The Pacific Northwest may be known for its mighty evergreens, stretching landscapes, and its never-ending pursuit to spark our pioneering spirit, but it’s the food on Puget Sound that keeps us coming back for more. Residents here have long utilized their natural resources to create iconic dishes that reflect all this region has to offer. While you’re onboard your Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise, our expert culinary team designs menus to ensure you’re tasting the very best of wherever you cruise. Here are some of our favorite foods that define Puget Sound and the Pacific Northwest.
Shellfish
Shellfish has brought communities together along the shores of Puget Sound. Native American tribes, particularly the Coast Salish peoples, harvested shellfish for centuries, and today, it remains a key part of the local culture. Whether gathering oysters, clams, or mussels, all you need is a bucket and a shovel. Head to a public beach, and you’re well-equipped to bring dinner home—an activity Washingtonians have come to love. Puget Sound’s ecosystem provides an abundant source of shellfish, which can be enjoyed fried, served with butter, or freshly shucked and topped with a squeeze of lemon.
Dungeness Crab
Typically growing between 6-7 inches, the Dungeness Crab inhabits the sandy bottoms found along Puget Sound. Named after the town of Dungeness on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, this prized crustacean has been harvested for generations. Fishing areas throughout the region work together to protect this delicacy by setting clear parameters for sustainable crabbing. The season normally runs from November to early September, giving you plenty of time to join us on a Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise and dive into a crab roll or perfectly golden crab cake.
Blue Cheese
In 2019, Rogue River Blue, made at Rogue Creamery in Central Point, Oregon, took home 1st place at the World Cheese Awards, putting the Pacific Northwest on the global cheese map. Blue cheese may be a divisive choice, with its bold flavors and edible mold ribbons, but here in Puget Sound, cheesemakers are pushing boundaries. They’re adding sweet and savory elements—like blackberry, vanilla, hazelnut, and bacon—to shake up the funk. Rogue River Blue is even aged for up to eleven months in pear liqueur-soaked grape leaves, offering a taste of the region’s innovation and craftsmanship.
Marionberry Pie
As the official pie of Oregon, this dessert is an icon of Pacific Northwest treats. The marionberry, developed by crossing Chehalem and Olallie blackberries, was created in 1948 by George F. Waldo at Oregon State University. Larger, sweeter, and tarter than its blackberry cousins, the marionberry quickly became a local favorite. While its season is short—just a few weeks each summer—Pacific Northwesterners have found ways to enjoy it year-round by freezing the berries. Each year, up to 33 million pounds of marionberries are grown, and you’ll find them in everything from baked goods and jams to cocktails and ice cream.
Salmon Candy
Don’t be put off by the name of this next regional classic. Salmon candy, which originated with the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, is a sweet and salty treat made by curing salmon with a molasses-based syrup and drying it in a smokehouse. Traditionally hung from the roof of wooden smokehouses, the salmon was smoked over low heat until it developed its signature chewy texture and rich flavor. Today, salmon candy remains a popular delicacy, preserving the techniques and tastes of the region’s deep-rooted cultural traditions.
Book your Puget Sound & San Juan Islands Cruise Now
With its history running as deep as its rivers, Pacific Northwest food works to tell its story. There are so many iconic dishes-both new and old-to choose from, so come aboard a Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise and try them all.