There are restaurants with good food, and there are restaurants with good views, and then — if you are lucky — you find a place that delivers both without compromise. Anthony’s at Spokane Falls, perched right on the north bank of the Spokane River in the heart of downtown, is exactly that place. From the moment you step onto the outdoor deck and hear the roar of the falls, you understand why locals have been coming here for decades and why first-time visitors inevitably book a second reservation before they leave.
Anthony’s is part of a beloved Pacific Northwest chain with deep roots in fresh, responsibly sourced seafood, and the Spokane location carries that tradition beautifully. The menu reads like a love letter to the coast — think wild Alaskan halibut, cedar-planked salmon, Dungeness crab, and a rotating selection of oysters that changes with the season. The kitchen takes these ingredients seriously, letting quality do the heavy lifting rather than burying everything in unnecessary sauces. That said, the cocktail program is inventive enough to keep things lively, and the wine list leans thoughtfully into Pacific Northwest producers, which pairs perfectly with the regional seafood focus.
The setting, though, is what truly sets Anthony’s apart in Spokane’s dining landscape. The restaurant sits just steps from the Upper Spokane Falls, and depending on where you are seated, you can watch the water surge over the basalt rock formations while the city skyline frames the background. On warm evenings, the outdoor terrace fills up fast — and for good reason. There is something deeply satisfying about eating a perfectly seared piece of halibut while mist from a waterfall drifts past you on a July evening. It feels almost cinematic.
The dining room interior is equally well done — warm wood tones, expansive windows, and a design sensibility that feels polished without feeling stiff. Families are welcome, date nights thrive here, and business dinners work just as well. The staff strikes a tone that is attentive and knowledgeable without hovering, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
Anthony’s is located right along the Spokane River Centennial Trail corridor near the Washington Street bridge, making it an ideal stop if you have spent the afternoon exploring Riverfront Park or wandering downtown. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and throughout the summer months. Walk-ins are sometimes possible at the bar, which has its own charm and offers the full menu.
If you want to understand why Spokane’s downtown has been quietly thriving — good food, genuine natural beauty, a sense of place that feels earned rather than manufactured — dinner at Anthony’s at Spokane Falls makes a compelling argument. Come hungry, and give yourself time to linger. The falls are not going anywhere, and neither will you want to.
