108 Best Restaurants in Seattle, Washington

Even Seattleites who don't haunt Pioneer Square will happily hunt for parking to spend a few hours at this colorful local favorite. In one of Pioneer Square's great brick buildings, with high ceilings and a few artfully exposed ducts and pipes, Zeitgeist has a simple, classy look that's the perfect backdrop for the frequent art shows held here. If you're feeling hungry, Zeitgeist has a modest breakfast and lunch menu, featuring sandwiches, salads, and baked egg dishes. The roasted veggie topped with goat cheese on a local Macrina baguette is a fresh and filling lunch. 

This steak house gives high-quality beef a Mexican accent. Barley-fed Australian Angus and American, Japanese, and Australian Wagyu hit the grill, while USDA Prime meat goes into tacos and tortas. The salsa bar and appetizers, including handmade guacamole, are fresh and flavorful. There's a strong wine list to go along with all the beef, and the bar stocks a superb selection of mezcals.

Enormous bowls of handmade udon noodles in light, complex broths are the star of the show at this tiny shop just north of the Arboretum. Lunch specials and combination meals make it easy to sample multiple dishes, but if you only try one thing, make it the "signature beef" soup, with burdock root, pickled mustard, and those luxurious noodles. Along with noodle dishes, there's a surprisingly large menu of other Japanese specialties, including sushi rolls, salads, tofu, and rice bowls.

One of the city’s neighborhood charmers, this beloved bakery churns out the best of French, British, and American pastry traditions, as well as their own unique treats. Mornings mean the espresso bar is busy and the croissants are flying off the shelves, while midday offers light salads, quiches, and their savory signature, the cretzel—a buttery, crisp, pretzel-knotted treat. Loose-leaf tea in the afternoon goes perfectly with their beautiful cakes, such as the stunning Victoria sponge. 

Attached to Serious Pie, this fragrant bakery will make you reconsider cookies as a valid breakfast choice. The coffee, fresh pastries, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast sandwiches here are delicious, but Dahlia is particularly famous for its peanut butter sandwich cookies. (According to lore, the late director Nora Ephron was such a fan of the peanut butter cookies while filming the iconic rom-com Sleepless in Seattle that she requested the recipe and briefly even had the sweet treat named for her.) The decadent coconut cream pie is also a local favorite. Lunch items, including sandwiches, soups, and salads are served until 3 pm.

An organic café with everything you need for a picnic to-go or a leisurely lunch, DERU Market has something for everything. The bright, modern space starts the day with excellent coffee and pastries, with filling brunches on weekends. Lunch brings pizza, sandwiches, and salads, plus a few larger plates, while dinner brings a few extra main dishes. Vegetable side dishes compete with excellent French fries for table space, and most diners save room for a slice of the layer cakes that sit temptingly on the counter.

Silky and ethereally light rice noodle dumplings star at this colorful hybrid counter service spot serving lesser-known Thai specialties. The bold and bright decor matches owner Pum Yamamoto’s bubbly personality, filling the room with joy and energy. Any of the rice-flour-based dishes show off the restaurant’s skills with the steamer, but particularly the signature pak mor; the supple, delightfully wrinkly handmade wrappers cradle chicken, pork, or tofu in a dish that rarely shows up on Thai restaurant menus in the U.S. because of the delicate work required to make it.

Starting out small and growing on word of mouth, Chera Amlag's bakery and bar sprouted from the desserts she made for her husband's Filipino pop-up dinners. A 2022 expansion grew this elegant I.D. space where she serves her dazzling purple ube cheesecake, alongside cafe foods with Filipino touches, like sandwiches on pan de sal bread. Their coffee program can compete with some of Seattle's best, using beans from the Philippines and around Southeast Asia to make pour-over, espresso, and specialty drinks.

Stepping foot into Lenox transports you from the streets of Belltown to the warm atmosphere of Puerto Rico and Cuba. Chef Jhonny Reyes draws on his roots in both islands and the flavors of his childhood, evident in the seasonal menu featuring tantalizing bites like snow crab hush puppies and seared halibut in an herbaceous coconut sauce, served with traditional sides like red beans and rice and plantains.

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.

