108 Best Restaurants in Seattle, Washington

Welcome to the year-round beach party at this Caribbean barbecue and sandwich shop located in an old gas station—even though the water is only Green Lake and it's across a six-lane highway. The neon-green building with hot pink and blue graffiti sets the tone and the enormous covered patio drives the message home that no matter the weather in Seattle, Bongos brings the island sunshine. The menu of sandwiches and casual plates includes Jamaican, Cuban, and Trinidadian flavors, like the Desi with citrus braised pork and caramelized onions, or the shrimp po'boy with chili sauce and mango slaw, while plantains and yuca fries are must-order sides.

A popular neighborhood coffeehouse, Broadcast roasts its own ethically sourced coffee; many locals pick up bags of coffee beans here. Choose from well-made standard espresso drinks or more creative options like the Disco Pony (espresso with Perrier, half 'n' half, and a lemon twist over ice) as well as seasonal offerings. Broadcast also carries tasty pastries from Temple Pastries, along with a few other light breakfast and lunch items. If there's no seating, check out the nice park right across the street.

This upscale vegetarian diner near the Arboretum is a Seattle institution, serving satisfying classics—black-bean burgers, pizzas, salads, polenta, succotash—since the 1990s. Weekend brunch draws lots of families for the tasty pancakes, waffles, and tofu scrambles. Prime seats are in the atrium, which has a stone fountain, skylight, and garden-style café tables.

Don't let the modest digs dissuade you: the Ethiopian cuisine here is delicious. Open all day, Cafe Selam serves specialties like beef or lamb tibs (cubed meat sautéed with onions and spices) and ketfo (steak tartare), but is particularly known for its ful, a spicy breakfast dish of lightly pureed fava beans topped with eggs, onions, peppers, and feta cheese, served with two fluffy French loaves.

With a handful of locations throughout Seattle, this local roaster gets coffee just right: smooth, bold, and full of flavor. Breakfast items at the laid-back café include same-day-fresh Seattle Bagels with schmear and bagel (or pita) egg sandwiches, while the lunch menu features gyro and falafel sandwiches as well as a signature Persian rice bowl with house-made yogurt, pickled vegetables, and a choice of beef or eggplant.

In addition to its navy-blue exterior and cheeky name, this small, upscale gastropub is known for simple yet crafty cocktails and a concise menu of creative comfort foods. The bar offers snacks and small plates ideal for sharing, as well as heartier options featuring seasonal veggies, local seafood, and pastas. Tucked into a historic Pioneer Square building, Damn the Weather is the perfect spot to cozy up in during a Seattle downpour.

This local chain of hamburger drive-ins is a Seattle institution dating back to the 1950s. The fries are hand-cut, the shakes are hand-dipped (made with real ice cream), and the burgers hit the spot. The classic order in the indulgent (but still cheap) Dick's Deluxe—two beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, onions, and dollop of Dick's special sauce. Open until 2 am daily, the Capitol Hill location can be a hopping late-night scene.

The xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, are the famous attraction at Din Tai Fung, a U.S. branch of the famed Taipei-based chain. Watch dumplings being pleated by hand through the large glass windows in the waiting area; it's a good thing the sight is so entertaining, because there's often a long wait. The rest of the lengthy menu is nearly as enticing, from shrimp-stuffed wontons to fried rice. Shaved snow with fresh mango is a refreshing end to your meal, a cross between ice cream and shave ice. The large restaurant is busy and brisk, but a fun experience and worth the wait. There are additional locations in Seattle's University Village, Pacific Place Mall in Downtown Seattle, and Southcenter Mall in Tukwila.

Luxury touches take the hot pot experience upscale with personal broth bowls, an extensive sauce buffet, and high-end ingredients like A5 Miyazaki beef, live prawns, and house-made noodles. This local outlet of an international chain that began in Macau knows that you eat with your eyes first, and everything here comes out looking straight out of a glossy magazine photo shoot. The fancy ingredients can make the a la carte orders add up fast, but customers can either order judiciously and save room for the free ice cream at the end, or go all-in on a feast.

