and frig that makes it easy to pick up and cook their delicious food at home.
7 locals recommend
Cosmo's Ristorante and delicatessen
1821 SE Lund AveLocally owned and operated Italian bistro. Serves up amazing hot and cold grinders, amazing desserts, coffee-bar and full lunch and evening menu with a wide wine selection. Special nights: Small Plate Tuesday's, Happy Hour specials, Sunday Brunch. They also have a take-out, make-at-home freezer and frig that makes it easy to pick up and cook their delicious food at home.
Great local coffee shop that has a strong mission to provide opportunities to disenfranchised youth. The barista's are the friendliest in town. The shop has comfy spaces and tables to get your internet on! But it also has my favorite wrap, "the horsebite". Food is fast, fresh and delicious and the soups are home-made and to die-for! And it is located conveniently downtown on the water front if you want to peruse the antique and shabby-chic shops or jump on the Carlisle (foot ferry) for $2 to jet across the bay to visit Bremerton.
8 locals recommend
The Coffee Oasis Bay St Café
807A Bay StGreat local coffee shop that has a strong mission to provide opportunities to disenfranchised youth. The barista's are the friendliest in town. The shop has comfy spaces and tables to get your internet on! But it also has my favorite wrap, "the horsebite". Food is fast, fresh and delicious and the soups are home-made and to die-for! And it is located conveniently downtown on the water front if you want to peruse the antique and shabby-chic shops or jump on the Carlisle (foot ferry) for $2 to jet across the bay to visit Bremerton.
By now, you are probably learning that I like to drink coffee and eat good food, especially if I can do it with an amazing view! This all-ages pub is a gem! Located in Annapolis right around the corner from downtown Port Orchard, this pub has great food, coffee and a full spirits bar with local brews and distilled liquors. But the best part about this pub, is you can sit on the deck (practically hanging over the bay) and enjoy a panoramic view of Sinclair Inlet. In the summer, we've even seen a pod of transient Orcas playing in the bay in front of the pub. Just amazing!
Side note, I also love stopping here on my "long run" days when I do a 6- or 10-mile jog along Bay street. More on that later!
16 locals recommend
Whiskey Gulch CoffeePub
2065 Bay StBy now, you are probably learning that I like to drink coffee and eat good food, especially if I can do it with an amazing view! This all-ages pub is a gem! Located in Annapolis right around the corner from downtown Port Orchard, this pub has great food, coffee and a full spirits bar with local brews and distilled liquors. But the best part about this pub, is you can sit on the deck (practically hanging over the bay) and enjoy a panoramic view of Sinclair Inlet. In the summer, we've even seen a pod of transient Orcas playing in the bay in front of the pub. Just amazing!
Side note, I also love stopping here on my "long run" days when I do a 6- or 10-mile jog along Bay street. More on that later!
We love Bremerton! And it is well worth the visit if you are in Port Orchard, at least for an evening. Consider jumping on the foot ferry for a fun adventure and quick ride across Sinclair Inlet. Downtown Bremerton and Manette is easy to explore on foot, but the town still has many places to park (unlike Seattle) so driving over is reasonable as well.
We love the H&C! It is ALWAYS full of life and flavor! These guys have the "Best Wings in Town" by far. Grab a beer, get a bucket of wings (choose your own adventure flavor mixes) and maybe catch a flick at SEEfilm Cinema, a show at the Admiral Theater or even better, sit in on a DnD game at Ashley's Pub next door! There is SOOOO much to do in Bremerton - you won't be disappointed!
16 locals recommend
Horse & Cow Bar & Grill
536 4th StWe love Bremerton! And it is well worth the visit if you are in Port Orchard, at least for an evening. Consider jumping on the foot ferry for a fun adventure and quick ride across Sinclair Inlet. Downtown Bremerton and Manette is easy to explore on foot, but the town still has many places to park (unlike Seattle) so driving over is reasonable as well.
