12 Best Restaurants in West Seattle, Seattle

The best view of Downtown comes at an affordable price: the brightly colored Adirondack chairs outside this Korean-Hawaiian fish shack offer a panoramic view of the entire Downtown area and a close-up of the water taxi action at Seacrest Dock. Inside, you’ll find tacos filled with Korean beef or “sexy tofu,” Spam slider sandwiches, and a classic fish-and-chips served with kimchi tartar sauce. For dessert, the Hawaiian shave ice makes it the perfect place to begin or end a beach walk on Alki, or get a bag of malasadas to go.

Though it opened in 1994 as a typical neighborhood sushi joint, Mashiko quickly gained a reputation as one of the top spots in town for fresh fish, even before the then-owner committed to using solely sustainable fish. Now owned by his employees and mentees, it continues to uphold its reputation for both quality and a forward-thinking approach to the cuisine. As a product of both, the sushi here skips many classics that don't meet its standards and instead finds sustainable substitutes. But the resulting creativity makes for a unique, environmentally friendly meal, best eaten omakase-style: letting the chef choose the menu.

Widely considered one of the best bakeries in the city, Bakery Nouveau has perfected many things, including cakes, croissants, and tarts. Their chocolate cake, in particular, might make you swoon, though twice-baked almond croissants are so good you might think you're in France when you take a bite—and owner William Leaman did lead a U.S. team to victory in France's Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie. Sandwiches, quiches, and pizzas are also on offer if you need something delicious and substantial before a banana mousse, pistachio macaron, or chocolate éclair. Artisan breads round out the offerings. If you don't make it out to West Seattle, they have Capitol Hill and Burien locations as well.

Cheerful two-tone drawings on the walls and blue tile on the counter both evoke the nearby waves that lap at Alki Beach in this multi-roaster cafe, demonstrating its effort to embody the spirit of the neighborhood. Between brewing coffee from a rotation of local favorites including Boon Boona, Dorothea, and Camber, and serving pastries from Seawolf Bakers, this spot brings together some of the city's best. The view from the dark wood tables in the loft make it a great place to watch the rhythm of life in North Admiral.

In a time when many of the corner-store-style shops serving Seattle's unique signature teriyaki are fading into the rapidly modernizing city, Grillbird keeps it classic, showing that the affordable plates of chicken in sauce, rice, and salad still matter to the city. Stop by for a quick lunch and for a taste of the city's typical workday lunch dish. Though teriyaki exists all over, the specific serving style and sweet sauce used at most Seattle joints was developed here and once dominated the menu of every lunch counter and mini-mart. 

Harry's Beach House, where the breeze is always scented with saltwater, is a casual yet exciting restaurant that opened in an old coffee shop in 2019. Spacious, warmly lit, and friendly, it's the perfect place to enjoy a long brunch or a drink and a snack after a day on the beach. The food is elegant but homey, with biscuits at brunch, a beloved burger at lunch, and fresh seafood on the dinner menu. Service can be slow, but that just gives you more time to enjoy the view.

This neighborhood market offers fresh sandwiches, pastries from Macrina Bakery, New Zealand style soft-serve ice cream, locally sourced coffee, beer and wine, and thoughtfully selected pantry goods. By featuring products from local producers and serving as a welcoming gathering spot, it’s a go-to spot for quick bites and quality groceries. The store also hosts weekly food truck pop-ups and wine tastings.

Grab a handcrafted ice-cream cone at Husky Deli, a Seattle icon. This grocery store opened in 1932 and retains its old-fashioned feel. It does quite nice sandwiches and soups, making it a good stop for a picnic lunch to take to Alki or Lincoln Park. But the real draw is the friendly service and classic ice cream at the counter.

Housed in a historic log cabin a block from Alki Beach, Il Nido (the nest) takes a playful look at Italian culinary traditions. House-made fresh pasta is the star, joined by creative focaccia breads, chicory salads, and entrées like pork coppa. Reservations book out 30 days ahead of time, but you can always try for a seat at the bar for an aperitivo and a snack.

Consistently good coffee by a local small batch roaster is the highlight at this High Point café. The white walls ringed at the top by a shelf of plants give it a lush, green feeling, and the expanse of tall windows lets in natural light. The bright, colorful space and tiled counter welcome guests coming for breakfast sandwiches and pastries or for hot sandwiches on sourdough bread. The full food menu is available from 8 am--2 pm. Beverages include standard espresso and drip coffee choices, and they also have house-made syrups. 

It's undeniably touristy, but the views here simply can't be beat on a summer afternoon. Famed for its Sunday and holiday brunches and view of Seattle's skyline across the harbor, Salty's offers more in the way of quantity than quality—and sometimes a bit too much of its namesake ingredient—but it's a couple of steps up from the mainstream seafood chains. If you can get a table with a view, order a wine by the glass and a cup of chowder or some crab legs, and enjoy.

One of Seattle's top Thai restaurants (in a crowded field), Srivilai quietly proffers an excellent slate of standards. Friendly, accommodating service in a spare but elegant space combined with a moderately heavy hand with flavors and spices make it a local favorite. Though it serves a fairly simple menu, look for a few of the specials that allow the kitchen to show off, like roasted duck salad and wild salmon curry. A good list of beer, wine, and cocktails also helps this place stand out.