Fabulous food, service, atmosphere. The staff at Nell Thorn is very informative about the food, wine and cocktails. They offer suggestions based on diet restrictions or something you might not like. They are always there to make a suggestion and offer help but are not hovering. So nice to see a restaurant with so much help. The food is fresh; everything picked or caught from the same day. Ask to be seated at a window table. It's lovely to view the river while you are dining. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. read more

August 12, 2025 - La Conner, WA We had a wonderful lunch on the dog-friendly patio overlooking the waterfront. Our server was Melissa, and she was friendly and welcoming. We ordered the Wagyu Burger ($24) with a side salad to split. They charge a $2 split fee, which I prefer over bringing out one meal and an extra plate. The Wagyu Burger is the best burger I have had in a long time. The meat was cooked a perfect medium, and was served with caramelized onions, white cheddar, a most delicious truffle aioli, and a wonderful house made brioche bun. Yum. I was almost sorry I split this one. But that left room for dessert...a luscious chocolate mousse served with whipped cream and a macaron. read more

Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub - August 12, 2025 - Waygu Burger with side salad (split). So good! - New American Near Me - La Conner, Washington

Always delicious and fresh. They have more than fish, but I definitely recommend any of the fish dishes as they are cooked perfectly. Pictures are of the crab pasta, duck with mushroom pasta, and the beef short ribs. read more

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We were a family group of 6 adults and 2 well-behaved young children for Mother's Day. We had a reservation and the serving staff was friendly, professional and accommodating. Our meal was good though prices are high, portions were on the small side, and the kitchen was a bit heavy handed with the salt which was a common thread through our appetizers and entrees. There is no children's menu and truffle salt coated the fries so they were not appealing to young palates. We ordered 4 appetizers shared around the table, bread (excellent but not included with the meal), a single soup, 6 entrees, and 9 cocktails (two with no alcohol). The bill came to just over $600 before tax and tip. read more

We enjoyed our first time here last week. Wanted to bring our close friends to experience what we did. We ordered Nell's bread, labneh, truffle fries, salade nicoise, Dungeness crab pasta, spaghetti polpetta, bolognese, crème brûlée, vanilla ice cream and licorice ice cream, nitro espresso martini, and lots of cocktails and soda. We all left completely full and satisfied. They gave us a table next to the water front window. Last night was perfect in every way possible read more

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This is probably our 5th time to Nell Thorn and every time it is a great experience. The food is always well executed and the service is always great. Great atmosphere as well. Definitely one of the best restaurants north of Seattle. read more

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Nell Thorn Restaurant, La Conner, WA - August 12, 2025 We sat on the patio with our dog Sophie. Our server's name was Melissa. She fell in love with Sophie. We didn't go inside of the restaurant, but outside looking in looked nice. The outside patio is right on the waterfront and it's enjoyable to watch boats go by. We split a wage cheese burger with a salad - $2 split fee. I ordered a house made ginger beer and my wife got a tasty glass of Benziger Running Wild Chardonnay. Everything was dedelicious. read more

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We had a 2:15 reservation. The hostess brought us to a table, we politely asked if could sit at the window. No. Both tables were for four. We waited 15 minutes for water and a waiter. He came and we said we ready to order. We ordered and then were told, sorry you can't order off the menu but we could get an appetizer or a salad. No one had told us that we couldn't order lunch. He said that the hostess should have told us that when we came in. Well, honestly she was too busy being snotty to tell us anything. We left at that point. It's always been a favorite restaurant but not anymore. read more

