Where To Find European Cuisine in the Olympia Region

Bon appétit, buon appetito, guten appetit ... however you say it, we hope you've come hungry for some of our region's amazing European delights!

European cuisine, with dishes highlighting meat and complimenting sauces and condiments, is a continental cuisine mainly referring to the western parts of mainland Europe. Dairy products, along with potatoes and corn meal also feature heavily in European dishes where meals are served in distinct courses.

Olympia and our surrounding communities are home to a wide variety of restaurants and bakeries highlighting the various regions of Europe. We’re showcasing g a few of our local favorites here, but for a complete listing of all our European spots, be sure to check out the culinary maps below.

Rush In Dumplings (Russian - Eastern European)

Serving Pelmeni dumplings and other Eastern European classics like borscht, beet salad, and piroshkis, Alexsandra Litmanovich (an Eastern-European native) of Rush In Dumplings in downtown Olympia has made a name for herself as a local favorite for lunch and dinner.

The pillowy-soft dumplings come loaded with fillings like beef, chicken, potato, cheese, and mushrooms and are served in a variety of styles: Alaskan (onion and parsley), Classic (butter, sour cream, sriracha, vinegar, curry powder), Buffalo, Loaded (like the potato), and Sweet and Spicy (vinegar, honey, white miso, sriracha.

A super quick and filling pick-me-up after a morning of shopping downtown, enjoy your dumplings in the cozy seating area upstairs from the kitchen, or order dumplings and piroshkis frozen and bake them at home.

Rush In Dumplings
205 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

German Diner (German - Central European)

Mirjam Spreng opened the German Diner ten years ago with a desire to share the food of her native homeland to Lacey locals and visitors. Mirjam runs a tight ship with a small handful of employees and makes everything that comes out of the kitchen from her uber-popular Jägerschnitzel and Rouladen (Saturdays only) to döner kebab and currywurst.

The schnitzels at the German Diner feature pork cutlets, but chicken is available upon request. Entrees come with a fresh salad and one side – we recommend the spaetzle but you do you). You’ll find a nice selection of German beers as well as domestic beers and wine.

Locals will tell you a visit to the German Diner is never complete without a slice of Mirjam’s classic German cake, bienenstich.

German Diner
8910 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
Tuesday - Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and Mondays

Jean-Pierre Three16 (French – Western European)

Jean-Pierre and Kerri Simon are on a mission to share their love of French cuisine with a Northwest twist at their restaurant located near the historic Schmidt House in Tumwater.

Executive Chef Jean-Pierre was born and raised in a small town in the Champagne region of France where he learned that cooking was more than just about the food he created. It was about bringing family and friends together and fostering relationships. The intimate settings (reservations are recommended) encourage conversations over locally-sourced food and wine.

The seasonal menu changes often, but some of our favorites are (of course) the escargot, Dungeness crab dip, beef bourguignon, and the halibut Olympia.

Dessert is a must and while the variety is plentiful, we’re suckers for their vanilla crème brulee.

Jean-Pierre's Three16
316 Schmidt Pl SW, Tumwater, WA 98501
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Bacco Trattoria Italiana (Italian - Southern European)

Bacco Trattoria might seem like just another non-descript Italian Restaurant hidden in a little strip-mall at the northern end of Lacey at first glance, but those who know, know Chef Riccardo Simeone evokes the spirit of the Italian coast in his cooking.

A relative newby to the Olympia/Lacey food scene, Bacco Trattoria opened it’s doors in October of 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Not easily swayed, Chef Ricacardo, who has served loyal patrons from Seattle to Las Vegas to Maine forged forward, opening his authentic trattoria to bring the wonderful flavors of his hometown of Gaeta, Italy to the south Puget Sound.

From antipasti to pasti to secondi and finally dolci, an entire Italian experience awaits and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dish that doesn’t delight. Start with the frito misto and caprese for the table, then order a big bowl of spaghetti con polpette (spaghetti with meatballs – the sleeper hit dish in my opinion) followed by scalloppine di vitello (veal cutlets). End the meal with tiramisu and a dessert wine, and if you’re still not ready to go home, an espresso or two while you linger.

Bacco Trattoria Italiana
9323 Martin Way E STE 108A, Olympia, WA 98516
Wednesday - Sunday: 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday