21 Best Seattle Restaurants

There is no city in the world quite like Seattle. Whether you’re a local or visiting for a few days, there is an undeniable rush that comes from taking in all the scenes of the extraordinary city surrounded by water and towering pine trees. And while some people first think of iconic Seattle institutions like the Mariners or Starbucks or Nordstrom, what you really need to know is that the gastronomic scene here is bursting with incredible Seattle restaurants and is absolutely not to be missed. We hope you enjoy our collection of the best Seattle restaurants, categorized by genre, so that next time you’re eating your way through the Emerald City, you’ll know exactly where to start.

SEE ALSO: 15 BEST PIKE PLACE MARKET RESTAURANTS AND SMALL BITES

21. Chinese: Dough Zone

Seattle is an absolute mecca when it comes to incredible Asian food, and Dough Zone is our top pick for Chinese cuisine. We are over the moon for the delicious flavors throughout the Dough Zone menu, but the main reason you’re coming here is for the xiao long bao. Xiao long bao are delicate, delectable soup dumplings, and Dough Zone has the most authentic you can find among Seattle restaurants. There’s no wrong way to enjoy your xiao long bao just as long as none of the magical broth inside the dumpling goes to waste.

20. Vietnamese: Stateside

Seattle is home to a lot of incredible Vietnamese food, but few are on the same level as Stateside. This quaint and trendy restaurant is a hot spot in Capitol Hill, so you’ll want to make a reservation in advance. The most popular menu item? Crispy duck fresh rolls that pack a flavor punch and are the perfect appetizer. The menu is organized into small, medium, and large plates that are designed to share, so pick out as many plates as your table is hungry for and get ready for a culinary treat!

19. Mexican: Carmelo’s Tacos

While a lot of great food can be found at some of the more upscale Mexican restaurants in Seattle, the best authentic and delicious Mexican food is definitely at Carmelo’s Tacos. They have a new location in Capitol Hill, and it is worth a visit if you’re craving a taco. Or, two… or three! The best thing on the menu is the quesabirria with consommé. The texture of the tortillas, the flavor of the consommé, and the tenderness of the meat all come together to create the most incredible taco experience.

18. Sandwiches: Tat’s Delicatessen

There is one sandwich worthy of the title “Best Sandwich in Seattle”, and you can find it at Tat’s Delicatessen. The Tat’strami is a sandwich that would impress any east coast native who is used to a true deli experience. With generous portions of in-house pastrami, sweet cole slaw, and Russian dressing, this sandwich is served hot and ready to satisfy your savory needs. It is typically served on an Italian hoagie, but you can substitute it for rye bread if you’re in the mood. We can say with no hesitation that this is the best sandwich in Seattle.

17. Hawaiian Fusion: Marination Ma Kai

Every city has a great spot for burgers, pizza, pasta, and sushi, but not every city has incredible Hawaiian fusion food with the prettiest views in the entire city. Marination Ma Kai is one of our go-to Seattle restaurants for delicious Hawaiian-Korean eats and a view that never gets old. Bring your out-of-towner friends and family to this West Seattle favorite and order as much as your appetite will allow from the kimchi fried rice to the panko-crusted fish & chips to the pork katsu sandwich. Our favorite way to get to Marination Ma Kai is by hopping on a water taxi from downtown. The stunning city views and ocean breeze are the perfect appetizer for your meal.

16. Middle Eastern: Mamnoon

As part of the many Mama Group restaurants, Mamnoon is our favorite spot for middle eastern cuisine. The restaurant is trendy and upbeat with plenty of seating, making it a great dinner spot for a larger group in the city. It is located in Capitol Hill, which is a fun area to explore before or after your meal. Our recommendations on the menu are the moushakal, arnabeit makli, and rack of lamb. We always think a meal is better when shared with friends, but this one, in particular, is share-worthy because the appetizers are the star of the meal. Go ahead and order them all for the table for a chance to try a bit of everything Mamnoon has to offer.

READ NEXT: 16 Best Downtown Seattle Restaurants

15. New Restaurant: Communion R&B

The phrase that comes to mind when describing the best new restaurant in Seattle is “full of life”. From the ambiance to the flavor, everything at Communion Restaurant & Bar is vibrant and exciting. Their menu is a unique fusion that celebrates a variety of cuisine and cultures. Things like gumbo pho that marry Vietnamese and Creole flavors are stars of the menu. Our favorite menu item is definitely the shrimp toast, which makes a perfect shareable appetizer. Follow Communion on Instagram to get notified when reservations go live. They schedule a month in advance, and you’ll want to act fast. While that might seem like quite the rigmarole, it’s worth it, we promise.