Oh, how I wish the food rated as highly as the service and atmosphere! We visited for a Tuesday lunch. Perhaps the kitchen wasn't well staffed? Loved the setting, the view and the parking. The server was very pleasant. I asked if each couple could get a check. Then ordered the truffle fries for the table as an appetizer. The fries were ok. The aioli tasted like plain mayo, and there was not a hint of truffle to be found. Very disappointing. Do they use truffle salt? Truffle oil? Who knows, you could taste nothing. Our friends each tried a pasta. The crab pasta was so very salty she couldn't eat it. Additionally she thought there wasn't much crab in the $39 lunch dish. We were more than half way through our entrées when the server stopped by. She offered to have another portion made for her with less salt. My friend declined that offer. The other pasta ordered was the bolognese, and they liked the flavor but thought the pasta too al dente to enjoy. I had the large ceasar salad. The best part of it was the very crispy little gem romaine. It was treated very well. However, it had no real flavor. It tasted like a salad tossed with mayo and parm. Garlic? Anchovy? I did get 3 croutons in that large salad. My other had the wagyu burger. He thought it was cooked well to order, but had a hard time keeping it together as he ate it. He paid extra to have a side salad instead of accompanying fries. Unfortunately, he chose the ceasar dressing and had no interest in it after the second bite. Btw, when we got the checks, the fries were spilt between the 2 bills. We left it that way instead waiting for new checks. But I thought I was pretty clear when I asked for separate checks that I was ordering that item for the table to share as an appetizer. I expected it to be on my check. read more

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I've been going here for the last five years and somehow Nell Thorn has leveled up! The halibut was better this time than anytime before and believe me...that's saying a lot. This restaurant has been my favorite place this side of the Mississippi for years! Tonight, every single thing has been improved upon. The bread, phenomenal. Crunchy crust but a perfect texture on the inside. The oysters were cold, fresh, and shucked to order. The halibut was pan seared perfectly golden with a béchamel, served over Meyer lemon risotto. This dish could not be more balanced with the addition of the sweet peas. The ribeye is as perfect as always. Superb cut of meat, prepared perfectly, with a demi glaze and seasonal vegetables. To cap the evening off, the decadent cheesecake and huckleberry compote provided a rich and delicious "not overly sweet" combination with the perfect compliment of whipped cream. The crème brûlée boasted a creamy custard and perfectly burnt sugar top layer. Service is always impeccable. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who have been there for years. Ambiance is quiet. Nice but not formal, and very well decorated. I don't know how they keep getting better, but Nell Thorn has once again knocked it out of the park. read more

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There are creative cocktails and good food to be found at Nell Thorn, albeit for a price. Come flush and plan to spend for the best experience. Reservations are key, especially on busy weekend evenings. The patio is worth the wait in the warmer months, but the dining room is comfortable too. Service can be chilly and there are occasional miscommunications between bar and service staff, though quickly resolved. Servers sometimes lack wine list knowledge, and food service can be arhythmic, with apps and entrees hitting the table randomly. That's the missing star. A little team building and training could go a long way here. Go for the pasta dishes - they make their own noodles, and they do it right! Recommended. read more

I don't know how you could possibly give this restaurant a poor review. You definitely get what you pay for here. Their food is delicious. I got the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, everything about this dish was delectable. I LOVED their sourdough and olive oil appetizer too-so simple but perfect. The lighting and atmosphere were so relaxing and enjoyable. The fries are awesome, steak, AND the service is great. The staff is so attentive and kind. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to treat themself, or taste some of the best food in Skagit Valley. I could go on and on. Thank you, I'll be back very soon! read more

The service was amazing, they paid attention, without being bothersome... The menu changes every day. They have a decent wine selection, however they missed on the whisky selection.. It is a place that you can come somewhat casual, but I would recommend business casual... I wish they would have table cloths, but that is an added expense. The food was delicious, I had the duck, and a Caesar salad, with anchovies, and an appetizer... with the wine, for one person, was about $100. They have a parking lot, and street parking... I do recommend reservations.. read more

What a lovely experience! I went here on a Friday night and was a able to make a sunset reservation the same evening. We were seated outside and once it got a little chilly, our server was able to move us in, which was nice. We got the hibiscus tea, which was really strong and had a cinnamon spice to it. I loved it! The star of the show was the polenta. WOW! So crispy with a wonderful creamy sauce over it. Such a wonderful starter. Both of us got seafood salads and they were pretty good. Didn't blow our minds but definitely filled us up and had great local ingredients. We loved the vibe and felt like this was a lovely option for our dinner out in La Conner! read more

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Really enjoyed my meal of spaghetti and meatballs. The view was lovely and staff attentive.

