Every year, The Inlander releases their Best Of list. This list details the best food, recreation, shopping, and other various categories for the year. In 2022, we want to show love to some of our local favorites. Keep reading to see who we recommend voting for in 2022.
Best Local Food
The Grain Shed
If you’re in the mood for some of the best freshly baked goods or a smooth craft beer, The Grain Shed is the place to go. Their breads, pastries, and pastas begin with ancient grains, stone-ground to preserve nutritional value and, most importantly, flavor. They then use traditional methods — fermenting dough, extruding pasta through brass dies — to create products that are healthy, and incredibly delicious. The Grain Shed also specializes in exceptional beers made exclusively from rare grains and ingredients that are locally grown and malted right here in Spokane to be unique, flavorful, and incredibly drinkable. Along with their growers, they are working to craft styles of beers unique to this magical grain-growing utopia we call the Inland Northwest.
Check out The Grain Shed today
Pho Van
Located on North Division, Pho Van offers delicious broth noodle soups and other Vietnamese classics in a warmly furnished, brick-walled dining room. Pho Van offers nice large portions and a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes like Pho, Bahn Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), and Com (rice) dishes. If you choose to dine in, their warm and welcoming atmosphere adds to the dining experience. They also offer delivery which is great for those who’d rather enjoy a nice bowl of pho in the comfort of their own home.
Check out Pho Van today
Taste of India
Taste of India is a casual, warm locale that has been serving the people of Spokane since 2001. Longtime Spokane residents Ajit and Hardish Khinda wanted to share Punjabi cuisine with the community. Now, together with their family, they have been serving the community for over 20 years! They offer authentic Indian and Pakistani dishes in an art-lined dining room. Their naan dough is made with a custom flour blend, homemade plain yogurt, and leavened with yeast. Once fermented, they stretch out the dough and bake it in their tandoor (clay oven) at over 800ºF. The result is a delicious flatbread that is both crispy on the outside with a pillowy interior. Taste of India also offers delivery for those who want to enjoy their meal from home.
Check out Taste of India today
Read about more of our favorite local restaurants!
Best Local Recreation
Lilac Lanes
Located in Cedar Creek Village I, Lilac Lanes offers a 32-lane bowling alley and casino with a poker room along with a lounge and restaurant. Lilac Lanes lets you enjoy a classic bowling experience as well as some funky late-night cosmic bowling most nights after 9pm. In their casino, they offer fun table games like high card flush, emperors challenge pai-gow, Spanish 21, and more! In addition, you can hit the Eleventh Frame Lounge & Lilac Lanes Restaurant in between games for food and drinks.
Check out Lilac Lanes today
Pattison’s North
Pattison’s North is a family-owned roller skating center that has been in operation since 1951. It all started when Weston Betts started his skating business in the early ’30s. Later, Pat and Evie Pattison moved their family east of the mountains following a fire at the family’s rink on Redondo Beach in 1951. They then bought and operated Pattison’s North until 1974. From there, they sold the rink to their daughter Bobbie and her husband Ben Winkler. The Winkler’s owned and operated the rink for 33 years before retiring in 2006. Now, Shawn and his wife Jericho are keeping the business in the family, running it with the same core values as Shaun’s Grandfather. That’s four generations of roller rink owners! Pattison’s North offers open public skating along with private skate parties on their 95’X176’, #1-grade maple skating rink.
Check out Pattison’s North today
Best Local Arts
Garland Theater
The Garland Theater is a slick 1945 movie house with an attached cocktail bar showing discount 2nd-run and classic films. When the Garland Theater opened in November of 1945, it was the premier movie house in the west. On opening night, the luxurious lobby was filled with baskets of flowers from studio well-wishers along with congratulatory telegrams from Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers, and Eddie Cantor. It was purchased by current owner Katherine Ritchie in 1999 and features 630 stadium-style seats with extra-wide rows that allow patrons to get up from their seat without disturbing others.
Check out The Garland Theater today
The Magic Lantern
The Magic Lantern Theatre is an art-house cinema that opened in 1931. They showcase documentaries along with independent and foreign films on 2 screens. Located in the Saranac building on W.Main, The Magic Lantern offers small, comfortable seating with a beautiful interior. The Magic Lantern is the best place to visit for anyone looking for a fun and unique theatre going experience.
Check out The Magic Lantern today
Best Local Shops
Wonders of the World
Located in the Flour Mill, Wonders of the World is a world import gifts and souvenirs shop containing the largest, most eclectic collection of jewelry, beads, artifacts, and natural wonders anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. Celebrating more than 25 years in business, Wonder of the World is a cultural feature for visitors to Spokane. When you enter Wonder of the World you may notice “Annie”, a 50-thousand-year-old cave bear skeleton, along with “Sherman”, the life-sized replica of a T-Rex skull. They are two of many fossils and minerals that are the commanding features of the shop. They have something for everyone with goodies from 25 cents to $25,000. You will find that Wonder of the World is like a museum where everything is for sale.
Check out Wonders of the World today
From Here
Located on the top floor of the River Park Square shopping mall, From Here features one-of-a-kind items and thoughtful gifts made by Spokane artists and makers. From jewelry to wall art, clothing to bath and body, everything is handmade or designed with a story behind it. Every single purchase supports an artist living right here in Spokane and helps to keep creativity alive and well in our city.
Check out From Here today
Best Drinks & Nightlife
The Shop
Located in the Perry District, The Shop is a neighborhood coffee shop featuring craft beer, live music, and local art in a laid-back space. The Shop’s baked goods and food items are made in-house and gluten-free and vegan items are available. In the summer, The Shop is the hub of South Perry’s Thursday Market and screens weekly movies from its parking lot onto the side of neighboring restaurant Casper Fry. Stop in and try a cup of locally roasted Anvil Coffee or a delicious homemade breakfast sandwich.
Check out The Shop today
The Big Dipper
After 30 years as a landmark in Spokane, The Big Dipper has recently been renovated and brought back to life. Centrally located in downtown Spokane, The Big Dipper is formatted to provide an unforgettable experience for artists and concertgoers alike. Boasting an industry professional PA system and light show, The Big Dipper is also equipped with a commercial kitchen, full-service bar, and beautiful view of the Spokane skyline, The Big Dipper is fully equipped to accommodate national touring acts, local artists, and private parties. They provide an unmatched level of quality and professionalism for a small to mid-level venue. On top of that, all ages are welcome!
Check out The Big Dipper today
Vote now!
For the 2022 Inlander’s Best Of, be sure to show these local favorites some love. Most importantly, be sure to vote for Cinder for Best Local Cannabis Shop, Best Local Cannabis Brand, Best Cannabis Edible Selection, and Best CBD selection! Click here to put in your vote today!
Hurry, polls close February 15th @ midnight!