Rachael swung by 5 Spot for a “hearty all-American breakfast.” The menu here is switched up regularly to showcase the best blue-collar recipes from around the USA. Some popular eats do stick around all year, such as the Hair of the Dog-wich that offers fried egg and bacon as a tasty hangover cure.

Cactus serves up Southwestern and Mexican cuisine with a Pacific Northwestern twist, such as delicious Dungeness crab tamales. With five locations, Cactus delivers on options. Rachael loved her grilled Alaskan halibut; meanwhile, regulars can’t get enough of the braised brisket tacos.

On Rachael's Vacation in Seattle, Cafe Flora's lush atrium was a welcome surprise. Just as surprising was Flora's purely vegetarian menu. Rachael swooned over the Portabello Wellington and stone-fired pizza with heirloom tomatoes, and she praised their use of fresh, sustainable and local produce.

At Rose’s Bakery and Cafe, Rachael marveled at the menu of baked goods made from scratch and desserts like homemade ice cream sandwiches. Locals (and tourists) also love Rose’s savory selections, such as house-cured pastrami on homemade rye and fresh fish soup made with mussels and halibut.

Rachael couldn’t resist a visit to Madrona Bar & Grill on her Roche Harbor vacation. The sustainable food and stunning views make it a local favorite. Rachael’s picks include the fresh prawn and avocado margarita, heirloom tomato and flank steak salad, and baby back ribs with huckleberry sauce.

For a breakfast pick-me-up, Rachael heads to the “ideal hometown diner”: Rocky Bay Cafe. Located in Friday Harbor, Rocky Bay keeps both locals and tourists “happy and full” with comfort food dishes like hearty veggie omelets, biscuits and gravy, and even fresh doughnuts made in-house.

On Food Network's Rachael's Vacation, Rachael Ray dines at Steps Wine Bar & Cafe, serving small plates and a selection of local wines in Friday Harbor, WA.

Each of the three open-air decks at Friday’s Crabhouse satisfies one aspect of dinner. As Rachael learned, one deck is for seafood like steamer clams and Dungeness crab; one is for hamburgers and hot dogs; and the last is for drinks (the spectacular view of San Juan Island is on the house).

Rachael Ray checks out what's brewing on Food Network's Rachael's Vacation, when she takes a tour of San Juan Brewing Co. in Friday Harbor, WA.

Since 1989, Duck Soup Inn has been giving diners (like Rachael) an epicurean retreat in the San Juan Islands. Nearby farms provide fresh vegetables for the weekly rotating menu, which has featured “rustic gourmet” treats like lavender thyme-encrusted chicken breast and homemade raspberry shortcake.

Fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients are a crucial part of the cuisine at Backdoor Kitchen, which Rachael describes as a “hidden garden oasis.” Delectable dishes range from scrumptious sea scallops topped with ginger butter sauce to succulent lamb sirloin marinated in red wine.

For a romantic getaway in the San Juan Islands, Rachael recommends the Inn at Ship Bay. The draw here is not only the cozy rooms, but also the spectacular restaurant. Ingredients are grown on the premises to use in dishes like Rachael’s pick, a vegetable pappardelle with garden-fresh herbs.

Rachael’s visit to Seattle wasn’t over until she visited the “must-taste” Matt’s in the Market. With a location inside the iconic Pike Place Market, this eatery always has fresh ingredients close at hand. Stop by for the scrumptious seafood paella made with mussels, clams, octopus and prawns.

As one of Seattle’s premier artisan-focused restaurants, Lark offers fresh, wholesome food. You can dig into dishes like carpaccio of yellowtail here, which Rachael calls “simple and delicious.” On her visit, she had to sample the housemade charcuterie, which included salami and smoked prosciutto.

Dinette has the cozy feel of eating at a friend’s house, complete with family-style dining on Sundays. The rest of the week, you can feast on such classics as ricotta gnocchi and lemony chicken tagine. Rachael suggests the tartine-inspired toasts slathered with “yummy toppings” like lamb carpaccio.