One of the most beloved of Pike Place Market's restaurants, Matt's is all about intimate dining, fresh ingredients, and superb service. You can perch at the bar for pints and the signature deviled eggs or be seated at a table—complete with vases filled with flowers from the market—for a seasonal menu that synthesizes the best picks from the restaurant's produce vendors and an excellent wine list. Dinner entrées always include at least one catch of the day—perhaps a whole fish in saffron broth or Alaskan halibut with pea vines. Your first dinner at Matt's is like a first date you hope will never end. It is owned by Dan Bugge, a bit of a celebrity himself, having appeared on TV shows with Martha Stewart, Anthony Bourdain, and Bobby Flay.

Tradition and creativity strike a smart balance at this polished Korean restaurant. The menu leans bold, with a dozen inventive small plates—most famously the fried rice tinted with squid ink and topped with bacon, kimchi, and a quail egg—and larger entrees of steak and seafood kissed by a wood-fired grill. Even the more adventurous dishes land on the right side of delicious, and the warm, attentive service keeps the experience relaxed rather than fussy. The dining room’s mix of marble and dark wood feels both modern and grounded, fitting for its sleek South Lake Union address at the base of an Amazon office tower.

Phở Bắc first brought its eponymous noodle soup to Seattle in the early 1980s; now, the children of the original owners proffer an equally pioneering Vietnamese restaurant. The recipes and flavors hew tightly to tradition, but the space and style come wholly from a young, modern perspective. The photogenic oversized beef ribs sticking out from an enormous bowl of noodles and broth have become iconic, as have the shots of whiskey served with hot pho broth. Multiple locations around town vary in menu; the benefit of this one is its prime location in Little Saigon, just across the parking lot from the boat-shaped original location—now a Vietnamese fried chicken restaurant from the same family.

Tucked into Post Alley, this hole-in-the-wall joint serves award-winning chowders. Skip the wait and order ahead for pick up, then snag a table in the outdoor section of the market and enjoy with a view. The smoked salmon chowder and crab and oyster chowder give the traditional New England chowder a run for its money. While most people come for the chowder, it also sells seafood rolls–brioche buns stuffed with fresh Dungeness crab or lobster. Few places draw longer lines than the Pike Place Starbucks—but Pike Place Chowder gives Seattle's flagship coffee shop some stiff competition. 

Adventurous enough for the most committed gourmands but accessible enough to be a neighborhood favorite, Revel starts with Korean street food and shakes it up with a variety of influences, from French to American. Noodle dishes at this sleek industrial-chic spot with ample outdoor seating might feature smoked tea noodles with roast duck or seaweed noodles with Dungeness crab, while irresistibly spicy dumplings might be stuffed with bites of short ribs, shallots, and scallions, or perhaps chickpeas, roasted cauliflower, and mustard yogurt. Plates are small enough so that you can save room for one of the playful desserts riffing off Junior Mints or butterscotch pudding.

The stained glass saint over the door, holding wheat in one hand and a Japanese melonpan (bun) in the other, exemplifies this eccentric but excellent bakery perched above Portage Bay, just south of the UW campus. Scandinavian-style cardamom knots, classic French croissants, and fried egg sandwiches with Thai-style turkey sausage are great to start the day, and an intriguing array of grab-and-go salads and sandwiches are popular at lunch. The counter and kitchen take up the small indoor space, but a covered patio on the side keeps diners warm and dry.

Located on the first floor of Populus Hotel, Salt Harvest echoes the hotel's commitment to sustainability and the local ecosystem; its menu is an ode to the flavors of Washington's land and seas. Dine on green marble tables enveloped by draping plants and bold paintings, tasting your way through seasonal plates sourced from local farms. Meats, fish, and some vegetable dishes are wood-fired, subtly infusing the food with hints of smoke from local woods. The cocktail menu is equally as enticing, drawing on seasonally-sourced herbs and fruits to inspire its libations. While dinner steals the show, breakfast and lunch aren't to be overlooked, with dishes like breakfast fried rice, Turkish eggs, and a crispy fish sandwich. 

The lines are long for hearty, unforgettable sandwiches filled with superior house-cured meats and more at this shop, originally founded by famed New York chef Mario Batali's father Armandino. The oxtail sandwich special is unbeatable, but if it's unavailable or sold out (as specials often are by the lunchtime peak) order a salami, porchetta, or meatball sandwich with onions, peppers, cheese, and olive oil. Vegetarians can't go wrong with the eggplant parm sandwich. You can order whole or half sandwiches. Most people opt for takeout, or grab one of the tables in the packed dining room.

