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Thanks to inventive chefs, first-rate local produce, adventurous diners, and a bold entrepreneurial spirit, Seattle has become one of the culinary capitals of the nation. Fearless young chefs have stepped in and raised the bar. Fresh and often foraged produce, local seafood, and imaginative techniques make the quality of local cuisine even higher.
Seattle's dining scene has been stoked like a wildfire by culinary rock stars who compete on shows like Iron Chef, Top Chef, and regularly dominate "best of" lists. Seattle chefs have won big in the prestigious James Beard competition, with Renee Erickson of Bateau, Walrus and the Carpenter, and the Whale Wins taking the "Best Chef Northwest" title in 2016 and creative genius Edouardo Jordan named one of Food and Wine Magazine's "Best New Chefs." The city is particularly strong on new American, Japanese, and Vietnamese cuisines. Chefs continuously fine-tune what can best be called Pacific Northwest cuisine, which features fresh, local ingredients, including anything from nettles and mushrooms foraged in nearby forests; colorful berries, apples, and cherries grown by Washington State farmers; and outstanding seafood from the cold northern waters of the Pacific Ocean, like wild salmon, halibut, oysters, Dungeness crab, and geoduck. Seattle boasts quite a few outstanding bakeries, too, whose breads and desserts you'll see touted on many menus.
Seattle is also seeing a resurgence in American comfort food, often with a gourmet twist, as well as gastropub fare, which can mean anything from divine burgers on locally baked ciabatta rolls to grilled foie gras with brioche toast. But innovation still reigns supreme: local salmon cooked sous vide and accompanied with pickled kimchi or fresh-picked peas can be just as common as aspic spiked with sake and reindeer meat. Many menus feature fusion cuisine or pages of small-plate offerings, and even high-end chefs are dabbling in casual ventures like pop-up eateries or gourmet food trucks. Many, if not most, of the top chefs own their businesses as well, and in recent years they’ve spread their talents around, operating two or three complementary ventures (or, in Ethan Stowell’s case, more than a dozen and counting, while Tom Douglas has nearly 20, plus a cooking school and farm). The trend toward informality and simplicity particularly plays out when it comes to dessert; most neighborhoods boast branches of at least one of the city’s popular, independently owned cupcake, doughnut, or ice-cream shops. Regardless of the format or focus, one thing's for sure: chefs are highlighting their inventions with the top-notch ingredients that make Pacific Northwest cooking famous.
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.
Its distinctive setting, in charming old house smack in the middle of Ballard Avenue, suits San Fermo's simple yet elegant Italian menu, which emphasizes house-made pasta and local ingredients (some coming from the restaurant's own farm). Tables both on the porch and in the small dining rooms have a relaxed, homey ambiance.
The Armory serves as Seattle Center's food court, with upward of a dozen vendors (mostly local) selling burgers, pizza, tacos, kebabs, fish and chips, teriyaki, and more. The building dates back to 1939; a skillful redesign in 2021 restored original elements of the facade and brought more light into the interior—making it a pleasant place to check out even if you're not hungry.
Of the Capitol Hill area's several excellent Italian options, Serafina feels most like a neighborhood trattoria. The menu features well-made classics: pasta carbonara and Bolognese, osso buco, arancini, lasagna, stuffed eggplant. Burnt-sienna walls and a dark ceiling give the dining room a hint of an Italian villa vibe, a sense that's heightened in the courtyard out back. The neighborhoody feel is partly due to the location, just west of Capitol Hill in the Eastlake, away from the Hill's hubbub.
Serious artisanal pizzas are worth the wait here—and there will be a wait at this tiny Belltown restaurant. Famed local restaurateur Tom Douglas delivers chewy, buttery crusts anchored by such toppings as roasted oyster mushrooms and truffle cheese; or Penn Cove mussels, pancetta, lemon thyme, and chili flakes. Wash it down with a local brew, a glass of local wine, or some bubbly. High seats and communal tables crowd this bustling space.
For budget-friendly and oh-so-good Sichuan cooking, head to this simple spot in the Asian Plaza strip mall east of I–5. The atmosphere is ordinary, but the service is friendly and the food is as traditional as it gets. Dry-cooked string beans (available with a variety of meats), Kung Pao chicken, delicious dumplings, spicy Sichuanese ravioli, and ma po tofu (a spicy combination of tofu and minced pork) are favorites; the sizzling hot pot is popular and good; but the house-made noodles are unmissable.
Like the Edgewater Hotel that houses it, Six Seven is noteworthy for its views of Elliott Bay and the Puget Sound, especially if you opt to dine at the tables lining the deck at sunset. Regionally sourced seafood, such as cedar plank salmon, miso-glazed black cod, and a flavorful bouillabaisse, are menu standouts.
