Fantastic dining experience, delicious food, charming warm atmosphere and full of good San Juan island energy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Hw
A true hidden gem. This is an elegant boutique restaurant with excellent food and great service. Sunday morning pastries are fabulous too. Get there at 9 am. They sell out quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
mark littlefield
What a special experience! The food was exceptional, the attention to detail was extraordinary, and the staff were completely focused on making our experience remarkable.
Thank you to the chef and the whole team at Walden.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Liddell
This place restored our faith in tasting menus. Delicious and the wine pairing is actually designed to pair beautifully with the food.
Incredibly well thought out and intentional. This place is a gem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yomi Olufowoshe
Celebrated our wedding anniversary at Walden and walked away reminded of why experiences matter more than things.
The staff weren’t just kind, they were intentional. Every detail felt tailored to us, which turned a special night into something unforgettable. The wine pairings were thoughtful, the dessert was a perfect finish, and the vibe struck that rare balance of cozy and elevated.
Tiny bites, big vibes. Sometimes less really is more.
Grateful to the team at Walden for creating a night Natalie and I will always remember!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Suhy
Really awesome experience. Expensive but very unique and makes for a great special occasion celebration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Valerie Spong
Food was beyond amazing! Incredible experience and the staff was so welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Meis
Don't walk, run. Now. Chef Gabriella has curated a talented team and absolute gem of a luxe dining experience that was much needed on San Juan Island. All details are thought through with a refined touch from the Chef. The counter experience is excellent and the tasting menu is one that will have you booking your next visit before your last bite. While the San Juans are chalk full of excellent dining experiences, this one left a standout memory. Don't skip the wine pairing - well thought through and explained with each course, paired perfectly with each dish to deliver the knockout combo every time. Five stars across the board and can't wait to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jillian Shropshire
Their weekend (?) pastries are insane. The almond croissant is so decadent and delicious. 12/10.
Food: 5
rashaver1
If I could give Walden a million stars, I would. Simply magical.
The innkeeper at our bed and breakfast recommended that we go there just to get the curated croissants, which are made only on the weekends and sell out quickly,
Super unique choices and we were able to score a s'more marshmallow and a traditional almond which were phenomenal....both were a labor of love and they were sumptuous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Gastineau
A dining experience on the island, unpretentious service, exceptional food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Richard Silas
My wife and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary at Walden last night, and we were absolutely blown away. We've experienced our fair share of tasting menus around the world—from Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe to culinary hotspots in New York—and Walden not only held its own, it genuinely surprised us. Every course was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully presented. The sablefish, in particular, was on another level—easily the best we’ve ever had.
The wine pairings were exceptional and perfectly complemented each dish. The sommelier was knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly passionate about their craft, making each pour feel purposeful and elevating the entire experience without ever overwhelming it.
The ambiance was equally impressive. The lighting, décor, and pace of service were all perfectly tuned, and the background music added a wonderful atmosphere—elegant and relaxed without ever being distracting. Honestly, we didn’t expect this level of culinary excellence from a quiet corner of San Juan Island, but Walden delivered something truly world-class.
The service was seamless—warm, attentive, and personal without being intrusive. The team knew it was our anniversary and went out of their way to make us feel celebrated. San Juan Island has long been a family tradition for us—we visit every summer from Point Roberts and Vancouver—but this dinner turned a familiar getaway into a truly unforgettable memory.
If you’re on the island and looking for more than just a meal—for a full sensory experience—don’t miss Walden. We’ll absolutely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick Bridges
I write a lot of reviews, enough to know when something truly stands apart. Walden does, in every way that matters.
I came for the tasting menu with wine pairings, and what followed was not just a meal, but a quiet unfolding of wonder. Each course felt like a story, told through balance, texture, and depth. From the first amuse bouche to the final dessert, there was not a single note out of place. I have eaten at many celebrated restaurants, but some of the dishes here, they will stay with me.
The wine pairings were equally thoughtful, chosen not just to match the food, but to walk alongside it. Each glass seemed to breathe with the plate it accompanied, elevating the moment without ever taking over.
But what truly moved me went beyond the food. The team at Walden already knew I was celebrating two deeply personal milestones, surviving cancer and retiring from the military. Their response was something I will never forget: they quietly chose to comp the entire experience. It was generous, yes, but more than that, it was human. It was heart.
Walden is more than a restaurant. It is a place where food becomes memory, where intention meets kindness, and where excellence never overshadows warmth. If you find yourself near Friday Island, go. Make the trip. Let them show you what hospitality can truly be.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua M
My wife and I had dinner here for our first wedding anniversary and it was truly exceptional in every way.
For context, my wife is a food snob while I have the pallate refinement of a garbage can. Both of us found the entire evening to be absolutely incredible, 100% worth the money, and will certainly be coming back to celebrate with Walden in the future.
All of the staff knew our names, why we were there, and went to great lengths to help us feel celebrated, including flowers, personalized notes, and a customized vegetarian menu for myself.
The ambiance was elegant and inviting. Gabriella and her team struck the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth. She was incredibly knowledgeable but also conversational in the most natural, unforced way, making us feel welcome while still giving us our privacy throughout the evening.
