Capitol Hill is bursting with restaurants that push boundaries for food creativity and bring global cuisine to Seattle. Take in the energy of Seattle nightlife as you wander the rainbow streets of Capitol Hill, where restaurants proudly display signs promoting respect for diversity.  We created this guide to the best Capitol Hill restaurants in Seattle to help you navigate these options and experience incredible food. A night in the city is never complete without something sweet, so be sure to check out our bonus section for the best desserts in Capitol Hill. 

12. Nue

The global-inspired menu at Nue is designed for adventurous eaters. To say their food is unique is an understatement, so be ready for flavors that you’ve never experienced before. Upon arrival, you will be seated at a communal table and surrounded by exotic decor from around the world. The menu features dishes from places such as Pakistan, South Africa, and Malaysia. Their best-seller is the Chengdu Spicy Jumbo Chicken Wings, which are served as a magnificent tower of perfectly fried wings that punch you in the mouth with bold flavor. We are particularly obsessed with their house-made pineapple cornbread that is delivered to the table hot, buttery, and topped with toasted coconut.

11. Momiji

Seattle knows how to do sushi, and Momiji is our favorite of the Capitol Hill restaurants to satisfy all your sushi needs. A Japanese garden surrounded by glass sits in the center of Momiji, which creates a soothing atmosphere full of natural light. There are dozens of specialty rolls to choose from and portion sizes are generous. A popular selection is the Capitol Hill roll, which is topped with beautiful, seared salmon and sweet chili soy glaze. This hidden oasis is the ideal place to escape the bustling streets and have a delicious sushi experience.

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10. Tacos Chukis

Seattle is not known for its Mexican food, but Tacos Chukis is in a league of its own. They are nailing every element of an incredible taco, making them one of our favorite Capitol Hill restaurants. Go straight for the house taco that is built on soft corn tortillas with juicy adobada pork, guacamole, onion, cilantro, salsa, and grilled pineapple. The menu is simple and affordable, and we recommend it to anyone looking to satisfy a taco craving. Their Capitol Hill location is easy to miss, which only adds to the feeling that you have finally discovered one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets.

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9. Skillet

One of our favorite Capitol Hill restaurants is Skillet. It is the ultimate diner experience where southern comfort meets an all-day breakfast menu. Skillet is filled with large booths, happy music, and friendly staff.  Trust us when we tell you to order anything with fried chicken. The breading is crispy, the meat is juicy, and the flavor is incredible! Some of our personal favorites are the fried chicken sammy and the fried chicken cornmeal waffle.

8. Quinn’s Pub

Quinn’s Pub is central to Capitol Hill restaurants and the nightlife scene. On the menu, you will find basic bar food with a gourmet twist, like their wild boar sloppy joe. This is no ordinary sloppy joe! Delicious ground boar is cooked in a spicy tomato sauce and topped with fried onion, crispy sage, and a duck egg. It’s a meal that will have you coming back to try everything on the menu. We also love Quinn’s for their down-to-earth staff and service that makes you feel like you’re amongst friends.  The restaurant itself has a cozy, industrial vibe and plenty of seating. It is a great choice for anyone looking for high-end food in a casual dining setting.

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7. Kedai Makan

Kedai Makan serves soul-warming Malaysian food like coconut fried rice, braised lamb curry, and homemade noodles. Tucked beneath a brick apartment building, there is always a line of people waiting outside for their 5 p.m. opening time. Kedai Makan is open Wednesday through Sunday, but we recommend dining here on a weeknight to avoid a possible two-hour wait (although it would still be worth it). The incredible demand speaks to how truly delicious this food is. We love anything with their homemade pan mee noodles, particularly the Chili Pan Mee which is a perfect balance of savory ground pork, rich poached egg, and crunchy fried anchovies. It is food unlike any other of the Capitol Hill restaurants. 

6. Stateside

If you’re in search of Vietnamese food amongst all the Capitol Hill restaurants, Stateside is where you want to be. Each menu item is an elevated version of what you would expect. There are a variety of small plates and large plates to select from, and sharing is highly encouraged. You can’t leave without an order of the crispy fresh duck rolls for the table. The duck is tender, crispy, and plentiful. Fresh mint compliments the flavor of the duck, and the rolls are served with an oyster soy scallion dip that is simply to die for. Everything at Stateside, from the decor to the plating of the food, is refreshing, artsy, and beautiful.

