Had The Marathon. Every plate was visually pleasing, every bite thoughtfully crafted. It was a really great meal. I was told it’s a lot of food, so we didn’t eat all day. I left absolutely STUFFED. The variety was impressive. I think we had around 12 plates of different food, ranging in size from small bites to full plates. I suggest the Bad Witch as a drink! I had 2 and my boyfriend ended up ordering 2 after having a sip of mine. Every server that helped us was funny, easy to talk to, and knowledgeable on the food we were eating. For a special celebration, this was exactly what we were looking for. Worth every penny. My only complaint, and it’s small, is they brought the first 4 courses out very quickly one after another. The remaining courses were spread out more. Our total meal time was about 2 hrs.
Overview
When it comes to dining in Spokane, Gander and Ryegrass is one of those spots that stands out not only for its fantastic food but also for the overall experience it delivers. Located at 404 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, this modern diner effortlessly blends the charm of classic comfort food with an upscale twist. Whether you're a local or just visiting, you’ll want to carve out some time to savor what they have to offer.
Walking into Gander and Ryegrass, you’re immediately welcomed by a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both casual and refined. It’s the kind of place where you can go for a celebratory dinner or just grab a relaxed meal after a busy day. The interior design feels like an extension of the food: carefully curated yet approachable. The layout and ambiance set the perfect tone for an evening, whether you're seated at the bar, tucked away in a cozy booth, or at one of the sleek tables near the window.
The menu at Gander and Ryegrass is a true testament to its commitment to providing a unique dining experience. While it leans toward a modern American approach, there’s a touch of creativity that gives every dish a memorable twist. For example, their seasonal offerings often highlight the best local produce and ingredients, making the menu both dynamic and fresh. You’ll find everything from mouthwatering steaks to inventive vegetarian options, all prepared with meticulous care.
One standout dish is the roast chicken. It’s roasted to perfection, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. Accompanied by a medley of seasonal vegetables, it’s a hearty option for those seeking comfort food with a fine dining touch. Another fan favorite is their house-made pasta - each bite offers the right amount of chew and flavor, complemented by rich sauces that highlight the chef’s talent for balancing bold flavors without overwhelming the dish.
Pairing your meal with a drink is an essential part of the experience at Gander and Ryegrass. The drink menu offers a solid selection of craft cocktails, local wines, and beers, making it easy to find the perfect beverage to complement your meal. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cocktail or want to try something a little different, the bartenders know their craft. Their expertise shows, especially in how they marry flavors in drinks that are as thoughtful as the dishes themselves.
If you’re a dessert person, you won’t be disappointed. The dessert offerings change seasonally, but there’s always something that’s worth saving room for. The rich chocolate cake or the silky crème brûlée are always well worth a try. It’s clear that Gander and Ryegrass takes pride in finishing off the dining experience with a flourish.
What truly sets Gander and Ryegrass apart is the level of service. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly without being overbearing. They know the menu inside and out, providing helpful recommendations when asked. It’s this kind of service that makes each visit feel like a special occasion, even if you're just popping in for a quick meal.
The restaurant’s location in the heart of Spokane makes it an ideal stop whether you’re a local or a tourist exploring the area. With easy access to downtown and surrounding attractions, it’s a great place to stop for lunch or dinner after a day of shopping or sightseeing.
Customer reviews consistently highlight the high quality of food and the restaurant's ability to make every meal feel personalized. Many have mentioned how impressed they are with the attention to detail, from the plating of the dishes to the balancing of flavors. And while the food is a clear draw, the overall atmosphere and level of care in service have garnered their own share of praise.
For anyone looking for a dining experience that’s both casual and elevated, Gander and Ryegrass hits the mark. With its impressive menu, welcoming ambiance, and exceptional service, it’s no wonder that locals and visitors alike keep coming back for more.
Good to know
Service options
âś“ Outdoor seating âś“ No-contact delivery âś“ Delivery âś“ Takeaway âś“ Dine-inHighlights
âś“ Great beer selection âś“ Great cocktails âś“ Great coffee âś“ Great dessert âś“ Great wine list âś“ Serves local specialtyPopular for
âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Solo diningAccessibility
âś“ Wheelchair-accessible car park âś“ Wheelchair-accessible entrance âś“ Wheelchair-accessible seating âś“ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
âś“ Alcohol âś“ Beer âś“ Cocktails âś“ Coffee âś“ Comfort food âś“ Happy-hour drinks âś“ Happy-hour food âś“ Healthy options âś“ Private dining room âś“ Small plates âś“ Spirits âś“ Vegetarian options âś“ WineDining options
âś“ Brunch âś“ Lunch âś“ Dinner âś“ Catering âś“ Dessert âś“ Table serviceAmenities
âś“ Bar on site âś“ ToiletAtmosphere
âś“ Cosy âś“ Historic âś“ Quiet âś“ Romantic âś“ Trendy âś“ UpmarketCrowd
âś“ Family friendly âś“ LGBTQ+ friendly âś“ Tourists âś“ Transgender safe spacePlanning
âś“ Brunch reservations recommended âś“ Dinner reservations recommended âś“ Accepts reservationsPayments
âś“ Cheques âś“ Credit cards âś“ Debit cards âś“ NFC mobile payments âś“ Credit cardsChildren
âś“ High chairsParking
âś“ Paid parking lot âś“ Paid street parking âś“ ParkingPets
âś“ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
Location
Reviews
Easily one of the best (if not the best) dining experiences I've had. My wife and I ordered the marathon, which was a eclectic collection of unique and interesting flavors start to finish. A carrot salad with honeycomb and a blue-cheese/cheddar hybrid stuck out to me, along with a creamy cod fritter as one of the opening bites. Our server, who happened to also be the sommelier, was extremely knowledgeable on the menu from top to bottom. Cocktails were delicious, wine selection was varietous, and all staff was courteous and attentive. I ended the meal with an amaro flight, which the bartender helped to select. Honestly could not have asked for a better outing. Would give 6 stars if I could!