The main attraction here is the Lao burger: two meat patties—a mix of sirloin and pork belly—topped with provolone, pickled red onions, jaew bong (a spicy condiment), mayo, cilantro, and more pork belly. The menu also features Lao soup, salad, stew, noodles, vegetable curry, and sausage (the chef's mother's recipe)—cuisine with an Asian comfort-food vibe similar to Thai and Vietnamese, but its own distinctive spices. The warmly lit dining room is casual, lively, and a little hip.

Oysters don’t get any fresher than this: Taylor, a fifth-generation, family-owned company, opened its own restaurant to serve their products in the manner most befitting such pristine shellfish. The simple preparations—raw, cooked, and chilled—are all designed to show off the seafood with light broths, sauces, and a few accoutrements. This is the place to come for a true sense of the Pacific Northwest’s “merroir”—taste of the local waters, including the (in)famous local giant clam, the geoduck, which is mostly known for its unique, somewhat lewd shape. Proximity to the stadium makes this the perfect destination for Seattle’s local tailgaters, who often prefer a dozen fresh-shucked bivalves to chili or barbecue.

If Julia Child ran a restaurant in Seattle, this would be it. The menu is old-school: we're talking meat and potatoes (plus vegetarian options) done with elegant, pan-European flair. Dinner is lovely, but lunch or brunch is when you’ll find their signature dish: the Dutch baby, a crispy, custardy cross between a pancake and a soufflé, served with sweet or savory toppings. With only 11 tables and a four-day schedule, reservations are essential. The spot sits just a couple of blocks south of the Space Needle. Visit both in one go evening for a perfect contrast in Seattle experiences.

Wallingford's strip of Japanese food holds sushi, grilled meats, and ramen for every budget, with this slip of a spot ranking among the best. Ramen comes in a wide variety, including high-end versions made with Wagyu broth and super traditional shio and shoyu options, plus vegan mushroom and gluten-free versions. A smattering of small plates rounds out the offerings, including a focus on zangi (Japanese-style fried chicken).  After your meal, head to the ice cream window, Indigo Cow, and try Hokkaido milk soft-serve from the first place to serve it in the U.S.

Baja California Mexican cuisine and a laid-back vibe define this casual spot, done up in bright, beachy colors, with a deck overlooking Portage Bay. Fresh fish tacos and mangodillas (quesadillas with mango and poblano chilies) are menu favorites; whatever you order, be sure to pay a visit to the salsa bar. In good weather, the lively deck is the place to be—and it's a challenge to nab a table. Agua Verde is perched waterside on a street surrounded by quirky boat-repair shops; in the warmer months, you can rent kayaks under the restaurant and paddle around Portage Bay. 

Among the several gyro shops along The Ave, Aladdin is the standout, serving succulent meats, crispy falafel, smoky baba ganoush, and silky smooth hummus. There's a dining room in the back, but this is primarily a takeout joint, with very late hours. Generations of UW undergrads have ended a long night here.

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.

The New Mexican-style breakfast burritos at this cozy counter-service spot have a cult following, thanks to a tasty homemade hatch chili sauce. Bang Bang also serves coffee, sweet baked goods, and a handful of lunch options, including tortas and vegan mac and cheese.

This lobster-roll specialist brings a breezy Maine-coast vibe to South Lake Union’s 400 Fairview complex. The star, of course, is the lobster roll. It's rich, buttery, and undeniably indulgent—but the menu also reels in more approachable options like crab and shrimp sandwiches, hearty chowder, and fresh salads. In summer, slushy cocktails join the lineup alongside local craft beers and wines. A long bar and communal patio seating round out the easygoing, waterfront spirit—more seaside shack than city storefront.

A staple in Seattle's food scene since it opened in 2003, Beecher’s is the city’s first artisanal cheese maker. Watch cheese churning and sample a bite or two of the establishment’s flagship cheese—a nutty, aged cow's milk—as you wait in line. Beecher's might attract much of the Pike Place crowd, but the decadent mac and cheese and gooey grilled cheese are understandably popular. As you wait for your lunch to be prepared, you might be tempted to purchase some of Beecher's cheese varieties to bring home. Snag a table along the waterfront to enjoy your cheesy bites.  

Located in the hip State Hotel, Ben Paris has become a neighborhood favorite for elevated classic American fare for brunch and dinner. Consider a fried chicken sandwich with spicy mayo and kimchi coleslaw, breakfast hashes, or mussels in a garlic wine sauce, dished up in a stylish space with graphic wallpaper and a bustling bar. Don't miss the outstanding braised octopus or the creative cocktail list designed by Abigail Gullo, a star bartender from New Orleans.