7 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.

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.

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.

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.