We love the H&C! It is ALWAYS full of life and flavor! These guys have the "Best Wings in Town" by far. Grab a beer, get a bucket of wings (choose your own adventure flavor mixes) and maybe catch a flick at SEEfilm Cinema, a show at the Admiral Theater or even better, sit in on a DnD game at Ashley's Pub next door! There is SOOOO much to do in Bremerton - you won't be disappointed!
If you want to REALLY enjoy yourself in a quiet, intimate but not-too-uppity place, check out the Hound + Bottle. The HB (formerly known as Honor Bar) has quickly made it up the ranks in our local cuisine scene! The small thoughtfully composed menu with hand-crafted libations is done to perfection. We love that it changes every few weeks which allows us to frequently enjoy a new creation from chef, Alan Davis. Our favorite thing to do is invite a couple of our "bestest" friends, sit down in a comfortable space and bathe in the confluence of euphoric smells, tastes and sounds! (Am I overselling it? I think not!)
30 locals recommend
Hound & Bottle
2109 E 11th StIf you want to REALLY enjoy yourself in a quiet, intimate but not-too-uppity place, check out the Hound + Bottle. The HB (formerly known as Honor Bar) has quickly made it up the ranks in our local cuisine scene! The small thoughtfully composed menu with hand-crafted libations is done to perfection. We love that it changes every few weeks which allows us to frequently enjoy a new creation from chef, Alan Davis. Our favorite thing to do is invite a couple of our "bestest" friends, sit down in a comfortable space and bathe in the confluence of euphoric smells, tastes and sounds! (Am I overselling it? I think not!)
Local activities
Our little quiet town and surrounding areas have so much to offer the intrepid traveler! Check out my favorite things to do!
Since I was a child, I have been visiting Banner Forest. The Forest is 640-acres of conserved open space used for non-motorized traffic (by foot, hoof or bicycle). Over the last 25 years, Kitsap County and the Great Peninsula Conservancy have invested in protecting and preserving the open space which is filled with an abundance Pacific temperate rainforest flora and fauna. The forest has an extensive trail network and a pdf map is available online. Most of the trails have a mild grade which is perfect for all levels of athlete. At all times of the year, you will find outdoor enthusiasts hiking, biking and horseback riding, rain or shine. In the late fall, you will find a pilgrimage of mushroom hunters seeking out the highly coveted Chanterelles! I love the space for trail running! Park on the entrance off Banner Rd.
17 locals recommend
Banner Forest Heritage Park
6451 Banner Rd SESince I was a child, I have been visiting Banner Forest. The Forest is 640-acres of conserved open space used for non-motorized traffic (by foot, hoof or bicycle). Over the last 25 years, Kitsap County and the Great Peninsula Conservancy have invested in protecting and preserving the open space which is filled with an abundance Pacific temperate rainforest flora and fauna. The forest has an extensive trail network and a pdf map is available online. Most of the trails have a mild grade which is perfect for all levels of athlete. At all times of the year, you will find outdoor enthusiasts hiking, biking and horseback riding, rain or shine. In the late fall, you will find a pilgrimage of mushroom hunters seeking out the highly coveted Chanterelles! I love the space for trail running! Park on the entrance off Banner Rd.
Farmer's Market is located on the Waterfront Boardwalk in downtown Port Orchard near the Marina from mid April through mid October on Saturdays 9 am - 3 pm. Local flowers, vegetables, food, crafts and more. Love to get fresh clams, mussels, oysters and crab when in season!
15 locals recommend
Port Orchard Farmers Market
Bay StreetFarmer's Market is located on the Waterfront Boardwalk in downtown Port Orchard near the Marina from mid April through mid October on Saturdays 9 am - 3 pm. Local flowers, vegetables, food, crafts and more. Love to get fresh clams, mussels, oysters and crab when in season!
Bremerton Farmer's Market is located in Evergreen Park (which in itself is a lovely place to visit especially with kiddos!). Market is open year-round, Thursday's 4-7PM (in the Fall, 3:30-6:30PM).
Bremerton Farmers Market
1400 Park AveBremerton Farmer's Market is located in Evergreen Park (which in itself is a lovely place to visit especially with kiddos!). Market is open year-round, Thursday's 4-7PM (in the Fall, 3:30-6:30PM).
