3 Best Restaurants in Upper Queen Anne, Seattle

Canlis has set the standard for fine dining in Seattle since the 1950s. The prix fixe menu includes a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert, plus a few elegant surprises between courses. The food is consistently excellent—creative and carefully composed without straying into showiness—but the real draw is the experience. The service is famously attentive, and the mid-century-modern dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Union, feels like a step back in time. This is the only restaurant in town with a dress code: jackets are “recommended” for men (they’re happy to loan one), and casual attire won’t fly. To soak in the atmosphere without committing to the full meal, grab a seat at the bar but still make sure to dress the part.

This is Upper Queen Anne’s idea of a neighborhood restaurant: cozy wood-paneled dining room, casual and friendly service, and food that’s sophisticated without trying too hard. The menu leans Italian, but ingredients like king salmon and blackberries keep it rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Regulars swear by the bone marrow with shallot jam. (And no, they don’t serve wolf; the name comes from M.F.K. Fisher’s classic book about making the most of limited ingredients.)

Vietnamese cuisine gets the fast-casual treatment here, in the best way. The space is bright and colorful, service is quick, and the bánh mì, pho, and vermicelli bowls burst with flavor. It’s also a go-to spot for boba tea, with more than a dozen fruit-flavored options. Most customers grab takeout, but the butterfly-themed dining room is charming, and there’s a bit of outdoor seating, too.