After a long break due to the pandemic we finally made the trip to Seattle to visit family. To celebrate, my uncle took us to the iconic Salish Lodge & Spa for a special breakfast experience at The Dining Room.

Beautiful location

The Salish Lodge is located about 30 minutes from Seattle in Snoqualmie, WA. Outside of the area it is probably best known as a location for the TV show Twin Peaks. But to local residents it is also a beautiful location overlooking Snoqualmie Falls.

The Dining Room, one of the lodge’s restaurants, is lined with picture windows that give you an unobstructed view of the valley below. While the falls are just out of sight, you can still see the spray rising. Fun fact: Snoqualmie Falls is actually taller than Niagara Falls.

A storied meal

The Country Breakfast, originally known as the Farm Breakfast, is a four-course meal – yes, four courses. This meal was first served in the early 1900s to feed hungry travelers going over the mountain pass. It is a memorable experience and one my father spoke of for years. But if the thought of this extended breakfast is daunting, you also have the option to order off the a la carte menu.

Course #1 – Baker’s Basket of Fresh Pastries and Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey from Heaven service

The meal starts off with a beautiful array of pastries including scones and banana bread served with butter and raspberry jam. The coffee is served with white and brown sugars as well as freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings to use as you so desire. One of the signatures of the meal is the Honey from Heaven service where honey from the lodge’s hives is drizzled onto a warm buttermilk biscuit from high above. The first time we visited years ago, the servers would stand on a chair and drizzle honey precisely on a biscuit from several feet above.

Course #2 – Old Fashioned Steel Cut Oats

One might think that oatmeal is a throwaway but you would miss out if you opted not to have this course. In all likelihood these oats are cooked in heavy cream and butter which makes them so good. They are served topped with brown sugar and fresh berries. Quite honestly, it is the best oatmeal I have ever eaten.

Course #3 – Buttermilk Pancakes

The next course is two large buttermilk pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and served with fresh fruit, Chantilly cream, and maple syrup. It is a heavenly combination, especially with the Chantilly cream. However by this point, I was acutely aware that there was still a healthy amount of food to come so most of my pancakes were boxed up to take home.

Course #4 – The Main Course

The final course is a traditional breakfast plate of three eggs, bacon, ham steak, sausage, and potatoes. By this point you understand why this meal originally fed hungry mountain travelers. Delicious as it was, most of this course was also boxed up and taken home.

The bottom line

The Country Breakfast is $44 per person (or $96 for two with a mimosa upgrade). While this is a premium price for breakfast, it is quite a lot of food. You are also in a beautiful location and the staff is wonderful, friendly, and attentive. It is a perfect place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion.

We went on a weekday so getting a reservation was easy but I recommend planning ahead if you are going on a weekend or for any holiday. Because we were there on a weekday we were seated in a private room that could easily seat eight people, maybe ten. We didn’t request the room so it was a nice touch. You may want to request the room if you have a special occasion to celebrate and want a little privacy.

Getting there

The Salish Lodge & Spa
6501 Railroad Ave SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
800-272-5474
Dining reservations may be made via OpenTable

*I was not compensated for any part of this review and article.