6 Whidbey Island shops with great food (and gifts) to try in 2025

On a recent Saturday morning, two friends and I successfully aligned calendars to spend an entire day on Whidbey Island with no real plans beyond gossiping. Then, at breakfast, my Langley-based friend exclaimed, “I have an idea!”

So we set off on her tour of so-called “mercs and pants,” featuring a handful of little mercantile-style shops strewn from Langley to Coupeville where one can stock their pantry, fridge or belly — all culminating in local pizza for the finale.

Our adventure reinforced that Islanders are fiercely supportive and proud of their local farmers, ranchers, bakers and makers. Trying these shops let us peer into the soul of the island and learn more about what makes it tick.

Here’s our Whidbey Island mercs and pants trip itinerary, with creamy Brie (both vegan and nonvegan), geoduck coffee mugs, incredible sandwiches, grass-fed beef and so much more.

Grayhorse Mercantile

117 Anthes Ave., Langley; 206-419-0292, grayhorsemercantile.com

There are so many beautiful things packed into this store on the corner of Anthes Avenue and Second Street. It’s been open as Grayhorse since 2021, but over the years, the historical building has been the site of a gas station, a barbershop, an artist gallery, a telecom office and the Langley Whale Center. Here you’ll find swoon-worthy pottery, cutlery and the cutest little beeswax candles shaped like canelés. There’s also beautifully packaged tinned fish and pasta, condiments, wine and an admirable cheese selection. They’ll even put together a cheeseboard for you with advance notice.

Salinity Seafood & More

5603 Bayview Road, Suite 3, Langley; eatsalinity.com

Anything you’ve ever wondered about Pacific Northwest oysters can be answered by Emily Wilder, owner of this cute pop-up-turned-permanent shop near Bayview Garden. You can preorder live oysters, smoked wild fish or pies from Wild Crow Pie Co. for pickup at the store — or, if you just happen to be in the area, there are also canned goods, local chocolate and bath products alongside seafood-themed art and jewelry (including massive geoduck-shaped coffee mugs).

Biercuterie

1664 E. Main St., #3, Freeland; 360-670-0694, biercuterie.com

Sarah and Brian Bystrom opened this cheery space last April, combining their love of cheese with regional beer, mead and an ever-growing list of nonalcoholic drinks. If you are even mildly curd-curious, Biercuterie is a must-stop, as whoever is working the cheese counter will answer questions and let you sample some of Biercuterie’s dozens of cheeses. I picked up an incredibly creamy blue cheese as well as a fantastic Swiss-style cheese; there’s also vegan cheese and a wall filled with everything you need to round out a cheeseboard.

Greenbank Pantry & Deli

25175 Highway 525, Greenbank; 360-222-3623, greenbankstore.com

The Greenbank Store has had a place in Whidbey Islanders’ hearts since 1904. But when Emily Terao and Alex Pulichino took over the space in 2018 with plans of restoring the hulking grocery/hardware/restaurant space, the project was bigger than they imagined. So they’ve found a home right next door in the (much tinier) Greenbank Pantry & Deli, whipping up incredible sandwiches on freshly baked bread and supplying everything from soy sauce and fresh vegetables to dish soap, beer and coffee. On sunny days, grab a roast beef sandwich, a cookie and a cold drink and relax at a picnic table out back. There might be some construction noise with ongoing renovations at the store, so if you’re seeking quiet, check out Greenbank Farm and its strollable fields just up the road.

3 Sisters Market

779 N. Holbrook Road, Coupeville; 360-678-5445, 3sistersmarket.com

Jessica Hart, Roshel Donwen and Jennifer Jones are the sisters behind this family farm, in operation on the island since 1910. While the farm focuses on raising beef, pork, lamb and eggs, the store — which opened in a former fire station in 2013 — sells those products, plus fresh vegetables from other local farms, baked goods, dry goods and more. Bring a cooler for your day trip, for this is the place to stock up on grass-fed steaks and chops. There’s also an impressive gluten-free section for a store this size.

Goldie’s and The Roost

701 N. Main St., Coupeville; 360-678-1997; goldiesandtheroost.com

If you’d prefer that a professional chef whips all this Whidbey Island-grown produce and dairy into something delicious, Goldie’s and its upstairs pasta bar, The Roost, is the place to go in Coupeville. Chef Seddy Livingston comes from Ballard’s Delancey; at Goldie’s, he takes dough crafted from local grains and layers on fresh toppings. Think pistachio-scallion pistou and delicata squash; roasted pepper pesto, kale, bacon and pickled mustard vinaigrette; or even a classic tomato sauce and mozzarella. The pizza has real body and chew, kissed with the right amount of char from the live fire. The not-knots ($7), Goldie’s take on garlic bread, are crouton-sized chunks of fresh focaccia tossed in basil, whipped garlic, tomato powder and pecorino. Each offers a crunchy, garlicky, darn-near-addictive bite. The wood-fired radicchio salad ($15), which has more smoked beets than radicchio, gets drenched in a tangy poached pear vinaigrette with dollops of chevre. The full bar and pasta options are only available after 4 p.m., but Goldie’s opens for pizzas at noon, Thursday-Monday.