Olympia is more than our capital city -- it's an underrated treasure. Not only is it close to Seattle, Portland, the coast, and the gateway to Olympic National Park, but it has a fantastic culture and a surprisingly great dining scene. When you're in Olympia and hunger strikes, these are our top 10 recommendations (in no particular order) for delicious food.

1. Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar

This family-friendly upscale restaurant has an open kitchen, so you can watch the culinary team prepare your meal. The menu consists of classics like burgers, salads, and hearty entrees, prepared with local ingredients whenever possible.

Address: 2103 Harrison Avenue, Northwest Olympia, WA, 98502

2. Cascadia Grill

Cascadia opened a few years ago, and the name is perfect — this spot celebrates the wonderful food (and craft beer) of the Northwest. They're open daily for lunch and dinner, and if you're on a health kick, order a salad — all the dressings are made in-house.

Address: 200 4th Avenue West, Olympia, WA, 98501

3. Wicked Pies

What started as a popular local food truck became a brick and mortar restaurant in 2018, and once you sink your teeth into a slice, you'll understand why. This New York style pizza is made from the freshest ingredients possible, and it's truly mouthwatering. The Wicked Pies food truck still exists as well, so grab a slice there if you see it while you're exploring the city.

Address: 412 Franklin Street Southeast, Olympia, WA, 98501

4. Hart's Mesa

Hart's Mesa's Latin inspired brunch menu has been keeping the locals happy and full for years. While they moved locations in 2018, the delicious all-day breakfast menu and lunch classics have remained the same.

Address: 111 Columbia Street Northwest, Olympia, WA, 98501

5. Van's Burger

When you see this roadside burger stand, pull over if you're even the slightest bit hungry. Van's has extremely limited hours — they're only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. But the line of cars you'll see waiting for lunch will tell you all you need to know about the quality.

Address: 7811 Yelm Highway Southeast, Olympia, WA, 98513

6. Three Magnets Brewing Company

As you might expect, Three Magnets has a long and ever-rotating beer list that's extremely popular. However, it's the food that might surprise you. Not only are the weekend breakfasts and daily lunches and dinners scrumptious and plentiful, but there are quite a few options that are vegan, gluten free, and otherwise diet-friendly. But if you're looking for hearty comfort food, you'll find that here as well.

Address: 600 Franklin Street Southeast #105, Olympia, WA, 98501

7. Arepa

The Arepa Latin Street Food trailer sits parked at the corner of 4th Avenue and Plum Street, where they serve their delicious fare Monday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Along with several varieties of arepa (the daily bread of Venezuela and Columbia made of cornmeal, water, and salt), you can order Patacon (deep fried plantains), yuca fries, and other Latin (and American) classics here.

Address: 728 4th Avenue East, Olympia, WA, 98501

8. La Petite Maison

Need a fancy date night in your life? La Petite Maison is charming, romantic, and peaceful, and the French food is phenomenal. They serve dinner from Tuesday - Saturday, and making a reservation is always a good idea (360-754-9623).

Address: 101 Division Street Northwest, Olympia, WA, 98502

9. Pizzeria La Gitana

What can we say, Olympia is packed with great pizza. And while you'll also have your choice of perfectly prepared pastas, salads, and other entrees here, the made-from-scratch wood-fired-oven pizza will win you over. Address: 518 Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA, 98501

10. Dos Hermanos Mexican Kitchen

Located inside the 222 Market, Dos Hermanos serves contemporary cuisine in a sleek, modern space. Between the fresh hand made organic yellow corn tortillas and the mouthwatering tamales, you'll be hooked.

Address: 222 Capitol Way North Suite 108, Olympia, WA, 98501

Olympia is a wonderful place to visit, and these are just a few of the tasty restaurants you'll see. While you're killing time between meals, check out the weekend flea market.