Introducing …
Happy Hour Eats at Cynara Restaurant & Lounge
$3 each with beverage purchase!
Available daily 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bar seating only (first come, first served)
We have different options (Mac & Cheese, Pork Belly Candy, Patatas Bravas) as well as … the Grilled Onion Burger! Royal ranch beef, grilled onions, muenster cheese, arugula, pink peppercorn aioli, fries!
See you soon!
*Beverage purchase is required for each person ordering happy hour food. Bar seating only. Limited availability. Other limitations may apply. Not available to go. Not available with other discounts or offers.
“Experience Cynara. You’re going to want to add dining at the new Cynara to your 2022 bucket list. This new restaurant, owned by well-known Olympia restauranteur Christian Skillings, Cynara’s Mediterranean-inspired menu is made from scratch, with plenty of seasonal offerings to keep you coming back all year.”
In the News
Enticing Happy Hour Eats at Cynara Restaurant & Lounge
Whether you are a frequent diner or have never stepped through the doorway, Cynara Restaurant & Lounge has an invitation to you. For the regulars, it’s a thank you. You already appreciate the food and comfortable atmosphere. For others, it’s a reason to come inside.
For an astonishingly low price of $3 a plate, you can introduce yourself to the fun of hanging out and dining at Cynara. The new Happy Hour Eats menu has a few thoughtfully-selected items plated specially for the bar service.
In the News
Adventures in Gin at Olympia’s Cynara Restaurant & Lounge
A mentor once told Olympia’s Cynara Restaurant & Lounge owner Christian Skilling that one drank gin in the summer and scotch in the winter. With well over 60 gins on hand, Cynara brims with possibilities for summer cocktails. A crisp, classic gin tonic might come to mind. Cynara has a featured one that’s topped with an atomized spray of gin. You could consider expanding your horizons. There’s an ocean of gins just waiting for you to dip your toes, but you might want to jump in tongue first.
Our Story
Restaurant owner Christian Skillings is a native son of Olympia. As a boy he enjoyed lunching downtown at the five-and-dime with his grandmother. After attending art school in Portland, Skillings returned to Olympia to make a life. He craved a creative workplace—where locals could talk and gather, be treated well, and enjoy the serendipity that happens when inspired food and people come together.
He opened the Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar in 2005. A sister restaurant, Cynara Restaurant & Lounge, opened in 2020.
Sustainable, healthy, indulgent
We’re all of these things. Since the beginning we’ve sourced produce, meats, and seafood from regional farmers and growers whenever possible—to ensure excellent quality and support our local food system. We treat our crew well, with career training, fair pay, benefits and a living wage.
We’ve kept our footprint smaller through recycling, composting and energy-efficient appliances.
Most importantly, our cooks are creative—preparing dishes from scratch that take your dining to a new level.
Proudly, Olympia
Olympia is our family. That’s why we support groups like the Family Support Center, the Olympia Symphony, GRuB, West Olympia Farmers Market, Olympia Family Theater, Harlequin, YWCA, Stonewall Youth, and Senior Services for South Sound.
Hello Cynara
Cynara means artichoke in Greek. Beside their healthy deliciousness we nod to other ancient Greek ideals:
- Harmony of body, mind, and spirit
- Reciprocity among people
- Beauty, of the body and the soul
- And of course, food and wine!
Come dine with us!
Our Timeline
2005
Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar opens in West Olympia. Since Day 1 we’ve recycled and offered Rabbit Rewards to give back to guests.
2011
We start composting and the last plastic straw is used at Iron Rabbit.
2010-2019
Partnerships grow with local farmers, food producers, breweries and distilling companies. Lost Peacock goat cheese is the best!
2016
Our crew members’ benefits expand with sick leave, health care and access to retirement savings. The changes increase equity for kitchen staff.
2020
Cynara Restaurant & Lounge opens in Olympia’s Market District.