One of my "little obsessions"! Cannot get enough of this place! I first starting visiting Josephine's Mercantile when the shop was located in Annapolis (east of the downtown Port Orchard). Fell in love at first sight. The shop sells refurbished, re-invented, authentically-aged (otherwise known as "shabby-chic") furniture and other accouterments. They share space with other local designers and amateur artists. I just love walking around the building exploring all the lovely little things - in fact, some of the items can be found in our rental cottage! Can you guess which ones? Josephine's is now located on the waterfront in Port Orchard - so make a day of the waterfront and explore Josephine's and some of the other local kitschy shops that always bring a sparkle to my eye!
8 locals recommend
Josephine's Mercantile
701 Bay StOne of my "little obsessions"! Cannot get enough of this place! I first starting visiting Josephine's Mercantile when the shop was located in Annapolis (east of the downtown Port Orchard). Fell in love at first sight. The shop sells refurbished, re-invented, authentically-aged (otherwise known as "shabby-chic") furniture and other accouterments. They share space with other local designers and amateur artists. I just love walking around the building exploring all the lovely little things - in fact, some of the items can be found in our rental cottage! Can you guess which ones? Josephine's is now located on the waterfront in Port Orchard - so make a day of the waterfront and explore Josephine's and some of the other local kitschy shops that always bring a sparkle to my eye!
Looking for an intimate date night adventure? Check out Port Orchard's independent theater on Bay Street. A small venue with big character, the Bay Street Theater runs productions all year-round. Local actors and directors give this theater its true curb appeal. Drop in for a show, you won't be disappointed!
Western Washington Center for the Arts
521 Bay StLooking for an intimate date night adventure? Check out Port Orchard's independent theater on Bay Street. A small venue with big character, the Bay Street Theater runs productions all year-round. Local actors and directors give this theater its true curb appeal. Drop in for a show, you won't be disappointed!
One of the last of its kind! The independently-owned Dragonfly Cinema movie theater is set in the heart of old Port Orchard, built in the 1920s and upgraded with comfortable seats, ample leg room, and great popcorn. The marquee changes frequently and show-cases many independent and unique films and also those favorite films from the past! The movies are great but the historic building, in itself, is a really fun place to explore!
Dragonfly Cinema
822 Bay StOne of the last of its kind! The independently-owned Dragonfly Cinema movie theater is set in the heart of old Port Orchard, built in the 1920s and upgraded with comfortable seats, ample leg room, and great popcorn. The marquee changes frequently and show-cases many independent and unique films and also those favorite films from the past! The movies are great but the historic building, in itself, is a really fun place to explore!
Food scene
Aright! So every once in awhile, the universe will present you with a special gift... this time the gift comes in the form of the most buttery, flaky, mouth-orgasming (yes, I said it) croissants and other pastries! Do not be fooled by the average storefront. What the window displays lack in aesthetic appeal is more than doubled-down on the Michelin-starred vittles found inside this shop. My ABSOLUTE (drop-my-panties) favorite is the lemon brioche sucrée. But honestly there is not a thing in the case that I don’t eat with reckless abandon.
32 locals recommend
Saboteur Bakery
2110 E 11th StAright! So every once in awhile, the universe will present you with a special gift... this time the gift comes in the form of the most buttery, flaky, mouth-orgasming (yes, I said it) croissants and other pastries! Do not be fooled by the average storefront. What the window displays lack in aesthetic appeal is more than doubled-down on the Michelin-starred vittles found inside this shop. My ABSOLUTE (drop-my-panties) favorite is the lemon brioche sucrée. But honestly there is not a thing in the case that I don’t eat with reckless abandon.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry
During the week, ride the fast ferry (30 min) to downtown Seattle. https://www.kitsaptransit.com/service/fast-ferry/bremerton-fast-ferry
Getting around
Washington State Ferries
Though it takes a little longer than the “fast” foot ferry, consider a relaxing ride on the “big ferry” through the Puget Sound to downtown Seattle. Keep your eyes open because there are frequent Orca spottings on this route. https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/