14. Barbecue: Lady Jaye

A hidden treasure in West Seattle is Lady Jaye, a barbecue joint where all meat enthusiasts go to be impressed. Lady Jaye specializes in smoked meat, which results in deep flavor and incredible texture. The menu includes a daily special and a Meat n’ Three option that includes a sandwich + three sides. While the shoestring fries are hard to pass up, we are here for the meat! Specifically, the Prime Bulgogi Short Rib Melt. Fall-apart-in-your-mouth short ribs are presented on a brioche bun with pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and bulgogi sauce.

13. Breakfast: Tilikum Place

This small but mighty breakfast restaurant is our must-try pick for the best breakfast in Seattle. Their famous dutch babies will warm you up on even the rainiest of Seattle days. Menu items are made to order, so be ready to wait as the kitchen whips up your sweet or savory (go for both!) dutch baby and serves it to you hot out of the cast iron pan.

12. Burger: 8 oz. Burger

If you need to get your burger fix in Seattle, start with one of our favorite Seattle restaurants, 8 oz. Burger. Specializing in incredible gourmet burgers, we love coming here to satisfy all of our bun and patty cravings. 8 oz. Burger serves delicious, juicy hamburgers cooked to perfection (nothing worse than an overcooked burger), and our go-to order is “The 8 oz.”, a house blend beef patty served with arugula, balsamic onions, bacon, Beecher’s flagship cheddar, and truffle aioli on a toasted brioche bun. Garlic truffle fries on the side are a must.

11. Bakery: Bakery Nouveau

If you can only go to one bakery while you are in Seattle, it absolutely must be Bakery Nouveau. Bakery Nouveau has a few different locations, so be sure to check which is most convenient for you. Every menu item is tried, true, and delicious. Our ideal time to visit is for a mid-morning brunch to snag one of your favorite pastries before the case starts to empty out. Don’t leave without a twice-baked chocolate croissant and a slice of any of their cakes. While you’re there, we recommend a brunch comprised of quiche, the Junction croissant, and/or a kringler (a croissant filled with almond butter and jam, twisted like a pretzel, topped with slivered almonds). Honestly, it’s difficult not to recommend the entire menu!

DON’T MISS: 16 Best Ballard Restaurants

10. Lunch: Matt’s in the Market

Seattle is not lacking in choices for a nice dinner in the city, but if you’re in need of a slightly upscale lunch, then Matt’s in the Market is the place to be. You’ll want to make a reservation a couple of weeks in advance, turns out everyone else loves Matt’s just as much as we do. The restaurant is worth visiting for the views alone; it’s located right across from the Pike Place Market sign. Large, arched windows line the entire restaurant so you can sit and be entertained by the shoppers below. If people-watching isn’t your thing, you can also watch the talented chefs prepare your lunch in the open-space kitchen. The Fishwich is the most talked about menu item, and for good reason, but don’t be afraid to try any of their specials. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

9. Caribbean: Un Bien

If a sandwich could create world peace, the Caribbean Roast sandwich from Un Bien would be the end of all war and strife. You may not know exactly what Caribbean food entails, but after taking just one bite of this sandwich, you’ll be a fan forever. The juiciness and flavors of the Caribbean roast sandwich are truly satisfying and undeniably comforting. All the sandwiches at Un Bien are slathered with aioli and served with cilantro, lettuce, pickled jalapenos, and the thickest, most delicious caramelized onions you’ve ever had. It’s a big, juicy, delectable mess, and we know you’ll love it too.

8. Thai: Pestle Rock

Serving up Thai cuisine in the heart of Ballard, Pestle Rock is a culinary gem. Most of us are used to the taste of Bangkok-style Thai food, such as pad thai or swimming rama, but don’t come here looking for either of those dishes. Pestle Rock specializes in Thai food from Isan, a Northeast region of Thailand known for its pungent, spicy dishes that are often seasoned with fresh herbs, lime juice, and fish sauce. Everything on the menu is bold in flavor and made with ingredients that are fresh, local, and all-natural. Our favorites? If you’re visiting for dinner, choose the kao soi, a creamy curry noodle soup cooked with chicken, topped with red onion, pickled mustard greens, and crispy noodles. If you’re there for lunch, we love the khao ka prau gai khai-dao: Draper Valley ground chicken stir-fried with fresh chilies and hot basil served with rice and topped with a fried egg. Wash it all down with a tamarind soda, and you’ll be convinced that Pestle Rock is one of the best Seattle restaurants.