In Eastlake, just west of Capitol Hill, is an opportunity to indulge in Korean barbecue—the do-it-yourselfers' favorite, where diners cook thinly sliced meats on a grill embedded in their table. There are multiple beef and pork cuts to choose from (short ribs and pork belly are favorites), servers are happy to help with the grilling, and you can also opt for a wide variety of stews, noodles, and Korean anju (drinking food). To get in the spirit, wash it all back with a glass or two of shoju.
An ode to Khmer heritage and the culinary traditions that Cambodian refugees carried with them to America, this restaurant serves excellent upscale modern cuisine imbued with lessons on history and culture. Bold spice pastes and fragrant herbs fill the plates here, and even carry over to the cocktail menu. The mix of small and large plates makes it easy to stop for an afternoon snack or to sit down to a Cambodian feast amid the owner's family photos and traditional weavings hanging on the walls.
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.
A "Staple" at this glam Italian restaurant might mean spaghetti with clams or a grilled half chicken. But visitors looking for a special experience are best served by going "fancy"—settling in at their table in the exposed-brick dining room and choosing the chef's menu. Four courses are served family-style and change nightly—expect handmade pasta, something for the wood-fired grill, and a surprise or two.
Oak paneling, dark accents, and wide windows onto bustling Ballard Avenue give this quasi-Italian joint an lively, stylish vibe. The menu keeps one foot firmly rooted in Italy, particularly with creative pizzas and pasta, but there are decidedly non-Italian alternatives such as a lamb burger, Dutch fries, and baked Alaska for dessert. Sunday brunch is similarly eclectic: you can have baked eggs, biscuits and gravy, or stick with pizza.
Dine here to experience a classic Ballard phenomenon: a casually sophisticated kid-friendly restaurant. Local families come here for pizza night, but this ain't Chuck E Cheese; toppings include foraged mushrooms, shishito peppers, garlic-and-fennel sausage, and five kinds of cheese. There are two crust choices: thin, blistered, and round, or thick, chewy, and square. That all may sound a little pretentious, but as the 10-year-old at the next table will tell you, mainly it's delicious. (She may not be so enthusiastic about the charred broccoli.) Local microbrews and a long, predominantly Italian wine list help keep the grownups happy.
The sushi selection here is vast and top-quality, but chef Taichi Kitamura really distinguishes himself with his ippins—small, delicate dishes such as egg custard, grilled black cod, braised wagyu beef, and mustard greens and albacore with almond-wasabi sauce (among more than a dozen choices). You can order a la carte, choose from several set menus, or sit at the sushi bar and indulge yourself with omakase. The location is in Eastlake, just west of Capitol Hill.
Wildly popular with savvy diners from across the city, this Vietnamese haunt really doesn't look like much from the outside—and the entrance is through a cramped parking lot (which it shares with Sichuanese Cuisine restaurant)—but once you're inside, the elegantly simple space is extremely welcoming. Try the spring rolls, which are stuffed with fresh herbs, fried tofu, peanuts, coconut, jicama, and carrots; authentic bánh xèo (a crispy, stuffed rice pancake); spicy pho; the signature "seven courses of beef"; and, to finish, grilled banana cake with warm coconut milk. Service is attentive and reservations are recommended.
If you're a sushi lover with some money to spend, this is the place for you. Set off the street amid a nondescript row of storefronts, it's a modest-looking, nine-seat sushi bar that serves only omakase—two dozen offerings, featuring exotic nigiri and sashimi interspersed with cooked dishes, all meticulously curated by chef Taneda. The end result is likely Seattle's most carefully crafted meal. Getting a reservation is like scoring tickets to a hot concert: go online as soon as seats become available (usually two weeks in advance) and hope the sushi gods on smiling on you.
This elegant Lebanese spot offers an expansive Halal menu that balances comfort and sophistication. Mezze plates burst with bright, layered flavors, while the grill turns out juicy skewers, shawarma, and tender flatbreads. There’s plenty for vegetarians, too, from smoky baba ghanoush to herb-packed salads, all served with warm, pillowy pita fresh from the oven. Though fully Halal, the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol—but the drinks menu shines regardless, with fragrant options like cardamom-spiced Turkish coffee and freshly blended fruit juices that feel just as celebratory.
This Belltown favorite is helmed by superstar-chef Ethan Stowell (also of How to Cook a Wolf and Staple & Fancy), who is known for his fresh pasta. Serving up Italian goodness by the plateful in an industrial-chic bi-level space, Tavolàta is a decidedly lively, loud, and delicious night out on the town. The bar serves simple, elegant cocktails (Campari or Cynar with soda never fails). Start with an arugula and chickpea salad, croquettes, or bruschetta. Homemade pasta is the main draw here, such as fresh campanelle with dandelion green pesto, pecorino, and sunflower seeds, or pappardelle ragu. Entree offerings are traditional with flair: king salmon with pistachio and eggplant puree, or grilled steak with pickled baby veggies.
