For those visiting Spokane for the first time (or even locals who need a solid greasy spoon fix), this iconic diner in the Garland District is a fun find. As the 84-year-old giant milk bottle adorning the exterior would suggest, Mary Lou’s specializes in dairy, with more than 20 different flavors of milkshakes on the menu, all pleasantly brain-numbing. The burgers served on the restaurant’s freshly-baked French bread are satisfying and wallet-friendly as well.

This Audubon gastropub on W Northwest Blvd, known for its excellent Neapolitan pizzas, captures the eastern Washington aesthetic beautifully, with fire pits and wood accents everywhere (sourced from an old grain elevator). The draft list covers all the bases — including several local beers from nearby Hidden Mother Brewery — and the Devils Toenail wings are much better than they sound. Good spot to watch the ‘Zags during hoops season.

Located downtown, Mizuna’s a good spot for a swanky date night or even a chill birthday dinner. The menu has Northwestern flavors with a vegan-veggie lean, but there are plenty of excellent meat and seafood options as well. Favorites include the smoked trout linguini, the falafels, and the crispy gorgonzola polenta with grilled portobellos.

Downtown’s historic Davenport Grand Hotel has counted Amelia Earhart, Clark Gable, and John F. Kennedy as guests, and the old school swank is still there. The Safari Room’s ornate decor captures the spirit of the place — and there’s a reliable list of flatbreads, sandwiches, and burgers. Pro tip: If there’s a wait, head over to the equally eye-catching Peacock Room Lounge.

All the Lilac City locals adore pretty little Chaps, with its Victorian living-room aesthetic and gigantic piles of homestyle brunchfoods. Beautiful fruity pastries are Chaps’ strong suit, although it’s no slouch in the overall bacon-and-eggs genre either. Plus, it’s in a sweet little wooden ski lodge-lookin’ building and everything comes blanketed in either gravy or powdered sugar.

Spokanites rave over the Michelin-esque restaurant — and visiting Seattleites might recognize co-chef Austin Conklin’s name, as the rising star is an alum of Art of the Table in Wallingford. Artsy family-style small dishes are the name of the game at IPK, with hyper-seasonal ingredients impeccably plated. Mushrooms, quail eggs, and local seafood make frequent cameos on the ever-changing menu, while gin shines bright on the cocktail list. Big date night vibes for sure.

Decked in bespoke floral wallpaper and throw pillows, this sweet little patisserie in West Central’s just about the cutest thing you ever saw, and the bakers have serious chops to boot. Everyone’s fave is the pop tarts, an adult update on the childhood classic, available in flavors like maple cinnamon and strawberry rhubarb, while the snickerdoodles and the strawberry-blueberry pie seem to be tied for second. Great coffee, by Indaba, rounds out the whole dreamy experience.

D’Bali not only serves super legit Vietnamese, but it also does Korean, Thai, SIngaporean, Indonesian, and Malaysian fare well. All of it’s made with joy and minute attention to detail by “Mama Jeannie” Choi, who’s known for intensely garlicky garlic chicken, coconut-simmered fall-apart Sumatran beef rendang, and a warm, welcoming smile. Watch this space: D’Bali hosts pop-ups sometimes too, and will occasionally offer multi-course prix fixe meals to go.