One of my happiest discoveries in Leavenworth, Washington was how many great food shops they have. The best part is that most of the products have samples available so you can do a taste test before buying a product. Here are the places you must check out in a food tour of Leavenworth, which are all conveniently located on Front Street:
1. Cup and Kettle Tea and Spice Shop (725 Front St)
This awesome shop features bulk teas, spices, and various kitchen tools like teapots, cups, etc. All of the teas are on tables so you can leisurely spend your time reading the names, ingredients and smelling the amazing selection. I guarantee you will find one (or two or three…) that you will fall in love with. My top choice: Almond Cookie tea. Yup, just as amazing as it sounds.
2. Oil and Vinegar Cellar (633 Front St)
The next stop on the food tour is this adorable shop tucked in the basement featuring some very exotic vinegar and olive oils that will surprise your taste buds. I was drawn in by the ad for grapefruit white balsamic vinegar, but fell in love with their orange mango passion balsamic vinegar. Also high on the ‘love’ list is the pecan praline vinegar. It may sound gross but it actually tastes amazing and would be great on savoury crepes. They also have gourmet salts for a complete epicurean experience.
3. Almond Blossom (933 Front St)
Following the yummy smell of roasting nuts, I ended up at the Almond Blossom. Selling a variety of flavoured nuts , it is too tempting to resist. From Maple chipotle to Thai chilli lime, there is something for everyone and your taste buds will thank you for such a flavourful experience.
4. Fudge Hut (933 Front St)
If you are making a trip to Almond Blossom, than don’t overlook the Fudge Hut. Freshly made, creamy, and just the right amount of sweetness, this is a place to pick up a few pieces. They boast 25 varieties and I recommend the red velvet fudge or the pumpkin pie if in season.
5. Icicle Brewing Company (935 Front St)
I love sampling craft beer, so I never miss out on an opportunity to visit a local brewery and sample local beers. The Icicle brewery has a cool laid back vibe and a great heated patio for those cooler months. There is also live music a few nights a week which is a nice touch. With so many beers on the menu the only reasonable choice is to order a sampler of the 6 main beers. I am not usually a fan of overly hoppy (is that even a word!?!) but I definitely think their IPAs are worth the taste.
6. Cured by Visconti’s – Italian Market (636 Front St)
If you are staying in a hotel with a small kitchen and want to prepare some of your own food, than head over to Cured for supplies. Their speciality is Italian foods, but you will also find a variety of Bavarian staples like sausages.
Make sure you also check out my top 5 things to do during your visit to Leavenworth!