It was delicious and the vibe and service are amazing. Came here for my birthday which i personally enjoyed.

Wonderful food for every taste & preference. Upscale presentations and meals with a casual vibe. Excellent service and wonderful location along the channel. Highly recommend for date night, family or friends! read more

I would give a zero if I could. This place looked nice inside and was great to watch sunset in warmth. When we walked in party of 3 one being my 7year old. I was met with snooty attitude and asked if I had reservations. I asked do I need them? He said no. Then why ask?! They were dead and I felt judged and the staff would look at us and laugh. It was a really uncomfortable environment and we ended up leaving because of the way the staff was. I'm sorry but the staff does not know how much I have in my bank account (they are pricey) and I felt they were judging us enough to make us leave. We went across the street to the brewery and had amazing food, service, and environment. I would not recommend this place to anyone! read more

Delicious! The parsnip soup was divine! The bolognese? Amazing! Beet salad? Delish! We popped in for lunch and will be back for sure.

Cute sea-town restaurant featuring fresh local grown food. Sitting on a doc that leads out to the sound. Service was great, got the cook wrong on the burger we ordered, they were quick to make it right. read more

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First the good. The food is really good. I have no complaints about the tastes or the way the food was prepared. The restaurant was clean and very nicely done. Okay now to the bad. The service we received on a slow Friday night was horrible. I have gotten better service at ihop. We got seated and our waitress came over twice. Once to take our drink order and then our regular order. This took all of 10-15 minutes. She then disappeared for 50 minutes. Food didn't come to us until over 1 hour had passed. And it was cold because it sat on the pass for so long. We never got an apology or explanation. Then she was right back with the bill. Basically, we were made to feel very uncomfortable by her. She never even introduced herself at all, I had to do that part. It was like she hated us for even being there. read more

While driving through La Conner, we stopped by Nell Thorn for brunch, and while it was unplanned, it was a great choice. The restaurant is right on the Swinomish Channel and even has a parking lot. Do get the bread - it's definitely worth a few $$ and I still dream of the chewiness and the butter. For brunch, the corned beef hash was really good with a nice ratio of protein and carbs, topped with two perfectly poached eggs. Unfortunately, the carb to protein ratio was off on the reuben as the bread was quite thick. The arrabbiata was also very good with the eggplant. The burger was also solid. Do make reservations as this place gets very busy. Service is friendly and solid. Overall, a great stop in a great town - can't wait to come back when it isn't pouring down rain and also sit outside. read more

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Great food. Great view, and service. I loved it I came for brunch, and I will be for dinner soon read more

Sitting in the quaint town of La Conner. Nell Thorn is truly spectacular. No where else on that peninsula will you find such excellent staff and such delicious food. For starters the ousters are briny and wonderfully fresh. Also, the bread is simply excellent. The main event though is the halibut. The best halibut I have ever eaten. A crispy crust and delicate meat means it is absolutely superb. The views of the channel next to it just add to the magical atmosphere. The desserts also help to end an absolutely superb meal. read more

Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub - The greatest ever halibut. - New American Near Me - La Conner, Washington

Food it's great. However, service today kinda drop a little, will see next time. Hopefully they get better. read more

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Call first! we drove from Seattle have lunch at Nell Thorn's. They were supposed to be open but they were closed. Had no idea we needed to call to see if they were actually open. Long way to go for nothing. read more

Another excellent meal here. The atmosphere is so inviting and relaxing. It's the food that shines here with fresh, often local ingredients. This time, the squash agnolotti and the salmon were both standouts. read more

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Attended on a Tuesday night, so not too busy in the restaurant. Server was Trish D. Great service and knowledge of the menu. The restaurant was out of one of the dishes for lack of ingredients.... We had the cispy polenta topped with mushrooms and herbs and the bolognaise dish. Both top notch. Look forward to returning again. read more

