the best restaurants and bars in seattle
While not an obvious choice for a foodie city, Seattle has countless delicious restaurants featuring cuisines from all around the world scattered throughout different neighborhoods. There is also a low key bar scene complete with speakeasies, rooftops, and numerous breweries. Here are the best restaurants and bars to check out in Seattle.
breakfast/brunch
capitol hill / new american / $$
This adorable all-day cafe has a beautiful back garden that is perfect for a sunny morning/afternoon. With everything from breakfast bowls to natural wine, OddFellows is always a solid option, no matter what you’re in the mood for.
menu instagram maps reservations
various locations / american / $$
Famous for their build-your-own french toast bar, Portage Bay is a popular Seattle brunch spot. (Due to covid they are not currently offering the build-your-own-bar, but they are still serving their famous french toast!) They have french toast flavors like the oatmeal cobbler (my favorite), bananas foster, and Swedish lingonberry.
menu instagram maps reservations
magnolia / bakery / $
This French, family-owned bakery is one of my new favorites in Seattle. Upon entering you are greeted by the owners in their charming, heavily accented English. With a spread of croissants, quiches, macarons, cookies, bread, and other pastries, Petit Pierre will transport you to a boulangerie/patisserie in France. The goat cheese spinach croissant I got has been on my mind since I took my first bite, and I can’t wait to go back for more.
chinatown / dim sum / $$
This is the best place in Seattle for dim sum. Great food for cheap prices in a lively environment, Jade Garden in Chinatown is a staple dim sum restaurant.
*Asian-owned business
various locations / american / $$
A classic brunch spot, Skillet will more than satisfy all your brunch needs with menu items like a breakfast burrito and chicken and waffles.
menu instagram maps reservations
lunch spots
various locations / ramen / $$
This Tokyo-style ramen chain has the best ramen in Seattle. They also have locations in Chicago, Portland, Indiana, and other areas of Washington.
fremont + sodo / cuban / $
This place has cheap but hearty and delicious Cuban sandwiches in a small but efficient space. Except a line at this popular spot!
ballard / sandwiches / $
This unassuming but popular sandwich shop in Ballard has one of the best vegan sandwiches - the vegan heaven - that I have ever had. (Don’t worry - they have plenty of meat options as well!) Perfect for a quick bite, Other Coast Cafe has cold and hot options for pick up to-go.
wallingford / japanese / $
Made famous for their chirashi bowls, Musashi’s is worth the hype. Not only is the fish fresh and colorful, but also comes in extremely generous portions, especially given the price - $15.50 (!!) Note that they are CASH ONLY.
*Asian-owned business
dinner restaurants
capitol hill / eclectic / $$
Whether you’re craving Indian curry or a burger, Marjorie will satisfy all your desires. An eclectic menu brings together flavors from the Pacific Northwest with owner Donna Moodie’s Jamaican roots. In a tree-lined street tucked away from the bustling bar scene of Capitol Hill, Marjorie has a beautiful front garden and charming interiors for a serene dining experience.
*black-owned business
university village + downtown / taiwanese / $$
This popular restaurant chain from Taiwan is famous for their handmade dumplings, wontons, and noodles, served in an elevated setting. Expect a long wait as they do not take reservations.
*Asian-owned business
capitol hill + bellevue / Vietnamese-fusion / $$$
This upscale Vietnamese-fusion place has been my family’s go-to for years! Elevated interiors and food that’s flawlessly executed make for the perfect combination.
san fermo
ballard / italian / $$$
Photo courtesy of San Fermo
This neighborhood-style Italian trattoria has a homey feel. With cozy back garden seating, and a menu that changes nightly, going to San Fermo feels like going to a classy Italian grandmother’s house for dinner.
queen anne + madison park / new american / $$
An Ethan Stowell restaurant, How to Cook a Wolf serves New American food in a rustic setting, and is the perfect upscale restaurant for a date, birthday, or other special occasion.
menu instagram maps reservations
queen anne / new orleans / $$
This Cajun and Creole-inspired restaurant has simply amazing food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a modern rustic setting in lower Queen Anne.
menu instagram maps reservations
capitol hill / omakase + à la carte / $$$
This sushi restaurant is my favorite in Seattle! High quality fish fused with impeccable service come together for a delightful omakase experience.
belltown / japanese / $$
You might just miss this tiny, unmarked Japanese restaurant in Belltown if you’re not careful. Serving authentic Japanese food like sushi and soba, this family-owned Japanese restaurant is a spot not to be missed.
menu instagram maps reservations
belltown / japanese / $$
Featuring high quality fish that’s incorporated in an izakaya-style tapas menu, Umi Sake House is in a fun area of Belltown. With sushi on the menu as well as small plates like agedashi tofu, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and udon, Umi Sake House also has a variety of options to choose from.
dessert spots
various locations / ice cream / $
This place is a must for ice cream. Featuring flavors like balsamic strawberry, honey lavendar, and earl grey, Molly Moon’s serves up artisanal unique ice cream without compromising on taste or quality.
capitol hill + ballard / ice cream / $
With other locations in Portland, LA, and San Francisco, Salt + Straw recently made its debut in Seattle as well. Thank goodness, so I can get my regular fix of their salted caramel ice cream whenever I’m back in town. With an extensive rotating seasonal menu featuring exotic flavors like…Salt + Straw always keeps their selection fresh.
madrona / donuts / $
This place has amazing mochi donuts among other flavors, as well as custom cakes and cake slices on the weekends featuring unique flavors like guava coconut and eggnog. Expect a wait, and go early to ensure they don’t sell out beforehand.
various locations / donuts / $
The early bird gets the donut, and you’ll have to wake up early if you want to try one of General Porpoises’ signature vanilla cream filled powdered sugar donuts. However, they are so incredibly worth it! With other rotating flavors like lemon curd, honey yogurt, and apricot jam, General Porpoise has something for everyone.
capitol hill + university village / cookie bakery / $$
This cookie shop has amazing cookies along with delicious ice cream cookie sandwiches made with ice cream from Molly Moon’s (which is also a must-visit.)
various locations / pie / $$
This bar is TINY but serves really good fruit pies. (Also, what’s better than a bar that serves cocktails alongside dessert?) They also have a plethora of other sweet and savory pies to satisfy you, no matter what you may be craving. (However, get there early to try and get a fruit pie before they sell out. Also, wouldn’t recommend a cream pie but the other flavors I’ve tried have been pretty good.)
bars
Image courtesy of MBar Seattle.
south lake union / rooftop / $$$
MBar is a beautiful, expansive indoor-outdoor rooftop with fire pits, bohemian lounge chairs, and sweeping views of Lake Union!
Image courtesy of Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails
downtown / rooftop / $$$
Located on top of the Motif Hotel, a boutique hotel in downtown Seattle, Frolik serves up cocktails and food in their indoor and outdoor space with a view of the city. They have Happy Hour Tuesday - Thursday from 4 - 6 pm with food and drink specials, making them perfect for an inexpensive but fun pit stop.