7. Pizza: Delancey

Delancey is the perfect culmination of Seattle culture, local talent, and, of course, outstanding pizza. Not too fancy yet not too casual, Delancey serves pizza to Seattlelites six days a week (closed on Monday) with wood-fired crust that is absolute perfection and is topped with artisanal toppings like crimini mushrooms, fresh mozzarella, and housemade sausage. Start with the Jersey Salad, order as many pizzas as your party is hungry for, and don’t forget to end with their divine chocolate chip cookie with gray salt—available as dough or baked.

6. Seafood: RockCreek Seafood & Spirits

If you visit Seattle without stopping for seafood at some point, you’re doing it wrong. Seattle is synonymous with fresh seafood and RockCreek is our go-to Seattle restaurant for fabulous fish (and so much more!). We love this airy, lodge-like eatery and its carefully crafted menu. We’re especially fond of their Neah Bay black cod, served with a sherry-lime sauce, caramelized shallots, and Provençal herbs. It’s the kind of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness you’ll dream about until you get to visit RockCreek again. Other love-at-first-bite offerings include their wild Carolina prawns served with McEwen & Sons grits and grilled bread, and their Point Judith calamari served in fun Kari Out to-go packaging with chopsticks.

GET YOUR PASTRY ON: Best Bakeries in Seattle: 21 Top Picks

5. Korean: Joule

Consider Joule the answer to your Korean cravings. This contemporary steakhouse delivers a deliciously innovative blend of Korean flavors prepared with classic French techniques. Their Fremont location offers both modern indoor dining and cozy outdoor patio seating surrounding fire pits, making it a great spot for a girls’ night out or a romantic evening on the town. Many people recommend weekend brunch here, but we can’t get enough of the dinner menu. Joule’s “That” Short Rib Steak made with kalbi beef and served with grilled kimchi is mandatory. It’s incredibly tender, marinated to perfection, and packed with beautiful Korean flavor. Other must-try items include the spicy rice cake, kalbi burger, and twice-baked potato. Our guide to the best Seattle restaurants wouldn’t be complete without Joule.

4. Small Plates: The Walrus & The Carpenter

The Walrus & The Carpenter has more than enough national acclaim, including earning a spot on many, many “best seafood” and “best oyster bar” lists in the country, and we’re here to tell you that the hype is REAL. The Walrus & The Carpenter is a must-not-miss for some of the freshest oysters you will ever enjoy—vaguely reminiscent of the sea with the slight tang of seawater and beautifully succulent and buttery. Start with the seawolf bread and butter (don’t be shy with the butter), and order several different small plates to accompany those oysters.

SEE ALSO: BEST FISH AND CHIPS IN SEATTLE

3. Italian: The Pink Door

Of all the best restaurants in Seattle, the Pink Door is most likely the one that you’ve already heard of and been recommended to by several of your fellow foodie friends. It is a popular choice for out-of-town visitors due to its location in Pike Place Market and the views of Puget Sound (if you reserve and request a seat in that part of the restaurant). Thankfully, the food lives up to the hype and it truly is the best place to eat incredible Italian food. Order a lasagna for the table because everyone needs to try its perfection. Then, dive into all of their other mouth-watering pasta dishes. Be prepared to leave quite full but oh-so-happy.

2. Sushi: Sushi Kashiba

A guide to the best Seattle restaurants wouldn’t be complete without the best sushi restaurant in town, Sushi Kashiba. What most people know about Sushi Kashiba is that Chef Kashiba trained under Jiro (of “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”), so you know it’s going to be good. But what you really need to know about Sushi Kashiba is that it’s not only the best restaurant in the entire Pike Place Market, but one of the absolute best Seattle restaurants period. Make reservations ahead of time for the chef’s omakase to see Shiro Kashiba prepare your sushi before your eyes. Worth every penny.

1. Steakhouse: Bateau

Oh, Bateau…the steak we dream of and the meal we brag to all our friends about. Bateau is the best of the best when it comes to Seattle restaurants. First of all, this is not your typical steakhouse with a somewhat stuffy atmosphere and overly formal staff. Rather, Bateau has a clean and classy vibe with well-informed waiters. The large chalkboard on the wall is handwritten with the selection of steaks available for the day, which are crossed off as the night wears on and customers claim their picks. You’ll definitely want to talk through your options with the waiter, as your choice will vary depending on personal preferences.