Had a wonderful 70th birthday dinner overlooking the canal. As usual the food was delicious and the service exceptional. Our server took special care of the 2002 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet we brought and totally made the evening. Our favorite restaurant in the Skagit Valley area. read more

The absolute Best in beautiful LaConner to eat..have been there ,at least 50 times..food,service consistently outstanding..Recommend highly to ALL!! read more

Service was great. However, the food was not. My husband and I each ordered the crab pasta. One small dish of pasta with one small piece of crab. That's it. For 35.00. Couldn't even taste the crab. We won't be back. Disappointing. read more

Wonderful food, service and location. Honestly the best meal we've eaten out in a long time. Ordered the sourdough bread with olive oil, clams, caesar salad, and fries. Everything was WOW. Great flavors and textures, fresh ingredients. The staff were all very friendly and you can't beat the waterfront view. Will definitely return! read more

Attentive and courteous staff. Muscles and broth were FANTASTIC. Chocolate mousse was nicely accented with hazelnuts. Great view. Would definitely return for a great seafood dinner. read more

The perfect lunch today at Nell Thorn! Had Mussels Calabrese, huge local mussels served in a divine peppery, tomato sauce you want to saveur every bite,, simmered to perfection. And the bread-OMG! A light whole grain crusty bread, somewhat sour, served with a red pepper herbed olive oil. The wine selection was huge. I definitely recommend this restaurant. La Conner is a cute town right on the Sound. Nice shops and a museum to check out. read more

Fantastic dining experience in La Conner! We had an incredible time during our visit and our server was absolutely wonderful. She took her time with us and as we ordered she perfectly timed each item so that it was delivered after finishing one after the other. We started with the local bread, a dozen oysters, and the polenta cakes. So yum, so perfect, would definitely have again. Shortly after those were completed our mains arrived, hot and fresh. I had the egg Benedict and my husband had the salmon niçose salad. Everything was fresh, well seasoned, with so much flavor. It was the quintessential Pacific Northwest dining experience! Our view overlooked the water and it just added to the ambience and dining experience. Hands down one of the best restaurant dining experiences!! Gladly looking forward to my next visit! read more

We ate here on a lovely, warm summer day. I discovered my new favorite salad. Nicoise with grilled salmon on top. Delicious !! We bellied up to the bar while we waited for a window seat to open. The bartender was really nice and great at her craft. Our server was attentive and friendly too. Our food was delicious. Can't wait for our next visit and I hope to find that salad offered again. read more

Great food and great service. Had the Caesar salad for starter and it was dressed really well, and was very generous portion for just a half size! I had a ribeye for dinner and the glaze on the steak was so good! Good to perfection. We had a big party of 8 people and we were accommodated well. Parking is a little tight so beware of that but they do have parking. We will be back! read more

Three years ago I thought this was the best food I had ever eaten. Everything was fresh, cooked with care, and the service and ambiance was unbeatable. Each year since, it has progressively gone downhill. Last year the food was good but no longer made with the same quality of food and service. Price is the same but the food is no longer made with care and the service has gone from friendly and professional to poorly cooked and get in get out and maybe we can serve you if we feel like it. We had a reservation, we were friendly and ordered a decent amount of food and drinks and left feeling like we ate at an Applebees with poor service. The vegetables were soggy the fish was overcooked and the risotto was soupy. The bread now comes with very flavorless olive oil instead of the fresh flavorful butter but served with a dense table bread. Will not be back. Would recommend many other better food options, or save a buck and hit a pub where the food quality will be decent and you'll get better service. read more

I was there this morning with my fiance for our 3 year anniversary, Food was delicious and service was great! Highly recommend ! read more

We had the best food, drinks, vibes, and service last night. We had the tenderloin, ribeye, Caesar salad, bread, and the clams finishing with cream brûlée and every dish was 10/10. The service was fantastic, our wait staff was extremely attentive and kind and so was everyone we ran into. Overall our new favorite place to celebrate with a nice meal. Highly recommend. read more