What started as a small dumpling restaurant has grown into a juggernaut local chain, with this location as its flagship. Crowds pack in for juicy pork dumplings, crisp-bottomed q-bao, and artfully arranged noodles and vegetables. With a large, modern space, affordable prices, and the kinds of foods locals once drove to Canada or flew to China for, this spot packs in the crowds during weekday lunches. Service is friendly and efficient, though, making sure everyone gets their meaty soup dumplings in time to get back to the office. For visitors, arriving at an off-hour is recommended; you can also join the waitlist via Yelp.

This homegrown chain lives up to its name, serving freshly made carb-filled delights of many types: noodles, flatbreads, crepes, and dumplings. The signature steamed juicy pork dumplings and fried jian buns, both filled with a meat and soup filling, have earned it a reputation and helped it expand to locations around the city and along the entire West Coast. This flagship location opened in 2021, not far from the original in the Crossroads neighborhood.

This tiny café, which looks like a cross between a truck-stop diner and a Tex-Mex joint, serves an outstanding Mexican-style breakfast (and lunch and dinner are just as good). Wait for a space in the tiny dining room, belly up to the counter, or just watch the frenetic activity as everything from soup to salsa is made from scratch. Try delectable pork carnitas; chorizo from the state of Michoacán; mole negro over pork or chicken; rockfish with cinnamon and guajillo chiles; or mouthwatering chilaquiles—tortilla chips cooked in green or red salsa and topped with cream.

If you’re craving oysters with a side of salt air, Elliott’s Oyster House on Pier 56 delivers. Since 1975, this waterfront institution has built its reputation on fresh, sustainably sourced seafood—especially its impressive lineup of Washington oysters, shucked to order and served with a view. The rest of the menu keeps pace: Dungeness crab cakes, rich crab-and-corn chowder, and Pacific fish entrées make it easy for even oyster skeptics to dive in. On a sunny day, ask for a seat outside to watch sailboats drift across Elliott Bay while you sip something cold and coastal.

Though slammed at lunchtime thanks to the high school across the street, this fast-food restaurant (the original location of a popular local chain) serves up some of the best fried chicken in Seattle—Oprah once had the founders fly to Chicago to make it for her birthday. Both original and spicy flavors are terrific, but be warned that the spicy is exactly that. The rolls are big, fluffy, and baked in generously greased muffin tins. 

Offering a taste of New Orleans in the Central District, Fat's Chicken & Waffles serves authentic Southern cuisine in a hip spot filled with furniture and murals made by local artists. Helmed by a chef with deep Louisiana roots, Fat's serves shrimp and grits, red beans and rice, biscuit sandwiches, and other soul food classics in addition to the namesake chicken and waffles.

This modern twist on the classic American burger joint doubles as a love letter to the Pacific Northwest—and proof that fast food can be thoughtful. Organic, grass-fed beef is ground in-house, milkshakes are made with local ice cream, and the nostalgic crinkle-cut fries taste like a childhood memory done right. The taps pour regional sodas and craft beers, and the bright, welcoming space channels the efficiency of a fast-food spot without sacrificing flavor or integrity.

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.

Since the 1980s, Il Terrazo Carmine has specialized in Tuscan and southern Italian cooking, creating soul-satisfying dishes such as homemade ravioli, linguine alle vongole (with clams), and eggplant Parmesan. The impressive wine list represents vintages from the West Coast of the U.S. to Italy and France. Ceiling-to-floor draperies give the dining room understated dignity, and intoxicating aromas waft from the kitchen to the restaurant's small outdoor patio that sits beneath a canopy of lights. It's your Italian home-away-from-home that you may never want to leave.