Wife and I came in for the full Marathon tasting menu, as part of a short weekend getaway. The food was delicious, and most everthing you would expect from an expertly crafted tasting menu. The drinks were delicious, we ordered the Cola Old Fashion and The Crosby. Both fantastic. Each dish was portioned well, with a wide variety of flavors and cuisines, ranging from Asian, to French, seafood to artisan bread, and everything in between. Very pleased with the strategy order eash dish and course was served, that ultimately did a great job exploring and connecting all major taste palettes. In a very close decision, our favorite dish was the roasted duck with peppers and corn. Only minor feedback is that we noticed halved cherry tomatoes were used in two seperate dishes with no clear progression or transformation (that we could perceive). Service, albeit very friendly and professional, was wanting... There were instances where some of our requests were repeatedly forgotten. We had ordered a second Cola Old Fashion, and it took more than a few occurrences of "So sorry, we'll get that going right away" before finally receiving it. I had also requested ice for my glass of water, and that also took several attempts before finally receiving it. Perhaps the biggest feedback was the lack of knowledge and confidence. It was a recurring theme that many of the staff who were bringing out our plates were actually unaware of what was on the plate, or how it was cooked, etc. As the plate(s) was being set, the servers would often stumble across their words as they struggled to recall exactly what the dish was, what was in it, how it was cooked, or be able to answer some fairly easy questions about it. Regarding confidence, something we noticed was that some of the servers would kind of just set the plate down, recite the name of the dish, we would say thank you, and they just sort of smiled and shyly/awkwardly walked off. Nothing major, just something funny and quirky we noticed. Say "My Pleasure, enjoy." or something to give the interaction a sense of closure, and walk off with confidence. Our main server, though I can't recall her name, was extremely friendly and a gem. Lastly, the atmosphere... The atmosphere was definitely... interesting! G&R does well balancing an semi-upscale casual a la carte eatery, a bar area, while also executing sophisticated tasting menu. The decor was entertaining, as we were figuring out the fun paintings (nike van go-gh, pickle ball). My only small minor feedback was that our table, and consequently my seat, was just a touch too close to the shelf against the window with the lit candles on it. Overall, a wonderful and memorable experience, and one we would ultimately recommend for the price point. Our only regret is not adding the wine pairing!
This restaurant was amazing! We came from Seattle to try the food and it did not disappoint. Everything was so fresh and so well balanced. The pork tenderloin was cooked perfectly was a really tasty mustard pistachio crust. It was the best pork tenderloin I’ve ever had. Also the pea salad was outstanding and had a really nice char and I loved the mint. Also they have amaro flights which is brilliant and the somm was very knowledgeable and helpful and gave us some great recommendations to try. I highly recommend coming here and trying everything. We can’t wait to come back!
We went and did the chefs marathon for my husbands birthday dinner. It was out of this world! I thought it was better than candle in the woods. They were able to make us mocktails with faux spirits that were creative and tasty. The staff was friendly and I love the atmosphere. The only thing I would say that should be noted just for future reference is I thought the dinner was going to take 2.25 hours and it took 3.25 hours. Honestly with how much food we ate we probably needed the extra hour to fit it all in because we were stuffed lol but we had to alter our after dinner plans due to the length of the meal but it was 100% worth it and you should run not walk to go devour the deliciousness. Their “gluten queen” as they called her made the best bread we’ve ever had and their pasta was I already want to go back and I left 3 hours ago and I’m still full lol
We came here for our friends 40th birthday and wow was it perfect! The atmosphere is cozy but modern, really good vibes overall inside with sensory friendly lighting. The staff all look very professional and put together and are incredibly friendly. The food was so good I almost cried, no exaggeration. The menu changes often and the plates are made for sharing with the rest of your table. I highly recommend this place of you want upscale, fresh and innovative food.
While staying in Spokane, a colleague recommended that I have dinner at this restaurant. I decided to visit on my own, and I'm glad I did — the interior is beautifully lit with natural light and has a lovely, relaxing atmosphere. I was initially seated at the bar, but I would have preferred to sit at a table. It would be nice if solo diners had the option to choose a table as well. That said, the woman who assisted me was very pleasant and explained the menu clearly. I ordered the fresh oysters and the Campanelle. The food was delicious, especially the oysters, which were fresh and flavorful. Overall, I enjoyed the ambiance and the attentive service. Next time, I’d love to come back with a friend and enjoy a longer, more relaxed meal.
Vibrant restaurant downtown Spokane with a fun menu. 5/5 Food was tasty. We enjoyed the spring salad, Chitarra pasta with pulled lamb, Hanger steak. The country pate was not that tasty. IMHO. Ambiance 5/5 Service 3/5. Started out OK and we had her from the server, it lacked severely after that. Pate came out and I asked someone to bring some. They didn't come out for another 15 minutes. Then we were sitting waiting for a man to come, and we noticed that our server was also the bartender. I never came back to let us know what the food will take a while to come out. I had to put him at the bar and asking what was going on with her order. A few minutes later, our order came out with an apology because of there being a larger party there. For a nice place such is this, I was surprised by the lack of attention to our orders. Hopefully this is just a one off regarding the service.