10 Great Restaurants in Seattle

Salty’s on Alki Beach is a seafood restaurant famous for serving piles of crab legs, prawns and fish – we’re talking pounds of fresh seafood at an affordable price. If you’re hungry, come for the extremely fresh catch and bountiful weekend brunches. You’ll also enjoy one of the best views of the Puget Sound from your table.

Still hungry? Salty’s is also known for its desserts – some locals stop only for a decadent treat and a glass of wine overlooking the water. Try the creamy key lime pie or the decadent Black Forest roulade made with buttercream – it’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true.

Ray’s Boathouse is a top-end seafood restaurant on Seaview Avenue, known for its stylish presentation, unique flavours, and use of fresh catches of the day. Ray’s is also a famous date spot in Seattle thanks to its elegant decor and romantic sea views. It’s a place to impress and even propose.

The Pacific Northwest halibut is recommended for those who want to try a regional favourite. The plump Dungeness crab cakes aren’t to be missed, either. The selection of fine wines, local beers, and cocktails is curated to complement the delicate flavours of the sea.

Ba Bar Capitol Hill is an eclectic and upbeat Vietnamese restaurant and cocktail lounge in Downtown Seattle. It’s a fitting spot to dine in Capitol Hill, the hippest district in Seattle. The inspired Vietnamese dishes blend traditional flavours with new ideas, and the cocktails pack just the punch you’ll need to wash down that spicy pork belly or bún bò huế (spicy beef soup).

You’ve got to start with the bò bía (classic Vietnamese fresh roll stuffed with egg, peanut, and dried shrimp) – it pairs nicely with beer. For a heartier dish, share some rotisserie chicken, duck, or pork belly. The melt-in-your-mouth meat is spiced to perfection and served with rice – top it with a fried egg to eat like a local!

The European-style Queen Anne Beer Hall is a lively spot in Seattle serving pub food and locally brewed beers. Walking in, you’ll feel like being transported to the heart of Bavaria. The warehouse-sized restaurant is full of long wooden tables and the walls are lined with beer taps. Be ready to make some new friends here.

Queen Anne’s menu is full of delicious European classics like juicy sausage platters and pretzels as big as your head. Even so, they know how to do American food, too. The smash-patty burger combines the glorious grease of a New York diner with the fresh local ingredients Seattle’s food scene is known for. As for the beer, you’ll find German classics by the litre as well as select Northwestern brews.

Katsu Burger & Bar is the spot in Seattle for Instagrammable burgers and beers. Their grass-fed beef patties are fried katsu style. Their one-of-a-kind Japanese-American fusion and their off-the-wall atmosphere make dining at Katsu quite an experience. One thing that overshadows everything else here is the huge size of its burgers.

If you’re looking for a distinctly Seattle burger experience, try to devour a whole Mt. Fuji Mega Burger. It’s stacked with fried beef, pork and chicken patties along with bacon, egg, 3 kinds of cheese, and select vegetables. Don’t worry, they have slightly smaller burgers, too. And the award-winning nori fries are a must. Wash them all down with a stiff shot of shōchū or a crisp Jones Soda.

The Masonry is an exclusive pizzeria serving Italian-style pies in a wood-fired oven, just a skip from the water in Seattle’s Fremont district. This renowned eatery has limited hours and limited seating. Even so, it’s a must-try and can be considered the pinnacle of the pizza-and-beer experience that’s been a staple of American culture for nearly a century.

When in Seattle, you’ve got to try their seafood pizza. The Masonry’s clams and garlic pie blends traditional Seattle and Italian cuisine into a perfectly balanced masterpiece. The classic margarita makes a good pairing with any selection. You can also choose from over 100 beers, some of which are made exclusively for The Masonry.

McMenamins Six Arms is a Scottish pub serving American grub and an eclectic artsy atmosphere that is 100% Seattle. It’s located in the heart of Downtown, so it’s a great spot to stop for a meal after shopping at Pike Place Market or climbing the Space Needle.

The look might be Scottish, but the food at McMenamins is classic American sports pub fare. Mac and cheese, club sandwiches and burgers abound. But you can hearken back to the old country with a heaping portion of fish and chips too. McMenamins makes their own ales – try the Hammerhead NW pale ale, which is a local take on a classic bitter.

The Whale Wins is a European restaurant in Seattle that presents a menu based around its wood-fired oven. Local ingredients as well as seafood and meat are imbued with the flavours of natural flame. The menu changes from week to week. Even so, you can expect unique and elevated fare that embodies the American Northwest but which pays homage to Europe.

Whether you’re in the mood for small tapas or a wholesome meal, The Whale Wins is a great stop for a fresh taste of real Northwestern food and a glass of local Washington Wine or beer. The cabin-chic restaurant might seem unassuming, but it’s a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award.

Cafe Paloma is a bistro serving fresh Mediterranean and Turkish favourites in Downtown Seattle. Dig into thick hummus and zesty tabouli for a light and healthy meal. If you have an appetite, try the lamb pita falafel, claimed by many to be the best in Seattle. The prices at Cafe Paloma are very reasonable for its location downtown. Stop here for top-rated eats on a budget.

Cafe Paloma is special because each meal is handmade and served by grandmas, mothers and granddaughters. Family is important to these ladies, so hours are limited. Come for lunch for the best experience.

Mountaineering Club is a lounge and restaurant on the 16^th floor of the Graduate Hotel in Seattle. The restaurant’s elevated pub food is a mix between rugged and refined. Examples include the Wagyu and Dungeness dog, a Seattle-style hot dog topped with juicy crab meat, as well as the seafood boil that features plump shrimp and sausage in a rich remoulade.

With indoor and outdoor seating, Mountaineering Club is the best spot for panoramic views of the city. You’ll see the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, the Cascade Mountains, and towering Mount Rainier all from your table. What better way to enjoy it than with a signature cocktail – rustic herbs and fresh fruit are used to make each concoction an adventure.