New Yorkers say this family-owned place comes close to the pizza they know and love, with thin crusts and just the right proportions of red sauce and cheese. Pizzas topped with meatballs or veggies like artichokes and black olives are available, though regulars vote to keep things simple with the cheese or pepperoni pie. Salads, lasagna, and garlic knots are also on the menu—and save room for a bite (or two) of homemade cannoli. 

This long dining room facing Lake Union has original Northwest Indian artwork collected by the restaurant's namesake founder. It's touristy, often gimmicky, and always packed. You are paying for the setting here: a building designed as a loose replica of a traditional longhouse with terrific views of Lake Union and Downtown. Try to snag a table on the deck.

This is a longtime favorite for dim sum enthusiasts, who also come for fluffy barbecue pork buns, walnut shrimp, chive dumplings, congee, and sticky rice. The waits are long and the atmosphere is lacking, but when you're craving dim sum, this is the place to go. Avoid the mad rush at lunchtime and go to the Wing Luke Museum while everyone else is eating, then try for a table closer to 2 pm. They serve the full dim sum menu until 4, then switch to a partial one alongside the dinner menu.

Come for the giant dosas, stay for the sweet service at this delightful South Indian restaurant tucked into a suburban strip mall. Many of the specialties come from the state of Kerala, but the deep vegetarian menu and exciting seafood options bring in dishes from around India. Rich colors adorn the walls and the plates, the latter in the form of vibrantly flavored chutneys, masalas, and curries. Waits can get long on days that don't take reservations, so either come earlier in the week with a reservation or earlier in the evening on a weekend. Or order takeout and enjoy a picnic at nearby Juanita Beach Park.

This all-vegetarian Thai spot delivers flavor without compromise. The menu spans the classics—curries, noodles, soups, and satay—but replaces meat with tofu, jackfruit, and creative veggie combinations that hold their own. What stands out isn’t just the clever substitutions but the balance: bright herbs, coconut, spice, and citrus in harmony. Even dedicated carnivores walk away impressed. The casual room keeps things unfussy, while touches like bamboo wall panels and pendant lights lend a bit of warmth and polish.

This tiny, unpretentious neighborhood espresso bar has a classic coffeehouse vibe, with red walls, eclectic local art, a comfy worn sofa, and a few small tables. You'll find standard coffee drinks here along with homemade pastries, quiches, and sandwiches.

This simple spot serves the best Chinese barbecue in the I.D. Large cuts of meat hang in the window, enticing customers to try the famous BBQ pork. Plenty of Cantonese noodle, rice, and vegetable dishes round out the menu.

This outstanding sushi restaurant quietly nestled in Green Lake brings diners in droves. Fresh sushi is the mainstay, along with signature rolls such as the Green Lake variety, with salmon, flying fish eggs, asparagus, avocado, and marinated seaweed, or the Wallingford, with yellowtail, green onion, cucumber, radish, sprouts, and flying fish eggs. Definitely spring for the omakase (chef's menu), which can include anything from fatty tuna, shrimp, octopus, and albacore to salmon, yellow tail, hammer jack, and unagi. Straightforward decor and ambiance make it easy to concentrate on the delicious food in front of you. Regulars swear by the agedashi tofu. Non-sushi entrées are also available, including teriyaki and a tempura dinner with prawns. 

For the UW version of a classic student-friendly, no-frills restaurant, it’s hard to beat Korean Tofu House. In an unadorned basement dining room, the hardworking crew serves up hearty, delicious, reasonably priced Korean specialties, including kimchee tofu soup, bibimbap, and bulgogi. Though "tofu" is in the name and features prominently, most dishes have some meat in them; vegetarians should read the fine print.

True to its name, this low-key, bustling Ballard favorite serves traditional Mexican food from the Oaxaca region. The mole negro is a must, served over chicken, pork, or tamales, and there's a long menu of other good options, from tacos to pozole to rack of lamb. It's a small, casual space with comfortable tables, seating at the counter overlooking the open kitchen, and gorgeous black-and-white photos adorning the walls. It can get busy, especially on weekend evenings, and they don't take reservations.