We also particularly enjoyed getting to see her teach her team and seeing them work together. We highly recommend sitting at the chef’s counter if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Fantastic dining experience, delicious food, charming warm atmosphere and full of good San Juan island energy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A true hidden gem. This is an elegant boutique restaurant with excellent food and great service. Sunday morning pastries are fabulous too. Get there at 9 am. They sell out quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a special experience! The food was exceptional, the attention to detail was extraordinary, and the staff were completely focused on making our experience remarkable.
Thank you to the chef and the whole team at Walden.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place restored our faith in tasting menus. Delicious and the wine pairing is actually designed to pair beautifully with the food.
Incredibly well thought out and intentional. This place is a gem.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Celebrated our wedding anniversary at Walden and walked away reminded of why experiences matter more than things.
The staff weren’t just kind, they were intentional. Every detail felt tailored to us, which turned a special night into something unforgettable. The wine pairings were thoughtful, the dessert was a perfect finish, and the vibe struck that rare balance of cozy and elevated.
Tiny bites, big vibes. Sometimes less really is more.
Grateful to the team at Walden for creating a night Natalie and I will always remember!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really awesome experience. Expensive but very unique and makes for a great special occasion celebration.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was beyond amazing! Incredible experience and the staff was so welcoming
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don't walk, run. Now. Chef Gabriella has curated a talented team and absolute gem of a luxe dining experience that was much needed on San Juan Island. All details are thought through with a refined touch from the Chef. The counter experience is excellent and the tasting menu is one that will have you booking your next visit before your last bite. While the San Juans are chalk full of excellent dining experiences, this one left a standout memory. Don't skip the wine pairing - well thought through and explained with each course, paired perfectly with each dish to deliver the knockout combo every time. Five stars across the board and can't wait to return soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their weekend (?) pastries are insane. The almond croissant is so decadent and delicious. 12/10.
Food: 5
If I could give Walden a million stars, I would. Simply magical.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The innkeeper at our bed and breakfast recommended that we go there just to get the curated croissants, which are made only on the weekends and sell out quickly,
Super unique choices and we were able to score a s'more marshmallow and a traditional almond which were phenomenal....both were a labor of love and they were sumptuous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A dining experience on the island, unpretentious service, exceptional food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary at Walden last night, and we were absolutely blown away. We've experienced our fair share of tasting menus around the world—from Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe to culinary hotspots in New York—and Walden not only held its own, it genuinely surprised us. Every course was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully presented. The sablefish, in particular, was on another level—easily the best we’ve ever had.
The wine pairings were exceptional and perfectly complemented each dish. The sommelier was knowledgeable, approachable, and clearly passionate about their craft, making each pour feel purposeful and elevating the entire experience without ever overwhelming it.
The ambiance was equally impressive. The lighting, décor, and pace of service were all perfectly tuned, and the background music added a wonderful atmosphere—elegant and relaxed without ever being distracting.
Honestly, we didn’t expect this level of culinary excellence from a quiet corner of San Juan Island, but Walden delivered something truly world-class.
The service was seamless—warm, attentive, and personal without being intrusive. The team knew it was our anniversary and went out of their way to make us feel celebrated.
San Juan Island has long been a family tradition for us—we visit every summer from Point Roberts and Vancouver—but this dinner turned a familiar getaway into a truly unforgettable memory.
If you’re on the island and looking for more than just a meal—for a full sensory experience—don’t miss Walden. We’ll absolutely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I write a lot of reviews, enough to know when something truly stands apart. Walden does, in every way that matters.
I came for the tasting menu with wine pairings, and what followed was not just a meal, but a quiet unfolding of wonder. Each course felt like a story, told through balance, texture, and depth. From the first amuse bouche to the final dessert, there was not a single note out of place. I have eaten at many celebrated restaurants, but some of the dishes here, they will stay with me.
The wine pairings were equally thoughtful, chosen not just to match the food, but to walk alongside it. Each glass seemed to breathe with the plate it accompanied, elevating the moment without ever taking over.
But what truly moved me went beyond the food. The team at Walden already knew I was celebrating two deeply personal milestones, surviving cancer and retiring from the military. Their response was something I will never forget: they quietly chose to comp the entire experience. It was generous, yes, but more than that, it was human. It was heart.
Walden is more than a restaurant. It is a place where food becomes memory, where intention meets kindness, and where excellence never overshadows warmth. If you find yourself near Friday Island, go. Make the trip. Let them show you what hospitality can truly be.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I had dinner here for our first wedding anniversary and it was truly exceptional in every way.
For context, my wife is a food snob while I have the pallate refinement of a garbage can. Both of us found the entire evening to be absolutely incredible, 100% worth the money, and will certainly be coming back to celebrate with Walden in the future.
All of the staff knew our names, why we were there, and went to great lengths to help us feel celebrated, including flowers, personalized notes, and a customized vegetarian menu for myself.
The ambiance was elegant and inviting. Gabriella and her team struck the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth. She was incredibly knowledgeable but also conversational in the most natural, unforced way, making us feel welcome while still giving us our privacy throughout the evening.
We also particularly enjoyed getting to see her teach her team and seeing them work together. We highly recommend sitting at the chef’s counter if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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