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5. Bakery Nouveau

Buttery, flaky, and decadent chocolate woven into every bite. You’ll find it at Bakery Nouveau. This Seattle-favorite bakery is selling perfection in the form of a twice-baked chocolate croissant. Upon arrival, take your time marveling at the assortment of sandwiches, pastries, and macaroons displayed behind a long glass case. After chatting with the cheerful staff about their recommendations, enjoy your selections while sitting at a quaint table in the shop. Our favorite picks? Creamy mushroom quiche, the savory roast beef sandwich, carrot-date cake garnished with coconut, and we never leave without a twice-baked chocolate croissant. Bakery Nouveau is open until 7 p.m., but we recommend it as a brunch or lunch spot for optimal selection.

4. HoneyHole

Everything you hope for in a sandwich can be found at HoneyHole. A crispy French baguette with a chewy interior serves as the perfect vehicle for generous portions of tender meat. Their best-seller is the Fast Eddie which features in-house tri-tip, melted pepper jack cheese, sauteed onions, Mama Lil’s sweet hot peppers, and aioli. HoneyHole is intimate and casual, and a local-favorite for Capitol Hill restaurants. You can even call in an order for takeout if you prefer to take your sandwich to-go. 

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3. Cascina Spinasse

Spinasse has countless awards and recognitions, and their signature dish, the Tajarin al Ragu, certainly lives up to the reputation. Get ready to swoon over the delicacy of this freshly made, hand-cut pasta and the superb flavor of the beef and pork sauce. All pasta dishes can be ordered in half or full sizes, and we highly recommend adding the Cavatelli with braised beef short rib ragu and blistered cherry tomatoes to your order. This is not the time to hold back on carbs. Italian food is a labor of love, and you will taste the effort Spinasse puts into their dishes with every bite. Spinasse is charmingly quaint, and a must-try amongst the restaurants in Capitol Hill.

2. Mamnoon

One of our favorite Capitol Hill restaurants is Mamnoon, offering upscale Middle Eastern food that is vibrant with flavor. We love the mezze sampler, proving there is no better way to indulge in hot flatbread than having it slathered in hummus or muhammara—made of ground walnut, pepper paste, and pomegranate molasses. For an entree, we recommend the intensely juicy and flavorful chicken kebab served with Lebanese garlic sauce that will have you licking your plate clean. The true star of the show, though, is Mamnoon’s fried cauliflower plate. Crusted in spices and drizzled with tahini sauce, this is hands down the best cauliflower dish you’ll ever have. 

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1. Bateau

The dining experience at Bateau is sensational. Written on a chalkboard is their daily selection of grass-fed beef that has been aged for a minimum of 21 days and butchered in house. A highly knowledgable server will walk you through the options and make recommendations according to your preferences. It takes 40 minutes for your steak to arrive cooked to perfection. In the meantime, you can feast on menu items such as the Short Rib Croquettes with a piquillo pepper aioli. What you won’t find listed on the menu, is the Bateau burger. In other words, the burger of your dreams. A housemade semolina bun is slathered with aioli and caramelized onions, then filled with an insanely beefy patty that will blow you away. Of all the Capitol Hill restaurants, Bateau is our number one choice for an unforgettable meal.

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3. Hello Robin

In case you missed the Mackles’more craze, let us introduce you to your new favorite cookie. Hello Robin’s signature treat is a chocolate chunk and marshmallow cookie that is baked onto a toasty graham cracker and topped with a square of Theo chocolate. This is the most delicious cookie you will find in Capitol Hill. If you’re in the mood for something a little extra, pick two of their cookie flavors and have them made into an ice cream sandwich. Their scoops come from another Seattle favorite—Molly Moon’s! 

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2. Hot Cakes

With a name like “Dark Decadence,” it’s no wonder this dessert will have you melting in the molten, rich Theo chocolate center. Paired with a sweet vanilla ice cream topped with dry-burned caramel and cocoa nibs, this cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. Hot Cakes in Capitol Hill is one of our favorite spots for dessert. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating, so you can genuinely enjoy every bite. The menu is outrageous, with molten cake flavors including s’mores, peanut butter, and brownie. The molten cakes are a must, but we also encourage trying a warm cookie and ice cream with toppings of your choice.

1. Salt & Straw

Our all-time favorite dessert in Capitol Hill is the ice cream at Salt & Straw. We’ve raved about this before, but we can’t help giving another shoutout to this incredible shop. Salt & Straw continues to give new meaning to creativity with their experimental flavors, particularly in their rotating monthly specials. There is always a line out the door, but the staff gives every customer incredible attention and service. We love the sea salt with caramel ribbons paired with the chocolate gooey brownie for a creamy and decadent treat!