The waters off the Washington coast produce some of the world's tastiest shellfish. This cozy bar, located on a lively block between Starbucks Reserve and Melrose Market, is a great place to take a deep dive into the deliciousness. Along with local oysters, you can sample clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, and, if you're feeling adventurous, geoduck. (It's not all raw; there are steamed, stewed, and baked options.) The Taylor family has been farming shellfish for five generations, and they know their stuff. They also have bars in Lower Queen Anne and Pioneer Square, and their the Samish Bay farm makes a great day trip stop.
This might be the cheapest Thai restaurant in town, but rock-bottom prices aren't the only reason this place is always packed—the food is delicious, authentic, and spicy (two stars is usually pretty hot). Plus, you get dinner and a show as the flames lick up the woks in the open kitchen. Students and foodies pack in for garlic chicken, spicy curries, Thai coconut soup with shrimp, and flavorful pad Thai. Tables can be hard to come by during the dinner rush, but there's usually space at the counter in front of the kitchen kitchen.
The classic American pizza spot gets an intriguing update from the owners' Midwestern roots and Japanese heritage. Unfussy slices and sandwiches made from local ingredients (or housemade, like the ricotta) feed the crowds in the large, welcoming space at lunchtime. Dinners bring table service and an excellent selection of contemporary cocktails and natural wines. Multigenerational and other mixed groups love that picky eaters can stick to standards while more adventurous eaters can try dishes that weave Japanese ingredients like miso, panko, and sesame into staples like Caesar salad, bagna cauda, or focaccia.
There's a battle between Paseo (in Fremont) and Un Bien for the title of best Caribbean roast sandwich in Seattle—and everyone's a winner. At both places, the signature sandwich consists of succulent, slow-roasted pork shoulder, stuffed in a baguette along with caramelized onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and aioli. That's the classic, but the menu has a dozen variations, including steak, chicken, tofu, and prawns, and you can ditch the bread for a rice bowl. Whatever way you go, you'll end up with a sweet, savory, juicy indulgence. There are a few picnic benches for eating on site, but a takeout order makes an easy, delicious picnic up the road at Golden Gardens.
A casual burger shack from a fine-dining chef means flavor and execution that are always on point. The controlled chaos of this family-friendly joint can make it hard to get an outdoor table on sunny days, but the lines and wait are worth it for the perfectly cooked burgers that range from a classic beef patty to a house-made vegetarian option. The local meat is flavorful and stands alone, but the creative toppings and combo burgers, like lamb with griddled peppers and onions, Manchego cheese, and fried lemons, make this more than just another roadside shack. Giant milk shakes and crispy onion rings are a must for kids, while adults will want to check out the row of local craft brew on tap.
By bus or car, this is on the way from the Downtown tourist area to the zoo.
Uwajimaya has a lively food court offering a quick tour of Asian cuisines at lunch-counter prices. The deli offers sushi, teriyaki, and barbecued duck; fresh spring rolls served with hot chili sauce at Saigon Streets; plus tacos and a poke counter. Finish your meal with some cream puffs at Beard Papa's, fish-shaped pastries at BeanFish, or mochi doughnuts from Dochi, or simply stroll the aisles for fun snacks like rice candy, gummy delicacies, and mochi ice cream.
This waterfront pub pairs fresh, creative seafood with some of the best views in the city—stretching from the Space Needle across Lake Union’s sparkling north shore. The kitchen leans into local bounty with dishes like crab hush puppies, seafood poutine, and perfectly grilled halibut, all served in a relaxed, nautical setting. Tucked just east of Lake Union Park, it still manages to buzz on sunny days, when the patio fills with brunch-goers and locals lingering over pints in the afternoon light.
The specialty at this no-frills spot is biang biang noodles, made by hand (in a dramatic process of stretching and slapping) and topped with spicy, well-oiled meats or vegetables. Xi’an serves the cuisine of China’s Shaanxi province, which is known for its heavy hand with the spices, but the flatbreads, salads, and soups here can be on the milder side.
Located in the heart of the Olive Way bar scene, this Middle Eastern walk-up window is all about saj, a thin bread that wraps around eggplant, meat, cheese, or falafel like a burrito, or comes with dips like muhummara, baba ghanouj, or hummus. It's popular with the late-night drinking crowd, but it's great for a delicious meal any time of day. There's no seating; many customers bring their food next door to Hillside Bar or to one of the nearby parklets.
