Dine at The Reef Reimagined in Bustling Downtown Olympia

Photos courtesy of instagram.com/christinapotterphotography/ 

Taking over an iconic location with a well-known product and devoted following is stressful. In downtown Olympia, the closing of King Solomon’s Reef and subsequent June 2024 opening of The Reef Restaurant meant big shoes to fill for owners Sam Dinsmore, Ryan Perkins, Noah Murry, and Jiana Hook. But after only a few short weeks, they’ve earned early, explosive success and rave reviews for their food, atmosphere and unique Olympia charm.

Same(-ish) Name but an Entirely New Vibe at The Reef Restaurant

“People have the perception that because we kept the name, we’re the same restaurant,” says Dinsmore. But for this batch of Olympia natives, moving home to raise families, build a legacy and celebrate their chosen city has been the ride of a lifetime.

Dinsmore counts Chef Sean Arakaki of Seattle’s Itsumono as a culinary friend and mentor. Studying Chef Sean’s model plus Dinsmore’s own eclectic food background taught him a deceptively—and delightfully—simple truth: make what you like and share it with others. “We’re excited to bring new flavors to downtown and welcome more people and families out. This is always where we wanted to be, and we want to make an impact on a place we all love while breaking down unnecessary fears about coming downtown.”

And it’s paying off. They’ve already received glowing feedback and the ultimate compliment in dining: return customers who come back with all their friends. In the years Dinsmore was away, he’s delighted to see that now more families can live closer to downtown and hopes their restaurant’s success will spawn new ideas and inspire budding entrepreneurs.

Community, Collaboration, and Cooking are the Spice of Life

Before opening its doors, the team ran pop-ups and a catering arm for three years. “This way, we were in the community, collaborating and meeting other local businesses,” said Dinsmore. But the partnerships didn’t, and won’t, stop there.

Dinsmore credits the Enterprise for Equity program as “a huge help” and highly praises assistance from OlyFed on their SBA loan and the Washington Hospitality Association for information and support over the years. As schedules settle down and the early rush slows, Dinsmore and his fellow owners also hope to become more involved with civic groups which foster small business growth and bring in visitors to our bustling city.

Since opening, Dinsmore says they’ve been “discovering how to be more efficient, and people are finding their roles and enjoy working here. We’re planning seasonal menu changes and holiday events, new specials, and getting staff involved creatively to use this big, unique space.”

Timeless Diner Classics Meet Exciting Culinary Rebels at The Reef

They’re partnering with local farms and farmers, including summer favorite Ladyberry Produce in Boston Harbor. But most items, including sauces, dressings, marinades, dips, and breads, are made in-house. They even hired Oly Vidallon, formerly of Oly Malasadas, as a pastry chef. Look for her signature Portuguese-Hawaiian delicacies when you visit.

The Reef staff is happy to accommodate your dietary restrictions and regularly offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Ask about old-school diner classics or new twists like zippy kimchi fried rice.

Located at 212 4^th Avenue E, open Monday: 11 am-8 pm, Tuesday: closed, Wednesday: 11 am-10 pm, Thursday: 11 am-10 pm, Friday: 11 am-2 am, Saturday 8 am-2 am, and Sunday: 8 am-8 pm. 

Get ready to make new friends and share the magic that comes from being Olympia’s diner since 1932.

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